Harper's Birthday Invitation

Yes, you are correct... my little man in only 4 months old. So it is a little early to make his 1st birthday invitation. But, I have been refreshing my Adobe Illustrator knowledge and have started making a few fun projects while I re-learn the program. Of course I had to start off with a cute little invite for my sweet baby. Here is it:

I am so excited to start using Illustrator again! It is such a fun program and you can do SOO much with it! I will probably have to update Harper's photo with a more recent one when it comes time, but I really had a blast making this! We call him our "monkey man" so the sock monkey theme seemed appropriate! 

Up next, a wedding shower invitation, since getting married seems to be the trend of 2011! 

Unique Skins and a Great Cause

Hello y'all!! If you happened to check out my post about unique skins and you loved the product, you have to check this out. I was contacted about joining the affiliate program for unique skins. You automatically get $25 for signing up and then you receive 20% of any sale generated from the link they provide you to put on your blog. So if you check out the product and love it you could potentially make some money by just blogging about it! Cool, right? So any of you folks that have a blog, check out the affiliate program here!


Easy money is always a good thing! :) 

And I wanted to share a wonderful cause with you all. WEZL will be broadcasting live from the Education Center Lobby at MUSC Children's Hospital and asking for your support. In the past year, the hospital and its clinics had more than 100,000 visits, and MUSC Children's Hospital never turns a child away. Regardless of the family's ability to pay, MUSC will take care of your child if there's something wrong. The radiothon proceeds benefit the Children’s Hospital in three ways: new program development, supplemental grants to the Child Life department and Social Services, and research funding for the Darby Children’s Research Institute.

We're asking you to become a WEZL "Miracle Maker" by pledging $10 a month for the next year - that's 33 cents to make a difference in the life of a child. During our radiothon, you can call and become a "Miracle Maker," or make a pledge of any amount, by calling 800-478-4090. Our phone bank is being sponsored by HRC Medical Center, natural hormone replacement therapy.

Check out all of the details here!! 

Now that I am a mom, I can't imagine what I would do if something happened to my sweet baby. I am so grateful to have such a wonderful facility in the state of South Carolina. It is a blessing to have such a great children's hospital in our state. So if you have the means to help out, make a donation! Your donation could help save a child's life. 

Moving on up!

I FINALLY upgraded my cell phone.  Since June, I had been patiently waiting for Verizon to get the iPhone. When I started my new job, my boss took one look at my beat-up Blackberry Curve and decided to buy me a new cell phone! First day on the job and the boss buys me a new phone, pretty awesome right!? Well at that time, Verizon still did not have the iPhone. So I took a look around the store and decided to go with the DroidX. I loved the HUGE screen, (I carry a purse so the bigger the better!) and it reminded me a whole lot of the iPhone. 

So far, so good. I REALLY LOVE this phone. Of course, two days later Verizon announced they were getting the iPhone in February. I technically have 30 days to return my cell and try out another one (so I could get the iPhone.) But I think I am sticking with the DroidX. I really like it and I am overly impressed with the photo and video quality. A cell phone with HD video and an 8 megapixel camera!? Can't beat that!! So even though I am an avid Mac user, it looks like I am sticking with my Droid. 


With that being said, I want to make my cell phone pretty. I got a little pink gel case... it is cute but not as cute as I would like it. I came across a website and found the COOLEST skins for your cell phone. You can take any photo and make it a cell phone cover. They virtually have every cell phone listed (iPhone, Droid, you name it!) And I can personalize my cell phone cover any way I like it!! 


I made this one with the Lilly Pulitzer print that matches our bridesmaid dresses for Marisa's wedding! Talk about accessorizing! hehe This print in particular is called, "Do the Wave."

Here is another really cute one I did with a Lilly Pulitzer pattern! I am so ready for BRIGHT colors, SPRING weather, SUNDRESSES and FLIP FLOPS!

What do y'all think!? Aren't they MUCH prettier than the normal black cover. Best part, they are only $6.99.  I think I am going to order a few and see how I like them!!

You can also custom design covers for your Macbook, laptop computer, and iPad!

I love this website!! If you want to design your own to see what it looks like, go HERE!

Also, if you want to make a Lilly Pulitzer skin but don't have any Lilly photos, send me an e-mail. I have a TON!!!

Here is a little more information about the covers:


And here are some coupon codes to try out:
save50 for 50% off
freeship for free shipping
welcome for 20% off


I hope they work! 

