Ready for Fall

Call me crazy but I am ready for the summer (and heat to be done)!

We got our first taste of a fall activity this past weekend when we went with our friends B & K, as well as their adorable baby C to a local corn maze!

 The weather was a bit warm (hence the shorts) but the sun was shining! The farm was adorable...every year they have a company cut the maze into a different animal shape. The past years have included a moose, skunk, and wolf. This year was a bunny!

It was honestly a great chance to get outside and to spend some time with our friends :)

And the cutest little girl got her first pumpkin of 2012!

I'm so excited for some of the plans we have for this fall - a trip up the Cog Railroad with Marc's dad (and a chance to spread my grandfather's ashes on top of Mount Washington), apple picking, a pumpkin patch, possibly a hayride, and, of course, Halloween!

I have a few posts to share with you about our Christmas plans (shopping has already begun) and her Halloween costume plans :)

{Sponsored} AboutOne

While at BlogHer12, I had the opportunity to chat with the ladies from AboutOne. This appealed to me on so many levels that as soon as I got home, I was online signing up for their service!

What is AboutOne?

It's an online organization site with bank-level security. Being a renter, our important documents are scattered between our home in boxes, parents' homes, and some have been thrown out over the years (by accident). With AboutOne, we can scan important documents (birth certificates, wedding certificates, lease documents, taxes, etc). If we need to show them, we can just print them out!

And this scanning feature works for us in another way. With Paige in daycare, she's constantly bringing home  art. With limited space, we can scan her works of art into AboutOne and share it with our family and friends.

Another great feature of AboutOne is the Health entry. We can make note of upcoming doctor's appointments, any allergies/medication/health documents we may need to remember. What's even better? You can create profiles for every member of your family and organize all of the health information into individual profiles.

AboutOne also has a smartphone app which means that you can scan/document health insurance information and not worry about carrying that information with you while you're on vacation!

If you're interested in reading about founder Joanne Lang's story (and other awesome information about AboutOne), click here.

I was compensated by AboutOne to review their online organizer. All opinions and text are my own

{Sponsored} Operation Smiles

A couple of years ago, in the few months after Paige was born, I worked as dental assistant with my friend, Dr. H. She gave me a crash course in dentistry and off I went!

I started off by asking questions from the chart and recording answers while Dr. H did her exam. As I learned more and became confident, I assisted in simple procedures - cavities, x-rays, custom mouth guards, etc. I learned which tools were needed at what point, how to switch out instruments without disrupting the dentist, and I got to work with a friend :)

While it was a fun experience, it's not my career path but I definitely have a great respect for everything dental.

Image: Operation Smile

Meet Maria. She is one of the over 200,000 children who are born with cleft lip or cleft palate defects every year. This defect can be so severe that some kids are unable to eat, speak, socialize, or even smile. This is where Operation Smile comes in! They provide free, life-changing surgery to kids in need through the hard work of 5,000 medical volunteers and donations from you, me, and companies like Campus Book Rentals. Campus Book Rentals provides a donation to Operation Smile every time you rent textbooks from them (and if you're a college student, that's a lot of books!)

If you're interested in donating or becoming a volunteer, every little bit counts! Check out Operation Smile's website here for information on how you can contribute and give another child a change to smile :)

And thank you to Campus Book Rentals for bringing a great charity like Operation Smile to my attention! 

FTC disclosure: I was compensated by Campus Book Rentals for this post. All thoughts expressed within are my own.

A girl and her doll

Meet Emma.

The creepiest doll you'll ever meet.
PS. I hate all dolls with fluttering lids.




Emma & Paige are BFFs. Emma goes EVERYWHERE we go.

On walks.

To smell flowers.

She even gets her diaper changed at Meme and Bumpa's. As creepy as Emma is, I'm glad that Paige has a toy that she adores and doesn't get tired of.

Miss Sassy Pants

Sorry for the unexpected vacation...I was overwhelmed by everything blogging thanks to BlogHer12.

I still have a recap coming, as well as a few sponsor posts to share...and GIVEAWAYS! I promise I'm back to posting regularly :)

And now I leave you with a picture of Miss Sassy Pants herself...

Post-BlogHer12: Sweet Stella's

Wow.
BlogHer12 was a whirlwind. From the moment I stepped on the train to NYC (at 9:30 Thursday night) to the moment I got home from picking up my kiddo. It felt like it didn't slow done but I remember every second.

And there are definitely some people to thank for making this happen.

Shannon from Sweet Stella's. Lady, I do not know how to thank you. You persuaded me to go to NYC (specifically BlogHer). You offered to let me room with you. You provided me with a beautiful journal (which is filled with notes from BlogHer and slowly becoming a Prayer Journal (more on that later)). You provided amazing support while I was losing my mind and emailing other business owners to support me. You were my cheerleader.

Thank you.

Want to see how amazing Shannon was in creating stuff for me?

You might remember these beauties? A hair clip and journal.

WAIT! You gotta meet the amazing Shan! We're in the elevator heading to breakfast :)

Not the best picture, but you can see the side of the hair clip that I wore to Sparklecorn...and yes, I'm hugging Edward Cullen.

