Where did I go?????

Well- to say it is has been a long time would be an understatement!! However, I do have a very good explanation... :) We have been launching a new, and might I say very cool business.... it is called I.D. ink and the short story is that it is temporary tattoos to keep kids safe... very fun, funky, not "clip-arty" designs that kids will want to wear and you get to put your cell number on them so if you lose your child- you can be connected with them much faster!! I know you are dying to check it out.... so click HERE.... oh and did I mention it is all FDA approved... so cool!
Oh and hit us up on twitter for special deals.... @myidink
And on facebook at My I.D. ink....

Just Blogging all over...

Hey guys.... jump on over to the "Life of a Baseball Wife" and read my guest blog today! Then follow them as well!! Enjoy!

FREE!!....

Hey all you Cakes & Beans followers.... jump on over the "Life of a Baseball Wife" blog and enter to win the Cakes & Beans GIVEAWAY!! While you are there.... make sure you follow the blog cuz yours truly will be guest blogging on there very soon!!
Loves!

Referee....

So the girls and I are in Rochester, NY visiting Glen- which of course means that we are again back in the studio apartment that the 4 of us share. I do my very best to make sure we are in there as little as possible because otherwise we go crazy. I am beginning to wonder why it is that when my kids were little I couldn't wait until they were old enough to play together.... WHAT WAS I THINKING???? I feel like I am constantly yelling "Stop hitting your sister! Share! Take turns! Give it back!" AHHHH!!!! It is kind of like running- some days go well and some days go well and others go terribly bad but you have to battle through (that was my run today by the way!)... some times they are so sweet to one another and play so nicely- then out of the blue (and usually it is Lyla who starts it with a litte sh*t grin on her face) there is tears and "MOM! She bit me! or hit, or punched, or pushed!".... and then you spend the rest of the day with them trying to even the score with one another- and you are the referee...all day... every day... and it leaves me wondering if they will ever get along... but I already know the answer to that... they are sisters after all... this stuff never ends :)

picts...

P.S. check out the AWESOME pictures of my girls from Matt Addington Photography... and while you are there you can follow him too because he is super cool and very talented!!

Plan B....

Well- I think it is affirmative that I am terrible as this whole blogging thing.... I am on top of it for a week or two and then I fall off the face of the earth for a month. Sometimes I feel like thats how life is though... I am thankful to all of you who bear with me. :)
On the Cakes & Beans front- I am in 2 new stores- Patina in several locations in MN, and Celebrity Kids in Fort Myers, FL. Stay tuned because more locations may be coming! :)
I am hoping to get into actually designing a kids clothing line- but to be honest I havent the foggy-est idea of where to start- i have the ideas but I need someone to bring them to life... any takers??? Or anyone who knows someone i can talk to??
And now- about my title- I am currently reading a book that I swear was written just for me and is changing my life... it is called Plan B by Pete Wilson. I think everyone at some point in there life thought that some part of their life was going to go one when and then it went the complete opposite, or one day you were just blindsided by something that shook you to your core. This book is all about what to do when God doesnt show up in the way you thought he would, when his plan and yours do no coincide. It is an AMAZING AMAZING book... everyone should read it!
Lots of love!

AND the WINNER is.....

Miss Karen Propes!!!!!!!!!!!
Please contact me at anwp@mac.com to chat about your prize!!!
Look for more giveaways to come!!
Thanks for all the entries! Love all the new fans!!

Who doesn't love a GIVEAWAY!!!!

Ok... ya'll.... my first review and giveaway... and truth be told- by far the COOLEST GIVEAWAY EVER!!
Vision Custom Design is a company that cannot be put into one category or summed up in one word.... but if I had to try- I'd call them VISIONARY- which would be why they cam up with their name.... This company run by two teachers with creativity flowing out their ears is truly on the cutting edge of creativity. They create one of a kind laser engravings, custom pieces, and are teaming up with Uber Baby on a BRAND NEW ultrasound project that will knock your socks off!!!!! Basically you can create anything you can come up with.... any picture you want laser engraved on just about any material.... stone, wood, glass... the list goes on and on!!! They have even worked with some professional athletes on pieces.... Jesse Crain, Joe Nathan, Adam Everett, Glen Perkins, and more!! They truly are an amazing duo and you will be blown away by what they are capable of!!!
You can see more from there on their website, and DO NOT forget to check out their AMAZING Ultimate Baseball Bed that they created by hand for a MLB player's son!!

So... the GIVEAWAY.... you can win an 8x10 picture (any picture you want!!!) laser engraved into a very creative piece of art for your home!! A $65 value!!!

So... how do you win? Well....

