Getting Crafty & Making Headbands

I've always loved cute infant and toddler headbands and when I found out I was having a little girl in 2012 I couldn't wait to start buying some for her. Then I found they were quite expensive! She has had a few over the years, but doesn't usually keep them on too long as some of the decorations are just too big and outlandish!

I decided with my plans of being more crafty in 2014 that I would just start making my own! There are tons of places online to find headband making supplies, as well as shopping for accent pieces in craft stores or even thrift stores. I looked for some ideas on Pinterest, but then just wanted to design my own.

I enjoyed making them so much that I couldn't stop! I decided to start selling some at a more reasonable price than you find in most stores. A local consignment shop has given me space in their store to sell and I am very excited! 

I named my business To You From Me, JoceyMcG and made some simple card and sticker backings until I see how well they sell. These are some that I have on display.

These are some of my spring and Valentine bands, along with a pic of my daughter wearing her own Valentine band! 

I look forward to sharing more of my bands with you and letting you know how "business" is going!!


Have you ever sold your own crafts?

Exciting New FREE Class From Craftsy! Complete Knife Skills

Craftsy just launched a free knife skills mini-class! I am very excited and have already signed up! Can't wait to learn how to slice and dice properly! I always have different sized cuts and they never look nice!


With the class Complete Knife Skills with Brendan McDermott you will learn how to:

• Become faster and more accurate with your knife work
• Create dishes that cook evenly and look professional
• You’ll explore proper hand placement and the four fundamental cuts
• Learn how to chop herbs without bruising them or losing flavor
• Never again cry when cutting an onion.
• Uncover shortcuts for working with butternut squash, pineapple, chiles, citrus and more
• Discover the four knives every chef needs in their kitchen
• Finish the course with a lesson on honing and sharpening your knives at home

For FREE you get:

• 4 HD video lessons
• Any time anywhere access
• Downloadable class materials
• Nearly 2 hours of class time
• Talk to fellow students in the virtual classroom

Best of all:

Access to this class never expires!

Join today and come back here and tell me what you learned!!!

*This post contains affiliate links, I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking links

I'm A Logo!

I have my very own logo!

I want to thank Mr. Rossenllini Watson for the wonderful job he did designing this logo for me. I wanted the design to depict both my hometown and my new town. The fountain represents the Point where the Three Rivers meet in Pittsburgh and the palm trees are, well, self explanatory! He was even able to make MY shirt purple, which is my favorite color!

I'm looking forward to incorporating my new logo into all my social media accounts soon!



*If you are looking for graphic design work, please feel free to contact Mr. Watson at rossenllini.watson1324@gmail.com.

Craftsy Flash Sale!!

Save Big on Craftsy Products!

This Friday and Saturday, save on fantastic fabric and yarn from the Craftsy Flash Sale!

For 48 hours only (1/24 - 1/25), get great deals on supplies from your favorite designers and brands. Save up to 65% off fabric and up to to 80% off yarn. Need inspiration? Craftsy's project kits are also on sale up to 60% off. The sale expires this Saturday at midnight, so when you find something you love, don't wait! Use the links below to go to the Fabric or Yarn pages:


Craftsy Fabric Flash Sale 1/24 - 1/25 Only!

Craftsy Yarn Flash Sale 1/24 - 1/25 Only!

*This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links

Mabels Labels Pinterest Giveaway

Love to Pin and Post? Enter Mabel's Labels Share Your Dream Home Organization Contest!

From now through January 28th, pin an image to one of your boards on Pinterest of your ideal home organization with the tag #MabelOrganization for a chance to win over $100 in Mabel's Labels Household Labels. Don't forget to follow Mabel's Labels on Pinterest for home organization inspiration.

Runs January 16th - January 28th.


www.mabelslabels.com


*This post contains Affiliate Links

Fruit and Veggie Co-Op

A great thing about moving to Florida is all the wonderful fresh produce. The cost is much more budget friendly than back in PA and we've found that helpful with our plans to eat better.

We were also excited to find a fruit and veggie co-op in the area. Every other week we pay $50 for a mixed box of organic goodies! We don't know what we are getting until that week and it's always a great surprise! 

The co-op has exposed us to many fruits and veggies we may not have tried otherwise, and some we never even heard of! Patty pan squash, Romensco cauliflower and tangelos are just an example!

My kids now love tri-colored carrots and usually eat them up the same day we get them. We are all loving the better taste of the organic produce and are eating more because of it! 

The fruit and veggie co-op has also inspired us to look into growing our own produce, and we hope to start on that soon!

Causora $20 Credits Giveaway!

Welcome to the $20 Thank You Causora Credits Giveaway!

