Thankful.

Friends, I'm so thankful for you! Even though I've been in and out as far as blogging goes, you all still check up with me on Twitter, which I absolutely appreciate. I'm still here! I'm still blogging. I'm still racking my brain about the DIRECTION this blog is going to take while I'm not getting "dressed" every day. Or even twice a week, at that.

I'm thinking about the recipes I've been making and the activities I've been doing with Little S... I know I have some mommy blog readers out there that would hopefully be interested in my moving that direction. I'll throw personal style in there whenever I have a shining opportunity. Crafting is becoming a big part of my life these days, too. So I'd love to share more of that with you. My Etsy shop is doing quite well, and of that, I'm proud. It's definitely helping with the never-ending stack of bills.

Speaking of the shop, enter the discount code HOLIDAYS11 at checkout between now and December 23 and get 20% off of your entire purchase! That's a good deal!

There's just so much going on right now. I look back at the last year and I've never let *anything* get between me and the keyboard to share my life with you. I've been blogging at least three times a week and mostly 5-6 times a week for two years and, well... life came at me fast over the past few months. Things are changing, life is happening, holidays are coming, family is of the utmost importance. Little S. is getting so big. She's taking herself potty and having full conversations. The other day, she came out of her room and said, "I'm so angry at Foofa! She is still in my bed and didn't take a nap ALL DAY!" Really, kid? And just now, as she was drawing on her chalk board (best Christmas gift I've ever thought of), she said, "I drew an airplane right beside the earth!" And heck if she didn't draw a circle with designs on it and an oval with wings beside it. What the heck? And who taught her the word "beside?"

So, while my entire world continues to spin at a rapid pace and as I try to keep up, I'm going to go make THIS delicious recipe: Revolutionary Mac & Cheese. The skim milk version, FYI. Big thanks to Collette for pinning it, because the Lord only knows how at a loss I was for dinner ideas when I got home. Add some broccoli and we've got a meal!

Woven Camellia

When I found out my friend from high school and college, as well as sorority (it's a lot easier to describe it that way) sister, Nikki, opened an etsy shop, I knew I had to find out what she was making! Woven Camellia is a beautiful collection of feather, fabric, and knit accessories, all handmade by Nikki. Her talents have wowed me since the opening of her shop and I absolutely can't wait to support her as she moves forward with this business! Nikki donated a gorgeous silk flower hair pin to my giveaway winner and it is STUNNING! Here's what Nikki had to say!


"Hello everyone! I'm Nikki from Woven Camellia. I'm a gal with too many hobbies and way too little time in the day! I opened a brand new shop on Etsy this past spring, and it's been an exhilarating journey so far. Right now, my shop focuses on fun hair accessories for going out or every day wear, but I'm looking to expand my line to include hand knitted accessories for the fall. One thing you should know about me is that I'm painfully camera shy, so instead of a picture of me, please enjoy these photos of lovely ladies wearing some of my hair clips."

Nikki, your work is incredible and I'm so proud of you! Thank you, again, for donating to my giveaway. I know Tara will love her beautiful hair pin!

think pretty thoughts

In keeping with thanking my lovely giveaway donors, next up is the sweet, sexy, and super strong blogger behind think pretty thoughts, Katy. Katy donated a skype session with a beginner diet and exercise plan, tailored for the winner's wants, needs, and goals. She did the same for me a while back and her advice has really helped me kickstart my new lifestyle. Katy is not only chock full of awesome information, but her writing style is addicting. She'll become your best friend in the matter of two sentences and you'll definitely be going back for more! Wait 'til you see how gorgeous she is, too! Here's what Katy had to say!


"Hi, I'm Katy! My blog is called think pretty thoughts. How would I describe myself? Basically, a lady in the kitchen, but a freak in the gym.  I post outfits, workouts, and nutrition tips and advice. I've been known to become best friends with readers. Come hang out!"

It's kind of hard to take all the pretty, right? NO. You think she's drop dead gorgeous, now? Wait 'til you get a taste of that personality. Total package? Lucky Charlie. 

Thanks, again, Katy!

A Blonde Ambition

Remember how last week, I featured Meredith, because she's amazing and donated to my giveaway? Today, I'm featuring the lovely Leslie of A Blonde Ambition! She's a wonderful blog friend who has helped me completely re-look at the way I view personal style. Leslie put together a beautiful online personal style portfolio for me last year and donated the same type of e-Style session to our giveaway winner! When I asked Leslie to tell us a little about herself, here's what she had to say!

"Hi y'all! I'm Leslie and I'm the blonde behind A Blonde Ambition! I'm southern, newly engaged and well-caffeinated. I started my blog in July 2009 as a way to catalog all of my random thoughts and ideas and along the way have met some pretty incredible people. My blog is all about, well, pretty much darn near everything. On any given day, you could find fashion tips, home decor, event planning advice or random personal photos...it's a delightful mish-mash, really. Come on over and say hey!"

Leslie's blog is bright, inviting, sweet, and inspirational. Please give her a visit, stick around, and make yourself at home with all of her southern charm! Thank you, girl! 

Ginormous 400 Follower Giveaway!

Okay, first of all, I can't skip the cheesy intro. It's just not me to skip the cheese.

It's my favorite food.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. 

All of my amazing readers really stood up and backed me when I was switching planes with this blog. I've gone from daily outfit photos to being a foodie to getting hacked and losing a ton of posts to regaining interest to you.name.it. So what if I'm still trying to find my way?

Because I've got you, babe.

And to graciously pour love all over you and your sweetness, YOU could be the lucky winner of the biggest giveaway this blog as ever seen. Are you ready for it?

