From the monthly archives:

July 2011

July Sponsors

by Blue-Eyed Bride on July 29, 2011

Many thanks to the July sponsors! Read ahead to see my favorite products are from this month’s sponsors!

::Ashley Brooke Designs::

Ashley Brooke Designs is one of my absolute favorite gems that I’ve found through blogging. Her one-of-a-kind designs have found a place in our home as I’ve had stationery created for our family, for Hudson, for Hayes, given custom stationery as gifts, and used Ashley Brooke’s designs for invitations! Ashley Brooke Designs is a luxury paper company where Ashley creates hand-drawn fashion sketches from scratch.  She creates blog headers, invitations, personal stationery, announcements, and holiday cards. She works one on one with clients to design exactly what they’re looking for.  The designs are available on everything from stationery to coffee mugs to tote bags.  Contact Ashley at info@ashleybrookedesigns.com!


::Penny Lane Designs::

Marina of Penny Lane Designs creates the best blog designs, hands down! I have used Marina from Penny Lane Designs to create my blog design twice now. When I had my original blog, she created an adorable design there, and she created the one I have now. I always recommend her to everyone because I believe she is the best of the best. She offers pre-fab layouts and custom blog headers. Each custom header is truly original and she helps your blog brand itself. I love working with her! Click here to place your order.

::Monogram Chick::


Oh my goodness, do I love the Monogram Chick. She has the most wonderful gift selections and I have gone to her website time and time again looking for the perfect gift for every occasion. Monogram Chick is an extensive selection of fabulously unique products including gifts for bridesmaids, hostesses, sorority, housewarmings, children and babies. I have gotten so many of my favorite baby gifts and personalized items for myself and my children from Sarah, the Monogram Chick. She has items for every budget and no matter your budget, your gift will be personalized and meaningful to the recipient!

::Stella & Dot::

I absolutely love Stella & Dot jewelry. I love that it is stylish and affordable. Each season, they have the greatest pieces that fit with the latest trends and I always look for something to fit every outfit. Stella & Dot offers some of the most attractive, trendy jewelry I have seen in years. I have quite a few pieces and I wear at least one thing every day. Whether you are a stay at home mom, working mom, on the go, or going out on the town Stella & Dot has just the piece for you. Check our Karah’s site and see if you find something that fits your style and your budget!

::Sweet Birdie’s Nest::

Any time someone asks me who to use for a great birthday invitation for their child or who to use to get all the extra fun birthday accessories for their party, I recommend Sweet Birdie’s Nest. Sweet Birdie’s Nest is two sisters who make sure everyone has whimsical, beautiful and personalized stationery and party invitations.  These girls create invitations and details for bridal and baby showers, Christmas cards, birth announcements, and Baptisms.  They created all of the invitations, banners, cupcake toppers, party circles, and favor tags for Hudson’s second birthday this year.


::Southern Tots::

Southern Tots has every single one of my favorite brands for kiddos. My favorite smocked and applique styles are there and Ashley also creates custom pieces for parties and occasions. They also just started doing Facebook sales on Tuesday and Thursday nights. You can always find something new for your little boy or girl when you visit www.southerntots.com!  Find them on Facebook as Southern Tots.

They are now taking Pre-Orders for amazing Fall Styles from Anavini and Claire & Charlie and here is a link to the Pre-Order items available.

http://southerntots.com/category_137/Fall-2011-PRE-ORDERS.htm

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Southern-Tots/108171815872272


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Pinnable Me Friday: Jars!

by Blue-Eyed Bride on July 29, 2011

I’m linking up with Stefanie of Paw Prints and Pastry Bags for Pinnable Me Friday. Join the fun!

Today I’m sharing some of my favorite Mason jar pins.

I love these mason jar margaritas… maybe for a certain Cinco de Mayo birthday party I’m planning?

Source: ashlynstallings.blogspot.com via pinterest on Pinterest

Pottery Barn Kids has an adorable line of products based on The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. These little invitations that look like a caterpillar in a mason jar are absolutely adorable! Maybe for a baby shower, even?