To enter the giveaway:

~Required entry: Leave a comment with your e-mail address

***Bonus entries: (leave a separate comment for each)

~ Follow my blog publicly via Friend Connect (1 entry)

~ Follow me on Twitter (1 entry)
~ Follow Vision Custom Design on Twitter (1 entry)

~ Tweet about the giveaway, including both @vision_design and @cakesandbeans (1 entry) (only one tweet per day counts as an entry)

~ Fan Cakes and Beans on Facebook (1 entry)

~ Blog about this giveaway and leave a link to the post (4 entries)

Good Luck!
*Contest Ends 4/23 at 9pm CST*

Time....

Seriously.... where does the time go??? I am terrible at keeping up with this sometimes.... well- I am up to my ears in tutu's, barrettes, and onesies.... and LOVING it!! I am driving with my 2 little girls out to Rochester, NY to see their Daddy- did I mention we are bringing the dog too??? Should be interesting!!!
BUT.... Before I go- I am teaming up with Matt Addington Photography and Vision Custom Design for a little creative collaboration... and to kick things off I am going to do a review of their products and launch a VERY COOL GIVEAWAY..... STAY TUNED!!!! MORE TOMORROW!!!

Great Day....

Today is a great day... my parents are here in FL... my husband pitched great and felt good... it is my birthday (and I LOVE birthdays!).... and it is the one year anniversary of Cakes & Beans!!!!! To top it off- it is gorgeous outside.... we are about to nap and then go out to Captiva Island to swim and fish. Should be a great day!!! p.s. 20% off at Cakes & Beans from now to the 6th to celebrate the 1 year Anniversary! Enjoy!

BIG DAY!!!

Not only did Aaron and Jamie arrive in Fort Myers after driving 24 hours straight.... but Cakes & Beans is featured in the Business Section of the Pioneer Press under "Open for Business"..... grab a copy and check it out... or read it online here....

Creative Collaboration....

I am excited to announce that Cakes & Beans will be teaming up with Matt Addington Photography and Vision Custom Design to do some very very cool things in the near future.... make sure and follow all of us on twitter for more information... trust me- you will love it!!
@cakesandbeans
@mattaddington
@vision_design

Stay Tuned!!

Rainy day...

Morning y'all.... I have watched Princess and the Frog a dozen times in the past 5 days- so I thought I would start off with a y'all in honor of it :) It is raining here in "sunny" fort myers... I hate when the day starts with rain! We have been enjoying every minute of sun here though- Addie is a little fish in the water- we have to drag her out kicking and screaming when we are done. Lyla is starting to like the water more and more which is fun to see as well..... Other than that-
I just finished a guest blog entry for Living My Moment... they are having a big celebration in April and wanted guest bloggers... so I did it-you will have to check it out!
I am still on the lookout for some great Momma ideas... I have a few that I may try but I really want a great one that all Momma's out there will love!! Something unique!! Come on ladies.... I know you have a few ideas up you sleeves... throw them out there...

HELP!!!

Calling all moms... I am currently working on a Momma's jewelry item- coming out the first week of April... but I want to create other things for moms but I need some ideas..... All you momma's out there.... what do you want, need, wish you had, always loved?????? I am thinking something clothing related, jewelry, or a baby item!!! Help!!

Back to FL....

We are back in Fort Myers.... enjoying the weather and the pools... exciting new here... Addie is now jumping into the pool all by herself!!! Going under the water and everything!! This is pretty big news for us.. she is pretty proud of herself! :)
Other than that- things on the Cakes & Beans front are going well!! We now have a new retailer.... Tate & Tilly in Palm Harbor, FL... check them out.
You only have a few more days to enter the Mrs. Muffins giveaway to the right.....
Another giveaway is just around the corner at Annie's Shop so stay tuned...
Also- the momma items are coming soon- hope to release them around the 1st of April... Hang tight!! :)

Cakes & Beans love....

Another cute article about Cakes & Beans.... check it out.... LOVING the exposure!

Calling all Minnesotans....

Come join us for a SPRING BOUTIQUe featuring 5 fine ladies and all their lovely, creative, funky, fun items!! You won't want to miss it! Trust me!!

Big things to come...

Well... a new website.... new twitter... and trying to keep up with the blog!! I am trying to get this all under control~ I am also starting to work with a few new retailers- soon to be announced!! I added a few new items to the website... a cute "hunting one piece", a "fleur de lis" one piece, and some tutu's~ So check it out... www.cakesandbeans.com..... and COMING VERY SOON- Momma items!!! Stay tuned!!!! Happy Friday!!

NEW WEBSITE!!!

Check out the BRAND NEW WEBSITE.... Cakes & Beans

Big day....

I am really really excited to be working with Lizzie Sorensen on a new website and new look for Cakes & Beans!!! Keep checking back to see the new "me" :)
Also- Cakes and Beans is giving things away..... Check out our giveaways....Mama Notes.....Mrs. Muffins
I am also putting items in the Happy Hour Mom giveaway baskets at the MN Baby Expo April 9-11.... come and check it out!!!

