More goodies ...

I was so honored when the oh-so-sweet Angie Warren of The Creative Mama asked me to write a review for her new e-book. I have always enjoyed taking pictures of my fave times and people in my life. From disposeable cameras, to a few point and shoots, to my current beloved DSLR, I have loved documenting and capturing incredible moments throughout the years.
Project Photography is such an inspiration for anyone with a camera! As a mom to two boys, I don't have a lot of time to sit down and read up on my camera's settings, and when I do have a moment, I get boggled up with all the fancy terms and lingo. Angie lays out a simple step-by-step guide to the basic functions and terms and how to use each setting. I have seriously taken notes to put in my camera bag to refer back to! She also gives tips on how the best shots can be achieved, ideas on locations and perfect lighting settings, and ways to get that shot you are hoping for.
After reading Project Photography, I have a renewed spirit for picture taking. I am excited to pull out my camera, play around with the ISO (which I had no idea what it was until Angie explained in lamen's terms for me!!), and capture some of the fun and beautiful moments in my family's life.
Thank you, Angie, for sharing your amazing talent and passion with us. Project Photography is such a refreshing, exciting, and inspirational piece for photographers at any level!

Wouldn't you just love to have that excitement ... a new awakening in your own photography world, and at the tips of your fingers? Angie is offering up TWO copies of her online e-book, Project Photography, for 2 lucky winners!! Over 60 pages of sweet quotes, beautiful pictures, tips, advice, and pointers on how to capture those breath-taking moments!! If you aren't yet familiar with The Creative Mama, please go check her out!!
Leave a comment on this post to enter this incredible giveaway (you don't have to have a blog to enter, just be sure you leave your contact information). Following my blog earns you an extra entry, as well as reposting! I give one extra entry for every re-post, whether it be on your own blog, facebook, or twitter!! (If you post on facebook or twitter and we aren't friends yet on those sites, please include a link for me. Check out my sidebar to follow me on those sites!) Giveaway will run for a week, ending on Wednesday, July 29th at 8pm PST. Good Luck!!

♥ ♥ ♥

VIP

My mom-in-law is a Level 2 cardholder at Nordstrom. That means free shipping all year, exclusive invitations to events, and pre-sale shopping privileges for their major sales. Oh yeah. Creme de la Creme!

As all you lovely shopaholics ladies already know, Nordstrom is having their Anniversary Sale as we speak. It runs from July 17th through August 2nd. Spoiled lucky me, I got to shop the sale on July 8th, earning the double reward points on my MOD card (the debit card of Nordstrom), and picked up my items in the store on July 14th. All before the sale even started!! No need to worry about my faves being in-stock, or not in my size. Sweet!! I keep trying to tell my hubby that it really does pay to shop. He still isn't buying it (no pun intended, but funny - ha ha!!).

I did pick up a little something for all my amazing friends following my blog ... I have to keep you in suspense until next month though! Just think Juicy thoughts until then! ♥

True Story.

When my hubby and I were celebrating our first Christmas as a married couple, we opened our gifts together in front of the Christmas tree. There was a fire burning in the fireplace, and our 2 dogs (our 'babies' at the time) were running around celebrating all their treats. Tim spoiled me as he usually does, then explained how he had my gifts hidden in the house for 2 whole weeks and he was shocked that I didn't find them! So I asked him where his secret hiding spot was - his response .... in the dryer.

Nice.

More to Love

I added some more blogs to my Friends and Fave Blogs list ... I check in on these girls quite frequently, and thought I'd share!!
And thank you so much to all my readers who follow my blog and have added me to their blogrolls. The shout-outs and bloggy love is so much appreciated, and I love meeting new friends!! Muah!! xoxo

Playing Dress-Up

Having a little fun on Polyvore ... a little Chanel, Joe's, Juicy Couture and even threw in the Rolex for fun! Oh, and the plaid Juicy is my current handbag I have been toting around - so cute for summer!

Untitled by aprilbaker23 featuring Juicy Couture

Gone To The Beach

My hubby and I are spending some time with our boys, just the 4 of us, at the beach house this weekend. Of course, Oregon beaches aren't as pretty and tropical as the picture I am currently drooling over - in fact, it is barely 60 degrees and drizzling here. But oh well - lots of time to blog, relax, and do pretty much nothing all weekend.