One lucky winner will receive the following:

Signed copy of Murder on the Boulevard, 

by Kori Donahue of Blonde Episodes

Can we say page turner? I read it in 24 hours (not straight).

Cannot WAIT for the continuation!

Kanzashi style flower hair pin made from dupioni silk 

from Nikki of Woven Camellia

8x10 standout print of your choice from the collection 

of Jackie Ranson Photography

Handmade beaded bracelet from Rochelle 

of Rochelle Approved

image via

NOT actual bracelet winner will receive

$25 Target gift card

from my SWEET little brother who is celebrating with me!

I love you, Ryan!

Handmade flower necklace

by Meredith of Yours, Mine & Ours

image via

This is Meredith. That is one of her handmade necklaces.

She will make one similar for you!

Fit & Pretty Skype Session

with Katy of Think {Pretty} Thoughts

image via

Wanna look like her? YOU CAN!

No lie. Katy makes getting fit understandable.

She helped me get this far!

3 Piece Accessory Mystery Pack

from Anika Burke Eclectic Boutique

image via

Personal "e-Style" session 

with Leslie of A Blonde Ambition

image via

Leslie styled me last year with her "e-Style" session and I couldn't have been happier. One of my giveaway winners last year also received a session and truly enjoyed the experience. I hope you will, too!

And from little ol' me:

- 3 nail polishes

- photo frame

- 2 accessories

- pen and notebook

- $10 iTunes gift card

Can you dig it, friends???

So, here are the rules!

Mandatory entries:

(one comment)

1. You must follow Fashion Momma via Google Friend Connect (GFC)!

2. You must leave a comment letting me know that you follow and ask a question you'd like to see answered on the upcoming Q & A page!

Please be sure to leave a valid email address!

Extra Entries:

(one comment per extra entry)

- Follow me on Twitter! @FashionMomma22

- Like me on Facebook! 

- TWEET this giveaway and include @FashionMomma22 and a link back here.

- Facebook about this giveaway with @Fashion Momma and a link back here.

- Blog about this giveaway and link back here.

- Leave a comment with one praise & one constructive critique for the blog.

SIMPLE! You can have up to 7 entries!

Giveaway is open to readers all over the world!

Winner will be chose by www.random.org and announced on Monday, July 4.

I will contact the winner via email!

Major special thanks to all of the lovely friends who donated to this giveaway. 

Without you, it wouldn't have been a fabulous production and certainly wouldn't have been as giant of a celebration for my readers and me! 

Festive Easter Egg!

I certainly did not intend to have my tangerine cardigan photographed against my apple wall, but it just happened that way. So, today, I'm serving up dyed eggs! I actually wore this to work on Tuesday and was so displeased with my outfit the entire day. First, I didn't wash this cardigan after I wore it last, so it was stretched out (exhibit A: right arm cuff). Second, I was walking all over my pants in these sandals, which was increasing the jean hikage that was occurring due to the low rise nature of the waistline. Third, and most important, I bought this top for $4.99 from Charlotte Russe on Saturday. I've been looking for longer length tees to wear with jeans and jackets/cardis, so this one was lacey AND black, which is a total win for a basic tee. I went to play with the lace ruffles, today, and BAM!

These suckers are SCREEN PRINTED.

Yeah, I was surprised and upset, too.

tee shirt: Charlotte Russe

cardigan: Motherhood, (I dyed it from white to tangerine.)

jeans: Charlotte Russe

sandals: Cabrizi, via Shoe Department

necklace: c/o Doe Run Jewelry

Husband really likes taking sideways photos. They're extra hard to crop, so I don't know if I'm going to continue being an advocate for 100% freedom of photography. He is the artist, though. Perhaps I should just sit back and enjoy the footless ride. Hmm?

Friends, thank you.

Just thanks. You're all so awesome. From telling me how to save time and style my bangs to helping me talk myself out of being sad that I'm growing up and low rise jeans just don't work on my post-baby, grown-up body; from talking me through washing my make-up brushes to consoling me about not being able to stay home and raise my kiddo... You just amaze me. You stick with me. And I'm 

SO THANKFUL.

Twitter Tuesday and Thank You!

Good (very early, weeeee bitty hours of the) morning, readers! 

First and foremost, I need to thank all of you for your uplifting words, regarding my earlier post. It's been a truly rough day, and I'm glad to say it got much better after coming home and spending time with my baby girl and husband. And your unending support and love gives me strength to make it through days like these. A super special thanks to LMCBW of how i met your father. I swear, that woman has the most uplifting things to say to me when I'm down.

Now, if Monday was pretty much the worst day I've had in months, it could only go up from there. Right? RIGHT! I'm absolutely honored and ridiculously ecstatic to announce that my dear friend, Collette, of Statements in Fashion, has asked me to be her Twitter Tuesday friend for this week! So, please, head on over to her blog and check out what I had to say to her really awesome (and some, really tough) questions! I hope you enjoy reading a little bit more about me as much as I enjoyed being a part of Collette's weekly feature.

And because she's not only my blog buddy, but also a true friend in real life, I'm going to throw out a few shameless plugs. Because THAT is what friends are for, right?

Collette's style blog: Statements in Fashion

Brain child, online style magazine: The Fashion 411

The lovely lady, herself, on twitter.

The Fashion 411 on twitter.

And you can also find Statements in Fashion on Facebook!

And please, please, please VOTE FOR COLLETTE to be the e.l.f. Beauty at All Ages Model (40+) for 2011. You can vote once per day! Don't give up until she's the winner!

Please and thank you!