Link'n Blogs #25

Welcome to Link'n Blogs {#24} !

A place to link up your projects and make new friends. We are all about visiting links and following new bloggers here at Link'n Blogs. Remember to leave comments and PIN PIN PIN!

Cause sharing is caring. 

**Your links will show up on ALL blogs hosting the link party!**

Interested in guest hosting Link'n Blogs?!

I've created a spreadsheet where you can sign up to host a link party! It's a great way to get to know other bloggers, share a recent post with other party goers and pick the features. Sign up using the link below!

I WANT TO GUEST HOST A LINK PARTY!

Grab my party button! 

 

<div align="center"><br /><a href="http://iputabirdonit.blogspot.com" title="Put A Bird On It"><img src="http://i736.photobucket.com/albums/xx5/daniwalsh/linknblogslogo.jpg" alt="Put A Bird On It" style="border:none;" /></a></div><br />

*Feel free to post my party button on your blog and say you linked up here!*

I am sharing a yummy twist on traditional popcorn. Just add birthday cake!

Birthday Cake Popcorn

CO-HOST:

Katelyn from Learning, Creating, Living

PINTEREST | FACEBOOK | BLOGLOVIN | INSTAGRAM

Katelyn is sharing what has to be the easiest DIY nightstand ever. And I just love the look of it!

DIY Crate Nightstand

CO-HOST:

Sonnet from Soho Sonnet

FACEBOOK | GOOGLE+ | PINTEREST | TWITTER

Sonnet is sharing a gorgeous Anthropologie knock off banner. This is one free printable you definitely need to PIN!

Alphabet Free Banner Printable

GUEST HOSTS:

Debbie from Heartbeats Soul Stains

FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | BLOGLOVIN | TUMBLR | TWITTER

Debbie is sharing some great tips for when it comes time to pick a preschool for your little one. Very interesting!

10 Things to Consider When Choosing a Preschool

Kristi from Making It in the Mountains

FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TWITTER | GOOGLE+

Kristi is sharing an amazing gallery wall with some really great DOs and DON'Ts for creating a gallery wall. Check it out!

DIY Gallery Wall Tutorial

Here are this week's features:

My Pick

Painting for a Purpose (And Milk Paint!) by Brepurposed

Katelyn's Pick

Succulent Table by Delineate Your Dwelling

Sonnet's Pick

20 Amazing Crafts to Keep Your Life Organized by Little Red Window

Debbie's Pick

The Fight of Her Life by Happily Ever Rushed

Kristi's Pick

DIY Pallet Wood Storage by Dolen Diaries

Fan Favorites

Smores Brownie Bowls by Gator Mommy Reviews

Create a Salsa Garden by Back to the Basics

Jumbo Bow Bookmarks by Bumblebreeblog

I know the bloggers featured would love if you would visit their posts and say hello!

All features will be pinned to my Link'n Blogs board. Follow it here!

Follow Daniela Walsh {Put A Bird On It}'s board Link'n Blogs {link party faves} on Pinterest.

Follow my blog! If you want to receive an email reminding you about the link party, leave your email when adding your link.
Link to your blog post -- not just your blog.
Share the love! Visit the other links and say who sent you.
If you enjoy a link, you can LIKE it {new feature!}
Adding your link gives me permission to feature you on my blog. 
Grab my party button! - See more at: http://iputabirdonit.blogspot.com/2013/12/diy-christmas-scriptures-advent.html#sthash.mPINNYsH.dpuf

Ok, here are the guidelines for the link party:  

Follow your HOSTS and GUEST HOSTS

If you want to receive an email reminding you about the link party, leave your email when adding your link

Link to your blog post -- not just your blog.

Share the love! Visit the other links and say who sent you

Adding your link gives me permission to feature you on my blog
Share this link party on social media to help Link'n Blogs grow!

*Don't be a LINK & RUN partier. Visit a couple links before you and a couple after!*

Happy Linking!

Leave a permalink on your blog back to the party to help our party grow!
*here is the link*

http://iputabirdonit.blogspot.com/2014/05/linkn-blogs-25.html

xo

blog | facebook | instagram | twitter | pinterest | bloglovin

Don't miss out on the next Link'n Blogs. Sign up to get a reminder email when the party starts! 

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I monitor each link and may delete a link if it is not something I want to promote on my blog. If you see your link was deleted, please email me. I'd be happy to chat about why! Thanks! 

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Would you like to win an $80 gift card to spend on home decor?! Enter the Redecorate for Spring Giveaway for a chance to win 1 of 3 gift cards to TJ Maxx, Hobby Lobby and Home Goods!

