Three months and counting :)

Well, friends... the time is here!!! 

Valentines Mood

Valentines Day is ONE MONTH away!  How exciting is that?!?!  I haven't pulled out a single decoration, but a super fun surprise at the end of this post got me thinking and excited about it.... so.... I decided now was the time to share some fun printable Valentines for all of you planners :)

These are all ready to be right-clicked, saved and then uploaded to your local Walgreens, Target, etc. and printed in size 4x6.  Usually prints run about ten cents a piece and then I get clear cellophane bags at Hobby Lobby and put little goodies in them. 

This was Luke's Valentine from two years ago....

 

And then last year...

I picked up the Lego shaped candy at our local "vintage" candy store :)

This was Mason's last year and it had one of my Monster Cookies inside...

Griffin's were apple-themed :)

These were little food tents I designed for a small group dinner a few nights ago, but last year lots of people were super creative and used them for lollipops, pop rocks...

... applesauce, goldfish, swedish fish...

... clementines, banana runts...

... uncrustable sandwiches and berry fruit snacks...

And I got the biggest kick out of seeing everyone's pictures! :)

Here is what I'm going to be doing for my kids this year, and feel free to grab them for yourself!  Luke is Minecraft OBSESSED and so this is his...

He's REALLY into KitKat bars right now, so even though it has nothing to do with MineCraft, that's probably what will go in the bags :)

This one is for G and I'll probably put some cheerios, mini marshmallows and maybe a few pretzel sticks in the bag.  She and Mason will be at their sitter's house, and I'm sure she'll appreciate one less piece of candy :)

Speaking of their babysitters house, there are several boys Mason's age there and they all love Hot Wheels, so this is what I made for him.  He's going to pick out cars for his friends (since there are only 4 other kids there... 5 including his sister... it doesn't get too crazy expensive).

And since we're on the topic of Valentine's Day... I have a SWEET surprise for y'all!!!

Jill at Sprinklings Girls Beaded Necklaces is having a Pink and Red Sale where she's offering THIRTY PERCENT OFF anything in her shop that's Pink and/or Red!

I found Jill on Instagram last year and was immediately intrigued by her FIVE little girls.  Yes, ladies.  Five.  They're ADORABLE and Jill is so stinkin' cute herself!  I ordered G an ivory necklace to "try it out" and it was love at first sight. 

Griffin LOOOOOOOOVES her necklaces and points to them every morning. hahaha  I know, I know.  I've created a little diva :) 

Sprinklings necklaces are SUPER chunky beads (which I LOVE!)...

... and I've never had one break or chip.

They wipe clean and add some serious pizzazz :)

I love that she'll be able to wear them for years and years and they're definitely something I'll stick away in her little memory box.

The sale items are at the bottom of her page (they're labeled pink and red) and you'll need to enter code love30 when you check out.  The code ends tonight at midnight and everything will ship by the beginning of next week (but probably sooner!).  

Here are a few of my favorites from the sale...

Tickled Pink

(this is her "Hot Item!" and is on sale and then an ADDITIONAL 30% off!)

Pretty In Pink

Sweetheart

Be Mine

These would make fun birthday or Valentines gifts and could definitely be worn beyond Valentines Day with the right outfit.  Everything is limited quantities, so make sure you order quick!

Last thing, Jelly The Pug is on HauteLook today!  They always have FABULOUS prices and look how cute these are for Spring! (they'd look great with a Sprinklings necklace!) 

Hopefully I got y'all in the "Valentines Mood" today and left you with some fun ideas for treat bags and accessories :)  I have lots of Valentines up my sleeve over the next few weeks that I can't wait to share.  

Happy Wednesday!!!

Christmas Cards

Merry Christmas Eve, Friends!!!

Anyone else sitting there wondering how on EARTH it is already Christmas Eve???  For real.  Wasn't it just summer?!?!?!  I've decided that all I want for Christmas is a pause button ;)

One of my very favorite parts of Christmas are the cards.  I am a total dweeb who loves "snail mail" so getting little glimpses of some of our favorite people in our mailbox on the daily is the best.

I designed close to 60 cards this year and had 5,500+ cards printed - which totally blew me away!  (I'll share some designs next week!)  I always feel a little "tapped out" by the time I get to my own family card, but thankfully I always have fabulous pictures to work with and inspire me.

I wish I could send everyone out there a little bit of Happy Mail, but since that's not in the cards (hahaha, get it???), you'll have to settle for a virtual card from me to you ;)

So, I bought this cute little Christmas card stand back in November, and I thought it would be perfect to display all of our cards.  Well - it was perfect until about December 5th - when it was overloaded and you couldn't see anyone's sweet smiles.  So I came up with this...

I picked up a roll of washi tape at Target, picked a spot in our kitchen where we'd see them all the time and just started taping them up!

The little stand is next to the buffet and is holding some of the folded cards and a few I haven't hung up yet.  I love that the cards are "loud and proud" for everyone to see, appreciate and talk about.  Several Slightly Askew clients sent me a copy of the cards I designed and those have been super fun to hang up and look at as well.

I hope you enjoyed your virtual card (and your real one if you were on my mailing list!!!) and if I designed your cards this year - THANK YOU!!!! I appreciate you trusting such a special thing to me and letting me be a little part of your Christmas. 

ONE MORE SLEEP, FRIENDS!!! ONE MORE SLEEP!!!

In Case You're Wondering...

In case you're wondering (and emailing and IG'ing me!) I AM doing Christmas Cards again this year.  I LOOOOOVE being a little part of all of your Holidays and so here are some details....

 Here are a few samples of my work from last year...

 I love making special, unique and FUN cards that your family, friends and co-workers won't be able to help but put front and center on their refrigerators :)

I'm taking orders starting NOW - so be sure to send your email in and get your invoice paid quickly to reserve your spot on the list.  The initial invoice will be for $45 and then I'll invoice later for any additional sets of cards you'd like to order (and shipping).  Last year I had several clients ask me to create something for them and then back out after I had spent several hours making proofs, so I'm trying to avoid that this year.  :)

In case you're wondering the Booster Campaign for Manda ended with a BANG!!!

I can't stop smiling!!!  And I can't wait to see all of you sporting your shirts in the next couple of weeks!  Now that the order is closed they'll start printing and shipping this week!  Be sure to post a picture on IG and use the hashtag #mandastrong when you get them in!!!  If you don't have IG send the pic to me in an email.  We want to see and share!

In case you're wondering what I'll be sharing for Recipe Club tomorrow here's a sneak peek!

In case you're wondering what goes on in my house before bathtime....

... apparently we're in the business of catching baby geckos and putting them in ambulances we made at The Home Depot :)  No worries... he was released OUTSIDE before baths :)

In case you're wondering whether our sweet, adorable baby girl is always sweet and adorable...

She is as easygoing and "chill" as they come.... but when homegirl is mad she is MAAAAAAD!!!

Currently, what makes her mad is her brother's not sharing their toys with her, not being allowed to pound 4 yogurt smoothies in a row before dinner and being told "no" while pulling all the DVDs out of the media center. :)

In case you're wondering what our babies looked like last year...

I mean!  They've grown and changed so much and I can't wait to meet up with Kelly in a couple of weeks and see what magic she captures this time around.  I'm working on outfits and will share those when everything arrives.  I LOVE coordinating and assembling outfits for pictures (and then coordinating cards around the pics - hahaha).

I hope y'all have a fantastic Tuesday!!! Don't forget to get your recipe(s) ready to share tomorrow!!