Goodbye to Little Window Shoppe

May 18, 2009 by Emily · 62 Comments 

My Dearest Window Shoppe Readers and Friends,

This post has taken me over a month to write - partly because this is my last post on this blog. I am so sad to announce that as of today, Little Window Shoppe is closing for good.

The decision was not taken lightly and was really hard to make, but a combination of factors came together that brought me to this post…very much wanting to spend more time with my family (I have a very busy two year old who needs more mommy-time), ;) getting ready for baby #2 in November (I’ve been out sick for two months! But it’s totally worth it as we’re so excited to have a new baby come to our family), and finally getting ready for a move to a new state with my family this Summer (my hubby is starting a new job).

goodbye

{Photo source: Wilson Library Reserve}

I have learned so much from blogging at Little Window Shoppe and will be forever grateful for the kind friends I have made and the amazing experiences that I have had here!! Thank you so much for taking time to make Little Window shoppe a part of your lives and for being such a fantastic community. And also, thank you for all of the nice emails and inquiries about how we are doing.

Before I say goodbye for good, I want to thank a few people who helped me along the way:

First and foremost, my husband Scott. He is an incredibly supportive husband and friend and was the first person to listen to my every idea and concern throughout my blogging adventures. He has also been Superman at my house and has cooked, cleaned, taken care of our two year old and helped me out while I was sick over the last seven weeks! I couldn’t ask for a better man in my life and I love him so much!!

I also wanted to thank Holly of Tutus and Turtles. She is so cool and listened and talked to me for hours on the phone as I worked out how I would end my Window Shoppe blogging days. Her blog has been an inspiration to me from the beginning and I think that her blog ideas rock!!

Finally, I wanted to thank each of the writers and contributors for Little Window Shoppe. Each of them had creative and beautiful ideas to share and I’m so grateful and honored that they wanted to be part of this blog with me. They have become some of my dearest friends and were the best group of writers a blog ever had! They even sent me tulips when I was sick (just about made me cry, I felt so loved).

Please visit each of their blogs to keep up with their cool ideas!

Also, I wanted to leave you with a few additional recommendations of blogs I love - in case you are looking for new places to subscribe:

  • www.simplemom.net - this is my absolute favorite blog to follow…it has the best family tips and ideas that make sense, the ideas are easy to follow and I just can’t get enough of its coolness.
  • www.howaboutorange.blogspot.com - artsy, tons of crafts, diy ideas, printouts, and the best time-wasters ever. ;)
  • www.thepioneerwoman.com - recipes, photoshop tutorials, photography 101, down-to-earth life.
  • www.makeandtakes.com - the coolest (and most creative) kids crafts ever!
  • www.metropolitanmama.net - and for all you contest lovers, this Metro Mama has excellent giveaways all of the time - and she writes helpful articles with tips for parents. Love it.

There are so many more…but I think this is a great start.

If you want to stay in touch with me, you can follow me at a few sites:

  • www.emilyjune.com (I’ll still be designing blogs and websites - starting again this fall). 
  • I’m also going to be checking in and updating my facebook page and my family blog regularly. They will have weekly updates of my family life and the cool fun things we are doing. ;)

**If you want to stay in touch with me at my family blog or on facebook, just email me or leave a comment letting me know and I’ll send you the links.**

Thank you again for making this the best blogging experience I have ever had!!
Always,
Emily

Journal Jars & “Between Me and You” Journal Giveaway!

October 13, 2008 by Emily · 126 Comments 

I love starting out the week with a great Giveaway. A few years ago for my mom’s 50th birthday, we gave her a journal and a “journal jar” with all kinds of questions that she could answer in her journal along the way. It was a fun gift to give and we really look forward to reading her entries someday to get to know her even better.

While we’re on the topic of journal jars, I found a splendid little post with pretty journal jar pictures and great question ideas for making your own at The Jelly Journals Blog. Isn’t this a creative gift idea?

Journal Giveaway:

Sand Dune Books has a Family Journal Series that is really similar to the “journal jar” called “Between Me And You™ a few things I’ve been meaning to ask”. It is sure to become a family keepsake that you will cherish.

