last chance!

Last call to enter the Shutterfly giveaway. They are giving one lucky reader 25, 4x5 stationary cards of your choice! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post here. I'll draw later tonight.

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sometimes we need to be reminded

just the way you are. 

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reflecting and a shutterfly giveaway

I was never the girl who loved Valentines Day mostly because I'm a total type A with moderate expectations and it's one of those holidays where I can't control much. Rewind to a year ago I was 9 months pregnant and due on February 11th. At my weekly check up the week of my due date I was given the option by my OB to do an induction because she was going to on vacation the the following week- that and I was beginning to take on water fast. 9 lbs in that last week alone to be exact. So in true type A fashion of course I chose the induction and sweet Lucy Elizabeth was born on February 11 right smack on time. There was also another reason behind my decision though. You see my dad shares his birthday with a little holiday called Christmas. Growing up he never made a secret of his dislike for this timing. And while I'm not some Valentine fanatic I still thought every girl deserves a birthday and Valentine's Day separately to make her feel special every year if she so chooses.

inky little happy feet. we were so in love with the surprise birthmark on her leg.

Lucy was born on a Thursday and we came home that Saturday. Sunday was Valentines Day and for the first time I felt a real LOVE for that darn holiday. I'm talking sappy, happy L-O-V-E as I rocked my little girl that I had been dreaming about for so long. I have the memory of eating chocolate out of a pretty heart shaped red lucite box and reading through tired blurry eyes the sweetest card from her daddy while holding her all the while thinking how lucky and blessed we were. How can I not have mad love for this holiday from then on?

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As for Shutterfly they are giving me 25 cards of my choosing on the house for sharing my sappy love story with you (which I would have put you through anyway closer to the big day) and I also get to give one of you 25 4x5 stationary cards cards too! Check out these links to their site to get great ideas and leave a comment here if you'd like a chance to win. I'll do a random drawing Friday. ♥ (ps I believe you can use them for any 4x5 stationary cards on the site not just VDay but don't hold me to it...)

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/valentines-day-cards-and-stationery

http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-gifts

http://www.shutterfly.com/valentines-day

ice ice baby

All day I have been silently praying this massive ice storm doesn't knock our power out, so far so good. Sorry I didn't post earlier it's been like a Saturday or Sunday around here with Nick home from work only we've been trapped inside and the little is beginning to show early signs of cabin fever. The count down is on to Part TWO of the RHBH Reunion too. I hope it's better than last weeks snore fest. Don't disappoint me Andy Cohen.

Until then I found these bleak, white, pretty, icy pics to brighten my day and hopefully yours. Cheers to Punxsutawney Phil- I hope you did your thing tomorrow and give us good news- this winter is turning brutal fast.

I was able to get some new pillow covers photographed and listed in the shoppe yesterday so check em' out if your bored like me ; ) Also I've got a great giveaway from Shutterfly planned for tomorrow as long as I still have power so stay tuned! 

*images via hopscotch & grace

stylish blogger award

A great big high five to Rene at Cottage and Vine for bestowing me with the stylish blogger award last week! It was such a bright spot in my week and I think it's such a fun way to share not only about yourself but to shout from the roof tops about some other truly rockin' blogs. 

If you’re not familiar with it, there are 4 duties to perform to accept the award:

1.  Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award

2.  Share 7 things about yourself

3.  Award 10 (or so) recently discovered great bloggers

4.  Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award

about me

1. While i grew up mostly in indiana I'm actually from south haven, michigan and a true lake girl at heart. 

2. I love me some power tools. In college we were "forced" to craft our own stretchers for our paintings so I between that and the occasional sculpture class I became quite a regular in the wood shop. This has served me well in the home renovation department. 

3. I'm a homebody. We aren't much for going out in fact I think Nick and I have only been out by ourselves with out Lucy twice since she was born. Once for a wedding and another time for a fundraiser.  We love our Netflix, fire in the hearth and vino. We watched Miss Potter on Friday night. I had never seen it and I thought it was so cute!

4. I swear by Uggs. It started in college when the 100 year old + building I took many of my drawing classes in was always freezing. I got a pair for Christmas and it was like walking on a cloud. I don't care if they're not very stylish this is indiana and it's cold (18 degrees f to be exact at this very moment). 

5. Nick I met and were engaged six months later and married six months after that in July 2007. There isn't a thing I'd change about our wedding, it was beautiful! We honeymooned in Bermuda everything was absolutely perfect!

6. I feel like the luckiest momma in the world being able to be at home with Lucy. It's been a dream of mine since I was a little girl. It's what I always knew I was meant to do first and foremost in life.

7. Not too many days go by that I'm not busy with some sort of project. I not good at sitting still. Saturday and Sunday I repainted the yellow stripe bathroom and created 4 new pillows for the etsy boutique which I hope to get listed later today. 

Now I'd like to recognize some truly great bloggers and friends to pass this sweet award on to:

City of Dionne

The Cottage Nest

Flower Patch Farmgirl

Fitness, Food and Faith

Ticking and Toile

Three Men and a Lady

The Shabby Chic Cottage 

The Paris House

Sweet as Candy

Hope everyone has a fantastic week!!!