Guest Post [Lanaya]

Today Lanaya from Raising Reagan is taking over my blog! In case you guys don't remember I introduced Lanaya back in early October (you can read that post here) So now I am just going to sit back, relax and let her do her thing. Take it away girl!

Hey there Girl Booklet fans!

It's me, Lanaya, author of Raising Reagan, again! Jessica asked me to stop in and say hello and let you know what was going on in the world of a stay at home mother, business owner and peppermint tea addict. It's true. I am addicted to peppermint tea and now my daughter Reagan wants it all the time too. Seriously, I am creating a monster.

♥ Blog ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Reagan's Toy Chest ♥ Bloglovin

So right now I am gearing up for the holiday shopping frenzy! This will be the first holiday season since I started my business. I started Reagan's Toy Chest, 

an online, educational toys for toddler store, so that I could offer something different and unique to parents for their children. It seemed to me that so much attention was being placed on video games and TV and interaction was being lost. So I set out on a mission to change that and bring imaginative and active play back into the home. I focused on finding the best educational games, toys and unique gifts and offering a one stop shop for all of them!

I love Christmas. It is by far my favorite holiday. I love Christmas lights, Christmas food, Christmas music, Christmas trees, Christmas parties, Christmas food .. oh wait, I said that one already didn't I? I won't lie. This mama loves food and that is one of the reasons I will never be super model thin again! Food is way too important, and delicious! I will say that I am glad I am a runner now and don't quite freak out when the pants get a little snug. It's the holidays, indulge a little right?

It's also the first Christmas that I think Reagan will actually love and enjoy. She turned two back in September and she is so much older than at Christmas last year, if that makes any sense. She is keen on her surroundings and has her own little personality that comes out. Christmas is going to be an absolute blast this year with her. I can't even wait for this weekend to get the holiday decorations out and make this house look like Christmas threw up all over it.

Can you imagine this face on Christmas morning?

So that's really it. I am working away selling my educational toys for toddlers and children and raising my very precocious two year old Reagan! She's a handful of attitude, just like her mama and I love her with all my heart. I am thankful for her everyday even though some days I get truly scared of what her teenage years are to bring! But I know she's mine and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Thank you Jessica for letting me hang out on your blog today and as a thanks I am giving away something awesome from Reagan's Toy Chest to one of your readers!! Everybody likes free stuff, especially around the holidays! Pajaggle is a fun, exciting brain teaser and makes a great gift! Check out this video. Please consider doing your shopping for any little ones in your life at Reagan's Toy Chest! You will love the selection of unique gifts that I have compiled for you.

Happy Holidays, now run along ... and get shopping!


Thank you Lanaya for hanging out on the blog! And here is a special treat for YOU! Lanaya is givinng away a "Pajaggle Game Board" from her Shop! Just remember that ALL entries are checked! Other than that GOOD LUCK!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

MEET LAUREN! [SPONSOR L♥VE]

                         Enter my giveaway here!

Here is another one of my lovely sponsors, Lauren! We met when I sponsored  her blog, and  then she returned the favor. Along the way we have not only become sponsors for each other but also friends. I love her blog and enjoy watching her 'Coffee Date' vlogs! She is such a wonderful person and I'd love for you to stop by and check out her blog! Leave her some love and PLEASE let her know I sent you! :) 

Hello you lovely Girl Booklet readers.
I'm Lauren and I'm visiting from Tutus & Tea Parties where I blog about crafting, parenting and some things in between. I'd love for you to stop by and say hello!

One thing anyone who knows me at all knows

is that I love coffee. No wait, I need coffee. My daughter will even tell you that I am one cranky mama without my morning (and late morning...and afternoon) cup o' Joe. 

No, I'm not leading up to a fancy, shmancy

coffee recipe for you...but I do have some pretty cool coffee related fonts I have collected! Here they are:

 Click the links to

download:

KG Skinny Latte | Catharsis Macchiato | Coffee Mugs | DK Early Morning Coffee

Catharsis Espresso | KR Coffee Love | DK Caffeine

Blackout

Stalk me (I won't get freaked out):

MEET LENA [SPONSOR L♥VE]

Here is another one of my lovely sponsors, Lena.  She is guest posting today and I am so excited! I have been following her blog for a while and I love it! She blogs about pretty much everything! From fashion, to her kids, to her Tuesday10 link up! So I will let her do her thing, just remember that I'd love for you to stop by and check out her blog! Leave her some love and PLEASE let her know I sent you! :) Let's get started!

