Beautiful Blendings {Year One} Blogiversary {& Giveaway}

One year ago I started reading some blogs.
I instantly felt a strong connection to the writers of those blogs.
And so one year ago.... I started a blog of my own.

I had no idea where it would take me.
How INCREDIBLY inspired I would be.
That I would open my very own business on Etsy and love doing it.
That 202 of you would follow along my journey and read my words; week after week.

That I would learn how to do my own HTML, tweets, picture taking/editing, facebook posts and general business decisions that not only help me grow as a person but also inspire and push me to be the passionate writer and creator I've always wanted to be.

And so one year ago.... my life truly changed. My perspective became something else. And I started to believe in myself again. And actually created something that I was proud of and excited to do each day. And it's all possible because of all of you. All of the friends, readers and wonderful people I've "met" along the way. I thank you today.Words CANNOT explain what a wonderful year this has been for me with Beautiful Blendings or how it's completely changed my life. Thank you for taking this journey with me. And here's to many more years of doing what I love, and loving what I do.

And without further ado..... the giveaway from my lovely friends whom I heart in the very best way.
Thank you friends for your love and support!

|| BEAUTIFUL BLENDINGS BLOGIVERSARY GIVEAWAY ||

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shop || blog

shop || blog

 blog

blog || shop

shop || blog

shop || blog

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blog || shop

Week with my Momma

This past week I've been a bit absent from the Internet. But it's because my momma and stepdad (whom I haven't seen in over 3 years) came for a visit to me and fella. Oh, they've also never met fella! We've been together for more than 3 years people!!

We had such an amazing time together and I cannot even tell you how wonderful it was to have them in town.

We did everything from sunset dinner on the beach, day at Disneyland, to surprising my mom with a tattoo for her birthday. Yep, my mom is awesome like that. It was her third one. And she LOVED it!

They stayed at our apt the whole week and when fella and I had to work; they went out and explores the city themselves. It was a lovely trip. I wish they lived closer but I'm glad we were finally able to spend some time together.

If you live close by your momma; give her a hug…just for me. Mkay? Thanks!

{Thrifted Thursdays} Week 10

If you are new to this read about it all here. 

This week I'm going to share with you one of the fabulous link-ups from last week and hopefully encourage you to join in with the fun.




Last week the adorable Liz @ Here's to Handy Andy linked up with her thrifted lamp makeover.

Isn't that just super cute? And Liz shows us that your thrifted finds can go beyond just clothing and accessories. Also, don't overlook something just because you aren't sure that you like it the way it currently looks. You can always make changes and turn it into something that you absolutely LOVE.

 

Polyvore Love.

If you have not yet tried out the site Polyvore or even heard about it.... GO there NOW. They let you create dream boards of all sorts of cute outfits and you can pull items to add to the outfit from virtually anywhere on the internets. This means you can grab all your favorite shops and put together a-mazing looks that you might like to purchase for the future. It ALSO means you can share them with your friends.

Winter Chic by beautifulblendings featuring cotton leggings



Between this and Pinterest.... I'm doomed. But join, it's fun. Also, those boots from Blowfish.... will be mine! Muahahahah. And I already have the sweater and leggings. Yes!

{Thrifted Thursdays} Week 9

If you are new to this read about it all here. 

This week I want to share something that I wear everyday. It's vintage and not exactly thrifted as it was instead gifted but that's ok too. It's the diamond ring my mom gave me and told me every girl deserved a diamond. It's definitely my favorite thing I own; thus why I wear it everyday.

I think it's important to have something special you take with you everywhere and since I'm not married yet…this ring is my special. Of course even after I do get married {probably when I'm 40} I will still wear the diamond from my mom because it's important to me.

AND what's even more special is that in just ONE WEEK my momma will be here to visit me {and my stepdad too!}. I cannot even explain how thrilled I am since my mom is my best friend, the very best and my hero. Oh, did I also mention that I haven't seen her in over 4 years! It's nuts and SO NOT OK that it's been so long. I'm going to try and plan lots of good posts ahead of time though so no worries!

Without further ado though.... here's my ring{sorry I do not have a swanky camera and therefore better pictures}:

Taking time

Lately I've been a bit stressed and overwhelmed. Hundreds of orders to complete, two jobs to work, house to clean, errands to run AND THEN there's the Internet world/work.

Well yesterday I decided to stop. I was moving so quickly in my own life that I wasn't even paying attention to any of it. Every day I woke up and felt like I had to speed through and make it till the following day.

And yesterday I said no.
No Internet.
No working.
No distractions from living life.

Cause the reality is.… there will always be something to do. Another deadline, another pile of dirty clothes, another something. And frankly I don't want to remember this time in my life as the years I made no memories. Because all those 'other' things…are just on repeat forever in your life. But quality time…that's what stays with you when you're old and gray.

Yesterday was so lovely. I had lunch with my man and actually enjoyed it. I TASTED my food instead of just feeding myself to fulfill a task.

We bought a couch. And I watched my man put it together and make our house feel more like a home. And we sat on the couch and snuggled together. I can't even tell you how great it felt.

I made us dinner. And took time to enjoy cooking. Afterward we had hot cider and decided to sleep out in the living room so we could watch more 'How I Met Your Mother' and enjoy each other's company. It was so much fun to camp out together and just laugh and enjoy.

And although we're exhausted today {and both feeling the start of sick}, I honestly wouldn't trade last night for anything.

It's so important to just live sometimes. It feeds your soul and gives you the energy to do all that other 'stuff'.

Just live today.

WIWW {of sorts}

Sorry I haven't been around much lately. I SO miss blogging in all it's entirety. I haven't even read a blog post in a week! Which means I will have HUNDREDS to read when I finally can catch up because I never miss a post from my favorites… that's like missing out on something special.

Well if you follow me on Facebook or twitter you know that right after Christmas I got into a car accident. It wasn't pretty but I am ok.

Thankfully I have great insurance and right now my car is getting all fixed up!

But besides that I also have been working like nuts on my Groopdealz orders. I know I mentioned that before but seriously y'all it's like everytime I finish and package an order I feel like the list grows even longer. I feel terrible because I want them to all go out to their owners in a timely manner but it's taking me forever. Oy.

But in between my two jobs I sit at my desk and hot glue until the late hours of the night. No one said being a handmade business owner was easy.

But it is fun. And because I miss you all so dearly I've decided to give free shipping until the end of January. Please order your favs from the shop because soon they may all be going away for a bit of Spring cleaning.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BeautifulBlendings

Use code: PARTY2012 for FREE shipping!!

Until later here are some pictures of my fav new top from Target that I'm happy I wore today.

Happy New Year my friends!