Hey there! I Moved Follow me Bloglovin!

Hey everyone! New Mama Diaries is now a self-hosted blog!  If you are following me from NewMamaDiaries.blogspot.com, please update your feeds and/or follow my new self-hosted blog NewMamaDiaries.com or on bloglovin.

I don’t want to lose anyone as a reader or follower, so be sure to follow me by clicking the button below!

Thanks so much and I look forward to connecting and sharing with you here!

xxoo,

Create a Children’s Book with Blurb

If you’ve ever dreamed of creating your own children’s book, here’s your chance!  You're never to old to read a children's book OR to make one! That's why Blurb is the perfect option to make your dreams of writing your own book come true.   Blurb is offering 10% off right to create your very own children’s book. 
Creating a Children's Book with Blurb is as easy as ABC

• Get tips and tricks from a talented illustrator
• Meet Briana Loewinsohn, an Oakland, California teacher and artist who created a lovely little alphabet book for her daughter—with Blurb
• View Children's Books that you will only find at Blurb

Making a Blurb children’s book is a great way to get in touch with your inner child and free your creativity in unexpected ways. You don’t have to have everything figured out when you start... Maybe you just have the kernel of an idea, or a few funny sentences or quick sketches. The important thing is to let your imagination run wild. Free the book (and the kid) within. Take your ideas to Blurb today and get 10% off using the code: TENPERCENT until 9/22.  You can start creating your book here today!

xxoo,

*This post contains affiliate links

Calling All Crafters! Craftsy Saleabration: Up to 75% Off

Craftsy is having an awesome promotion in which all of their courses, fabric and yarn are up to 75% off!  Yep, up to 75%, a huge savings!  It doesn’t get much better than that, especially with the holidays being right around the corner.  

If you aren’t one of the 2 million members currently experiencing everything that Craftsy has to offer, here is what you are missing:

• A wide selection of online crafting classes from the best instructors from around the world, ranging from quilting and knitting to cooking and fine art
• Classes you can watch anywhere, from any device with an internet connection
• Unlimited access to your Craftsy classes - watch them as many times as you like, as long as you’d like!
• A wide selection of fabric and yarn at great prices
• A community of like-minded enthusiasts to share your hard work with

Take advantage of the Craftsy sale to try one of their classes, starting at $9.99. The sale begins on Saturday, September 14th and runs through Saturday, September 21st.

Check out the sale here!

 

Craftsy also has a great affiliate program !  When you join the Craftsy affiliate program you can earn $10 for each friend who's approved.

Here’s a few Program Highlights

• 30% commission on all course sales
• $1 for every new registered Craftsy account
• 30 day cookie
• $10 affiliate referrals: Invite your website-owning and blogging friends to join the Craftsy affiliate program and earn $10 for each friend who's approved.

Join Craftsy’s Affiliate Program Today!

Happy Crafting!

xxoo,

*This post contains affiliates links

Freebie Friday | Festive Halloween Printable + Discounted Halloween Costumes

It's that time of the year again, yep, already! Halloween (and well the entire Holiday season) is right around the corner.  I wanted to share an awesome website with you all that has a huge and discounted selection of costumes, plus free shipping!

With just a month to go, you have some time to still decide what you want to be and get all the accessories to complete the ensemble. You can browse through hundreds of costumes, like witches & monster ones, to help you decide and get ideas for what you want to be.  Dressing up is always fun, and Costumes4less is your one stop shop to begin this fun.

Check out Costumes4Less to get your costumes and save today!

Now what everyone's been waiting on, the free printable:

They are roughly 2”x3”, so you can easy find 2”x4” shipping labels in your local office supply store or on Amazon.com here.

You could also laminate the labels and use a double stick tape to affix the printables to whatever object you are using.  I strongly recommend laminating, because it will ensure durability.  It will also allow you to switch out the printables to put on other objects or to use again in the future if you plan on saving them.

Download the file here. - Please take note that these are for personal use only!  I would never charge for these, so please don’t take them and try to use them for commercial use.  This is why they are FREE for use. :-)

I’d love to know how you would use these printables!  Also, are you ready for Halloween?  Do you know or have any ideas for what you (and your family) are going to be for Halloween?
xxoo,

*This post contains affiliate links.

zulily Major Sale Alert {9/13-9/19}

For all you zulily lovers, I just got word that they are having a huge sale right now.  They have sales on everything from from Halloween costumes to Tom Ford.  Promotions range from 50%-75% off cross categories!

Link Up! | A Lovely Blog Hop

Hey everyone! I am co-hosting A Lovely Blog this week.  How exciting, yay!  Join us in linking up with me and my fellow hosts and co-hosts.  We look forward to connecting and sharing with you all this week!  

Welcome to A Lovely Blog Hop, where each Thursday we have the grand opportunity to meet and connect with lovely new bloggers, such as myself! Now you have something to do and somewhere to go on Thursdays!

 Enjoy!

Tattler Thursday #18 Blog & Social Media Hop

Hey everyone! I am so excited to be co-hosting Tattler Thursday Blog Hop again this week! Join us in linking up with me and my fellow hosts and co-hosts. We look forward to connecting and sharing with you all this week!

