A Giveaway! from 'Isaac and Rebekah'

I have a great giveaway for you ladies!

I want to introduce Jenn from Isaac and Rebekah!

She makes the cutest button earrings and so much more!

Here are a few items from her shop that I LOVE...

I'll let Jenn tell you a little about herself...

Why I do what I do:
As a busy stay at home mother I realized I never got to wear much jewelry without it being pulled so I turned to making earring studs. I am not a person of one taste so I decided to create them in many varieties. This way I can wear something to brighten my style and my day without it getting tugged. : )

Why I named my store Isaac & Rebekah:
I decided to name my shop Isaac & Rebekah because that is the couple in the Bible my husband and I studied before we were married. Although I am busy and my life revolves mostly around my son and son on the way, I like to always remember that my husband was here first and this reminds me of that during those busy times.

You can find her here...

Etsy Shop : Facebook : Twitter : Blog

Jenn would also like to say...

My shop, Isaac & Rebekah, will be live for all Heartsy shoppers on the site Heartsy.me February 3rd. Here shoppers can purchase a $21 voucher (like a personal gift card for themselves) for just $10, so they will be receiving over a 60% discount. The sale only lasts two days and is available to VIP Heartsy members one day earlier. VIP members will receive $31 credit voucher for just $10. So if your readers aren't Heartsy members its a really great website to get great deals on cool items while supporting handmade sellers. All vouchers last 30 days and voucher money can be used towards shipping! You just need to provide me with your voucher number at checkout.

As for my shop promo, I am currently allowing customers to use one of two different coupon codes: 15% off your total purchase (before shipping) with code TAKE15OFF OR Free Shipping for orders over $25 (before shipping) with code FREESHIP. These codes will only be good until February 14th and cannot be combined with each other or with Heartsy vouchers.

Those are some great promos and offers!

Jenn is graciously giving away one pair of stud earrings of the winner's choice  ($10 value or less).

How to Enter...

the rafflecopter app may take a second to load...

There are two mandatory entries but that unlocks some high point entries!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!

A winner will be chosen next Tuesday!

xoxo

manda

Yearbook Funnies Link Up!

It's finally here!Time to show us your photos as a kid in those awkward phases! I know I am going to regret this!! hahaBut I did dig up some old photos! Join in with us and link up your old photos!  I don't even know where to begin with this craziness!I could only get my hands on a few...because my mom has them in storage. Let's just start from the youngest age on up! HERE WE GO...Let the poofy bangs begin!! 

I am on the right! (with my sister) Prob in kindergarten.



 

Prob 3rd grade (with siters). I'm in the animal print haha!



Prob 5th grade?? idk. I'm far left! I was wearing some kind of one piece!



maybe 9th grade? oh my.

Senior prom :-)



SOOOOO...now you know me as I was growing up!YIKES!!! It's your turn to link up with us!Grab the button if you like and visit Melina and Cara too!

MMM...why greek yogurt is my new best friend!

Let's Link Up for Motivate Me Monday!
Even if you didn't participate in this weeks challenge...you can still link up and tell us about anything in your life that is fitness related!

Today's Challenge/Topic is : 

(as stated in last weeks post HERE)
It's an open week!
 Tell us all about YOU and what's been going on with your fitness journey!

Since it's an open week...
I want to tell you why greek yogurt is my new best friend!
I think it's Kelly Ripa's too!

Well...I start every morning with some greek yogurt, strawberries, blueberries, pineapple and granola! It actually keeps me feeling full until my next meal! I'll even eat it again for an afternoon snack!

See...I have a hard time with my sugar crashing...and this has helped stabalize my sugar levels until it's time for me to eat again. No more sugar crashes!

It has tons of protein, no fat and very little sugar/carbohydrates...not to mention all the vitamins!!

I have to admit...I don't like eating the greek yogurt by itself...it's kinda grody. BUT...I don't mind eating it with the fruit and granola because of its benefits!

This is what I had this morning...but rest assured...the greek yogurt will be my mid morning snack!



whole wheat toast, peanut butter and banana!



Source: trainingforhealth.tumblr.com via Amanda on Pinterest

**Do you have a go-to snack?**

.................................................

Now let's link up...

Grab the button and visit my co-hosts Ashley and Whitney!

NEXT WEEK'S CHALLENGE/TOPIC:

It's another open week!
 Tell us all about YOU and what's been going on with your fitness journey!