Back to MN....

We head back to MN today... I am excited to go home and not sleep in a hotel 10 ft. from my kids anymore :) but I am going to miss Glen!! Back to being a single mom I guess! :(
I am teaming up with Alison Mahay from the Athlete's Child to have her stores start carrying my line! I am so excited!!! I love her store!! Check it out!
Also- I am venturing into mommy gear.... I should be debuting it next week! So excited!! :) Stay tuned....
One more thing... the Pioneer Press coverage got moved from April 11th to March 28... so check that out... Photo Shoot is at my house on the 16th- how cool!? :)

Cakes & Beans and Birthday....

First and foremost- Happy Birthday to my great and amazing husband!! Hopefully we make it a day that makes him feel special!! :)
Second.... Cakes & Beans.... more specifically- me.... was the Sporty Momma of the Month for March. Check it out and then explore the rest of her website- it is pretty AWESOME!! Thanks Sharonda!!
Sporty Momma- March!

Bachelor

First and foremost.... WHAT IS JAKE THINKING???? He is only thinking with his pants.... Vienna?? Really????!!! Yuck!! Come on Jake.... lets be serious!
That aside... :) .... today was a great day- got a little burnt- not that I am complaining! :) Tomorrow is my lovely husband's 27th birthday!!! Happy Birthday Love!!! He is throwing to live batters tomorrow and so the girls and I will go cheer him on- on his big day!! :)
Cakes & Beans got a great review from Living My Moment.... check it out- and follow her.... http://livingmymoment.com/2010/01/cakes-and-beans

Run Run Run....

Fresh off a run.... I meant literaraily.... I am sweating and the songs of the Glee soundtrack are still running through my head (Yes- I listen to Glee songs when I run- it gets me going- don't judge!) :) I have really grown to enjoy running- which is crazy to come- coming from the former captain of the track team (sprinter) who used to lie about how long we had run for so we could be done sooner- sorry coach Just! :)
Anyways... Still in fort myers... Glen threw to live batters today (which went well) and I went to the outlets- :) oopps! :) We are off to a double date tonight with some friends for some sushi and kid-free time. Love it!
On another note... Cakes & Beans recently sent a gift to Halle Berry for her little girl- Nahla's 2nd birthday... will post picts when I get back to MN (where I hear it is 40 degrees today- heat wave!)
Oh and one more thing... big shout out to my Dad's Hockey team- the Lakeville South Cougars who will be playing to the Lakeville North Panthers next Friday to go to State... and for those of you who are not familiar with hockey in the state of MN- the MN state boys hockey tournament is the single most watched high school sports tournament in the US!!
So.... GO COUGARS!!

Spring Training and BIG NEWS!!

Well well well... here I am in FL now- enjoying this semi nice weather. I have to admit this has been a great spring training so far... I met an amazing new friend... have been able to run outside- and every day after I run while the kids and my husband nap- I get to lay out by the pool and read- how great is that?? :)
Anyways- I am really excited about this spring training as well because I just received an email from the Pioneer Press telling me that Cakes & Beans has been chosen to be featured in the "Open for Business" article of the Business section of the paper on April 11th. When I submitted the woman told me they were at least 8 weeks out and receive tons of applicants all the time- so I am pretty pumped to be chosen!! There will be a Q & A- and they are sending a photographer to come out and take picts of me doing my thing- how crazy! Guess Glen won't be the only famous one at our house!! :) Yeah Cakes & Beans!! Stay Tuned....

Mathew McConaughy baby girl!!

Cakes & Beans recently gifted Mathew McConaughy, Camila Alvesm and their new baby girl Vida with a Texas Longhorns Tutu, barrette, and pacy clip.... Vida's daddy's favorite team!! Check it out....
Baby Vida's Presents!

back yet again....

Back by popular demand.... well -not really :) but one of my friends is begging me to blog again, and being as though she is only in MN a few more days- just for her I am going to make a concerted effort.... :) love you kim!!

Also- I am partipating in Friday Follow- I do not know much about it- but I am hoping to get out there to more people - so hear goes nothing! :)

news break....

I interupt my 10 things to bring you a little blog written about Cakes & Beans by Sweet Harper designs.... thanks Sweet Harper- Enjoy!!
Sweet Harper- Cakes & Beans

8....

I have never worn eye shadow.... aside from high school dances and my wedding (which I wish I would not of)- I dont wear eye shadow.... I am blessed with great creases in my eye lids that create the look of eye shadow without actually doing it... infact- I have no idea how to even go about putting eye shadow on... funny huh?

#9....

I do not believe in regrets.... sure we have all done things we are not proud of or wish that maybe we hadnt but I do not believe in looking back... if you do that- you cannot move forward. And everything that happen before today- every decision that you made- led you to the person that you are today and without them you would be totally different- so I believe there is not reason to regret it because it is now part of you and you should be proud of who you are and who you have become...

