Get to Know a Mama: Mandy from A Sorta Fairytale!

What is your name and birthday? My name is Mandy and my Birthday is May 11.
Where are you located? Seattle, WA
Where can we find you (on the web): A Sorta Fairytale, twitter & FB. AND Mandy Chiappini Photography – website | blog.
What are the names and ages of your children? Bennett Roy is 16 months.
Any blogging tips to share? Be yourself and have fun with it!! Also, be open to meeting people in your area. The blog world is such an amazing community. You’ll find some pretty great friends.:)
Are there certain things you wont write about on your blog? I try to avoid the anything political on my blog. I have extremely passionate views, and as much as I love to talk about them, I want my blog to remain a place free of controversy. And of course, I probably won’t be writing about anything super personal about my hubby. Ya know, out of respect for him! ๐Ÿ™‚
What do you think of Vlogging? It’s awkward, but it can be really fun!
Can we get a couple links to a few of your FAVORITE blog posts you’ve done? Nourishment, Trust and Prayer, Just Us

Questions from your very lovely readers:

Photography questions:

What inspired you to be a photographer? Not one specific thing. I’ve ALWAYS loved photography, I think it’s amazing that we can capture important moments and milestones with the click of a button. I love being able to do that for others.
How do you get your photography clients? Do they find you on your blog, word of mouth or look you up? Word of mouth is HUGE! I get a lot of my through client referrals. And also lately people have found me through google search, which is pretty cool!
Do you ever get nervous when you are first meeting new clients? Absolutely! I’m always a little nervous. What if they don’t like me or think I’m weird?? Ha ha.
How do your indoor pics come out so great? Is it your camera? How do you get your photos so bright and crisp? Do you use some type of flash or is it in the settings you use or is it how you edit them? First and foremost I never use a flash. Unless it’s at night. I am 100% a natural light photography. The trick is to find the light and make sure there’s lots of it! ๐Ÿ™‚ I am always sure to put the focus right in between the eyes. Often times if I need to, I’ll sharpen in photoshop in my post-processing.
Was it difficult to start a business? Do you plan on growing your business and expanding over the years? I started my business very slowly. I took a lot of time to learn and perfect my technique and find my style. I established a solid portfolio before I started asking for money. I definitely plan on growing it! I have just opened up my business to weddings, and I’m super excited!
Do you use any actions on your photos? If so, what kind do you use?  Absolutely I use actions. They are SUCH a time saver. 98% of the time I use actions from Florabella Collection.
 
What would you say your “style” of photography is? …or editing? My style is most definitely clean. Some have called it “elegant”… I kinda like that description.
What is your dream lens? I don’t know if this is my dream lens, but next on my list is the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8
Do you ever take cell phone pictures? Or just crappy camera pictures? I do not take cell phone pictures, but mainly because I really can’t use the camera on my phone, ha ha. And yes I use my point and shoot all of the time when I don’t want the extra bulk of my SLR.
Family questions:
Any plans for more babies in the future? If so, how many do you want to have? Absolutely we’ll have more babies!! ๐Ÿ™‚ I think I’d like to have 3, but we’ll see how it goes ๐Ÿ™‚
Where do you see yourself and your family in 5 years? 10? Hmm… I see myself with 1-2 more kids and hopefully in a home with a nice yard for them to run around in! I also see my photography business blossoming, and thriving. (hopefully!!)
If you had a girl what would name her or what girl names do u like? Oh man, I haven’t thought about girls names in a while. As far as names- I like Ainsley, Kendall, Elizabeth, Delilah, Hadley, Blair… I like a lot. But I don’t think we’ll use any of those names. Ha ha.
Do you dress your husband? Seriously. He’s so well dressed and i feel like you have to have some sort of input. My husband will wear his bathing suit trunks as shorts on hot days. I do not dress my Husband.. ha ha. He has pretty good fashion sense all on his own ๐Ÿ™‚
What’s your go to recipe when you want to impress guests or make your hubby feel special?! I’m not much of a cook. My idea of a good meal would be BBQ’n hamburgers… that’s my go-to! Ha ha.

