Steppin' Out: Family Date

Elliott, Scott and I shared a fantastic family day together today! 

We continued our tradition of painting ceramic Easter eggs (which was even more fun this year with a 2 year old who LOVES to paint). 

We also stopped for donuts and some Starbucks......food and fun, pretty much the required elements for a great day, am I right?!

I'll share more (lots more) about our day out later. Today it's all about what we wore.

 On myself: Striped shirt - Target // Sweater - Ross? (a very long time ago) //

 Jeans - Jag // Shoes - Target

 On Elliott: Top and Pants - Babies R Us // Hairbow - PolkaDot Posies // Boots - Fred Meyer

I hope you all are having a great weekend, too!

Wordless Wednesday: French Braid

As a mom of a feisty little girl, I must admit: I don't know how to braid!
Okay, so that's not entirely true. I didn't know how to braid, and now I'm learning. Learning how to French Braid should probably be done with a subject who is more patient and calm than a 2 year old.

 Lucky for me, she was a pretty good sport! Elliott's hair is also pretty soft and fine.....I'm not sure if that helps with my sloppy skills.

Any great techniques for French Braids out there? I'm open to suggestions ;)

Linking up with Jenni from the Blog, Naptime Momtog, and The Paper Mama

Project 366 Rewind: Week 9

While I took lots of fun photos this week (like the celery I cut up and stored in a bin full of water,  or the "Chinese food" that I made and evens served with fortune cookies), I'm not sure any fit the theme of "soul".

That's okay. I'm just glad that I managed to take out my camera each day and document something......even if it was just me posing awkwardly for the camera, or Ellie trying to feed the camera yogurt. I guess you could say the picture of the braid and the picture of the car could fit our theme this week. My baby girl has a soul all her own......she's unique and independent, smart and full of life. She's a girly girl, and yet her tomboy tendencies are really coming through lately! In the last week, I've bought her two matchbox cars, and a little toy tractor.....and this weekend her activity of choice was throwing tennis balls and basketballs and footballs......I love that little girl!

Project 366 Rewind: Week 8

Another week down.....this one started just as crabby as last week was, but turned out much happier and bright! Our week involved lots of organizing (story of my life these days......I call it spring cleaning), crafting, busy errand-running, and trying on and wearing cute new outfits. Not too shabby, and I feel pretty accomplished. So that's good!

This week's theme was Love.

Taking center stage are four pictures of Elliott, who has taught me what true love is and how to love. I also love organizing (the laundry room was my victim this week......more on that later) and crafting, hence the pretty purple flowers (part of a top-secret craft endeavor.

Here's what our week looked like:

I'm linking up with Naptime Momtog and Chic Homeschool Mama for this Project 366 Rewind. And since it's the end of the month, it's time to submit a favorite photo from the month.

I took this photo a couple weeks ago, and I'm in love with it! I love the colors and the lighting, and my baby girl's bright eyes. There's just about one good spot in our house for natural light (our kitchen), and I'm rarely home when the light is available. This picture reminds me of why I need to take advantage of it more often!

Advertising and Some Changes

I'm not a technical or design genius. This fact makes experimenting with this little blog a little bit scary. I was in the mood for some change, so I went for it. Before I knew it, an entire hour had passed and all that I had managed to accomplish was switching from three columns to two! But, I was anxious for change, and determined, so after a couple of all-nighters I think it's safe to say that things are coming along around this place......I'm still working out some kinks and have a few more changes planned, but I'm liking the new colors and simpler layout. Phew!

Now, with a change in layout comes some other little changes. I want to be better about keeping things fresh and new on this blog, including sponsors, ad swap participants, and hopefully some fun new stuff like reviews and giveaways. So below are listed my new ad sizes along with their prices, and limits on the number of ads I can take each month. I hate to limit my ad swap spots, but I feel like I need to at this point. If I find that I have way more than 8 people interested each month, then I will re-think things......I just thought I'd try something new ;)

Large Sponsor Spot includes: large 400*200 ad near the top of blog. Feature post during the month of March, and the opportunity for guest posting and/or product review/giveaway. Multiple shout-outs on Twitter.

