Wee Share

The Cascading Ruffle Skirt

2012-05-29T08:40:00.000-04:00

Any of you who like to sew-- do you have a favorite material to sew with?

I do-- knit. Old knit t-shirts, to be exact! I have a craft room closet full of knit shirts Darren and I no longer wear, plus quite a few I have picked up at thrift shops. We actually have a Goodwill Outlet nearby where they sell clothing for $1.49 a POUND! I haven't found much ready-to-wear clothing there, but I have found plenty to cut up and reuse.

Lil Blue Boo offers a fantastic selection of patterns and tutorials that require knit fabric. Recently, I got to cross off one of her tutorials that has been on my to-do list for quite some time- the cascading ruffle skirt.

This skirt is one of my favorite things that I have ever made. It has lots of fun ruffles (20, to be exact) and is perfect for my fun-loving, dancing girl!

I used a mixture of knits from my stash and upcycled shirts to make the cascading ruffle skirt. The pink is some sort of knit that came in a tube. I have no idea where it came from or how I acquired it. The white fabric with clocks printed on it came from the clearance section at Joann's a little over a year ago. It was wide and I only bought half of a yard. I really wish that I had more now! The gray was an old women's tee that I picked up at the Goodwill Outlet recently.

The skirt was a bit time consuming to make. I had to cut out those 20 ruffles individually- 7 from two of the fabrics, and 6 from the other. And-- these ruffles didn't start out as strips, like most ruffles do. They started out as something that resembled a chunky letter "c" or a travel neck pillow.

However, all of the cutting and sewing was well worth it as I really do love the finished product. I see many more of these in our future this summer. I want to experiment with creating my own printed fabric using fabric paint and designs cut onto freezer paper using my Cricut. I also want to try out different things for the waistband. I am not entirely happy with the one on this skirt... but it works.

If you love to sew with knits, I would really enjoy hearing about any patterns that you use regularly. I am always looking for new knit patterns to try out!

2012 Wedding Event: Marley Lilly [Review]

2012-05-29T07:53:00.000-04:00

First and foremost... I want to let everyone know how OBSESSED I am with having things monogrammed. It must be the teacher in me... because I very rarely settle for products without a monogram on it! Second thing... I am even more obsessed with floppy hats! So, when I was browsing around for great companies to feature during the Honeymoon portion of this event... I found this really great company called Marley Lilly.

A little about Marley Lilly

Marley Lilly is your one stop shop for all monogrammed gifts! We offer personalized items like koozies, engraved jewelry and custom scarves. Thoughtful products make excellent gifts for any occasion. Marley Lilly is a great resource for wedding parties. Brides are always looking for personalized bridesmaid gifts to thank their favorite ladies. Monogrammed hats and bags are a great way to individually say thank you. Be sure to check out our preppy custom cell phone cases! We always have one of a kind clearance items at a reduced sale prices!

I could literally spend HOURS browsing around the Marley Lilly website. [And I DID spend hours browsing around the website!] Here are a few of my favorite items that I found:

Monogrammed Large Market Basket

~~Was - $35.99~~

Now on Sale - $22.99

Monogrammed 16oz Double Wall Acrylic Cup

$20.99

Monogrammed Bath Towel - 3 Colors

$25.99

Monogrammed Tan Floppy Beach Hat

$29.99

Okay, so remember how I said that I am currently obsessed with two things... monograms and floppy hats? Well - [pictured above] is my absolute FAVORITE thing on the Marley Lilly website. This hat incorporates both of my current obsessions! It is tan with black writing... which gives a very luxurious appear to this hat!

(Pictured Above - Me in my beautiful Marley Lilly hat! Doesn't it look great with the dress from AmorDress??)

One thing I love about this hat is that it gives me the perfect amount of shade and keeps my head cool at the same time! In the picture [above], I was at my little brother's golf tournament at Callaway Gardens. It gets extremely hot in south Georgia, and the high for that day was 96 degrees. I wore this hat during the entire tournament (from about 7am-4pm), and I stayed cool and shaded the entire time.

I absolutely LOVE my monogrammed floppy hat from Marley Lilly. It is super high quality and PERFECT for matching with sweet summer dresses and even lounging by the pool! I cannot wait to wear this hat on my honeymoon in Orlando, Florida. It is the perfect accessory to go with all of my beautiful summer dresses!

Head on over to Marley Lilly NOW and check out all of their beautiful products. Not obsessed with floppy hats [like me]? There are SO many wonderful monogrammed items to choose from besides floppy hats - you will not be disappointed!

Get Connected!

Check out the Marley Lilly Website!

Follow Marley Lilly on Twitter!

Like Marley Lilly on Facebook!

Stay tuned on the week of August 5th for my after-honeymoon post! I will be posting photos of our experience and our adventures. You will have the opportunity to see all of the honeymoon clothes and accessories in-action!

Do you have a great product that would be perfect for a Wedding Theme? Send me an email inquiring about hosting a product review/giveaway at Wee Share!

Email me at weeshareblog2@gmail.com

Announcing -- The Kitchen Event at Wee Share!

2012-05-29T06:23:00.000-04:00

I am excited to announce that June 3rd - June 9th Wee Share will be hosting a Kitchen Event!

At Wee Share, we all agree that the kitchen is the most used room in our home! Whether we are enjoying quality time with our little ones or trying to keep clean and organized... we're in there A LOT!

We are excited to share some great tools and gadgets to make your kitchen experience even better-- inventive new cookware, colorful kitchen tools, storage containers and PLENTY of other great products!

So mark your calendars 6/3- 6/9 because there will be new reviews and giveaways posted daily that you don't want to miss!

Miche Bag {Review + Giveaway!}

2012-05-28T08:36:00.000-04:00

Do you love handbags? I do! I love being able to dress up an outfit with a fun pop of color or go sophisticated with a sleek black bag. I am definitely an accessories girl and love staying in the know of what's new and unique. That's what brings me to Miche Bag. With Miche (Mee-Chee) bags you simply choose your base bag, which opens you up to dozens of stylish shells. Miche Bag even offers great work at home opportunities!

Miche Bag all started with a spill. Frustrated by the thought of hunting for a replacement then transferring all the contents, she wished there was a way to just change the outside of the bag. The idea immediately popped into her mind to create a bag with magnetic interchangeable covers. Miche has experienced tremendous growth and continues to release new shells each month.

I was fortunate enough to choose a base bag and two shells to review. I chose the Prima base bag with the Parker and Lucy Shells. The Prima base bag is definitely roomy, which is perfect for me! With two little ones my purse has just about anything you could need in it!

The shells are super simple to change, it literally takes 5 seconds! Rather than using a snap or zipper, the magnetic top of the shell also serves as the closure of the purse. LOVE that! You can find an umbrella, book, diaper clutch, phone, hairbrush, lotion and plenty of other things in my purse, yet it still closes comfortably and stays closed with the magnetic closure!

Do you love these bags as much as I do? It's your lucky day! Miche Bags has offered to host a giveaway for a Prima base bag with the Rosalyn and Leah shells!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

LeapFrog Summer Camp Program

2012-05-27T18:26:00.001-04:00

We all know that summer is a great time for kids to play and enjoy a much needed break from school. However, we also know that just because school is out - it does not mean that our kids should stop learning! So, today I am here to tell y'all about a great summer program to keep kids learning while having fun - powered by Leapfrog!!!

LeapFrog, the leader in educational entertainment, is offering a way to help kids continue to build learning skills this summer through the LeapFrog Summer Camp, an 8 week free online program that offers engaging weekly themes and exciting learning activities and printables that explore geography, writing, science, art and more.

Here are two examples of the topics that will be covered in the LeapFrog Summer Camp program. This is just a sneak peak... there are a LOT more absolutely exciting topics that your children will be able to learn from WHILE having a ton of fun!

Theme 1: Out & About

Teaching children about people, places and the wider world helps them understand the way they fit in as a global citizen.

Theme 2: Caring for Animals

Experience animals in new ways and explore themes of responsibility and compassion with your camper this week!

Here are a few examples of the LeapFrog printables that are used in this program:

Aren't those printables so great? The thing I love about LeapFrog is how dedicated they are to making learning fun! I am a future K-5 educator, so I understand the value of making sure kids are learning in the midst of play.

LeapFrog has partnered with Shutterfly to help turn your Summer Camp memories into a lasting keepsake through the LeapFrog Summer Camp Photo Book Sweepstakes!

Enter for your chance to win a $500 LeapFrog Prize Pack!!
Simply create a Shutterfly photo book with pictures of your child completing a Summer Camp activity and enter to win one of three $500 LeapFrog prize packs! Parents can start creating their photo book as early as the first day of camp. Photo book submission period is from July 27-August 10.

