BIG, FAT, AWESOME 200TH POST [the kind where you get the gifts...]

image from djcronin.blogspot.com

I can’t believe it’s already 200 posts! And it’s almost the 2 year blogaversary too – that’s got to mean something special :)

In celebration, I’ve gotten together with some of my favorite Etsy shops to get you some discounts! Happy Shopping. If you haven’t started Christmas shopping yet, this might be the perfect opportunity.

Please be sure to “like” the shops on Facebook and favorite them on Etsy to thank them for their participation.

Quietude Quilts on Etsy and Facebook

Coupon for quilts only.

(The Quietude Quilts owners are good friends of ours and I can tell you that their quality is unbeatable!)

amorita mexicana on Etsy and Facebook

Fetching Prints Photography on Etsy and Facebook

Fetching Prints Photography is also doing a “Buy One Get Two Free” event on Black Friday and Cyber Monday!

RArtsyDesigns on Etsy and Facebook

Heather Conway Photography on Etsy and Facebook

Krystarka’s Photo on Etsy and Facebook

Blissy Grey on Etsy and Facebook

Poppy Seed Props on Etsy and Facebook

Serendipity Chic on Etsy

Cottage On The Coast on Etsy and Facebook

(This shop is a good friend of ours as well and they have an awesome blog – check it out!)

The Hook Up on Etsy and Facebook

L Young Studio on Etsy and Facebook

Onshore Clothes on Etsy and Facebook

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I thought I’d join in the fun and give you 20% off my shops as well:

The Dancing Frog on Etsy and on Facebook

Dancing Willow Photography on Etsy and Facebook

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Plus, did you see the super special giveaway in honor of 200 posts?!

Friday Favorites: Serendipity Chic Giveaway

This week is the big 200th post! If you haven’t checked out the celebration yet, head on over to the party :)

My favorite thing this week is Serendipity Chic. It’s an Etsy shop run by my great friend Ana and she makes the cutest flower pins, headbands, and other accessories!

In honor of my 200th post, she’s made a special pin just for the occasion. Best of all, one of you gets to take it home!!

I got to model it to show you how cute it is – and it’s even red, white, and blue – just in time for Veteran’s day!

The flower is way cuter than my "end of a long week" hairdo :)

Are you excited? I'm excited for you!

It’s super easy to enter, just do any or all of the following:

1. Write a comment about a veteran in your life.
2. Share the giveaway with friends and family (via email, Facebook, and/or any other means!) and comment that you did so.
3. Read through the Big, Fat, Awesome, 200th Post and let me know that you checked it out.
4. Purchase something from any of the stores listed on the Big, Fat, Awesome, 200th Post and comment with the shop you purchased from and your purchase ID.
5. Blog about this giveaway and the Big, Fat, Awesome, 200th Post and include the link in the comments section.
6. Check out Serendipity Chic online and let me know what your favorite item is!

P.S. Use 20OFF for 20% off in Ana’s shop!

Ready, Set, Go! [Comments close Friday night - 11/18 - at 10pm PST]

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Making this party even bigger by linking up with

Soup from scratch – and other miscellaneous things…

.Soup.

Yup, I made soup from scratch today. For some reason it totally freaks me out. I had some acorn squash I had cooked for a previous meal that didn’t get eaten, so I pureed it in a broth, added milk and spices, and voila! Acorn squash soup. I was surprised at how flavorful it was. Definitely a good confidence booster.

.Brenda.

We have a new family member. Her name is Brenda. She is a bread maker. She’s actually working right now on her first loaf of gluten free bread, so I have no reviews, but I am so happy to have her!

Don't be fooled by the "Breadman" sticker - she's all girl!

.Reorganization.

As you can tell by the picture of Brenda, I’ve got some new organization going on! Her presence sparked an obsession with reorganizing – all of the kitchen and Etsy stuff has now been reorganized – stay tuned for the full post on Thursday!!

.Giveaway.

Yup, that’s right: a shameless plug for the two giveaways! If you don’t know what I’m talking about, read this first. Then head to Facebook and get your friends to start “liking” The Dancing Frog and Dancing Willow Photography. There are coupon codes and free gifts at stake!!!

In case you didn’t catch it – there are 2 simultaneous giveaways! Woot!

.Christmas Cards.

I am determined to be more on top of Christmas this year. I used to have all my shopping and planning done before Thanksgiving – last year I didn’t even start until after Thanksgiving!!! We found Christmas cards and I’m ordering them this week so that they can actually be mailed before we fly back east in December :)

 .Dr Pepper, Cheddar Ruffles, Sour Patch Watermelon.

