3. This recipe for Pina Colada Pops. These suckers are pretty much spring/summer on a stick. All you do is blend and freeze the following ingredients and put a stick in them!
1 can pineapple chunks, in juice
1 banana
1 can coconut milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
And the BEST part is they are only 117 calories each. Yummmmmmmm....
4. Old Navy is having an Easter Sale!! Just look at all the CUTE things you can get right now for $5, $10, or $15!! Happy Easter, indeed.
5.LDS General Conference being held this weekend. One of THE best weekends of the year.
Wanna learn more? Watch the video, or go here. It can change your life.
Happy Friday, friends! Hope your weekend is just wonderful!!
If you have a blog, DIY project, recipe, or anything awesome to submit for Five Things Friday, email us!
We would love to share your ideas.
Congratulations Becca! Email us and we will get the details worked out.
IMPORTANT NOTE TO ALL READERS: If you are selected as the winner of a giveaway, you have 10 days to contact us, otherwise another winner will be selected. This rule is in place in order to be fair to the lovely and very busy shops who host these giveaways, and allow them to get prizes out in a timely manner. Loves.
People like to talk about this thing called "pregnancy brain." I believe it exists. I will tell you why.
Exhibit A: The other day I went to pour a drink into a cup. Now, in order for this action to be a successful endeavor, the cup should be right side up. However, I didn't realize that the cup was upside down until I was drenched from head to toe in milk ricochetting off the bottom of the cup. Boy, that was neat.
Exhibit B: A few weeks ago I was changing my clothes when I discovered that I had on two pairs of underwear. TWO. One on top of the other. How this happened is the greatest mystery the world will ever know.
Exhibit C: I was teaching a class on campus this week and was trying to say the word origins. But my mouth would only say oranges. No matter how much I stared at the word on my powerpoint slides and tried to say it right, oranges was all I could do. I tried saying the word louder and louder, like that would help the situation, but that just made me into a crazy pregnant lady screaming at a classroom of students about fruit. So I let class out early, and naturally, sat down and cried with a bottle of OJ.
Luckily, there are some things that pregnancy brain can't take away from me. Such as floral prints. Color. Or, spring weather. And this is a good thing, because if people are going to think I am mental, I should at least get to wear all the bright colors I want. Mostly because they are cute. Only a little bit because I hope they will distract people from my cray-cray behavior.
Cardi: ROSS 6.99, Top: Old Navy: 4.99, Jeans: ROSS 11.99,
Guys. Look down at the bottom. Did you win the DownEast Basics Giveaway? If you did, congrats. But you probably didn't, because that's just your luck, huh? I know the feeling.
It's like sitting down to watch your favorite show, only to find that the President is giving a speech on every channel. Or being so excited for your Chik-Fil-A nuggets, only to have that the girl at the window not give you your Chik-Fil-A sauce. Or having a reeeeally good coupon to your favorite store, only to get to the counter and find out that it expired yesterday. Sing it with me: It's like raaaaaeeeeaaainnnnn, on your wedding daaay...
Anyways. You didn't win. And you're sad. But your luck is changing today, baby! Because DownEast Basics loves you. And boy, do we LOVE them. Because today they are giving away ANOTHER item from their March line to a lucky reader. This time, it's gonna be you. I can FEEL it.
And when you win, I highly recommend you pick this dress that DownEast sent to me to share with you:
That little cutie is the Isles de Saintes Dress, and I gotta tell you, it is magical. I wore it on Sunday when we were having the most fantastic spring weather, and I was in heaven. The ruffles, the polka dots, the perfect little coral sash. It's just adorable. And, I was comfy as could be, which is saying something for a 35-week prego. I love it. I liked wearing it while pregnant. I will like wearing it while not pregnant. I will wear it in the winter with layers. I will wear it in the summer just like this. It's versatile. It's cute. It's modest. It's a winner.
I will now do some verrrry pregnant posing for you in it. Enjoy:
You WILL win this time. I can feel it. You know the drill:
Here is how to enter:
MANDATORY: You MUST be a follower of our blog and leave us a comment letting us know that you are. You must also visit the DownEast Basics website, PIN the item you would choose if you won to your Pinterest account, and let us know you did in a separate comment. If you aren't on Pinterest, let us know in a comment what you would choose.
And for BONUS entries: -Like DownEast Basicson Facebook -Subscribe to the DownEastblog -Like us on Facebook -Follow us on Twitter -Tweet about this giveaway -Add our blog to your blog roll -Blog about this giveaway -Post a link to this giveaway on your Facebook wall
Giveaway will remain open until Tuesday, April 3rd. GOOD LUCK.
