January Giveaway: Win a Diana Mini Camera! -- CLOSED!

I am so excited to be kicking off 2011 with this new feature! I'm taking a cue from a few fellow bloggers and using some of the sponsor revenue generate by advertising on the blog to purchase awesome gifts for one lucky winner every month! I figured what would be a better way to give back to all of my favorite people than to give you the chance to win some of the neatest things around! Each month will be something new and fun, and this month is something super awesome... a Diana Mini 35mm camera! I'm excited to offer one to y'all because Mike got me one for Christmas, too and I've had so much fun with it! I knew this was something I wanted to do for the new year, and when we snagged a lucky promo code from another Lomo purchase, we went for it! I think the Diana Mini is the perfect way to start it off!



You can check out some of the product specs for the Diana Mini by clicking here on the Lomography site. It's a 35mm camera that can be used for 36 square images or 76 rectangular half frames per roll! As opposed to the typical 27! You can also check out the Flickr pool for Diana Mini photos! Feeling inspired yet?





All you have to do to enter is:
Be a follower of this blog with Google Friend Connect! (Click "Follow" in the upper nav bar and follow with Google/Blogger, Twitter, Yahoo, or Aim!) and then leave a comment with your email address! (This is just one entry!)

To gain additional entries, you can blog, tweet, or update your status with a link over to the giveaway! Just be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry and leave the link to each one!

A winner will be announced at the end of the month! Good luck! (Don't worry, there will still be other sponsored giveaways going on in the time being!)

Here's to the New Year!

While I said last year that I don't typically play into the "new years resolution" bit, I will admit that I was a bit more excited to whip up a few of my own this time around. I tried writing them out and scanning them in, but then I realized I'm not really keen on my handwriting, so typing will have to suffice!

This year has been a whirlwind for Mike and I. I recapped most of them in our Year One: In Retrospect post earlier this month, but even as an individual, 2010 taught me so very much. I feel as though I grew up a lot in this year and I hope that it spills over into the next. While time may just be a means of measurement for some, I've decided to put on the optimistic face and make sure that I'm making the most of absolutely every single day and situation... New Years included!

I wish I were able to spend it out and about, celebrating with friends, but duty calls and a bartender is needed on this night. Mike will be spending it with me so that's enough for me. Just thinking that this might *hopefully* be my last year working at the bar makes me giddy because that means big changes for our little family!

I don't typically make "concrete" goals because I don't want to punish myself for not fulfilling them in the exact way they were first intended. Instead, I'll share with you some of my personal goals and resolutions, as well as some for the blog!

2011: The Year of Magic!

Personal Goals and Resolutions

• Tolerate no negativity. I feel as though I do a fairly good job of this as it is, but in 2011 I will allow absolutely no one to bring me down for any reason whatsoever. Woo!
• Work on a set schedule at home. I will be working from home (aside from the bar) so I need to be up at a certain hour, doing certain things until a certain time, and have a schedule to keep me on top of it!
• Get organized! My computer, my studio, my life... everything! Everything should be in tip-top order so we can hopefully have fewer speedbumps along the way! 
• Work out my penpal system! I need to be more on top of replying and not losing items/letters! I'd like to devote a set amount of time per week to reply to everyone who writes to me!
• Welcome change! This year is sure to be a big one for us. With two moves in the plans (more on those later), that alone will send our world into a tizzy. This year will be full of big decisions and I'm so so excited!
• Work on chasing my dream career! That means sewing sewing and sewing those dresses! That's right, you heard me! I'll be working my fingers to my bone, but it will be so worth it!
• Work on saving money! Sounds a little mundane and vague, but we're fairly good at it as is... now it's time to put it into hyperdrive and really make it count! We're ready to get a head start on life so bring it on!
• Make every day magical! Every day and every situation! Stuck in rush hour traffic? Turn up some music and let myself go. Or write down lots of ideas rushing through my head. Anything. Just make it a positive situation.

Blog Goals

• At least 3 outfit post a week! I'm really really going to try!
• Introduce new and exciting features on the blog! I have so many fun things lined up for 2011! I know you guys will just love them! I can't wait to share!
• Read and comment on more followers' blogs! I've found so many amazing blogs just by clicking through some of my followers who comment! You take the time out of your busy day to share in my life, and now I want to share in yours too!