Source: potterybarnkids.com via Erin on Pinterest

I love this centerpiece idea. The ribbon just gives it just the right amount of something extra. Perfection!

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now that I’m a mommy…

by Blue-Eyed Bride on July 28, 2011

I say things like, “Because I said so” and “go to your room.”
I find myself counting to three and taking deep breaths to avoid confrontation with family members.
I know how to change a diaper in random places and can finish by the time Hudson counts to “ourteen.”

I know the value of observing nap time even when your toddler isn’t actually sleeping.
I always know where the wooden spoon is… just in case.
I know that disciplining my child really does hurt me more than it hurts them.

I don’t judge other mommies when their kids are crying in public. Kids get tired and have an off day. Most of the time the mommy can’t help it.
I definitely don’t judge other mommies with screaming babies on airplanes. It makes me grateful that mine aren’t screaming, but I’ve had the screaming baby before.
I still judge mommies who let their kids run around a restaurant and don’t make them sit in the high chair. I can’t help it.

I blog because I like it and it’s a fun hobby.
I also blog because it helps me buy cute clothes for my kids. And sometimes fun things for myself!
I see most of our money go into retirement and college savings. And another big chunk pays for all different types of insurance.

I realize how lucky I am to be responsible for two precious people.
I sometimes miss the carefree days when I could be as wild and free as my 2-year-old.
I am lucky to get a shower.

I have a commitment to only attempt to leave the house once a day to save sanity!
I have chosen to be a stay-at-home-mom and “staying home” is exactly what we do.
I sometimes wonder how in the world I got here. I am a mommy?!

I have to remind myself to have dance parties in the living room at the end of the day to unwind. But after we do it, we’re so happy!
I listen to Disney tunes in the car and know every word to “Jimmy Crack Corn.” So does Hudson.
My kids’ health and happiness is my long term goal. I force myself to look at the big picture. This is why I’m okay with a little bit of crying in the night.

I’ve lost some of my sense of humor because I get tired and stressed. My husband and my funny kids remind me to laugh and stop taking life so seriously.
I am confident that I can fight a bear for a little while.
The fear of being thrown up or pooped on is gone. I can survive that.
I am afraid of no diapers and having poop or pee on my floor! Can I survive that?

I get dirty outside and know how to get stains out of white jeans!
I play the way a little boy likes to play with trucks and animals and monsters.

I know that there is no love like the one I have for these two little guys

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    shiny happy Hayes

    by Blue-Eyed Bride on July 27, 2011

    This is one of those sugary sweet posts that may make you a little sick to your stomach. But I can’t help it. This is just so cute!

    I know I keep saying that Hayes is the sweetest, happiest, most content baby and he really is. Of course he has his fussy moments, but they’re very rare. He is just so low maintenance and is always okay to just go with the flow.

    We’re pretty proud of him because he had mastered sleeping 9-10 hours at night without waking up, so we decided to do the next phase of Moms on Call, which has them sleeping 11-12 hours. And Hayes did it on his first try! He cried for less than 5 minutes at 5:00 a.m. and was then back to sleep until 7:30 this morning. I love Moms on Call!

    He smiles so much. At this age, we had to try really hard to get Hudson to crack a smile, but once Hudson started, he never stopped! Hayes just smiles at us all the time and always seems to get tickled at stuff. It’s like he wants us to know how happy he is to be here. And that just makes my heart flutter!

    We are so blessed to have this little guy in our family and I look forward to seeing him every single morning and miss him after he’s gone to bed.

    Yesterday I put him in his swing and was talking to him and he started giggling. I was so happy to have had my iPhone with me so I could get it on video. He’s such a happy little guy! I can’t believe he’s almost 3 months old.
    *I hope the swing and the fancy camera work don’t give you motion sickness. And I hope my over-the-top mommy voice doesn’t make your ears bleed!

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