CONGRATULATIONS Theotherdan22!!! Email us at prettylifeanonymous@gmail.com to claim your prize! THANKS to all who entered! Now get busy entering AGAIN!
{Sweater: Old Navy 16.99 | Skirt: Thrifted 4.00 | Shoes: Target 21.99}
Yesterday something really incredible happened.
I actually shaved my legs, I painted my toe nails, and for the first time in ages, I wore a skirt without tights to church. Because it was warm. And I wore sandals. And I didn't get cold. And I didn't get snow on my feet. And I didn't have to wear ten layers. I just put on my clothes, walked outside without feeling a chill, and went about my day. And there were pigs flying and I heard on the news that hell froze over. At least that is what I expected would happen because it was all too glorious to be real. But it WAS real because spring has come, at least for now, and I am very happy about it.
Like I said, really incredible.
Have a great day!
Hopefully it's a springy one wherever you are!
XO-S
No, I didn't go to any midnight showings, I am going tomorrow afternoon like a 35-week pregnant person who likes her bed at midnight. Nevertheless, I am EXCITED. And here are some neato Hunger Games related links you should look at because they are awesome, and this weekend is a celebration of Hunger Games. Ok?:
Also, did you see it last night? Give me your rating on a scale of 1-10 in the comments. Love you, mean it.
2. Did you guys see Lizzie's awesome tutorial on dying jeans? She is the coolest. And I plan to try it once I'm no longer with child since I want some mint green ones way bad.
3. This week's weather has been cracked out here in Utah. It was blizzarding on Monday, but this weekend it's supposed to be in the 70's. These ups and downs make me want warm weather even more. Stop TEASING ME, mother nature!
This bipolar weather may be why I am having a current love affair with mixing neon and neutrals to bring some spring into my life even if I still have to pull on boots once a week. And here are some super cute and affordable neon treats to bring some brights to your wardrobe no matter the weather:
4. Every week we call for submissions for Five Things from YOU, and we have had some REALLY great responses. Well, today is no different, since a fabulous reader, Bethany, contacted us to tell us about the coolest site with the Knot Library. Just THINK of all the possibilities for spicing up outfits with this list! WAY cool. You gotta go.
5. Sometimes I freak out because I have a baby inside of me that is going to be on the outside of me soon. And I act crazy, and scream things, and feel an overwhelming urge to get myself a milkshake to self medicate. But then, sometimes, I freak out because I'm SO excited to have the baby on the outside, and I cry, and scream things, and feel an overwhelming urge to get myself a...well, you get it. So what I'm trying to say is that I'm fun to live with these days.
As a result of these feelings, I like this song right now. Because it spells out 'Life Goes On' in the chorus. Which I gotta keep telling myself, because everything's gonna be fine. And it's funner to sing these sort of things then just to say them, and I definitely need another reason for people to think I'm crazy these days, so singing 'Life Goes On" out loud all the time is really doing the trick.
Anyways, go ahead and listen:
If you have anything you would like to submit for Five Things Friday, email us!
Have the GREATEST weekend!
And get yourself entered to win something pretty from DownEast Basics, won't you?
Today is just such a good day. The weather is amaze. The snow is melting. The sun is shining. And I have a new dress I am wearing. And it's cute. And it's comfy. And it's Springy. Which all make me very happy.
And this little number just so happens to be from DownEast Basics' new March line and I am SO in love. It's flowy, it's lightweight, the color and pattern are perfect for Spring, it is the perfect length, the cut of the sleeves are exactly what I love, and it even comes with that cute gold belt. I mean, I pretty much can't find anything I don't like. You could say it's just the Dairy Queen of dresses. Or something like that...
AND here is the best news ever: DownEast Basics has so generously offered to giveaway an item of your choice from the new line! Because of the boutique nature of the brand, all items are subject to availability, so you'll wanna shop FAST to get you hands on my dress and lots of the other pretty things in store. However, there are so many cute things to choose from, I don't know how you will decide.
Here is how to enter:
MANDATORY: You MUST be a follower of our blog and leave us a comment letting us know that you are. You must also visit the DownEast Basics website, PIN the item you would choose if you won to your Pinterest account, and let us know you did in a separate comment. If you aren't on Pinterest, let us know in a comment what you would choose.
And for BONUS entries: -Like DownEast Basicson Facebook -Subscribe to the DownEastblog -Like us on Facebook -Follow us on Twitter -Tweet about this giveaway -Add our blog to your blog roll -Blog about this giveaway -Post a link to this giveaway on your Facebook wall
Make sure to leave a comment for EACH entry!
Giveaway will remain open through Monday, March 26th.
GOOD LUCK!
