Winner!

The winner for our blog button design is..

Please contact me so we can get to work!

Please contact me before Wednesday or we'll draw another winner!

smtornow@yahoo.com

For those of you who didn't win and would still like a blog button design, we're selling them $15 instead of $20 this week only!

Offer ends on Saturday March 5th

Don't Forget..

tomorrow is the last day to enter the giveaway for the blog button, there's not many people entering so there's a great chance for you to win!

enter here.

Sponsors: Week 7

We're finally getting more people for sponsoring! I can honestly say I had missed doing these posts on Friday's but we're finally getting back into it!
Make sure to check out these blogs / shops and follow them if you're interested in what they have to say!

My name is Katie from {the sweet paper house}!! I'm in love with all things paper! I mainly specialize in custom invitations and paper goodies.... but have a weakness for anything cute that i can make under a budget!

I first started the blog so that friends and family can have a go to place to see my work. It basically turned into a creative outlet for me! Now, i'll write about my lastest projects and just about anything cute that catches my eye:)

Wanna know more?? :)

here's a few tidbits about me!!

• I'm a wifey to a loving {firefighter} hubby and a {new} momma to a little lady i call {MissyMoo}
• I'm a southern california girl all the way
• I recently discovered the "blog world" and i am sooooooo ADDICTED!!
• I love Dr. Pepper and Pepsi!!! {two things i'd  never be able to give up}
• Love skinny jeans!!... and hope they NEVER go out of style:)
• i hate cheese... except on pizza
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  My blog One in the SAHM was started as a creative outlet during naptime.  I chronicle my daily musings, regular craft projects, and adventures of a {semi} normal stay-at-home-mom.  I also just launched a brand new Etsy shop, Cards by Paper Therapy, and we specialize in creating a card for every life occasion.  Card-making has become a means of therapy, and is cheaper than the real thing - thus, Paper Therapy was born!  All cards are handmade, custom orders are available, and we truly believe in spreading the love via a snail-mail card. 
  
  
  
  
  
  My blog is primarily a platform for my business, Alexandra Rose.
  I create unique handmade items (such as little wallets, checkbook covers, market tote bags, coasters, magnets, cuddly taggie blankets and burp cloths
  and my etsy shop will be opening on March 1st, eeek! :)
  I love posting about things that make me laugh, random stories and daily happenings, and all things crafty, mommy and food related.
  
  
  
  
  Looking to do FREE advertising? 
  Click on the button that says Free Advertising at the top right corner of this page!

It's typically a great day when this happens..

I mean it can change your whole day around, even when you literally feel like crap!

In case you can't see that..

For the people who think they're sly.. 

don't try the promo code, I've already used all of the money..

Giveaway!!

Tonights little giveaway is coming to you from us! As you know we have our own little design services that we offer. If you didn't, click on that little button to the right that says 'design services'!

Anyways, tonight we're giving away a custom design blog button. 

This can either match your blog or it can be something totally different to set you apart from others out there. 

I wanted to do this because I know some blogs out there that would like to take advantage of the free advertising but don't have a button design to provide.. and some blogs out there just have really terrible button designs and I want to help spruce it up!

With this giveaway we're also giving a month of free advertising.

Don't worry, the month starts after we reach 300 followers.

We wouldn't let you down like that!

The winner has the option between two blog button sizes to choose from for their design:

Want to win this?

All you have to do is do a post about our free advertising!

Your post can just say..

"Sweet November is offering free advertising until they reach 300 followers! Follow the link, complete the guidelines, and you're in!" 

Or..

Just add our image from the free advertising page with a link to our site, your title for the post must read,

'Free Advertising at Sweet November'

Please link your readers to our advertising page:

here

After you've done this, leave a comment saying you did, with a link to your post. 

Giveaway ends on Saturday!

If you don't want to enter or don't win and still want an amazing button, we're designing them for $20.

Email us if you're interested:

smtornow@yahoo.com

Recipe: Soft Baked Pretzels

Soft Baked Pretzels

Ingredients:

1 package (.25 oz.) active dry yeast

2 tbsp brown sugar

1 1/8 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups warm water

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup bread flour

2 cups warm water

2 tbsp baking soda

2 tbsp butter, melted

1-2 tbsp coarse kosher salt or cinnamon sugar

Makes 12 servings.

