I {heart} DownEastBasics+Giveaway

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Yes. I.Do!

If you haven't heard of this clothing/home décor company then let me tell ya about them! In a nutshell DownEastBasics is a clothing company that sells modest,fashionable and affordable and may I add WELL made clothing for women! Now don’t get all scared about the word modest. We aren't talking about turtle necks and jean skirts down to the ankle. We’re talking about  making sure body parts are in place and not accidently hanging out! It means at your next dinner party you wont have to worry about your skirt rising up in the back and giving everyone a peep show. It means your gonna be a lot more confident knowing you don’t have to worry about shifting and rising clothes!! These clothes are darling and show off all the features you WANT to flaunt!

I first heard of DownEastBasics on a blog. Not sure what blog, but it was definitely a blog:0) So I was so excited to be able to choose a few of their items to review! What I like about DownEastBasics is that they combine clothing and home! To me that is the perfect combination of retail. When your at HOME, you want to be comfortable AND you want your HOME to be comfortable too:0)

To be comfortable at HOME, I got a sweet cardigan and a cute ruffled tee! They had me a triple bow on the chest and ruffles on the sleeve! So cute right! I’m a sucker for both! I think they are darling and since it’s not always appropriate to put ruffles and bows around the home, especially when you have more boys than girls in the house:0) I love to adorn myself with them!  I almost always wear a cardigan. I just do. I started wearing them when I was a teacher and they have been a staple in my wardrobe ever since! That and I’m always COLD! This one in a blush pink is perfect with jeans and a white tee,but can also be worn with a skirt! Another favorite combo of mine! The fit is perfect. I ordered a medium and it fitted well in the arms:0) Nothing worse them your arms being squeezed to death by a too tight sweater! Lol!

Now the ruffled tee, I got  in a charcoal gray! This shirt is SOOOO comfortable! They had it in white too, should  have gotten both. It’s made with 100% cotton so it’s soft enough to sleep in. It has a stretchy sorta feel to it so it’s fitted and not baggy at all. Remember I wore it in this photo.. along with my Vintage Rose Wrap. Again throw it on with a pair of jeans and CUTENESS will happen!

To make my HOME comfortable, I got these cute itty bitty planters.

You remember seeing them on my table redo last week:0) Perfect for adding a small touch of greenery to a small space.

I’m really excited to be getting THESE in the mail soon! Boxwood Balls!!!! I’ve been looking for more of these everywhere! I originally picked some up from Hobby Lobby for my dining room….

But when I saw these at DownEastBasics for 50 percent off I ordered 5! The total came to a little over 9 bucks! With shipping 17. Fabulous deal guys!

Other favs…

So you wanna get shopping and start winning…

How to be a Winner!

One (1) lucky winner will receive a $25 credit to DownEast Basics!

How to Enter:

Visit DownEast Basics and tell me your favorite item from any of their collections.

{Make sure you complete this entry before completing any of the bonus entries}

Bonus Entries:

• Tweet: Win $25 GC to @DownEastBasics and @DownEastHome over at @aplaceforus!
• Visit them at Down East Basics on Facebook  and say HI!
• Visit them at DownEast HOME on Facebook and do the same!

Look for some more FUN with DownEastBasics next month!!!! So excited!!!!!!

Winner will be announced next Thursday!

{Be Inspired} Welcome Ilene from Much Love Illy

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I knew Creative Estates would be great for meeting new friends and I did just that!

Meet my next {BE INSPIRED} BLOGGER Ilene the author of Much Love,Illy…

She was apart of the adorable group of girls that I mentioned in my CE post a few weeks ago! I got a chance to talk to her while she was running her booth at the handmade market! I was immediately drawn to her COLORFUL handmade goodies she had on display. Her next door neighbor Oh Sweet Joy, Tamarria and I all had a chance to chit chat and fellowship for a while! I couldn’t wait to get back home and read her BLOG and I immediately fell in love with it! The fact that I got to meet her in person was a PLUS!! Illy, a nickname given to her by her boyfriend, has the most beautiful photos, handmade yumminess and her food posts make you want to eat the screen! Such a sweet girl! Read along as we get to know her a little bit better!

INSPIRING…IMAGINATIVE…and IRRESIBTABLE…ILENE!

 

 

How did you get started in the blogging world?