Hey friends!

Super excited to be hanging out with Jessica here today!

My name is Lena and I blog over at Lena B, Actually.

Actually, until recently my blog was called Mom2MemphisAndRuby... but I just felt I hit a point that I wanted to explore more than just the mommy moments, so I started fresh with a new name that was all about me... a fashion-loving, photo-taking, thrifty & tattooed... mom of 2.  ;)

I absolute love fashion, and enjoy taking a risk here & there.

I live in a very small farming community, so my fashion choices do "stick" out a bit... but that's the fun part!

I'm going to share a few of my recent Fall Fashions with you today...

My favorite color is orange... which happens to be a perfect hue for this time of year!

 I squealed a little when I found this cute orange sweater... it was just the right shade & I loved the simple, but fun, print! I paired it with a pair of skinny cords, a denim jacket & a tall pair of boots. 

BUT... you could also have a little fun with the color and add a pair of purple tights too!

(yep, same boots! LOVE them!)

 Which brings me to my next favorite thing...

COLORED TIGHTS!

 I paired this olive green pair (if you're afraid of going too colorful too fast, try a shade like this!  Navy & maroon are perfect starter colors if you're nervous about this trend!) with a funky patterned dress from Modcloth and a cute pair of lace up booties!

 Don't these boots just scream "Fall"!?

Love them!

Last but not least... I mentioned skinny cords earlier in this post... I'm actually a tad obsessed with the rockstar skinnies from Old Navy!  I own several pairs... and my favorite are my bright red ones!

What are some of your favorite trends for the Fall?

I'd love for you to visit me at Lena B, Actually sometime!

Who wants to win $20 to spend at Modcloth!?

I would love to offer you guys the chance to get some goodies at one of my favorite shops!

Thanks again, Jessica for letting me hijack your blog for the day!

GIVEAWAY TIME!

Enter below for a chance to win $20 to Modcloth! Just remember that ALL entries are checked! Other than that  GOOD LUCK!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Sunday Social #15

Before I introduce today's Sunday Social post I just want to apologize for not blogging since Tuesday but I have been busy with Thanksgiving, and black Friday (remember that I work in retail so work just got hectic!) AND on top of that I don't have internet. Which is a bloggers worst nightmare!! But anyways now that you guys know why I have been absent I am glad I am back to blogging, so without further ado here is this week's Sunday Social  and of course I am linking up with Ashley from Ashley's Carnival Ride and Neely from A Complete Waste of Make Up. This week's post is all about the number 4!

1. Name 4 jobs you've had in your life.

My first job ever was at Oshkosh B'gosh. I started working when I was 16.! That seems like SUCH a long time ago.

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Then after I left Oshkosh I started working at Kitchen Collection. I was there for almost 4 years!! I started working as an associate and moved my way up to management.

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And this is my current work place :)

So the fourth one will hopefully be the job I get after I graduate from college!

2. Name 4 movies you would watch over and over.

The notebook
Sex and the city (part 1)
The princes and the Frog
The avengers

3. Name 4 places you have lived.

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I was born in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. I lived there until I was about 12. Then my family and I moved to 

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El Paso, Texas. I then lived there for 8 years until I moved to

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Las Cruces, New Mexico to go to college. I have moved to places nearby to where my parents are just an hour away. But I plan on my next move to be BIG

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after I graduate from college  I would love to move to Seattle!

4. Name 4 of your favorite foods.

Chicken tacos
Menudo
Mashed potatoes
Wings

5. Name 4 things you always carry with you.

I-phone
Wallet
Lotion
Make up

6. Name 4 places you have been on vacation.

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San Diego

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Los Angeles

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San Antonio

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Manhattan

I haven't been in a LONG vacation in a while and I miss it. Hopefully I get to do it soon!