I was sent an example of the Shutterfly photo book and it is SO neat. Not only will creating the book enter you for a chance to win a $500 LeapFrog prize pack... but it is also great way to keep a hard copy of all the fun things your children will learn during the program!

Additional ways to win prizes through the LeapFrog Summer Camp:
There are more ways to win prizes and that’s through the Summer Camp Weekly Contest. Each week, parents can submit up to three photos of their child completing a summer camp activity for a chance to win a LeapFrog prize pack worth $50 through the Facebook Summer Camp page.

https://www.facebook.com/LeapFrog

LeapFrog Summer Camp Program Details:
Dates: June 4-July 28
Age Range: 4-7 years old
Description: LeapFrog Summer Camp is a free 8-week online program designed to keep learning fun all summer long through engaging weekly themes and exciting free learning activities that explore geography, writing, science, art and more.

Head on over to the link [below] and sign up for LeapFrog Summer Camp today!!

http://www.leapfrog.com/en/leapfrog_parents/summer/sign_up.html

2012 Wedding Event: Amor Dress [Review & Giveaway]

2012-05-26T21:20:00.000-04:00

Throughout this entire wedding planning process so far, I have been absolutely OVERWHELMED at how many different things I have to think about. It has all been so much fun - but overwhelming. I think my FAVORITE part of this whole process has been planning our honeymoon.

Kevin and I were SO blessed to receive a WEEK vacation in Orlando as a wedding gift from my Aunt and her family! We are so excited! So, now I am on the HUNT for stylish and fun products to bring on my honeymoon.

When I dress up, I like to be comfortable and classy. I love beautiful sundresses and gorgeous cocktail dresses. My love for these types of clothes led me to work with an amazing Etsy shop: AmorDress. Here is a little information about this Etsy shop:

Hello everyone, we are so happy to be here and see you are here! We love to design cloth which is vintage inspired, lovely, styled and comfy to wear. We are also falling deeply in love with lace, all kind of lace as lace is something represent feminine well. We pick all good quality material as fabric, button and other with love and care to ensure that the final product will be the best piece for you and you love them! Anything we can help, please convo us. We are happy to help.

AmorDress is an Etsy shop that sells a huge variety of absolutely stunning dresses! My words alone will not do this shop justice. So, I am going to share with you a few of the absolutely gorgeous dresses from AmorDress:

Amor Vintage Inspired-
The sTriPe- Strapless Cocktail Cotton Dress in black and white Shade
-XS-S-
$35.00

NEW For Bright SUMMER

-Amor Vintage Inspired-

Once Upon A Time- The Polka Dot -

Bella Grape Purple Cotton Dress for Any Occasion

$55.00

Amor Vintage Inspired-

My Vintage Summer-

Sweet Vintage Style Pale Pink Flower Filigree Lace Tu nic

$45.00

I had the amazing opportunity to review the Sweet Vintage Style Pale Pink Flower Filigree Lace Tunic dress [pictured above]. I have worn it twice since I received it, and I am in love! This dress fits perfectly! It is not too tight, and not too big. The fabric is high quality, and is SO soft!

When I first requested this dress for a product review, I was a little skeptical about the "tunic" length. However, this tunic is long enough to be worn as a dress... but short enough to look GREAT with leggings or tights. Do you know what this means? This dress is perfect for winter AND summer!!

Another reason I am in love with this dress is because of how stylish it is. It has a vintage... yet modern look. I can wear just about any accessory and it matches perfectly! As you can see, I added a floppy hat by Marley Lilly to this outfit and it made a perfect outdoor summer ensemble.

When I wore the outfit in the picture [above], I was at Callaway Gardens for my little brother's US Kid's Golf qualifier. Now, I don't know if any of you live in or around south Georgia... but it is HOT. In this picture, it was 96 degrees outside. Let me tell you - this dress kept me SO cool for the entire 18 holes of golf. It was a stylish and cool outfit for such a hot day!

Before I end this review... I have one more dress to share with you.

NEW--Amor Vintage Inspired-
Vintage Retro-
White Pink Heart Vintage Cotton Dress Party or Everyday Dress 35" length
$42.00

Do you LOVE AmorDress? Have you fallen in love with the White Pink Heart Vintage Cotton Dress [pictured above] like I have? Well... you're in luck!

AmorDress has agreed to send one very lucky winner the BEAUTIFUL White Pink Heart Vintage Cotton Dress!! Thank you AmorDress!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Do you have a great product that would be perfect for a Wedding Theme? Send me an email inquiring about hosting a product review/giveaway at Wee Share!

Email me at weeshareblog2@gmail.com

Photography Event Review & Giveaway- HighKey Camera Straps

2012-05-25T08:03:00.000-04:00

When we take pictures, every memory that we capture represents our personal style as a photographer. However, does the camera that we are using the take those photographs reflect that style as well?

It is time to liven up that camera and make it just as unique as you are. I would like to welcome HighKey Camera Straps and their amazing camera wardrobe. Founded in early 2009, HighKey Camera Straps is based right here in the US. Each and every one of their straps is manufactured here as well.

HighKey Camera Straps got started when a group of photography students realized that each and every time they went out with their cameras, they were offering free advertising for major camera brands through the straps they were using. Instead of continuing to do this, they began designing custom camera straps that matched each of their unique styles.

That is the beauty of HighKey Camera Straps. You can custom design a camera strap to fit exactly who you are. If you can dream it up, then they can turn it into a strap! At HighKey, you are free to design a camera strap all on your own from start to finish or commission them to design the perfect strap just for you. I don't know of anyone else who offers this unique service.

Of course, HighKey Camera Straps offers amazing straps that they have designed as well. Recently, I had the opportunity to check out one of these straps. I chose the London Underground Camera Strap. This incredible strap features a map of various London subway routes as well as a list of the Tube stations.

I chose this strap to represent my love of travel. There are times when I think that it would be fun to be nomadic and just travel the world with my family. But, alas, having a home to come back to is actually quite a nice thing.

I am smitten with my London Underground Camera Strap. It's even more stunning in person. The design is printed in a unique way that is guaranteed never to flake or fade. This means that I will be able to enjoy my awesome camera strap for a very long time!

The underside is lined with a soft, non-slip rubber, meaning that it doesn't slide off my shoulder and stays in place when worn around my neck. It is comfortable as well. The material doesn't feel itchy or irritating, which is a welcome change from the strap that came with my camera!

In addition to the London Underground, HighKey has a nice selection of other straps to choose from as well:

See that orange strap pictured above? That is the Urban Explorer Orange, one of the most popular straps at HighKey Camera Straps. Thanks to this wonderful company, one of you is going to WIN this lovely camera strap!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

2012 Wedding Event: Rustic Card Box Tutorial

2012-05-24T16:53:00.000-04:00

Today I spent *all day* working on the card box for my wedding!!! I have seen so many cute ones on Pinterest... and to be honest, this design is totally inspired by pinterest... BUT I put my own "rustic" spin on it. Now that it's done... and I love it... I'm going to share how I made it! :)

Materials:

Rustic Box - My mom got this box from the beloved Hobby Lobby
(2) Two-inch strips of Burlap
One strip of Tulle
Hammer
Two Nails
Hot Glue Gun
Cricut
"Mini Monograms"
Scrapbook paper of choice
(4) large grey metallic beads
(1) sewing needle
(1) small hole punch

To create the burlap flowers, I went to the blog, Restore Interiors. I found this tutorial on Pinterest and it turned out SO cute! So, since this is not my tutorial... please head on over to Restore Interiors for this portion of the box. :)

(Close up of the flower)

After I finished making both flowers, equal in size, I nailed them onto the top corners of the box top. Then I went over to my Cricut to cut out the letters.

I got my paper from Archivers (I love that store... SO much!). Here are the dimensions that I cut the letters out with. Each circle consists of: One letter, One circle, and One shadow circle. I glued them all together.

Cut Dimensions:

Single Letters: 4 1/2 inches
Circle Backgrounds: 4 1/2 inches
Shadow backgrounds: 4 3/4 inches ** with SHADOW turned on! **

After I cut out the letters and glued them together, I took a hole punch and punched holes in the corners of the letters.

Then, I threaded my tulle on a needle (IT IS MUCH HARDER THAN IT SEEMS), and threaded the letters & gray beads onto the tulle; leaving about 1 foot on each side of the beginning & final letters.

Then, I took the tulle and wrapped it around the burlap flower. I did NOT firmly secure the tulle onto the flower because I need to be able to take the banner off of the box when transporting it.