And to start the weekend off right .... let's announce the winner of the YoBaby Giveaway!!

#11 Angie from The Creative Mama

"Tweet Tweet :)"

Not only was this mama busy with her own event on her blog, but she found time to comment and Tweet on Twitter, and even refer a friend!! Thanks Ang!! I'll need you to send me your address so I can pass it along to Stonyfield!

Thanks so much to all who entered, and re-posted, and showed some bloggy love!! Another giveaway is on its way ... be sure to keep checking in!! I am full of goodies for the next few months (yes, I said MONTHS)!!! Have a great weekend!! ♥

Adding a little fun to your day!

Be sure to get your entries in for the YoBaby Giveaway that ends Friday!!

A Girl Can Dream ...

I am one of those girls who can get caught up in the TV shows that I watch. Now, I love my life. I absolutely love being a wife and a mommy. I am blessed to be able to stay at home to raise my boys, and I am never in need of anything. My hubby works his butt off to provide us with the wonderful life that we have. So I am not even remotely complaining or wishing for anything different. I simply like to get wrapped up in the fun shows that I watch and dream a little. I know you do, too. Don't. you. judge! Ha, ha!

First up on the drool over list ... Dr. 90210. Oh how I would love to quit worrying about my lovely baby pouch and love handles! Sign me up for a tummy tuck and liposuction!! Add a little botox in my forehead to smooth out my wrinkles, and I would be good as gold!! Those are my flaws - ain't no shame, but I would love to get them fixed without the fuss. Are there any cosmetic surgeons reading my blog? Any who would like to donate some procedures? I would be walking advertisement!! LOL!

My sister-in-law had me check out a new show on USA ... Royal Pains. Great show about a doc who gets fired from his prestigious hospital position, and moves to the Hamptons to become a private, on-call doc to the rich and prominent. No, I do not want to be a doctor, but wow! The island life in the Hamptons looks so tempting!! Gorgeous beaches, upscale living, and the sunshine ... book me a ticket!!

I think I may be a Jersey girl at heart. The accents, the Italians, and the Housewives!! I so want to move there and be besties with Dina and Teresa!! I would fit right in to the family! Thick as thieves, fo' sho!!
I used to watch Miami Ink a while back, and have seen a few episodes of Kat's shop. Anyone else want to get a tattoo after watching these shows? Maybe I only want one because of my crush on Ami James (from Miami). I am really glad that my hubby talks me out of my tattoo phases (there have been a couple). I am so happy living vicariously through him, and I never have to worry about not liking something permanent years down the road!

Up next? Has anyone seen Say Yes To The Dress on TLC? A famous bridal boutique documents soon-to-be brides on their journeys to find their perfect wedding dress. I absolutely adored my wedding dress. My gram so graciously bought me the dress I fell in love with, and I felt like a princess on my wedding day. However, I was barely 20 years old on my wedding day, and if I could go back today and do some things different ... such as the decor (we had a lot of balloons to decorate a church gym for our reception), and colors (I let my hubby talk me in to baby blue and silver, even though I wanted purple). I would have known better to get my bridal party more meaningful gifts (other than the Sears costume jewelry I had them wear on the big day), and I definitely would have opted for a videographer, instead of blowing the idea off in the middle of a meeting with the wedding coordinator while I was battling a headache. Small details to fix my amazing wedding day - petty, I know.

And lastly ... Miss Betsy made me aware of Cake Boss on TLC. The Italian who has been in the family bakery business for years ... yeah, now I want a personal chef. He is hired as my dessert chef, and I will be accepting applications for all the rest of my meals. Go ahead and email your resumes ... extra kudos for those who also clean up the kitchen!! Oh, and this would be a non-paying position until the day we win the lottery!

Gotta love me! ♥

A Giveaway for the Kiddos!!

I was contacted by Stonyfield Farms to host a wonderful giveaway for their new 3-in-1 baby/toddler meals that have recently debuted! My babies absolutely loved their organic, whole milk yogurts and fruit purees, and I was pretty impressed with this company as well. I normally do not buy organic products, but this is definitely one company that I have trusted with the nutrition of my boys. Here is the low-down on their new products ...