MEET ELIF [SPONSOR L♥VE]

Before I introduce my sponsor I have something to say, I am sure you guys noticed (or at least I hope you guys did) that I did not do a Gossip Girl post yesterday. I apologize for that, I was out of town this weekend and came back today. I didn't have any access to the internet so I had no way of posting it. But not to worry! My weekly GG post will be back next week!

Also while I was away  my blog hit 400+ followers! WOW! Thank you all so so much! When I found out I actually did my happy dance! :) But enough about me and my crazy weekend.. let me  introduce you to my lovely sponsor Elif! COMMENTS ARE OFF!! why? Because I'd love for you to stop by and check out her blog! Leave her some love and PLEASE let her know I sent you! :) Let's get started!

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

They call me Elif and I’m 19 but I don’t show it at all. I have started to accept that I’m this petite & fragile girl. I study Translation& Interpretation in Istanbul.  I’m shy at first, usually fun, tired most of the time, sleepy, lazy, movie/tv show freak, sometimes a bookworm, vintage lover, collector, photographer, traveler and so on. And this is me saying “hi”.

What are you loving at the moment?

-I’m loving my hair at the moment. I know it kind of sounds funny but the reason for this is because for the first time in my life I actually had a major color change in my hair. By saying major it is just on the tips, but even that is just major for me.

Who is your role model?

-I actually don’t have a certain role model. It could be my mother in one day, and my sister the next. Sometimes I really like how my mother handles one situation and I look up to that and other times it would be my sister who does it. I just love them both, they always seem to look after me.

Who is your style icon?

-I really like Kristin Stewarts style. She could go from a casual rocker to a really chic red carpet look. Sometimes I feel myself close to that.

What inspired you to start blogging?

-I didn’t really have an inspiration I just wanted to be busy with something during the summer and I actually didn’t find myself very close to tumblr so I chose to be a blogger. Now that I am blogging I get inspired everyday from seeing a lot of different and interesting things.

Where can we find you?

Blog

 Twitter 

 Flickr

Facebook 

What kind of posts can we find on your blog?

 My blog involves lots of traveling posts. I enjoy traveling and I tend to take a lot of photographs when I do. Also I love to surf the internet for interesting things which pushed me towards my “What I Found” posts that I very much enjoy doing. Also there are such things as collections, film photography, nails & style posts found on my blog.

Do you have anything special going on with your blog? 

-Right now I do not have anything special going on at my blog but I am thinking to hold a giveaway once I reach a certain number of followers. Also, I’m open to anyone wanting to hold a giveaway at my blog at any time. It’s nice to have company.

And finally, what’s your favorite fall activity?

-My favorite fall activity is probably stepping on dead leaves. I don’t know why but the sound of it is just so enjoyable. It sometimes gives me goose bumps haha!

Sunday Social #14

This week's Sunday Social link up with Ashley from Ashley's Carnival Ride and Neely from A Complete Waste of Make Up is about Thanksgiving, and what we are thankful for!

 

  Source: herblog.com via Della on Pinterest

                                                                                                     

The People I am thankful for:

My Parents.

They have made me who I am, they have taught me right from wrong. They push me to be better, and yet will always love me no matter what I do. My mom is my best friend, she is my source of love. And my Dad is my idol, I always look up to him.

My cousins.

I am very protective of them, it's funny, I turn into Momma bear and stand up for them when no one else does. I love them with all my heart, each and one of them.

(sorry for the blurry picture)

That baby I am holding? That's the boy in the green shirt from the top pic. The boy next to me? The young man on the far right from the top pic. Yeah, this picture makes me feel OLD.

My boyfriend.

Although sometimes he drives me insane to the point I just want to kick him in the butt I love him. And he is there for me and takes care of me.

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My readers.

Of course I am thankful for each and everyone of you, without you there wouldn't be a blog. Without you I wouldn't have 'met' some really amazing bloggers, so THANK YOU!!

What are you thankful for?

Ps. Today ONLY I will be offering 40% off ANY ad! Just use code: thankful

Meet Tabetha ! [SPONSOR L♥VE]

Enter my giveaway here!

Here is another one of my lovely sponsors, Tabetha. She has been blogging for almost a year now (only a month away for her Blog anniversary ) and her blog has become a family project! Which I think is AMAZING! Her youngest daughter is the main photographer,  and her other daughter and son are working on some posts! 

