Thursday, November 10, 2011

Blogger Spotlight | | Mandy from a sorta fairytale


Are you looking for a new blog to check out? Maybe get some advice, just connect with another Mommy or a really good story to make you laugh? Well, here at Don't Blink, I have decided to start a Blogger Spotlight! I will be featuring my favorite blogs that I visit frequently. They make me laugh, they offer advice and they deserve a spotlight feature so you can check them out, too!

Say hello to Mandy from a sorta fairytale!



Mandy is a really sweet, fun loving Mommy! I love reading her blog about her daily adventures and her adorable son. She graciously agreed to answer some questions for me so you can get to know her better too! Please make sure you add her blog to your favorites to follow her adventures!


1. Where do you call "home"?
Home for me is Seattle, WA. (well we live in a suburb but close enough) :-)
 
2. When did you start blogging?
I started blogging after my husband and I got married back in 2007. For the first couple of years, I very rarely posted anything, it was more of a way for us to update family and friends with things going on in our lives. After the birth of our son in January 2010, I started blogging a LOT more. My blog is my sons baby book, and a journal of our lives as a family. It's also a way for me to network with other ladies in similar walks of life!
 
3. Besides blogging, what do you like to do in your spare time?
I'm a work at home Mama, doing professional photography. So, a lot of my spare time is spend editing photos and consulting with clients.
 
4. Tell us about your family:
My husband Philip, he's sarcastic, realistic, creative & artistic, a business marketing major and one of the most wonderful people I know! My son Bennett will be 2 in January and is is silly, quirky, cuddly, loving, spastic, energetic & the sweetest little guy you'll ever meet. I just love my boys so much! Also, we are expecting another baby boy this coming April. Couldn't be more thrilled!!
 
 
5. What is the one thing your son can do to bring a smile to your face?
 All my son has to do to put a smile on my face is be himself!! Like I said, he is so crazy silly, just a smile from him will completely light me up!
 
6. What does your family do for fun?
In the Spring and Summer months - you will find us out walking with my son, taking him to parks or the beach. Also, I'm a  HUGE fan of baseball... so you'll find me at the stadium quite a bit. Something about sitting in the stands munching on garlic fries, watching baseball just makes me feel cozy and at home.
 
 
7. What do you find is the most fun about blogging?
The best thing about blogging are the people I meet!! I have met some amazing friends through the blogging community. Some I have met in real life, and others I feel like I have. Some of my best friends have been made through my blog.
 
8. Where is your favorite place to shop?
Favorite place to shop? That's easy... Target. :)
 
9. What advice would you offer to a new Mommy?
 The best advise I can give is to follow your own maternal instinct. Even if it doesn't feel like it, we all have it! We all know what is best for our children and our family. It's wonderful to get advise from people, but in the end.... follow your gut!
 
 
10. What do you like to do to pamper/spoil yourself?
Hmmm...well I love getting massages. Luckily my Hubby will give me one if I ask, but I try not to take advantage :) Going back to baseball, to spoil myself I just go to a game. I really do love it THAT much.


Thank you so, so much Mandy for being a guest with me for the day! I can't wait to hear more exciting news about your growing family (and to see the pictures!!). 

Are you interested in being a Guest Blogger here on Don't Blink?
Well, give me a shout! I'd LOVE to feature you!
tammy.schaper@gmail.com 

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Wordish Wednesday: Christmas Cards

I'm a slacker today. I should have had this posted earlier but it was just one of those days.
On Sunday, I put red dresses on the girls (Thanks, Mom!) and we went out to the back yard/wooded area to see if I could get a few shots for some Christmas cards. I can't believe its that time of year already!

Anyways, trying to get BOTH of them to look at the camera, sit still, smile.. uh, impossible. Why is it you have so much more patience with other children with your own when taking pictures, too? Or is that just me? lol!

I did get a few... and I did make Christmas cards at Shutterfly already (LOVE THEM!).  Here are just a couple of the shots. :)




I am so in love with these little girls. ♥

Friday, November 4, 2011

InstaFriday

life rearranged

It's InstaFriday again... here is my week in instagram pictures...


