Winner of a tee or onsie of their choice from Karen Eileen Designs is…

My Grandmom recently told me that she hasn’t been enjoying my blog.
-Why? (I asked)
-“Because you are talking about all these other people.”
Can you blame her?
She is my Grandmom.
All the awesome 3rd Birthday Bash Giveaways have been taking away from my usual posts.
So here is a little tip I LOVE from my Grandmom, the amazing Betty Rose…
Cut your dish sponge in half. Then the sponge is the perfect size to scrub all the hard to reach pans and it lasts twice as long!

Disclaimer for my Mom (Suzie Says): She hates this tip.
But what does she know!?!?

Don’t forget to enter all our current Birthday Bash giveaways…
…vintage inspired cake plates from Suzie Says here! Ends 9/29 TONIGHT!
…designer Labor and Delivery Gown by B.Y.O.G. here! Ends 10/2
… Luxurious Mink Couture Baby Jacket from French Garden House here! Ends 10/5
See the full list of giveaways coming the next 2 months here!

French Garden House.
Doesn’t that name just invoke thoughts of a French chateau filled with antiques and surrounded by meandering gardens!?!
It does for me.
Probably because I know Lidy the owner of French Garden House and her home does have a lovely garden and is filled with beauty! And it does one better than a French chateau… her place is just a hop skip and a jump from the California coast!!
Lidy is an amazing woman with impeccable style and a flare for decorating. She is a natural host and her home is not just beautiful, it’s cozy!
I met Lidy at the same time I met (Karen and Andrea) and she is the one who introduced me to this whole blogging world. She had me over to her beautiful home for tea and we set up my blog. She patiently answered my questions like ” How do I go on other people’s blogs?” “How do I leave a comment?” REALLY! I was pathetic, but left with the promise that if I just dove right in I would love blogging.
She was right!
Lidy has graciously offered to host our next Birthday Bash Giveaway! Our next winner will receive a Luxurious FAUX Mink Couture Baby Jacket directly from the French Garden House Les Petits Boutique. The Jacket comes in sizes 6-12 months and 12-24 months in Cream and 12-24 months in Chocolate. Perfect for the upcoming winter chill or for the glamorous baby’s Halloween costume!

Here is how you can win…

***Giveaway open one week! Ends Monday October 5th 9:00pm PST***
Now meet, Lidy, one of my favorite blogging friends…
Tell us a bit about your family…
I married my European boyfriend when I just turned 19, that was 35 years ago! {He just gets nicer as the years go by.} We have two daughters, one son in law and the most adorable grandbaby. We live near the Beach in Southern California, where the weather is mostly perfect.
What will readers find when they visit the French Garden House blog?
I try to combine all the things I love on my blog. I happily write about the antiques I love and sell, going to flea markets,our garden, making a happy home, recipes,
pretty much a blend of anything and everything! Since it’s also the blog for my shop French Garden House, I also highlight what’s new at the shop, and give tips on how to buy vintage and antique.

Your home is filled with beauty! 3 tips for our homes…
1. More than anything, the thing that makes a home beautiful is the love that fills it. It doesn’t really matter what your style is, or how much money you can spend, your home should make everyone inside of it feel comfortable and hugged. It doesn’t take a huge amount of time to arrange a few things in a charming way, light a candle, fill a bowl with apples to make it “HOME”
2. Make your home personal, put your family’s stamp on it! When we moved into this house, our family choose a scripture to paint over our doorway. After much debate, we chose: With God All Things Are Possible Matthew 19:26. I wanted that to be the last thing any of us saw before we headed out to the outside world.
3. Use seasonal decorations. Right now I love bowls of Apples, and Pears as centerpieces. {Not just pretty, a handy and healthy snack too} Cut a few flowers, and put them in a little vase. I have had wonderful “floral arrangements” that were just a few branches from the garden. Anytime you bring nature into your home, it’s a treat. That’s really what bringing beauty into your home is, isn’t it? To take just a little time to bring beauty inside of your home.
Your two favorite items for sale?
I really can’t choose two. I only sell what I love, so I love all of them! I have a weakness for anything Victorian, especially Children’s clothes, shoes and toys.
I love French Antiques, from furniture to Porcelain Tea Cups. I love antique books, I love gardening pots, you get the idea. I love all of them. {sorry!}
What inspires you?
I get inspiration from so many things. I am very visual, so my inspiration usually comes from something I see. Artists and Designers inspire me. Our garden inspires me, Antiques and their untold stories of the past inspire me. Other women I know {like you!} who have their own business and are holding firmly to their dream while still being wives and mothers inspire me.

Don’t forget to enter all our current Birthday Bash giveaways…
…vintage inspired cake plates from Suzie Says here! Ends 9/29
…designer Labor and Delivery Gown by B.Y.O.G. here! Ends 10/2
See the full list of giveaways coming the next 2 months here!