Here are some close up pictures of the final product:

Isn't it cute?! I am super excited about it! I cannot WAIT to show all of y'all pictures of the box in-action at the wedding! Stay tuned!! :)

Oh yes, and THANK YOU Pinterest... for your inspiration! :)

Do you have a great product that would be perfect for a Wedding Theme? Send me an email inquiring about hosting a product review/giveaway at Wee Share!

Email me at weeshareblog2@gmail.com

2012 Wedding Event: GreenPartyGoods [Review]

2012-05-24T08:53:00.000-04:00

Okay everyone, so I am excited about this review because not ONLY is it a review of a really great company... but it is also a tutorial AND an official wedding update post!

When my family and I set out to begin planning this wedding, we had many things on our minds. First of all, we wanted to make sure that if and when we are using disposable items, that they are planet-friendly. Second of all, we want our displays to be absolutely adorable. With GreenPartyGoods, we got it all!

GreenPartyGoods is your one-stop shop for all planet-friendly celebration items. They offer a wide range of products - at great prices! Sometimes party-supply stores have... well.. "cheesy" products. This is not the case at GreenPartyGoods! They are at the cutting edge of the market, having the most modern - Eco-friendly - products out there! Here is my favorite example of the modern party-supplies that GreenPartyGoods offers:

Paper Straws with Grey Stripes

$12.97 for a pack of 144 straws

Now, be honest, who WOULDN'T want these precious straws at a celebration??

For my review, I had the opportunity to build, decorate, and use an amazing, 5-tier cupcake stand! Now, as many of you readers already know, we have a gigantic burlap cupcake stand already. However - the stand from GreenPartyGoods has an entirely different purpose with a modern twist - it is now our 5-tier CAKE BALL stand!

Why is it beneficial to purchase your Cupcake Stand from GreenPartyGoods?

Cupcakes are economical, convenient, creative, and clearly the hip alternative to the wedding cake. The challenge lies in how to display them dramatically, giving them the presence of a traditional wedding cake - making them the focal point of the table. With the Eco-Cupcake Stand, we have produced a reusable (double sided polished wipeable surface), recyclable cupcake tower made of White, recycled sturdy corrugated cardboard. It is lightweight, easy to assemble and store. We all know that the cupcake is basically an icing delivery vehicle and the Eco-Cupcake Stand was designed to allow ample space between each tier (4 inches) for frosting and a cupcake topper.

The Eco-Cupcake Stands is a perfect design platform to extend the theme of any wedding or other celebration. A bride or hostess can express themselves with their personal touch, and palette, enhancing the theme of their occasion. The Eco-Cupcake Stands, including the space under them, can display up to 125 standard cupcakes. For really large events, people replenish as needed.

5 tiers / 20 inches tall

GreenPartyGoods 5-Tier Cupcake Stand Tutorial

I thought that a great way to show you how wonderful the cupcake stand from GreenPartyGoods is would be to give you a step-by-step tutorial on how my family and I decorated the stand!

When we first took the stand out of the box, we were amazed at how incredibly light it was! However, we learned VERY quickly the reasons for making the stand so light. You see, when you order a cupcake stand from GreenPartyGoods, you are buying a product that gives you complete creative freedom to decorate it to fit your event. This is why it is made to be so lightweight. By the time that the stand was decorated, it was much heavier than when we first took it out of the box.

So, here [pictured above] is what the cake stand looks like when it is taken out of the box. It is plain white, and nice and tall. Let me tell you - the height of this stand is PERFECT. It is tall enough to look gorgeous as a table decoration... but short enough that your guests will be able to reach even the tallest tier.

My family and I searched for a long time for the perfect ribbon to add to this stand. Since my wedding is a DIY event.... we were making sure it matched perfectly to the rest of our decorations. We found two types of ribbon (from the wonderful Hobby Lobby) that we alternated on the various tiers.

Materials:
1 GreenPartyGoods 5-tier Cupcake Stand
7-10 yards of ribbon total (We got 5 yards of each type of ribbon... we went with 10 yards to be safe and had a little extra)
Hot Glue
White Tape

The first thing we did was heated up our hot glue gun and put the stand on a table that allowed us to rotate it. We then began by hot gluing the ribbon to the raw edge of the stand.

We repeated this around the stand, alternating what type of ribbon we used on each tier.

Isn't that ribbon SO cute? After we finished attaching the ribbon on the various tiers of the cupcake stand, we added white tape to all the remaining raw edges. You might be wondering... WHY would you add TAPE? Well, this is the beauty about the GreenPartyGoods cupcake stand - you can dress it up however much you want depending on the event you are hosting. For our event, we wanted simple, modern elegance. We also did not want TOO much ribbon and decoration - because the cake balls will be adding so much to the final product.

[Drum roll please...] Here is the finished product!!

We added some pretty flowers to the top of the Cupcake stand to give it an added touch. What do y'all think??

The best part about this project is that once you find the perfect decorating tools.. it is very quick to finish! It took us about an hour to get all of the decorations added to this beautiful stand.

I am so excited about using this beautiful cupcake stand for my cake balls in my wedding! I think it is going to add the PERFECT amount of elegance and flair to my event.

Are you having an event that you need a beautiful Cupcake stand for??

Get Connected!

Head on over to the GreenPartyGoods website and check out all of their wonderful products

Check out GreenPartyGoods' 5-tier cupcake stand and purchase it for your next event!

Like GreenPartyGoods on Facebook!

Check out GreenPartyGoods' Pinterest page!

Do you have a great product that would be perfect for a Wedding Theme? Send me an email inquiring about hosting a product review/giveaway at Wee Share!

Email me at weeshareblog2@gmail.com

Making Family Memories at Sporting Events

2012-05-24T08:49:00.005-04:00

One of my favorite things to do is spend time with those that I love. I enjoy spending time at home together, playing board games, spending time in the yard, and watching movies together. However, what I enjoy the most is going off with my family for fun adventures away from home.

Whether you are a Utah family or located elsewhere in the US, I am certain that there are many opportunities to enjoy within very close proximity to your home. Though there are many, many things that my family enjoys doing, one thing that we love to do the very most is attend sporting events.

Before we became parents, we always enjoyed checking out the local teams in our area. Living near a large metropolitan city, we had access to professional hockey, baseball, basketball, football, and soccer teams. Plus, there were several womens teams and minor league teams as well. Not to mention all of the collegiate teams-- it was a true sporting events paradise!

The area we live in now is home to two major teams-- the Charleston Riverdogs (a minor league affiliate of the NY Yankees) and the South Carolina Stingrays (a hockey team in the ECHL). There are also a few smaller colleges and universities with teams as well. This is a far cry from the plethora of professional sports action that we used to have access to.

However, I have to say that I actually prefer the minor league type teams to professional ones, anyhow. There are several reasons for this:

Ticket Price: Have you checked out tickets prices for many professional sporting events lately? Wow! Considering Raileigh needs a ticket as well, the ticket prices are often a bit out of our price range. Who am I kidding-- if it was just Darren and I, they most likely would still be too expensive! The price to see a minor league baseball team or ECHL Hockey Team is far less-- often less than half of what you would spend to see a professional team play.

Concessions Prices: Not only are tickets less expensive, concessions often cost less, too. Check your local minor league team's calendar. They will often run specials such as an all-you-can-eat night or $1 drinks night. Even if there is not a promotion going on, I have found that most concessions are just cheaper in general.

Close Proximity to the Action: Stadiums and areas for minor league teams are smaller than those for professional teams. This puts you closer to the action, providing a more intimate experience for you and your family. In a professional stadium, the cheapest tickets are in the nosebleed section. From here, you have to watch the jumbotron because you're just too far away to actually see the action.

Easier Access to the Players: One neat thing for children is having the opportunity to shake hands with a player or get an autograph. At professional sporting events, there just isn't a good chance of this happening. However, I have seen many minor league baseball players chatting with kids before the game, at the bottom of the stands. At ECHL hockey games, I have noticed that they often hold autograph sessions after the game. I think these things are great because it lets children see the players they are watching up close and personal.

There are many other reasons that I prefer minor league type teams to professional ones, but these are the main ones. Our ECHL hockey team's season ended recently, but the Charleston Riverdogs just recently kicked off their season. I cannot wait to get out to some games and enjoy family nights at the ballpark.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post for Deseret News, however, all the points and views are my own.

