giveaway from that girl crochet

alright all you coffee drinkers out there...

i know you're out there and i know there's hundreds of you!
looking for something super cute to keep your hands from burning & your coffee from getting cold? i thought so!! lucky for you, tiffany from that girl crochet is the nicest gal & is offering up this adorable coffee cozy!

to enter:

+ visit that girl crochet then come back & tell me your favourite item

+ follow @thatgirl1223 & me @missteacups on twitter & tweet about this cute giveaway

2 quick ways to enter! the winner will be chosen feb 6th

also, if it's chilly where you are, i highly recommend one of tiffany's knitted tunnel scarves. they're the best! i have two and love them both, she uses the softest yarn & her prices are unbeatable! she has a sale going on for the month of February for 15% off using code 15OFF

etsy faves: bird trouble

alright so most girls love purses and handbags, why? because we need them on a regular basis whether we want to lug them around or not. might as well look cute doing it right? alexz from bird trouble makes the most adorable bags...i'm obsessed.

i love that she uses vintage & reclaimed textiles and only makes small collections so they are all one of a kind pieces. oh & she also has a great blog that you can find here

giveaway winner!

& the winner of the giveaway is mary rebecca

please send me an email to dear.love@live.ca to claim your prize!

if you guys haven't noticed i'm doing a lot more giveaways. ever since my october giveaway madness, i've really gotten the giveaway bug! there will be at least one per week every month from my sponsors or myself. who doesn't love free stuff?!

speaking of sponsors, my february sponsors are up (i'm a wee bit early!) so don't be afraid to pop by their blogs &/or shops and say hello :)

on growing up

growing up is a funny thing isn't it? i was holding and cuddling a one month old baby last night and was beyond fascinated with how one day this tiny little creature will be my age (& older) and how insanely wonderful and amazing it is that we start off so very small...so fragile and innocent and over time we turn into toddlers, then children, teenagers to adults and all of a sudden you're in your mid twenties and you're thinking "when did all of this happen?" when did i grow up and gain so much responsibility and turn into this...adult. i'm an adult. you're probably thinking "no duh!" but it's honestly kind of a strange thing to wrap your head around when you realize that you're on your own. i have bills to pay and responsibilities. if i don't go to work for a month, or a few weeks for that matter, i won't be able to pay my rent. i need money for groceries, clothes, toiletries, cleaning products...everything...and it's all up to me, no one else. me. i'm an adult.

over the weekend my mum and i were going through my closet as my parents are moving in about 6 months and therefore i had to go through everything and decide what i wanted to keep, throw out or donate and in a way i went through every single year of my life. from my baby book which my amazing mother has written in every single year since i was born, to my first shoes, to dresses & jumpers that i had when i was a little girl, tutus and dance costumes from over the years, a box of all my old journals from the time i learned to write until now, a box of notes & photos & things from high school boyfriends...band t-shirts of concerts i attended and notes that i would write in high school to pass to my friends in class. i was sitting there and looking through all of these things thinking "when did i get so freaking old?" all of a sudden i'm 25 and in my final semester of college, working 2 part-time jobs so that i can live comfortably and enjoy my life. i have an amazing boyfriend who loves me and wants to spend the rest of his life with me...we have a cat and a home and a life together, an amazing life together that i wouldn't trade for anything in the world. when did i grow up and when did this all happen? i mean, of course it's all gradual, you don't wake up overnight but do you know what i mean when sometimes it feels like you did just wake up and all of a sudden you're not 16 anymore.

life is crazy and beautiful and amazing. i'm beyond happy with the person i've become, the people i've surrounded myself with and the person i've chosen to spend the rest of my life with. i'm happy with where i am, who i am and what i'm doing.

all of a sudden i'm a grown up with jobs, responsibilities, a family of my own and the passion to grow and aspire to do things...and i couldn't be happier.

giveaway(s) !!

giveaway reminder!

you guys have 1 more day to enter my giveaway

click here to enter!

there are also some random treats that will be thrown in as well...i always like surprises so i like to throw some into my giveaways!

you should also probably check out

this holga camera giveaway from talk 2 the trees

this january group sponsor giveaway from violet bella (so awesome!)

this tumbleweeds cat eye sunglasses from from amy

this gorgeous purse giveaway from tieka

so many wonderful giveaways in this lovely blog world! share the love.

want a say in ugglebo clogs spring collection?

alright you guys, ugglebo clogs is looking for YOUR honest input and feedback so that their spring/summer collection is the best it's ever been! shown are a few of the designs and colours they are considering for this collection, but they want to know more.

if you have a few minutes, please copy & paste the following questions into the comments & answer...

what do you think of the style in itself?

what particular styles do you like? do you like the slingbacks, or the peep-toes or some of the other models better than others?

what types of bases to you prefer? do you like the wedges and the semi-wedge bases or do you want to see something else?

what colors do you like on the wooden bases- dark or light?