Steps:

1

In a large mixing bowl, add yeast, brown sugar and salt. Test water temperature with thermometer. When it reads 110 degrees, add to bowl. Stir to dissolve. Add both types of flour and stir well.

2

Place dough on floured surface. Knead dough until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.

(To knead dough, press down on dough with your palm, fold the dough over and rotate 1/4 turn, repeat until dough is ready.)

3

Grease a large bowl. Place dough in bowl then turn dough upside down to coat the surface. Cover with a towel and let rise for one hour in a warm spot.

4

Combine 2 cups warm water (test again for 110 degrees) and baking soda in an 8-inch square pan. After the dough has risen, divide it into 12 pieces.

5

Roll each piece into a 1 1/2-foot rope, 1/2-inch wide. Twist into a pretzel shape, and dip into the baking soda solution. Place on cookie sheets and let rise 15 to 20 minutes.

6

Bake at 450°F. for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Brush with melted butter, and then sprinkle with coarse salt or cinnamon sugar.

{recipe & image source}

a couple winners!

That's the temp here today!

Hopefully this is the temp that it's going to stay. Winter should only be a month, or a day, Christmas Day.. then go away. 

The snow is finally melting though! In fact, it's almost all gone.. except for the piles that have been sitting on our corner lot from the plows. 

It's great to know that Spring is coming! After seeing someone's status on Facebook about how nice it was outside for her run, it made me want to go outside. So I took the dog for a walk around the neighborhood before having to get ready for work. The dreaded night that I get to work until midnight, so thankfully I was able to get outside and enjoy the weather!

I almost forgot that today is the day to announce our winners!

beepart vinyl laptop winner:

Mayfly Designs necklace winner: 

Please contact me with your shipping information so we can get things shipped!

Thanks to everyone who entered!

Red Rooms

Since Valentines Day was just on Monday, I thought I'd share some rooms that have used Red to make them pop.

{all images source}

This week as been a week of changes.

1

I decided that this summer I would cut my hair and donate it. I want it to grow a bit more before it happens, so summer will be the most perfect time. I've wanted to do it for the longest time but I've never let my hair grow long enough to do it.

My inspiration? I have a cousin who has Down Syndrome and has lost almost all of her hair over the years. After years of having her playing with my hair and her wearing Hannah Montana wigs, I finally decided it was time!

{2007}

While I know the hair won't go directly to her or anyone I know, it's still great to know that I'm doing something so simple to help someone in need out.

2

I got myself a part-time job that starts tomorrow. Working for a marketing company..ya know, calling people.. being annoying.. bothering you during dinner time.. and playing games and coloring in between calls.

Oh hi, that's just me calling!

3

Today I signed up for my second to last quarter of classes. I cannot believe I only have two and a half more quarters left. Even though this year just started a month and a half ago, it feels like it's already flying by. Soon it'll be time for my portfolio show, graduation, and a real big girl job. Ugh, reality is finally setting in!

ENTER ENTER ENTER!!

Two giveaway winners will be announced this week, have you entered the giveaways?

Giveaway 1

Giveaway 2

ENTER ENTER ENTER!!

Winners will be announced on Thursday!!

winner: thank you cards

The winner for the Thank You card set is..

Please email me with your contact information before Monday. If I don't hear by you before then, we'll draw another winner!

Fashion Friday

Giveaway: beepart Laptop Decal

One of our sponsors, who is actually one of my favorite Esty shops, sent me a couple of laptop decals to try out. I've never used a decal in my life, let alone use one on my laptop. But this morning I added my Friendly Narwhal to my laptop, and I'm in love with it. It's great to have something to liven up the looks of my laptop.

There are so many different designs to choose from in this shop, here are a few of my favorites:

Oh yeah, they also carry wall decals!

Yes, I'm in love with these vases as well..

Neil, beeparts owner, also included an extra decal for one of you! 

{Friendly Octopus}

This decal is the Ice Blue color and it fits any laptop size. 

So you want to enter?

Okay!

Here's how:

1

Check out the beepart shop and let us know what your favorite decal is.

2

Purchase something from the beepart shop and receive five extra entries!