Hosted By: My Silly Little Gang

Sponsored By: Causora

A little about Causora:

At Causora.com their mission is to help raise more funds for charities by rewarding donors with
free vouchers from our network of socially conscious merchants. When people donate to causes
like the American Red Cross, Boys and Girls Clubs, and Habitat for Humanity through Causora,
they get $20 in thank you rewards for these merchants' products and services for every $20 they donate.

When you put their donation "MyCausora" widget on your site, 3.5% of all donations made through the widget on your site will be given directly back to you as a commission, to support your site or any of the other things you care about. To be transparent about how this all works, 90% goes to the nonprofit, 3.5% to you, 2.9% to the credit card company and 3.5% of donations made are used by Causora to keep our systems up and running and to ensure they can continue keeping the donations flowing to the charities.

I was honored to have working with Causora to help raise social awareness for Red Cross Typhoon relief efforts, this past holiday season! As a special thank you for all your support, Causora, My Silly Little Gang, and other amazing bloggers have joined to offer you this great giveaway!

About the prize: Eight lucky winners will each receive a code for $20 in Causora credits to use!

About the giveaway: This giveaway begins on 1/17 and ends on 1/31 at 11:59pm EST and is open to US residents ages 18+. Please refer to the full terms and conditions in the Giveaway Tools.

Entry-Form

Disclosure: Displaced Yinzer is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. 
Please contact Silvie Armas
with questions! This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by,
or associated with Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. You must be a U.S. resident and 18+ to win.

Paradise Is Waiting Florida Vacation Giveaway!! - This Contest Is Now Closed

 Organized by:
Lauren Paints | a beautiful life

 Sponsored by Alice on Vacation.com

Prize Package includes:

3 days/2 nights of accommodations for 2 in FLORIDA! 

 Location Choices: 

Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, 

Key West, Miami Beach, New Smyrna, 

Orlando, Palm Beach, St.
Augustine or St. Petersburg. 

 Must be at least 21 years old. 

I am excited to join up for this wonderful opportunity! 
Being that I recently relocated to Florida I can 
honestly say it's beautiful! 

 I've teamed up with Lauren Paints | a beautiful life

& AliceonVacation.com 

to giveaway an awesome Florida Vacation,

this giveaway will provide one lucky winner with
3 days and 2 nights worth of accommodations in Florida.

{Picture taken in St Petersburg, FL}



Florida is paradise, each location has it's own local charm

and all kinds of entertaining activities to partake in!

Theme Parks, Beaches, World Famous Restaurants and Clubs,

 a little something for everyone!

Where would you like to visit?

What kind of fun do you enjoy having on the beach?



Imagine parasailing or maybe visiting Disney...

Picture your feet in the sand and days full of tanning...

Maybe you'll play a game of volleyball

or enjoy a Daquiri while lounging in a hammock....

One lucky winner will have the luxury of knowing your hotel stay is taken care of by

Lauren Paints | a beautiful life and Alice on Vacation.com!









Enter to win this amazing giveaway with the form below:

{entries will be verified ---  Giveaway runs:1/15/2014-2/15/2014}

Entry-Form

Paradise is waiting...



Disclosure:  Displaced Yinzer is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. Please contact Alice Kingsleigh with questions! This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by,
or associated with Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. You must be 21+ to win.

I Felt Helpless

I felt helpless during all 3 of my pregnancies and my babies first few days. All were tough in their own ways. All had high risk issues.

I've had hospitalizations, kidney infections, gestational diabetes, oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid), a nuchal cord (umbilical cord wrapped around the baby's neck) and a breech baby!

All 3 of my babies came early with the first at 38 weeks and and the others at 36. That is not super early, but the youngest 2 both ended up in the NICU with respiratory issues.

I felt helpless each and every time. But my love for my children gave me the strength to do whatever it was I needed to do. Whether it was additional doctor visits, hospital stays, amniocentesis, insulin injections or the like I was ready to take care of myself and in turn take care of them. I felt helpless, but I didn't need to be. I also had a strong support group around me.

I am not going to have any more children, but having 3 has taught me a lot about myself and how strong I can be!

My 3 healthy beautiful children and my inspiration to never feel helpless! 

*This blog post is part of the Bloggy Mom's Blog Dare 2014

Sverve Turns One Giveaway! (This contest is now over)

The site Sverve just turned 1 year old!

Enter at the link above or in the sidebar for a chance to win one (1) of five (5) $50 Amazon gift cards! You'll visit the Sverve Pin Board on Pinterest and repin their pins or upload your own milestone images with the hashtag #SverveTurns1.

Winners announced 02/02/14 via email.




*This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Displaced Yinzer or Pinterest. By participating, you hereby release and hold harmless Displaced Yinzer and Pinterest from any and all liability associated with this promotion.

