Friday, March 29, 2013

10 Amazing DIY Easter Egg Decorating Projects


DIY Easter Eggs
1. Colorful Stamped Easter Eggs, Lovely Indeed  //  2. Sharpie Doodled Easter Eggs, Alisa Burke
3. White Pen Easter Eggs, Joy Ever After  //  4. Paper Napkin Decoupage Eggs, Martha Stewart
5. Pantone Easter Eggs, How About Orange  //  6. Patterned Silk Transfer Eggs, Country Living
7. Tissue Paper Parsley Eggs, Aunt Peaches  //  8. Polka Dot Eggs, La Receta De La Felicidad
9. Calligraphed Easter Eggs, Oh Happy Day  // 10. Floral Decal Easter Eggs, How About Orange


I love dying eggs you guys.  Really, I do.  And it's funny, because I don't really celebrate Easter.  I don't have kids, so there aren't any fun egg-hiding activities happening at our house. I don't like most Easter candy (I have an over-the-top sweet tooth; just not for Peeps or Cadbury Eggs. Ew.).  Easter dinner usually involves something like frozen pizza, or if we're feeling fancy, take-out.  I adore spring, but Easter just isn't a big deal around here.  Every year though, without fail, I boil a dozen eggs (at least) and color them up.  I usually choose organic brown eggs because the color comes out so rich and earthy (and they're better for you!), but this year I was thinking it would be fun to try something different.  The decorated eggs you see above are some of my favorites that I've come across while looking for inspiration.

Are you a fan of decorating eggs this time of year?  Any cool DIY Easter egg projects you've tried?

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Thursday, March 28, 2013

Bubby & Bean Art Re-Opening SALE (+ Happy Birthday Morgan!)


Go Outside Art Print // Bubby and Bean
You Are Beautiful Art Print // Bubby and Bean

After ten glorious days in Arizona, I finally arrived back home at 3 AM last night, and am now attempting to get back to reality.  Although I did work a semi-regular schedule on my trip (and had my angel of an employee Kari to hold down the fort at Mountains of the Moon), I decided to put the Bubby and Bean Art shop on vacation in my absence.  It felt a little strange to have it closed for almost two weeks, but I have to admit that taking a break from certain elements of your work now and then is absolutely essential to feeling re-inspired.  Trust me on this.

Now that the shop is back in action, I thought I'd offer up a re-opening discount for y'all.  Today through Sunday (3/31), take 25% off at Bubby and Bean Art with code SPRING25.  There are several new greeting card and art print designs, plus new color choices in some of the best sellers.  I truly appreciate your support of my little businesses (and this blog!) - even more than I can express in words.  And if there is ever anything you'd like to see in the Bubby and Bean Art shop, I'm always open to suggestions and requests.

Birthday shout-out time!  Regular readers may be familiar with my sister Morgan, who writes the majority of the recipe and food posts around here.  Well, today is her birthday.  Woot!  Happy Birthday little sissy!  I can't wait to celebrate with you this weekend.  xoxo


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Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Roadtrip // Sunny Sedona



Today I head back to Chicago after 10 sunshine-filled days here in Arizona.  I feel pretty lucky to have missed what has been a terrible beginning of spring in the midwest, full of snow and freezing temperatures.  I can almost already hear the collective groans that will undoubtedly occur when we step off the airplane tonight. 

Robbie's band played a show in Phoenix Sunday night, and on Monday morning, we decided to take an impromptu day trip up to Sedona.  It's about two hours from where I've been staying in Scottsdale, and I've always wanted to go.  We didn't have a lot of time, but the weather was gorgeous and we decided that it would be the perfect day to take pictures.


Sadly, when we were about halfway there, I turned on the camera to discover it had a dead battery.  Oops!  The frustration I felt at the fact that I hadn't checked before we left (mainly because this wasn't the first time it had happened) quickly faded upon entering the Sedona area.  It is such a strikingly beautiful part of the country, and although I would have obviously preferred to take pictures with a real camera, getting some iPhone snapshots was good enough in the end.  I was just happy for the chance to spend the day in such an incredible place.


We had lunch at a yummy Mexican cafe called Javelinas, walked around the town, did a little shopping, got iced coffees, took a visually stunning drive about 30 minutes north up to Oak Creek Canyon, went on a short hike, then headed back to Scottsdale.  It was really, really nice.  The drive home was pretty amazing too, especially when the bright almost-full moon appeared in the blue sky, before the sun had fully set.  Seeing it glow above the Saguaro cacti was a serious treat. 


This trip has been so much different than the type of trips I usually take.  Although I don't travel for work nearly as much as I did when I was doing regular fashion events, the majority of the time, I'm flying somewhere either for my job or to meet Robbie at his work.  It's very, very rare, that I take a trip just to get away.  Staying with Robbie's parents and working from their place over the last week and a half has been really wonderful.  Even with Robbie on the road most of the time I've been here, it's felt like a home away from home.  It's been very laid back and casual, with absolutely perfect weather.  I'll share more with you guys about the trip as a whole sometime in the next few days.


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Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Want to Be On Bubby & Bean in April?


Join the Bubby & Bean Sponsor Team

A new month is just a few days away, which means it's time for the official sponsor call at Bubby and Bean.  April is always an exciting time around here, and I'd love for you to be a part of it!  If you have a blog, shop, Etsy store, small business, or brand you'd like to promote to several thousands of interested people every single day, I'd love to help you through a Bubby and Bean Sponsorship!

In addition to promoting sponsors through their ads on all pages and posts here at Bubby and Bean, I work one on one with each advertiser to ensure they are given optimum exposure through the blog and our social media channels.  For more information on our various advertising packages, current stats, press, and pricing, visit our sponsor page right here. You can also book your ad space there directly in one click.  We currently have a handful of spots open in each size (including the coveted featured spot!).  All ad spaces are first come, first serve. 