Vet Depot - K9 Advantix [Review]

2012-05-23T08:31:00.003-04:00

For as long as I can remember, I have been obsessed with animals. Last summer, we had to put my cat, Gracie, down. It was probably the most devastating time of my life so far. To all of you who love animals like I do, when you and your animals "connect" - they become part of the family. Gracie was like my child. Gracie had kidney failure, and there was nothing that we could have done about it. However, our vet bills were OUTRAGEOUS. Although I am completely supportive about paying the doctor for her services... the prices on the medicine was a little too much for me.

Since we learned first hand how expensive pet medication is, we have been searching for the best prices to buy products to keep our other animals healthy. We found that place - at VetDepot.

VetDepot is an online, wholesale pet medication service that delivers your animal's medicine right to your door. VetDepot carries a wide variety of animal products for dogs, cats, birds, fish, and small pets.

One thing that we do in our family to help prevent disease to our animals (and to maintain the cleanliness of our house) is to always make sure they are up to date on their flea and tick medication. [Pictured below] is myself and my dog skip (no pun intended for all of you who know of the movie). Skip is a Border Collie mix. He loves us and will do anything to protect us. So, we want to make sure we are protecting him, too.

(Isn't he just so handsome?!)

One thing that is tough about always keeping flea and tick medication on Skip is the price of purchasing it. However, Vet Depot offers great [wholesale] prices on the top name brand flea and tick medications.

What is K9 Advantix II?

K9 Advantix II is a topical flea and tick control medication for dogs and puppies 7 weeks and older. K9 Advantix pet meds kill 98-100% of fleas within 12 hours of application and prevent future infestations for up to 4 weeks. Advantix flea is effective against ticks, mosquitos, biting flies, and lice too. K9 Advantix II is sold in 4, 6, and 12 month packs for dogs up to 10 lbs, 11-20 lbs, 21-55 lbs, and over 55 lbs. K9 Advantix II provides comprehensive protection for dogs against five threats: fleas, ticks, biting flies, mosquitoes, and chewing lice.

Benefits of K9 Advantix II:

Helps prevent Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other diseases by repelling and killing ticks
Effectively repels and kills fleas in all stages of life
Protects your home from infestations of fleas from treated dogs
Rapidly kills fleas within 12 hours and provides continuous protection for up to one month
Repels and kills mosquitoes on dogs for four weeks
Reduces the incidence of flea allergy dermatitis in sensitive dogs
Kills larval flea stages in the home following contact with a treated dog Waterproof, remains effective following swimming and shampooing
Provides 5-way protection against fleas, ticks, biting flies, chewing lice, and mosquitoes

Why should you order your K9 Advantix II from VetDepot??

K9 Advantix II - 4 pack

Retail: $50.99

VetDepot: $43.87

Wow!

Let me just tell you - my family and I were SO excited when we had the opportunity to work with VetDepot in reviewing K9 Advantix II. Although none of our animals "enjoy" having us put on their flea and tick medications... Skip takes it like a champ and is always SO happy when he is flea, tick, mosquito, fly, and lice FREE! (And so are we!)

Get Connected!

Check out the K9 Advantix II products on the VetDepot website!

"Like" VetDepot on Facebook

"Follow" VetDepot on Twitter

Disclosure: I received a product as part of a campaign with Living Your Moment in order to write my review. All opinions are mine and mine alone. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC 16 CFR Part 255 concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising.

Photography Event- Mamarazzi: Every Mom's Guide to Photographing Kids {Review + Giveaway}

2012-05-23T07:01:00.000-04:00

Like many mothers, the subject that I photograph most is my own child. Since Raileigh was born, I have gotten a picture of her almost every single day of her life. Sometimes, I will look back through my memory card and have an incredibly difficult time choosing which photographs I want to print and share-- there are just too many good ones to choose from!

Then, there are those days when there is not one. single. photograph worth keeping. Those days just stink, and quite honestly I would like to experience far less of them! Okay... none would be nice!

That is where Mamarazzi: Every Mom's Guide to Photographing Kids comes in. Professional photographer and fellow mom Stacy Wasmuth shares all of her tips and techniques to take stunning photographs of children. You can learn how to photograph children with the style, clarity, color, and beauty you see in professional photographs!

This fun guide combines humor with solid know-how to show you how to compose shots, handle cameras from basic compacts to advanced dSLRs, take portraits or candids, create prints that impress, and even work with kids! Packed with beautiful examples and written in a down-to-earth style from one mom to another, this book will help mamarazzis everywhere take better photos.

Techniques for capturing genuine expressions instead of staged smiles
Tips for photographing every age from toddlers to teens
Photography basics including composition, lighting, exposure, focus, and white balance
Camera settings and lenses, plus techniques to use with any type of camera
Why the experience matters more than the perfect shot
Creating effects with different lighting techniques
How to pick ideal locations for taking pictures
Simple editing tips to make photos even better

Oh my goodness-- I picked up so many things from Mamarazzi. I could probably write an entire other book about all the things I took away from it. The chapter that I gained the most from was the one on lighting.

As a photographer, the thing that I struggle most with is lighting. The house we live in now has the worst lighting of any house that we have lived in hands down. There is one lovely tree outside our house and I use it to photograph virtually everything. Raileigh calls it "our tree" and knows if we are taking pictures, then it is most likely where we are headed. Inside the house it pretty much a no-go. There is almost no natural lighting anywhere.

However, Mamarazzi gave me a lot of new ideas on how to find and use light to my advantage. I have this incredibly long list of places I want to go now just to experiment with the lighting!

Another thing that I gained a list of is various shots that I want to try. All throughout the book, there is a plethora of lovely pictures of children. The author gave a lot of tips and techniques on how to recreate the shots with your own children. I honestly cannot wait to try my hand at several of these.

The most valuable thing that I am walking away from Mamarazzi with is a new perspective. Instead of the usual pose and location that I use, I now have a new arsenal of ideas and methods to try out. I cannot wait to see the change in the my photographs as a result of the things that I have learned in Mamarazzi: Every Mom's Guide to Photographing Kids.

Thanks to Wiley Publishers, one lucky reader is going to win their very own copy of Mamarazzi.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Burn Notice Season 5 + White Collar Season 3 Release on DVD June 5th {With Giveaway}

2012-05-22T21:31:00.000-04:00

June 5th is going to be an incredibly exciting day. The latest season of TWO of my very favorite shows will be released to DVD. Burn Notice Season 5 and White Collar Season 3 are going to heat up the screen like no season before.

The suspense, betrayal and intense action make Season 5 of Burn Notice a must-see! Master-spy Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donovan) has just rejoined the CIA as consultant but after being framed for the murder of a close friend, partners with Kim Pearce (Lauren Stamile) to clear his name. After increasingly dangerous and criminal missions, Michael comes face to face with the man who burned him and the one closest to him who knew about it all along.

The Season 5 DVD is loaded with exclusive content including an extended episode, deleted scenes, a gag reel and a thrilling featurette on the villains of Burn Notice. Fans will celebrate the best of the “worst,” by exploring the Burn Notice bad guys and get unique insights from the actors who play them along with a snarky rebuttal on their deeds from Burn Notice star, Bruce Campbell!

White Collar focuses on the unlikely partnership between charming con artist Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomer) and straightman FBI agent Peter Burke (Tim DeKay). Caffrey provides his expertise to help Burke catch other elusive criminals in exchange for his freedom, and together they prove that in order to solve the hardest crimes, you must hire the smartest criminal.

The Season 3 DVD features never-before-seen bonus footage including deleted scenes, a gag reel, commentary on “Judgment Day,” a White Collar trivia challenge for fans and a hilarious intervention caught on tape by the cast and crew with showrunner Jeff Eastin who’s overzealous tweeting gets out of hand!

While we anxiously await these incredibly amazing releases, I want to look back at the past work from one of my favorite Burn Notice stars, Bruce Campbell. You probably know him better as Sam Axe.

The Evil Dead (1981)
Bruce Campbell starred in The Evil Dead very early on in his acting career. Campbell played the lead role of Ash, one of five teenage friends who traveled to the woods, and unknowingly released a hoard of flesh eating monsters upon the community. The film received mixed reviews upon its release, but later became a camp classic, due in part to its over the top gore and violence.

Maniac Cop (1988)

1988 boosted Bruce’s cult status once again as he scored another starring role, this time portraying young cop Jack Forrest. The film follows Jack’s story as he is falsely accused of murdering innocent people and sets out to try to find the true Maniac Cop before he strikes again. The film later spawned two sequels, despite the fact that it was panned by critics at the time of its release.

Crimewave (1985)

Crimewave is a 1985 slapstick crime comedy, in which Campbell plays Renaldo "The Heel", a man trying to purchase the Trend-Odegard Security company. The film’s plot revolves around a pair of cartoon-like killers who are hired to kill Odegard to stop him from selling the company to Renaldo. Due to their garish nature, the pair’s crimes pan
out in a hilarious fashion, making this weird crime comedy a big hit with fans of cult films.

