Happy Fourth of July: 10 patriotic Pinterest finds

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American flag

Classic sparklers

Flag fruit pizza

Outdoor table setting

Red, white and blue nails

Striped wooden spoons

All-American style

Patriotic roses

Layered drink

Chalkboard print (from Etsy shop j&paper)

Have a good day, friends! Here's to family, relaxing and LOTS of good food! xoxo

Lemon meringue pie s'mores

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Ahhh, just in time for the Fourth of July! How delicious do these lemon meringue pie s'mores look? What a fun take on the classic, camp-y, summery treat! xoxo

P.S. A new Love Lounge is coming up this afternoon! :)

Man Candy Monday.

FREE IMAGES Good morning, friends, and happy July! Ahh, July...one of my favorite months, after August, of course! Fun fact: July is traditionally the hottest month of the year in the contiguous United States, and with the Fourth of July this Thursday, I thought an all-American Man Candy was long overdue. This round-up highlights five men who left their mark on this great nation. They were trailblazers. They helped define their generation. And all that power they wielded? Well, that was just darn sexy, if you ask me...

MY TOP 5 U.S. PRESIDENTS!!!!!!!!!!

THEODORE ROOSEVELT

HARRY S. TRUMAN

JOHN F. KENNEDY

JIMMY CARTER

BARACK OBAMA

P.S. Don't forget: Google Reader is being shut down today. You can follow So About What I Said... by joining Feedly or by following via Bloglovin' and RSS. And as always, feel free to connect with me on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook and now Instagram! See you there, friends! xoxo

Father's Day: 10 Fun Gift Ideas

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Lobster bottle opener for fun summer barbecues, $16.

An illuminaire moon stake because he was obsessed with space as a kid, $25.

This eye glasses holder since he's always losing his specs, $18.

This baseball game because it's his favorite pastime -- and so he can play year-round, $48.

Emergency clown nose, so he'll always be nosed and ready, $5.

Einstein socks in honor of his favorite scientist, $9.99.

An iPhone case because he's finally moving into the 21st Century, $19.95.

A 6- or 12-month subscription to the Candy of the Month Club from famed Dylan's Candy Bar to satisfy his huge sweet tooth.

A funny card with a heartfelt message because, whether he admits it or not, he's a big sentimental softy at heart, $4.50.

A father-daughter date to go see Man of Steel because, well, your father's always been your Superman.

What's your favorite kind of donut?

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So, I know we talked about National Donut Day last year, but I couldn't let this holiday pass this year without giving a shout-out to one of my favorite desserts. Are you celebrating National Donut Day with a sweet treat today? What's your favorite flavor? I'm a sucker for the vanilla-and-sprinkles combo. And if you need any more convincing, check out these steals and deals...

*Krispy Kreme is offering one free donut of any variety.
*Dunkin' Donuts is offering one free donut with the purchase of any beverage.
*Enter the Entenmanns sweepstakes for a chance to win free donuts for a year.
*Visit Tim Hortons Facebook page for a Free Donut With Purchase Coupon.

Enjoy, friends! xoxo

Bow+Arrow Art Giveaway!

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Just in time for Father's Day! Today's giveaway is from Ashley from Bow+Arrow Art, a beautiful Denver-based design studio. Ashley creates fun and colorful art prints, note cards and greeting cards. She describes her cards as fun, inspirational and encouraging and puts her own personal touch on each of her hand-drawn pieces.

She's offering two lucky readers their choice of Father's Day card. You can choose this "Dad, You're Great" card or this "P.S. You're The Best Dad Ever" card. They're both so whimsical and fun, aren't they? Which one would you choose?

For your chance to win, simply visit Bow+Arrow Art, and leave a comment below telling us which card you'd choose if you won. You can also LIKE Bow+Arrow Art on Facebook, FOLLOW on Twitter and GET INSPIRED on Pinterest for extra entries. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow afternoon. Have fun, friends!

**Bonus for all readers: Ashley is offering a special card sale. Buy 3 cards and get the 4th free! Just be sure to leave a note at checkout!

Update: Congrats to winner Sophie and Krystal. Thanks so much! :)

Sponsor Spotlight: Bow+Arrow Art

FREE IMAGES I've got a fun interview today with Ashley from Bow+Arrow Art, a beautiful Denver-based design studio. Ashley creates fun and colorful art prints, note cards and greeting cards. As Ashley says, her days as an artist began the second she was old enough to hold a marker. Read on to find out how Ashley made her dream a reality, who helped her along the way and tips for looking chic on the cheap! xoxo

Keep in touch...
Official Web site: Bow+Arrow Art
Become a fan on Facebook
Follow on Twitter
Get inspired on Pinterest

Tell me about your shop. What's the inspiration behind its launch?
Bow+Arrow Art was a long time coming, I think. I've been filling the margins of every notebook I've ever owned since I was big enough to hold a marker :) My mom and husband finally convinced me to sell some of my designs last year. It was hard to think of my doodles as "art" but it has been so fun to share them! You can read a little more about it here.

What are some of your favorite design trends?
Well I loooove how imperfect is beautiful in a lot of trends these days. From hand-written typography to vintage furniture, people are finding value in the old and flawed. It makes my heart so happy that people will buy my cards and prints because they're original and reflections of me rather than a perfect cookie-cutter copy!

What's your #1 piece of design and style advice?
I'm not good at offering advice...and I don't consider myself to be particularly stylish. I say be you and find the people who love YOU.