do you prefer staples or nail heads to attach the leather to the bases?

answering any or all of the questions in the comments of this post would be a BIG help! thanks guys :)

outfit post: never have i ever...

camera flashes are fun to play with!

i don't think i ever showed you guys my hair. i got some peekaboo highlights put in a few weeks ago, they're usually not this obvious as they are underneath but it's just how i wore my hair today...going back in a few weeks to get some blonde underneath as well. it takes awhile to lighten black hair!

outfit details

sheer button up - H&M

sweater - F21

tights - c'est moi

boots - thrifted

confession:

i've never worn a button up shirt under a sweater like this...it's kind of preppy which isn't my usual style but i kind of dig it.

ps: remind me sometime to add colour to my wardrobe.

i got these little beauties today for $6 from my local thrift store

i have a problem with buying this colour of shoe. it's seriously all i buy...i was sorting through my shoe closet today and 75% of my shoes are this colour!

want to know a secret?

i like using crackle polish for weeks i know i will be busy and not have time to paint my nails because if it chips off, you really can't tell! this is one of those weeks!

i work tonight, tomorrow & tomorrow night and then i am home free for the weekend...literally. i'm going to my parents house for the weekend for one of my besties birthdays! i come back sunday to a clothing swap (fun!) i already have 3 bags full, eep...shop much?

giveaway: tunnel scarf, heart sunnies & vintage cuff - CLOSED

hi guys!

i host giveaways all the time from other companies but it has been awhile since i've done one of my own, from me to you...and since i reached 500 followers this past week i thought, what better of a time then now, right?

up for grabs is:

a black handknit tunnel scarf (knit by yours truly)

a pair of black heart sunglasses

& a vintage silver floral cuff bracelet

to enter:

simply be a follower of this blog (& tell me how you follow)

for extra entries:

tweet about this giveaway (@missteacups)

blog about this giveaway

that's 3 simple ways to enter!

please leave 1 comment for each entry

the winner will be chosen february 1st (omg that's only 1 week away, times flies!!)

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

sponsor: february

visit my sponsor page in the left sidebar for more details

i have some great people and companies lined up already, february is going to be a good month!!

ps: just kidding ;) i'm really nice, i swear!

around the blogosphere

this week has been a good one in blog land...great even. i've seen a ton of wonderful posts, here's the ones i chose to share:

laura always seems to have something wonderful to say. i love her blog for many reasons, but sharing her heart with everyone, is my favourite.

make your own salad dressing? yes please!

this DIY amy posted is adorable! i need chalkboard paint stat, there are way too many things you can do with it...i'm afraid i might get carried away.

need a positivity boost? head over to julies happy girl week!

chantilly just posted the recipe for mini vegan donuts...since i was there & can attest to how amazing they tasted, i thought i'd share! but i mean really, have you ever had a bad donut?

needing outfit inspiration? visit my favourite style maven, circle meets square

i saw this somewhere & thought it was pretty funny...and true.

is everyone having a good week so far? we're halfway to the weekend, wahoo!!

gotye

just bought tickets to see gotye in toronto in march, eeeeee!!

i'm sure you've heard the song 'somebody that i used to know' & yes, it is magical & wonderful but their entire newest album is actually SO great! check out the rest, it's worth it.

walk off the earth - !!!!!

walk off the earth...where did you come from?

SO FRIGGIN' GOOD YOU GUYS!!

in. love.

oh & to answer my question of 'where did you come from?' they're from ontario!! proud.

what makes my ears happy

as i was listening to my music while working from home, i realized that i never really talk about or mention music much on my little blog. well, i thought maybe it's about time, cause i love music (who doesn't?) & maybe i can lend you a new favourite band...only lend though, you can't have them for keeps ;)

so i've thought of a top 10 list...of my favourite bands or singers, here we go:

#1) incubus

i have loved them for many many years. my brother listened to them so i was introduced at an early age...i've seen them several times in concert. they will always be my numero uno, no matter what

#2) bon iver

every since i heard skinny love, i've been obsessed. their album 'for emma, forever ago' is one of my favourite albums of all time. forever.

#3) death cab for cutie

another band i've loved since day one pretty much. i've seen in concert a bunch of times as well, they put on such a great show. i know i liked them when i was 'emo' but shit, their music is really friggin' good...i'll always love them, even though i'm happy now ;)

#4) explosions in the sky

this band is completely instrumental which makes them completely magical because you can be happy, sad, depressed, excited, stressed, doesn't matter...you can listen to the song and make it whatever you want it to be. i love instrumental for that reason. if you haven't listed to them, please check them out!

#5) the postal service

another i've loved for many years. their music is so happy & upbeat, i love it. i am DYING to see them in concert...hopefully one day.

#6) the spill canvas

alright so most music is stuff i've loved for a really long time, there aren't many new bands that have impressed me as much as the ones i've loved for years. spill canvas has always just been super nostalgic for me, i have a lot of happy memories with these songs.

