So, I started writing this post when I first woke up this morning. I just re-read one of my sentences… man, I AM tired. Here’s what it said: “I don’t know if my brain can actually for any real complicated post. Come on caffeine: kick in!”

Ummmmm… what? I believe I was trying to say that I may not have enough energy to write a really complicated post today. And, I need caffeine.

Ruari did not want to sleep last night. I’m SO tired. meh. She just wanted me to hold her and rock her and walk her. And, she wanted to play with my hair. She wont take her nap either. SOOOO tired.

Last night Anthroplogie had a little fashion show to kick off the Fall season. I took many photos. I’d love to share… but, I’m too tired. I did take one photo of myself:

Mike had baby girl last night. SO, I got to wear heels! They were pretty short, but they WERE heels! I love these shoes.

Oh, and Ruari is on the floor almost crawling right now…. that’s sort of freaking me out… this house is SO far from baby proof.

Thursday’s Three picks:

1) Simplicity’s photo classes. I’m LOVING the DSLR class I’m taking right now. It’s really helped me to learn more about my camera AND think about what I’m photographing. She has another class coming up: The Basics of Photography. It’s only $25 and VERY helpful.

2) My handmade sponsors: I really want you guys to check out my handmade sponsors. First of all: these ladies are great! And: it’s almost Christmas! Yeah, I said it. And, it’s true! With handmade creations it’s always best to plan a little ahead. I always try to keep my Christmas purchases about 80% handmade. Mike is probably that 20%. ;D

For jewelry, photography, and ceramics: Heart Escapes.

For knits, jewelry, and other accessories: Claire’s Creations.

For bibs, blankets, and other kid’s clothing: Yours Truly Dear: Baby.

For scarves, accessories, and women clothing: Pink Lemonade.

Support handmade! Buy your holiday gifts handmade!

3) My third pick this week are all the coupon codes I have for you!

• BabyLegs 20% off code: PAPERMAMA Ends October 31st
• Layla Grace 15% off “sale items” code: SALEx2 Ends September 30th
• Designer Blogs 10% off code: REFERRED BY THE PAPER MAMA Ends October 15th
• Pear Tree 10% off “Halloween” code: PEARSEP10 Ends September 30th
• Tiny Prints $10 off “$75 order” code: AFF75

Don’t forget to check out the announcements. Last day for the fingerprints challenge!

{The MANY faces of Ruari. Enjoy!}

{Happy Wednesday everyone!}

{If you have a Wordless{ish} Wednesday, please feel free to post it below. And, feel free to link up to these blogs too… (Wordless Wednesday HQ, 5 Minutes For Mom, 7 Clown Circus, Jolly Mom, Go Graham Go,  and My Wee View.). Happy Wednesday to all of you!}

{Don’t forget to check the announcements above the posts. Giveaways and the photo challenge: Fingerprint.}

Shutter Love Tuesday: Cakes

Perceptive Perspective: Feet

Show and Tell at Paper Heart Camera: Beauty in you everyday…

I took this photo for my Simplicity photo class. I LOVED the speckles on this nectarine. Then I cut into it… I loved the contrast of the inside of the fruit to the deep red skin. And, sitting on this white plate REALLY makes it pop!

Touch Up Tuesday:

Shoot and Tell: Bounce

Simplicity: Mood

I was in a silly mood.

The Wishful Lamb: Cool Cats

Smirk: An uneven crooked smile; To smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous.

I wanted to let all of you know about the BabyPhotographers.com Smile Contest. It’s SUPER easy to win. Click on this link and click on the “Contest” tab.

All you have to do is tell them what you do to make your baby laugh! For me: blowing raspberries on Ruari’s belly always gets a laugh!

You could win a $2000 gift certificate towards BabyPhotographers.com. Second place wins $1000 and third place wins $500. The contest ends on September 30th! I hope one of my readers win! That would be awesome!

This websites pretty cool. It connects you to all the best Baby Photographers in your area. I found a couple that I like in Portland:

So, I know I love to take my own photos… but, it’s so nice to get someone else to photograph you sometimes. 😀 Especially when you tend to always be behind the camera! Good luck everyone!

Forget about all the stress that can come with trying to figure out how to design and organize your own blog… Designer blogs can do it for you! They create custom, cute, and VERY inexpensive blog layouts for YOU!

Example:

“Designer Blogs specializes in custom blog design and premade blog design for personal and business blogs hosted through BLOGGER. Each custom design at Designer Blogs is created to reflect the style and personality of the client, rather than the designer, which is why every custom design created will always be tailor-made and 100% unique.“

Here are just a few of my favorites from their portfolio (click on their links to see the whole page):

Discount:
The lovely and awesome Amy at Designer Blogs has also offered to give my readers 10% off an order with Designer Blogs! Just give them this promotion code when you contact them: REFERRED BY THE PAPER MAMA. If you win the giveaway and would like to order a blog now, they will reimburse you for the giveaway. (the 10% off can’t be used with other discount codes or offers other than the returning customer discount).

You know what else is pretty cool? They always give a 15% discount to adoption blogs! Contact them for more info, and let them know I referred you. 😀

What do you win?

Or, you can do a mix and match order! Click here for more pricing information.

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… 🙁

Mandatory entry:
1) Go to the Designer Blogs pricing page and come back here to comment and let me know what package or a la carte you’d like to do for your blog! {1 entry}

Optional entries:
1) Follow me (see sidebar) {1 entry}
2) Follow Designer Blogs {2 entries}
3) Like my new Facebook page for The Paper Mama{1 entry}
4) Like Designer Blogs on Facebook {2 entries}
5) Blog about this giveaway… linking back to my blog (please post blog post link in comment). {3 entries}
6) Grab one of my buttons in the sidebar there… {2 entries}
7) You can vote for me… ONLY if you really want to. 🙂 Click here: {1 entry}


Giveaway ends October 1st 11:59 PM Pacific Time. 🙂

Have a lovely day!