Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Meet Maddie, Sarah & Chelsea!


Maddie @ Thriftary
Blog : Facebook : Twitter 

1. Tell me about yourself, your blog, your shop, etc... what do you want people to know about you?
Well well well. Where do I begin with that one?! I am a double brainer. Like... I majored in business but I love to write music. Get my drift? I started blogging because I need a creative/design outlet while I was trudging along in my 9-5. It has become my absolute FAVORITE passtime, and I have met sooooo many ladies that I just adore. Including your very own, Paige. Other things of note.... Let's see. I was our highschool mascot (Trojan Warriors, woot woot!), I own chickens and live in the city, My husband has sexier hair than I do, and I have a really fowl mouth that I'm not very good at hiding. 
2. What do you do when you're not being a blogger/shop owner? 
I am batman (She cannot be batman, I am, because I definitely want Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Robin all to myself). Ok. I'm not. I work a 9-5 job from home. So the real question is, what do I do WHILE I am blogging. Because...I won't lie. The two overlap :) I also love to go on hot dates with my Burley man, and play with my chickens, and garden, and cook andhang out with a lot of awesome people I call my friends. 
3. When you were little, what did you think you would be doing at this moment in your life? 
I thought I would have 8 babies, be an ex-ballerina (I had to quit, because I love my kids!) and I would have a music career on the side (like Hannah Montana, but a Mom). As much fun as that would be... I LOVE MY LIFE. I am married to a sexy man, and enjoying my time as a MANK (married and no kids), and looking forward to someday having 8 babies, but skipping the secret career. I would much rather have a farm, and all the loves of my life surrounding me. There will still be music though :)
4. What is your all time favorite blog post on your site?
Holy crap! This is a REALLY hard one! I think that honestly, it is the one that I did this week (sounds lame but wait for it...) about a freakin' awesome apron that I made, because I got this KILLER new camera, and I just adore how the photos turned out. I also get to talk about my mom a lot, and share a sewing project which i don't do TOO often. So ya. It's my fav. And I'm stickin' to it!


Sarah @ The Fontenot Four

1. Tell me about yourself, your blog, your shop, etc... what do you want people to know about you?
I am a wife to one amazing guy and mom to two little girls (8 and 6) .  I began my blog over a year ago as a way to write about the joys and blessings in my life.  My younger daughter has multiple special needs and is medically fragile.  We've been through so much with her in her 6 years, that it is often quite difficult to find the things to be positive about.  Blogging has really helped me to think and to write out all my thoughts on all the good things that are happening - they may be hard to find, and they may seem few and far between, but the blessings are out there and there is much to be thankful for!
2. What do you do when you're not being a blogger/shop owner? 
When I am not blogging, I am, honestly, just trying to get by.  Right now, we're in a difficult season with my daughter's health, so I'm just doing everything I can to help her and to advocate for her, as well as trying to do the best I can for the rest of my family.  To help relieve some of the stress, I might be found sitting watching movies and knitting a little for my new-ish shop!
3. When you were little, what did you think you would be doing at this moment in your life? 
I always wanted to have a family.  I suppose I envisioned the picture perfect family in the cute little house with a white picket fence.  Oh, and I also thought that I'd be an archaeologist digging up some super-important artifacts in Egypt or something.

4. What is your all time favorite blog post on your site? 
A post on contentment: Yeah, But...




Chelsea @ Sunny With a Chance of Sprinkles

1. Tell me about yourself, your blog, your shop, etc... what do you want people to know about you?
I'm a list making, coconut loving mama to an adorable two year old girl we call Alea Lou. Sunny's my little place to talk about how darn cute she is and share our favorite recipes and fun toddler activities!
2. What do you do when you're not being a blogger/shop owner? 
I'm a nursing student!
3. When you were little, what did you think you would be doing at this moment in your life? 
I thought I would just be a doctor, but I guess I didn't realize then how hard it is to become a doctor. 

4. What is your all time favorite blog post on your site? 
It's a recent one that I just posted yesterday. I love it because I put a lot of hard work into it physically and am really happy with the results I achieved!  http://www.sunnywithachanceofsprinkles.com/2012/07/30-day-shred-results.html 





Friday, July 27, 2012

Giant Give Away!

Everyone loves a Give-Away... and this one is a nice big giant one!

