Tips for getting out of that writer's funk

  Trying to come up with 5 blog posts a week isn't always easy. Most of the time I have no problem, but every once in awhile I find myself in a slump.

  So why not blog about my writer's block? Its not even that I'm out of ideas. I have TO MANY ideas that get all jumbled up in my head,  I don't know where to begin. Here are a few tips that I have learned along my (short) blog journey.

  Get out of the house! Get some fresh air. Go on a walk...do something, because sitting around thinking of something to blog about doesn't inspire me. Obviously inspiration has hit me while doing house hold things, but if your thinking to much about it, it won't come out natural. I always want my post to be natural, and 100% ME. I posted about  alphabet photography after taking Ava and my camera out for a little walk, and now I have found that's actually something I'm pretty interested in getting better at.

   Go shopping! Or even just cruise the isles of your favorite stores. I could walk around Michael's for hours. I always find so many things I want to try to create.. for example: This post... DIY wall art  I walked around Michael's for a while then came up with this idea. I made one for my friend's candy buffet table at her wedding. I also like to look at accessories in a store and think " hey I could make that!" And of coarse buying myself a new shirt (or anything really) always gets me excited :) and when I'm feeling excited, I get inspired..( kind of weird but true)

  OBVIOUSLY I think Pinterest inspires most. I can sit on there forever looking at things. I already have my whole house re-decorated on there! I love it. It never fails that when I go on Pinterest I will find something I love. for example just before this post I found this super cute shelving idea...

  Sometimes I look through old pictures. Looking at pictures of Ava when she was a little baby, to now being almost 2, can usually get me posting a mushy mommy post like... I'm the kinda mom who. I try to take my camera everywhere, and take pictures of everything. Just so I can go through my pictures in times like these. Its a sure way to get the bloggy juices flowing.

 So those are a few of my tips for getting out of a writing funk.... comment and let me know what you do to get some inspiration for your blog!

 

 

 

  

With a blink of an eye

  I am back from North Carolina.We had a great trip. For the first time in my life I can actually say I'm sick of eating....There was SO MUCH food. All the preparation for Christmas and in one quick snap its over. I came across this picture of Ava opening a gift last year and compared it to this year. Notice its the same wrapping paper, but you would think that wasn't the same kid! I can't believe how big she has gotten. It all happened so fast!

Here is a little WIW Christmas addition...Staring Ava,Tyler and myself

Ava's dress and tights...baby GAP ( she had a bow c/o me..but who knows where that went)

shirt: Lauren Conrad collection at Khols

Pants: Express

Boots: Steve Madden

and heres the hubs acting casual ;)

Ava is so blessed to have so many people that love her, and spoil her rotten. She got so many gifts this year..from a play kitchen to a princess tent. and just about 20 new pairs of Pjs!

This is her in her new princess tent...

Merry Christmas from Lillys & Lollipops!

We made it to my mom's in North Carolina! It doesn't look like we will be having a white Christmas this year, but that's OK. We are all ready and waiting for Christmas morning. I'm doing a little baking today ( pumpkin cheesecake...will post recipe later) and then we will be having chili tonight for dinner. Perfect! I hope everyone has a great Christmas! Enjoy the time with your loved ones!

MERRY CHRISTMAS from me to you!

and the winner is...

  I would like to say THANK YOU to everyone who entered this giveaway, and everyone who shared this giveaway on their blogs, facebook, and twitter. I think this was  pretty successful! And I hope to continue to bring you guys more awesome giveaways like this one in the future!! The winner was chosen via Random.org

                      So here we go the lucky winner is....

EMILY R.

Congrats to you! you have 48 hrs. to claim your prize!

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!

saying bye bye to the crib already?

   So  Last night I'm putting Ava to sleep, when all the sudden she lifts her little leg over the side of her crib and lifts her whole body up!! Luckily I was in her room still or I'm sure she would have went right over the rail. She will be 2 in February, is it really time to say good bye to her crib and hello to a big girl bed?

