Sugar and Dots: March 2012

Friday, March 30, 2012

Shabby Apple Giveaway! (closed)

Hello lovelies!

I am so excited to be working with Shabby Apple again!

If you don't already stalk them like I do, you may not know about the amazing items they sell.

They are an online boutique catering to every woman's style.

Shabby Apple has so many beautiful women's dresses!

Today you have a chance to win one for yourself.

I am offering one lucky reader the Spanish Steps dress ($86.00 value!) - the dress I felt would compliment every body type and transition beautifully from season to season.

The description by Shabby Apple of this dress is as follows:

Some things are just better together: peanut butter and chocolate, Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, Rome and Vespas. We decided to pair two things we love—the soft, cotton jersey of our favorite t-shirt, and the gorgeous sateen of the dresses of yesteryear—to create the Spanish Steps, an indispensably comfortable-yet-elegant summer frock. A luxe jersey cap sleeve top is gathered at the waist with a wide satin sash, and a veritable bouquet of appliquéd, ruched flowers and leaves adorns the full sateen skirt that swirls just below your knee. A truly inspired combination,the Spanish Steps has star potential. This dress is made from a leightweight, delicate fabric and FITS GENEROUSLY on our fit guide.

(GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED.)

To be eligible for this giveaway, you must be a follower of this blog.

Mandatory entry:

"Like" Shabby Apple on Facebook and leave a comment below telling me that you do.

Additonal entries:

1. Leave a comment below telling me what your favorite Shabby Apple dress is.

(You can find the entire dress line here.)

2. Share this giveaway on Twitter and leave a comment telling me that you did.

(Example: I just entered to win a @shabbyapple dress from @SugarAndDots! You can enter too! http://www.SugarAndDots.com")

That's three different ways to enter!

(Note: Leaving a comment saying that you follow this blog is not a valid entry for this giveaway.)

Good luck!

Happy Friday!

Thursday, March 29, 2012

April Ad Space

With Springtime, comes Spring cleaning.

And with pregnancy, comes nesting.

As of April 1st, ad space will look different here at Sugar and Dots!

I will continue to have TWO Premium Ad Spaces for $50/month (April and May are already taken- please contact me about June space if interested.)

Starting April 1st, EVERY sponsor will be removed my sidebar and the slate will be wiped clean.

If you have traded ad space with me, please contact me to continue our agreement, and be prepared to send me a new 200x200 button.

Ad space (besides Premium Ads) will now be 200x200 spaces and will be $10 for the month of April.

Running a new low price with a larger ad benefits YOU- the people who continue to make this blog grow!

If you would like to purchase space, please send me an email with the Subject "April Ad Space". Be sure to include your button and your PayPal address, please.

On March 31st, I will hold a giveaway like usual on Facebook for ONE free ad space for April.

Hosting this monthly giveaway allows everyone the chance to participate.

I look forward to working with you and seeing new faces and spaces next month!

Happy Thursday!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Wednesday Features!

Last week...

Natalie from Johnny in a Dress showed off her awesome Bowtie and Tutu Birthday Party:

Ashley's Dandelion Wishes put together this lovely Butterfly Mobile:

Alexandra from Talking Dollars and Cents whipped up these White Chocolate Pineapple Muffins:

Esther from Happy in Red stitched together this gorgeous Pleated Tote Bag:

And Jodi from Meaningful Mama gave you all an awesome Rainbow Ruffle Skirt Tutorial:

Thank you to everyone who linked up!

If you were featured, be sure to grab a "featured" button from my left sidebar.

(New buttons coming in April!)

Happy Wednesday.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

What I Whipped Up Wednesday

Like last week, from now on I will be opening the linky party on Tuesday nights, and showing off the features on Wednesdays.

If there is a giveaway during the week, winners will be announced on Wednesdays.

It makes things less chaotic around here, and it allows for everyone to see each link without be overwhelmed by pretty features in the beginning.

Make sense?

Not like you're all taking notes and marking your calendars, but yeah...

;)

To link up, you don't have to add my button or add any crazy HTML to your posts, but I do ask that you at least follow this blog.

Spreading the word on Facebook and Twitter that you've linked up gives you 10,000 cool points.