Listening to Mandy from Harper's Happenings talk about professional blogging (and covering so many pages with notes)!

Shannon, once again...THANK YOU! 

Blog

Etsy

Twitter

Facebook

BlogHer12: Hungover.

I wish I even knew where to start with everything BlogHer.

It was such an amazing yet overwhelming experience that I'm wondering where to start or how to even process everything. I made a schedule but barely followed it. I have a few complaints about the conference, and that's more on BlogHer's end, and I have to give credit to Hilton for accommodating 4,500+ bloggers PLUS their normal tourist/guests.

I got to see the city and do *some* tourist-y things. I met my amazing roommates Shannon and Mel (and got to see Shannon again). I got scared crap-less by Kelly in a freaking Unicorn mask at Sparklecorn. I walked 30+ blocks, one way, in an attempt to find an Old Navy for one.more.outfit. I had sore feet, a throbbing headache, and some amazing memories to end my first conference/trip to NYC.

I'll definitely post a break down and do a photo dump in a few days when I finish my post-BlogHer hangover, plus the rush of jumping right back into a work schedule on Monday.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Ostlund Custom Works and G2G Jewelry

Sondra Merrill, Avon Representative

Thank you for helping BlogHer12 come true. I am so very excited, and honored, to be representing your brands to my fellow bloggers. It has been a great relationship and one I hope we can continue for a long time!

Wordlessish Wednesday| Leaving for NYC

I promise, I promise. BlogHer12 is almost here (and almost over) so we will go back to normal, adorable Paige blogging.

This is my packing list (and things to be printed/done before leaving) and also my husband's Honey Do list, which is more of a grocery list with a few reminders of things to do ;)

If you're heading to BlogHer12, "meet" me here!

Customer Service? What's that?

I'm just so irritated and upset that I need to share this with you.

Last Friday, I went to Ulta for an eyebrow wax. If there's one thing I treat myself to, it's a nice eyebrow wax. With BlogHer12 coming (and my Italian heritage/dark hair) I wanted the hairy caterpillars gone ;)

I walked into Ulta and was checked in by a stylist who was attending another customer while the waxer was busy talking. My waxer was wicked pleasant and did her job efficiently, or so I thought. Before I looked in the mirror to check her work, she had applied brow liner and concealer to hide the redness. I questioned one spot but was told it was just the shadow. I paid and headed about the rest of my day.

When I got home and washed my face, I was sad. I had just paid $20 for my eyebrows to be waxed and I was left with hairs all over the place and one spot entirely missed (the spot that I was told was just a shadow). I emailed Ulta Sunday morning because we were running around like crazy on Saturday. I never received a response to my email. I called on Thursday or Friday and was told I would receive a call from the district manager

I still haven't received a call so I called their 1-800 number back. At this point, they're emailing the DM AGAIN and will have that person call me. I don't have a name or number for the DM.

I am above and beyond irritated. This is an absolutely horrific customer service experience in my book and I will not be back to their store/salon. I will gladly travel the extra 20-30 minutes to go to Sephora in one of the other malls.

Hopefully I will have an updated post sooner rather then later for you lovely readers, but I do not have high hopes.

*me*me*me*me*

Since BlogHer12 is LESS THEN A WEEK AWAY I wanted to introduce myself to everyone who is going!

You can read about the general stuff on my "What's In A Name" page so I'll give you....



19 Random Facts About Myself:




-Shaun is my real name, I swear. I'll even show you my driver's license

-I bleached my hair blonde in college. I looked like I belonged in a trailer park. And no, I'm not showing you pictures

- I'm the oldest of 4: 1 younger brother, 2 younger sisters. My brother and I are Irish twins (both born in 1985)

-I currently own my 3rd Saturn

-I hate automatic transmissions. All 3 of my Saturns have been manuals

-Italy, Australia, and Greece are on my Absolutely Positively Must Visit list

-I'm a die-hard Celtics fan who doesn't mind the Lakers and cannot stand the Heat...specifically LBJ

-I can be a mouthy drunk

-I have 2 different sets of toes

-I don't watch Housewives, Dance Moms, Bachelor/Bachelorette, or any other shows like that

-I am love The Office, Community, and reality shows like Storage Wars, Pawn Stars, AGT

-I cannot draw to save my life

-I don't wear heels and am currently rocking a flip-flop tan

-Yes, I will be wearing flip-flops in NYC

-I have 6 tattoos

-I've fouled out of too many basketball games to count.

-I used to have my belly button, nose, and upper ear (Industrial) pierced.

-NSYNC is the best boy band ever.

-I place ALOT of value on numbers - my birthday falls on 1/2 and 3 months later, on 4/5, we celebrate Marc's *he is older though* All of our important days - dating anniversary, wedding anniversary, and Paige's birthday all fall at the end of the month - 25th, 26th, and 29th


I am so very excited to be heading to NYC for the first time ever and meeting the roomies, Shannon and Mel for the first time...as well as seeing Shannon again! I'll also get to meet Jenni, Steph, Kelly, Steph and so many many more bloggers.