Escape from L.A. (1996)

John Carpenter’s Escape from L.A. was released in 1996 to mixed reviews. Campbell plays a smaller role in this film, the Surgeon General of Beverly Hills, but that doesn’t mean that he went unnoticed by fans of his campy, cult classics! Escape from L.A. takes place in 2013, when earthquakes have turned L.A. into an island of the damned, and something has gone wrong within America’s new moral order, as the President's daughter has stolen a doomsday device and fled to L.A., leaving it up to one man to find the President's daughter and retrieve the device before its too late.

Bubba Ho-Tep (2002)

Bubba Ho-tep is a 2002 comedy horror film starring Campbell as Elvis Presley — now a resident in a nursing home. In the film, Elvis’ only friend is an African American man who claims to be JFK. Eventually, the two must fight for the souls of their fellow residents as they battle an ancient Egyptian Mummy. The film received generally positive reviews, and fans loved it for its absurdly entertaining story line.

Now-- on to the REALLY exciting news. Two very lucky winners will take home a copy of both of these amazing shows on DVD!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Photography Event Review & Giveaway- Think Tank Photo Camera Bags

2012-05-22T08:12:00.000-04:00

I have a big confession to make to all of you.

I got my first DSLR camera a little over two years ago. My husband purchased a Nikon D3000 for me. It came with a standard 18mm- 55mm lens. However, he also got an extra zoom lens for me, that went up to 200mm. Do you want to know how I carried all of my lovely, fancy equipment around with me?

A purse. That's right- a purse. I was on what seemed like the never-ending search for a camera bag that could both hold all of my equipment and function well, too. I had such a hard time finding exactly what I wanted that I resorted to using a very, very well-padded purse that I already owned.

I knew something had to change when the zipper on this purse broke. Really, it should have been replaced a very long time ago, but we'll just skip over that for today. Instead, let me introduce you to Think Tank Photo.

Think Tank Photo is an absolutely amazing company that sells some of the most innovative camera bags around. They are a group of professional photographers and designers. Together, they combine to know exactly what photographers want and need and create designs to make that happen.

The focus at Think Tank Photo is on speed and accessibility-- two things that all photographers hold to a high degree. They prepare photographers to be ready "before the moment", so that we are always ready to document those precious, once-in-a-lifetime moments.

Recently, I had the opportunity to throw my old, broken never-should-have-been-a-camera-bag purse away and replace it with the Speed Freak V2.0 Camera Bag from Think Tank Photo. From the moment that this bag arrived on my doorstep, I knew there would be no turning back. I was smitten and quite pleased that my equipment would be protected better than ever before.

The main compartment of the Speed Freak V2.0 has room for a standard size DSLR with 2 to 3 lenses or accessories. It opens wide and the lid folds away from the body, making it easy to access each and every piece of your equipment. However, there is also a zipper across the top of the bag that allows quick access to a lens or other equipment without having to open up the entire main compartment.

The bag is made to accommodate a variety of brands of both camera bodies and lenses. There are velcro dividers within the main compartment that can be moved around and adjusted to fit your exact camera and lenses perfectly. For example, the bag above has all of the following inside: Canon 5D with 24–70 f2.8 attached (hood reversed), 70–200 f2.8 detached and 580 EX II Speedlite underneath right side of camera. That is A LOT of equipment right at your fingertips!

One of my favorite features of this bag is the vast amount of extra storage spaces that it has.

A clear accessory pocket, located underneath the lid, holds small accessories like extra pens, a small multi-tool or a tube of sunscreen.

A flat pocket, for lens caps or filters, is inside the main compartment, toward the front of the bag. This is where I like to store my extra lens filter for my Nikon lens when not in use.

Front organizer pocket keeps important accessories easily accessible. Handy features such as dedicated pen pockets and a built-in lanyard for securing keys or a memory card wallet are standard with each Speed Convertible bag.

A bellowed pocket is at the very front of the bag for carrying certain items, like a smart phone, separately from other gear.

A wide pocket on the back side of the Speed Convertible bags can keep a notepad and pen in easy reach to jot down notes during a shoot.

Stretchable side pockets with reinforced bases are on either side of the bag. These can be used to carry miscellaneous items like gloves and a hand-held radio.

Now, let me highlight what is probably the biggest selling point of the Speed Freak V2.0-- it is convertible. This bag can actually be worn as a shoulder bag or a belt pack, thank to the Think Tank convertible system. Plus, it features a top carrying handle for quickly grabbing the bag when you need to go.

The bag easily converts back and forth between a shoulder bag and a belt pack. The integrated waist belt actually disappears into zipper pockets when not in use, which eliminates bulk when the bag is used as a shoulder bag. However, what I and most photographers have found to be the most useful is to actually use the belt and shoulder harness together! Using the integrated belt with the shoulder strap helps balance weight distribution between the waist and shoulder. Photographers can carry more gear, more easily and with less discomfort, by carrying the bag in this mode.

I want to show you just how easy it is to switch between the belt and shoulder strap, or to employ both together. I invite you to watch this short video and see for yourself the ease of use.

.

The bag also comes with a seam-sealed rain cover that is attached to the bag. As a photographer, the first thing that I do when I feel a few drops of rain is grab my equipment and quickly get it covered. With the Speed Freak V2.0, the rain cover is always right at hand, making it easy to keep your equipment safe. While the fabric on all Think Tank Photo products are coated for resistance to liquids, the included rain cover provides the initial layer of protection, keeping water from seeping in through zippers or fabric seams.

I really could go on and on about this remarkable camera bag. However, I think it is evident by now that this is one remarkable, easy-to-use bag. If you are a professional photographer or just a hobby photographer like me, I think you can benefit from all that the Speed Freak V2.0 has to offer.

Today I am really excited because Think Tank Photo is hosting a giveaway here at Wee Share! One lucky winner is going to receive a Sling-O-Matic 10! This revolutionary bag is the first of it's kind in the industry. Let me highlight a few of its' features:

Sling-O-Matic can switch back and forth “automatically” to carry over either shoulder
Gear access always stays on top when Sling-O-Matic is in front
Carries a DSLR and a 70-200 f2.8 attached, with the lens hood in position
Discreetly stylized to avoid obviously appearing like a camera bag
Up to a medium sized tripod can be carried on one side using the included tripod straps
Large handles on three sides help to swing the bag around or just carry it in hand
Wide zippered pockets on front, back, and side for carrying a newspaper, airline boarding passes, or other items
Attach the included "chest strap" for additional stability while walking around
A selection of padded dividers are included to partition the Sling-O-Matic's interior for different types of gear
A seam-sealed rain cover is included for protecting the Sling-O-Matic and its contents from heavy rain, dust or snow
Retail Price: $137.75

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See Kai Run {Review + Giveaway!}

2012-05-22T07:08:00.000-04:00

I have the most difficult time finding shoes for my oldest daughter Marlee. She turned 3 last October and is very, very picky about what goes on her feet. She has about 15 different pairs of shoes, but only a couple that she will wear. The problem is comfort! She is quite the girly-girl, so she wants the cute shoes, but ends up never wearing them because they hurt her feet. That is what leads us to See Kai Run.

See Kai Run is a company that provides comfortable, stylish and sophisticaed shoes for our little ones! These stylish outdoor baby shoes are made with flexible soles and promote healthy development of little feet. See Kai Run has expanded their brand to include organic children's socks, soft soled baby shoes 'Smaller' and shoes for post-toddler and school years simply called 'Kai.' This allows See Kai Run to truly grow with your child.

We were fortunate enough to choose a pair of See Kai Run shoes for Marlee to try out. Her choice was Irina in Hot Pink... shocker! She was delighted when her bright pink sandals arrived and instantly put them on! The shoes run true to size and are very high quality, which allows them to stand up to hours and hours of outdoor play!

Marlee wears these shoes ALL the time! With super soft leather and a flexible rubber sole, they are easily the most comfortable shoes in her closet! The sandals feature padded heel straps, which prevent painful blisters that come from so many girls sandals. Marlee can easily put these shoes on herself, which is a major plus!

See Kai Run doesn't only offer girls shoes, they have adorable shoes for the little dudes as well! From comfortable summer sandals to sneakers, you're bound to find some shoes he will love!

