Father's Day Giveaway (Datevitation)

One year while I was in elementary school I remember making a little coupon book for my mom for Mother's Day.

It had redeemable coupons for things I would do for her like wash the dishes, or rub her feet. I thought this was a great idea, because I was only like 10 years old and had no money to actually buy her a gift. It was also super sweet and sentimental, so a win win.

A few weeks ago I was contacted by a company who essentially does the same thing. The website is Datevitation, and they are the first ever online platform to create custom coupon books.

Unlike other pre-packaged coupon books on the market, you pick the dates and customize the text/description to your liking. Basically it goes like this: Go to their site, select your gender, the gender of the person you're making the book for, and the essence of your relationship (friendly, romantic). You select from different categories like: Culture and Shows, Dining Out, Sports, Getaways, Pampering, etc... and then there are a ton of ideas to choose from. There's even an Adult Only section with some really fun ideas. ;)

I received a free book with five dates in exchange for doing this review, and gave my booklet to Matt as part of an anniversary gift. He loved it and honestly, it is just as much as a gift for me as it is for him. I cannot wait to start scratching off our date list!

Overall, I think this is such a fantastic idea!

Books normally start at just $20 so it makes for a thoughtful yet economical gift. But as a special treat for my followers, you can use the code 'LOVESONG' for $10 off your purchase in May or June. 

That means you can get your loved one a one-of-a-kind gift for Father’s day starting at just $10! The order cut-off date for guaranteed delivery by Father’s Day is June 6 so make sure to get your order in before then!

Below are snippets of the dates I chose. A text description of the date appears on the right side of the photo in the booklet and again, that's something you can edit yourself.

Comedy Club

Fortune Teller. This one might be trouble!

Take out and movie at home. 

Spa treatment at home. I of course would be the one massaging Matt.

Boat ride on the harbor. 

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

(You obviously don't have to do every single entry, but the more you do the better chance you have at winning!)

Happy Anniversary!

Happy 2nd anniversary, Matt! You don't get the recognition you deserve here on this blog, but I try to tell you how much you mean to me every single day.

What I don't say to you enough though is how you are by far, the sweetest, most loving man I've ever met.

Everything you do is out of selflessness and love for myself and for our family. You have such a big heart, and  not just when it comes to those close to you but to the rest of the world.

You have changed me for the better so much in the six years we've been a couple.

Some days I'm not sure if we're the exact same person, or complete opposites, but whatever it is, it's working. We balance each other out in the biggest and smallest of ways.

Of course we don't always see eye to eye but there is no one in the world I would rather argue over stupid opinions and facts with than you. (C'mon, you know I'm always right, anyway.)

I could go on and list so many things about you that make you so wonderful but my fingers would get tired from typing so much.

You are a great man and I am so proud to be your wife. Thank you so much for all you do! I only hope I'm half as good of a wife as you are a husband, and from the way you treat me, I must be doing something right.

I love you with all my heart and more.

Harper's Ferry, WV.  2010. (Seeing how thin I used to be makes me want to cry, but not want to actually do anything to change it.) 

May 28th, 2011. 

Honeymoon June 2011.

August 2011.

First wedding anniversary, May 28th, 2012. 

Family Time

I hate saying that my family and I have been "super busy" lately, because really, what family isn't constantly trying to balance life or running around like madmen?

This weekend so far has been more eventful than usual though, since Matt's extended family is in town from New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The weather has been perfect, and Natalie's been non-stop on the go.

She went to the zoo with Daddy while I was at work on Saturday, has gone on so many bike rides with Matt's dad and has had endless amounts of attention from new faces. We even partied on Saturday night to celebrate my nieces 4th birthday!

Yesterday Matt and I took advantage of all the relatives around and decided to get some home projects like staining the deck done, so we left Natalie at his parents where everyone is staying.

 Later the three of us went over to our friends/neighbors house so Nat could see her beloved buddy, Buddha aka "Boo-boo" the dog. We ended up staying awhile there and having a few beers while Natalie enjoyed playing with the other kids and making Daddy roll her around on the scooter. Then we had a cook out with the family, came home and fell asleep right away. We were wore out!

We've got some more errands to do today, and have to say good-bye to everyone heading back home. Tomorrow is our 2nd anniversary and our only plans are to go out to dinner.