 
You questions:
Where is your favorite place to shop for clothes? (besiiiiides target) Hmm… I think probably H&M. I wish there was one closer to me!
If you could have $5000 to spend on just you, what would you buy? I would buy a few lenses that I really want, and I’d buy an iPad and some clothes.
What movie do u watch when you want to feel better? I’m a nerd, and I’d probably put on The Lord of the Rings.
If you were a salad, what kind of dressing would you have? Vinegrette.
What is your fave kind of ice cream? Mint chocolate chip! Yum.
If u could have a super power what would it be? And why? I’d love to be able to teleport. I hate traffic so much, and I don’t like long airplane rides. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to just snap your finger and go wherever you want??
What is your fave alcoholic beverage? I don’t drink alcohol at all. No joke ๐Ÿ™‚
If u were a tree what kind of tree would u be? Haven’t thought much about this. A cherry blossom tree? Ha ha, I have no idea.
How did you get to be so beautiful? Awe… I know this question is from my hubby. Thanks honey!

 
Bennett:
Will you make me a baby? Oh oh, too direct? ๐Ÿ˜‰ How about…what’s Bennett’s favorite food these days? LOL. His favorite food right now are PB&J’s!
When are you going to put Bennett Roy in a box and ship him to me? I’ll ship him to you, but you have to let me have him back! ๐Ÿ˜‰
Blogging:
What is your favorite thing about blogging? Was there a moment when you realized you were hooked? My favorite thing about blogging is the community feeling. And the support that can be found there. I was hooked when Bennett was born. I realized it was a perfect ‘baby book’ for Bennett.
When did you notice that your blog was really growing? Umm…. Probably about 6 months ago was when I really noticed it. But I’m trying to kind of just “be” and not think so much about growing my blog.
What is your current favorite small talk mommy story? You know, the fun little story you are sharing with everyone these days… That’s a good question. I like to tell people about how I wasn’t paying attention one day when Bennett was 10 months old and he escaped the apartment. Yah I felt like a bad Mom, but now I realize that it could happen to anyone. I just still can’t believe that only 10 months old, my child figured out how to open the door and leave the apartment. It boggles my mind.

And a couple more questions… what every mom wants to know: ๐Ÿ˜‰

Do you have a censored curse word you like to use in front of baby? Well, I pretty much always censor myself, even when I’m not in front of the baby.
Where is your favorite place in your home to get away from it all (like the baby meltdowns or to take a break)? I get away to my bedroom for sure.
What is your favorite parent related word (example: naptime)? Yep, naptime is a great word. LOVE it.
What is you least favorite parent related word (example: poopy)? Boogers. Ha ha.

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Thanks Mandy for being so awesome and answering all those questions! You are amazing. Don’t forget to visit her at A Sorta Fairytale.
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If you’d like to see my past Get to Know a Mama interviews… click here!

โ™ก Chelsey

Categories: Uncategorized


GIVEAWAY: Children’s Spirit Hood! {CLOSED}

After 2 months of convincing Ruari this Husky Spirit Hood was not going to eat her or murder our dog… (Yes, I set the hat on Angus right when we got it and he squeaked… convincing Ruari that this hat was evil. Then, I put it on my head to show her it was ok… ummm… that made it worse. <——Fail. :D) I finally got her to put it on! And: she loves it!

Her fear of it has completely disappeared… thank goodness, because this hat is WAY too cute to not be worn! She puts it on her head…. walks to the mirror… smiles… then, takes it off and pats it like it’s a real dog. Cuddles it. Shushes it. ๐Ÿ™‚ I do that to my hats too. ๐Ÿ˜‰

So, Spirit Hoods was kind enough to send Ruari her choice of any of the children’s hats. She chose the doggy (husky) of course. It was between that and the wolf. We love it. It’s very cute, has little pockets for little hands, nice and warm over ears, could wrap up like a scarf, has a spot to write in your name… so, you don’t get your Spirit Hood mixed up with your buddy’s, ALSO comes in adult size (Yes, I think Ruari and I need matching hats), and any hat labled ProBlue donates 10% to save the animal that hat is modeled after. <—-super cool. The only thing I’m not fond of: It is dry clean or hand wash only…. I wish I could just throw it in the washer if I needed. ๐Ÿ™‚ No biggie though.

What can you win?
Your choice of any of the Children’s sized Spirit Hood!!!!


How do you win? Please follow these steps… AND make sure I have a way to contact you through e-mail. If I don’t… I’ll have to delete the entry… ๐Ÿ™

Mandatory entry:
1) If you were a fuzzy animal… what would you be?{1 entry}

{Optional entries (Please use a separate comment for each entry):
1) Follow me (see sidebar) {1 entry}
2) “Like” me on FB: The Paper Mama{1 entry}
3) Follow me on twitter: @thepapermama {1 entry}
4) “Like” Spirit Hoods on Facebook {1 entry}

5) Follow on twitter: @spirithoods {1 entry}
6) Tweet, Facebook, or Blog about this giveaway. You are welcome to copy and paste this tweet:
” GIVEAWAY! Win a tubular children’s Spirit Hood from
@spirithoods http://tinyurl.com/3wj4nlb !!! @thepapermama “{1 entry}


If you have a moment, I’d LOVE to get 
a couple votes from you!
Vote For Us @ TopBaby Blogs! The Best Baby Blog Directory

Last day to enter giveaway is July 31st, 2011 at 11:59PM Pacific time.

