M A I E D A E: August 2011

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

MaieDae Graphics: Lillypie

I'm excited to share a new blog design we did for Laura of Lillypie! Laura was looking to re-brand her blog and have the ability to carry that look throughout her product line, Lillypie accessories and marketing materials. Laura's beautiful photos were a perfect centerpiece and inspiration for her branding and I'm in love with the soft whimsical look of her blog:

Click Here for full preview.

If you're looking for a blog makeover, contact me at MaieDae@gmail.com, I'd love to chat! We are currently looking to fill spots for the month of September and we've put together two brand new blog design packages at very affordable rates. :)

PS -- The WINNER of the Girl Willow Handmade Pillow Giveaway is #22 Kerstin! Congratulations! Please email me at MaieDae@gmail.com with your shipping info. :)

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Fancy Shmancy: Beautiful Rings Edition

I've been collecting rings for a little while now and I'm always on the lookout for something unique and beautiful. I've recently been loving the stacked look and I'd like to add to my current engagement ring//wedding band....maybe something more rustic to mix in with the polished?? These are some fancy rings I've been wanting to add to my collection. :)

Image Via

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Rings Via

Ring Via

Which are your favorites??

PS -- Don't forget to enter into the Handmade Pillow Giveaway here! Winner will be announced tomorrow. :)

Monday, August 29, 2011

Inspiration for Your Nest

These are the nesting goodies that have been inspiring me lately. :)

I'll do laundry everyday! // Via

Beautiful, colorful blankets // Via

Hanging fabric // Via

Pillows & frames // Via

Mixed-matched kitchen // Via

Perfect reversible quilt // Via

Sequin wall...whaa?! // Via

I'm planning some more little nesting updates to our home soon, but I'm having a hard time motivating myself while we're looking to move within the year. To nest...or not to nest....??

Weekly Wrap Up

Although I've been working a lot this past week, I made sure to take some rest time this weekend. I spent Saturday sleeping in, strolling around Target, watching my favorite shows, and eating Lucky Charms. Jon came home later in the day and I finished off a relaxing time with some cuddles and a movie. :) It was wonderful. Oh! And while I was in Target, I found some great older movies for only $5.00 a piece! I got..."Harry & the Hendersons", "Mrs. Doubtfire" & a three-in-one "Ernest" collection (for Jon). Now, if I could only find "Hook"!

Snapshot of the Week: A snapshot of when my father-in-law was teaching me how to use the saw and working with me on my handmades. :)

Five Favorite Posts this Week:
* What I Wore: A Walk in the Park by The Dainty Squid (featuring a MaieDae ring!)
* Free Vintage Dating Reference Card by A is for Ampersand
* What to Wear to a 1930s Wedding by Here's Looking at Me Kid
* Extra Extra: The Design*Sponge Newspaper is Out! by Design*Sponge
* Crazy for Canisters by Oh So Lovely

Three Things About Yours Truly:
* Jon and I are looking for a new home to rent!
* I enjoy vacuuming.
* My husband is turning 24 on September 8th!

Videoclip of the Week: I saw this yesterday and had to share...I love the little boy at the end. Heehee.

Hope your week is off to a great start. :)

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Solo Feature: Girl Willow

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Hello everyone! My name is Rachael and I blog over at Girl Willow. I am married to one very handsome guy and together, we have 2 young boys. Yes, I'm surrounded by lots of dirt and noise and rough housing, but I love it! My faith and my family are very important to me. I'm really just a girl trying to find joy in everyday life...you can find out more about me here.

2. What made you decide to start blogging? Well, I guess I just needed a creative//girly outlet, due to all the dirt and noise I spoke of above! I really enjoy writing and I love the connection and relationships that you can build without even meeting someone in person.

3. What are your favorite things to blog about? Favorite posts? I love sharing about the sewing challenge that I am in the midst of. I am sewing all of my own clothes for an entire year!! I also love blogging about my sweet little family and our adventures.

4. What is your favorite pass-time? That seems like such an easy question, but for a long time after having my first son, I really didn't make time for activities and such that I enjoy. I now really enjoy blogging (I'm still a newbie though) and sewing has become a slight addiction for me! I am blessed to have my mom as my sewing "teacher" and I am learning so much.

5. What is on your current wish-list?

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6. Favorite blog reads? Oh, I have so many fans!! Here are just a few of the many: Enjoy the Small Things, Moms are for Everyone!, Made, Kendi Everyday, Smile & Wave & MaieDae - I can't wait until I can have her makeover my blog!