Do you have any ideas for one of our challenges?? Let me know! forloveofacupcake@gmail.com

 

Have a wonderful day!!
Manda

Are you diggin up old photos?!?!

Are you digging for your old photos today?!!?

We want to see what you looked like as a kid!

 

I just dug up a few and...

WHAT IN THE WORLD!

Am I really gonna show these to you?!?!

I GUESS SO...

So join us on Tuesday, Jan 31st and show us your old photos. It doesn't have to be a yearbook photo...it can be any time during your school years. maybe in elementary or even at prom!
Click {HERE} for more info about it!

Hope everyone's weekend is off to a great start!

xoxo

manda

Microwave Chocolate Brownie?! plus a Giveaway Winner!

I am so happy to announce the winner of the

Rosette Bib Necklace by 'for Lauren and Lauren' is...

92 Nicole 

Email: nbalogh522@gmail.com

Option: Visit Katie's Etsy Shop and tell me your fav item

Extra Info: The Rosette Bib Necklace is my fave, but I also like the felt mum clip.

Time: Sat Jan 21 00:00:00 CST 2012

CONGRATS Nicole!!
Go visit Katie's est shop {HERE} if you didn't win...I know you want one!

.................

Now for two super easy recipes I made this week.

Zesty Chicken Corn Chowder

(originally found HERE...at Ready Set Eat)

 Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 lbs of chicken (Or 1 or 2...whatever you wanna use)

1 chopped onion

1 teaspoon cumin

1 can (10 3/4 oz) reduced sodium condensed cream of chicken soup

1 cup frozen corn

1/2 cup of water

1 14oz can diced tomatoes (no salt added)

1 small can green chilis

(if you want you can use a can of rotel instead of seperate cans of tomatoes and green chilis...I just prefer less salt)

Directions:

1. cut your chicken into bite size pieces.

2. heat up oil in a large sauce pan.

3. add chicken and onion until done and chicken is no longer pink.

4. add cumin and stir for one minute.

5. add the rest of your ingredients.

6. increase heat to high, cover and bring to a boil.

7. keep covered and reduce heat to medium low and simmer for about 10 minutes.

8. add any pepper or salt if you desire.

THAT'S IT!!

now you have a quick weeknight meal!

...........................

Now for some dessert!!

Microwave Chocolate Brownie in a Mug

(original recipe found {HERE}

(literally oohy gooey and ready to eat in 5 min!)

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons Butter (melted0

2 tablespoons water

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 dash of salt

2 tablespoons cocoa powder (I used the dark cocoa powder)

4 tablespoons sugar

4 tablespoons all purpose flour

Directions:

1. get a 12 oz mug. add the butter and melt in microwave for 30 seconds.

2. now add the water, vanilla and salt...whisk together with a fork

3. add cocoa powder and whisk together.

4. add sugar and whisk.

5. add flour and whisk.

6. heat in microwave for about 60 to 90 seconds. 60 seconds gives you an oohy gooey center...maybe like a lava cake!!!

Seriously...you MUST try this brownie!!

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I hope everyone has a great weekend!

anything fun planned?

and with that...I'll leave you with some cuteness!

this is chloe as a baby! and I bet you didn't know she is almost 4!

xoxo

manda

How about...It's NOT ok?

HI!

{Linking up HERE!}

I'm gonna do an...

It's NOT ok...

is that ok with you? it better be!

Soooooo...
It's NOT ok...

...That I rolled over my iPhone charger so much at work that it completely broke. And so my phone went dead on Tuesday. All day at work with NO phone! Not cool! (yeah I'm constantly rolling back and forth in my chair...it's kinda fun to whip around!)
My hair may be flying in the wind like this while I do it! lol jk!

Source: ayushveda.com via Amanda on Pinterest

 

...That my hair got caught in the blow dryer and now it smells of burnt hair every time I turn it on! (luckily I didn't have to cut much of my hair off!)
I need a new blow dryer. How awesome would this be?!?!?!
Yes... it's a blow dryer!

Source: google.com via Leslie on Pinterest

and now for some...

It's OK...

...that E got me sick. Yes I blame it on you babe! Even though I was a crazy germaphobe (he thought I was crazy)! Oopsie...and I still got sick!

...that E tells me that I snore now that I can't breathe through my nose! (maybe that's what he gets since he got me sick! heehee)

...that I somehow always forget to put deodorant on in the mornings so I keep some at work. How I forget...I have no idea...I mean come on...it's a part of my daily routine!