โ™ก Chelsey

Categories: Uncategorized


Get $10 donated to Girls for a change!

The following is a post sponsored by Yahoo! Every time someone clicks here to make Yahoo! their homepage, they’re showing their support for Girls For A Change.

I was selected for this opportunity by Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

……………………………………………………………..

Have you heard of Girls For A Change? I hadn’t until the Clever Girls emailed me about it. It’s a national organization that empowers girls to create social change. They invite young women to design, lead, fund and implement social change projects that tackle issues girls face in their own neighborhoods.

Girls For A Change envision a world where girls with strong voices become active leaders and passionately engaged citizens, impacting not only their own neighborhoods but also their nations as girls become informed and participating citizens in their civic, political and cultural communities. By connecting them with adult women trained to serve as volunteer coaches, girls develop trusted relationships with powerful role models for civic engagement while women become strong advocates for girls and their neighborhoods.

Really… it’s a great organization! If you want to learn more about what Girls For A Change does… and plans to do… Click here.

How do you get $10 donated to Girls For A Change? It’s so freaking simple! Just click here… and change your browser’s homepage to Yahoo! I did it. Seriously… so simple for such a good cause! BUT, you do have to change your browser’s homepage to Yahoo! through THIS LINK so it can be tracked for the donation. ๐Ÿ˜€ Just change your browser’s homepage by July 1st and Yahoo! will donate up to $10,000. That’s only 1,000 people! I have 1,400 followers… I think it can be done! ๐Ÿ˜€

โ™ก Chelsey

Categories: Uncategorized


60 Day Shred. Whoa. Yup.


Yeeeeaaaaaaah… I’ve been doing the 30 Day Shred for 60 days now! While it’s been amazing in helping me get back in shape… I’m so bored of it (and starting to get very annoyed with Jillian ;D). So… time to start something new. I’ve started slacking in the working out department… the last 2 weeks I’ve only worked out 4 days of the week.
I don’t know what… but, I need something new. It needs to be:
– 20 minutes a day… <—- I know… but, I just wont do it otherwise. ๐Ÿ˜€
– I need it on DVD or Netflix. I have to have someone yelling at me to keep working out. ๐Ÿ™‚
– Not too much jumping. My poor old knees can’t handle it. I’ve had to adjust each Jillian workout.
So… I just need to find the perfect workout. Any suggestions? I’m thinking I may mix up my days a bit. A pilates DVD one day… a cardio the next… and them maybe some crazy ab workout? I’m not done getting in shape. Jess from IROCKSOWHAT mentioned this Insanity workout… I think I’ll mix that in somewhere… probably not EVERYDAY… but, mixed into my crazy workout plan. ๐Ÿ™‚
Ok… here are my before photos from 60ish days ago… There are differences in my belly for sure… But, mostly I think I just look healthier (I feel healthier. :D):

So… I don’t notice too much of a change in my face from day 30 to day 60…

So, I took some measurements (meh, didn’t like doing that) on May 2nd, 2011. AND, again on June 28th, 2011. Here’s what I’ve lost:
– Bust: Same. Hee.
– Hips: -2″
– Belly: -2.5″
– Waist: – 1.5″
– Arm: +1″ (all those muscles. ;D)
– Calf: -.25
– Weight: -7lbs

I’m happy with how far I’ve come… but, I still have more to go. ๐Ÿ™‚ I have a pair of pants that I fit into last summer that I want to fit in again! They didn’t even go up over my bum before I started working out. BUT, I can now pull them up and button them…. they are super tight though. I’m hoping in a month to fit in them again! ๐Ÿ˜€

I’m linking up here:
Naptime Momtog

Can my super awesome living healthy success get a vote for my blog? ๐Ÿ˜€ Thanks!
Help Our Rank & Visit Top Baby Blogs, Baby Blog Directory!