What Are Unique Skins?

The ultimate way to personalize and protect your electronic device! Unique Skins are removable adhesive-backed vinyl covers for protecting and customizing your electronic device. The best part about Unique Skins is that they are completely customizable. You control every aspect of how the skin will look! Upload your own photos, or even use your own personal artwork. Our customizer allows you to resize, alter, and rotate any image you upload so you have the maximum creative control over the final result. Our goal is to make sure you are completely satisfied with your skin.

Some AWESOME Features:

*Upload your own photos or personal artwork.

*Add text.

*Resize your images or text.

*Rotate.

*Add multiple layers of text, photos, or personal artwork.

*Save for later.

Unique skins are thin enough not to add any additional bulk to your device but still offer protection from minor surface scratches that your device gets from everyday use.

Just because you've now created a custom skin doesn't mean you can't use any accessories with it. Our skins are designed to allow you to use most third-party accessories.

Now that you have fallen in love with the unlimited possibilities of custom skins it's now time for a change. Our skins feature a nonpermanent backing that allows for goo free removal when you're ready to change.

Dream Valentine's Day gift!

What is your dream Valentine's Day gift> Of course I am happy with a sweet card and a box of chocolates from my wonderful hubby! But if I could have one thing, I think I would go with this:

From the David Yurman Pearl Collection. Sterling silver and 18-karat yellow gold bracelet with three naturally white, cultured, freshwater pearls. Soooo pretty!!! 

Chewable Jewels

Harper is teething. Poor little guy spends half of his day with his fist in his mouth. Luckily he still smiles and laughs 90% off the time. I am so thankful I have such a happy baby!!

I tried a few different teething rings and teething pacifiers. He seems to like them so far! Then I came across a fun little website today. They sell jewelry for mama's with teeth babies.

It is called Dr Bloom’s Chewable Jewels. They sell a unique line of safe teething jewelry that includes bracelets, necklaces and key chain accessories. The products come in various colors and package options.

The company founders feel that safety conscious mothers across the US and abroad will choose Dr. Bloom’s Chewable Jewels because it was created by a dentist and three moms with teething babies. This dentist approved product gives moms everywhere a chance to feel fabulous while tiny tots chew their way to happiness.

This product could be brilliant. Rather than searching for his pacifiers and teething rings every time he needs on I can just grab it off my wrist or have it hanging around my neck. Harper just started pulling my hair and trying to put it in his mouth.  So I am sure my jewelry is next.

I thought these bracelets were cute! 

What do you all think? Worth a try? I mean the bracelets are no David Yurman but they could be wonderful for my sweet baby!

I'm a Working Mama!

It is official, I am a working mama. Luckily, only part-time. I just couldn't go back to work full-time and leave my little munchkin all week. I absolutely love being a mom and I want to spend as much time as I possibly can with Harper. So a part-time job was the perfect solution.

I also wanted to share some of my old engagement photos. I was going through old photos on my computer and these just make me smile. My engagement shoot wasn't a normal engagement shoot... it was my actual engagement. Let me explain. At the time I was living in Nashville, TN.  I moved to Nashville as soon as I graduated from USC so that I could live closer to Erik. But prior to meeting Erik, my dream was to graduate and move to Charleston, SC. I absolutely adore Charleston, SC!!! So when Erik told me he was booked to do a photo shoot in Charleston, I was a little jealous. He said I should come along on the trip... but I had to work that Friday and didn't know if I could make it in time. He claimed that the clothing company he was modeling for was paying for travel so he could just drive down before me then I could use the airline flight to fly in after work. I was thrilled. Little did I know that Erik made up the whole entire story. He had already planned on driving down so that he could meet my father for dinner on Thursday and ask for my hand in marriage. Sneaky, sneaky boy!

So I flew in Friday evening and Erik picked me up from the airport. He nonchalantly mentioned that a photographer he shot with a couple of times (Jarrad) was in town and wanted to do a couples session for his portfolio. He asked if I wanted to do it. At first I was reluctant because I really wanted to go to the beach but then I decided it would be fun to have some good photos of us together. (Luckily I agreed! Can you imagine if I refused to go!?)

