Meeting Another Blogger -- Ninja Mom

Do you ever wonder why we blog?  Why you blog?  Still... that is...

We all started for a reason and then sometimes I find myself wondering why am I still doing this?  There's not enough time in the day for me to get more than 3 hours of sleep... so why on gods green earth would I maintain something I'm not sure anyone else really reads!??! 
No? Just me...??? Well I"m weird, but it's ok! 
And if you are actually reading this, thank you very much for stopping by.

I recently did a Fundraising Event where I set up my Stella & Dot Booth.  It was a lovely event - Glamour. Giving. Goodness.  A Fundraiser for the National Kidney Foundation of Indiana - Filled with vendors, and great people!   But I had read before I went that there would be 2 bloggers there -- not thinking anything of it I was confused by the book signing going on to my right all night long, but again -- Mommy Moment -- I didn't think anything of it so I just stayed at my booth and smiled. 

Then when were were slow, I went over to check things out...

This is when I met Nikki 1...

Actually I lie, she told me to go over. 

But I went and I chatted with Nikki 2 about her book because Nikki 1 was walking around.  YES, both bloggers were named Nikki.  It was kind of comical.  Cause Confusion while making people laugh -- Genius!  I looked at their books and chatted, and read a few of the titles of the chapters of Moms Who Drink & Swear and I knew I was sold.

Then I realized that Nikki 1's was entitled I Just Want To Pee Alone -- yes, she had just told me that, but I was sold on that one too.  And let me tell you, I LOVE IT! 

Nikki 1 writes Ninja Mom aka Nicole Shaw.  Go on over and check it out -- Seriously because you are going to pee yourself laughing.  She's the best combination of charming and funny.  I think I miss her already. haha.  No, but seriously. I'm always amazed at the wonderful people, amazing opportunities that come out of Fort Wayne that no one knows about.  I'm a lover of all things home so I try to support and enjoy and share as much as possible so that I can do my part and not ever have to live there again! Makes me feel better about abandoning moving away from my family up there.  Hopefully I'll never move back to the Fort because I love it down here so much more, but you never know. 

But Nikki writes as a freelance journalist for her own blog, our newspapers in Fort Wayne, and Nick Mom!  Like really a mom from Fort Wayne is a blogger with Nick Mom?  I think that's awesome as I see the commercials constantly for Nick Mom after my millionth time of watching Yo Gabba Gabba and I figure it's a cute little sanity break in TV for moms after the kiddos go to bed and think that the people involved are probably from elsewhere in the country... NOPE!  Right here in good old Indiana! 

Nikki was too funny.  Like her, I Just Want To Pee Alone is laugh out loud funny.  It's a compilation of short stories from herself and other mommy bloggers.  I read it on my way down to Memphis for Sister's Graduation.  It made me realize that it's time to move on from following the wedding blogs to joining those of my own kinds -- those who pick up poop with their bare hands from the bathtub, those who are woken up by their 1 year old in the middle of the night ready to play and go for the day, those who have to clean up puke and change dirty diapers -- yes, they are my folk now! 

But meeting her also made me realize that I do love blogging... I love that my blog is a blog about good things... this is where I vent... this is where I come and post about something that makes me happy after I come home to a grumpy husband and a completely trashed house.  This is something that is me and something that I can come back to.  I love it and it's sometimes awkwardness, as well as for it's sucky moments or typos or crappy content, but also for it's GREAT posts and comments from others, and interesting content.  I know I'm inconsistent, but you have to love me for that! Well you don't have to, but I'm really begging asking you to. 

happy monday

xoxo,

Baby Kakes - 15 months

It's been a while since I shared my baby on the blog so I thought I'd take a moment and share how big she's gotten and all the other funnies that go along with Baby K.

She's a goof. 

She loves to get IN things.  Literally.

Like this magazine basket.

Not really big enough for her, but she made it happen. 

Determined.  I like it.

We had some friends over a couple weekends ago and she had breakfast with the boys. 

We brought her little table down for them to eat at.

Gets along well with others.  Check.

I don't know if you remember, but my goal with her closet was to make it a comfy zone for her to read and play.  I think we've done that. 

She goes in here, grabs her books, and lays down.  Sometimes she just lays down.

Likes to read.  Check.

FINALLY keeps a hat on!  Now that it's spring.

She looks a little punk and big here, but that's because all her clothes were big.  Oops on my part.

We were at a soccer game and she wouldn't sit still.

Ponytails?  Sometimes. 

They keep her eyes out of her face which is totally necessary.

Look at that Brown Eyed Girl.

She's very active.  She loves to play and run and climb and swing.

She loves the park. 

See... bad hair.

And I think she looks funny here. 

That's Baby K -- Month of April -- and now she's 15 months!  Can you believe it?!?

She's walking, talking, running, stomping, crying, whining, loving, hugging...

Words: Dog, Cat, Gabba, Mommy, Daddy, Up, Please, OK, Uh Oh

Doesn't like: Cooked veggies

Eats:  EVERYTHING

Favorite TV Show: Yo Gabba Gabba

Favorite Song:  Thrift Shop

*I only say that because she dances every time it comes on*

I can't handle it... Love this chickadoo!