YoBaby Meals offer a unique 3-in-1 combination of protein-packed yogurt + fruit + veggie purée in one cup. They’re an easy, delicious and surprising way to help moms give their babies and toddlers a trio of important food groups at every meal.

Three delicious flavors -- Pear & Green Bean, Peach & Squash, Apple & Sweet Potato – are just right for baby’s growing appetite. And the single serve 6-ounce cup offers 50% more than current 4-ounce YoBaby multipacks.
YoBaby Meals are convenient nutrition, providing more than 35% of a toddler’s daily protein and calcium needs in one grab-n-go cup. And this is an easy way to get veggies!
YoBaby Organic Meals hit natural food store shelves nationwide July 1 and select grocery chains. Suggested retail price is $1.29 for a single 6-ounce serving.

Check out this great giveaway being offered!! The prize package for this giveaway is a YoBaby reusable bag, an organic YoBaby bib, a travel YoBaby bowl with lid and utensils, an Eric Carle Growth Chart, and 5 FREE YoBaby coupons!!!

To enter, simply leave a comment here on this post. For extra entries, become a follower of my blog, post on Facebook, Twitter, and/or on your own blog. For each person you refer, you get another entry (be sure they drop your name in their comment)!!! This giveaway ends on Friday, July 17th at 10pm (pst), so be sure to get those entries in!!

For more information about Stonyfield Farm, its products and initiatives, visit http://www.stonyfield.com/

Giveaway Announcement ....

Be sure to check in on Monday for my next giveaway ... yes, ANOTHER great giveaway!!! This one is for the kiddos ... stay tuned!! :o)

Mambo Italiano!

Yeah, it's a Visa commercial, but my Italian self loves it!

Cute Movie!

Hubby took me to see this movie this last weekend, and we loved it. Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock were awesome, and Betty White is the blonde version of my grandma. So funny!! Go see it if you haven't already!

Clever Little Invention!

Colgate Wisp. Love these. Brushed my teeth in a movie theater. No water or rinsing needed. Safe to swallow. Buy these and stick them in your purse, the car, and anywhere else you please ... so convenient, under $2 for a pack of 4, and they work great!!

Tagged By Sassy!

Miss Sassy Cass tagged me, so here are 10 things you may or may not know about me ... enjoy!

• I do not like wine. I know, blasphemy! What Italian doesn't like wine? It practically runs through our blood! But, I was recently turned on to Arbor Mist flavored wines. Do they count?


• I want to learn 2 other languages in my lifetime - Spanish and Italian - but I don't think my brain will allow it.


• I love Calla Lilies ... they are such beautiful flowers.


• I can't get enough of The Office!! So. Stinkin. Funny!!!


• I have a slight fear of cutting my hair. I bet you couldn't tell that though. I have only been blogging and debating over it for months now! Ha! I tend to think that when my hair is shorter, I look younger. And I don't need to look younger just yet.


• I have just successfully potty trained my 2 year old!! Woot, woot!!


• I am an insomniac and do most of my blogging at night. Ever notice the times of my posts? Now if I could only figure out where to go to create a fun little avatar of myself that is easy and free. (sigh.)


• I love my two boys to death, but I may love their bedtime a tiny bit more. Hee, hee.


• I still keep in touch with my best friend from kindergarten! Our lives are crazy busy, but we always find time to reconnect every now and then. Love you lots, Sheri!!


• I am deathly afraid of snakes, and I am sure one will kill me some day. Seriously. I am paralyzed with fear when I see one roaming free (cages don't bother me as much, but I still can't walk by them). I am talkin' about full on panic attack - heart racing, tears flowing, can. not. breathe. kinda scared. This fear came about when I was in the 7th grade when I accidently stepped on a yellow racer in my parents front yard and it wrapped itself around my foot (I was wearing sandals). When I finally kicked it off my foot, it chased me as I ran away screaming!!! No joke. True story.
  

Okay ... now that you are laughing at the thought of me being chased by a snake, the following peeps are tagged to re-post their top 10 randon facts:

Babies ... Belly Laughs and Bare Feet

Springer Family

I Need A Martini Mom

The Seifert's Diary of Life

JennWebb702

Stilettos and Diapers

Blah, Blah, Blah - cuz I am hoping this will be that kick in the butt she needs to start her blog!! :o)

Whatchya' Listenin' To?

