Christmas Cards, Here We Come!

Between being extra excited about the holidays this year and begin thrilled with the photos that we miraculously managed to get, I am on my game this year when it comes to Christmas cards! Last year our photos kept getting canceled and rescheduled due to the weather, so we didn't manage to get our cards sent out until New Year's Day rolled around! I've been trolling my favorite site for Christmas cards, Minted, and here are a few of my current faves:

Simple + Sweet:

1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5

Shiny + Sparkly:

1. 2. 3. 4

Pictures, pictures, pictures:

1 . 2

And since I'm (for once!) ordering early this year, I am super excited to take advantage of the Black Friday sale - 20% off orders of $150+ or 15% off with no minimum order! Just use code BF2015. Now the hard part - decision making! Which is your favorite? xo, Lauren


*Affiliate links included in this post

Giveaway: Win $250 to Minted!

I'm so excited to be able to offer you all a chance to win $250 to Minted! They have the most beautiful birth announcements, birthday party invitations, nursery artwork, and much, much more.  In fact, we used Minted for Lucy's birth announcements and our Christmas cards.

They also have an adorable line of children's stationary now as well. I think Violet would absolutely adore having her own stationary - she's obsessed with her name and loves sending and receiving real mail.

Here are a few of my current favorite designs:

Personalized Children's Stationary:
Quotes Children's Personalized Stationary
Bubblegum Pop Personalized Stationary
Love Milk Children's Personalized Stationary
Accent Children's Personalized Stationary

Nursery Artwork:
Heirloom Pear Print

Greatest Adventure Print

Family Tree Rings Print

Anemone Monogram Print

Birth Annoucements:

Watercolor Bunting

Chalkboard Stats

Vintage Label

Garden Bloom

Birthday Invitations:

Simple Balloon Invitation

Cloudy with a Chance of Fun Invitation

Thoughts on Birthday Boy Invitation

Fun in the Sun Invitation

My Age Invitation

To enter the giveaway, use this link. Best of luck! xo, Lauren

Favorite Holiday Cards 2013

We'll most likely be going with our usual holiday photo cards from Minted this year (it just seems expected when you have kids - all of the relatives want to see a cute picture)! But if I was going for a traditional card, I'd definitely choose one of these lovelies...

Clockwise from top left: Sir Rudolph, Reindeer, Letterpress Trees, Thumpety Thump Thump, Let it Snow, Secret Decoder Tree, Joy, Season's Greetings, O Christmas Tree, Deck the Halls

Lucy's Birth Announcements

A couple of things I wish we had done with Violet was to have newborn photos taken and send out birth announcements, but after being in the NICU and getting the hang of being a new mama of a very needy baby with health issues, it just never happened. (Not to mention the fact that the budget was tight with me being off work for eight months). So when Minted contacted me about trying out their announcements, I was so excited! My sister had taken newborn and family photos while she was here (more on those to come soon!) and they turned out so beautifully, so I jumped at the chance to use them with one of Minted's many designs. It took me FOREVER to choose a design from their site - there were seriously so, so many lovely ones. After we finally chose one and ordered them, I was thrilled with how they turned out:

And if you have a little one on the way, stay tuned because I'm working on a big giveaway for all of you lovelies, and custom birth announcements from Minted will be part of the deal! xo, Lauren

Lovely Birth Announcements

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY VISTAPRINT

Since I started my maternity leave a bit early, I've had a lot of time to sit around and think about this new little addition to our family. (At least when I'm not chasing Violet around that is) I've been checking out birth announcements on Pinterest (seriously what did we do before Pinterest?!) and am trying to decide what I'd like to do for our new little girl. Here are a few of my favorites:

This lovely birth announcement by Brooke Schwab is one of my all-time favorites. Simple and sweet but lots of fun details:

I love that with this option the recipient gets an actual photo of the babe, but the important information is still there on the envelope:

Another version of the above, these pretty hand-painted notes would be perfect accompanying a photo:

This one doesn't include a photo, but the design is just so stunning that it almost doesn't matter:

And this one as well. I think this is letterpressed, but you could get a similar look with simple printing:

Which would you choose? I'm planning to design them myself (or have my sister help - it's nice having a graphic designer in the family :)) and print them online. I was really happy with Vistaprint when I had my business cards done, so I will probably use them again this time around. They're really affordable and are always running great deals on Vistaprint products. Every little bit helps, especially since I'll be going without a paycheck for so long! Things were so crazy after I had Violet, I never ended up sending out birth announcements and have always regretted it a bit. I hope I can get it together with this little one!

xo, Lauren

This post was sponsored by Vistaprint. Sponsored posts are purely editorial content that we are pleased to have presented by a participating sponsor. Advertisers do not produce the content.

Love Handmade

ONE . Oh No Rachio!

TWO . Depeapa

THREE . Little Hip Squeaks

Raid-Your-Craft-Stash Gift Wrap

This year I decided to try not to buy any new supplies with which to wrap our gifts (other than some kraft paper) and instead trim down my leftover craft supply stash. Pretty much every present ended up being a little different, but I tried to stick with a general color theme so it didn't get to crazy. I made some yarn pom poms, used up some leftover tissue paper fringe from my DIY 'confetti system' ornaments, and a few extra felted wool balls from the garland I made for our mantel as well.

