Ruby’s First Photo Shoot

January 30, 2012 By 7 Comments

Who wants to see some pictures of our new addition?  Now for starters you know that our little girl isn’t really named Ruby, right?  That’s just her blog name for the Dandy.  (Just like we don’t really have a son named Banjo.)  Confused?  Not to worry, because my name really is Tara.  That way you don’t have to wonder if I have a different name outside of the blog.   Now if you remember she got her blog name of Ruby, because our son insisted that we were naming her that after the show “Max and Ruby”.  We didn’t name her after the bossy bunny, but I thought it would be cute for the Dandy so it sort of stuck!

Here are just a few of Baby Ruby’s pictures from her very first photo session:

Doesn’t she know how to work the camera?

As you can see she’s not a bald baby.  Both the husband and myself have full heads of hair, so I’m betting that she will never have to deal with that whole hair loss in women business.  Lucky girl!  But I must admit that sometimes I do wish that my hair was just a teensy bit thinner…

Hopefully Ruby won’t mind her lovely locks.  She’s a sweet baby and we love having her as part of our family!  I must say that it’s a little strange having a family of four after it only being three of us for so long.  But I guess that comes with the territory of more children!  :)   I look forward to sharing more with you about both Ruby and Banjo as they grow.  Thanks for being a part of my life Dandy followers!

Did you like this? Share it:
Filed Under: Dandiness

Congratulations to the winners!

January 30, 2012 By 1 Comment

Winners from the giveaway week of January 23rd-29th:

The winner of the $60 to spend at Maylee’s Boutique is:

Comment #55- Larissa S.

 

The winner of the $20 gift certificate to Sunny Dayz is:

Comment #14- Rebecca F.

 

Congrats to both of you!  Now you have until 5:00 p.m. CST on Sunday, February 5th  to email dandygiveaway@gmail.com to claim your prize or a new winner will be chosen.

Did you like this? Share it:
Filed Under: Winners

{Giveaway} SuLu Gifts ***ENDED***

January 30, 2012 By 57 Comments

The audiologist man and I were married for almost 6 years before we had Banjo.  During that time we lived in San Antonio and enjoyed furnishing our first home.  One of our favorite purchases was this coffee table:

We thought it was a cool table, because it has all of these great compartments to store books, blankets, throw pillows, etc.  Shortly after buying said table I watched in horror as a little girl who was visiting drove a matchbox car across the top of it.  Now this car didn’t have very good shocks, because metal was all that touched the table!  Of course leaving distress marks that weren’t meant to be there.  I was near tears.  When our guests left audiologist man instantly said that it was going to be okay and it was just a coffee table.  I remember asking him if the girl even realized that she had done harm to a Ralph Lauren coffee table!  He just told me that one day we would have kids and they would ruin things.  To which I replied that we didn’t have kids yet, so we were supposed to have nice things until then.

When Banjo came into our lives Ralph became good at storing toys in the living room:

And unbeknownst to us until the damage was already done…

Ralph became a teething table:

 

Fast forward several years and we still have Ralph.  He may have acquired a few more scratches here and there, but I’m still quite protective over him.  For instance coasters are to always be used on his scratched up surface!  In fact I’m really in need of these ceramic tile coasters to protect Ralph:

Aren’t they gorgeous?  Where can you get them???  Well, I’m going to tell you…

SuLu Gifts!  This shop has so many fun gifts and supplies for your next party.  Totally cute party favors:

 

 

 

How cute are these for Valentine’s Day?

In addition to the ceramic coasters SuLu Gifts also has these unique photo coasters:

Talk about a really unique gift for the person who has everything!  Totally customizable and totally cute!

And guess what’s being given away?  A set of 4 photo coasters personalized with your own photos!

*** This giveaway is open to entries in the US only***

There are 7 chances to win. Be sure and leave separate comments for each entry on this posting to enter. **If you qualify for all 7 chances then leave 7 separate comments**

(1): Leave your name, email address, or whatever you feel most comfortable leaving in a comment. (ex: “Dandy Smith”)

(2): Get Dandy in your inbox by signing up for the brand NEW newsletter in the right hand sidebar.  (ex: “Dandy Smith = signed up!)

(3): Follow Dandy Giveaway on Twitter (or if you already do) and then tweet about this giveaway.   (ex: “Dandy Smith= twitter and tweet”)

(4): Like SuLu Gifts on Facebook or if you already do.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= like SuLu Gifts”)

(5):  Tell people about this giveaway and then tell us how you told!  You get an entry for each one that you do!  (ex: “Dandy Smith= emailed, blogged, texted, called, etc.”)