If you're going to BlogHer (or ever been to NYC) recommend your favorite place to eat and visit! Link up your blog in my comments so I can swing by and say hi :)

Wordlessish Wednesday| From This Moment On

Myohmy how 11 years have passed.

From high school to a proposal

Through a 6 year, 2 month, and 1 day engagement

And a surprise, early wedding gift.

Through thick and thin, you've been there through it all. And I couldn't have survived one moment without you.

From our first dance, to our last. I love you, from this moment on.

Happy (11th) Anniversary, Marc!

Steppin Out Saturday| 7.21.12

I'm linking up to Harper's Happenings and her Steppin' Out Saturday for the very first time!

We had a very busy Saturday with traveling to southern New Hampshire in the morning then back-tracking 1.5 hours North to attend a wedding!

Our first stop was Canobie Lake Park for Marc's company's summer outing :) We didn't get to stay for too long which was a bummer but Paige had a BLAST.

Marc is wearing American Eagle

Paige is wearing Carter's
I'm wearing Old Navy

Then we went to Plymouth to celebrate Kristen & Mike getting married! It was a beautiful wedding and the perfect celebration of who they are!

 Marc is wearing Strafford tie and shirt by JC Penney
I'm wearing G2G Jewelry (earrings), Dress Barn dress and Old Navy shoes

It was a blast and I absolutely love going to weddings. Congratulations to Kristen & Mike, once again :)

Y3W| 2 Weeks Away.

Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot.

How is this so close? Seriously?! I'll be arriving in NYC at 2:15 Friday morning, I'll get 4ish hours of sleep since I can almost guarantee I will not get any sleep on the train in.

At 7:30 AM, my day starts with a breakfast with GMC and I'm on the go until Sunday, when I heard home. If you see me, please remind me to eat something because the caffeine will cause me to twitch ;)

I'm so incredibly nervous to meet so many great bloggers and e-friends. I won't lie, I'm scared they won't like me once they meet me in person. Shannon gave me a great pep-text earlier today...which I was so grateful for.

I am very very lucky to be going to NYC this year. Make sure to follow me on Twitter and Instagram to see the journey!

We've made it 2+ years...

We've been very lucky being first-time parents. Paige has only been sick a handful of times (1 ear infection last July) and over 2+ tears of being vomit-free.

That streak was broken with a vengeance on Monday.

Marc heard Paige crying about 4:45 AM and went in to check on her. She was standing up, asking for "Mommy" (that's new, btw. I'm usually Momma). He brought her to me in bed and said, "I think she threw up, she smells like vomit." Turn on the light to see her poor little face covered :(

We ended up at Urgent Care that night - her fever spiked to 103.9 after Tylenol and she hadn't drank or eaten anything all day. They ruled out pneumonia, UTI, and strep but the staff did let us know that Hand, Foot, Mouth is going around so to be on the look out for the blisters/sores that indicate that.

I'm so appreciative of the staff there. They were all moms of young kids like Paige and were super friendly and didn't seem rushed at all. The doctor even called me on Tuesday to make sure Paige was OK and to let me know that she was working that evening so we could call her or come see her if we had any questions!

We got home pretty late Monday night and Paige had perked up just a bit. Marc had an extra long work day so we let Paige stay up and get some Daddy cuddles and Tangled in. 

So far, so good in that we haven't seen any blisters/red bumps to indicate Hand, Foot, Mouth. I definitely do not enjoy sick kids (although having your toddler cuddle with you is pretty much the best thing ever. Here's hoping we can make it 2+ years before experiencing it again!

Wordlessish Wednesday: Shoes

Thanks to the fabulous Jenni, who tweeted a pic of herself in some fabulous glittery shoes at Target.

I'm not one of these high heel girls. Seriously. So for me to go buy them? Impressive.
Andplusalso? They were only $8.98!



But a certain toddler decided that she looked better in them

BlogHer12: Mama Mahoney Creations

Another icky wonderfully hot day in New Hampshire, another sponsor to introduce you to!

Meet Janice of Mama Mahoney Creations. She is a mom first, business owner second. She creates beautiful quilted bags from the studio of her Colorado home! Each piece is handmade using the finest quality fabric that is practical for a mom. Each bag can be washed and dryed right at home - perfect if you're a mom like me and your bag becomes the dumping ground for all things toddler while you're out!

Mama Mahoney has seen her bags in the hands of Terri Polo and at the Oscar gift suite, courtesy of GBK! And, if you're going to BlogHer12 in NYC, you'll see it on me too!

My new day tote bag, Kindle case, and matching coin purse...here I come NYC...in style!

 Janice had me fill out a simple form - discussing my favorite colors, patterns, and going over general options for my bag!

 Each bag is lined and tagged :)

 

My Kindle case. This will be great while enroute to NYC!

This is the coin purse...don't let the picture deceive you, it's pretty decent size! It will be perfect to carry my ID, cards and cash while out!

A huge THANK YOU to Janice for sponsoring me and my trip to NYC! Please make sure to come see me and check out the great products from Mama Mahoney, Camilee Designs, and G2G Jewelry!