Please see Sverve's Sweepstakes Terms for more information

Can I Just Get My... Act Together!

Every day I set out to accomplish some type of task. Whether it be organize an area, balance the check book or do the laundry. Yet every day I end up straying from that specific task and starting a bunch of others and then nothing gets done!

So starting today, and I mean it, I am getting my act together! I will make one goal to accomplish each day and get that done before bedtime. No more procrastinating by taking on other projects! No more letting my mind wander on all the other things that need done! No more realizing how tired I am from being up half the night!

So today I set out to clean! That is until my mind wanders to somewhere I'd rather be!

*This blog post is part of the Bloggy Mom's Blog Dare 2014

We Spent Months Without Going On Dates

My husband and I have now been in Florida together for a year and 2 months. During this time we've gone on maybe 3 dates! Its tough going from always having a ton of family around and never needing to look to far for a sitter to not knowing anyone and not knowing where to start to find one!

When I first joined my husband in Florida we did interview a sitter that Marc found through a co-worker. She came to the house, met the kids, and was wonderful. But, every time we contacted her she wasn't available to sit! So we gave up. The times that we did have a sitter were when family visited, and when my son's school had a kids night out.

We now feel ready to try again. I asked for help on a mom's page I found on Facebook. These ladies have helped me with many issues since moving to Florida including things to do in the area, spider identification and yard help. I am positive that they can help us find a sitter we can trust and have already given us a few leads.

I look forward to being able to spend some date nights with Marc. We've had a tough year and it's time we get to go out and enjoy our new location!

*This blog post is part of the Bloggy Mom's Blog Dare 2014

Blogger Opp - Causora $20 Credit Giveaway - Runs 1/17 - 1/31

Please note this is a Blogger Opportunity, please come back January 17th to enter! 

Causora $20 Thank You Credits Giveaway

Sign up!!!

Prize: 8 winners will each receive $20 Causora thank you credits. Causora credits are redeemable at over 150+ socially conscious merchants.

Info: FREE link for promoting the giveaway - Twitter or Pinterest (no announcement required, but appreciated announcement here) .

Purchase up to 3 additional links for $1 each - payable via PayPal. Additional links may include Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, RSS/email subscription, Feedburner etc. (excluding all Google links).

Daily Comment page available for $3.

Secret Word pages available for $3.

Or Co-Host page (includes a link back and a total of 3 links) for $5.

Or get co-host and secret both for $6 or all 3 for $8!

Giveaway Dates: January 17 at 1 AM EST - January 31 at 11:59 PM EST

 Please say you were referred by Displaced Yinzer!

Should you have any questions, feel free to contact directly via email at: silvie@mysillylittlegang.com

Send payment to silvanaarmas@gmail.com

Sign ups close on January 13, 2014

Sign Up Here!

Blogger Opp - Florida Vacation Giveaway Event - Runs 1/15 to 2/15

Please note this is a blogger opportunity, please come back on January 15th to enter! 

This giveaway is sponsored by AliceonVacation.com! 

Hosted by LaurenPaints.com

Free blogger event, one link per blog!

The event sign ups close 1/10/2014

Event dates: 1/15/2014-2/15/2014

Please click here to sign up!

Please say you were referred by Displaced Yinzer!

{no announcement required but would be greatly appreciated!}

Announcement post HTML

I've Been Here All Night!

I've been here all night and practically wide awake! My now 15 month old doesn't like sleep! I don't understand it because both her parents do!! 

She's a very light sleeper (unfortunately gets that from mama) and wakes easily. Once awake it's hard to get her back to sleep. 

I know all the books and "experts" say let her cry, but I can't! She was a very difficult pregnancy and a NICU baby. She's also my last baby. So maybe I spoil her by holding her while sleeping! There's a short time in her life she'll want me to hold her and well... I'll be there all night! 

*This blog post is part of the Bloggy Mom's Blog Dare 2014

I've added Pinterest!

I'm slowly getting this blog up and running fantastically!

Please follow me on Pinterest!

I look forward to sharing pins with you!

Just Don't Do It

Today's Blog Dare is Just Don't Do It. This is a tough one. At my age and place in life I do not want to have this attitude! I want to enjoy each and every opportunity that comes my way. I want to "DO" a lot. I have a lot to learn and a lot of living to do! I have so much yet to enjoy with my children. See them play, learn, grow, succeed and accomplish. I have lots of Florida left to explore since moving here. Then theres that whole pesky getting a driver's license I need to do! One more thing I definitely need to do is more date nights with my hubby!

If there's anything I Just Don't Want to Do its limit myself. There's lots of things to do and learn out there!