And of course the COMMENTS ARE OFF!! why? Because I'd love for you to stop by and check out her blog! Leave her some love and PLEASE let her know I sent you! :) Let's get started!

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

I’m a history professor living in a beautiful mountain town in Tennessee with my history professor hubby & three teenage kids {The Things}.  I love teaching & researching, but I also love crafting, painting, sewing & generally making a mess. 

What are you loving at the moment?

 Skirt: Vintage from Etsy/Owl pillow: Handmade by Me/Earrings:Products of 47

Right now I’m into vintage wrap skirts, especially if they have appliques.  Of owls.  I have no idea why.  I’m kinda owl mad at the moment…

I’m also loving Peter Fox.  He’s a German hip hop artist, and his album Stadtaffe is currently on repeat on my ITunes.    Ordinarily I’m a Dave Matthews/Mumford & Sons/Ben Howard fan, but man, I love me some German hip hop right now.  Weird, right?  You gotta give it a try before you judge me lol.  We’ve been watching Ghost Hunters on Amazon Video {fitting for the season & whatnot}—but I don’t know if I love it so much as am amused by it.  And of course, whenever I have a “nothing going on” minute, I’m playing World of Warcraft {nerd love}~*

Who are your role models?

Welp, see, that is a loaded question.  I’m a historian.  I have tons of role models. They come with the job, as it were. For the sake of time {and to hopefully avoid boring you} I’ll stick with my personal role models—my parents, Noney & Poppy as the Things call them.  They regularly appear in our adventures, are my best friends & the best parents ever imagined.

Who are your style icons?

Right now, I’m digging a late 1970’s style {if you hadn't previously guessed by the fascination with appliqued wrap skirts}.  Sort of Goldie Hawn in Foul Play meets Dianne Keaton in Annie Hall, meets Mary Tyler Moore {with a dash of Rhoda for good measure}… you know, the cute quirky girl.  Truth be told, my sense of style changes— though I tend to have a bohemian sensibility.  I’m not a believer in defining oneself as far as style or fashion goes—I don’t like to confine myself creatively.  After all, fashion should be fun!

What inspired you to start blogging?

I started reading blogs over winter break last year & was hooked.  I love the idea of being able to share, create & work with other people across the world.  I've made great blog buddies in England and Canada, in addition to across the states.  It’s a wonderful way to connect with people you would never have met otherwise-- & a great way to stay inspired!

Where can we find you?

   The Closet Intellectual  

                     

                                      Bloglovin                                          

                                            Twitter                                                 

                                         Pinterest                                            

                                       Facebook                                            

What kind of posts can we find on your blog?

Everything from fashion to quotes to crafts to fun web links to family stories.  As a general rule I post quotations on Mondays {because who couldn't use a little motivation on Mondays?}, DIYS on Tuesdays, web finds on Wednesdays & rant about what’s on my mind on Thursdays.  Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays are open—sometimes I post on those days, sometimes we are too busy running around!  I’m also following along {& in } several blog hops & giveaways on other blogs.

Do you have anything special going on with your blog?

My blog is not for profit, so I’m always interested in ad swaps with fellow bloggers!  Luckily I’ve won some ad spaces lately {including on Girl Booklet's beautiful blog, yay!}, and I will be participating in a few giveaways through other blogs.  Join my blog through GFC or Bloglovin’ & I’ll be letting you know when the giveaways are up.

And finally, what advice would you give other bloggers?

There is a lot of pressure out there right now for bloggers to say something deep & meaningful -- it’s the whole “get real” thing.  But remember, what works for one person does not necessarily work for everyone.  Just be whatever you want to be & a let your blog reflect whatever it is you’re comfortable with!  Not every blog has to be a public diary or expose-- & frankly there are waaayyy to many bloggers out there trying to convince their readers that they have all the answers.  Blog how you want to blog & people will respond to your authenticity.  Readers can tell if you are comfortable—forcing yourself to give more information than you are comfortable with or, worse, exaggerating stories to try and seem like you are “getting real” comes across as forced.  Just relax—blogging, like crafts & fashion, should be fun!