Click here to see the explanation for each picture! Hope you like it. I promise it is pretty easy. I just did loads of pictures so it would be super clear.

DONE!

The dress shirt turned out awesome! Every time Eli has worn it people are shocked I made it from one of Hot Hubby’s old shirts.

I haven’t taken any pictures since I sewed on the front pocket. I’ll try to get some soon!

I hope you try this and have as much fun making the dress shirt as I did 🙂

Our next giveaway is hosted by one of my friends (in real life), Andrea, from B.Y.O.G. (Bring Your Own Gown)! As in the B.Y.O.G…. in case you didn’t know they’re famous! If you haven’t already noticed from the pictures the winner will get to choose one of their own Gowns!!
I know!?!
It’s the best giveaway ever!
If you are preggers you need one of these (whether you win or not) and if you aren’t expecting this will be the perfect shower giftie for the Mommy-to-be in your life.
One of my favorite stories about B.Y.O.G. is here. Warning have Kleenex close by. But before you read that inspiring story enter to win a B.Y.O.G. of your own!!
Here’s how you win…
Main entry (mandatory): Check out all the B.Y.O.G. gown patterns here then come back to this post and leave a comment telling us the fabric pattern you like best.
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In addition to the main entry you can get loads of extra entries if you
~Follow the B.Y.O.G. blog or let me know you already do (3 entries)
~Follow B.Y.O.G.on twitter here! Or let me know you already do. Leave your Twitter ID in the comment. (2 entries)
~Tweet about the giveaway, can be done daily. Copy and paste this for the tweet: “Attn: Soon-to-Be Mommies!! Win a beautiful Hospital Gown from B.Y.O.G. from the @elislids Birthday Bash here http://bit.ly/WGhbt” If you don’t have twitter you can FB for this one. (2 entries per day)
~Add the “Eli’s Lids Giveaway” button in our sidebar to your blog or let me know you already did (2 entries per blog)
~Follow the Eli’s Lids blog (2 entries)
~Become a fan of Eli’s Lids on Facebook or let me know you already are (2 entries)~Subscribe to the Eli’s Lids RSS Feed or let me know you already do (1 entries)
~Follow Eli’s Lids on Twitter, leave your Twitter ID in the comment or let me know you already do (1 entry)
For every extra entry, be sure to leave a separate comment on this post! i.e. If you add our giveaway button to your blog leave 2 separate comments.
***Giveaway open one week! Ends Friday October 2nd 9:00pm PST***

Now I’ll let you chat with Andrea:
Tell me a bit about your family…
Love to! I have been married for 14 years to my sweet and very adorable hubby Jeff. We have two boys. Jaden is 9 and already knows what he wants to be. An artist and professional skateboarder. He is always using his God given talents to paint and create beautiful works of art. Noah is 7 and is my little cuddle bug. He is fascinated by all living things! He is constantly catching weird bugs and tells me that he wants to have a house full of animals and creatures to take care of. Apparently we got his name right!
Why did you decide to create B.Y.O.G.?
(short version)
I wore the ugly, blue hospital gown when I had my babies. I felt very exposed, uncomfortable and unattractive in it. Come to find out, I was not alone.
(long version)
B.Y.O.G. came about in a dream. I literally went to bed one night and had a vivid dream about it! I saw the name, packaging and myself being interviewed on a television show…Oprah?? Ha Ha! I woke up in the middle of the night and wrote everything that I could remember about the dream down on paper. It felt like a fire was ignited in me. Over the next several months I began working on the first design and setting up the structure for the business, knowing the whole time that I did not have money to actually make this happen…God worked that one out! I can’t emphasize this enough! I had a dream. I had no money or experience. I remained faithful even during the worst of circumstances and kept going one step at a time. Don’t give up your dream!!! God is so faithful! You will meet obstacles, plow through, anticipate the next one and continue on with grace.

Who are some of the celebs who have worn B.Y.O.G.?
Past celebs include Gwen Stefani (this was an unforgettable moment.) Tori Spelling, Jessica Alba and Alison Sweeney from Days of Our Lives. I recently received an order from Sarah Michelle Gellar.
What are three must have items soon-to-be-moms should bring to the
hospital? (besides a B.Y.O.G., of course)
1. Non-slip socks.
2. Tennis balls to massage your back during “back labor.”
3. Lip balm

Don’t forget to enter all our current Birthday Bash giveaways…
…designer baby or toddler tee from Karen Eileen Designs here!! Ends 9/26
…vintage inspired cake plates from Suzie Says here! Ends 9/29
See the full list of giveaways coming the next 2 months here!