This is Miscellany Monday after all and I find myself thinking about how much I love Dr. Pepper, Cheddar and Sour Cream Ruffles, and Sour Patch Watermelon candies. I don’t know why – I won’t even try to explain. Just know that if you ever feel generous I will never turn said treats away! My husband cringes (his weaknesses include all types of Ben & Jerry’s).

images from google.com image search

.3 Days.

My students only have three days of school this week. Do you hear me rejoicing?! Today I had a guest teacher in Physic (an accident reconstruction officer for Metro Police) and Wednesday I have a guest teacher in dance. Thursday is Professional Development and Friday is Nevada Day, so there’s no school for teachers either! My grad school advisor told me last year that November is the hardest month for teachers. I can confirm this 100% – if I make it through the next month with a good attitude we can count it a huge success!

.Reading.

I’m still reading a lot. I’m working on The Help right now. I saw the movie first (and still feel guilty about it), but the book is just as excellent! You should read it.

image from google.com image search

 Who doesn’t love a blogging party!? Today I’m hanging out with:

October Giveaway!!!

Is it really almost November?!

In honor of October, I’m sponsoring 2 (yup, two!!!) giveaways!

The Dancing Frog: If you can get 15 friends to “like” The Dancing Frog on Facebook, you’ll get a special coupon code for 15% off through Christmas! Just have your friends comment on the wall that you sent them!

Dancing Willow Photography: The first person to get 10 new friends to “like” the Dancing Willow Photography page will get an 8×10 print of their choosing (you can choose from the Facebook portfolio or what is already listed on Etsy). Have each friend comment on the Facebook wall that you sent them.

This just makes me so happy every time I look at it!

*BONUS GIVEAWAY* If you get a friend to purchase from one or both of the shops, you’ll get a special coupon code towards your next purchase. Just have your friend mention that you referred them in the message to the seller!

Giveaway ends Saturday, October 30th at 10pm PST.

There have been several new listings lately, so be sure to check out The Dancing Frog and Dancing Willow Photography on Etsy!

Dancing Willow Giveaway Winner!

A huge thank you to everyone who participated in the giveaway!! I am pleased to announce the winner (chosen by random number generator Random.org) is….

#12! Patty Giannattasio:

She wins an item of her choice from the Dancing Willow shop!! I’m thinking of doing some kind of contest or giveaway once a month – what do you think?

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Didn’t win the giveaway? There’s still a 50% discount until the end of the month! Just use coupon code BIRTHDAY50 when you check out from Dancing Willow Photography!!

Miscellany Monday 8/15

uno. California

Keith and I just got back from our wild California adventure! We had a blast and I’ll try and get some more details posted this week.

I love the rolling golden hills.

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dos. Giveaway

Have you checked out the giveaway yet? You’ve got 6 chances to win something from my Etsy shop!

Did I mention there's a 50% discount in my shop all month long?!

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tres. School Starting

I’ve got eight days left til school starts again. Oy! I’m really looking forward to this year – Go Miners!

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quatro. Running Program

I just stepped up my running program to a whole new level! Keith got me this little beauty for my birthday and I can’t wait to use it :)

photo from amazon.com

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cinco. Birthday Presents

I’m so excited for two birthday presents I’m using birthday moolah for. One is a new lens for Clara the Camera and the other are these sweet things. I love the color and can’t wait to start wearing them!

Pureglove Barefoot Shoes by Merrell

photo from amazon.com

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It’s a party! Linking up to:

Belated Birthday Giveaway!!

I’m officially a quarter-century young :) I won’t be old until I’m 93. Then I’ll consider myself ancient, haha. My favorite birthday tradition is having the dinner of my choice on our “birthday plate”. Since we were out of town, we went to Yogurtland instead :)

We had a fantastic vacation and I had a lovely birthday. In honor of this, I’d love to give away one item from Dancing Willow Photography!

All you need to do is one (or all) of the following:

• Post a comment below with your favorite print from the shop or the new California album on the Dancing Willow Facebook page.
• Write a blog post about the giveaway. Write a comment with the link below.
• Tell your friends about the giveaway on Facebook. Leave me a note below letting me know it’s done.
• Tweet about the giveaway! Make sure to include @dancing_willow and comment below.
• “Like” Dancing Willow on Facebook and leave a comment to say you have done so!
• Comment below with your favorite birthday tradition!

I’ll pick one comment using a random number generator and the winner will get their choice of a print or set of note cards! You’ve got 6 chances to enter, so get to it!

Giveaway ends Friday at 10pm Pacific Time.

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Don’t forget: use BIRTHDAY50 at the Etsy shop to get a 50% discount during August!!