Can't go wrong with Sean Kingston! My boys even love dancing along to his songs ... Maddox's fave is the Kids Bop version of Take You There. LOL!

Wanna publish a book?

Look what I found!! Ever thought about publishing your blog? Now you can! Check out this site ... they turn your blog into a book! Just in case you ever want a hard copy, ha ha! I got a quote on mine ... it will run me $100 bucks to publish all 300 of my posts, and that includes all the pictures AND comments! Pretty cool if I ever have some spare cash laying around. You can pick your fave posts and customize however you like (which would make it way cheaper), and books start at just $14.95.



I don't get any referral credits for this one ... just stumbled upon the site and thought I'd share. (The Siberian Husky pup in the pic looks just like our Sadie girl when she was a little rascal. She will be 8 in October and we have had her since she was 7 weeks old.)

Happy 4th of July!!

Cute patriotic graphic compliments of The Cutest Blog On The Block

This holiday weekend, the Baker Fam is celebrating at the beach. Good food, lots of laughs, and enjoying some relaxation time! I hope everyone is having a safe and Happy 4th of July!

Adding on to the Summer Faves ...

Is anyone watching Hawthorne on TNT on Tuesday nights at 9pm? The series just premiered on June 16th, and I added it to my series recording list. So good! Loving Jada Pinkett Smith!

Also, Season 2 of The Secret Life of the American Teenager is running, abc Family, Mondays at 8pm. The baby is here, the grandma is preggo, oh the drama - ha, ha!! A very entertaining show!

Sweet Summer Swap!

I participated in Sweet Tea Diaries Summertime Swap, and was paired up with CAC Muffin over at Shortbread. Take a look at the fun little goodies I received in the mail ... oh.so.fun!!

A big beach towel, note pads (which I will use all the time - I am always writing notes to myself!), ball catch game and sidewalk chalk (she must know that my boys are loving these!), a cute pair of sunglasses, flip flops (and they fit, too!!), pool air mattress in my current fave aqua color, and a book that I can't wait to dive into - all wrapped up in a plastic pink bucket!! Thanks so much ... it was fun swapping goodies!!
Wanna know what I sent? I had so much fun shopping for summertime stuff! It was so hard for me not to buy for myself in the process! Ha, ha!!

A fun tote bag, journal notebook, OPI nail polish, cute nail files, SoftLips Strawberry lip balm, oh-so-yummy smelling (pineapple, and strawberry sangria scents) shimmer lotions, coconut-lime body wash and loofah, a water bottle, mango flavored gum, and the latest issue of Glamour magazine. I hope CAC Muffin enjoyed her gifts!! :o)

Happy Summer!!

Lucky Girls!!

Thank you SO VERY MUCH for all the love shown during my big blogiversary event!! I had so much fun picking out goodies that you would all enjoy, and believe it or not, I am on the hunt for more fun giveaways for the upcoming months!! Another BIG thank you to HotMama Glassware, Wire Wrapped Designs, and Angie Warren Designs for generously donating to my event!! Their links will be posted soon in my sidebar!!

Here are the winners ... picked by good ol' random.org ...

Giveaway One - Ed Hardy Perfume Set

Krissa from Randomness

Giveaway Two - Coach key ring

Sassy Cass from Sassy and the Boys

Giveaway Three - Hot Mama Martini Glasses

Lucy Marie from Lucy's Life

Giveaway Four - Twilight book

printersdevil from Playing Dishes

Giveaway Five - Wire Wrapped Designs Earrings

Kelly from Carty Party of Three

Giveaway Six - Hot Mama Signature Coffee Cup

Am from It's Not Gossip. It's My Life.

Giveaway Seven - Angie Warren Designs Mommy Cards

Brandi from The Life of a Small Town Girl

Giveaway Eight - Juicy Couture Coin Purse

Katrina from Katrina Is A Princess

Yay!! Congrats, girls!!! Please email me your shipping address to aprilbaker23 @ yahoo.com - Kelly and Brandi, please also include your final design choice.

And now back to my regularly scheduled blogging!! Thanks again!!

xoxo ♥ xoxo