โ™ก Chelsey

Categories: about me


Wordless{ish} Wednesday: Farmer’s Market

{We wandered over to the Beaverton Farmer’s Market…. which is so huge and awesome! One of the main reasons we went was to check out the local beef and chicken farmers. Were trying to switch over to hormone/antibiotic free range raised animals… and local! As much as I love fuzzy sweet animals… I do love to eat them. And, I want them to be treated well and taken care… before I eat them. ๐Ÿ™‚ There were actually a couple of farmer’s there selling their meats that will be offering a whole butchered cow in the near future. We’re thinking of splitting a cow with a couple of friends… we have a nice large freezer…. now breastmilk free… to store it in. ;D It was holding my massive collection of pumped milk… not anymore. ;D Happy Wednesday!}

{And, if you all get a moment…. 
I’d LOVE a vote! :D}
Vote For Us @ TopBaby Blogs! The Best Baby Blog Directory


{If you have a Wordless{ish} Wednesday, please feel free to link it up below. BY the way: Shawntae from A Little King and I now share our Wednesday Linky’s. :D. And, feel free to link up to these blogs too… 5 Minutes For Mom, Parenting by Dummies, Project Alicia, Supermom, And Then She Snapped, and Live and Love Outloud.}

{Hey! Don’t forget to check out my sponsor me button below! Yeah!}

โ™ก Chelsey

Categories: family


Angus walking Ruari.

This is THEE best way to keep Ruari from running off to the street (her favorite direction to run) at the park. Angus doesn’t like to be too close to Ruari… and, Ruari wants so bad to pet and cuddle Angus! It’s perfect.

Directions:
1. Put chihuahua that does not like to be touched by babies on a retractable leash.
2. Take a baby that loves to pet chihuahuas and attach them to the other end of the leash.
3. Done. No chihuahua’s were hurt in the making of this video.

Could we get a vote for our blog? We are about to fall a spot. ๐Ÿ˜€ Thanks!

Help Our Rank & Visit Top Baby Blogs, Baby Blog Directory!

โ™ก Chelsey

Categories: Uncategorized


Your Best Shot top 30!!! {CLOSED}

Well… the judges and I somehow managed to go through and pick our top 30 favorites! I don’t know how… but, we did. NOW… it’s time for you to vote! You can vote once for your 2 favorites through Wednesday the 29th! Once the poll closes the judges and I will pick a first and second place winners from your top 10! Get your friends and family to vote! Good luck!

If you made the to 30, feel free to grab a button!

The Paper Mama Top 30!

The top 30 in no particular order:

{Jennifer Wakefield}

{Through Grins and Giggles}

{Just the Two of Us… and a Cat}

{Tugboat Photography}
{Breaking Through}

{Tristan Lynae}
{Oh, Jazmyn}

{Hi, Baby}

{Stoneyville}

10. {Marie Bee}
{Marie Bee}

{Polos, Pearls, and Pacifiers}

{IROCKSOWHAT}

{Mary April Photography}

14. {AZN8TIV}
{AZN8TIV}

{Meagan Musing}

{Amy Demos Photography}

{Orange Mama Big World}

{Toliver Family}

{Marcella Grace Photography}

{Kari Green Photography}
21. {Ewing}

{Then there were 5}

{Beth V. Photography}

{A Sorta Fairytale}
{4 Lettre Words}

{Loves of Life}

{Home On North Fillmore Street}

{Ordinary Miracles and the Crazy 8}

Vote at the bottom of this post!

Thanks again to the judges! Give them a visit and thank them! Their jobs aren’t done yet! We still have to pick a first and second place after the voting! The judges: {Ramblings and Photos}, {The Bonnie 5}, {Mamahood, Among Other Things}, {Life with Kaishon}, {I Should Be Folding Laundry}, {April Newman Photography}, and {My Perspective}.

AND AND… I wanted to throw out ANOTHER thank you to the awesome sponsors that are providing the amazing prizes for the first and second place winners! Please visit them! They are all amazing and AWESOME!!! The sponsors: {Ketti: $100 to the Ketti Shop}, {Jo Totes: A Jo Totes Camera Bag}, {Totally Rad: Action or Preset of your Choice.}, {Just Stuff: $20 to spend in the Just Stuff shop.}, {Barely Measured: A custom camera strap cover.}, {Twenty Five Designs: Choice of Headband or Hair Clip}, and {Hanamik: The lens cap holder pictured above.}! Thank you!

Here’s a Vote for Me button that’s linked to this post 
if you’d like to share it on your blog!

The Paper Mama Top Vote for Me

Vote Below! 
The voting ends on Wednesday the 29th 5:00PM Pacific Time!!! You can vote once for your top 2 favorites! Good luck! I hope to announce the winners by Friday, August 1st!!!


โ™ก Chelsey

Categories: Uncategorized