100 Posts & Pay it Forward!

Today marks my 100th post!  To celebrate, I thought I'd Pay it Forward!  

A few weeks ago, Sandy from Sandy a la mode posted about a little game with the following rules:

1. I make a handmade gift for the first 3 people to comment.
2. I have 365 days in which to send you the gift.
3. The gift will be a total surprise.
4. You keep this going by posting Pay It Forward on your blog (obviously, you must have an active blog to participate).

Luckily, I was the third commenter, score!  If you don’t follow her blog, you should, she posts about all sorts of inspiration, traveling, cooking and weddings!

So go ahead, leave a comment on this post and the first 3 people to do so will get something handmade by me!  Just like Sandy did,  I won’t approve comments until the end of the day so the comments will show as ZERO until I approve them, that way it will be more like a surprise who wins!  Assuming I even get 3 comments by the end of the day!  I have a few ideas for sewing projects and spent some time paper crafting this past weekend, so I hope that I will have something to send to the first 3 people sooner than later.  :-)  And really, I just wanted to take this time to THANK YOU all for following me through all 100 posts.  The comments you leave are encouraging, funny, supportive and  appreciated!  Thanks for sticking with me.

Playing Catch-up

I'm finally getting back into the swing of things.  I had a great long weekend.  For now, I'm playing catch-up at work and in my Google Reader.  Just thought I'd jot down a few things.

• M left late yesterday to head back to the West Coast.  :-(  We had a great time while she was here, hanging out, catching up, going out and enjoying the beach.  I am now making it my mission to find her a job on the East Coast.  

• My mom got me a sewing machine for my Birthday!  M gave me a crash course on it and then we made a pillow.  If you have any suggestions for a beginner, I'm all ears!   Any beginner projects you would suggest?  Do you have tutorials or sites that post lots of tutorials?  Any suggestions for where to get fabric?  Anything you couldn't live without for tools, supplies, etc?  Any blogs you'd suggest?

Source

• I won a giveaway at Linny's Vault to Sunglass Warehouse.  I could definitely use a new pair of sunglasses, I just can't decide which ones to get.  Which ones are your favorite?

Source

• We're heading to NYC next weekend.  If you have any site-seeing or restaurant suggestions while we're there, let me know.  I have basically nothing planned, which is so not like me at all.
• I have to make 50+ bridal shower invitations to go out early next week.  I have to manually cut each one and I haven't started yet.  Yikes!  
• Thanks for all of the Birthday wishes this weekend!  
• I just found out Lady Antebellum is going to be in town a second time this summer.  I can't wait to get tickets!

I know it's weird to say this on a Wednesday, but I hope everyone had a great weekend!  Hopefully I'll catch up on my blogs soon and leave some comments.  Have a great day, we're halfway to the weekend!

Giveaway Winner!

There were 6 entries for the 18x24 Rolled Poster from Online Poster Printing.

The winner according to Random.org is #1 meredith* from Yours, Mine & Ours*

I guess sometimes it is good to be the first to comment!  Congrats meredith*! I’ll send your info to Online Poster Printing, and the folks there will get in touch with you to redeem your prize.   Thanks to everyone that entered.

It's a random kinda week

It's a fairly hectic week for me and doesn't look like it's going to get much better.  I have a few posts that I want to write-up so I'm hoping I'll get a chance to later this week.  As for now, a few things going on.

