Flower Pin Giveaway WINNER!

Time to announce the winner of the Flower Pin Giveaway!

Congratulations Ashley of Jane of All Trades!

Ashely's winning entry selected by Random.org was:

Ashley said...

...and I'm a fan on facebook!

December 19, 2009 8:54 AM

Congratulations Ashley! You have until Midnight Jan 3rd to send me your address so I can mail your sassy new flower pins to you. If I don't hear from you by then another winner will be selected. Email vintagedutchgirl at gmail dot com.

Thanks everyone for entering and following, reading, subscribing and being a fan on Facebook. You guys make me smile!

A

Postpartum Tummy In A Two Piece SwimSuit...

I started my online swimsuit shopping today.

Hello motivation!

Maybe I could petition swimsuit merchandisers to photograph their products on postpartum women so I could have an accurate picture of what they would look like on REAL women's bodies. Anyone with me?

Showcasing that hidden tummy smoothing panel and unique shape effects spandex on a size two, nearly six foot tall stunning model doesn't really give a correct example of how this swimsuit will work for me.

I would almost go so far as to say it's false advertising.

Give me an average, just had a baby or two woman and do a before and after front and side shot and then MAYBE I'll consider your product.

Just sayin.

Coming soon, I'll show you some of my top swimsuit picks, but in the meantime, please share what has worked for those of you with postpartum tummies!

A

Flower Pin Giveaway Ends TONIGHT!

Hey all you Vintage Dutch Girl readers, last chance to enter to win TWO beautiful flower pins! The giveaway ends TONIGHT (12/26) at midnight...OK, really 11:59. OR 23:59 hours for those of you following military time. Whatever.

STILL, click on over to get your entries in (up to FIVE chances!) and get a shot at free flower pins. The last time I looked there were only 56 entries, so you've got a pretty good shot at some free sassification!

Find the giveaway HERE...or just scroll down a few posts. Merry Christmas everyone!

A

Merry Christmas...

A Merry Christmas to you, from our family to yours.

Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing!

A

FLOWER PIN GIVEAWAY!

Guess what? I don't have time to write a nice long, informative and sassy post today. Guess what I DO have time for?

A giveaway!!!

That's right, let's give something away, just because I love ya all and am feeling mighty festive right about now.

Just think, when I'm busy, you benefit. Doesn't get much better, does it?

Up for grabs are TWO handmade by me flower pins perfect for sassifying your wardrobe.



The teal on this 3 1/4 inch wide flower pin is STUNNING. LOVE it. Remember, teal (and all jewel tones, for that matter) are extremely popular right now. This pin would help that plain black long-sleeved t-shirt that we ALL have in our closet be trendy and fashionable.



This black and silver on black lace pin is 2 3/4 inches wide with a black pearl center. I've been wearing a similar pin on a black velvet cropped jacket that I have and am loving the extra sass it adds.

And can I just say? These pictures don't do the flower pins any justice. They are so much purtier in real life!




What!? You WANT some sass too? OK, there are handmade flower pins in my ETSY shop found HERE.

OH!? You want to enter to win a FREE set of flower pins? OK, OK, OK, here's how to enter:

1. Leave a comment telling me on what outfit/article of clothing you'd use this sassy pin, or where you would wear it.

2. Earn another entry by FOLLOWING ME via the Google Friend Connect Follow Me doodad located on the right sidebar and LEAVE ME ANOTHER COMMENT telling me you just signed up or already DO follow Vintage Dutch Girl.

3. Earn yet another entry by subscribing to the Vintage Dutch Girl blog via a reader and LEAVE ME ANOTHER COMMENT telling me you newly subscribed or already do so.

4. Earn another entry by BECOMING A FAN on the Vintage Dutch Girl Facebook Fan page found HERE...and LEAVE ME ANOTHER COMMENT telling me you became a fan or already ARE a fan.

5. STILL need some more entries? Whew...OK. Earn another entry (if you're still counting, that's up to FIVE) by blogging about, facebook posting, or tweeting about this giveaway (with links added in to spread the fun!) and LEAVE ANOTHER COMMENT telling me you did so.

(Sorry, but for shipping reasons, this contest is only open to residents of USA)

I will leave the contest open until midnight (PST), December 26th (next Saturday) at which time I will select a winner through Random.org and post the results.

* Remember!!! You do NOT have to run a blog or have a google/gmail account to enter. Just click in as anonymous and make sure you tack your first name and email on the bottom of your comment so I can contact you if you win. Enter to win and join the fun!

Alrightly folks, let's get the entry comments a goin'....

A

The Crabbiest Human In the Universe Makes a Choice...

(written Tuesday afternoon)

Today I might possibly be the crabbiest human on the face of planet earth.

OK, maybe the crabbiest human in the universe.

Yeah, that about sums it up.

So why why WHY would Bubbalu choose this day to break his own "see how many forbidden things I can get into and destroy/maim/render useless/deface/shred/combust" record?

Methinks it may have something to do with the 4:30 wake-up. He stealthily crept into our bedroom and from 3 inches away stared at my face until I startled awake.