What are some ways that people can still look chic for less?
I genuinely think that confidence is the most beautiful accessory there is. Find something to love about what you wear and rock it with pride. It doesn't have to be expensive, and it certainly doesn't need to be what everyone else is wearing. My favorite outfits originate from $4 skirts at the Goodwill, but they make me feel sassy, and I feel really good about saving money and not contributing more waste by buying brand new clothes!

What is your favorite piece in your shop and why?
This is my current fave. Mostly because I'm madly in love with the old hymn it comes from and I came up with this design while daydreaming about a tattoo I'd like to get :) However, this is my close runner-up because it's like a little pep talk every time you see it!

Bird Cards Giveaway!

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Today's giveaway is from Melissa from Artist in LA LA Land, a -- you guessed it! -- California-based "wonderland of paper play for children and kids at heart." Melissa's shop of DIY paper dolls and DIY clever cards cover the gamut and include everything from paper puppet dolls to romantic cards to Father's Day cards to graduation cards to baby shower cards.

"When I was a little girl, my sister would want to play house, but I wanted to play mail," she says. "I created cards and paper dolls, then delivered them to imaginary mail boxes. That's when it all started."

She's offering one lucky reader three (3) cards of her choice from the new line of clever bird cards. Aren't they cute? Which ones do you like? I'd go for the mom and new baby card or the Father's Day card. Melissa usually offers only the DIY, printable PDF version of her cards, but the winner will receive physical copies of her three cards.
a Rafflecopter giveawayWe'll be using Rafflecopter this time. For your chance to win, simply visit LA LA Land, and leave a comment below telling us which cards you'd choose if you won. See above for all the ways to win. A winner will be chosen at random next Thursday, May 23rd, so you've got a whole week to enter. Have fun, friends! xoxo

Update: Congrats to winner Anni. Thanks so much! :)

Happy Mother's Day!

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Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful, caring, fantastic, amazing, loving mothers out there! And to my own mother: I am so lucky to have THE BEST MOTHER in the whole world. Thanks for helping me along on the journey of life. I love you. xoxo

Ha! Four funny greeting cards

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I couldn't help but laugh out loud when I spotted these hilarious greeting cards from Pennsylvania-based PrintSmitten. You're welcome... :)

P.S. My mom is definitely a top offender of that first one. I mean, we're talking a major offender here. Are you, friends? xoxo

[Via Swiss-miss]

Family Photos: Happy Earth Day!

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My mom has always been a big fan of nature photography. In fact, I've often told her that she should moonlight as a nature photographer when she retires. She has an amazing knack for capturing nature at its rawest and most honest in such an intimate way. Framed photos of her sunsets, beach shots and fall foliage dot our hallways, and in honor of Earth Day, here are a few more of my favorite shots. The two above are from our classic walks during the summer.

The Gulf of Mexico is such a soothing and peaceful place for us -- it's always been like our second home. What is it about waves that is so calming?

How are you celebrating Earth Day, friends? What do you love about the great outdoors? Favorite activity? Favorite outdoor sport? I'd love to hear! xoxo

A Christmas Story pencil set

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I couldn't resist sharing this hilarious pencil set this morning, even though it's almost the middle of April. A Christmas Story has always been my all-time favorite holiday movies...who can resist little Ralphie...

...or his little brother Randy?

P.S. What's your favorite holiday movie?

Bunny nightlight

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I'm having lunch with an old friend today, but before I head out, I couldn't resist sharing this adorable bunny nightlight, just in time for Easter. I can picture him watching over everything at night. Fun fact: I kept glow-in-the-dark stars on my bedroom walls wayyy past what is considered age-appropriate -- we're talking into my early '20s, here! xoxo

 

P.S. Are you ready for Easter? Here are 10 creative Easter egg designs, Cadbury creme eggs and an analysis of Mr. Bunny to get you in the hippity hoppity spirit... :)

If you could have dinner with four U.S. presidents...

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...who would you choose? Remember when we talked about the six people we'd invite to dinner if we had the chance? Well, in honor of Presidents' Day today, I thought it would be fun to put a patriotic spin on the question. Truth be told, friends, I've always been a bit of a nerd when it comes to presidential trivia (Proof: Did you know that the Baby Ruth candy bar was named after Grover Cleveland's daughter? Or that William Howard Taft had to have a special, larger bathtub installed in the White House?), so it's not really surprising that it didn't take me long to decide who I'd want to break bread with...

*John Adams, who moved into the White House during his presidency.
*Theodore Roosevelt, because I've always been fascinated by his Rough Rider status.
*John F. Kennedy, because he represented a generation of dreamers and revolutionists.
*Richard M. Nixon, because I'd love to get his take on the whole Watergate scandal.

So, friends, now it's your turn: Who makes your list? Why did you choose them? Is there any presidential era that you find particularly exciting? Let's chat! xoxo

11 Valentine's Day gift ideas

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A Valentine print to hang above a desk ($6) and pink glass hearts to keep on a bookshelf, $9.

Heart-shaped whoopie pies ($31.99 for one dozen) and raspberry thumbprints ($10) for a sweet treat.

A sparkly heart temporary tattoo to feel like a kid again, $5 for a set of two.

Other People's Love Letters: 150 Letters You Were Never Meant To See because, really, we've all written at least one letter like this before, $15.30.

Love Letter kit so they don't end up in any future volumes of the aforementioned book, $36.

A bouquet of flowers in a heart-shaped vase to remember to let love bloom all year, $69.

Two one-word friendship bracelets -- one for you and one for a friend -- to celebrate the love of friends (really, where would you be without them...?), $18. These bracelets are pretty too.

A magnetic poetry kit to leave cute little love messages on the fridge, $8.95.

A funny card to bring lots of laughter to the day, $6.50.