#7) dashboard confessional

so now it's no secret i was an emo kid. haha, i don't even care...i have no shame. dashboard is great. i still listen to them often. love them, always.

#8) something corporate

so i was that kid that went to warped tour every year in high school and went to concerts in toronto ALL the time...i've seen them a bunch too, again, i still really really love their music. brings back so many good memories from high school.

#9) the national

i love a lot of slower music that could be mistaken for 'sad' music, but i really just think it depends on how you're feeling at that given moment. the national are so wonderful. give them a listen if you aren't familiar with them.

#10) snow patrol

yet another oldie. i listen to their albums all the time still though.

as you can tell, my music taste hasn't changed too much in the last...8 or so years (10 even, in some cases) there's some more bands and singers i wanted to share though that may not have made the top 10, but that i still adore:

boards of canada

no words...they are so good. they'd be #11 if it was a top 11 list

ellie goulding

i love this girl. i think she's brilliant.

girl talk

instant dance party

junior boys

so happy and make me feel instantly great

kate nash

such a lovely voice...she's great

mariah carey (guilty!)

yup, i went there...

the russian futurist

more happy music!! matt hart is wonderful!

sia

oh god, her music does things to me i didn't think possible

mgmt

more dance partying!

the streets

i think they're so original and just great...original pirate material is my fave album of theirs

sufjan stevens

definitely could be in my top 10...i love his music with a passion

taking back sunday

i still listen to them quite often and love love love their music!

tokyo police club

feel good music, for sure!

& a more recent instant fave:

gotye

please check them out, they're unreal!!

ugglebo clogs winner!

chosen by the random number generator, the winner of the ugglebo clogs giveaway is

katie alyse chamel

congratulations katie!! you're going to be obsessed.

please send me an email to dear.love@live.ca so we can get them shipped out to you!

thank you to everyone who entered...this was the biggest giveaway i've featured so far, with the most entrants. just a reminder that there's a big sale happening right here with lots of clogs featured at 50% off so if your name isn't katie (or katie alyse chamel, i should say) head on over & pick yourself up a pair!

etsy feature: thayer eyewear

i don't think it's any secret that i love glasses. when i was younger and was told i needed glasses i pretty much jumped for joy. i wore my glasses all the time, even though i didn't need to. turns out that that may have helped (?) my eyes because when i stopped wearing them and returned to the eye doctors, she said my eyes had improved. i don't really understand but either way, i don't have to wear glasses anymore.

you're probably thinking, "but you wear glasses all the time" ...well, incase you haven't picked up on this yet (or you're new around here) they're not real...they are clear lenses and i get them from bleudame however they're not selling the ones i wear most often (the black and brown cat eye ones) anymore it seems.

anyway, i love glasses and i love sunglasses. i think they're such a fun accessory & i have quite the collection of each. i came across this wicked etsy shop called thayer eyewear, you should check them out if you're looking for a new pair of either:

thayer eyewear

they have a really large selection of vintage eyewear and i kind of want one of each!

in other news, i hit 500 followers today!! thanks to sew tara for being my 500th follower! you guys are so wonderful. i still often wonder why anyone reads my blog, but i'm really thankful that you do...a thousand times over, thank you!!

instagram/iphone

i promise i am not going to be one of thoooose bloggers who get an iphone and all of a sudden, all you see is instagram/hipstamatic photos...promise! but today was my first day with it and i just wanted to share a few of my first photos. i'm excited you guys, iphones are really as amazing as everyone says they are!!

this was pretty exciting...almost 500 page views yesterday (that's kind of an all time high for me!) & to think that my blog has been viewed 76 THOUSAND times in a little over 2 years is super weird...and crazy...and awesome

i also got some new washi tapes in the mail today & so i decided to give my laptop a new border. side note: washi tape is fun for SO many things...but this is one of the best things i've thought of, keeps your laptop ever-changing which is fun!

yaaa...mikey sometimes wears his hair in a pony now...

i'm warming up to it

first photo! my morning coffee and a shiny new box!

oh & incase you're wondering what case i bought (before the phone was even in my possession, naturally) it's this one:

rilakkuma iphone teddy bear? done. bet you thought it'd be hello kitty, didn't you?

alright, i'll stop taking about my new favourite thing...maybe...

today was alright. as exciting as it was to get my iphone, my stomach has been extremely angry with me for some reason and everything i've put in it today, it has disagreed with. which is nothing new really, i've had stomach problems for the last 10 or so years (ohmygosh, has it been that long?) anyways, today was a rough one.

side note: JUST sold my blackberry...two successful kijiji transactions in the past 24 hours, awesome!

this was a pretty random post. i apologize. i'm so excited i feel like i've drank 16 cups of coffee!! i didn't know a cellphone could make you feel this way...oh right, NOT talking about my new iphone...

sorry.