Blogger's Favorites -- Alexis of Fern and Feather + A Little Giveaway

One of the most rewarding (and surprising and lovely) aspects of blogging is all the other blogging kindred spirits you meet along the way...

I've loved getting to know Alexis through this little blog world. She's super lovely and creative and inspiring (hello art barn!)...one of those ladies I'd love to have coffee with in real life! I also love how similar our blogging stories are. Like Alexis, I started Simple Lovely while I was on maternity leave with Millie, sitting at my computer during epic nursing sessions, longing for a little creative outlet. So I'm thrilled to have Alexis her sharing her favorites this week...

And... (because she's so kind) she's also offering up a little giveaway -- a paper lunch bag full of Art Barn treasures (pictured below), including: 1 stamp, an antique key, 5 yards of baker’s twine, 3 vintage buttons, the ‘bee killer’ page out of the dictionary, a page on how to crochet, a photo of a little girl circa 1948, Boiltex paper wrapping and 2 milk caps.

Just leave a comment on this post by end of day next Thursday the 17th and I'll announce a winner on Friday!

giveaway treasures...

So without further ado, herewith Alexis' favorites. Enjoy!

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little story... I got into blogs in the days when my son was up feeding every two hours {aka... up all night long}. Some nights I would just surrender to the experience and believed that there was no difference between day and night. I would sit with my lap top, my ‘breast friend’ {if you don’t know about this wacky piece of baby gear you are missing out ;)} and I would tune into a few blogs that I love. First stop: Simple Lovely. I was so tired, worn out and let’s face it, FAT, and it was so much fun to dive into a world that felt so far away; wedges, NPR pieces, Sondre Lerche, wallpaper, letter press. I felt like there was hope that I would soon become myself again. So once we started sleeping again and the Art Barn was complete, I started my own blog using the name of my interior design company... Fern & Feather. Anyway the moral of the story is that I adore Joslyn and Simple Lovely. It is amazing how someone you don’t know can encourage and inspire you to do something that you love. With that said I am beyond honored and humbled to share my list of favorites with you.

our love story. {here is the short version} My husband and I met when I was 14 at the beach in Del Mar. We were friends for 10 years {this is where the story can get long}. I got engaged {to someone else} and right after the proposal Ross and I were at a friend’s wedding. As we were walking to the reception together he said “I heard you got engaged... {pause}... why didn’t you wait for me.” I called off my wedding { this is another part of the story that is long}. And we got married 16 months later in our backyard. More gets written everyday. I love our little life and I am so grateful for the story we have to tell our children and grandchildren.

handmade gifts. Whether I make the gift, or I receive something that has been made by someone else, I love handmade gifts. Have you taken the pledge?

lens flare in photos. The sun has to be shining a certain way and your lens tilted perfectly. Technically it’s a mistake but I think they a re so beautiful and lovely.

handwritten notes. A note can be saved forever and it can be read a million times.

the Art Barn. This is a 10’x15’ structure in our backyard, built by my husband and a few friends. It is a little slice of heaven for me. I can spend hours in there, painting, sewing, wrapping, stamping, gluing, cutting, playing and creating .

the fourth of July. Watermelon, smell of sunscreen, salty eye lashes, buried kegs, castle making, burgers, bocce ball, old friends and sitting on the sand with your lovey watching the fireworks.... it is magical.

adventures. Going somewhere to do something you love and coming home forever changed. I have had 2 of these adventures in my life and I am having a 3rd this summer with French General {in 34 days!!}.