So the next day Erik and I met up with the photographer and had a very fun and casual photo shoot all around downtown Charleston. Here are a few of the pictures:

 

Then for the big surprise, at the end of the shoot, the photographer had Erik go to his camera bag to get out the "wide angle lens" aka engagement ring. While Erik was "getting the lens" he started taking a few photos of just me. He told me to stay in the foreground and told Erik to stand in the background of the photo. While I was posing, Erik got down on one knee. Jarrad told me to turn around and walk towards the ocean. When I did, I saw Erik down on his knee. At first I was confused and thought it was a weird modeling pose. Then it hit me. And the emotions flew. I was the happiest girl in the world!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We spent the night celebrating with our friends in Charleston. And Erik had an amazing dinner set-up for us at Charleston Grill. Filet, champagne, strawberries, and chocolate... he knows me so well. 

And the rest is history!!! Tomorrow I will share more about the job and our wedding. Hope you all have a fantastic night!

FREE STARBUCKS!!

FREE STARBUCKS! I just started working for Jarrad Lister Photography! (Don't worry, way more details to come!) Today, we are giving away 5 Starbucks gift cards! Just follow @PhotogStSchool and RT this-

FREE STARBUCKS! We are giving away 5 Starbucks gift cards today! Just RT this post and follow @PhotogStSchool for your chance to win!

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Winter Wonderland!

It's official, we had OVER six inches of snow. I would guess around 8 at our house. Greenville, SC is currently a winter wonderland. Yesterday we had that beautiful, fluffy snow. Erik and Fender had an absolute blast playing in it. Fender was hysterical. He hopped around in it like  bunny. He would jump up with all feet up in the air at the same time and then pounce down into the snow. Then he would stick his nose down in it and flick it up into the air. We got some really cute video of it, I will have to post it once we upload the video on my computer. 

We brought Harper outside to check it out for a few minutes. He seemed to like it. He was trying to look around and check everything out. He was a little stiff in his snow suit but he didn't seem to mind. I can't wait until we can play with him in the snow. We are really going to enjoy making snowmen and snow angels with him one day. We can go sledding and have the occasional snowball fight :)! In a way, having kids allows you become a bit of a kid again. 

In other news, Verizon has FINALLY announced that they are releasing the iPhone on Feb. 13th. Wow, that took them awhile. I had been waiting since June to renew my contract in the hopes of getting an iPhone. Then last week, I gave in and got a Droid X. So far, I have loved my Droid X. There are a few things that I am still trying to get used to but the Droid X has a great 8 megapixel camera with a flash, talk to text, this Swype feature that makes texting really easy. I love all of the apps. And it has a nice big, clear screen. With that being said, I am a Mac user, so there is still something cool about having the iPhone. I have thirty days to return my Droid X. What do you all think I should do? I am still debating. 

Harper has really grown over the past month. He loves to talk and I am pretty sure that he tries to have entire conversations with us sometimes. He loves using his hands. He will remove his pacifier and put it back in his mouth. He even learned how to knock over glasses on the table. As a matter of fact, he managed to knock over two glasses at lunch the other day. If there is a plate on the table we have to be careful because he already grabs for it and pushes it away. He can hold onto small bottles and tries to hold big ones by himself. It is sad when you realize how fast they grow up but it is so amazing to see him learn new things!

My Newest Pet Peeve

It has been a little too long since I had a nice little rant on my blog. So here it goes...

You know what drives me crazy!? When restaurants or nice establishments/stores don't have changing tables in their bathrooms. What exactly would they like us to do? Sometimes it is too cold to bring the baby out to the car to change him. And I can honestly say there is no way to plan when your little man decides to go. I am really not comfortable with putting his changing pad on a bathroom floor. I was thinking about setting him up on the sink counter but then what if someone else comes in to wash their hands and then there I am with a baby and a nice poopy diaper. I am sure that would get me some mean looks.

I went into a Starbucks and they didn't have a changing table! I mean Starbucks, really!?!?! I just paid four bucks for a drink... I think you can afford to put a changing table in the ladies bathroom.

Maybe next time I go to a restaurant and they don't have one, I will have to take my stinky baby for a little frat lap around the restaurant. Then the stench can ruin everyone's appetite and that will teach the restaurant a lesson.

Any other mamas have this problem? If so, what was your solution?

Well I am off to finish watching the football game. I think I am pulling for Auburn tonight. I will leave you with a cute photo of my little stinker! :)

Free Movie Night!

I love Redbox and now Blockbuster has movie rental kiosks too! Our local Publix has one. You can pick up a free movie at your nearest Blockbuster kiosk using the code, SHTZFR1 until January 10th! Gotta love a free movie date. :) Now I just have to see if I can find free popcorn and raisinets.