Just saying.

Enjoy the party and have fun!

Monday, March 26, 2012

Pictures from the weekend.

Little girl twirling.

Brief hospital visit.

Thumbs up from Baby.

Surprise antique highchair from my mother-in-law.

Mother-in-law and sister-in-law taking over dinner duty.

Radish washing.

Onion cutting.

Dog sitting.

Sculpture making.

Washing machine replacing.

Sister's bed stealing.

Storm embracing.

Cat charming.

At times it was too quiet.

At times it was too loud.

It was sunny and rainy and everything in-between.

And it was spent with the people I love.

I hope your weekend was lovely, friends.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

In case you missed it...

Monday: I shared with you the worry I had before my doctor's appointment.

Tuesday: What I Whipped Up Wednesday opened up.

Wednesday: I announced features and winners from last weeks' linky and giveaways.

Thursday: I updated you with some ugly drama in my life.

Friday: Alissa from Rags to Stitches Boutique stopped by with a guest post.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday, March 23, 2012

Guest Post by Alissa from Rags to Stitches Boutique

HI!!!!!!

I'm Alissa and I blog over at Rags to Stitches.

I also have a handmade shop and I'm so excited to share with you the launch of my brand new iCozy!!

As you can imagine I've been so excited about today for the last couple of months.

Designed with your lifestyle in mind...

The iCozy has a fun and vintage feel.

Girly from top to bottom, the iCozy is newly adorned with vintage lace is still lined with multi-functional minky fabric.
4 brand new colors, each with 3 vintage lace color options.

No more digging through your purse to find all your iPad Accessories, now you can carry them all in your new iCozy.

The new design features a pocket along the back, allowing you to take your iPad charger and earbuds with you wherever you go.

Each iCozy comes padded and lined with a multipurpose minky fabric.

Need to clean your glasses? The front of your iPad has finger prints?

Clean it away with out worry of scratches with the versatile, minky lining.

Whether you're going to coffee with a friend or carpooling your kids to soccer practice, your iPad will travel in style.

Are you as in love as I am?

I really, really hope so!

This design is near and dear to my heart.

So head on over to the shop and snag your iCozy as quantities in each color are limited.

All photos taken by the lovely Katie of Katherine Elizabeth Photography

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Update

I had intended to share with you some personal details about what's been going on in my life, but unfortunately, late last night, I received a menacing comment on my blog.

The comment was from a family member of mine.

Harrassing, cruel, unnecessary, and lacking any/all information to back up their insults.

This person has chosen to get in the middle of a minor issue I have with a different family member, and this mean commenter has made the small issue between me and ONE person, a HUGE issue between myself and TWO people.

Why people feel the need to get themselves involved with things, I have no idea.

This family member has stalked every account I have, and they can't seem to control themselves when it comes to sending me harrassing emails.

Since this blog is public, and I have a GREAT support system here, I won't be deleting this blog.

Unfortunately my Facebook account is no longer active, and my Twitter account is now private.

I've added comment moderation to this site, and won't be posting anything personal until this person controls their abusive emails.

I never like posting dirty laundry on here, but I wanted you to know that I am being attacked by a mentally unstable older relative, and I don't feel comfortable expressing my heart on here at this time.

My advice to all of you is to not get involved between two people's indifferences.

I could have easily patched things up with this person, but then Random Relative decided to voice their opinion, and I am now worried about my safety.

If anyone knows how to block gmail emails, I'd appreciate the tip!

Anyway, yadda yadda... I know my stalker is reading this, so I'm making it short.

I'll post family updates soon hopefully.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Features and Winners!

Last weeks' What I Whipped Up Wednesday features had to be postponed until today.

They're so lovely though, the wait was worth it.

Last week...

Kate from Crafty Kate put together this mobile tutorial:

Julia from 551 East fixed up this vintage dresser:

Bec from Little Lucy Lu made some mason jars look lovely with washi tape:

Trish from Sweetology whipped up this Lucky Charm bark:

And Sarah from Moske Monkey Business showed off her lovely new nursery:

Thank you so much to everyone who linked up!

Be sure to grab a button off of my sidebar!

Ready for some winners?