Redecorate for Spring Giveaway

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Eye candy – literally

It’s that time of year again! You know, the glorious months when you can wear sunglasses without looking like a douchebag. In fact, with summer just a short month away, sunglasses will be actually necessary and not just a stylistic choice.

I’m one of those people who like and wear sunglasses a lot. Aviator, cat eye, wayfarer shaped, clear lenses, colorful lenses, simple or intricately ornate frames – I like them all. You’ve seen me wearing them in enough outfit of the day posts over the years to believe I’m not just saying that. I have serious proof to back it up and you can see a short selection below. I dream of having a huge collection and I’m always on the lookout for a new pair despite having quite a few already.

 

I’ve always seen sunglasses like an easy way to complete a look and give it that cool, effortless edge. I won’t deny wearing a pair of sunglasses can also help with looking insistently at people without scaring them off. Behind the right, opaque lenses you can be plenty creepy without actually putting the fear of God into the object of your intense gaze. :))))

There was a time when it was actually very hard to find sunglasses I really liked. I had friends who actually needed glasses and hated wearing them because they looked so awful. Then I discovered online shopping and I suddenly had endless possibilities at my fingertips. In fact finding the coolest and most affordable sunglasses and eyeglasses online has become a bit of a favorite pastime of mine. Thankfully I don't need eyeglasses, but I will admit I have worn this style before just for fun and without the prescription lenses. Looking like a sexy nerd all the time has its appeal. 

Right now I have my eyes on (pun intended) a few pairs from BonLook. They carry sunglasses too, but what I'm really into is the amazing selection of eyeglasses with the most wonderful, colorful and stylish frames.

 

I actually need your help to decide between a "few" pairs I love since I find it almost impossible to narrow it down to an acceptable number. Which  are the one that you like best?

  I need me some sexy librarian cat eye frames! How about you?

 

  Facebook / Bloglovin / Instagram / Pinterest / Tumblr / Twitter 

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Redecorate for Spring Giveaway ... Win 1 of 3 Gift Cards

YAY! I just love giveaways! There is no shortage of awesome giveaways here, it seems like. :)

Put A Bird On It - Learning Creating Living - Soho Sonnet - Twelve O Eight - Little Miss Celebration

 Happily Ever After - Crafty Wife - Bumble Bree Blog - Delineate Your Dwelling - Too Much Time

Lovely Wren - Restoration Beauty - Wetherills Say I Do - Pretty Providence

   Hello Little Bungalow - Upcycled Treasures

I have teamed up with some FABULOUS bloggers to bring you a Redecorate for Spring Giveaway! The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and, I don't know about you, but I'm itching to do some spring cleaning and get out the clutter! That usually means I'm ready to update my home decor with something bright and fresh, too. Well, it would mean that, if I had my own home and wasn't in limbo between houses, but HEY! That doesn't mean YOU can't redecorate for spring for me.

All these bloggers LOVE home decor and DIY projects, and I love following them on Pinterest for lots of inspiration (you should, too!). We are giving away 3 gift cards, each worth $80, to TJ Maxx, Hobby Lobby and Home Goods. There will be 3 winners, one for each gift card {gift cards will be rewarded in the order shown on the Rafflecopter widget corresponding with the order the winners are picked!}. I hope that lucky winner is YOU! Just enter using Rafflecopter below. Remember - the more entries you do - the higher your chances are of winning. Plus, I heart all these ladies and their blogs, so you won't even mind being a new follower. GOOD LUCK!

{Rules}

Open to US residents only

Giveaway beings May 14 and ends May 28 at midnight (MST)

All entries will be verified

a Rafflecopter giveaway


xo

Need some spring inspiration? Check out these posts!

EASY Spring Burlap Wreath

Simple Ways to add Pantone Color of the Year "Radiant Orchid" to Your Home in 2014

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Digital Divas 2014

Digital Divas revine anul acesta cu o noua editie si, de data aceasta, sunt ceea ce se cheama blogger official al  evenimentului. Ce inseamna asta? Ei bine, este un mod mai pompos de a spune ca o sa va povestesc despre Digital Divas si inainte si dupa. Anul trecut am scris un articol foarte lung si sincer despre experienta mea la Digital Divas (cu bune si rele) si sunt tare curioasa sa vad cum au evoluat lucrurile in acest rastimp.

In cazul in care nu stiti exact despre ce este vorba, va lamuresc imediat! Digital Divas este un eveniment dedicat comunitatii online de fashion si beauty din Romania care isi propune sa premieze cele mai bune  bloguri si conturi de social media. In principiu Digital Diva doreste sa reuneasca specialisti din industie cu femei  pasionate de comunicarea online – in teorie este o ocazie excelenta de networking si relationare cu oameni cu interese similare.  

