Life is a Blur...

     Friends, followers, and strangers... well, you're all pretty much strangers by now since I have been absent for some time. I'm really trying to get back into my groove of things because I miss it so much. 

What has happened since I have been away? Twins, a new home... chaos. 

I wouldn't have it any other way, though. Sure, there are some details that I would (if I could) have just skipped over and not went through at all, but those things are also what helps us to grow and change. 

      Anyways, although I haven't really been blogging or doing much writing at all for a long time, I still have been taking photographs and designing any time I get the chance. It's a power struggle, but I refuse to let life consume me and I forget my passions.

That does happen you know... sometimes we just get too busy to enjoy life. Too busy to enjoy the little things. We're always in a rush to get somewhere or to cook, clean, and then go to sleep so we can do it all over... and then we miss it. We miss life. It is right in front of us and it's beautiful. We simply don't stop, breathe, and take it all in.

That's what I love about photography. That is mostly what this blog was meant to be about... photography. It is all about capturing the moments, people, things, and places that matter most to us. It helps us to kind of freeze life for that instance, and then we can keep going back to it over and over as we look at the images. Memories unfading... especially now that we have online photo storage.

     In one of my last posts(forever ago), I told you about my twin boys. Well, they will be 2 years old soon- next month in fact- and we're super excited! They have so many things that they love, that we just aren't sure what theme to go with for their birthday this year. 

Last year we went with Minions and it was perfect! We even had a minion for a cake! Well, it was a bunch of cupcakes placed together to make a minion... but it was a hit! Check out one way to make your own minion cupcake cake here.

These are some of my ideas for their party this year. I just love these invitations, they are adorable!

Sesame Street | Elmo - Cupcake & Confetti Birthday Card

by SesameStreet

I love this Elmo themed Invitation. The boys really love Elmo right now... I think it's the sound of his voice that gets their attention. They definitely favor Elmo over the other Sesame Street puppets.

Finding Nemo Birthday Invitation

by disney

My husband and I took our boys to see an aquarium in Charlotte, NC about a month or so ago, and now they are absolutely in love with all things fish. They can't say "Fish" yet, but they are definitely working on adding that to their vocabulary. Finding Nemo and Finding Dory are big hits in our house now... not that I didn't love them before they were 'cool'.

Dino Pool Party Invitation, Pool Party Invite

by ApplePaperie

Finally, this is also a favorite. I love the vibrant colors and the theme of the dinosaurs by the pool. My kids have a summer month birthday, so having an outdoor pool party wouldn't be a terrible idea to keep people cool, all the while getting to enjoy the weather. 

This past Christmas, my sister who is in the Army (so proud of you sis and appreciate all you do for our country), sent the boys a bulk pack of toy dinosaurs. Since we have been learning the names of the dinos and learning what they eat too. They absolutely love dinosaurs now... their favorite thing to say is "RAWR!!". I guess it's a good thing I know that Rawr means "I love you" in dino.

Get out Amazon for your little one some cool Dinos 

Online Only Black Friday Specials

Black Friday is here and if you're anything like me you hate the hoards of people who fill shopping centers until there is no air just trying to get a good deal. Instead, I've been on the prowl looking for good deals online where I can save just as much without having to fight the overflow of fussy people who are already waiting in line to get into shopping centers. Check this out:

Zazzle Black Friday use coupon code:BLACKFRISALE at checkout for discount on any of the following promotions

60% off of custom posters, prints and canvases

50% off cards, invites, photocards & ornaments

30% off custom mugs & calendars

20% off custom tshirts,messenger bags,laptop bags & tote bags

$10 off custom electronics cases & sleeves

15% off of everything else!!

The best thing about Zazzle is that most products are fully customizable. You can personalize any product with your own text and images. You can also open your own store for free and make money as well as earn referrals. I did. Or if you don't wanna open a store but wanna become an affiliate of someone's work, you can earn 15% on every sale you refer. See more about being a Zazzle Affiliate here.

Please visit my shop for unique custom gifts

Oriental Trading is having some really great Black Friday deals including up to 50% on Christmas crafts and Free shipping on ALL orders with no minimum amount requirement.

Shadora is a great site that offers free shipping and has wonderful jewelry pieces for men, women and children. Right now, they are doing a jewelry Sell-off where one new piece of jewelry will be posted every half hour and Facebook fans get an exclusive look at the sale first. Be sure to become a fan to check out the deals there.

Shutterfly's Black Friday sale kicks off with up you saving up to 50% on personalized gifts.

Get 10 FREE personalized cards by using the promotional coupon code: BLACKFRIDAY offer expires 11/25

Get a FREE personalized 12-month calendar with promotional coupon code: CALENDAR2013 offer expires 11/23 at 11:59pm(PT)

Get a FREE 8x10 enlargement at Walgreens Photo  with coupon code: FREE2THANK offer expires 11/24

Get 50% off of everything with coupon code: FIFTYALL at checkout expires 11/24

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Good Finds

Little Big Planet Karting Video Game

This game just came out on November 6th of this year. Video games are normally upwards of about $60 or more for brand new games. Amazon has it for only $25.00 PLUS super saver shipping! That's a steal!

Assassin's Creed 3 PS3 500GB Bundle for $299.96

Be sure to keep checking with Amazon for good finds and upcoming Black Friday Deals!

Affordable Stocking Stuffers

If you're still struggling about stocking stuffers or need a few extra little gifts for someone... these may do the trick. You have to act fast though, many of these deals are daily deals, limited time only or first come first serve!

Shadora's Deal of the day
Buy a 12 piece semi-precious gemstone pendant set for $9.99 and get a 7-pair semi-precious gemstone earring set FREE!

Baby Einstein 9-piece bundle set
only $20 at Walmart and free store pickup

Save on LeapFrog
Buy the LeapFrog 1 from Amazon.com and get a free Gel Case (worth $9) plus 50% off of select games!

16GB Apple iPod Nano w/ Bonus Accessory Kit
Deal from Walmart for $139.00. iPod Nano comes with accessory kit worth $14.99.Choose your own color. 

Don't forget to keep an eye out at amazon for their deals because they're doing a countdown to Black Friday.