**Last day to enter the giveaway {HERE}!

**And don't forget to start diggin up your old photos for a one time hilarious link up on Jan 31st! More info {HERE}!

What are you ok with today?
(or NOT ok with!)

xoxo
manda

some sad news...NO Tank :-(

Oh Tuesday! ...why can't you be Thursday (or even Friday!)?!

I'll save the bad news for last...
or is it normally the good news last?
anyways...

Here's a little recap of the weekend.
On Friday night...we watched

'The Rise of Planet of the Apes'.

I have to say...it was really good! It kinda started to get weird but I think overall it was good!

Here are a few photos from Instagram this past week!

1. Zesty Chicken Corn Chowder! It was pretty darn good (and healthy)!

I'll be sharing the recipe soon!

2. We woke up on Sunday and got donuts! Apple Fritters are my fav!

3. Chloe...need I say more hee hee!

4. My new CAMERA BAG! From Cheeky Lime! It's super cute with white leather trim!

I'll give y'all some good news!

I think we finally decided on a 'save the date' last night!!

We decided with weddingpaperdivas.com 
(I'll show them to you guys in another post!)

I prob won't buy them until the end of the week...I'm not sure where I put our guest list!! oopsie! so we need to make another.

QUESTION!!

Did you send your 'save the dates' to EVERYONE on your guest list?

............................................................

and now for the not so good news...

Remember last week...Tank was suppose to be born on Tuesday.

Eric and I were so bummed last night. We finally heard from the bullmastiff breeder.

Well...all of the puppies were born healthy.

 The litter had 1 boy and all the rest were girls.

We cannot get Tank. The breeder is actually keeping ALL of the pups.
This was a serious and reputible breeder that goes to dog shows and they decided to use them all for show. (this is normal with high end breeders)They are sending our deposit back.

Sooooo.....
We are on the search again for a bullmastiff pup. We love the name Tank but for some reason it doesn't feel right to name another pup Tank! I know...I'm crazy! But if you know of a reputible bullmastiff breeder...please let me know!

  Enter the current giveaway {HERE}!

And read more about the Yearbook Funnies link up {HERE}. Start digging up your old photos. (it doesnt have to be an actual yearbook photo)

  

hope everyone has a lovely Tuesday!

xoxo

manda

Motivate Me Monday!

Let's Link Up for Motivate Me Monday!
I am co-hosting with Ashley and Whitney!
Even if you didn't participate in this weeks challenge...you can still link up and tell us about anything in your life that is fitness related!


Thanks to everyone who joined last week!
So fun seeing so many of you join and reading about your fitness journey!

Today's Challenge/Topic is : 

(as stated in last weeks post HERE)
what is your max on some of the machines???

I can do about 100 lbs on the leg press machine!!
I prob could have done a little more but I didn't want to hurt myself! haha!
To be honest I didn't want to do too much weight on everything because my workout routine calls for 2 sets of 20 reps (light weight). I can already tell a difference and I've only been doing my routine for 2 weeks. Eric actually mentioned something as well! {HERE} is my routine!

I really want to share a pretty healthy easy recipe with you guys!
I made it last week and it was really good!
Originally found {HERE} but I made it a little more healthy!

Ingredients:

4-5 chicken breasts

2 lemons

2 cupcs dried breadcrumbs

3/4 cup no salt added tomato sauce

2 avocados

1/2 cup fat free shredded mozarella cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400.

2. Pound down the chicken breasts to about 1/2 an inch thick.

3. Squeeze lemons into a bowl and place breadcrumbs into a separate bowl and slice avocados.

4. Dip chicken into lemon juice then dip into breadcrumbs.

5. Spread breasts onto your baking dish.

5. Layer tomato sauce, avocados and sheese onto each breast.

7. Cook in oven for about 25 to 30 minutes or until done.

Source: Uploaded by user via Candy on Pinterest

Now let's link up...

Grab the button and visit my co-hosts Ashley and Whitney!

NEXT WEEK'S CHALLENGE/TOPIC:

It's an open week!
 Tell us all about YOU and what's been going on with your fitness journey!

Do you have any ideas for one of our challenges?? Let me know! forloveofacupcake@gmail.com

 

Have a wonderful day!!
Manda

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Bri at Breezy Days {Guest Post}

Hi all you 'For Love of a Cupcake' followers!