Heather is the winner of the Lisa Leonard/Group Giveaway

and

Keri is the winner of the Whisker Graphics Giveaway

Congratulations!

I will be contacting you about your winnings soon.

Update about me coming tomorrow.

(It's totally boring and drama-free, but I adore all of the kind words and prayers!)

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

What I Whipped Up Wednesday

Thank you so much for your prayers.

I'll be posting an update tomorrow.

Baby is fine.

I am not.

Features will be up tomorrow; along with winners for last weeks' giveaways.

Linking up this week will get you featured next week.

Making this brief.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Worry.

I am so thankful to be pregnant.

To think about having a larger family.

To know that at 16 weeks, our new addition looked healthy and safe.

I am thankful for that feeling I had when I saw him moving on the monitor during our ultrasounds.

Seeing his heart beating.

Knowing that my own two eyes were not failing me- the proof was before me and it was beautiful.

I want to tell the world how thankful I am.

Because tomorrow is another appointment.

And I have my fingers crossed that the doctors see everything they expect to see.

That his heart is still beating.

That he has grown since my last check-up.

At 18 weeks, I was feeling fine.

I still had every symptom of morning sickness.

I was still not far enough along for "the online experts" to expect me to feel his movement.

My baby bump seemed right on target.

On Saturday, I hit 19 weeks.

According to everything online, I should feel fetal movement often, and my clothes should now mostly consist of maternity clothing.

When I think I feel a kicks, I second-guess my sanity and wonder if it's gas or my body eating away at whatever is my stomach.

I went from needing loose clothing to being able to fit in regular clothes again.

Babies don't disappear from bodies.

I'm so worried.

I can only hope that he's moved to a position that isn't as prominent.

So if tomorrow, at 19 weeks and 3 days, they tell me bad news, I want you all to know that today, at 19 weeks and 2 days, I am so thankful to have experienced this.

He may not have a name today, but he is loved.

So loved.

I really can't wait to hold him.

I am praying that that glorious moment won't be for another five months.

So if my world comes crumbling down tomorrow, I am here to announce how thankful I am.

For this moment.

This time of worrying is awful; but I am blessed to have this kind of stress, and I know that.

I'll keep you updated, friends.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

New look!

Good morning!

I needed something fresh and cheery, so I decided against painting another room in my house, and went for a mini-blog makeover.

Please excuse any craziness around here today while the dust settles, and be sure to send me any suggestions/questions you may have if something you were familiar with has moved/disappeared.

Get comfortable and browse around...I hope you'll find this space just as joyful as I do!

Happy Thursday, friends.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

What I Whipped Up Wednesday + Whisker Graphics Giveaway!

How is your week going, lovelies?

I hope that you're less tired than I am!

Stealing an hour of sleep from a pregnant woman is like telling an obese person that they can't eat for a week!

...or something less offensive to obese people...

Seriously though, I'm tired in the most exhausting way.

I'm going to make this one short and sweet for you all....

Last week Shy from Shy By Design showed off her adorable little man shirts:

Allie from Freshly Completed whipped up a poor man's cheesecake:

And Nancy from Owen's Olivia put together this amazing pallet wall:

Thank you to everyone who linked up!

And thank you for viewing this weeks' features!

I have a lovely giveaway for those of you visiting today...

Whisker Graphics is offering one lucky reader $25.00 shop credit!

Whisker Graphics is a company that offers paper goods,

printables, packaging items, and we are best known for Divine Twine, which
has been featured on Martha Stewart Living, Cooking Light, and Food
Network Magazine.

Want to win?!

You must be a follower of this blog to enter.

Simply "like" Whisker Graphics on Facebook so that you can write on their wall, and post on their wall telling them that Sugar and Dots sent you to them.

(Both "liking" their page AND writing on their wall is good for ONE entry.)

Leave me a comment telling me that you wrote on their Facebook wall, and you are entered to win!

Want additional entries?

Tweet about this giveaway.

Create a Facebook status with a link to this giveaway.

Leave a comment telling me which Whisker Graphics item is your favorite.

That's four chances to win!

Good luck!

Ready to link up?

The party opens now and will close on Sunday.

I can't wait to see what you've been working on!

Happy Wednesday!