*This blog post is part of the Bloggy Mom's Blog Dare 2014

Almost There...

… almost to feeling better, almost to feeling well, almost over it.

2 weeks ago I shared that I was having a hysterectomy via my post A Hysterectomy Poem . A rather personal & emotional journey, but I met it with positivity and a little humor. I read as much as I could about my conditions, the procedure and recovery time. I joined a website of supporters and went over everything with my husband. It was definitely the right choice for me. We were done having children and the pain was too much to bear some days.

Being away from almost everyone you know makes occasions like this difficult. I needed my people. I needed them to be sad with me, I needed them to laugh with me. I needed hugs and to be told everything would be ok. What I did get was a lot of questioning as to why I would have this done. I got a lot of "don't fly home for Christmas so close to surgery" which was upsetting because I was looking so forward to going home. I was cleared by my doctor and thats all that mattered. My traveling went just fine, my visits were nice, and flying didn't have any affect on my recovery at all. What I could have used however, was another shoulder to cry on and some support. Just because I was done having children didn't mean I was 100% happy with the fact that I would never be able to again. It's an emotional surgery, and all surgery to me is scary!

My surgery was done laparoscopically by da Vinci Robot. I have very tiny incisions which after 2 weeks have already begun healing well. I'm still tired, but feeling pretty good. I have my post op appointment tomorrow and learn of any continuing restrictions. Its been a year long, eventful production, and I'm anxious to see how feeling better will affect my life.




I'm almost to feeling better from surgery.
I'm almost to feeling well from the conditions that caused my surgery.
I'm almost over the sadness of needing the surgery and the lack of someone to talk to about the effects it had on me.


If you are facing this challenge and need some support, please feel free to email me!



*This blog post is part of the Bloggy Mom's Blog Dare 2014

My 14 of 2014

I read this quote tonight and thought what a fantastic idea! January 1st brings with it a clean slate, a new start, and 365 days to look forward to! Why not get a blank book and track my progress of my 14 Goals For 2014 and share that here with you?!

My 14 are, in no particular order:

Quit being sad about moving from Pittsburgh and start making a wonderful life in Florida. I'll never, ever forget my roots, but my new hometown has many opportunities and things to explore!

Get my driver's license. I've had my permit a few times, but never got my license. Pittsburgh had a huge transit system and you could take the bus or trolley just about anywhere. Add in all the family I had and I could get a ride just about anywhere! Florida has buses, but nothing like Pittsburgh. I need my license and no longer have an excuse not to get it! 

Learn to use my sewing machine. I recieved a very nice machine from my husband and kids for Mother's Day almost 2 years ago. I want to learn, just didn't make the time. I will be bringing that machine out very soon!

Hang living room curtains. May not seem like a big deal, but we've lived in our Florida home over a year and still do not have curtains! Maybe I'll be daring and even make them myself! 

Convince my oldest son Elias to move to Florida. This one is more a dream than a goal. He's a college graduate and has a very nice job in Pittsburgh. I respect him wanting to stay in the Burgh, but he'll always be my baby boy and I want him near me!

Get everyone on a sleep schedule. My 4 1/2 year old son Peyton and 1 year old daughter Delaney do not have the best sleep schedule. My husband and I have tried to set one and failed. We will succeed and have 12 months to do so!!

Eat better. We've already cut out red meat and stopped keeping a lot of snacks in the house. I also recently joined a fruit and veggie co-op which gives us a huge box of produce every 2 weeks. Now we just need consistency. And donuts to go away. 

Walk more. The plan is to walk more, which will hopefully lead to running, which will hopefully lead to a 10K or 2. I'm all about baby steps though so walking another 5K is the goal I'm setting  for now. 

Read more, especially with my kids. Modern technology has a way of taking over. I want us all to learn to put the phones, iPad, and computers away and spend more time reading books together. 

Garden more. This is one of my favorite parts of living in Florida. Year round gardening! I've already learned so much and now want to apply it and make the most beautiful garden I can! 

Have a successful blog. And I'll need your help! Please participate, comment and make suggestions on what you'd like to see in 2014. I would love to hear from you!

Do more crafts. I love being crafty and have gotten away from it a little since moving. I'm on a search for reuse and creative centers near I live and will share my finds!

Make friends. I've met a few people since moving, but haven't really made good friends yet. I just need to get out more!

Have date nights with my husband. Marc and I haven't found a babysitter yet, which makes getting out a little difficult. We've always had family watch the kids before moving. We will need to figure out how to hire a sitter! 

So there are my 14!  I would love to hear what you have planned for the new year.

What are your 14 for 2014?

*This blog post is part of the Bloggy Mom's Blog Dare 2014