My name is Bri {not like the cheese} :)

I'm a born & raised Southern California girl, who is now livin' in a small Utah town and adjusting to the weather being below 65 degrees for half of the year.

I enjoy utilizing my closet to the max because I'm the typical poor newlywed & college student. 

I gotta get creative!

If this sounds like your cup of 7-11 hot chocolate:

Check me out over at Breezy Days!

{via}

{via}

 I have an obsession with shoes.

There, I've said it. I should join Shoes Anonymous now or something.

Ok, maybe it's just more of an obsession of clothes, shoes, and any kind of accessory in general...

BUT that is beside the point here. 

I want to lay out the 5 essential shoes every woman needs!

And what to wear it with of course, which is the most important part :)

{via} 

{via}

1 Pair of Ferocious Flats

Grab a neutral pair. Tan, black, white, etc.

And guess what, leopard print and snakeskin count as a neutral!

I'm SO obsessed with flats. They look classic, they come in a bazillion colors, they go with pretty much everything, and if you find the right pair they are sooo comfy.

Wear with: Any length of skirt, pants, capris, shorts, you name it! Flats go with just about everything.

1 Pair of Stylish Sneakers

For all you mom's who are running around after the lil ones this is an essential.

It's also meant for you to work out and get that bod you've been wanting!

Wear with: yoga pants, workout shorts, cute sweats

1 Pair of Hawt Heels

This is can double as work heels or as some leg lengtheners for your hot date this weekend :)

Classic black is the way to go if you are starting out your shoe collection.

If you want taller heels without the strain of trying to walk in them, try out heels with a platform on the front. They give you more height, without making you fall over when you walk.

Wear with: pencil skirts, trouser jeans, skinny jeans rolled up, boyfriend jeans (a good contrast!), an A-line dress.

1 Pair of Riding Boots

These neutral boots can take you from Fall all the way to the drizzle in Spring.

They are flattering on all women: short, tall, curvy, skinny, you name it.

Wear with: Above the knee skirts/dresses for spring, pencil skirts for fall, over skinny jeans.

1 Pair of Wild Wedges

Umm, so cute?! I absolutely loooove snakeskin. Goes with everything!

Wedges are good for those who are quite accustomed to heels. 

Makes you taller without the hassle of walking on a stiletto.

Wear with: swingy skirts, flirty dresses, loose summer-y shorts, boyfriend jeans

Well, thanks to Amanda for letting me guest post.

Come on over to Breezy Days for a plethora of:

Sassiness, outfits, recipes, fun happenins', and thoughts I have on being newly married while tryin' to finish up school. Thanks again!

<3 Bri

............................................................

Oh my goodness!
I will def be buying me some snakeskin wedges!
Now go check out Bri {HERE}!
I know you'll love her!

After you visit Bri...click {HERE} to enter the current giveaway!


AND if you're ready to tackle your health and fitness...check out the 24 day challenge or visit THIS page for a nutrition and workout plan!

xoxo


manda

GIVEAWAY! {from For Lauren & Lauren}

A Giveaway from Katie at...
'for Lauren and Lauren'!

Before we get to the giveaway I want you to meet Katie!
She is so sweet and I always catch myself asking...
'where did you get this dress' or 'how did you make that'?
I'll let her tell you a little about herself!

Hi For Love of a Cupcake readers! 

My name is Katie and I blog over at . . . for Lauren and Lauren.

I've only been blogging for a few months and Amanda is one of the first blogging friends I've made and I'm excited to be sharing on her blog today!  

I am a wife, lover of Jesus, third grade teacher, aunt, runner, and crafter.   

I recently opened my etsy shop, K.Jane, to share some of the things I've created. 

I started writing my blog for my sister Lauren, and future sister-in-law Lauren who wanted me to share my daily outfit posts, due to my ability to find cheap, cute clothes. In high school I honestly wore sweatpants to school everyday, so I think I'm making up for lost time! When I started blogging I thought I would just post pictures of my outfits, but I realize that is such a small piece of what I want to share. 

My blog has become a mix of my style and craft projects,  but also about what I'm learning in life! 

Her Links:
Blog
Etsy Shop

Katie is giving away one of her awesome
Rosette Bib Necklaces!

Super cute right?!?!

and you get to choose between these colors...



maroon, brown, white, light blue or light green

Here's how to enter!

(I'm jealous by the way!)

I will choose a winner via random.org on 1/27/12!
(it may take a sec for the rafflecopter app to load)