2 Months of Medium Ad Space from Kelly @ The Houtz House Party

This Necklace from Jac&Elise 


Custom Embroidery from Kara @ The Snuggly Duckling
(Not actual embroidery you will win, but example of Kara's work!)

1 Month of Medium Ad Space from Leigh-Ellen @ Little Water Lily in A Big Pond

1 Month of Medium Ad Space from Beth @ Through the Eyes of the Mrs

1 Month of Medium Ad Space from Kristin @ Tales from the Nook


1 Month of Large Ad Space from Me @ Artsy Anthropology

1 Key Chain Wallet from Artsy Anthropology (Your Choice)






Insta-Friday

Today is:
life rearranged
Today is also the beginning of my 3 day sponsor give-away! Are you exited? That will be posted right after this - yes, 2 posts in 1 night! CRAZY.
Another mass mailing... and some delicious cupcakes!

I made a new product.. then I made 6 more... then I had an Insta-Sale on Instagram... Then, I kept one for myself (see picture below). And now I have 8 more in the process of being made, which will then be up in the shop this weekend.
My new Key Chain Wallet


New fabric... and a new lap-top case (these will be in the shop eventually).

And that's my week in a nut-shell... stick around for the give away that will be up later!






Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Meet Stephanie, Clare, Kelly & Tricia

Hello lovelies! Meet a few more of my awesome sponsors!  Their buttons are over there on the right - but below, is who they are, what they do and their lovely faces! Hope you like them as much as I do!!


Stephanie @ Sand and Starfish
Twitter : Facebook : Blog : Shop : Bloglovin

1. Tell me about yourself, your blog, your shop, etc... what do you want people to know about you?
     My name is Stephanie and I am the creative lady behind the blog and shop Sand & Starfish. I love vintage sheets and fabrics and I love turning them into something new and wonderful which is what my shop is filled with. On my blog you'll find that I'm somewhat crafty and can cook (for the most part) but almost always forget a key ingredient. I have a gorgeous little kiddo who just turned 4 and I stay at home to watch her grow, teach her, and of course, laugh and laugh and laugh. I live right down the street from the beach and we're so blessed to be able to do so!

2. What do you do when you're not being a blogger/shop owner?
     Because I'm a stay at home mom, there's always something to be done around the house. Washing, folding, ironing the laundry. Making sure we have something to eat for dinner. Cleaning, supervising cleaning of toys, letting the dogs in and out and in and out and making sure they're not trying to destroy each other outside (for the millionth time), vacuuming, cleaning more, and of course, taking a break for some much needed fun in the sun! I also box 3 times a week with my husband and LOVE having that as a stress reliever! 

3. When you were little, what did you think you would be doing at this moment in your life?
      I never thought I'd be married or have a kid. I always thought I'd just have a dog or two and I'd live alone. I'm an introvert so I was okay with this. But I thought for sure I'd be a marine biologist and I'd live in Cali. Guess I had no idea what life would throw at me!

4. What is your all time favorite blog post on your site?
All my favorite posts have to do with the beach. It's just such a big part of our lives. So I have 2... I know, I broke the rules! Picnics and sunsets :) 




Clare @ C Squared W
Blog : Twitter : Facebook : Pinterest 

1. Tell me about yourself, your blog, your shop, etc... what do you want people to know about you?
     I am an artist and adventurer enjoying life in the Caribbean with my husband.  I'm an eternal optimist and try to take life on day at a time. 
2. What do you do when you're not being a blogger/shop owner?
     I love to draw, read, hike, and do yoga. 
3. When you were little, what did you think you would be doing at this moment in your life?
     I thought I would be an art teacher. 

4. What is your all time favorite blog post on your site?
     One of my favorite posts was this little one recently about simple, island life







Kelly @ The Houtz House Party


1. Tell me about yourself, your blog, your shop, etc... what do you want people to know about you?
     I'm a mama to 4 little people just trying to make it through the day focused on Jesus while keeping a bit of "me" amidst the crunched up cheerios and spilled milk.

2. What do you do when you're not being a blogger/shop owner?
     I'm a mama, wife, daughter, friend and neighbor.  And I also like to make bread.  Random?  Yes, but i enjoy kneading out my weekly frustrations on 2 loves of bread for my family!

3. When you were little, what did you think you would be doing at this moment in your life?
     I thought i would be a big important executive in the business world.  My how dreams change!

4. What is your all time favorite blog post on your site?
     A letter to my little girl.  She is our last baby and only girl.  







