Featured Post: The Shine Project + Giveaway

Charity is not one of my strong points, folks. That's not to say that I'm not kind, supportive, and attentive to the needs of others but I think I lack the COURAGE to go outside my comfort zone and do service for those who need it most.  For that reason, I so admire those who are brave enough to reach out and make a difference in this world. Ashley is one of those brave ones.

Have you heard about the The Shine Project? Ashley is the leader behind this endeavor, focusing on motivating people to do hard things, accomplish their dreams and spread light to those around them through service. I was so inspired after watching her project in action here. I couldn't believe someone so young and beautiful could be just as pretty on the inside as she is on the outside. She truly shines. 

This year Ashley is taking The Shine Project on the road, stopping in many cities around the West like San Diego, Phoenix, Salt Lake City and even my old hometown Los Angeles to promote community service and inspire people to be the change. Her first stop is February 25th, where she is teaming up with blogger Casey Leigh in Dallas. How exciting!

Ashley also sells SHINE shirts and necklaces, and proceeds benefit the shine scholarship project which raises scholarship money for inner city high school students. I know, this girl is simply amazing! 

Today Ashley is giving away one of these BEAUTIFUL necklaces to a lucky reader. 

Entry opens today and closes Friday, January 27th. 

To enter, please visit Ashley's blog and leave a comment below about how you are going to shine this week. Good luck!

FamFare Friday + Winner

I love spring. I love that Easter is coming up. It's always such a fun time for my family. Every Easter we go on a picnic and afterward all us kids go on a walk with my dad while Mom stays back to "clean up." Without fail, the Easter Bunny always finds us and leaves little presents and candy for when we return. Want to hear something sad? I never believed in the Easter Bunny. In fact, I never believed in any of the cheerful holiday iconic characters. I was sure to tell my mom that one day when I was 7 and she and I were in a biff. "The Bunny isn't real, and neither is Santa Claus!"  Yeah, like what we were arguing about had anything to do with the Easter Bunny, but I was sure to let her know that I didn't believe in any nonsense, and with that came the price of ruining it for my younger sister who was listening near by. I know, I'm the worst big sister ever, ruining such a surprise.

I'll tell you what other surprise I'm about to give away...

The WINNER!

Congratulations RYAN! 

Email me your info and I'll happily send your little gift your way!

Thank you all for your feedback! I love all the suggestions and my confidence has definitely been boosted. I'll keep you up to date on the shop! Happy Weekend!

following the leader, the leader, the leader

I've heard through the grape vine that this blog has more readers than I thought. And that people actually like what they see and keep coming back for second helpings. I'm flattered. In March '09 when I created this blog, the idea of having "followers" creeped me out, so I took that little feature off. Who would've guessed 2 years later that I would regret not letting people subscribe to my life? So guess what? That beauty is back on. Now, I'm not trying to be presumptuous by any means, but I know we're raking in more than 20 readers folks. They say go big or go home, and I'm going big here, putting my precious pride and vulnerability on the line and saying let's take that little cyberspace friendship we have going on to next level, whatda ya say? Shall we? Spread the love and follow.

Meh, still don't see why you should? What, my adorable baby isn't reason enough? 

Fine, I'll toss in a 

GIVEAWAY

How bout that? I've been honing in on my baby designer skills. Dressing a babe is so much fun, but sometimes I can't find what I'm looking for out there on the market. I know there are thousands of other moms who love sequinced jeans, winnie the pooh stitched jackets and pajamas that say "daddy's little girl," but I don't fall in to that category. So I made some things for Ev and I liked how they turned out... so much so that I've contemplated Etsy.

Etsy has always intimidated me. The creativity of people on there is out of this world, and I'm afraid my skills aren't all that original.  I can't muster up the courage to do it. I thought i'd take a chance on le blog first to entice some bait and then cast the line out into Etsy if the response is favorable. Here are some prototypes.

What do you think?
Would you buy this gear for your baby, neice, nephew, sister, mother, friend, grandmother, or dog? 

How much would you pay for it?
{I can stencil on to any shirt size, doesn't have to be a onesie. And I have a gagillion more possible stencils}

So how bout it? To enter:

1) you must become a follower

2) leave a comment answering the questions above regarding price and feedback.

GIVEAWAY ENDS

FRIDAY, APRIL 8TH

Wow, I've never done a giveaway before. All of the sudden I feel much more powerful.

For any of you who do have an etsy shop, do you have any words of advice? What have you had the most success selling? Or those who peruse etsy like me - what do you find yourself being drawn to?

Thanks in advance for a) following b) feedback 3) making me feel cool. You rock!