10....

I have decided to blog 10 things you may not know about me.... that way you guys can get a better and deeper understanding of the crazy girl that is me... so #10- I get acupuncture done.... as often as I can- for those of you wincing right now it is because you have not tried it... it is not painful nor uncomfortable.... actually it is quite the opposite- I lay there with all those needles in me and I just pass out and sleep and it is an amazing sleep- it is only for like 15 minutes but it feels like hours and when you wake up I am more relaxed than if I had a massage.. it is great- for all you skeptics out there... go on.... give it a try- you will love it!

Honesty....

Here is the thing.... this is probably the most honest I will ever be on this blog but I feel like I need to get this out.... maybe it is just me but does facebook sometimes bum anyone else out?? It may just be my need to fit in which I know most women feel.... why dont men feel that??? They never feel like they need to fit on or get sad when they are not included... but anyways... It is kind of a self fulfilling propecy for me.... because you think these people are your friends and then they write on everyone's wall but yours and post pictures of them together and you are not there and it is painful.... I swear it is at least every other day that I want to get off facebook but I am so in love with being in the know (I am strong enough to admit it) that I dont do it.... I should just get rid of the people that hurt me but I cant- It is so frusterating... I am such a baby... but the truth is that facebook to me is like a car wreck.... you do not want to slow down and look but you do it anyways and then you cannot look away even though you know what you are about to see will probably be disappointing....

decisions....

Life is full of all kinds of decisions....little ones....big ones.... all kinds. I hate making decisions- I will be honest- I can make a snap decision= in fact that is probably why I make decisions so fast- because I do not like making them so I just go with my heart and get it over with. Lately- I have had a lot of decisions to make and even though I have decided on what to do about each of them- I hate the second guessing- ya know? About everything.... It is hard to ever fully make a decision and be totally comfortable with it.... I just need a nap (that is what I do when I am stressed!) but instead I am off to gymnastics with Addie- I guess that is life.... life goes on and therefore you need to find peace in your decisions and trust that the Lord helped to make it the right one for you at the time....

old friends....

Fresh off the phone for the last hour and a half.... switching to direct tv.... gotta love those calls.... anyways- I had an old friend and her kids over today- I mean I think the last time she and I hung out alone we were in the 6th grade! :) It was a lot of fun- we had so much in common and our kids played great together.... it is interesting how you can come full circle with someone isnt it? You spend year just being aquaintences and then something as dumb as facebook brings you back together and BOOM! you made a new friend all over again.... it is just crazy to think that I met her at an age that is not all that much older than our kids.... weird... :)

Here they are....

Let me know what you think....
For more info go to www.cakesandbeans.com

Crazy....

Ok so I loved the boy shirts so much- I decided to venture into girls necklaces and unisex letters and numbers.... stay tuned- will post picts soon!!

NEW BOYS SHIRTS....

boys clothing....

I am venturing into boys clothing.... will post picts tonight or tomorrow..... stay tuned!!!! :)

girlfriends....

I find good girlfriends are very hard to come by..... I always envied the ladies on "sex and the city" and the relationships that they had with one another... I think that is part of the reason why that show is so successful- every woman wants friends like that... candid, love you no matter what, never turn their back on you friends.... I have a few in my life like this but I have been hurt by too many women (as I am sure that many have- women just seem to do that to one another) to really open myself up easily to many people. But recently I have stumbled across one of those women- one that you just instantly click with and you know it is going to be this awesome- long lasting friendship.... I feel those people are the ones that you need to hold close too because like I said- we all want a "samantha" to our "carrie" :)

resolutions....

Well... i just got off the treadmill which I am remembering how much I love and how much it makes me feel just so great- which leads me to my resolution for the new year- which I am sure is similar to most other people out there...
I want to be a better me- all around- my body- I want to run again (since I took a long break off for mono- and then just got lazy)- I want to give up pop (though it was not all that much to begin with)- and I want to get more sleep.... I want to be a more patient mom- a more loving wife- and a more caring friend... and I want to create a very successful business- doing even better than 2009.... basically my goals for twenty-ten are health, wealth, love, and happiness.... same as always right.... :)

clips are up!!

The mitten clips and pacifier clips are up and you are able to purchase them online or at many of the retail locations.... check it out www.cakesandbeans.com

new years....

To be honest- I have never been much of a new years person- I just don't really get into all the hoopla around it. That's why having kids is nice for me.... you have a bona fide excuse to call it an early night and just go to bed.... after all- all it is is another year starting over ya know? Don't get me wrong- I am very thankful to be here, and have a healthy and happy family for another year- but I feel like every day should be a celebration of that- not just Dec.31st ya know? But to all you out there who love this night- Happy New Year to you and may 2010 bring you love, joy, prosperity, and health. As for me- it is my bedtime... :)