Tricia @ Mama Marchand's Nest
Blog : Shop : Twitter : Facebook

1. Tell me about yourself, your blog, your shop, etc... what do you want people to know about you?
     I'm Tricia, author of Mama Marchand's Nest and shop owner of Mama's Nest Designs. I'm a Christian, wife, mama, blogger, tweet-head, and jewelry designer. I love coffee, yoga, baking, reading a good book, and traveling.

2. What do you do when you're not being a blogger/shop owner?
     Well, I'm about become a stay at home mama! My last day of working my daytime part-time job is next Wednesday and I am SO EXCITED! So, I'll be spending my days with my little girl, doing crafts and fun things. I can't wait! I also love to read, bake, and explore our area for fun (and cheap) things to do.

3. When you were little, what did you think you would be doing at this moment in your life?
     I honestly had no clue. I changed my mind every other day on what I wanted to be when I grew up so I can't answer this one. I knew I'd be married with kids, though, so that part came true. ;)

4. What is your all time favorite blog post on your site?
     http://www.mamamarchand.com/2012/06/real-life.html - because this is totally honest and totally ME.















Monday, July 23, 2012

Margarita Cupcakes

Oh My God!

      Okay so, I don't drink much but I love myself a Margarita ... and please, who doesn't love cupcakes? But a MARGARITA CUPCAKE? Get outta here!  I took this recipe from http://www.browneyedbaker.com and I would be lying if I said that I wouldn't be back to try some more stuff. But back to these cupcakes!

Margarita Cupcakes 
Yield: 12 cupcakes
Bake Time: 25 minutes

For the Cupcakes:
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs, at room temperature
Zest and juice of 1½ limes
2 tablespoons tequila (Or more… if you’re like me)
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup buttermilk 
     (Substitute of 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of milk, sit for 5 minutes – then use    required amount, also works) 

For the Tequila-Lime Frosting:
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature (note, I used ½ cup, and it was just less fluffy but still delicious!)
2¾ cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon lime juice
2 tablespoons tequila
Pinch of coarse salt


1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a standard muffin tin with paper liners; set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.

3. In an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the butter and sugar together until pale, light, and fluffy (about 5 minutes).
* I only did like 2 minutes, then I got bored… it turned out just fine

4. Reduce the mixer speed to medium and add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.

5. Scrape the sides of the bowl and add the lime zest, lime juice, vanilla extract and tequila. Mix until combined. (The mixture may start to look curdled at this point, but don’t worry, it will all come back together, power on!)
**It really does, so glad I was warned!

6. Reduce the mixer speed low. Add the dry ingredients in three batches, alternating with the buttermilk in two batches. Mix only until just incorporated, using a rubber spatula to give it one last mix by hand.

7. Divide the batter between the muffin cups. Bake for approximately 25 minutes or until just slightly golden and a skewer shows only moist crumbs attached, rotating the pan at the halfway point.   
**I use a plastic ziplock bag to pipe my batter into the pan, I just put the bag into a pitcher and then put the batter right in, cut off a corner and go - so much easier (see they all flatten out anyway) 

8. Allow cupcakes to cool for 5 to 10 minutes, and then remove to a cooling rack. Brush the tops of the cupcakes with 1 to 2 tablespoons of tequila (optional). Set the cupcakes aside to cool completely before frosting them.

To make the frosting: whip the butter on medium-high speed of an electric mixer using the whisk attachment for 5 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium-low, and gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing and scraping the sides of the bowl until all is incorporated. Give it a mix on medium speed for about 30 seconds. Add the lime juice, tequila and salt mix on medium-high speed until incorporated and fluffy. If the frosting appears a bit too soft, add some additional sugar, one spoonful at a time until desired consistency is reached.

Frost cupcakes and garnish, if desired, with lime zest, an additional sprinkling of salt and a lime wedge.
**I added green food coloring to my salt garnish so it stood out – super fun!


Hope you all enjoy these as much as I did! I took them to a team tennis party for my mom, and they were a huge hit!


Saturday, July 21, 2012

Insta-Friday (On Saturday)


life rearranged

Okay so, yeah I am a day late - but yesterday was busy and I conveniently have a few minutes before work so I am getting this done!


Heck yes I updated the blog!  It only took like 8 hours! Yikes


New clutch design - love it...

Hat... 

