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Mar 01 2013

projects

Project Life: January & February

My 2013 project life album is ready for its blog debut. I’ve done a few things differently this year: smaller format and no weekly divisions. This year I’m just designating months, rather than weeks, so that I don’t have to feel guilty or use filler for weeks where there’s not a lot going on and have tons of inserts for big events.

I loved the small format so much that I was super inspired to start another album. So I did! I’m working on my first smash album to document my 2013 resolution progress. I’ll post photos of that at my 4-month resolution update.

Tagged Craft, Paper, project life, scrapbook

Feb 22 2013

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fashion Aside

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway to win one of my favorite Stella & Dot pieces, the Light Bracelet, valued at $19.00

Info below is same as previous post. All entries will be combined so feel free to enter here or there.

GIVEAWAY RULES:

Giveaway runs through 2/24/13 at 3:00 p.m. pacific time. We’ll draw the winner at theTrunk Show. You don’t need to be present to win. We’ll ship your bauble if you can’t come. Only one winner. This giveaway was not sponsored by Stella & Dot. U.S. ONLY.

TO ENTER:

Receieve one entry per action completed below. Comment separately for each entry.

1. Follow and/or Repin 3+ pins from Amanda’s Stella & Dot Pinterest Board.

2. Come to the Trunk Show

3. Check out the online Trunk Show and let me know what your favorite pieces are.

4. Blog about this giveaway and post your link in the comments.

5. Tweet about this giveaway and include @a_laplante in your tweet.

don’t forget: stella & dot giveaway, ends soon

Tagged fashion, favorites, free, giveaway, jewelry, stella & dot

Feb 21 2013

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body

run, baby, run!

I used to hate running.

Two of my nearest and dearest friends LOVE running and even their affection for it couldn’t change how I felt about it. Even social pressure couldn’t turn me: I called myself a couch potato and proud of it! But in December, after a few months of Zumba, everything changed.

If you haven’t been following me on Instagram, it might surprise you to hear that I now love running. I started in December, outside, in freezing weather. That was a mistake. It took me weeks to get back into it. And this time, indoors. I started short and am working my way up. Planning on running a 5k or 10k this summer and going from there. I don’t see myself running any half marathons, but then again, I never thought I’d be a runner. Never say never.

I’m by far no expert in function, but I know a thing or two about fashion. My favorite running shoes, running crops, workout bra and running socks. I wish I could buy everything in neon. Except my crops. Never those.

Here’s my running playlist:

The A Team – Ed Sheeran
Anything Could Happen – Ellie Goulding
Everybody Talks – Neon Trees
Birthday – Kings of Leon
Domino – Jessie J
Marry You – Bruno Mars
Poker Face – Lady Gaga
Pontoon – Little Big Town
Stronger – Kanye West
That’s Not My Name – The Ting Tings
American Honey – Lady Antebellum

So, tell me everything. Favorite races, favorite running gear and favorite songs are always encouraged.

Tagged exercise, nike, playlist, running, workout

Feb 13 2013

7 Comments

fashion

you should know: stella & dot // a giveaway

Have you guys heard of Stella & Dot?

It’s a party, fun shopping and modern, high quality jewelry wrapped up in one. I had seen so many girls wearing fab Stella & Dot jewels and bobbles but hadn’t realized where they were from until my good friend Amanda U became a Stella & Dot stylist. Now I”m hooked.

Here are some of my faves:

Stella & Dot sells their jewelry and accessories in 2 main ways- online and through (typically in-house) trunk shows. I decided to host a trunk show later this month with Amanda at my house and I can’t wait to introduce those of you who haven’t met Stella & Dot yet. If you can’t make it to my trunk show, there are two ways for you to still get in on the fun. First, you can shop through my online trunk show here. I’d love it if you would. I know you’ll find something great. Secondly, you can enter to win one of our favorite arm-candy-acceptable Stella & Dot pieces, the Light Bracelet, right here.

GIVEAWAY RULES:

Giveaway run from today through 2/24/13 at 3:00 p.m. pacific time. We’ll draw the winner at the Trunk Show. Need not be present to win. We’ll ship your bauble if you can’t come. Only one winner. This giveaway was not sponsored by Stella & Dot. U.S. ONLY.

