New Stuffz

I thought I was going to get a bunch of blogging done tonight but it's 3am and I'm just now getting around to writing a post. So, this will be short and sweet.

It looks like I have had some coding issues with my header and a few other things, so I made a few changes. I readjusted my header, moved my social media buttons, redid my about me photo, updated my about me page, fixed my button and grab button code, and added a signature (which is my ACTUAL signature - kinda cool!)

So, tell me what you think! Hopefully this weekend I will be able to get an update post on Natalie and Cam's three month update post up, but I'm not sure if there will be much else! I want to post about a bunch of things that have happened since Cam was born, like:

Natalie's second birthday and party
Natalie's one and only time in her kiddie pool this summer
Fun at the park and mini golfing with the girl
The One Republic Concert the BFF and I went to
The kid's first trip to the fair
Florida State opening game in Pittsburgh
Natalie's first Jets game
Natalie's first Devils game (and Daddy's birthday)
52 in 52 update


I hope to also talk a little about my recent re-adventure into running in preparation for my 5k in December! I am hoping to re-start my Waist Watcher Wednesday posts when I can get back into blogging actively, so be on the lookout for that!

In the meantime, here's more pictures of the kiddos!

 

 

Urban Decay Naked Palette Giveaway!

I have got a fantastic giveaway that I am participating in this month that I want you all to know about! I am actually jealous that I can't win this one myself! Here we go!



The Urban Decay Naked Palette is a must have this summer because we all want to look good! As another makeup favorite of mine the timing is perfect to give it away.

Enjoy, from LeChateaudesFleurs.

This long, lean, seductive case is packed with TWELVE gorgeous neutrals. Shades range from delicate champagnes to dark, gritty gunmetal, with names like Darkhorse, Virgin and Buck. We've also included a range of textures: everything from glitter to shimmer to matte.

RainShadow Labs

RainShadow Labs provides the highest quality wholesale cosmetics. They offer lotions, washes, cremes, candles, soaps, gels, essential oils and so much more. 

Visit them here: 

http://rainshadowlabs.com/

One of the favorite products from RainShadow Labs: 

 
AEWR Turbo Wrinkle Smoothing Treatment
The name says it all. If there is one turn back the clock product that every person over 25 with skin should have, this is it.  Restore firmness, heal sun damage, increase hydration, erase wrinkles, smooth texture, nourish at the dermal layer, minimize irritation, increase skin brightness and even out skin tone.

Enter to win the Urban Decay Naked Palette:

Open worldwide. Ends 7/8/13. Entries will be verified. See Rafflecopter for full Terms.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Summer Blog Swap Linkup!

Hello everyone! I am so excited that I was able to connect with Rachael through this blog swap. I blog over at Work from Home with Kids and would love for you to stop by! Since connecting with her I have been brought back to last summer. We had a fantastic summer, but we spent a lot of time at home. This summer I needed a change, especially with now three kiddos walking/running around my house.

Today, my little Monkey turned one and I am remembering and appreciating the changes that have come to our lives since her birth. Last summer I had a newborn and an 18 month old, well actually two 18 month olds, including my daycare boy. We didn’t do much outside of our home, but this year I wanted it to be different. Money is tight, so I didn’t want to spend a lot of money. Originally I was a bit hesitant because we live in a smaller town, but I have been surprised with my results!

 

First, I thought about how many days a week I would want to go out of the house and what I wanted to do. I also took into consideration that I would need to get 3 car seats and 3 kids into our van. I set our schedule for two days a week for outings; one of the days would require car seats and the other would be within walking distance. Next, I set out to find events. I only had to look in two places, our public library and parks and recreation. I was amazed at the events that I found; we are going to a magic show, an inflated jump room, several water activities, story times, ice cream shops and the beach! In addition to these “field trips” I have at least one art activity planned for each day, many that extend past the making, like our DIY Binoculars. To help keep all of my ideas organized and maximize the kids learning I do weekly themes. For example, the week that we are going to the beach, we are doing a beach theme. Learning about the ocean, what lives in/near the beach and how to take care of it.

 

 

 

Rachael, thank you again for having me, I hope we can do this again soon! Enjoy your days approaching and following the birth of your sweet little baby. My favorite part of having two is seeing the bond between them grow. It’s truly magical!