Hiya Snappers! Welcome back to the 18th week of the Tattler Thursday Blog and Social Network Hop!

Baby Buys Haul ~ Old Navy & JC Penney’s

So Saturday I found myself back out at Old Navy, I know…I know, getting more baby clothes.  I’ve unleashed a beast!  However, its now without good cause and reason.  My poor kid didn’t really have any clothes, since we are team GREEN, we hadn’t really done any clothes shopping for little one.  Also, I couldn’t pass up Old Navy’s 30% baby sale.  I’m still getting my extra 10% for opening up the card, so in essence I got 40% off everything.  Plus…..I had I a $10 off $50 coupon.  And to bonus the whole thing, the cashier checked my previous receipt to see if I could get a price adjustment on anything I’d previous purchased from my last trip their.  I was also returning two items, so that also took off from my purchase total.

Affiliate Opportunity | Earn $ with Blurb

Hey everyone!  I recently came across an awesome blogger affiliate opportunity that I wanted to share with you all.  Right now if you join the Blurb Affiliate Program, you will get $10 for every person you refer who is approved for the program.  As bloggers I know we are always looking for ways to pay it forward, and this is a great one! 

Apps You Should Have! Pt. 2

Apps You Should Have Pt. 2

I told you all I had a part two coming and here it is!  These are apps that I have on my phone that I use everyday.  Many these apps cut out having to print things out, which saves us all paper and ink.  I try to do my part and live as environmentally savvy as possible, plus one less piece of paper isn’t weighing down my purse.

Baby This Week | 34 Weeks

Let’s hope my child doesn’t actually look like this, lol!

The Facts – Baby is taking deep breaths this week. The eyes can blink and are open when it’s awake and closed when asleep, and the pupils dilate and constrict in reaction to light. Baby is about 18 inches and weighs about 5 pounds.

Shopping: 5 Tips for Saving Money & Scoring Great Deals

Welcome to part 1 of my Money Matters & Budgeting series!
I thought I’d piggy-back off my recent haul post with a follow-up on how I score such awesome deals while shopping.  I have always been an avid shopper, but I also have an immense background in working in the Retail industry.  So, I’m here to give you some industry insight and give you tips on how to save.

Tattler Thursday Blog Hop #17

Hey everyone! I am co-hosting Tattler Thursday Blog Hop again this week.  How exciting, yay!  Join us in linking up with me and my fellow hosts and co-hosts.  We look forward to connecting and sharing with you all this week!

Stop & Smell The Roses Linkup {9.4.13}

Hey everyone, I’m linking up with Mandy from House of Rose for her monthly Stop & Smell The Roses link up.

xxoo,

Asian Inspired Chicken & Shrimp Vegetables over Jasmine Rice

Another dish courtesy of Hubs!

Fall Haul ~ Old Navy, Charlotte Russe, Bath & Body Works…and a Baby Buy!

I did some shopping…okay it was an all out haul over the Labor Day weekend.  I hadn’t been shopping my entire pregnancy, and pretty much in an entire year.  It felt really nice to finally get some things just for me (and well a few things for baby too).  When I shop I usually just do the weekly grocery and household shopping.  Even if I go somewhere like Bath & Body Works, I rarely shop for myself there anymore.  I typically just get soaps or home fragrance or bodycare for my husband, since he like the Men’s shower gels and body sprays. 

Happy Labor Day!

Sources:  Honor Labor/American Flag

xxoo,

August 2013 Birchbox Unveil

Birchbox is the best way to discover new beauty, grooming and lifestyle products. Join to receive monthly deliveries of top product samples from high-end brands.

Baby This Week | 33 Weeks

We are durian fruit (whatever that is?!) status folks! I think I’ve seen this fruit in person a few times and I always have to touch it, lol.  I’ve never had it before though.  Maybe one day I’ll actually try it out.

Freebie Friday | Happy Halloween Printable

Its Freebie Friday again!  Fitting with the impending Fall that is coming upon us, I’ve created these fun Happy Halloween printables.  You can use these to add to goodie bags, décor for party planning, or even affix to objects to make more festive.

Apps You Should Have! Pt. 1

Apps you should have Pt 1:

I decided to put together a list of my favorite/most frequently used useful apps. Many of you may already have these and use them on a daily basis, but I’ve taken it a step further and broken them down by use.

Tattler Thursday Blog Hop

Hey everyone! This week I am co-hosting Tattler Thursday Blog Hop.  Come link up with me and my fellow hosts and co-hosts!  We look forward to connecting and sharing with you all this week!

Hiya Snappers! Welcome back to the 16th week of the Tattler Thursday Blog and Social Network Hop!

It's time to tattle and hop!

It's a share your crazy, gross, hilarious, in-the-trenches parenthood stories, kind of blog hop! We love funny kid stories and we want to hear yours!

Baby Bootcamp…we got suited & booted, baby style!

Baby Bootcamp

About two Fridays ago Hubs & I attended Baby Bootcamp, a prenatal class offered through our New Parent Support Program here on base.