Have questions?  Feel free to contact me

Monday, March 25, 2013

GIVEAWAY // Win An Olivia + Joy Handbag!

Win this Handbag from Oliva+Joy and Bubby & Bean!

I'm excited to be sharing another really fantastic giveaway with you guys today, this time from our friends over at Olivia + Joy!  Their handbags (which are favorites among celebs like Olivia Palmero, Kim Kardashian, and Kristen Cavallari) are created with a mission to offer fashion savvy consumers affordable bags that are also on trend.  I'd say that's a pretty great mission.  They recently sent me one of their Swanky Satchels and I adore it.  The design is gorgeous, with lots of pockets, chic zipper and hardware detailing, and the perfect size double handle.  I've been carrying it everywhere.  And now, Olivia + Kate is giving Bubby & Bean readers the chance to win your very own Swanky Satchel in black - an $88 value!



To enter, just visit the Olivia + Joy website and leave a comment below with your favorite item.  That's it!


Once you've completed the mandatory entry above, you can also gain one additional entry for each of the following.  (*Please put each extra entry in a SEPARATE comment in order for it to count.)
  • Like Olivia + Joy on Facebook
  • Follow Olivia + Joy on Twitter 
  • Tweet this:  I entered the @oliviaandjoy giveaway hosted by @MotM_EcoFashion for a chance to win an Olivia + Joy Handbag! >> http://bit.ly/YvWZtT
  • Pin an image from this post to Pinterest 
  • Follow us on Bloglovin' 
  • Follow Olivia + Joy on Instagram 
  • Follow Bubby & Bean on Instagram 
  • Click the Facebook Like button below to like this post on Facebook.  

This giveaway is open through March 31st and is open to all Bubby and Bean readers worldwide.  The winner's name will be randomly chosen and announced shortly after.  Thank you again to Olivia + Joy for offering our readers the chance to win one of their gorgeous bags! GOOD LUCK!
UPDATE: This giveaway is now closed.  Find out if you won right here.

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Friday, March 22, 2013

Guess Who WON the StickyGram Giveaway??!



Thanks again to all of you who entered the StickyGram Giveaway from Bubby & Bean and our friends at StickyGram!  Three winners were chosen via random.org, and those lucky readers are...




CONGRATS JILLIAN, MOLLY, AND JESSICA! 
Please contact me at bubbyandbean {at} gmail.com so we can discuss getting you your StickyGram sets(Please note that winners will have 3 days to get in contact.  In the case of no contact, a new winner(s) will be drawn.)



Thanks again to StickyGram for giving Bubby and Bean readers the chance to win their magnet sets (we love ours!).  And if you haven't yet, be sure to enter our current giveaway for a chance to win a prize package of six goodies worth $180!

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Thursday, March 21, 2013

Greetings From Arizona! (+ Happy Birthday Robbie!)



My Arizona trip has been wonderfully low-key and relaxing so far - exactly what I needed.  And the weather has been amazing.  Robbie had a couple of days off from the band's tour in the southwest, so he was able to meet me here at his parent's house in between shows. 


Monday was spent napping after a very early flight and catching up on work.  Tuesday we drove to Bartlett Lake to hike around and look at the wildflowers (the images here are all photos that we took there), grabbed a quick taco lunch, did a little shopping, and had a nice home cooked dinner.  And yesterday, my mom and step dad (who coincidentally are also in town) came over for lunch, and we all celebrated Robbie's birthday a day early before he flew up to Vegas to get back to work.


Today is Robbie's actual birthday, so I have to give a quick shout-out to my best friend, husband, and all-around favorite person in the universe!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABE!  Can't wait to celebrate more when you get back on Sunday night.
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Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Dogs, Daycare, and Dress-Up



When I received this submission from photographer Jesse Holland, I couldn't refuse.  Not only does it feature one of my favorite subjects (dogs!), I love the premise behind it.  Jesse was approached about doing a shoot that involved two friends who run a doggy daycare center and grooming business.  Since their work days are spent wearing t-shirts, jeans, and yoga pants, Jesse thought it would be fun to give them a chance to play dress-up for the day and take some photos of them in their element (along with their dogs, of course).


I asked Jesse what made this particular shoot one of her all-time favorites.  "As a pet and wedding photographer I don't get a chance to step out and do a lot of  'fashion' shoots.  So when my friend Elena approached me about doing a shoot with Cara and Trish from Top Dog, I was immediately on board.  Normally when I interact with all these women, we are wearing rain boots and yoga pants as we walk our dogs along the beach, so it was nice to see them get dressed up and get them in front of the camera.  I am sure most of their customers usually see them covered in dog hair, so this was also a chance to show off another side of who they are, outside of the business they run.   Besides, who doesn't love dogs and great looking ladies?"


Jesse's friend Elena, who initially approached her about doing the shoot and styled hair for the project, says that she really wanted to work together on something with this group of close friends, who are all huge dog lovers.  "I have shared laughter and tears with Cara and Trish at Top Dog.  Jesse and I worked on a wedding together last summer and I fell in love with her work.  Her dog Charlie has since become part of our pack and is a welcome addition.  Having Melanie Baird and Erin Bradley on board (for makeup) made so much sense.  I am fortunate to be part of such a wonderful community of women. We support and love each other, and for me, I continue to be inspired by my friends."

Photography: Chasing Charlie // Location: Top Dog // Hair: Elena at Conscious Hair  
Makeup: Melanie Baird and Erin Bradley // Wardrobe: Outlooks for Men and private collection

Big thanks to Jesse for sharing these gorgeous (and simultaneously adorable!) images with Bubby and Bean readers. You can view more of her work via her website, Facebook, and Twitter

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