The kind folks at See Kai Run have agreed to sponsor a giveaway at Wee Share! One lucky Wee Share reader will win their choice of shoes (In stock) from the See Kai Run website!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil {Review + Giveaway}

2012-05-21T15:44:00.000-04:00

As most of you know, we have been slowly converting our diet to mostly organic. We do our best to avoid artificial flavors, colors and preservatives. One of the biggest challenges I have run into is baking alternatives! I often use applesauce in place of oils, but that doesn't work in every recipe! I have seen quite a few recipes that call for coconut oil, but didn't really know how it worked!

Tropical Traditions was kind enough to send me some Gold Label Coconut Oil to try out and I've really enjoyed baking with it so far! The first thing I baked using coconut oil was chocolate chip cookies. They were delicious! Though it is not the most healthy thing I could have baked, at least the chocolate chips were organic. (ha!) The cookies turned out GREAT! They were fluffy and delicous, with a hint of coconut.

You can find that recipe at Picky Palate.

Tropical Traditions hosts a long list of uses for coconut oil, which you can find here. I was amazed at all of the different ways to use coconut oil! You can also find many other organic products at Tropical Traditions like organic snacks, organic skin care/hygeine products and even health appliances!

Win 1 quart of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil!

Tropical Traditions is America's source for coconut oil. Their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is hand crafted in small batches by family producers, and it is the highest quality coconut oil they offer. You can read more about how virgin coconut oil is different from other coconut oils on their website: What is Virgin Coconut Oil? You can also watch the video they produced about Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil:

Tropical Traditions also carries other varieties of affordable high quality coconut oil. Visit their website to check on current sales, to learn about the many uses of coconut oil, and to read about all the advantages of buying coconut oil online. Since the FDA does not want us to discuss the health benefits of coconut oil on a page where it is being sold or given away, here is the best website to read about the health benefits of coconut oil.

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Jambu Sporty Wedge Shoes {Review}

2012-05-21T11:15:00.000-04:00

Not only am I a mother of 2, but I work at a large corporate office that I walk multiple times every day. At the end of each day my feet end up hurting regardless of the shoes I wear. Comfort and style are incredibly difficult to find in a pair of shoes. It almost always seems like one must be sacrificed for the other. That is how I stumbled across Jambu and saw the great variety of cute and comfortable shoes!

Jambu Footwear is inspired by the rain-forest. They offer a wide variety of shoes for the whole family! From outdoor hiking shoes, bare foot shoes, vegan shoes and sporty wedge heels.. everyone is bound to find a pair they will love!

Jambu™ uses only 100% recycled, recyclable and re-usable packaging. Jambu™ outsoles are made with partially recycled and re-usable compressed rubber. With this, they are helping preserve our planet and beautiful outdoors for future generations.

I was lucky enough to choose a pair of Jambu shoes to review! I chose the Aroma Sporty Wedge and I love them! These are definitely the most comfortable shoes in my closet and when I wear them I can really tell a difference at the end of the day. I walk with a spring in my step because of the great arch support, which something you rarely find with heels or wedges! All Jambu shoes are made with an Exclusive Memory Foam™ Footbed and you can definitely feel the difference!

Not only are the Jambu Sporty Wedge shoes comfortable, they are stylish as well! The Aroma Sporty Wedge comes in two color combos: Grey and blue or Red and Nude. I went with the grey and blue and couldn't be happier with my choice.

Here are a few of my favorite Jambu designs:

'Planet'

'Velvet'

'Coastline'

Connect with Jambu:
Check out the entire selection of footwear on the Jambu website.
Like Jambu on Facebook
Follow Jambu on Twitter

Disclosure: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I received a complimentary product for the purposes of this review. All opinions are my own.

Photography Event Review + Giveaway- Point, Shoot, & Share DVD

2012-05-21T08:29:00.000-04:00

I am a visual learner. Instead of being told how things work, I would much rather see them in action. With photography, it seems that many tutorials are often ironically a bunch of words. Sure, a photo or two might accompany them, but there tends to be a lot of text as well.

However, I have a really fun and very informative photo education solution to share with you today. I would like to introduce you to the Point, Shoot, & Share DVD. This DVD features long-time professional photographer, Will Crockett. He will take you inside his own studio, show you how to set up your equipment, and will even let you tag along on a fun photo shoot so that you can see firsthand his style, tips, and techniques.

Best of all, Will will show you how to take a great photo with ANY digital camera! That's right-- he's not catering only to those who have fancy DSLR cameras. He'll show you how to work camera magic even with a point and shoot.

This DVD is divided up into three very useful sections. I will give you an overview of each.

POINT
Pointing your camera is obviously a much needed step in capturing that precious memory going on near you. However, there can potentially be a lot that actually goes into this powerful little step! You will learn the basics of using auto mode on your camera. You will also be introduced to some things that can help you to get out of auto mode-- ISO, f/stops, shutter speed, white balance, and more. Please don't worry if these terms really mean nothing to you now-- Will explains all about them in the DVD.

Just learning these basics gives you a whole lot of power. It allows you to know what is really going on with your camera and be able to adjust many settings yourself. This can make auto mode a thing of the past, and will truly help lead you to much more beautiful photographs.

SHOOT
Shooting is the easy part, right? You just point and shoot, and the memory is recorded. Again, though, there is a lot that can go into this step as well. However, there are MANY settings on most cameras, and I am sure that many people are not even aware what most of these settings do. However, being aware of each and every mode and what it can offer you when you shoot is a good thing to know. This can empower you to know which settings are best for which mode and when to use each one.

Many cameras also feature a video mode, allowing you to capture memories beyond a still shot. Will also touches on this, helping camera users to get the most out of the added video mode.

SHARE
To me, sharing is one of the best parts of photography. We don't live near most of our family and friends, and I like to show them where we have been and how much my daughter is growing. However, I often struggle with how and where to share my memories. To be honest, I would show the entire world if I could, just because I love to show my daughter off. I think she is pretty amazing! However, that is neither practical or smart.

Will explores the many options there are for sharing photographs and the best ways to go about doing this. Prints, cards, online, books, video-- I think he touches on it all. You may even be introduced to a method or two you hadn't known about or had forgotten about. This section definitely helps you to get the most out of each and every photography you want to share with someone, even if it is just you and your own family.

The Point, Shoot, & Share DVD runs for 88 minutes. Each and every minute is filled with a wealth of information that you will not want to miss. Not matter what kind of camera you have, this DVD can truly give you the knowledge to take better photographs than ever before.

TWO lucky Wee Share readers are going to win a copy of the Point, Shoot, & Share DVD from Will Crockett.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Photography Event Review: Adobe Photoshop Elements 10

2012-05-20T08:20:00.000-04:00

Recently, a very well-known free photo editing service closed forever. It seems that many of us relied on Picnik for all of our photo editing needs. There are a variety of other free options available for us to use. However, I want to share with you today why free is not always the best option.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 is the newest version of the #1 selling consumer photo editing software. It allows you to turn everyday memories into stunning photographs. Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 is truly a complete photo editing package.

Now, I have to admit that before using Adobe Photoshop Elements 10, I was a bit intimidated by it. Even after I downloaded the product, I just started at the little icon on my desktop for days before opening it. I wondered if I, a hobby photographer, could truly get the hang of such advanced software. After using Adobe Photoshop Elements just one time, I quickly began to see the benefits of it. This amazing program has so much to offer.

I am guessing that some of you who have relied on free photo editing programs for years, have some of the same feelings that I did. Today I hope that I can put some of those worries to rest and show you why Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 is the ideal solution for all of your photo editing needs.

Let me start with the price of the software. I am a big cheap-o. I don't like spending money on things that I can get for free or for very little money. Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 retails for right at $100. I know this is $100 more than you are paying for your free photo editing software. However, as you will see, Photoshop Elements gives you much more control and much more power to get the absolute most out of your photographs.

Just so you can see this for yourself, take a look at a few recent photographs of Raileigh that I edited using Adobe Photoshop Elements 10. The images were beautiful before, but after a few simple edits-- Wow!

Just in case the visual proof isn't enough for you, let us look at the plethora of new and enhanced features that the all-new version of Adobe Photoshop Elements has to offer. They make organizing, editing, and sharing your memories easier than ever.

Quickly find, organize, and share your media
1. Easily manage everything from one convenient place.
2. Find photos that contain specific objects.
3. Find photos by color or shape with visual search.
4. Easily manage even the biggest photo library with duplicate detection.
5. Tag faster using your Facebook Friends list.
6. Upload to YouTube.
7. Let the Auto-Analyzer tag your media for you, automatically.

Make every photo look its best
1. Paint effects onto specific photo areas.
2. Easily create stunning photo effects.
3. Get better composition with crop guides.
4. Add curving text that automatically flows around shapes, objects, or custom paths.