  

   Shes still my little baby she can't already be big enough for a big girl bed! This makes me sad. Obviously for her safety its time... and thankfully we already have one. I'm kind of excited to do a little re decorating, her old furniture is dark wood, and her new stuff is white. But I'm also sad to see her little nursery go...

  Also I'm a little nervous, we have a had a GREAT routine down, and have stuck with it for a while. This means we might have to change it up a little... and adding in a new routine combined with her terrible two phase is a little scary!

  Any advice from other mommas out there? Was this a smooth transition for you?

Yesterday I let someone believe a lie..

Yesterday I did a little shopping, Yesterday I was in a baking mood and baked all day, yesterday I tried a new recipe for dinner, yesterday I let someone believe a lie....

So like I said I baked today. I was so proud of my goodies, I posted them on facebook for my friends and family to see, and so I could share something new.

(I get all excited to get comments it makes me happy)

One of my friend's commented and said " your so Susie homemaker and I love it!" and I left it at that...

I didn't say that behind my camera my house is only clean because my daughter is taking a nap.

I didn't say that the only reason I'm not in my loungey clothes is because I went shopping.

I didn't say that I cleared off and area in my kitchen to take this picture, because right now its covered in sprinkles and baking supplies.

I didn't say that without my coffee every morning I'm pretty sure I would be use less,

and I didn't say that somewhere in my house is a pacifier grave yard and only Ava knows its location.( she sleeps with a paci..no judging, it works for me!)

That's right I let her believe that I stay at home, wearing heels and dress, with perfect hair and make up,have a spotless house  and a toddler who sits and colors with NON- broken crayons. And that when my husband gets home from work there is a home cooked meal on the table ready to go, with fresh baked cookies from scratch...

well isn't that lovely?

I am not Susie homemaker. I wear leggings way to often, and I don't always feel like making a home cooked meal. I enjoy cooking, but sometimes I'm just not in the mood.

My life as a stay at home mom has been a true blessing for me, but its not what you see on TV. By the end of the day I'm exhausted! But I sleep good at night knowing I do the best I can, and that my family is happy and healthy.

I will never be a Susie homemaker..but that's fine with me!

Here's some of my goodies I made yesterday! yummy cake pops click here for recipe

I saw these on Made by Munchies Mama's blog and had to try them..how cute right!

DIY wall art

Isn't this so pretty and girly.,well it was also really easy!

All you need is:

12x12 canvas

                                        3 sheets of scrapbook paper ( the pink background in a plain 12x12, the lace looking sheet is also 12x12 and it is transparent, and the center piece is like a card stock basic size sheet of paper)

                                      Double sided adhesive sheets ( found in the scrapbook section)

                                     adhesive faux pearl strips (also in scrapbook section)

Steps:

-using the double sided adhesive sheet place the 12x12 solid piece of paper over the canvas ( the pink sheet)

-Next, again using your double sided adhesive sheet layer the transparent sheet on top ( the lace sheet)

- Place your card stock sheet into your printer, and using a program such as word..create your phrase, name or whatever you want it to say in the color, and font you desire

-Trim off any excess paper that has no writing from the bottom.( you want to be able to see the lace looking piece from all sides)

- and once again use your double sided tape to place in the center

- next take you faux pearl strips, and simply stick them on the edge of the paper line( you don't need to add pearls where your flower will be)

- Stick on your flower, you can use a already made flower found in the scrapbook section ( simple peel and stick) or you can make your own. I used the left over pearls to put in the center of my flowers.

( here's a tip, when your done take your glue gun and glue down the corners of the pink sheet of paper, just to secure everything)

Here is another example of another one of these I made for my friend's candy buffet table at her wedding

 (sorry this is  a cell phone picture)

 and FYI the flower I used in this one, is from the scrapbook section at Micheals

Alphabet photography

So I'm sure you all have seen this, but if you have no idea what I'm talking about, then here it is

alphabet photography...

So cool right! So me being me and thinking I can do everything myself went out today and attempted to do this myself!