Scrappy Insta-Sale

Scrappy Insta-Sale - Whales... Still have 1 left if you're interested before it goes on Etsy.

Cutting, cutting, cutting... story of my life!

Custom order camera tote - just love the colors - lime, pink, mint, b/w cross-hatch - too fun.


Okay so clearly it was a slow Instagram week for me - but click the image at the very top to go stalk other people!



Thursday, July 19, 2012

Meet: Jaclyn, Kara & Leigh-Ellen!

Hello Artsy readers!  Let me introduce you to a few of the lovely ladies who grace my side bar over there on the right!


Jaclyn @ Jac & Elise
*about the picture, below


1. Tell me about yourself, your blog, your shop, etc... what do you want people to know about you?
     Howdy, all. My name is Jaclyn, and I love Donald Duck, Stephen King and reading in bed in the morning. I dislike people who text while they are around friends in real life (it's rude), exclamation points (they're unnecessary) and judgmental dill holes.
     I'm the "Jac" in "Jac & Elsie," my Etsy shop full of whimsical, upcycled and vintage jewelry. A number of my adult friendship sets have become my shop's bestsellers, much to my pleasure and surprise. I think you're never too old to tell a bestie, "I love you, and you're full of awesome." At Jac & Elsie, I also support Autism Speaks and Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana.
2. What do you do when you're not being a blogger/shop owner?
     I'm a journalist, a full-time features reporter at a newspaper. This week, I've worked on stories ranging from the fact that hospital food has improved drastically from when it was "ew, gross, cafeteria food" (one of our hospitals recently installed a pizza oven, no joke) to the bed races at a local festival (yes, they take beds and race them down Main Street) to a story on open and affirming churches (congregations that say yes, we are welcoming of gay and lesbian congregants). So it's a super mixed bag, which I love, because I love to be nosy, I love to write and I get bored easily. It's never the same for me from week or week.
3. When you were little, what did you think you would be doing at this moment in your life?
     I thought I'd be a journalist, but I never thought it'd be in a smaller/medium-sized city like I am. I always imagined myself somewhere bigger, and better, something into editing or magazines. I never would have thought I'd be so happy with what I have.
4. What is your all time favorite blog post on your site?
     My favorite blog post has been the one where I introduce my Joey's Hot Dog jewelry in the shop. My brother, Joey, will be 23 in August, and he has autism. It's so hard for me to write about him, and in this post, I let it pour out.

About the picture: 
     This is from my now-fiance and I celebrating our two-year anniversary. We went to The Melting Pot and ate the crap out of some fondue. He proposed five months later.




Kara @ The Snuggly Duckling
*about the picture, below

BlogShopTwitterPinterest Instagram 

1. Tell me about yourself, your blog, your shop, etc... what do you want people to know about you? 
     My name is Kara and I blog over at The Snugly Duckling. I blog about whatever I'm up to that day. It might be a DIY, a recipe (most likely not), a fun linkup, an update to my shop, or just a life story. I'm currently living in the Deep South, and wow is it different than what I'm used to! Some of my addictions include coffee (especially Starbucks), pinterest, Instagram (follow me:snugly_duckling), parentheses, Home Improvement (with Tim Allen) and my soon to be nephew!
     My shop is still very much a baby. I've sold about 5 items on my shop (to non family members), but am going nuts on building my inventory lately. I have no idea when it will all be added, but I'm sure it'll make it up there soon! My newest, and probably favorite item is my custom embroidery hoop art. I've been embroidering a few blog headers, but am always open for new challenges! Stay on the lookout if you're interested. 
2. What do you do when you're not being a blogger/shop owner?
     When I'm not blogging, I'm crafting! Big surprise, right? Lately I've just been going nonstop on my embroidering and have found exciting new ideas that I can hopefully implement soon. When I'm not crafting though, I'm usually just relaxing around the house or working. I'd love to be more of an athletic person, but finding the inspiration and motivation is really hard.
3. When you were little, what did you think you would be doing at this moment in your life?
     When I was little, no one really asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up. Strange, right? So I really have no idea. I've wanted to teach for as long as I can remember, so we'll go with that. :)
4. What is your all time favorite blog post on your site?
     My favorite post is a DIY for designing your own mugs using just a sharpie. Why? Because it was SUCH a fun and easy craft that I can do over and over! 