This was my birthday cake. Homemade by my mom.
The filling was delish!! It was great in the cake but I liked it better as a strawberry dip.
Suzie’s Strawberry Dip
~1 package (8 serving size) Jell-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Putting and Pie Filling
~1 can (20 oz) Crushed Pineapple in juice, undrained
~1 cup thawed Whipped Topping
Mix dry pudding mix and pineapple in bowl.
Gently stir in whipped topping
Refrigerate before serving.
(recipe modified from one Suzie found in food & family)

Win one of these lovely cake plates here!

Both winners of our latest Birthday Bash Giveaways won with a daily tweet!!
Tweet.
It’s Neat!

The winner of the This is Me Journal is…
#65 A Busy Mom of Two

The winner of a custom necklace from Kristen’s Custom Creations is…
#305 kngmckellar
Don’t forget to enter all our current Birthday Bash giveaways…
…designer baby or toddler tee from Karen Eileen Designs here!! Ends 9/26
…vintage inspired cake plates from Suzie Says here! Ends 9/29

Giveaway number nine is hosted by the lovely Suzie Says (aka my awesome mom!)!!
There will be 4 winners!
What will those 4 lucky winners win?
A vintage inspired cake plate made by my mom!!
(I know. She rocks!)

Here’s how you win…
Main entry (mandatory): Check out all the Suzie Says posts, then come back to this post and leave a comment with your favorite one.
In addition to the main entry you can get loads of extra entries if you…
~Follow the Eli’s Lids blog or let me know you already do (2 entries)
~Become a fan of Eli’s Lids on Facebook here (2 entries)
~Tweet about the giveaway, can be done daily. Copy and paste this for the tweet: “Enter to win a vintage inspired cake plates from the @elislids Birthday Bash here http://bit.ly/19Z126” If you don’t have twitter you can FB for this one. (1 entry per day)
~Add the “Eli’s Lids Giveaway” button in our sidebar to your blog or let me know you already did (1 entry per blog)
~Follow Eli’s Lids on Twitter, leave your Twitter ID in the comment or let me know you already do (1 entry)
For every extra entry, be sure to leave a separate comment on this post! i.e. If you add our giveaway button to your blog & follow us on twitter leave 2 separate comments.
***Giveaway open one week! Ends Tuesday September 29th 9:00pm PST***
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Now a little interview with Suzie Says the party planning queen…
Favorite party you have planned…
My friends and I have done dozens of parties – every theme you can imagine. I don’t have a favorite (except for the bridal show my friends gave Kara Noel and I wasn’t involved). For me the funnest time is when our little committee meets to plan. We have known each other for so many years. We always eat, laugh, and are brutally honest, as when we nixed Stephanie’s idea (Blah Blah Blahger’s mom) to hire a harpist for a shower. Sometimes we are a little cranky which makes it much more fun!
You are famous for your cheese ball! Will you share the recipe?
Cheeseball Recipe
~1/2 cup cheesed Whiz
~8 oz neufachtel cream cheese
~1-1 1/2 t. of liquid smoke
~3 cups (12 oz) Sharp Grated Cheddar Cheese
~Chopped nuts
Place cheese whiz, cream cheese & liquid smoke in a food processor with chopping blade. Process till smooth.
Add grated cheddar.
Process till smooth.
Place mixture in a bowl and chill 45 minutes.
Form into a ball and roll in chopped nuts. (I like pecans)
Chill.
Set out at room temp for 45 minutes before serving.
I am “almost famous” for this recipe. So it better not show up in a cookbook with someone elses name #@$%!!
2 tips to make a great centerpiece are…
#1 If it’s for a dining table make sure your guests can see over it.
#2 For a serving table make it tall and large and have parts of it on different levels. You can use boxes of various sizes and drape your table cloth over them. Spread parts of the centerpiece (such as vines, flowers, tiny lights & ribbon) between the serving dishes.
What are you getting me for Christmas?
I don’t know. I’m checking all the gumball/trinket machines at various grocery stores.
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Don’t forget to enter all our current Birthday Bash giveaways…
…vintage inspired baby or toddler tee from Karen Eileen Designs here!! Ends 9/26
… custom hand hand stamped initial necklace from Kristen’s Custom Creations here! Ends tonight!!
See the full list of giveaways coming the next 2 months here!

Remember Arches in Newport?

After a bit-o-fun Chris took us next door to A Market. This place is Absolutely Adorable and a “must do” for anyone visiting Newport Beach. I would describe it as Mayberry meets Punk Rock. The market has vintage soda bottles, loads of wine and an awesome deli run by a local favorite, Pastry Chef Shelly Register.

If you like sushi check it out. The rolls are so so but the sushi is delish. And the price is right for these parents!!

See some of my peeps’ take on the night…
Marcy from the Glamorous Life Association ‘The night I was suppose to bartend. But just drank instead.’
Marcie Taylor’s pictures from the event here! (warning I have a double chin in this shot!)