I got on board in the blog world when my sister and other close friends were moving away from Chicago. Most of them had blogs, and so since I wanted to keep in touch with them, I decided to start a blog too. Close to that time, I started my etsy shop and began to slowly include shop updates in it. That is how Much Love, illy blog is what it is today.
 
Who was your first BLOG crush? I'd totally have to go with Danni of Oh Hello, friend. I had never seen a blog as fascinating as hers before. She has the cutest etsy shop and the most inspiring blog.

 
How would you describe your blog "niche?" If there is a niche of randomness, I belong in that niche! My blog has a mix of lifestyle (I love writing about my family, faith, and friends - and oh, yes my love for food!) as well as a love for fashion and handmade goodies. I'm kinda random like that.

 
How has being a follower of Christ influenced your blog and writing? I think it's definitely influenced my writing 'cause being a follower of Christ is a part of my life. I do my best to portray myself 100% whenever I write. A lot of people have described me as "full of happiness" or a "joyful person" - that I think is already a representation of Christ and what He has done and is doing in my life.

 
You are newly engaged!! Congrats! How has GOD used your past experiences to prepared you for the next stage in your life...being a wife?:0) Wow, such a good question! Ryan and I dated for 3 1/2 years before getting engaged. I think the time we had dating gave us the time that we needed to really get to know each other more. It laid a foundation down in our relationship that I believe will better prepare us for our future marriage and ministry. 
We all know that CREATIVE ESTATES was awesome! Tell us what your favorite part was? Getting to meet people!! I loved finally meeting a lot of the bloggers that I already knew before I arrived. It was incredible to get to know them all at a different level. I also loved meeting new people and new bloggers/handmade business owners - like you!

 
Tell us about your ETSY shop and how you decided to sell your handmade goods? I loved my old job back in Chicago, but during my 3rd year of working there, my creative side was about ready to explode! I needed an outlet - and that outlet eventually translated to my Etsy shop. And I'm so glad I did it! 

The Much Love, illy shop is made up of lots of colorful accessories - from poppy garland headbands, jewelry and other hair accessories. I'm a huge fan of color and accessories so this shop merges my two loves together!

I need these in EVER color-----> 

 
Your outfits are SO fun and stylish and just plain ADORABLE...tell us how you would put together a DATENIGHT outfit with your newww fiancé?!! Aw, thanks, friend!! Since he and I currently long-distance, we don't get to see each other much - so when we go out on a date night, I really love to dress up! I'd go for a cute sun dress and a fun pair of chunky platforms (currently obsessed with that trend!). Ryan also loves it when I play up the eyeshadow so I'll probably either do some funky blue or a dark purple - though it does depend on the colors of the outfit. :)

 look how cute she is---->
What advice do you have to anyone who has had a blog for awhile and isn't seeing the "results" they want?
Well, I think whenever I get discouraged - whether it be my Etsy shop or my blog - I always go back to the question: Why am I doing this? Am I doing this because I love it? If you love what you do, if you blog even though "no one is reading," then keep on going with your work! I think this is always what a person should start with. Do you do it 'cause you LOVE it? If not, forget it.

There is also the practical side of blogging where you need to step back - or maybe ask someone to step back with you - and look at your blog from a readers perspective? Is the layout visually appealing? Is your blog easy to maneuver through? Do you post quality content or do you just post to post? Sometimes it helps to even get another blogger's opinion. Ask someone you trust to critically look at your blog and to give you honest feedback.  They might be able to give you tips or a perspective that you might have missed.

Tell us THREE truths and one LIE about yourself:0)
I always loved this game. Here we go:
1. I lived in Okinawa, Japan for 4 years.
2. I've never had a glass of wine in my life.
3. I've never broken a bone in my body.                                                                                                                                                                                    4. I met Jennifer Hudson while shopping at H&M. 

Oh, I‘m  guessin number THREE is the lie!!!!

Thank you so much Ilene for taking some time out and letting us get to know YOU! You have a wonderful spirit and it shines through your blog!  Go over and show her some LOVE and say HI! She loves to meet new friends!

{SIX} Years…and counting!