Last Friday night started with drinks, pizza & laughs at our best friends house to celebrate hubby's birthday. Have you had any of these alcohol flavored whipped creams? Oh.My.



Saturday rolled around and well, more drinking. I swear I'm NOT an alcoholic!
It was my friend, Katie's Bachelorette Party (can you tell by the toothpicks in the first picture?) We went to this awesome place called Boogie Nights in Atlantic City. Best. Time. Ever.

After Saturday, I layed on the couch pretty much all day recovering snuggling with Abbie. Poor baby is FINALLY starting to feel better!!


Monday night was trick or treat! YAY!! I snapped this lil cutie, Lucy and did a little editing to show off her BRIGHT pacificer and those eyes? Some little boy somewhere has no idea what he is in for when he stares into those eyes someday!


Tuesday required lots of coffee recovering from Halloween festivities.



This was boredom at work one day... I forget which.



Jaelyn's project for school... what we are thankful for.


Bath time with our PINK Breast Cancer Ducky!! Quack Quack!

That's my week in a nutshell, more or less.
Have some cool instagram photos to share?
Head on over to Life Rearranged & link up with me!


Thursday, November 3, 2011

Leaves

Yesterday was an absolutely lovely day here. If I wasn't working a full time job, I would have been out shooting pictures of anything & everything because it was PERFECT!

I did get lucky in that it was still gorgeous when I got home and the girls were ouside playing with Daddy. YAY!

Grabbed my camera... off we went. The hubster raked a big pile of leaves and IN we jumped!!! :)




I can't believe how much we giggled, and giggled, and giggled. Seems we all needed to destress a little in a big pile of leaves!


My poor Abbie has been so under the weather but take her outside and she just lights right up. She is an outdoors girl for sure!



and then, she {snapped}
 

Jaelyn loves when I take her picture now and let her look at it on the screen. Then she goes back and says "Take another one, Mommy!" I love it!!!


We expolored a little too, found some acorns & pretty colors in the pile of leaves.





 

It's funny... this 'photo shoot' was completely unplanned, I didn't even brush the girls hair, just went in, grabbed my camera and started laughing with the girls and it's brought back some inspiration! I seriously love these pictures and there is nothing special about them... I guess some of the best inspiration comes when you aren't looking too hard for it. ♥

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Wordish Wednesday | Trick or Treat!

The girls had fun trick or treating this year. As I mentioned before, Abbie wasn't feeling all that great so actually after 3 or 4 houses, she had enough. By the time we went over to my sister's house - she was quite happy just staying inside with Mom-Mom & handing out candy. Jaelyn however, couldn't wait to fill up her pumpkin!!

Not the best pictures... they are just at the age where posing or looking at the camera isn't that important, lol. Still, they looked cute!

Strawberry Shortcake & her sidekick, Lemon Meringue



 (with our beautiful nieces, Jessica & Holly .... what wonderful role models!)



(Daddy & Lemon... heheheh ♥)

Check out some other cool Wordish Wednesday pictures:


Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!!

I hope all of you enjoy the day. If you haven't went trick or treating yet.. have fun! Hopefully the girls will be going out for a bit tonight... Abbie has had a fever all weekend & we are awaiting a call back from the doctor. Ugh! My poor little one. She seems to want to put on her costume though so maybe we can at least make it out to a couple houses! Besides, they look ADORABLE!

Remember last year? My cute little Minnie Mouse & Bumble Bee....



ahaha!! I love them!
I'm sure I will be posting this years pics all this week so stay tuned...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!




Friday, October 28, 2011

InstaFriday

Love, love, love my new iPhone and the Instagram app!
Now I found a place to share them with other cool people... wooohoo!
Do you use Instagram? You should link up!

life rearranged


(Jaelyn playing trains at my brother's house. So cool that a girl at work just gave us almost the exact same train set (Thomas!), she was cleaning out her toys and brought them in to me. The girls will love it!)


(Play-Doh fun with the cousins. Can't you smell it from where you are?


(Bath time with Abbie is always so fun!)


(LUNCH!!!!!!)



(Watch out Bella, these vampire girls might give you a run for your money! They vant to svuck ya blvoooood. haha!)

Come join in the fun!!!