 

 

Written by Heather a wife and WAHM of two little girls ages 1 and 2.5. I blog over at Work from Home with Kids sharing work from home ideas, kids crafts and meal ideas. You can connect with me on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Sverve.

 

 

Isn't she amazing?!?! If you get a chance pop over to her blog, and read the post I have written for her today! I hope you all like it or find something to groove about!

 

 

See you later lovebugs,

 

 

 

Rachael

On My Heart...


This will be my first time ever linking up with Amanda @ A Royal Daughter. Amanda's blog and the way she lives her life inspires me, which is what this post is all about.

 

I've started to notice a trend with some of the bigger blogs that I follow and read on a regular basis.

 

 

SPONSORSHIP.

 

 

It's becoming a lot more popular, and it almost seems like if you want to "make money" or "be popular" or "have a lot of followers" you have to sponsor, and buy sponsorship from other blogs. At the same time, I have seen a lot of the blogs that I follow saying how they don't like how much time that sponsorship takes up for them, so they aren't doing it anymore. I have also seen a few that now pay for a virtual assistant, because of how much goes into sponsoring blogs.

 

I've tried it. I focused on it for about four months. It was....HARD. It was a lot of work, for very little gain. Sure, my blog went from 30 followers to about 80, but how many of those people really read every post I write? Not even half. Quite frankly, I barely have time to blog, let alone focus on helping someone else get exposure through my little teeny blog, so it really isn't working out for me. I'm often nervous about contacting the blogs that I love to ask them if they will swap buttons with me, because (A) who would take that exchange? Not a big time blogger who already has like-a-million-followers and (B) who am I kidding? They probably haven't ever read a thing that I write and don't have any intention to read anything I write in the future.

 

And you know what? I'm starting to figure out that it's ok. I really want this blog to go back to where it was when I started. I started this blog to document my wedding, and share my ideas with my friends. Then when that was over, it became more personal. Then I got pregnant, and I shared my daughter with you. I want to get back to the point where I write to share, not to make my blog popular. I also know how much I love reading about other people's families, and how much I hate filler posts (GFC follower link-ups especially) and find myself skipping over sponsor posts more often than not. So, I don't want to become that kind of blog.

 

Don't get me wrong, I love a good link-up, and this doesn't mean that I'm going to stop doing EVERYTHING except journaling our lives. I just really want to share MORE of the things that mean the world to me, and less of the things that I was doing JUST to get people to like me.

 

It will be hard because I am a people-pleaser. I am happy as long as everyone else is happy with me. If I have an issue unresolved with someone, it drives me INSANE. It's just the way I am. But I'm hoping that those of you that read will stick around because you love seeing my family and care somewhat about my successes, and commiserate with my failures. Because that's what this community has been for me: support, friendship, comfort and reassurance. And I hope I can give all of that to you as well.

 

So, this is the start. Thanks for reading!!

 

 

And if you have time, and would like to check out some of the wonderful blogs who have inspired ME, I have a new blog love section on my sidebar. None of those ladies asked to be there, they are there because they are important to me, and women who I love to read about. I hope you will read too!

 

Until later lovebugs,

 

Rachael

Just Stopping In...

So, it's late and I really need to go to bed. But, before I do, I wanted to just pop in really quick to say that there are a ton of new posts on the way to go with my BRAND NEW LOOK!

Seriously, I worked on it for almost two days straight this weekend, and I am super proud of it! Tell me what you think! Is any of it hard to read? Do you like it? Does it look amateur? TELL ME!

I have so much to catch you up on, so I'm going to do it little by little. Starting with our trip to the pumpkin patch this past fall along with Halloween!

See you later lovebugs!


Rachael

Hey there!

My husband is officially awesome! I mean, he was before, but he just upgraded his awesomeness.


Why?

He just bought me this:

I know the picture is dark, so I'll just satisfy the suspense by saying....


I'M BAAAAAAAACK BABY!

Thank you HP, and thank you HUBBY! Woo!


 
 

A Moment of Silence....

For my computer. The good news: I got all my files and photos and music off the hard drive. Bad news: doing so voided my warranty.

Verdict: Rachael is out a lot of money for a crappy laptop that bit the dust literally two months after we paid it off. God only knows if it will be worth it to fix it.