Pin It Yesterday my guy and I:0)celebrated 6 years of marriage! I know every single girl thinks they are so lucky to have found their own prince charming, and I am no different. He’s SO amazing and has been since the day I met him!. I mean, he’s just a testimony to how great GOD is and how he blesses your marriage when you put him first!!! Thank you Jesus for such a beautiful gift! I just pray that I am able to be a humble keeper of your many blessings.
We started out our day pretty early and just spent the entire day together…kissy face and holding hands…and kissy face…lots of kissy face…lol. We started off with a good ole simple southern breakfast…OUR favorite. During breakfast he TOLD me that I needed a NEW camera and even NAMED the one I should get…lol! What? Usually I drop little subtle hints if I need something or am wanting something new…lol. This was totally out of the blue!!!! I LOVE LOVE my camera….and to get an upgrade would be amazing. But to tell you the truth…I don’t even care if I get one! Just the fact that he brought it up makes my heart melt!:0)

We also went to go hit some golf balls( he was so impressed with how well I did!!!) HIS favorite! The one thing I learned is to keep your head DOWN!!!! We hit about 100 balls between the both of us. We’re both super competitive but I’m happy to say I WON….hehehe. But he would tell you something different I’m sure.

We did some shopping …MY favorite…

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and ended the night at Flemings Steakhouse…who has the BEST mouth watering  steaks ever!!! If you ever go there on one of your fancy nights out….ladies make sure you get a petite filet mignon butterflied…well done… with the THREE dipping sauces. You will not be sorry. Reggie swears by the bone in ribeye cooked  medium!!!

Anniversary night time outfit was pretty casual…skinny jean(Old Navy Diva), white lace cam(Forever 21), Jessica Simpson Anne Boots that I got for Christmas from him (Amazon or Macy’s), and a yellow ruffled cardigan(Old Navy)!

I feel so weird posing by myself…lol. I’m  so use to my main accessories….babies! One on the hips and two on my thighs:0) lol!!!

The perfume of choice for this night was Fancy Nights by JS of course!

Any anniversary celebrations this month? What’s your date night perfume and outfit choice?

My Style Monday…Jessica Simpson

Pin It I’m really NOT one of those girls who  follows celebrities. The only time I really read celebrity magazines these days is when I’m gettin my nails did…lol  BUT I must say Jessica Simpson might be the ONLY celebrity I actually know somthing about….well as much as I see on TV…lol!
I LOVED her songs in high school…..

When her and NICK hooked up and thought “OMG they are soooo cute” and then the song they did together…melt my heart! Then Newlyweds…my favorite show at the time!!!! The hubby and I still refer to her show were her and her mom say “cute” like a hundred times! so funny.

I even used a few of her songs in my wedding. But,when she divorced NICK I was UPSET…mad…angry, at her!!!!!!!! lol:0(  But hey I just know the TV Jessica…:0)
But I must say even though  I didn’t like ONE song on her PUBLIC AFFAIR cd or her country cd, when she came out with her STYLE line…perfume,shoes,purses,jewelry,she had me hooked!!! LOVE at FIRST sight!
Her new scent Fancy LOVE….I sampled it at Dillards last weekend..lovely! So girly and fenimine. Defientley want to add this to my  collection. Just read the description “  Accords of bergamot, peach blossom, Goij leaves, while celebrating with aromas of pink champagne. A heart is based on a seductive combination of lotus, peony, plumeria, jasmine and Turkish rose, while base notes add to depth by creamy amber and blond wood. A warm, cuddling trail is accompanied with musk and patchouli.” and that exactly what is smells like…hhehehe…


Her shoes. HER SHOES. Ok I am 5’3 and the hubby is about 6ft even. So I can rock the heels without him feeling like I’m gonna compete with him…lol! So her shoes are perfect and so HOT! Before my mommy days, heels were the only thing you could find me in besides my volleyball shoes…now I can hardly get me feet into them!:0( But I will make a comback…I will.(insert evil laugh)

 
Her and bags are to DIE for…I wouldn't call them purses because you can fit a whole house in one of these! Just like I love them…hey I got three babies…so my “purses” need to be up to par!! Check these out….
    
I just saw that she had a jewelry line when I was walking in Dillards also….very pretty with some CHUCKY peices…I like things that are chucky…lol

My tote right now….LOVE LOVE LOVE this! I get so many complements on this purse, especially about the mustard color…

What’s your favorite Jessica Simpson item right now…are you a fan?