Make creations that reflect your style
1. Get fresh looks with new creative options.
2. Create an interactive viewing experience with Online Albums.
3. Enjoy the ability to save photo creations to JPEG and PDF file formats.

Enjoy your photos and videos virtually anywhere you are
1. See the same photos and video clips on every device.
2. View your photos and videos on the go.

Since I began using Adobe Photoshop Elements 10, I have not posted a picture to this blog or any social media website that was not in some way made better by this program. Sometimes, it is just a simple lighting or contrast adjustment. However, in addition to these edits, I have been using Photoshop Elements for other things as well.

Made a cover photo for my personal Facebook page

add text to a photo

add texture to a photo

add a watermark to a photo

add frames and borders to photos

I do have to say that there is a slight learning curve with the program. However, that is the case anytime you begin to use something new! Adobe Photoshop Elements is a really easy program to learn how to use. I have been able to create great looking photos from the very first day that I used it. Each and every time that I log on, it seems that I am still uncovering new things and discovering even more ways to utilize all that the program has to offer. Just in case you get stuck, though, Adobe offers a wealth of tutorials and video guides on their website to help you get the most out of your software purchase.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 offers far more photo effects and options than I have ever had access to. Whatever you can imagine for your photographs is possible. Now that I have used Adobe Photoshop Elements 10, there is no turning back. No free program can hold a candle to the endless possibilities and options offered in Photoshop Elements.

Do yourself and your precious memories a huge favor. Download your very own copy of Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 today.

Disclosure: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I received a complimentary product for the purposes of this review. All opinions are my own.

Photography Event Review & Giveaway- !mo Camera Straps

2012-05-20T08:18:00.000-04:00

I got my first DSLR camera a little over two years ago. Instantly, I began to see a huge improvement in the quality of the photographs that I was able to take. I had more power over how the image I was taking a picture of, and those precious memories I was capturing looked better than ever.

One thing that did not look good was my camera strap. Have you see the camera straps that are included with DSLR cameras? They are black, usually with the brand name of the camera scrawled across it. When you actually put the strap around your neck, it is one of the most uncomfortable things to wear. An unattractive, stiff strap is just not fitting for a camera that is producing such beautiful images.

That is where !mo Camera Straps comes in. This Hong King based company is producing straps that not only function well, but look good, too. Each and every one of their unique camera straps is full of personality. They have been tested to hold over 100 pounds (some even close to 200 pounds!), so you should have no worries about keeping your camera safe.

Let me start by showing you some of their beautiful camera straps.

I had the opportunity to test out one of these straps and I chose the last one pictured above. It is called Fruit at Night.

Here are some specs about the Fruit at Night Camera Strap:
Total Length:    Adjustable length 45.5 -- 55.5 inches
Fashion part:      29.5 inches
Width:      1.6 inches
Nylon Webbing: 13 inches on each end

I am completely smitten with my new camera strap. It looks like a beautiful drawing. There are bold, colorful artistic patterns splashed onto the black background of the strap. It is made of leather and features a neoprene backing.

The neoprene is one of my favorite features of this camera strap. Neoprene equals comfort. It is soft and cool against my neck when wearing the strap. This is such a welcome change from the scratchy, uncomfortable strap that my camera came with.

The strap also features quick release. This is a handy little feature that I think every camera strap should have because of how useful it is! Basically, the feature is made to save time. It always takes at least half an hour to try the straps on your cameras and adjust them for perfect balance. By using a strap with quick release, you can just press on the buckle and change the strap in a second!

I cannot say enough good things about my camera strap from !mo Camera Straps. Not only does it look amazing, it functions perfectly. I could want nothing more from the ideal camera strap.

I am happy to announce that one lucky reader is going to win a camera strap of their choice from !mo Camera Straps!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Stay-At-Home Moms {Review + Giveaway}

2012-05-19T07:53:00.000-04:00

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Stay-At-Home Moms: 101 Inspirational Stories for Mothers About Hard Work and Happy Families

Written by: Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, and Wendy Walker

Publication Date: March 20, 2012

Pages: 416

ISBN: 9781935096825

About this book (as taken from the Chicken Soup for the Soul website)

With stories by famous moms, including Jane Green, Melora Hardin, Liz Lange, Jodi Picoult, and Jill Kargman, and stories from other moms who elected to stay at home or work from home. Every stay-at-home and work-from-home mom will view this book as having been written just for her! A reissue of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Power Moms, this book contains 101 great stories from mothers who have made the choice to stay home or work from home while raising their families. These multi-tasking, high-performing women have become today’s power mom. This is perfect for book groups as it contains a reader guide.

My Thoughts

When I became pregnant with Raileigh, I was working a full-time job outside the home. While I enjoyed my job and it paid pretty well, it was not in the career field I had went to school for. Raileigh was a gift and a blessing we had not planned for, but thankfully God had.

I know that many moms struggle with the decision to stay home or return to work after having a child. However, it was not a hard decision for me to decide to stay home with her. I knew that raising her and teaching her would be the biggest job and most honored privilege I would ever have. I did not want to miss anything at all during her early years of life.

So, here I am, almost 4 years later (wow-- how fast it has gone by!), still happily staying at home with my little one. It is still a decision I am glad to have made. We have had to make changes, especially financially, to make being a one income family work. While money can be tight and we have to mind our budget pretty closely, I wouldn't change it for anything in the world.

Needless to say, I was pretty excited to check out the newest book from Chicken Soup for the Soul, which celebrates and shares stories from stay-at-home mothers like me. Chicken Soup for the Soul: Stay-at-Home Moms is a collection of 101 stories about the most difficult and most rewarding job there is. The stories are divided into 10 chapters:

Decisions, Decisions
The Daily Grind
Outside the Box
Becoming a Specialist
Working from Home
Ladies Who Launch
Gender Benders
The Dividends
Pink Slips
Looking Back

There was one particular story I found that really hit home for me. It was entitles "Super Mommy" and was the first one in third chapter of the book. The story began with a simple phrase that the husband had made to flash across the wife's computer screen saver-- "Super Mommy". The woman went on to list all of the things she would do if she were truly a super mom.

As a mom, I think we often all feel guilty about the things that we don't do. The dirty laundry that didn't get washed (again!), the toys that have been laying on the floor for days, or the floor that still needs some time with the mop and broom. I often times feel like I don't get half of the things done that I need to or would like to. But, in all actuality, our job as a mom and all of the many duties that get wrapped up into that, is never complete. There will always be something else to clean, somewhere else to go, and another meal to prepare.

The woman in the story learned that to her family, she IS a "super mommy". You know what? I think I am a super mommy to my family, too. Looking around right now, I see a pile of books that need to be put away, old batteries from the LeapPad that didn't get thrown away, and a rain coat draped across my kitchen table. But, you know what? Those stories are the FIVE we read at bedtime last night. The LeapPad has new batteries and she got to continue playing and learning. The rain jacket is from a trek we took to let my daughter get outside for a few minutes after a week straight of rain. So, maybe the house is a little messy, but it is because my family was being loved in the process.

I think this is the biggest point I took away from this book. However, there are 100 other stories that are amazing as well. I encourage you to find out which one(s) will lift you up as a mom.

One lucky reader is going to win their very own copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Stay-at-Home Moms.

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2012 Wedding Event: UPrinting [Giveaway] {Closed}

2012-05-18T07:47:00.000-04:00

Hey y'all! I'm excited to announce a fun giveaway from UPrinting! Enter for your chance to win 250 Die-Cut Business cards!!

Prize Information:

250 Die-cut Business Cards for one (1) winner
2×3.5″ Rounded Corners, 2×2″ Rounded Corners, 1.75×3.5″ Rounded Corners, 2×3.5″ Leaf, 2×3.5 Rounded one corner, 2×3.5″ Half-Circle Side, 2×3.5″ Oval, or 2.5″ Circle
14pt Cardstock Gloss / Matte / High Gloss (UV), or 13pt Cardstock Uncoated
6 Business days print turnaround time
Free US shipping only

Disclaimer: "You should assume that I will receive free print products in exchange for the post. Any and all reviews posted are based solely on my own experience and may be atypical. Please practice due diligence in making any related purchase decisions. Interested to hold a giveaway like this? Please sign up here.”

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Do you have a great product that would be perfect for a Wedding Theme? Send me an email inquiring about hosting a product review/giveaway at Wee Share!

Email me at weeshareblog2@gmail.com

5 Ways to Get Rid of Back Pain

2012-05-18T06:59:00.000-04:00

For almost as long as I have known Darren, he has suffered from back pain. The severity of the pain has fluctuated over the years, and has resulted in physical therapy, trips to the emergency room, and numerous doctor visits.