-----
AND the winner of the Amy Cornwell giveaway is....
Congratulations Kat! Email us at prettylifeanonymous@gmail.com and we will get the details worked out!
Now that I have had my first shower and there are stacks of diapers and baby lotion in the nursery things are getting REAL around here. So today's DIY nursery item is one I did mostly to escape from reality, a practice I am very well versed in as the weeks toward having a real, live baby fly by.
I made a lot of the bedding for the nursery myself (post on that coming SOON), but after I was finished I had a bunch of scraps I wasn't sure what to do with. So, I turned to Pinterest where I saw this post on the most precious nursery with the most precious stuffed owl. Then I searched for tutorials to make my own, and found this one for stuffed owl ornaments that was soooo simple, so I made mine just like the ornaments but baby sized.
Bring on the pictures.
And steps.
Even though it is reeeally simple and you don't need them. Nevertheless...
What you need:
-Fabric for the owl body. Amount depends on the size of the owl you want.
-Various fabric for wings, eyes, belly, etc. I used a mixture of felt and flannel so that it was really soft.
-Ric Rak, or other kinds of embellishments, if you want. It's your life.
-Stuffing
1. Draw your pattern on some heavier paper or poster board then trace on fabric. You can find the pattern for the ornament size here then just blow it up for whatever size you want.
2. Cut out all of your pieces: Body, eyes, wings, belly, beak, etc.
3. Lay them out on the owl top so you know how you want it to look.
4. I did a lot of fabric layering, so I started sewing layer by layer. For example, sewing all of the pieces of the eyes together, then sewing all of the pieces of the wings together, etc.
5. Start sewing the pieces you sewed separately to the owl body.
6. Sew the top and bottom of the owl body together, right sides together, leaving about 3 inches un-sewn at the base of the owl
7. Flip it right side out and stuff
8. Cut strips of fabric for the legs, about 4in. wide. Sew right sides together, flip inside out, stuff, and sew inside the opening at the owl base. Hand sew to close up the base.
9. You're done!
He's cute, and easy, and baby will think you are real creative, and will be WAY good for you and sleep through the night because he is so thankful that you would make such a cute owl for him.
At least that's what he told me, and I believe him.
2. Have you all seen this tutorial for polka-dotted colored jeans in your Pinterest feed this week?
LOVE. What geniuses. I need some.
Find the tutorial and the fantastic ladies behind it here.
3.These earrings are the coolest things I have seen on Etsy in awhile. Now those suckers are springy!
I want to eat those colors. Just yum. Find them here.
4. When it gets to be spring I just want to eat lemony things. I can't describe it. When it gets to be summer I just want to eat coconutty things. I can't describe that either. All I know is when I came across this recipe for coconut lemon bars, my poor brain which has been so entrenched in winter nearly exploded. YUM.
5. For some reason this song springy to me. Perhaps because she says daisies a lot. Whatever it is, I love this song, and I love Aslyn, and thinks she is a SUPER underrated indie talent. So there. Enjoy:
Sigh....TGIF right?
Honorable mentions for curing spring fever are as follows: Lime Ricki's from Sonic, finding grass and sunshine and rolling around in it, or just hopping on a plane to Mexico. If you do that last one though, don't bother telling me about it our I will de-friend you. Don't test me.
Have a great weekend!
oxox/W.
And...Don't forget toenter to win $25 to Amy Cornwell Designs!!!
I am going to be honest right now. I am feeling a little nervous to post the pictures of this outfit. I sorta feel like it's the first day of school and the outfit importance is being taken to the next level. The reason? I got my liquid leggings on. And I know how you all feel/felt about liquid leggings in our most recent poll post and I love hearing your opinions and value them and want your approval (Yep, this is like the first day of school for sure. GIVE ME your approval! Also, meet me at my locker after math?).
Nevertheless, I am gonna go out on a limb, and hope you all will support a girl who is trying to expand her leggings horizons.
This is big. Deep breath. Here we go:
Pheeeeewwww. It wasn't so bad, was it? In fact, I think I liked it.
Now let's skip second period and go to the mall.
And by the mall, I mean PretzelMaker.
oxox/S.
PS. Have you entered to win $25 to Amy Cornwell Designs?? GO GO GO!
...Yep. It's a REAL good one. Take a look at these pretty things:
I have been a BIG fan of Amy Cornwell's for awhile and am SO excited that one of you lucky readers gets the chance to win $25 toward her FABULOUS store. Every amazing piece in her shop is designed and crafted by hand and each is gorgeous and unique. This lady is ultra talented, and everything she makes is beyond pretty. You lucky ducks.