Second verdict: I am out a computer until we can afford to fix it/buy a new one. Which means no blogging.

Can we please mourn all the goals I had for this blog this year?

Can we please have a moment of silence for the death of my stupid-head computer?

Ugh. And stuff.

I Never Should Have Tried

Ive been trying to run my blog from my phone. But as you have probably seen from the past few posts (and then the deletion of said half-finished posts) it is easier said than done for me. So, I am officially "shutting down" until I get my computer back, which could possibly be another month. All of the sponsors/giveaway winners that I have, your time will be extended. It is the least I can do. There will be one more post which I have completed and scheduled for the 7th. I hope to be back to this soon, because I really miss it and think I have finally found a "blogging formula" that works for me.

Take care friends, and I hope to be back soon!

Comin up on The Growing Tree

Man! I am going crazy being stuck with only my phone to work with! It's killing me because it is so hard to compose a post, or to welcome all my new followers correctly!! I hope that you all will be patient with me until I am back up and running!

Later on, I will be heading to my mama's house to use her computer. I have a lot to share with you! Coming up:

-My new 52 in 52 list.
-A great nail art tutorial from Mrs. Y @ Miles Behind Me.
-Instagrammy catch up
-The return of My Hubby Rocks, which will now be a Sunday Link up!
-An update on Natalie and her first birthday party!
-Two new additions to my family - one furry and one not-so-furry but just as cute!
-A new nail files post! Finally!

That should keep me very busy tomorrow! And keep you entertained for a bit I think!
Stay tuned!

Sending you sunshine,
Rachael

The Winds of Change are Coming....

Man, I am so lost when it comes to my blog now!

Man Candy Mondays are officially over...no more link-ups. (I am SO SAD about this!)
Waist Watcher Wednesdays have officially flopped.
Significant Other Saturdays have NOT been successful.

At least I have The Nail Files. (This week's will be posted on Saturday)

So, I leave this question:

What would YOU like to see on my blog?

I'm a newbie to Instagram, but I'm lovin' it. Maybe a weekly photo dump with an Instagram link up/follow party? If I did that, and you link up I could choose my top 3 photos from the links and feature them the next week, and offer some link love in return? (PS you can follow me @thegrowingtree)

I can call it the Instagrammys! OOOOO.... nobody steal that! I'm pseudo-tradmarking that RIGHT NOW!

I also love Lena's "Tuesday 10s" so I think I may do that. The next topic is "10 favorite books".






What about a "Current Obsession" post?

Or a "Pinteresting"/"Wanna be Crafter" post where I share things that I want to make/share things I do make?


So tell me! I wanna know!

Leave me a message in the comments and tell me what YOU would like to see from The Growing Tree. More Natalie? More me? Or neither?? It's up to you!!

And while I'm at it, thanks for the input and thank you SO MUCH for reading!!

A little bit of fun for 300 posts!

My good friend, Ida did this for her 100th post, so I thought it would be fitting if I followed suit!

This is my 300th post! So here's the fun:

RULES:

1. Google the answer to the question.
2. Find a photo within the first two pages.
3. Upload.


1. What is your first name?

(spelled wrong but oh well)

2. What is your middle name?

3. When is your birthday?

4. What kind of car do you drive?

5. What are your top three movies?

6. What are your top three books?

(The whole series called The Sisterhood Series)

7. What's your top 3 current tv shows?

8. What are your top 3 tv shows of all time?

9. Who is your favorite Disney princess?

I can't choose!

10. What is your favorite alcoholic drink?

Sloe Gin and Sprite

11. What is your favorite non-alcoholic drink?

12. What's your favorite animal?

Ermine

Red Panda

Sea Otter

13. What are your top 3 dream vacation destinations?

Hawaii

Disney World

Harry Potter World at Universal Studios

14. What is your favorite dessert?

Angel Food Strawberry Shortcake

15. What did you want to be when you grew up?

A Dolphin Trainer

A Radio DJ

16. What was your first job?

A Subway Sandwich Artist

 (actually it was technically cashier for a jewelery store, but I couldn't find a suitable photo)

A mommy

17. What is your favorite store?

18. What is your favorite accessory?

My Wedding Set

19. What is a quote you live by?

20. One word to describe yourself?