TO ENTER:

Receieve one entry per action completed below. Comment separately for each entry.

1. Follow and/or Repin 3+ pins from Amanda’s Stella & Dot Pinterest Board.

2. Come to the Trunk Show

3. Check out the online Trunk Show and let me know what your favorite pieces are.

4. Blog about this giveaway and post your link in the comments.

5. Tweet about this giveaway and include @a_laplante in your tweet.

Tagged fashion, jewelry, party, shopping, stella & dot, stella and dot

Nov 15 2012

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Uncategorized

Giveaway Winners!

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway for the holiday garland. I had a lot of fun making them and I hope you have a lot of fun using them.

The winners are…

Whitney H and Teresa!

Whitney, message or email me your address, and Teresa, I’ll send your garland along with my mom to give you

Hope you all are getting into the festive mood! Happy Holidays!

p.s. if you’d like to purchase a garland, they’re available through my etsy shop or you can let me know you’re interested in the comments. thanks!

Nov 11 2012

12 Comments

projects

festive holiday paper garland; a giveaway

recently I was putting together my December Daily album to document December- more about that later- and I got the urge to make a paper garland for embellishment in my album. And I loved it so much that I decided to make one for my living room. And I liked that one so much that I decided to make some for etsy. And I liked those so much that I decided to make some for you.

Check out my etsy listing and comment below to win a yard of holiday goodness, delivered right to your door. If you Facebook, Tweet, or tell your BFF about this, comment again for another chance to win. If you haven’t followed my blog before, you should. And then comment again. The giveaway will end on Wednesday November 14th at noon, PST, when I will draw TWO winners.

As always, thanks for reading and thanks for playing.

Tagged Christmas, December Daily, giveaway, glitter, Paper

Oct 31 2012

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home

the best pumpkin recipe

Happy Halloween, everyone! If you’re not sick of pumpkin yet…

I don’t do much in the kitchen, so when I do find a recipe that sticks I’ve realized how good that must be.

My favorite fall recipe is for these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies from Danelle at Let’s Dish, who is great. You probably have almost everything you need and I love that these cookies can take you from September through November. I’ve made them for a lot of people this month and the reviews were great. Two notes: I love that you only use about 1/2 a can of pumpkin so a whole can makes two batches. Also, I’ve struggled with the timing for baking. I ususally ended up doing more like 14-15 min per batch, and I watched closely, and yes, they come out very gooey so it’s hard to tell if they’re done. Trial and error for your particular oven.

If you try these, let me- and Danelle- know what you think!

Recipe and photo are Danelle’s, at Let’s Dish.

Tagged cookies, fall, pumpkin, recipe

Oct 24 2012

3 Comments

projects

acorn wreath

About a month ago I started collecting these acorns, unsure of their final destination. I think it was E who suggested a wreath, which is surprising since he just forbid me from a Christmas one on QVC because of the sheer quantity of wreathes already in our home.

I used an embroidery hoop wrapped in yarn and hot glue. I just started attaching them and tried to be random. Before it got too full I tied on a grosgrain ribbon for hanging.

Some of the accorn bottoms did fall out of their tops- either prior to gluing or after- but I just put a dab of hot glue into the cap and put the bottoms back in.

Tagged autumn, crafts, DIY, fall, projects

Sep 19 2012

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home

a little business: Wind and Willow Home

Have you seen these gorgeous, dipped wood bowls? I am in love with all of them, but especially the neon. Of course, we can’t forget that they are all lovingly handmade in the USA. You can learn more about them and order here.

I know it’s hard to choose, but which ones are your favorites? Click on each individual photo to be redirected to it’s direct link.

Tagged dipped, etsy, gifts, handmade, kitchen, neon, wind and willow home

Sep 14 2012

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fashion, home

Fall Favorites

Fall is, by far, my favorite season. I start mentally and physically getting ready for it the first day of September and nurse it until the Christmas bug strikes. Here are a few fall things I’m loving right now.