Cele doua sesiuni de conferinte ale evenimentului se vor focusa pe tendinte si oportunitati pentru comunitatea online de beauty si fashion, modalitatile de crestere a vizibilitatii in online, cum sa ai un continut relevant pentru cititori si cum sa interactionezi eficient cu acestia.

Concret, Digital Divas, organizat de AVON Cosmetics si Evensys, va avea loc pe 3 iunie la Platul Ghika.

De data aceasta puteti macar sa va faceti cunoscuta existenta online pentru o sansa la castigarea uneia dintre categori. Inscrierile sunt gratuite, iar fiecare proiect poate fi nominalizat in competitie pe baza formularului de pe website, pana pe 15 mai 2014.  

Si pentru ca tot am ajuns aici, categoriile anuntate anul acesta sunt: Best Women Websites, Best Bloggers for Social Causes, Best Use of Photography in Blogging (Fashion & Beauty blogs), Best Instagram Account, Best Newcomer Fashion Blog, Best Newcomer Beauty Blog, Best Fashion Blog, Best Beauty Blog, The Digital Diva of The Year, Special Projects, People’s Choice Award.

Perioada de jurizare se va desfasura intre 16-26 mai. Categoriile principale vor fi jurizate de specialisti in online, cu exceptia categoriei "People's Choice Awards", ce va fi desemnata de public prin votarea online.

O sa existe si un articol de follow-up cu impresii de la fata locului si alte detalii mai mult sau mai putin picante dupa incheierea evenimentului. 
  

    Facebook / Bloglovin / Instagram / Pinterest / Tumblr / Twitter 

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Birthday Cake Popcorn

Happy Monday, friends! I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend. If you missed my post about Mother's Day, you can view it > HERE < !  I woke up to a giant bag of candy from Dylan's Candy Bar {from my husband's work trip this past weekend}, so I was a pretty happy momma. Plus, lots of daddy-encouraged Ava hugs & kisses for me, too. I got to have dinner with my mom and sisters and celebrate all kinds of motherhood, so it was a wonderful day.

Today, I'm sharing with you an EASY and DELICIOUS recipe for a new twist on popcorn. Birthday Cake Popcorn! I just LOVE birthday cake in any form - cake, ice cream, candy - you name it - I'm eating it. This popcorn is easy to make and the best part is that it actually has real cake mix in the batter. YUM! The photo below is an easy to save recipe photo that could easily be printed as a 4x6 recipe card. Just right click > SAVE > PRINT. Enjoy this yum yum treat {no birthday required}. :)

xo

Don't forget to enter to win a $550 Amazon gift card!! > HERE < 

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The Essential and Eternal Role of Motherhood ... Mother's Day 2014

Tomorrow is Mother's Day, and I can't help but reflect on what that means to me, at this point in my life. 17 months ago, today, my sweet Ava Noelle was born. While looking back now, it was the greatest day of my entire life, but the days leading up to it were full of many emotions and uncertainty. We waited almost 5 years to become parents - and there were reasons for that. We needed time to grow as a married couple and to learn about ourselves. We were never fully prepared for being parents, but is anyone, really?

I was super scared to have a baby. The process of labor, yes, but scared to bring another human into our life. I'd finally felt like we'd figured out  started to maybe get the hang of marriage. And I was scared to change that. I'd seen it happen to other couples over and over. You have a baby and your marriage changes. Your husband is no longer your #1 priority - it's your kids. Your husband no longer gets attention - it's your kids. Your husband no longer feels "close" to you - it's your kids. I was scared of putting a wedge between my husband and me - yep - a baby wedge. I was so happy to become a mom - I've always only ever wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. Even in college and working - it all felt like it was just me getting through the time until I became a mom. But when it was suddenly happening - I was scared about change.

One best friend told me that doesn't have to happen - that your love only grows. It's impossible to understand that idea until you are going through it. I couldn't understand how adding more responsibility, stress and someone else to our life would only bring us closer and make us love each other more. Don't get me wrong - I was super happy to be pregnant - enjoyed every moment of it - had a super easy pregnancy and delivery {think 4 hours from hospital check in and 3 pushes later}. We were super excited and happy - I was just scared about the unknown and didn't want my marriage to change.