I also found a few other random things - some dot stickers, printer paper (for snowflakes), ribbon, string, washi tape, doilies, and white paint. Then I went to work while I watched A White Christmas (one of my favorites!) on TV and munched on Christmas cookies. I tried to use  a lot of red and blue for Violet's because whenever anyone asked Violet what she wants for Christmas she says, "Pwesents." And if they ask her what kind of presents she says, "Wed, boo - my fav-it!" (Red and blue - my favorite!) She'll probably like my mom's gift wrap better (red and blue Sesame street gift wrap), but I had fun making ours. :)

P.S. I used these free printable gift tags

It's a Marshmallow World

Clockwise from top left: packaging, crown, tree, clutch, slippers, gift wrap, marshmallows, jumpsuit

Pinspiration No. 1: Bright Baubles

Recent favorites from Pinterest:

Clockwise from top left: Marbled Glass Orb, Happy Holidays Card, Bauble Wreath, Color Block Hat, Moccasins, Bauble Box, Heart Blanket, Birch Twig Candlesticks, Give Thanks Be Joyful Card, Gnome, Polka Dot Pajamas

Holiday Giveaway 2012!

{This giveaway is no longer accepting entries}

Welcome to A Lovely Lark's holiday giveaway extravaganza! ONE lucky reader will win ALL of these lovely little things! Here are the details of what the winner will receive:

1. From Pretty Little Things by Lori Marie: One Dreamcatcher

2. From Heartfelt Decor by catshy crafts: One Personalized Embroidery Hoop Art (up to a $45 value)

3. From Criswell Creations: One Three-Tiered Bird Mobile (Plus 15% off with code 'GIFTGUIDE2012')

4. From Koukku: One Wooden Teething Ring (in the color of your choice)

5. From Magpie Lovely: a $75 gift certificate toward anything in the shop! (Plus 10% off anything in the shop with the code 'lovelylark10' through 12/31/12)

6. From My Little Loves: one Jacqueline Doll with linen apron and linen tote (Plus 10% off anything in the shop with the code 'ALOVELYHOLIDAY' through the end of December!)

7. From Niko & Nonnie: One Merry and Bright Jingle Rattle (Plus 15% off anything in the shop with the code 'LOVELY15')

8. From Pretty Little Things by Lori Marie: One Shimmering Feather Crown

9. From The Little Red Wagon: one High Resolution Custom 5x7 Photo Birth Announcement or Holiday Card Digital File (Plus free shipping with code 'TURKEY' through the end of November!)

10. From Bungalow Kids: One Kantha Doll Quilt (in the color of your choice) AND one Petit Collage Funny Bunny Doll

11. From Uncommon Goods - Set of 5 Organic Fruit Rattles

12. From Colette Bream - one Kisses Good Night Pillow Cover (in the color/design of your choice)

13. From Cherry Walls - a $50 gift certificate toward anything in the shop!

14. From Ergobaby - one Bundle of Joy Organic Ergobaby Carrier and Insert in Navy or Chocolate (plus 15% off the entire shop with the code 'ALovelyLark15' through November 27th!)

Discount Codes:
15% Off:

• blabla kids with the code 'LL15' through 12/1/2012
• Twig Creative with the code 'TWIG15' through 11/20/2012
• Ergobaby with the code 'ALovelyLark15' through 11/27/2012
• Niko & Nonnie with the code 'LOVELY15'

10% Off:

• My Little Loves with the code 'ALOVELYHOLIDAY' through 12/31/2012
• Magpie Lovely with the code 'lovelylark10' through 12/31/2012

That's a total prize worth over $750 from some gorgeous brands and shops. To enter please visit your favorite vendors and leave a comment below. 

For a second entry tweet “I would love to win @ALovelyLark's Holiday Giveaway Extravaganza! A total prize worth over $750! http://tinyurl.com/a437t8g”

To check on the details of each item you can click on the links above. Sorry, this one is open to U.S. residents only. Up to two entries per person. For color and style optional options the winner will choose after the giveaway is closed. Winnings will be shipped in multiple shipments.

I will choose a winner on Wednesday, November 21st 2012 and announce him or her here on A Lovely Lark. Good luck to everyone and please give the vendors here a lot of love for their generous contributions! xo, Lauren

P.S. Stay tuned...holiday gift guides are on their way!

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Entrants must provide a first name and email address in order to enter. Up to two entries per person. Please avoid putting your contact information directly in your comment. After the winner is randomly chosen he or she will be put in contact with the sponsors of the giveaway. Winnings will not be distributed (with the exception of one item) by A Lovely Lark. If the winner does not claim his or her prize within ten days, they forfeit their winnings and another winner will be chosen and contacted via email. All rules and conditions are subject to change without notice.

{This giveaway is no longer accepting entries}

A Colorful Christmas

I'm really into the idea of a colorful Christmas this year! Bright, happy and fun for Violet. These are the things on my Christmas decor wish list:

Clockwise from top left: Porcelain Pinecone Ornament, Colorpop Pom Pom Ornament, Natural Himmeli Ornaments, Neon Christmas Elf, Happy Stripe Wrapping Sheets, Confetti System Ornaments,     Mason Jar Snow Globe, Kids' Art DIY Gift Wrap, Glittered Geometry Garland, Tufted Wool Wreath 

P.S. Stay tuned...the big holiday giveaway and gift guides are on their way!!!

P.P.S. Find me on Instagram here: http://instagram.com/alovelylark

A Lovely Find: Birth Announcement

This birth announcement just took my breath away. It's the creation of Brooke Schwab of Brooke Schwab Photography. I love the softness, the whimsical handwriting, the pretty vintage dress - just perfect.