(6): Go to SuLu Gifts, have a look around, and then leave a comment telling us your favorite item.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= I love those monogram ceramic tile coasters!”)

(7): Become a follower of Dandy Giveaway through Google Friend Connect (in the right hand sidebar) or if you already do.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= follow Dandy”)

***Remember*** Winners are not notified through email, so you have to check back to find out if you won! This giveaway will be open for entries until Sunday, February 5th at 5:00 pm CST.  Be sure and check back on Monday, February 6th to see if you won, so you can claim your prize! ***Remember*** Winners are not notified through email, so you have to check back to find out if you won!

This posting and giveaway was sponsored by SuLu Gifts, but all opinions are strictly my own.

Did you like this? Share it:
Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: , ,

{Giveaway} Galway Designs ***ENDED***

January 30, 2012 By 124 Comments

Jewelry truly is a girl’s best friend.  Especially when it’s given by a loved one and with a special meaning.  About 4 months after Banjo was born I celebrated my 30th birthday.  That year the audiologist man gave me a pair of diamond earrings.  Perfectly fitting for Banjo’s April birthstone!  Fast forward a few years…  On my last birthday I was pregnant and expecting baby girl to be born January 22nd.  So what did I receive?

This garnet ring:

The sentiment was too precious!  Isn’t my husband a gem?  ;)

Only…

Baby girl came early.  Like a month early.  In December.  So is her birthstone now a garnet?  Nope!  I still love my ring, but I’m thinking that in lieu of Valentine’s Day right around the corner (16 days, but who’s counting) he should be thinking of getting me something with Ruby’s birthstone…

A necklace like this maybe?

 

 

Or something that showcases both Ruby and Banjo’s birthstones???

 

Gosh I hope he reads this posting this week, because I really love that family circle necklace…**hint, hint**  But all the possibilities above are perfect!  And where can one find those possibilities???  That would be Galway Designs!

Here take a gander at some of the other beauties that you should hint, hint to your better half about.

I really like the designer’s use of mixed metals:

 

Gorgeous wire wrapped jewelry:

And…

Okay and this is a total must have:

I could picture these (one for each child) as charms on a bracelet.  Love!

Told you there were sooooo many possibilities!  It’s endless at Galway Designs!

Now for the giveaway!  Tell your honeys to enter to win, because you are going to want to receive this gorgeous 3 disc hand stamped mother’s necklace:

 

*** This giveaway is open to entries worldwide!***

There are 7 chances to win. Be sure and leave separate comments for each entry on this posting to enter. **If you qualify for all 7 chances then leave 7 separate comments**

(1): Leave your name, email address, or whatever you feel most comfortable leaving in a comment. (ex: “Dandy Smith”)

(2): Get Dandy in your inbox by signing up for the brand NEW newsletter in the right hand sidebar.  (ex: “Dandy Smith = signed up!)

(3): Follow Dandy Giveaway on Twitter (or if you already do) and then tweet about this giveaway.   (ex: “Dandy Smith= twitter and tweet”)

(4): Like Galway Designs on Facebook or if you already do.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= like Galway Designs”)

(5):  Tell people about this giveaway and then tell us how you told!  You get an entry for each one that you do!  (ex: “Dandy Smith= emailed, blogged, texted, called, etc.”)

(6): Go to Galway Designs, have a look around, and then leave a comment telling us your favorite piece of jewelry.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= Family circle necklace of course!”)

(7): Become a follower of Dandy Giveaway through Google Friend Connect (in the right hand sidebar) or if you already do.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= follow Dandy”)

***Remember*** Winners are not notified through email, so you have to check back to find out if you won! This giveaway will be open for entries until Sunday, February 5th at 5:00 pm CST.  Be sure and check back on Monday, February 6th to see if you won, so you can claim your prize! ***Remember*** Winners are not notified through email, so you have to check back to find out if you won!

This posting and giveaway was sponsored by Galway Designs, but all opinions are strictly my own.

Did you like this? Share it:
Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: ,

Guess what day it is???

January 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

It’s Wednesday of course! Which means that “Welcome Wednesday“ has started, so get linking up! :)

Did you like this? Share it:
Filed Under: Dandiness

Congratulations to the winner!