About the picture: 
     I had a crazy hair makeover this month and boy did I need it! I had like 4 inch roots. That hair I'm holding out is supposed to be my bangs! I cut off 8 inches!! Every time I went to the bathroom the next few days, I'd stay in an extra 2 or 3 minutes just getting used to it. I'm still totally in love with it. :)


Leigh-Ellen @ Little Waterlilly in a Big Pond

1. Tell me about yourself, your blog, your shop, etc... what do you want people to know about you?
     My blog is a little bit of everything to do with me.  It's part fashion, part diary, part ranting and raving.  I don't really cook, I don't diy and I don't have kids. I blog about pretty girly things, my fluffballs (World's tiniest golden retriever, crazy kitten who thinks he's half dog and cat who is aware that she was meant to be royalty and got lost somehow. William and Kate should call her. She's tolerant of dogs so Lupo can stay), my husband and my travels.  I see it as a way to inflict my photos on a wider audience than just my friends and family!
2. What do you do when you're not being a blogger/shop owner?
     I work at the local university in student services doing academic coaching.  That doesn't sound cool does it? It has it's moments.  I also freelance for a local paper and watch entirely too much television online.  
3. When you were little, what did you think you would be doing at this moment in your life?
     'm pretty certain I thought 30 was ancient so I'd have like 3 kids and be ready to retire.  Quite honestly I went through a lot of "when I grow up" stages.  At one point I wanted to be an actress and for a long time I wanted to be a dolphin trainer.  Only I think I wanted the dolphin to be able to talk and come with Jonathan Brandis (if you didn't get that reference you are YOUNG).  I think eventually I expected I'd become a lawyer.  I'm still a little confused about how I didn't. 
4. What is your all time favorite blog post on your site?
     Oh goodness! Isn't that a bit like being asked to chose your favourite child? Or favourite fluffball? One of my favourites was the post from my last birthday where I cut my hair to donate: http://littlewaterlily.blogspot.ca/2012/02/losing-locks.html .  Can I chose two? Cause my other would be this one from Remembrance Day last year: http://littlewaterlily.blogspot.ca/2011/11/dear-parents.html 




Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Blogger Bra Drive


Thank you so very much, Paige, for allowing me to stop by your blog to talk to your readers about a great cause that I have taken up this month!

mrspatebradrive

I am currently involved in a project through fellow blogger and in-real-life friend Tiffany from Mrs. Pate Writes She is having a Blogger Bra Drive and I am leading an effort to help "support" this cause!  At the beginning of the month, I wrote a post on my own blog asking for your help in collecting gently used bras to support an awesome organization called Free The Girls.  They use the bras as an income opportunity for girls/women who have been rescued out of the sex trafficking industry.

freethegirls

I know Tiffany has said many times that we, as bloggers, have an opportunity to use our blogs as a platform as a way to be impactful - to make a difference in our communities and beyond.  That is one of the reasons I believe in helping her in this cause.

You may be wondering how you can possibly help me out.

It is so very simple.  All you have to do is go to your lingerie drawer and pull out your bras that you no longer fit into or just plain no longer wear anymore.  Then you contact me:

thefontenotfourblog {at} gmail {dot} com

I would love it if you could be a part of this effort alongside myself and Tiffany.  Just contact me at the above email address and tell me you'd love to help out and ask me where you can ship your unmentionables!  Then you throw them in the mail and I will take care of the rest!  If you have one or two, that's great.  If you have ten, that's awesome!!  Whatever you have, please send them!  You can also help by spreading the word.  But please do it quickly.  I have to ship these off by July 31st!

I have pulled over on the side of the street at night to collect a paper bag full of bras from my friend's husband {the bras were hers, he was just the delivery guy}.  Oh how I prayed on the rest of my drive home that night that no law enforcement people or nosy neighbors witnessed this moonlight exchange of goods.  I'm sure someone could have easily mistaken that transaction for something it wasn't!  I have also collected from one of my daughter's home nurses.  And I have also collected from right here in this blogging community!  Yes, that's right.  Fellow bloggers have paid attention to this call for help and many are responding.  I received this box from a fellow blogger!!  She wasn't the only one from the blogging community to respond.





I am so grateful for the response to this call to help make a difference in some girls life.  I've collected a bunch of bras, yes, but I would LOVE to collect many many more than what I currently have!  I need YOUR help.  I need to ship all of them off to Free The Girls by the 31st, so time is of the essence!

Please consider helping out this cause!

Thank you so much!!
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