"Mommy, I has to go potty".

On one hand, hip hip hurray to Bubbalu for staying dry all night long as a JUST turned 3 yr old. On the other hand, Bubbalu has a hard time going to the potty by himself and needs Mama (*AHEM* or PAPA...) assistance.

As a parent, some days are SO frustrating and mind-numbingly exasperating that you just HAVE to make a choice to choose joy. You can choose to completely lose it, or you can smile, laugh and go about your day.

Today, Bubbalu has been very...uh...inventive in his creativity and pursuit for knowledge and the inner workings of, well, EVERYTHING.

Near the end of this trying day, Bubbalu cajoled Lil Chick to once again climb the stairs and go and play in Mommy and Daddy's bedroom. Normally this is just fine as I have a strategically placed basket of books, dolls and cars for them to play with instead of wreaking havoc. I was downstairs in the laundry room, and having a dryer that isn't QUIET covers up the kids being TOO QUIET.

You know, the TOO QUIET that causes you to run. No, SPRINT.

I was just thinking to myself, "Hmmm, wonder what they're up to?" and heard a loud THUMP. Then a few more. THUMP thump THUMP.

What in the world are they up to!?

Raced upstairs to find that Bubbalu had located Mama's Christmas wrapping paper stash hidden under the bed...in a huge plastic under the bed type storage bin.

How how HOW he managed to pull it out (it is HEAVY - remember, I shop at Costco. Costco has AWESOME wrapping paper. True to their norm, you get a LOT of wrapping paper per roll. Each weigh a TON...and I had at least four of those in there as well as numerous other paper rolls), unlatch both handles and get the double sided lid off is a mystery to me.

Then he must have decided that since it was hidden under the bed, put away neatly and clearly MEANT for him, he started to investigate.

Really now, it wasn't that bad. From my view into our bedroom I just had to take a deep breath and just choose joy. Choose to smile and not to scream.

Then I followed a paper trail into our master bathroom.

And again had to CHOOSE JOY...after gasping out loud, of course.

Bubbalu had triple lined every square inch of the place with wrapping paper.

BRIGHT, GLASS HALF FULL SIDE:

-my previously undecorated for the holiday season bathroom is now VERY festive
-my boy understands which colors coordinate perfectly for wrapping
-my boy knows QUALITY paper...he chose the best, most expensive wrapping paper for his "decorating"
-my boy knows how to entertain his younger sibling for great lengths of time
-my Christmas wrapping paper stockpile is now so low I must replace some posthaste
-my paper recycle bin is VERY full

And that is it. No DARK, GLASS HALF EMPTY side. Why???

Because THIS Mama, despite starting the day off as the crabbiest human in the universe, is choosing JOY...

A

*** Make my day and become a fan on the Vintage Dutch Girl Facebook Fan page found HERE ***

Laundry Advice From My Forgetful Brain...

Dear Amanda,

Why why WHY do you insist on putting your good most favorite in all of our universe dark gray dress pants that you cannot replace as the store you bought them at three years ago sunk into the abyss of bankruptcy into the dryer just for a few minutes to get the wrinkles out before hanging them up to fully dry?

You KNOW you will forget to take them out and the realization that you forgot (AGAIN) will hit you in your forgetful brain when you hear the dryer buzzer go off. It mocks you, that buzzer.

You KNOW they will be just a tad too tight forcing you to do eighty million deep knee bends and squats to fit the ole' backside correctly.

But hey, at least you got a good workout in...

Love,

Your Forgetful Brain

LAST Day of the Jingle Bell Etsy Shop SALE....

Heads up, it is the LAST day of the Jingle Bell Sale over at my ETSY shop!



The Buy Two Get one Free Flower Pin Sale is ending tonight at midnight. Hurry up and get those last few presents or stocking stuffers you were looking for!



And by the way, there's something new with RUFFLES in the shop...and it's PINK...and it's PLAID...and did I mention? It has RUFFLES:



It's pretty much perfect.

A

Mama's All Access Unlimited Ride Pass on the Hormone Roller Coaster...

Lil Chick and I ended a special relationship a week ago.

She was down to one nursing session a day, the 'going to bed' feeding. The last month had been more my encouraging than her asking as I was too stubborn to have to start her on formula after making it 11 months. So I finally stopped encouraging. And that was that.

And now, Mama's going CRAZY.

I just need to know this...did anyone else feel like they were riding the hormone roller coaster after weaning? Ya know, the hormone roller coaster that doesn't feature an END to the ride? The All Access Unlimited Ride Pass that doesn't let you get OFF?

Not only do I have an All Access Unlimited Ride Pass for the hormone roller coaster (and the crazy train too, but whatever), but that pass happens to be triple laminated and hangs from a nerdy lanyard around my neck. Which means that the conductor of the hormone roller coaster won't LET ME OFF THE RIDE.

(Not that I am in general referred to as a stable person, but whatever.)

Dear readers, I need your help, your advice, your commiseration, your sympathy and some hope. Especially those of you who have never left a comment...I'd LOVE to hear from you!

