Did You Miss the Big News?

Let me just tell you, I am so glad Monday is here. You read it right, HAPPY MONDAY!!  Ross has been out of town for almost a week which means I have been playing single parent to two crazy kids.  To put it mildly, my nerves are shot!  I love my girls, but now that Ross is home we can tag team it.  Hey Ross, tag, you're it, buddy!

Since I had so much fun last week linking up with Sami, Leeann and Dana with a weekend recap, I thought I would give it another whirl.  Is it just me, or do you love peeking into other people's lives? Does that make me a creeper?  Well, if so, just chalk it up as another one of the many names I have been called.  So, here it is, a weekly recap through the eyes of my Instagram. Go ahead, peek all you want.  You can find me @becauseshannasaidso.

This picture makes me want to bust out Nelly's, "It's Gettin' HOT in Here".  Yep, pictures don't lie.  That's Texas for you. And oh, do you like all the kids' junk on the backseat? I don't even try anymore.

These are a special gift sent down from the Lord. How did I eat the entire box in 4 days?  I guess that explains my tighter fitting jeans. Oops!

We pretty much lived at the pool last week.  I considered it my place of peace while Ross was gone.  Looks like these two pool rats found peace as well.  It's a hard knock life!

I was bummed that I didn't get to spend Father's Day with my daddy this year. I thought of him all day and we talked over the phone at least three times.  He is my other life long dancing partner.  And no jokes about my over-sized forehead...I heard it all my life from my big brother.

Okay, who else out there gets the strangest key word searches? Sarah Michelle Gellar boobs? I had no clue who Phillip C Norred was, so I Googled him.  My blog was listed 3rd on Google when I searched his name. And guess how Mr. Sly Guy popped into my little blog world? He was one of those "anonymous" commenters that never make any sense.  Thanks, Mr Norred, you brought a new vistor to my blog.

Speaking of Father's Day, Ross didn't get back into town until 7:00 PM last night. We sent him this picture for him to hurry home. My girls missed this their daddy and I missed my sanity!  Kidding, I missed you too, Ross!

Awe, there we go, reunited after almost a week. Look are those sweet, innocent, "we do no wrong" faces. Oh, if you could only be a fly on the wall in my house.  I am keeping it real with the red-eye. Too lazy to edit iPhone photos. Momma's tired, remember?

Ross wanted sushi for Father's Day and Momma never turns down a meal that includes raw fish. What is it about that spicy mayo sauce that they drizzle on top?  Anyone know where I can buy a bottle of this goodness?  I could eat it with a spoon.

I call these little munchkins the chopstick lips.  They found more ways to entertain themselves with two wooden sticks. Such a proud mom moment. And no, they don't eat sushi, just fried rice.

In case you missed the BIG announcement yesterday, I am hosting a Bauble Swap on my blog. It's a fun way to get a piece of jewelry from a fellow bloggette and make new friends.  I have about 8 people interested so far.  Don't miss out!  Spread the good word!!  Please and thank you!

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I am linking up with these fab ladies today!

Bauble Swap

What is a Bauble Swap?

It's all pretty simple...swapping a new or gently used piece of jewelry with someone else in the blogosphere. Why do it? Because it's a fun way to connect with other bloggers all while getting a surprise in the mail.  Who doesn't love mailbox goodies, especially when it is jewelry!

The Deets
If you are interested in participating, simply send an e-mail to me with the following:

Send to: shanna_schneider@hotmail.com

Subject: Bauble Swap

Include: First and last name, Shipping Address, and URL

You will then get paired up with someone else who wants to join in on the fun.

Once I have paired you with another blogger, I will provide you with your Bauble Buddy's name, shipping information and their blog address. That way, you can go to their blog, check out their style, learn more about them and make a new friend!

In the next week or so (the sooner the better), send a necklace, pair of earrings or bracelet(s) you think they would wear. Please DO NOT send rings since we don't know sizes.  If you send earrings, please PINKY PROMISE that they are NEW and not gently used.  Your buddy will do the same.  Please be considerate on what you send. Make sure it's something you would be excited to receive. Don't be a jerk and send something from a gumball machine. Put some thought into it because, I promise you, your Bauble Buddy WILL blog about it!!  If you are sending something new; the price limit should be $25 or less.