Medium Sponsor Spots include: medium 400*100 ad just below the Large Sponsor. Group feature post during the month of March, and the opportunity for guest posting and/or product review/giveaway. Shout-out on Twitter. 

Ad Swap Spots include: small 200*200 ad below the Medium Sponsors. Group post with links, and the opportunity for guest posting and/or product review/giveaway.

Again, I'm open to new ideas. I would love to do a review or giveaway for you in exchange for a month of advertising. I would love to have you guest post here if you are an ad swapper. I want my relationship with my sponsors to be real......I've made so many connections with people through this blog, and I want those ads on the right side of my blog to be a reflection of those connections.

Email me to secure your spot for March. uwmomma {at} gmail {dot} com

I look forward to representing my friends and supporters on this blog!

Project 366 Rewind: Week 7

Oy vey. You see the only two pictures of my daughter this week?! Yep, that's just a little glimpse into our week around here. I really have no explanation as to why she was such a crab, or why I only got pictures of her crying.......maybe it's all the rain? I don't know. Either way, I'm glad it's Monday and we're moving on to a new week!

This week's prompt was "favorite feature". I don't really have one photo that represents that today, but I did buy a new giant spoon and fork for my kitchen, and they're kinda my favorite right now. Oh, and the amazingly cute toddler shoes I found at Target this week......those will be our favorites this spring. Scott also surprised me on Valentine's Day with some sweet and thoughtful gifts: some UW rainboots and Dior Lip Glow. I felt so totally spoiled. 

Steppin' Out: A Girl's Night Out

Yesterday I got a much needed girl's night out. 

I met up with some other bloggers from around the PNW for a casual get-together. I am still shocked when I think of how big this "little" community is. I mean, this was just an informal dinner-and-fro-yo-and-walk-around-the-mall-like-goofy-teenagers night out and yet we had 14 ladies ready to party! Some of these girls I've met before, and some of them I had yet to even find their blog......but after last night I know that relationships were strengthened, some new friendships were made, and I finally got to meet a couple bloggers in real life for the first time! That's always an awkwardly-fun experience ;)

I felt refreshed (and exhausted) after this Girl's Night Out. 

Turns out, mexican food, fro-yo, and shopping with friends was exactly what this momma needed on a Saturday night!

And, since I haven't done an SOS post in forever (and I actually got dressed in "real" clothes, and did my hair AND make-up) I figured I should document this night out:

Thanks to Mandy for snapping these photos for me......next time I'll try not to stand in front of a window where unsuspecting strangers are trying to eat!

A group shot. Check out these lovely ladies!

Jill, Chelsey, Fiona, Chelsea, Melissa, Mandy, Amy, Ashley, Mandy, Emily, Stephanie, Kiara

Wordless Wednesday: Our Bedroom

I know that I've shared glimpses of our bedroom makeover here and there for the past couple of weeks, but I wanted to give you all the grand tour.

We recently did a complete overhaul on our bedroom, and I am in love with the way it turned out!

It was actually a little unexpected, and with next to no budget for "redecorating", we had to go with what we had. 

I made a trip to Target for some organizational items: shoe-rack, small set of plastic drawers, etc. My mom also pitched in and scrounged up my old, old dresser from her spare bedroom. This dresser has been around for forever and I kind of forgot how cool it is! It is in desperate need of some new stain and has a few wobbly drawers, but we were in desperate need of a place to stash our clothes......so we quickly became best friends (and a fresh coat of stain will make it's appearance this spring, I promise). 