Happy Memorial Day, people! Hope everyone has had a great weekend. Thank you to all who have or are serving our country.

Pretty birthday girl, Bridget. 

 My sisters children and mine: Drew, 10, Sienna, 7, Colin, 61/2, Bridget, 4, Natalie, 1 1/2.  The best shot I could get of all five of 'em. 

Colin and pizza faced Natalie. 

Driving home from the party on Saturday, we noticed the moon was so low and orange, so I had to stop at the Masonic Temple to get a shot of it. Here's my hometown in all it's glory! 

Dermagist Review/Giveaway

Happy Friday, everyone!

With Mother's Day this Sunday, I thought now would be the perfect time to post this giveaway that Dermagist so generously offered to do!

I tried out their Skin Tone Correcting line, because I have some discoloration around my mouth. I've been using it for about a month, and though I haven't been applying it as consistently as I should, I definitely notice a difference. I really wish I took a before picture but I thought I would be too self conscious to share it, so I didn't.

Anyway, now's your chance to try it for yourself. One lucky reader will receive the two part skin brightening system, completely free!

This product is not a bleaching system. Even if you don't have any discoloration, it's great to even out your skin tone and brighten your overall completion.

Rules to enter:

 Like the Dermagist Facebook page

Follow Dermagist on Pinterest

Comment to let me know you're interested

Fine line: Must be a resident of the US or Canada to enter. Previous winners of a Dermagist giveaway are excluded from entering.

If you're a non registered user please provide an email address so I can contact you. Giveaway ends 5.15.13

Update: Winner via Random.org is Vanessa from A Life of Our Own. Congrats!

**Giveaway closed**

Life Lately + 17 Months

Wow, it's been awhile since I've popped in here to blog! Truth is I unexpectedly felt like taking break from blogging, so I did. It wasn't planned and nothing major or crazy has been going on, I just didn't wanna blog, so I didn't.

We've have been out and about, enjoying the beautiful weather and really taking in the new season.

We are outside at least four hours everyday. We take long walks and just try to find something new and interesting to do. A different playground to go to, a pond to feed ducks, anything to keep entertained.

I've also started cooking more and doing meal plans for dinner, and I've really been enjoying that. It's kinda fun and I love being in control of what my family eats.

I'm making some playground acquaintances for myself and have met a few new neighbors who seem really nice. Natalie really isn't into playing with kids her age yet (she loves kids who are older than her though) but it's nice to make small talk with a few people who are friendly. 

Everything is good and there's so much more to look forward to too!

This is by far the busiest time of the year for us. Mothers Day is in a week, then our wedding anniversary is two weeks after that, then my birthday two weeks after our anniversary, then Fathers Day four days after my birthday, then Matt's birthday a week after Fathers Day, not to mention other family members birthdays in between those dates! I'll be really busy and broke soon. 

Oh, and Natalie is also 17 months today! (I've really got to stop counting months and just say she's a year and a half.)

I was going to write a post entirely about what's new with her, because I felt like there were a bajillion things to say but now that I sit and try to think of something of course nothing comes to mind.

I can say our spring wasn't off to that pleasant of a start. She had a nasty stomach bug that lasted five days or so and after the illness passed, the crankiness in her lingered. I was so afraid we were entering the terrible twos.

Thankfully that has been over for a couple of weeks now and she has been (almost) all smiles! She either has a bit of a cold now or just allergies, but her nose has been runny and she has her moments of freaking out when she doesn't get her way (her way is to constantly be outside, she'll stand by the door and cry if we don't take her).

She's less of a picky eater now, thank goodness. Her favorite vegetables are mushrooms, broccoli, and cucumbers. She'll try just about anything but the best way to get her to eat something is to lead by example. If she sees her older cousins nibbling on something she immediately wants what they have. It got her to try red peppers!

She is finally warming up to strangers and other family members besides Matt's parents. She'll hug and high five just about anyone we ask her to. I look forward to the point where she's comfortable enough to hang around my parents or sisters without Matt or myself there.

So that's that! I am sure after I post this I'll think of some more things.

Here are some recent photos of the babe:

Doesn't like sand in her sandals.

Make a wish. 

She found  something interesting.  

Sunshine in her face.

Petals from a neighbors tree. 

Playing with grass and dirt makes her happy. 

Crossing the bridge at the playground like a big girl.

Quack, quack. 

Boot wearers.