After both buddies receive their item, blog about what you sent and received! I’ll post a place to link-up on this same page once we have some interest so you can see what other people are sharing.

Time Frame
This swap will run through July 15, 2012. Don't wait until the end to sign-up!

What if I join and don’t get anything in return?
I will send you something myself!

Can bloggers from Canada participate or is this just for the U.S.?
For Canadians to participate, we need someone else in Canada to swap with (shipping across Customs tends to get hairy). If you are Canadian, encourage other bloggers to play along. I would be happy to set up a swap!

Important Extras
You must be an ACTIVE blogger (i.e. the last time you blogged wasn’t last year). It's only fair, people. You don't need a gazillion followers or blog every day.  Just be somewhat active. Okay? Deal.

If you plan to participate, please grab this button and add to a blog post, so we can spread the bauble word. It would be most appreciated if you added it to your page as soon as you decide to join. So, ideally you will mention the swap TWICE on your blog. I don't think that is asking too much.  Do you?

Don't forget to follow me!


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If you have any other questions, feel free to shoot me an email.

Cheers to swapping some baubles!  I hope you all play along!

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

All I can say is that I need to book a trip to Vegas, play the lottery, go to a BINGO bar or enter Publishers Clearing House because yours truly is on a Anastasia Steele winning streak!

In the past month, I have won SEVEN blog giveaways! I know, I can't believe it either.  Now, don't go shaking your head at me thinking that the only thing I do all day is enter every giveaway that gets posted. Don't get me wrong, I enter my fair share. I mean, who doesn't like getting fun and FREE goodies in the mail? It sure beats the bills!

So, if you promise not to get too jealous of my loot, I will share with you what I have won thus far. I say thus far because I don't plan on this streak ending any time soon! Remember, no jealousy allowed!

I won a pink, crocodile leather bag from Sarah at Simply Sarah. It can be used as a cross body or clutch. I have to hide it from my wise little child, Logan. I have caught her a few times trying to sneak it out of my closet. 

Then I got the news from Meg at Henning Love that I won her Sexy Modest giveaway.  This my friends was a shoppers' paradise.  I could go and pick ANYTHING I wanted from their Facebook store.  Yep, ANYTHING!  As I have said before, I am trying to be practical with my wardrobe these days, so I chose this mint cardi.  It's a staple, right?

Then on a whim, I came across Veronika's blog, Girl & Closet, for a $40 gift certificate to Fierce Deer. I scored the leaf earrings in the picture above and a vintage looking bicycle necklace.  I haven't received these pretties in the mail yet, but they should be on their way!!

My eyes lit up when Laura at Beauty and the Beard slapped these up on her blog. She gave away three pairs of these stud-tastical earrings from Fornash. Once again, I was a lucky lady! Go check out the Fornash online boutique.  Get your credit card ready for the bumble bee or anchor studs.

Britt at The Magnolia Pair messaged me on Monday saying I won these gorg earrings from Earrings Nation. We always joke about how we should rig our giveaways so we could win each others. So, when I actually did win, she was worried that people would think she hand picked me...I guess you will never know the truth...kidding...I won these beauties fair and square. 

Kristin at Fancy Things is one of my good blog friends. So, this is another one that you may think was rigged, but you can ease your pretty little mind. Rafflecopter picked me out of 934 entries.  I told you that I needed to hit Sin City or a gas station for some scratch offs! Check out Rabarri's etsy shop, all of the jewelry is handmade and delicately girly!  LOVE!!

Last, but definitely not least, I won three of these Lily and Laura hand beaded bracelets made in Nepal. Ashley with SideSmile Style congratulated me with an email bright and early Wednesday morning. All I could do was drop my jaw and give myself a high five for being such a WINNER!

So, I completely understand if you are giving me the stink-eye or waving your middle finger in the air. I would be doing the same thing. But hey, I see it as an opportunity to scope out some new blogs and shops. I mean, that was the whole intention of this post....to share my knowledge with you!

No really, I want to say thanks to all the ladies for hosting these giveaways. I am thrilled to have won!

My mom always told me that I was a born winner!

Cheers!

 Today I am linking up with these ladies for some Friday fun!