I was super right.
Our marriage DID change. But for the better. I will NEVER forget that first moment of hearing Ava cry and holding her against my chest - looking into my husband's eyes and feeling the presence of God. It's too special and sacred to discuss more, but I will never forget it. And everything changed. How could anything stay the same? And I'm so grateful it did. I loved more. I forgave more. I saw my husband in this whole new level and role as not only a husband, but a father. It's really hard for me to explain in words these emotions and this experience, but I'm forever grateful I get to be a wife to my Conrad and a mother to my Ava. These are blessings I hope to never take for granted. I never thought I would be blessed with such a life. The Lord has always looked out for me, as he does for each of you.

I grew up when President Gordon B. Hinckley was the prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was my prophet through high school and college - the years I really began to cling to my faith and deepen my relationship with my Savior. As I write this, I can't fight back the tears thinking of President Hinckley. I loved him. He was always so gentle in the way he talked and always had something good to say. He just always made me feel like I was doing alright. Things will work out. To just try to be a little better and everything will be ok. I want to echo his words - that God has a plan for you. I know this post is about motherhood, but this quote was directed to all women - everywhere:

"You are second to none. You are daughters of God. There has come to you as your birthright something beautiful and sacred and divine. Never forget that. Your Eternal Father is the great Master of the universe. He rules over all, but He also will listen to your prayers as His daughter and hears you as you speak with Him. He will answer your prayers. He will not leave you alone." 

"Stay on the High Road," Liahona and Ensign, May 2004

I want to share one of my favorite talks on motherhood, by M. Russell Ballard (Quorum of the Twelve Apostles), given during the April General Conference in 2008. I know we are all in different life situations - married, single, divorced, widowed, young, old - but there is always something you can relate to in any talk from an apostle. In this particular talk, Elder Ballard directs his talk towards young mothers, which I guess is why it's so special and helpful to me right now. This talk holds a quote I see all over Pinterest about motherhood: "There is no role in life more essential and more eternal than that of motherhood." 

The whole thing is amazing, so I encourage you to read it all, but I'll sum up the 2 of the 4 questions he ask and answers in his talk - directed to the mother and the father {the last 2 questions are for the children and the church, so still read the whole talk - it's awesome!}. Thanks for letting me share this with you!

1. What can you do, as a young mother, to reduce the pressure and enjoy your family more?

• Recognize the joy of motherhood that comes in moments.
• Don't overschedule yourselves or your children.
• Find some time for yourself to cultivate your gifts and interests.
• Pray, study and teach the gospel.

2. What more can a husband do to support his wife, the mother of their children?

• Show extra appreciation and give more validation for what your wife does every day.
• Have a regular time to talk with your wife about each child's needs and what you can do to help.
• Give your wife a "day away" now and then. 
• Come home from work and take an active role with your family.

Read (or watch) the whole talk HERE

My favorite quote from this talk:

I am so grateful for my role as a mother, and I appreciate it every day. Yes - my life forever changed the day I became a mom - but I really can't remember what my life was before I had my Ava. I'm grateful for my faith and the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, who are always there to say something uplifting and remind me that, despite mistakes, trials and challenges - I'm never alone. There is always a way. I'm still doing OK.

Thanks for letting me share some thoughts on motherhood with you. I hope you will take time to show a mother you love her - whether it's your own, someone else's, a friend, a grandma, someone that has passed on - or just reflect on the beautiful life we each have been given. It's such a blessing.

I'll leave you with the link to a sweet video the LDS church released on motherhood. #ItWasMom

Happy Mother's Day.

xo

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Spring fairy wannabe

This ivory dress makes me want to believe in fairytales again – the delicate lace bottom combined with the see through, crochet top it’s just dreamy. And, for once, I actually found the perfect place to serve as the backdrop for this get up of mine: an alley full of white, blossoming trees! The light was crappy, but nothing is perfect in this world so I got over it...eventually!:)

 

The leather jacket it’s my go to piece for a super girly dress - it provides some sort of a contrast that I feel it’s needed. I wanted a pair of barely there sandals for quite some time and I finally got my hands on this nude pair with a twist – the golden metallic straps around the ankle. You should have seen the grin on my face when I saw they were on sale and in my size!!!

The yellow bird headband is something I made myself (you can find it in my Etsy store). Now that I’m so busy and grown up, I really miss having the time to create accessories and other little things for myself. I wish I could go back a few years and tell myself to use all that free time more wisely. Actually, I wish I could go back two weeks ago and tell myself to step away from all the food and stop using Easter as a valid reason to eat my weight in cupcakes and ice-cream!:)))) Who am I kidding? I would have done it anyway!

 Photos: Costin

  I’m wearing:

  lace dress / rochie - here

   nude sandals / sandale - Asos

leather jacket / geaca piele - here

polkadots bag / geanta - Debenhams

  belt / curea - romwe

bird headband / bentita pasare - handmade by me (Alice&Sara)

 

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