Thank you guys so much for sharing in what has definitely been the best year yet! To think I started off this year with maybe 200 followers at most, and we're ending like this?! That's the best feeling ever! I can't imagine my life without this sweet little blog! I've met so many amazing people through it and I hope to meet even more! Let's go, 2011! I'm ready! xo

Giveaway Winner Announced!

Congrats to this lucky lady who just scored a $100 giftcard in the ShopBop Giveaway!

Miss Joanna: Please email me at kaelahbee (at) gmail (dot) com to claim your prize!

Thanks to everyone who entered and thanks to ShopBop for the rad opportunity!

Stay tuned for a fabulous giveaway coming up on the first of the month! Here's a hint: It's one of many! It's a New Years' Resolution to give back to you lovelies with one big giveaway from me each month for 2011! It's my little way of saying "Thank You"! Want another hint: There may or may not be a camera involved! OOOH! Guess you'll just have to come back and see for yourselves! 

Things I Love Thursday

I'm bummed that I missed Wedding Wednesday yesterday, but if you follow me on twitter, you'll know that I caught that yucky stomach bug that Mike had [and his dad, and my stepdad, and aunt, and Toby, and cousins, etc]. It's the most un-fun thing ever and I was really crossing my fingers I wouldn't get it after I saw how bad it was on Mike. But low-and-behold, I did! The good news is that I slept 24 out of 27 hours and didn't eat or drink anything so it wore off rather quickly. I couldn't even keep down water. :( But, I'm feeling about 90% better, and I've caught up on all my Etsy orders, and I have oh so many blogs to write and post since I've fallen behind! Let's pick up with all things magical, shall we?

♥ this beautiful monarch butterfly dress by luly yang couture ♥

♥ this handsome kitty ♥

♥ this wise pole flyer ♥

♥ this awesome painting series by kelly reemsten ♥

♥ this beautiful bathroom. how dreamy! ♥

♥ this adorable macro. ♥

♥ this fantastic (and easy) DIY! ♥

What are you loving this week?

Top 12 Outfits of 2010

I've grown more and more accustomed to taking outfit pictures every week, though I'm still not doing them daily. Hopefully that will change in 2011 [*resolution spoiler!*]. I skipped May completely thanks to the flood, and June and July were rough thanks to living alone in NYC and not having a photographer to snap them everyday. So rather than choosing one from each month, I chose 12 to show the dramatic [sense the sarcasm] evolution in my style. Truth be told, I'm still in a dress, flats and cardigan every day, but my tights have gotten bright, as has my hair. Oh and my sleeve is done! I guess that counts as evolution, right?!

Here we go! I'm ordering them from oldest to newest, so if you're a new reader, peep the archives! Also - you can click each picture to be taken to the original outfit post! [These are a bit biased as I tried to not include too many recent outfits, though I've had the most fun with them. I think I just love colored tights and pink hair! I can't help it!]

I really hope to expand on my style in 2011 and while I have no plans to include pants in any shape, form, or fashion, I do hope that my own handmade dresses will play a strong role! xo

MIXTAPE MONDAY: soothing tunes.

Powerful voices and powerful songs. I hope you love this one as much as I do! xo

Sponsor Spotlight: FlapperDoodle!

Kate contacted me last month about sponsoring the blog for the end of 2010 and I was immediately taken by her little Eloise and Ramona! Named after two characters in her favorite short story by J.D. Salinger, Eloise and Ramona are two of the most fabulously styled flapper ladies I've seen! You can find them donning stationary, notecards, and even tote bags! Did I mention jewelry yet?! Kate sent me over and huge array of goodies [You spoiled me, Kate!] and Mike had a blast shooting photos of them! It was snowy and so wet outside so there are no good photos of me with the bag, but you'll love the stuff when you see it, I'm sure!



Kate sent over a tote bag, book nameplates, the cutest set of 8 cards and envelopes and "Ramona The Tattooed Lady"... a piece after my own heart!

What I really want to know is how she gets them to be such good quality?! The cards look like something you'd buy straight from the finest of stationery stores. I love that the cards are blank inside, too, so you can write whatever you feel is appropriate. The 8-pack comes with 4 different designs (2 of each) so there's definitely something for the occasion! [Mike didn't know this when he shot the photos. Silly!]

Her website is so incredibly easy to navigate [I appreciate this so much!] and there's even a little blog, too! Kate is currently in the process of moving so the stationery isn't currently available, but I highly sugest you bookmark her online shop and go hog wild once she returns! You can still purchase PDF printables and share some coloring fun with your favorite niece or nephew! 