7. If you had three wishes what would they be? I am always so terrible at this question!! All we need is LOVE, right?!

8. Favorite summertime song? Any song that my husband and my boys are playing together. My husband sings and plays guitar and every.single.time he gets out his guitar, our boys have to get out their little guitars and play along. I love that!

9. What's your favorite meal? Hmm, I love pretty much anything Italian! Pizza, spaghetti, etc. I know, I know! I could eat it all the time, but I don't let myself.

10. What inspires you the most? My faith and my family are definitely my biggest inspirations. I also greatly appreciate some of the blogs that I have the privilege of reading. Women sharing their stories on motherhood, marriage, faith, sewing, crafting...that inspires me too.

Find Rachael Here:
Blog: http://girlwillow.blogspot.com/

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Giveaway Time! -- Rachael is hoping to start her own handmade shop in the near future and is offering one reader the chance to pick between two of her handmade pillows!

Main Entry:
1. Leave a comment on this post sharing which pillow you would pick!

Bonus Entries (please leave one comment per entry):

1. Become a follower of Girl Willow via GFC

2. Become a follower of MaieDae via GFC (on the right) or Bloglovin

3. Tweet about it! Just copy & paste this: Win a beautiful handmade pillow from Girl Willow on @MaieDae! http://maiedae.blogspot.com/2011/08/solo-feature-girl-willow.html

One winner will be selected at random and announced THIS Wednesday!! Thank you Rachael for a wonderful interview & giveaway! :)

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Winners: Sponsor Love & MaieDae Ad

It's finally time to announce the winners of the August Sponsor Love Giveaway & the MaieDae Sponsor Spot Giveaway!! Check below to see if you won. :)

Winners of the Sponsor Spot Giveaway:

Congratulations Beencie & Paper Doll Smile! You've won a medium sponsor spot on MaieDae during the month of September! I'm so excited to feature your adorable blogs. :) Please email me your 160x100 sized button at MaieDae@gmail.com.

And the winner of the August Sponsor Love Giveaway is...

#33 -- Ginnysaurusrex! Congratulations. :) Please email me at MaieDae@gmail.com with your shipping information.

A huge thank you to my amazing sponsors for giving away such beautiful items and to everyone who entered! Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend. :)

Friday, August 26, 2011

I Like That Tune: Madeleine Peyroux

I can't remember when I first heard Madeleine's music, but I remember how her rich, soulful voice and jazzy music immediately caught my attention. Her music is romantic, old-school, and perfect for that nighttime, classy party on a roof-top.

If you haven't been acquainted yet, I'd like to introduce you to Madeleine Peyroux for my "I Like That Tune" feature. :) -- Oh, and her cover of Elliot Smith's Between the Bars (last video) is gorgeous...

I'm All Right

J'ai Deux Amours

(Cover) Between the Bars

Thursday, August 25, 2011

What Inspires You the Most?

For this month's sponsor feature, I asked these talented ladies what//who inspires them the most. I love their answers and I'm so honored to have such talented ladies featured on the blog. :)

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What inspires YOU the most??

Photographs: Kelsie & Jacob

Last weekend, my little sister Kelsie asked me to take photos of her with her boyfriend at the park. I was really happy with how some of them came out and I wanted to share one with you!

Aren't they adorable? :) -- I love being able to spend some time behind the camera. I've worn out my current camera since I got it last Christmas and I'm looking to upgrade to an SLR soon! -- Just keeping my eye out for a good deal and researching good camera lenses. Have any suggestions??

PS - My August giveaways are quickly coming to an end. Enter the Sponsor Love Giveaway here and the Medium Sponsor Spot Giveaway here! Winners will be selected and announced on Saturday!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Threads: 8.24.11

"Threads is a frequent feature all about affordability, comfort, and versatility while still capturing your sense of personal style. For more details behind Threads, click here!"

I just realized I haven't shown off my new do yet! It's probably for the best; a new haircut always needs a little grow-out time. :) I cut it extra short this time around (for me anyway) and I had the colorist, Heather, do a slight ombre effect because I like the tips around my face to be lighter. I definitely love how easy it is to wash and style...I don't think I could ever go back to my super long hair again. It's hard to have curly hair and really have a "hairstyle", so having it shorter really gives me the opportunity to have it cut into a "shape" and work with a fun look. :) I've seriously thought about going Emma Watson, but I don't think my features would be best suited for something so pixie.

Moving on from the hair and onto the outfit...this is my new favorite shirt of all time! I love it's length and I love how I can layer it over dresses to create a fun look. And the edges...so precious. :) I always had it in my mind that I couldn't wear cream colors, because I'm so fair, but I've really grown to embrace my fair skin and I love how the cream gives me a soft look. Yay for the color cream!