Time for another?  Not yet...

Nominated for a Libester

I'm not sure how Naptime Nothings found me, but I'm super excited that she nomintated me for a Liebster Award!  How cool!  Thanks Sarah for passing it along to me! 

The Leibster Award is basically a supportive award that is given to new bloggers. While I'm not necessarily a new blogger and I obviously need some blogging support, so hello, Leibster Award!! Haha! And can I just mention that everytime I say Liebster, I think of my sister Libby who sometimes we call Libster, or Elizabit** -- but that's another story.

This award is pretty cool because it focuses on bloggers with 200 followers or less.  Like me.  It is a great way for smaller blogs like Little Miss Martha to make new friends and share their ideas.

So, here we go. 

Rules:

There are always rules...

1. Thank your Liebster Award presenter on your blog and link back to their blog.

2. Answer the 11 questions from the nominator, list 11 random facts about yourself and create 11 questions for your nominees.

3. Present the Liebster Blog Award to 11 blogs that has 200 followers or less whom you feel deserve to be noticed. Be sure to leave them a comment on their blog to let them know they have been chosen.

4. Copy and paste the blog award on to your blog. It is an award so show it off! Wink...Wink.

And onto the Questions to Answers...
11 of them....

1. When do you find the time to blog?
HAHA!  When?  That's right... when DO I find time to blog?  Honestly it's usually at night before I got to bed - literally laying in my bed with my laptop on my lap and the tv on trying to catch up on dvr items - or first thing when I get to work in the morning.  I try to have everything in line so all I have to do is edit and post if I have to do it in the morning. 

2. IF you could be any animal, what would it be and why?
This is a toughie.  I'm not sure.  It's not that I don't like animals, it's just that I don't really want to be one.  I guess I'd pick a turtle.  Weird, I know.  But I have some weird love for them... probably becasue they are like me with their hard shell on the outside and softness underneath.  I tend to keep a guard until I get to know you.  Not a mean guard, just a I don't want to get hurt guard.  Plus, slow and steady wins the race, right?

3. Describe what you feel when you see your favorite color?
Ok, my favorite color is red, but you will rarely see me in it or see it in my home.  I'm not sure why it's even red these days, but I like the boldness of it and the classic feel of it.  It's one of the primary colors so I just think I like it because it's original.  I can't believe I'm even saying this... hah.  Seriously though, it makes me feel happy. 

4. What is your favorite television show?
My favorite TV show right now is Shameless, but it's season is over for now.  I love the dysfunctionally functional Gallaghers.  I love that they do whatever they need to do to get by -- and when it's illegal it makes the show much funnier.  Never a dull moment...

5. What one thing would you like your children to take into adulthood?
Work Ethic.  I probably should say their creative being or their sense of humor, but I see TONS of kids these days who don't know what it is to work hard.  It's annoying.  I hope my kids (only one now) know the effort it takes to earn a dollar and that they are willing to do the work necessary to make money. 

6. What does your family think of your blog?
My family thinks it's cool that I have a blog, but I don't think that they read it... maybe they do... if you do shout out in the comments people!  But it doesn't really matter what they think in the end because I really enjoy it and I like to use it as a creative outlet.

7. What would your dream vacation be?
FIJI -- Not sure why exactly, oh wait, because it looks freaking phenominal!!!  Yea, thats right.  I've just always had a wierd affination for this place... Hopefully I'll get their someday.
8. What is your favorite midnight snack?
Potato Chips?  I could eat them anytime, anywhere!  Love them. 

9. What daily chore do you despise the most?
Wait, people have time to do daily chores?!?  I very much dislike cleaning the bathrooms, but I'm not going to lie -- this doesn't happen daily.

10. What advice would you give to a first time blogger?
Don't give up. I've never really given up, but I've had my inconsistent moments... like recently and then look what happened -- I received this award!  There's nothing like the feeling of just letting it out there... I feel like I write things and if people like it great, but I wrote it for me in the end.  It's tough, but you can do it!  Do it for yourself!

11. If you had 3 wishes what would you wish for?
(1) I'd wish for three more wishes. (1) I'd wish to have ALL my debt paid off.  I hate debt looming over me.  It's like a dark cloud everyday.
(2) I'd wish to enjoy my job or have my own business that I could enjoy.  My job is a job.  I get paid well, but man o' man does it every stink... nothing fun, very negative people, at the moment, no room for movement.
(3) I'd wish for all my house projects to be completed -- like voila!  Started & Completed.  There is a list for when the genie comes around.

11 Random Facts About Me

1. I have been married for 2.5 years now.
2. I have one little girl who is a spitfire and the love of my life.
3. I used to be a figure skater & actually taught lessons until about 1 year ago.
4. My husband is a hockey player & coach.
5. We won our honeymoon from Brides Magazine.
6. I'm a closet craft hoarder.
7. I have a sewing machine and can't get it to work. 
8. We have 2 dogs - Lex the Labradoodle & Louie the Schnoodle.
9. Deep down I want to be the next Martha Stewart.
10. I hate to exercise.  Well hate might be an overstatement and I think it's just because I"m usually tired.
11. I'm an Independent Stylist for Stella & Dot!  But if you read this blog already you might know that.  I've actually set a goal to add 4 more people to my team by July - who's in?