You can find Eloise and Ramona (and Kate, too!) at these fine places:

Website // Blog // Facebook // Twitter // Etsy // YouTube

Thanks for sponsoring the blog in December, Kate! And thanks so much for the lovely goodies!

♥♥♥♥♥♥

I still have a couple of spots left for January if you'd like to sponsor the blog! Just email me at kaelahbee@gmail.com!

The Most Magical Time of Year

Bonjour! I have not died! I am alive and well, though rather exhausted. The past few days have been non-stop go go go and while I've loved seeing everyone and exchanging gifts and eat way too much yummy food, I'm ready to take a break! How about you?

The short little break from the blog felt nice, I won't lie. And it might extend just a wee bit more [or at least be a little lighter] due to the fact I have to drop my trusty ol' MBP off at the Apple store tomorrow to have a new keyboard installed. The traffic will be a nightmare... I know. Hopefully it'll just take a few days though. Please let me have it by the new year! I'll be working anyhow, so it might not matter, but still. I'll have Mike's macbook but I can't do too much on it!

I have so many blogs to catch up on! I don't know when I'll ever find the time! Don't worry, I'll be dropping around you're little slice of the blogosphere soon! Hohenwald doesn't even have 3G phone service so I didn't read much Twitter or post anything via Instagram. Sheesh! I felt so disconnected!



Excuse the crazy lighting. Even Photoshop couldn't help the bright yellow cast lighting from my Nana's house! Haha I really love the Christmas season. I love the hustle and bustle, the endless pondering of thoughtful presents, the hot chocolate and full breakfasts, the family you can't really stand any other time of the year [kidding! Sort of!], etc. It's a great way to cap off the year. Then a week later you get to vow to never drink soda again or never run through the drive-thru, etc... Perfect timing!

I spent Friday baking and crafting, so when Mike got home from work around 5 we could load up the car and girls then head to my parents'. Of course we didn't leave until 6:30 but that was fine. We snuggled in, watched Love Actually, slept and woke up to presents. We had breakfast, opened our goodies, and then went back to sleep for two hours. Then we woke up, went to my Nana's, stayed for quite some time, ate a late lunch, opened presents, went home, Mom cooked, stepdad's family came over, ate again, exchanged presents! Phew! Oh did I mention we had a white Christmas for the first time in 17 years?! Yes! That never happens in Tennessee! Well it was great until Christmas night when we were supposed to drive the 2 hours north to pick up Toby. The interstate was shut down, parties being a little less than cooperative, etc. Luckily at 8:30pm we had the "OK" to go. The roads were okay until the Franklin area. Then they were awful. We managed to pick up Toby and head back south for the 2 hour drive [again] when we got stuck on an overpass while asking if a stuck car needed our help [but we worked our way out], then in front of our house in Spring Hill we hit ice on a bridge and went all over the road. Luckily Mike regained control and we managed home without incident. But it was scary!

We put Toby to bed and we slept. Then we woke up this morning, opened his presents with my parents, had breakfast and headed south to Mike's parents'. We opened presents there then ate a late lunch, rested around, and finally headed home. Here we are! I hate throwing so much into just one little post but honestly, I wouldn't have time otherwise to even update about it!

We're keeping Toby for a few days and I'm so excited! Lots of toys to play with! I love having him around!

Now a ton of photos! [I'll put most after the jump!]

Me & my little cousin Kaylie

Lacey Lou Anne

Toby and Grammy Terri

Pip and Baby G

My two favorite boys ever!

Tuckered out. Presents take a lot out of a kid!

We got Mike's dad an assortment of Bulldog presents this year

Terri and Mike's sister Laine

Miss Abby

Toby and Mike's dad

Overall, Christmas 2010 was a success! I'll definitely share more about what I snagged for Mike this year and what I got, too. But for now, we'll focus on what the holidays are all about: family! xo

How was your holiday?!

My Milk Toof Christmas

Merry Merry Christmas Eve! Do any of you follow the adventures of Ickle and Lardee at My Milk Toof? If not, you should! I love this sweet little picture of them and I've never been more taken with clay figures! Their stories are the cutest things ever and remind me so much of my little Baby G and Pipkin!

I'm baking up a storm right now and have so many presents to wrap before we venture down to my parents' house for the holiday, but I hope I can squeeze in a post or two! [Silly me didn't schedule anything! Oops! Bet you'll all be too busy loving on relatives and eating yummies to even notice! I will! ;)]