1. The giveaway is still open until tomorrow night.  There are only 6 entries so far, with 4 different ways to enter, you have a good chance of winning, so head on over!
2. I have some co-workers (3) that are pregnant and we are having a baby shower for them.  I would like to get them each a similar gift (1 boy, 1 girl, 1 not-known yet) but I'm drawing a blank.  I like the idea of a Sophie Giraffe but I'm not sure what else.  I'm still looking for registries but haven't found them all.  Anyone have an idea for a basket to put together (though I know I should probably stick to registries)?
3. My friend will be here in just 1 short week!  I'm so excited, I don't know what to do while she's here though.  I just feel like hanging out and catching up, boy do I feel old!
4. Last night we went to see The Color Purple at the new performing arts center and it was great.  Besides the tickets being free (always a plus), we got to go into the Presidents Lounge at intermission and free VIP parking.  The actors and actresses had wonderful voices and I loved the 2nd half of the show especially.
5. My DVR decided to stop recording (previously setup) shows from CBS and I just thought they hadn't been showing new episodes.  Come to find out, I've missed 3-4 episodes (each) of How I Met Your Mother and The Good Wife.  I must find them immediately and catch up.
6. I have to go to 2 weddings and a bridal shower in the next few months.  I'm looking for a new dress (or 2).  Where's your favorite place to shop for dresses?  I struggle because I need something that comes to just above the knee.  Below the knee makes me look short and I don't want anything too short.  Any suggestions?  Have you found any cute ones lately?  (Usually I order like 5 or 6 between Macy's and Nordstrom's and find 1 I like, but haven't found too many from there that I want to order right now)

Sorry, kind of a boring post today.  Hope you're all having a Happy 'Hump' Day!  :-)

2 Post Friday!

Today is a 2 Post kind of day!  I just posted about my first giveaway, so please head on over and enter!  You have 4 different ways to enter!  


Today is Friday, which means Fill-In-The-Blanks and New Friend Friday!


Fill-In-The-Blanks @ the little things we do  
I should preface this by saying, I have a pretty 'plain' style as I've said before, I wish I had more of an interest in fashion and what's hot right now.

1.  One fashion trend I really regret is tight-rolled jeans and penny loafers.  Ha ha, those were the days, I was so good at tight-rolling jeans that some girls would come to school and ask me to do theirs.  I'm really not sure what the appeal was to them, they make me laugh now though.

2.  The one thing that always completes any outfit is diamond stud earrings.  No matter what I'm wearing, I always put in my diamond stud earrings.  They make me feel better, even if I am just wearing a pair of sweat pants. 

3.  I would describe my personal style as relatively plain and simple.  I wear what works and am looking for timeless pieces to fill my closet instead of trendy ones.

4.  My fashion muse is the store.  I really don't have one.  Most of my shopping is done at the Gap, Limited or Express, so I would say that they are my muses.

5.  If I could own one designer piece of clothing it would be nothing, I have no idea.  I really don't know to be honest.  I would love a Kate Spade or Marc Jacobs handbag I guess - does that count?

6.  I would love to raid the wardrobe of Reese Witherspoon I guess (minus the skinny jeans, I don't have the shape for those - trust me).

7.  Today I am wearing   a pair of khaki capris, black shirt and a cardigan.  It can get cold at work, so it's hard not to wear long sleeves/cardigans all day.  Note: they're all solid colors, I wish I had more prints in my closet!

New Friend Friday - Thanks for stopping by!

Giveaway Time!

Thanks to Online Poster Printing I have my first giveaway!

I have a Rolled Poster to giveaway to one lucky winner!  This could be a great way to print a photo to hang in your house somewhere or if you're getting a married, maybe a print for your wedding.  The possibilities are endless!  Check out the great Poster Print examples on their site.  They look amazing!

The poster is 18x24 and can be printed in High-Gloss or Semi-Gloss.  They have next day printing on their Rolled Products, and...the shipping is FREE!

This giveaway is limited to US residents only, and you must be 18 years old and up!

Here are the rules! (Please leave a comment for each one you do)

1. Leave a comment and let me know what you would use the poster for. (1 entry)
2. Leave a comment with a question you would like me to answer (about anything) (1 entry)
3. Follow my blog, or if you are already a follower, make sure you remind me in your comment! (1 entry)
4. Follow me on Twitter @LaurenEC15, and send out this tweet about the contest: I just entered a #giveaway for a poster on @LaurenEC15 blog - http://bit.ly/cHx9xC (1 entry)

That's 4 different ways that you could win!

The contest closes at 11:59PM Eastern time on Wednesday, May 26. I will then select a winner at random after compiling all of your entries!  Don't forget to leave a comment for each separate entry.


Important Links:
Online Poster Printing
Poster Prints

***This post is sponsored by Online Poster Printing a subsidiary for Uprinting.com