Seriously. Because this Mama needs some sort of pamphlet or brochure from the World Wide Mama "We've all been there, honey" support group...

A

*** Have a question you would like to see answered? Make my day and become a fan on the Vintage Dutch Girl Facebook Fan page HERE and throw your questions at me.

The BIRTHDAY PLAN of 2009...

I've been busy up in the bonus room. Just a quick smattering of projects. I've felt super inspired (yes, AGAIN.) and ready to do some major sewing and creating. Why why WHY do I have to be all inspired on the busiest week and month of the YEAR?

OK, it may not be THAT busy for you. What's on your plate this week? Maybe an office Christmas party, online shopping for those last 3 gifts you can't find and a quick trip to the mall?

This week we have TWO birthday parties. And I'm throwing them. Yep, Bubbalu and Lil Chick both have December birthdays....4 days apart....two weeks before Christmas. In DECEMBER. FOUR days apart. TWO birthdays. TWO weeks before Christmas.

IN DECEMBER.

OK, I'm officially done whining.

Truth is, I love throwing a party. I don't like to keep it simple and blah. When things are simple and blah I feel a bit sad. I LIKE to make parties special and create something unique for them. I also want to make sure my kids don't get the "oh, your birthday is so close to Christmas let's just lump the parties together" and have their birthday overlooked altogether. Problem is, throw two parties that I'd LOVE to have fun with together in one week (*ahem* 4 days apart) and there just isn't enough time to do it all.

Unless, that is, I plan ahead and maybe even create an excel spreadsheet detailing (insert booming loudspeaker echo voice) THE BIRTHDAY PLAN of 2009 complete with scheduled crafting, cake baking, decorating and even a rest time or two thrown in to keep Mama's sanity intact.

Good thing I plan ahead.

Lil Chick turned ONE yesterday. She makes me smile. She makes other people smile. She has dimples when she smiles.

We had a lovely, yet subdued (for me) party. Stay tuned, pictures coming soon.

There will be cake, there will be a tutu, and there will be dimples...

A

Reasonable, Understanding and Rule-Following Child...

My husband and I had a great, Christmasy time wrapping all the kiddos Christmas (and birthday) presents yesterday afternoon. We listened to Christmas music and talked about how the kids would love their presents.

We had a strict talk with Bubbalu about the presents needing to stay under the tree and that they were strictly off limits.

I'm just SO glad he has recently developed into a reasonable, understanding and rule-following child:



It will be a miracle if the presents remain intact until the 25th. I'll keep you posted...

A

Letter To My Uber Cute Boots...

Dear Uber Cute New Boots In Transit,

If possible, could you please get here quicker than the stated delivery time? We are in desperate need of you. It just so happens to be the coldest day TODAY and when temps are below freezing we like to be warm...AND cute. You would certainly help to rectify this situation of uncute coldness.

Also, if you don't mind, could you please inform your prior home (store) that we need your sister that comes in the color black. Please tell them to restock your lovely sister in our size (9) so we can order her to come and live here at home too. Tell them we'd treat her nicely.

Thanks,

Amanda's Toes

NEW Christmas Flower Pins in the Shop...and There's A SALE Going On...

You need some Festive Christmas sassyness. I just KNOW it.

So, how bout these?

Festive Christmas Plaid:



Candy Cane sugary yummyness!:



OK, it's not REALLY made out of candy canes and, ya know, SUGAR. Please don't try to eat your flower pin. I'm sure it tastes horrible.

But guess what? They look super cute on a black fleece coat over a red t-shirt and white cami with jeans and cute black flats. I know this because I wore it two days in a row. AND went to the post office yesterday AND today. Forgot that I wore the SAME OUTFIT until I got home. Doh!

I'm sure the nice post office lady noticed my outfit encore. Who WOULDN'T remember that pin?

Yay for Christmas Festivity! Pins are in the shop, ready for you to purchase. OR.... if you happen to live local, they are now at Grandiflora! Go on in and take a look-see...

A

(And yes I totally realize that my posts are starting to get BORING and SIMILAR. Just finished up a huge flower pin makin' project and I'll soon get back to writing about my obsession with creamer, my precocious almost 3 yr old and sweet almost 1 yr old and my penchant for choosing to do sewing projects over housework. Thanks for reading!)

Jingle Bell Christmas Etsy Shop Sale!! Buy Two Get One Free!

The Jingle Bell Christmas sale is now on in the Vintage Dutch Girl Etsy shop found HERE.



*** Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way!!!****

Christmas sale!!! I bet you still need some stocking stuffers or a gift for your girlfriends, Grandmother, Aunt, Daughter, Mother or Sister, dontcha? How about a flower pin that is versatile and can be used year-round?



FROM NOW UNTIL DEC. 15TH ALL FLOWER PINS BUY TWO GET ONE FREE!!! JUST PURCHASE THE TWO OF YOUR CHOICE AND CONVO ME WITH YOUR THIRD CHOICE. THREE FOR THE PRICE OF TWO!

DON'T SEE THE COLOR YOU ARE LOOKING FOR? CONVO ME!
*****

Happy shopping!

A