{This makes a great gift for any child or college student!}

3

Repost about this giveaway on your blog and receive three extra entries!

4

Follow our blog.

Please leave a comment for each thing you do!

The winner will be announced next Thursday!

Good luck!

Giveaway: Mayfly Designs Necklace

The moment Holly contacted me for the free advertising, I went right to her shop! You know what first drew me in? That little logo. Not kidding!

After arriving to her shop I fell in love.. with everything!

She carries everything from

Necklaces

Earrings

Brooches

Rings

And even

Wedding Jewelry

I told you Monday was a great day for receiving mail, that's because I also received this necklace in the mail!

I fell in love with this necklace the moment I found it on Holly's site.

Not only do I love it's bow design, but it's perfect because it's not a stand out necklace and I can wear it whenever because it doesn't have to match my outfit. I also love how delicate this necklace looks on.

I know this is crazy, but maybe one of my favorite things about this necklace is the large round connector. I always have a problem with the small connectors, so having a large one definitely takes less time for putting the necklace on. 

Lucky for one of you, Holly has decided to do a giveaway with this necklace as well!

Here's how you can enter:

1

Visit the Mayfly Designs shop and let us know what your favorite piece is.

2

Follow Holly on Twitter to keep up with her blog and other news.

3

Follow our blog.

Please leave a comment for each thing you do!

The winner will be announced next Thursday!

Good luck!

Sponsors

Can you believe that we've gotten to a week where we have no sponsors to share with you?

It kind of feels great not having to organize it, but I also miss it. So if you know people that would like to take this opportunity, please share it with them!

Your Final Text Message

Usually I don't like posting videos, because the video delays the screen and everything gets messed up. Although, while checking Facebook tonight, my aunt had a video posted. Even though the video is long and might cause a delay, I hope you take the time to watch it, share it, and do something to prevent this from happening to you, family, and friends.

{especially your kids}

As you know this weekend I attended a wedding with my date who drove. During the drive out there he was texting and driving. I knew the consequences of texting and driving from previous television shows, but after seeing this video right after this event I wish I would have asked him to put down his phone until we got there.

It might seem silly to have to ask that of someone, but seriously it's your life and your text can wait until you arrive at your destination. How can you let something that will take five or six seconds, that will probably mean nothing, end your life?

Shop Update

Unfortunately, we'll be closing the shop next week.
We are working on creating new products such as card designs, paintings, print designs, and everything in between.


Some items like accessories, headbands, jewelry, and pins may not be in the shop when it returns.
So if you're looking to order something, make sure to do it before Sunday.


If you have any suggestions as to what you'd like to see stay, let us know below!

Giveaway: Thank You Cards and Sale

We are giving away a set of four Thank You cards.

Cards are designed with these designs on the front, leaving the inside blank for your own personal message to be written.

The winner will be able to pick out of these color options for the cards. 

To enter:

Leave a comment below letting us know

which color you would pick for your cards.

The winner will be announced on Saturday.

We're also having them on sale now:

Set of 8 cards for $4

If you have a color preference that you're looking to purchase, let me know and we can set that up with no additional cost.

Email me if you're interested in purchasing them:

smtornow@yahoo.com

Plume and Petals

Yesterday was the day for receiving mail!

Cynthia from Plume and Petals sent me this adorable pair of earrings.

My favorite thing about these earrings are the green jewels. I have a lot of jewelry, but nothing that's shines like this green. I am absolutely in love with the detail of these as well. The chain has little markings on it, which gives it a bit of a textured look instead of the drab smooth chain look. And the wire work, I love that it covers the connecting link to the jewels and chain. Even though these earrings look simple, once viewed up close there's so much detail to be seen. Which is what we all want, right? That expensive look on the cheap. Well, at least I do!

Cynthia's shop carries a variety of jewelry pieces that will go with any outfit. Not only can these pieces be dressed up for a night out with your partner (* hint hint * Valentines Day!), but they can also be worn to dress up your casual look for the office, a shopping trip, or a weekend getaway.

Here are a few of my other favorite items from her shop:

Everything is stunning, right?

If you're looking for something to spruce up your Valentines Day outfit, definitely head over to this shop to pick out something! You will definitely not be let down! And how could you be with this adorable packaging?

Plume and Petals