 We snagged our end-tables from our living room set and we are using them as night stands. I actually really like the way they look in our room....sorry to anyone that was looking for a place to set their drink in our living room ;)

I have a list of items that I'd love to order from Target and Ikea to finish the room off (like, um, a headboard. And a bookshelf), but for now I'm in love with our new room! It feels so light and airy and just......fresh! In case you don't remember what our room looked like before, here's a little glimpse:

Yeah, it was crowded and a little overwhelming. Now our bedroom is a clean, welcoming place. I think Elliott would agree.

Linking up with And Then, She Snapped, Jenni From the Blog, and Naptime Momtog.

My Week in iPhone Pics

I haven't posted my iPhone pics here in a couple of weeks......so that means you should prepare yourself for an epic iPhone photo-dump. Don't say I didn't warn you!

There you have it, our last couple o' weeks via my iPhone. If you follow me on twitter, instagram (esmomma), or facebook, you've probably already seen these. And if you don't follow me.....well, why not?! ;)

I'm linking up with Amy, and you should too!!

I'm Not Perfect

Today I'm going to share a little bit about myself here.....I mostly write about Elliott, because she's what I LOVE to write about! That's okay, but sometimes it's nice to talk about me, too ;)

Thanks to The Paper Mama for hosting a link-up and prompting women (myself included) to step in front of the camera. To shake off the insecurities, and to love on ourselves a little bit! It feels good!

So, here are a few fun prompts that Chelsey laid out for us to answer:

Obsessing over…Elliott's Valentine's. I cannot wait to give them out to all of my her friends!

Working on…Photos, selling my crap on eBay, keeping my house clean

Thinking about…Bills. Bleh.

Anticipating...The weekend! I'm going to go see The Vow with girlfriends, relax, and hopefully sleep in! 

Listening to…The Big Bang Theory is on in the living room. I can hear it from here, and it's calling my name ;)

Eating…Nothing (for once!) Just sipping some ice water

Wishing…I would win the lottery. 

And, here's what I've been thinking about myself lately:

I hate to exercise

I talk way too much sometimes

 

 I can be selfish

I can be a stick-in-the-mud

 I'm a perfectionist

I expect a LOT from others

I can be impatient
I am sometimes an aggressive driver

 I can't cook
I hate to clean

 I am motivated
I am confident (most days)
I am proud of myself and my accomplishments
I love deeply
I take pride in making others around me happy
I am talented at many things
I might not be good at being perfect, but there are lots of other things that I am good at.

Wordless Wednesday: Random

So, this post might be a little all over the place. I have a million ideas swirling around in my head, and none of them quite fit on the "schedule" that I have planned out for my blog this week. 

So, Wordless Wednesday seems like the best place to vomit my thoughts and photos all over. 

Sounds lovely, huh?

Well, here we go.......

1. I listed some new items in my Etsy shop yesterday. I've had these ideas for a while now, but I just got around to photographing and listing them. 

I added a new package deal, so that you can order essentially everything you need to decorate your party. I'm excited about that one, since I've made them for a few friends already......I can't wait to make some more!

Second are these Mustache Straw Huggers. Seriously, I can't believe something so simple could be so silly and fun! I've already sold one set since listing them yesterday......I think they're so fun!

2. I was working on a little something for Ellie's Valentine's, and I got this photo. I call it a "happy accident". 

I have really, really been working on my photography lately, 

but I can tell you that this particular pose and mood were not planned at all.

 I did get some other great shots that I took intentionally, but I can't share those with you just yet ;) 

This one, however, I love......regardless of how it was captured. So, I'm showing it off!

3. And finally, I wanted to give a little shout-out to my wonderful sponsors! I've been doing an ad swap for a few months now, and I have really loved connecting with all of the talented, sweet, and caring ladies whose buttons you see over there -------> on the right.I've made new friends and kept some old ones, and I'm so grateful for their continued support. So please, pay each of those ladies a visit! And, if you'd like to sponsor Pretty Little Life in February or in future months, please contact me or visit the "sponsors" page for more details. 

Happy Wednesday, y'all!
Linking up with And then, She Snapped, Jenni From the Blog, Live and Love Outloud, and Naptime Momtog