(in case your wondering what this says... its Haulk my last name)

ehhh... OK so obviously its not printed out and framed all pretty and I'm not crazy about my K, but turns out K's are pretty hard to find...

Anyways practice makes perfect, and I have to admit I had a pretty fun time doing it. Its definitely a new hobby of mine. Next time I show you one of these it will awesome!

 

6 days left on the Sam Villa flat iron giveaway..If you haven't entered click here

5 holiday deserts!!

So I don't know about you, but I have a crazy sweet tooth, and something about the holiday season makes me feel less guilty about indulging in yummy deserts!! If your mouth started watering to the sound of any of these deserts then grab the recipe and whip it up...Tis the Season!!!

Hot Cocoa Cookies by How sweet it is

Cinnamon Chai cream pie w/ hazelnut crust by Sprinkled with Flour

Triple Fudge Banana Bread by How Sweet It Is

Pumpkin & Chocolate Mousse Trifle by yummy mummy

Mini pumpkin cheesecakes by Eat it Up

I found these items where??

Before I begin I feel the need to disclose that I am not a hoarder...and I like a clean house, but I do have a 22 month old who is on a mission for disaster. Anyways in order for me be able to get up and make myself look presentable, it involves my daughter being right under my feet climbing in the tub, going through my bathroom cabinets and so on. When I'm done I will quickly just grab everything she pulled out and put it back into this basket that is under my bathroom sink ( which is there to help keep things organized)

So I was in a organizing the house kinda mood,when I came across a bunch of random findings under my bathroom sink...

a lid to a plastic container.....

a target gift card that has seen better days... (and has no money on it!)

One of the first Ipods ever made...

A thing- a -majig..seriously what is this?

A baby screwdriver...

A lonely cough drop...

A pencil..seriously random..

WHAT my camera strap! I have been looking for that! Not gonna lie, I was pretty excited about this one...

One last thing I would like to disclose..We have double sinks, and this was all under my husbands side!

Sam Villa give away still happening!

Rolled rose bib necklace

This is my first time making a necklace of any kind. So if I can do it you can do it to! I got this idea from little miss momma's pom pom bib necklace tutorial

      I decided to do the rolled rose fabric flower instead, and add a little bling..

For a great tutorial with different patterns for fabris flowers click here

FYI...I still have the Sleekr flat iron giveaway going on right now make sure you enter its a really great prize!!!

http://www.lillysnlollipops.com/2011/12/give-away-sleekr-professional-flat-iron.html

GIVE AWAY!!!! The Sleekr professional flat iron!!!!

******THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED******

            I'm so excited about this give away, if you read my blog then you know I am a hairstylist. So I'm a little star struck when it comes to Sam Villa.

Who is Sam Villa? Well let me tell you... Sam is Redken's Education Artistic Director... What does that mean? it mean he is AWESOME. I have had the opportunity to attend a few of his classes, and let me tell ya not only is he incredibly talented, but he is so down to earth and friendly

For more info on Sam Villa and his products visit his website @ www.samvilla.com

Here a few facts about the flat iron:

* Snag free rounded heating plate

*The feature a tourmaline coating for extra shiny hair

*Temperature control features the color treated setting designed to help prevent fading...(AWESOME)

*auto shut off automatically shuts off after 60 min.

Here is a video I made using MY Sleekr, I have added a few tips take a look!!

Now back to the give away.....Here are the 3 EASY ways to enter ( each is worth one entry)

* Follow Lillys & Lollipops blog 
* Like Lillys & lollipops on facebook
* Like Sam Villa on facebook

**BONUS ENTRY** Link this giveaway on your page and get an extra entry

Please leave a comment letting me know how you entered and your email address

 The winner will be chosen by random draw on Monday December 19

DIY Holiday decorations

Here are a few DIY Holiday decoration ideas. I hope I have time to get around to a few before Christmas is over!!

Keepsake ornaments by Kayla Aimee


Whipped Style


Fancy house road

Sunny Vanilla


Southern Lovely


Ornament Wreath