January 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Winner from the giveaway week of January 16th-22nd:

The winner of the pair of unisex White Burst BabyLegs from Mom 4 Life is:

Comment #13- amy pugmire

 

Congrats to you!  Now you have until 5:00 p.m. CST on Sunday, January 29th  to email dandygiveaway@gmail.com to claim your prize or a new winner will be chosen.

Did you like this? Share it:
Filed Under: Winners

{Giveaway} Maylee’s Boutique ***ENDED***

January 23, 2012 By 72 Comments

Our little Ruby is growing fast.  I cannot believe she’s already a month old.  Where does the time go?  With kids it just tends to fly by I guess.  She’s starting to fit better in her 0-3 months clothing.  Which is a good thing, because we had the bare minimum in newborn sizing.  I was worried she would be really tiny for being a month early, but she was actually somewhat heavy weight at 6 pounds, 14 ounces anyway!  :)   I feel so blessed that she had no major problems from being early.  However, we have been keeping her home from church and such just to make sure she stays healthy.  After working for 5 years in a children’s emergency room I’m a total germaphobe and a freak about preventing the dreaded RSV.  So Ruby won’t be blessed at church until March 4th.  In the mean time I’ve been getting things ready for a her blessing day.  Family will be coming into town, so there’s so much to get ready around the house!  So stressful!  Fortunately for me the hunt of finding the PERFECT blessing gown was not part of the stress.  As tradition repeats itself my parents wanted to get the gown for our little one.  My mom is ill right now (please remember her in your prayers), so we sat down together and looked at dresses online at Maylee’s Boutique.  We decided on this beauty:

I’m in love with smocking!

Maylee’s Boutique has sooooo many blessing and christening outfits to choose from.  They even have tons of other formal attire for children.  You name it and they have it!  In fact recently Maylee’s Boutique sent Banjo this 5 piece suit :

He will look smashing with his sister on her special day!

I mean look how handsome he was all dressed up for church yesterday:

 

At Maylee’s Boutique you will also find the most fun outfits for dress up play:

 

And… Gorgeous hair accessories!

 

They have EVERYTHING you could possibly dream of.  And right now you can shop until your heart’s content with coupon code ‘dandy10′ to get 10% off your order!  

Want to see some more???  Well, Maylee’s Boutique even has the most beautiful designer crib bedding from Caden Lane:

Trust me on this one.  Caden Lane hails from San Antonio and I lived there for 6 years so I know all about that designer!  :)

 

Now this is one fantastically dandy giveaway, because the winner is going to receive…drum roll please…

$60 to spend at Maylee’s Boutique!!!

Get entering!  :)

*** This giveaway is open to entries in the US only***

There are 7 chances to win. Be sure and leave separate comments for each entry on this posting to enter. **If you qualify for all 7 chances then leave 7 separate comments**

(1): Leave your name, email address, or whatever you feel most comfortable leaving in a comment. (ex: “Dandy Smith”)

(2): Get Dandy in your inbox by signing up for the brand NEW newsletter in the right hand sidebar.  (ex: “Dandy Smith = signed up!)

(3): Follow Maylee’s Boutique on Twitter (or if you already do) and then tweet about this giveaway.   (ex: “Dandy Smith= twitter and tweet”)

(4): Like Maylee’s Boutique on Facebook or if you already do.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= like Maylee’s Boutique”)

(5):  Tell people about this giveaway and then tell us how you told!  You get an entry for each one that you do!  (ex: “Dandy Smith= emailed, blogged, texted, called, etc.”)

(6): Go to Maylee’s Boutique, have a look around, and then leave a comment telling us your favorite item.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= I love the Boutique Londyn 3 Piece Baby Girl Crib Bedding Set By Caden Lane!”)

(7): Become a follower of Dandy Giveaway through Google Friend Connect (in the right hand sidebar) or if you already do.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= follow Dandy”)

***Remember*** Winners are not notified through email, so you have to check back to find out if you won! This giveaway will be open for entries until Sunday, January 29th at 5:00 pm CST.  Be sure and check back on Monday, January 30th to see if you won, so you can claim your prize! ***Remember*** Winners are not notified through email, so you have to check back to find out if you won!

This posting and giveaway was sponsored by Maylee’s Boutique, but all opinions are strictly my own.