Etsy Shop Feature | Zipper Charm Earrings

These super cute and fun earrings are unique and trendy. They are in fact one of a kind and have a Western/cowgirl feel to them.  I think they’d be an awesome addition to a costume for say, Halloween that’s coming up or just a cute Western-inspired or every day outfit.

BOGO! Back To School With Zoya Nail Polish

Anyone who knows me, knows I love nail polish.  Prior to joining the military I use to paint my nails all the time.  I’m talking like every other day here people!  It was so fun for me to try out different colors, textures, and brands of polish.  Now, its mostly clear on my hands (occasionally I’ll paint them on the weekends or if we have a long break for a holiday.) .  I only paint my toes about once a month, especially while pregnant, because its not very comfortable. 

Baby This Week | 32 Weeks

We are squash status this week people! Again, I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I have something that big inside of me. Nonetheless, let's get to it:

Pregnancy Belly | Beef & Cheese Italian Stuffed Shells

I love Italian food or rather Italian-inspired food.  I was prompted to make these shells after seeing a few recipes around the ‘net and Pinterest.  I also saw someone making them in a Youtube video I was watching recently, and thought they’d be a good entrée to try out.  I honestly was just smitten with the giant version shells that you make them with.  It wasn’t until recent years that I actually learned of these large shells that you could stuff. 

Pins of the Moment ~ Current Faves & Finds

I don’t know one person in my circle (or at least my blogging circle) who doesn’t Pinterest.  Lately I’ve been pinning like its nobody’s business and thought to share with you my most recent pins.

I love Pinterest for the sheer fact that it is a one stop shop for nearly any and every thing you can think of.  My pins range from crafts, to jewelry, to blogging tips, to just plain pretty things.  That’s the beauty of the website and why I can spend countless minutes (…okay hours) on there.

Take a look at what I’ve pinned lately!

Wordless Wednesday

I got nothing for you, but no words. ;-)

Credit:  Jane Sweeney/JAI/Corbis via MSN.com

Happy hump day, bump day!  One day closer to the weekend, yay!

xxoo,

Fall TV, what’s returning, what’s new.

The Walking Dead – Returns to AMC October 31 @ 9 P.M. This is the 4th season of the series and its debuting just in time for Halloween. Previous seasons are available Netflix if you want to catch or just refresh yourself. It’ll be more ghouly, milky-eyed, predatoral zombies on your tv to last you all Fall.

Etsy Shop Feature | Chocolate Cupcake Earrings

Who doesn't love a cupcake, its everyone's favorite pastry. These are cute, fun and trendy!
I made these a few months back and they are totally fitting with my love of cupcakes and baking.  They are available now my Etsy shop, even though I’d love to sport them myself.  I also have a cute donut pendant necklace that I’ll be listing soon, because I just can’t get enough of my food jewelry.

Baby This Week | 31 Weeks

Man oh man, with every week that passes it feels more and more real, yet still surreal.  We are at week 31, yep 8 months...its official we are rounding out the last two months.  Beats me why they say pregnancy is 9 months when it's really 10.  I guess they don't want women to feel like they are pregnant even longer than it already seems they are.

Freebie Friday! | Rustic Chalkboard Inspired Pantry Label Printables

I’m starting a new series on my blog called Freebie Friday.  I will be posting at least once or twice a month printable freebies on Friday’s going forward.  I love creating printables and sharing them, and this gives me an opportunity to get them to you consistently.  This Friday its rustic, chalkboard inspired pantry label printables.

Decreasing clutter in your home...and in your life and staying organized

Decreasing clutter in your home...and in your life and staying organized

Georgia Aquarium

When I was back home in Ga for my shower, Hubs & I decided to take a trip to the GA Aquarium the day after.  We didn't have much on the agenda for Sunday, so it was the perfect opportunity to go.  We also love any excuse to go in the city and just take it in.  Hubs had actually been to the Aquarium before, but I had never been there.  It was built after I left Atlanta and since returning for short periods of time since it was built, I never took the time to go to it.  Needless to say I was really excited to go.  I have always loved wildlife, especially marine life.  Hubs is an even bigger buff for animals than me, so of course he was stoked.  I took a ton of pics, as I always do when I visit somewhere fun and interesting.

Hey Guess What?! I’m Featured! | YummyRecipesWorld.com

I just wanted to let you all know that my Red Velvet White Chocolate Chip Cookies are being featured over at YummyRecipesWorld.com.  They have a ton of featured recipes over on their site, so be sure check them out!

Happy bumping!

xxoo,

Dinner Tonight ~ What We Ate | Creamy Whisked Red Potatoes Recipe

I decided to do a “What We Ate” post.  We haven’t cooked in a while, due to being out of town, so it was nice to have a cooked meal finally.  I was the brains behind this operation, and Hubs was the brawn. – meaning I thought up what we were having and he cooked it, lol!  The featured recipe is actually Hubs’ spin on creamy red potatoes, and I must give credit where its due and let you all know that the recipe is courtesy of him.