Here is how to enter:
MANDATORY: You MUST be a follower of our blog and leave us a comment letting us know that you are. You must also visit Amy Cornwell's shop and let us know in a separate comment, what you would get if you won.
Okay, actually I have only done it once and that was for W's baby shower on Saturday. I literally obsessed over this shower for months, and I may or may not have shown symptoms of depression once it was all over (really), because that meant I didn't have a hobby anymore.
The good news is we made sure to photograph it so I could continue to live vicariously through the memories that I made and the party that I created. Also, FYI, I did ask W to let me invite all of you. She said no. You can take that up with her. Now, on to the pictures:
Since my new-found hobby has come to an abrupt end, if you could give suggestions for new hobbies I should delve into, please share. It would help a lot.
Have a great day!
XO-S
1. Let's start with less than fun stuff. I've gotta.
You see, unless you are a very intelligent person, and have never ventured into the world of Facebook and/or Twitter, you no doubt were inundated with Stop Kony posts this week on your feeds. My perspective on the situation is an interesting one, since I interned for Invisible Children, the group behind the Kony2012 campaign, early on in my undergraduate work. Working for them was really rewarding, as is any opportunity that allows you to extend yourself beyond your own small problems. I learned so much during that time, and think that the message of spreading awareness about the complex and dire humanitarian crisis in Uganda is important and something EVERYONE should know about. So, to that end, I think it's great that people are watching the videos and becoming more informed on the issues.
However, what I'm not onboard with is the sensationalist tactics the company uses to gain funds for their cause, and then, how little of that money actually goes toward real charity work in the region concerned. There have also been major questions raised about the legitimacy of their actions when they do actually spend money in Uganda. So, what I hope you very smart readers will consider after watching these videos and before you retweet them, post them to your Facebook, or give Invisible Children any of your money, is to go a step further and become informed about all sides of the issue, both IC's as well as others, and then, if you feel compelled to spend your time, brains, or money helping a cause, be sure that you are giving your money to a true non-profit organization who will use your money responsibly and effectively to help those who so desperately need it.
If you haven't seen the video, by all means watch, and become aware.
Then read here, here, and here, to learn more.
Thanks for reading, folks. I've posted it on this blog before, and I'll post it again: "Life's most persistent and urgent questions is, 'What are you doing for others?" I believe that, and there are so many out there who need real help, and being informed, and acting intelligently as a result, is the first step toward true change.
2. Now, maybe all of the problems in the world are getting you down this week. It happens. There's a lot out there to think about. So, do you need a break? Well, it just so happens that the second book in the Deliriumseries came out this week! It's called Pandemonium, and I read the whole thing in about 5 seconds because it was soooooo GOOD. I die.
Haven't heard about the Delirium series? S and I are both obsessed. You can find them both here. You're welcome.
3. Yesterday I went to Kohls. And then Vera Wang smacked me in the face with her fantastic spring collection. I'm still reeling from the blow. Take a look:
SO gorg, right? Also, the prices in store are SIGNIFICANTLY lower than are shown on the website. So go, and get yourself somethin pretty.
4. Tomorrow is my FIRST baby shower and I am quite excited because I LOVE being around the people I love. I am also excited because S has worked tirelessly for WEEKS on every detail and I could not feel more loved because of that. And lastly, I am excited because my Momma is making my favorite treat evvvver for the occasion. We call it Tropical Island Cake, but the internets also tells me that people call it Pig Cake. Either way, it is fantastic.
You will be in a tropical coma of deliciousness. YUM.
5. And last, but not least, did ya'll watch The Bachelor this week? DRAMA. I eat that stuff up like Tropical Island Cake. That's why I couldn't have been more pleased when I saw this video. Ellen Degeneres, I love you more everyday. Watch:
Happiest of Friday's to each and every one of you!
Hope you have a FAB weekend!
oxox/W.
PS. Don't forget to enter this week's giveaway here! It's just darling.
I now hereby declare that you will not see me in anything but leggings for the next 8 weeks. Because anything else makes me want to die. And because after I try putting on jeans I lose my breath so badly that I sound like I just scaled Everest. Same with putting on shoes. Come to think of it, doing pretty much everything makes me out of breath, except sitting, laying, and, you know, eating Chik-Fil-A. So I'll just stick with doing those three things. It's for my health. And the baby's too, obvi.
My mothering skills are already sooo on point. I'm gonna be real good at this, I got a feeling.
Cardi: H&M 9.99, Dress: Old Navy 8.99, Leggings: Walmart 4.99,
Boots: GoJane 9.99, Necklace: Kohls 5.00
Have a great Thursday, won't you?
oxox/W.
P.S. Don't miss out on this week's giveaway! It's just fantastic!
