An Exciting Mashup of Announcements

It’s been a big exciting week and I have much to share with you all. I’m going to swirl it all together and pack it all into one post in an effort to keep your readers clutter free.

1. Let me just start by saying I’m in love with my new headshots! Bludoor Studios in Southlake, TX really came through with some amazing and fun images for me to choose from. This photoshoot was a blast from beginning to end. I wound up not even doing anything (professionally) to my hair. I just ran a curling iron through it and, in true TX fashion, sprayed it with about half a can of hairspray. If you look closely in some of the pictures you can see some of my premature gray hairs, but I’m going to lie to myself and call them “highlights.” I did, however, treat myself to a wonderful makeup application by a M.A.C. makeup artist. She was the best one I’ve ever had work on me, hands down. He name is Nia and she’s the counter manager out of the Firewheel Dillards (for local gals who might be interested).

While I need the pictures for professional reasons, I’m not going to deny that, on a personal level, it was a ton of fun to dress up and feel pretty. Not pretty for a mom or pretty even though I’m carrying a diaper bag and there’s a spot of spit up on my shirt. Just good ol’ fashioned, children have nothing to do with it, pretty. I think all moms should treat themselves to something that makes them feel so good.

If you’re in the DFW area and looking for a photographer to take some fun shots of yourself, your family or your children, definitely give Rejana and Mike at Bludoor Studios a call. You will not regret it (seriously, look at this scrumptious baby picture). Plus, if you mention “Baby Rabies” you get $50 off your session rate!

2. I’d like to formally introduce you to my newest blog baby- PartyLikeAKid.com! Around the beginning of the year I started doing some searching around for birthday party inspiration for Kendall’s 2nd birthday and was frustrated that there didn’t seem to be one blog/website that focused solely on kid’s parties and featured more than just inspiration boards. I wanted to see what other people had done for their kid’s parties, and I wanted to get inspiration for my own DIY and creative details. I could find this information on tons of blogs, of course, like personal ones and general party blogs, but it was frustrating having to hunt all around for ideas. I just wanted to go to ONE place and find all the inspiration I could ever want without having to sift through other stuff. So… I decided I’d make it myself.

I’ve been working with a designer Judith Shakes Designs for a couple months now and we just got the design finalized this week. The content is very minimal at this point and there’s a lot I have to add and tweak, but the bones are there, and I’m looking forward to watching it grow. I’ve already got some awesome partnerships and giveaways in the works (including one I’ll tell you about tomorrow), and my inbox is filling up with amazing reader submissions. This blog relies HEAVILY on people sharing and showing off their creativity and great party ideas, so please head over and send your idea if you have anything to show off! PLK also features baby shower ideas.

You can also find PLK on Twitter and on Facebook.

(And for those blown away by the beautiful design of PLK and looking for a web designer, Judith Shakes Designs just announced an awesome new special – “Now through July 18th, enter your favorite Elvis song in the promo code section of your quote request and get either $50 off a Blogger Quickie Supreme package or WP Starter Package or $100 off a WordPress Advanced or Expert Package. Share this on Twitter, Facebook or wherever else you share the things you do, and get another $25 off.”)

3. Just got back from my 16 week appointment. That baby sounded great. I got to hear his/her heartbeat for the first time and it was going strong at 143. The “big” ultrasound is set for Monday, July 26th!

---

50 Things to Do Before You Deliver: The First Time Moms Pregnancy Guide
Available now: Amazon | Barnes & Noble