Inside each are fun, non-sappy, sometimes humorous questions and journal space for a handwritten response. They make PERFECT gifts that you can share with people you love and there are different books designed for each unique relationship, such as “mom”, “dad”, ”daughter” and more. 

Discount: Save 10% on each journal until October 18th with code: LWS

Win It:

One lucky Window Shoppe reader will win their choice of any 2 journals! To win, all you have to do is check out Sand Dune Books and leave a quick comment or send an email to contest@littlewindowshoppe.com (with “journal” as the subject of your email) letting us know which 2 you would like to win. The winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday October 22nd and will be announced here, so be sure to check back to see if you’re the winner.

P.S. If you haven’t seen all of our other giveaways we have going on at LWS, check out our Current Giveaways link…we have quite a few you can still enter and we are adding even more to it throughout this week!!

Contest Closed *CONGRATULATIONS TO ”TobyeDavid” ~ HE IS THE RANDOMLY CHOSEN WINNER FOR THIS CONTEST! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED - PLEASE STOP BY AGAIN AS THERE ARE NEW CONTESTS EACH WEEK!*

“Gilt” Free Shopping ~ Save up to 70%

July 21, 2008 by Emily · 1 Comment 

Lotus-Flower TanNapkin

Kim Seybert Home Decor Collection

So, what if there was a place where you could enjoy exclusive access to coveted men’s and women’s fashion and luxury brands at prices up to 70% off retail? Wouldn’t that be great?

Fortunately for us, the Gilt Groupe is that very spot. How it works: All of their sales last 36 hours and they feature items from one designer at a time. Sales are first come, first served, so hurry fast and sign up to find the best deals on these items.

Be sure to invite friends to join you in shopping, each time you invite a friend you will receive a $25 credit to your account after your friend’s first purchase!

For Dads

June 15, 2008 by Emily · 1 Comment 

A happy day indeed, to celebrate the beautiful role of fatherhood. I have been thinking about my husband today and how he has such a big heart for even the littlest person. 

He has been a wonderful daddy and I have been in awe observing his transition into fatherhood since our son was born. I love watching him play and wrestle with our baby. He loves him so much and also shows a gentle sweet side too - he reads and sings to him, changes tons of diapers, and is always concerned about how our son may be feeling.

Since it is Father’s Day, he is getting special treatment all day (a break from all responsibility, if you will) and currently is taking a long afternoon nap (which gives me a little time to write). ;)

Fun Things to Make for Dad:

craft_Fish

For fun on Father’s Day and beyond (since most of you are probably spending time with your dad/husband today and may not be reading this post!!), Kaboose.com has a list of gifts and super-fun father’s day crafts that children (and pretty much the whole family) can do with dad.

 

 

Great Reads for Dad and Children:

$10 at Amazon

**I love this book!!** My husband read this to our little boy today and it was a moment to remember! It will touch your heart. We have a copy of it at our house and cherish each and every page. “I Love My Daddy” celebrates the bond between a father and his child. It is a beautiful story from a little one’s perspective about the love his daddy has for him by all of the sweet and normal things that he does each day. It captures the true essence of the love that daddy’s everywhere have for their children. In addition to the story, you will marvel at the gorgeous pictures outlined on each page - I recommend this book!!! 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Another book I found… I haven’t read this book myself, but as I read a little about it and glanced at the reviews, I am convinced it is a book that new dads should check out. 

Find it at Amazon for $11

One review states: “This beautiful book contains short, informative essays covering everything a first-time dad needs to know, from the importance of skin-to-skin contact to the joys of reading aloud.”

Another review: “‘The Baby Bonding Book For Dads’ is a Must READ for all new fathers. Instructive, humorous and heartwarming, it is a poignant account of simple, everyday tangible ways for fathers to connect with their children.”

Great Dad Websites:

“Because Dads don’t always think like Moms” here are a few dad-sites I found… GreatDad.com, DadsforKids.com & Fatherville.com - there are many more too! They write articles, share ideas, have support groups, forums, and book recommendations for dads in all types of situations, stay at home dads, single dads, new dads, experienced dads, etc. Great resources to checkout!