What we have learned is that he just has a bad back. Darren is tall- 6" 3"- and his back is just stretched out to accommodate his tall frame. However, we have also learned that there are things that he can do to strengthen his back and keep it limber. This helps to decrease the likelihood of experiencing back pain.

We have been told that the very best thing for a bad back is to exercise. I am not saying that you need to go out and start training for a marathon or riding multiple miles on your bicycle. Many exercises that we have found to be beneficial for Darren's back are really simple-- low impact and low stress. They can easily be done right in the comfort of your living room. However, we have been told by numerous doctors that doing these exercises on a daily (or even every other day) basis can really help to keep the back pain away.

1. The Bridge
Strengthens several core muscle groups - buttocks, back, abs

Lie flat on back; bend knees at 90-degree angle, feet flat on floor. Tighten abs. Raise buttocks off floor, keeping abs tight. Tighten buttocks. Shoulder to knees should be in straight line. Hold for a count of five. Slowly lower buttocks to floor. Repeat five to fifteen times.

2. The Plank
Strengthens back, abs, neck, arms, and legs

Lie on stomach, place elbows and forearms on floor. In a push-up position, balance on your toes and elbows. Keep your back straight and legs straight. (Like a plank) Tighten abs. Hold position for 10 seconds. Relax. Repeat five to ten times. If this exercise is too difficult (as it often is for beginners), balance on your knees instead of your toes.

3. Alternating Leg and arm raises (Supermans)
Strengthens back, lower back and glutes

Lie on stomach, arms reached out past your head with palms and forehead on floor. Tighten abs. Lift one arm (as you raise your head and shoulders) and the opposite leg at the same time, stretching them away from each other. Hold for 5 seconds and then switch sides. Repeat 5 - 10 times.

4. Pelvic Tilt
Strengthens and stretches lower back and abs

Lie on back, knees bent, feet flat on floor. Take a deep breath. Exhale as you flatten the small of your back against the floor (or as close as you can get). Do not push feet into floor to assist with the move - use your abs. Hold for a count of five. Slowly relax. Repeat five - fifteen times.
NOTE: Exhale as you pull your back toward the floor, inhale as you relax.

5. Basic Spinal Twist
Stretches lower back and glutes

Lie on back, arms stretched out to the sides. Bend knees and place feet flat on floor. Slowly lower knees (keep feet and knees together) to floor to one side as close to the floor as is comfortable. Hold the stretch for 15-30 seconds. Repeat on opposite side.

These are just 5 ways that we have found effective to alleviate and eliminate back pain. If you suffer from back pain and have found good ways to keep the back pain at bay, I would love to hear about them as well.

5 Reasons to Pre Shave

2012-05-18T06:58:00.000-04:00

Pre Shave.

What does that really even mean?

Well, pre shave, as you can most likely infer, simply means what you do before shaving. I kind if look at it as how we prepare our skin and ourselves for the actual shaving process.

For many people, I think this usually consists of splashing your face (or whatever part of the body you happen to be shaving) with warm water for 30 seconds or so. Perhaps, you even hold a warm towel to your face for a minute. This is all good. The warm water helps to moisten the skin and open up the pores. Plus, hydrated hair is much easier to shave than dry hair!

However, let's say that you take that a step further and add a pre shave product such as an oil or gel to that routine. There are many benefits to doing this and I want to touch on a few of those today.

1. Softens the Hair for Shaving
While hydrating your hair does help to have a smoother shave, adding a pre shave will do so even more! The essential oils in many pre shaves work to soften the hair and make it even easier to shave away.

2. Lessens Irritation
This is a BIG one! So many people I know are prone to irritation and redness when shaving. Razor bumps, razor burn, and in-grown hairs are not a very pleasant thing to have to deal with. However, a pre shave can actually help to lessen irritation, which makes for a much more pleasant experience.

3. Pre Shave Smells Nice
Okay-- this one isn't essential, but it is a pretty big selling point to me anyhow. Since many pre shave oils contain essential oils, they tend to have an inviting aroma. You'll find scents such as lemon, sandalwood, or even lavender. But, if scent just isn't your thing, there are unscented pre shave products on the market as well.

4. Doesn't Add Extra Time to Your Shaving Routine
I know, I know. When you talk of adding anything into an existing routine, you have to examine how much time it will add on as well. However, adding a pre shave will not add any extra time. Chances are, you are already taking the time to moisten your face up with warm water anyhow. Just replace a little of that time with pre shave and you are all set to begin shaving.

5. It Doesn't Take Much, so the Product Will Last a Long Time
If using a pre shave oil, it should only take a few drops to later up your skin before shaving. A few drops out of a whole bottle sure isn't much. Since it only take a few drops for each shave, that bottle of pre shave should last you quite a while, meaning you won't have to buy another one anytime soon.

These are just a few of the reasons you should consider adding a pre shave to your current shaving routine. I encourage you to pick up some pre shave and explore the difference that it can make for you.

CafePress {Review + $50 Gift Certificate Giveaway}

2012-05-18T06:54:00.000-04:00

There is a good chance that you have already heard of CafePress. After all, this online retailer has made a name for themselves by being a go-to source for unique t-shirts and gifts. Many popular brands use CafePress to produce and distribute their goods. Plus, you have the ability to personalize any product just the way that you would like to.

Though I had heard of CafePress, I had never had the pleasure of placing an order with them... until recently! I wanted to choose a little something for each person in my family. With the incredibly vast selection of merchandise, it was quite difficult to decide exactly what to order.

I have a thing for tote bags, so I instantly started browsing all of the options I had for a new bag. There are bags to represent absolutely anything you can think of. I found several bicycle bags that I was smitten with, including one with the famous friends Snoopy and Woodstock. I even found a few representing my wonderful little town of Summerville. However, I ultimately decided on a bag that really represents who I am.

Keep Calm and Carry Yarn Tote Bag. Yes-- this statement on the bag describes me well. Often times, when we are in the car for any extended period of time, I bring along a crochet project or two. You see, I am a nervous back seat driver and it just helps me to stay calm and not pester Darren as he safely gets us where we are going. This bag is PERFECT to carry all of my yarn and projects on-the-go. I am working on a crochet quilt right now, and it is even roomy enough to hold that! The bag is made from a thick and sturdy canvas, meaning it will hold up for many long car trips in my future.

I had to sneak in a few things for my sweet husband as well. I knew that one of his favorite websites- someecards- just happens to use CafePress to distribute their goods. So, I headed straight to their store. It is filled with shirts, bags, cards, and other assorted products depicting their funny card images. I knew that I wanted to get him a new t-shirt, but narrowing it down from there was the difficult part. There are a large variety of shirt designs and each one is available on an equally large number of different types of shirts. Plus, there are multiple color variations available as well!

After much deliberation, I decided on this gray shirt- the Slightly Funnier T-Shirt. He's just a gray shirt kind of guy. The saying on the shirt definitely reminded me of my husband. He is hands down the funniest, wittiest, most sarcastic person I know. He can get away with saying many off-handed remarks that I could never even think of saying. It's just who he is, and I love this about him. The shirt I chose fits him perfectly and he really loves it. It is incredibly soft and feels great against the skin. I have already ran the shirt through the washer and it held up beautifully. It looks as good as it did the moment it arrived in the mail.

Of course, I couldn't forget about my little sunshine, Raileigh. She's really into puzzles, and CafePress actually has an incredibly extensive puzzle selection. Again, I debated for quite some time as to what image I wanted depicted on her puzzle. In the end, I decided to go with a photograph of something that is familiar to her.

The picture is of the Ravenel Bridge, which is located near us. Raileigh really enjoys riding on bridges, and this one is especially fun and interesting. I had no doubt that she would enjoy a puzzle of a local landmark that she knows and loves. The 30 piece Charleston SC puzzle is just right for her, and she enjoys fitting the pieces together to create the bridge and spell out Charleston. The puzzle pieces are thick and high quality. They should be able to endure much love from my daughter. The only thing that I don't like about the puzzle is the container it came in. It's a flimsy plastic box that isn't going to hold up very long. A cardboard box or even a sturdy zip-top bag would have been preferred.

Overall, we are incredibly thrilled with each and every item that we received from CafePress. Everything is of the best quality, and it arrived quickly as well. You just cannot beat that! With such a vast selection and products depicting almost every topic imaginable, I am certain I will return to CafePress for many upcoming birthdays and celebrations.

I am excited to announce that one lucky reader is going to win a $50 gift certificate to CafePress!

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