Did you like this? Share it:
Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: , , , ,

{Giveaway} Sunny Dayz ***ENDED***

January 23, 2012 By 66 Comments

Who loves, loves, loves to shop on Etsy???  I do!  I do!  It is just flooded with so much uniqueness and talented crafting.  It’s the most perfect place to find my love… gorgeous jewelry:

 

Who loves a good Jane Austen read and swoons over Mr. Darcy?  I do!  I do!

 

 

Who loves anything and everything vintage?  Say it with me…  I do!  I do!  :)

Where can you find all of the above???  At the shop Sunny Dayz!  Aren’t you glad I shared a place where you can find so many gifts or items for yourself all in one stop?  :)    Sunny Dayz also has these amazing looking wreaths:

And beeeauuutiful brooches!

What did you find that’s an absolute must have from Sunny Dayz???

And now…

Who wants to win a $20 gift certificate to spend at Sunny Dayz?  Well, that’s what is being given away this week, so you better enter to win!  :)

*** This giveaway is open to entries worldwide!***

There are 7 chances to win. Be sure and leave separate comments for each entry on this posting to enter. **If you qualify for all 7 chances then leave 7 separate comments**

(1): Leave your name, email address, or whatever you feel most comfortable leaving in a comment. (ex: “Dandy Smith”)

(2): Get Dandy in your inbox by signing up for the brand NEW newsletter in the right hand sidebar.  (ex: “Dandy Smith = signed up!)

(3): Follow Dandy Giveaway on Twitter (or if you already do) and then tweet about this giveaway.   (ex: “Dandy Smith= twitter and tweet”)

(4): Like Dandy Giveaway on Facebook or if you already do.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= like Dandy”)

(5):  Tell people about this giveaway and then tell us how you told!  You get an entry for each one that you do!  (ex: “Dandy Smith= emailed, blogged, texted, called, etc.”)

(6): Go to Sunny Dayz, have a look around, and then leave a comment telling us your favorite item.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= LOVE that bird nest pendant!”)

(7): Become a follower of Dandy Giveaway through Google Friend Connect (in the right hand sidebar) or if you already do.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= follow Dandy”)

***Remember*** Winners are not notified through email, so you have to check back to find out if you won! This giveaway will be open for entries until Sunday, January 29th at 5:00 pm CST.  Be sure and check back on Monday, January 30th to see if you won, so you can claim your prize! ***Remember*** Winners are not notified through email, so you have to check back to find out if you won!

This posting and giveaway was sponsored by Sunny Dayz, but all opinions are strictly my own.

Did you like this? Share it:
Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: , , , ,

What’s important in life…

January 21, 2012 By 5 Comments

Family.  My family is sooooo very important to me.  I don’t know where in life I would be without them.  I grew up in a very close knit home and have always known my extended relatives.  Here we are when I was in my college days:

I love them all sooo, sooo, sooo much!  Right now my family is experiencing a health crisis.  Please keep my mom in your prayers.

It’s difficult when tragedy strikes.  Life is precious and we never expect things to change from good to bad.  When it does happen it really puts things into perspective and reminds me never to take anything for granted.

I also love my little family so very much.  Here’s our most recent family picture:

 

Gotta get an update now that Ruby has joined us!

In terms of providing for our family the husband and I are major plan aheaders.  For instance we drafted our Will prior to even having children.  Provisions were made for any “future” children.  Something that we have been talking about lately has been life insurance.  My audiologist man hubs is the one who brought it up to me after having a discussion about it at work.  I guess even though I do like to plan ahead the whole life insurance thing (at first) made me nervous.  I thought that I would get all worried about death or something.  But it doesn’t have to be like that.  Planning ahead for my children’s future does involve life insurance.  Plain and simple.  I want them to be provided for.  I don’t want them to have to worry about added expenses in the future, because I didn’t plan ahead now.  So it’s good that my husband brought it up.  It’s something that we need to look into and it doesn’t have to be difficult.  In fact it can be quite easy, painless, and we can even get life insurance quotes online.  No time like the present.  It’s a new year and the perfect time to starting planning ahead.

 

I was compensated for this post by Aptus Insurance, but all opinions are 100% mine.

Did you like this? Share it:
Filed Under: Dandiness

Blog Hoppin’

January 20, 2012 By 1 Comment

Are you a blogger?  Ever wonder how to increase  your readership?  Well, then here’s the key:  Participate in a blog hop!  The Take It From Me blog hosts one every Wednesday and it’s open for an entire week.  Be sure and check out this week’s Welcome Wednesday!

Did you like this? Share it:
Filed Under: Dandiness
« Older Posts