And here are my 11 Nominees:

Rosy @ A Joyful Kind of Life  

Jess @ View From River Mountain

Melanie @ Messages from the Muellers

Samaa @ Honey Sweet Home

Jean @ Flower Hill Design Company 

Diane @ Crave Cute 

Lisa @ Team T Adventures 

Kiri @ My Lovely Life

Lisa @ A Room With A View

Kirsten @ The Foreign Domestic

Allie @ My Life as a Wife

Happy Liebsters!

xoxo,

A Bold New Adventure...

This month, with the launch of bags and totes we are inviting you to join us on a bold new adventure...

We've just doubled our market with this amazing collection and we are so hot right now we've been featured in Lucky, Women's Wear Daily, Rebook, & InStyle...

And our Classic Bag was just featured in a National Smirnoff Ad Campaign!

When you join us this month you will receive an extra $100 in product credit.

You sign up for $199 right now and get your business in a box AND $450 in product credits! 

I have room for two new stylists on my team still!  I'm always growing and expanding and inviting new amazing women to join my team, but I have room and time to train two more at this time! 

If you love fashion, accessories, learning, feeling empowered, and constantly feeling inspired, this is the perfect thing for you!  We have fun stylists, part-time stylists, full-time stylists -- We have lawyers, doctors, teachers, nurses, and stay at home moms -- We have sisters, mothers, and friends.

We'd love to have you.

We can sponsor across the US so you can be anywhere!

If you are on the fence, have questions or want to sign up, message me! 

Or, visit www.stelladot.com/abbyk and click on JOIN. 

Seriously, this is the perfect time to start your new social selling business with Stella & Dot

and we can't wait to have you!

xoxo,

*You can become a stylist at anytime, but the extra $100 is for a limited time only -- ends April 30th*

Stella & Dot Glam On The Go Sweepstakes!

At Stella & Dot, we're celebrating the launch of our Summer 2013 Collection and the debut of bags with a fabulous sweepstakes!

Who wouldn't want to win a $500 shopping spree anywhere, let alone to Stella & Dot?!? 
If you are like me and love any contest/sweepstakes enter here: http://bit.ly/119yPAf

Our new handbags and totes are to die for -- believe me, you need one, or two... or who am I kidding, all of them!  Check out this cute little less than one minute video...

Did you watch it?  There's going to be a quiz at the end... just kidding, but seriously, like how cute is Laurel's Mom? 

Not to mention our amazing accessories as usual...

I have room for 2 more online shows now through May 5th.  All of these great pieces could be yours... See the rest at my website. 

Or, if you are in the giving mood, get together with a few friends, and give your child's teacher the hostess rewards!  They'll love you for it and it will be one of the best teacher gifts they could get! 

Remember, Teacher Appreciation Day is just around the corner...
And Mother's Day...
And Graduations...

xoxo,

Pallets

So yesterday I posted about getting your patio ready so that when you are ready to sit out there and sip a cup of coffee and watch the sun rise or drink a beer and watch the sun set, you are ready.  Who am I kidding? I can't see the sun rise or set from my patio... but that's beside the point! 

But while prepping yesterday's post, I came across this picture via Martha Stewart
(more the left side of the picture)


And it got me to thinking...
I could do 4-5 pallets 2 deep and see how that looks...

Here is my side yard...

And yes, this is what it still looks like 3 years later...

How hard would it be to get 8-10 pallets (or make them) and set them out there like a little deck?  I always thought a deck would look brutal out there, but I'm thinking with the right accents ala planters and landscape, it might actually work.  What do you think?

I'm thinking a few pallets, a few cement planters, and maybe a couple of things (unsure what yet) to make sure it's balanced and level but I'm thinking it will work and look adorable!  And be a place to set a table & chairs, a little sandbox for Ells, and get the dogs messes out of my face when I walk out the door!  haha.

Have you thought about working with pallets before?  It got me looking and here are a few other projects I found interesting!

Once the patio is finished, I think this would look great on a table out there! Love me some succulents!

via

I think this would be a cool addition to a corner I have and am unsure what to do with it!

via

These would look cute under my TV Stand in the loft... for the innumerable amount of toys that have crept into my house.

via

Love this... and love the colors too!  What a great idea! 

This would be a cute piece at the garage entry too.

via

And I'm not sure what it is about these wood accent walls... I am in love! 

I hate panelling, but if it's white I love it and now, I'm in love with these planked walls! 

I think it would look really cool on one wall in our pantry. 

via

What do you think?  Have you or would you use pallets to decorate spaces of your home? 

xoxo,

Remember, it's Autism Awareness Month so show your support by purchasing a Spirit Bracelet before they sell out!