2011 September | the pixel boutique | blog, web & print design

Archive for September 2011

the old girl needs a break

By Nicole · Comments (1)

Thursday, September 29th, 2011

I knew this day was bound to come sooner or later. My poor little MacBook Pro is currently in the shop getting her ~~insides~~ logic board replaced as we speak. Ick.

So what does that mean? Pretty much that I’m dead in the water without my faithful workhorse. Luckily I use Carbonite so even if it were my hard drive, my data wouldn’t be lost. And now with Gmail, Google Docs and iPads, a crash doesn’t mean what it used to.

In the mean time I’ve been trying to keep myself from freaking out and going fetal by….

Doing dishes

Laundry

Making cookies (I may be 300 lbs. before this is all over)

Sketching Fall designs for Snapfish

Swimming (did I mention that it’s Fall break for my kids…and by Fall I mean it’s 90 degrees and sunny in AZ?)

So if you are waiting on me for some work (and I’ve probably already contacted you…), you’ll need to be patient with me until next Tuesday or Wednesday. Everyone has been so kind and understanding…thank you! I suspect they have felt this pain at one time or another.

Until I post again with a happy MBP…

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wednesday giveaway linky {9.28.11}

By Nicole · Comments (1)

Monday, September 26th, 2011

Current Giveaway on The Pixel Boutique…

Hosting a giveaway? Link up here!

For “Name”, use this format: Blog Name: Giveaway Item (End Date)

Looking for giveaways? Take a look at this week’s links!

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disney on ice presents disney•pixar’s toy story 3 {giveaway}

By Nicole · Comments (37)

Monday, September 26th, 2011

UPDATE: The winner of this giveaway was randomly selected using Random.org. Congratulations #7, Nicki!

When Toy Story 3 came out last Summer, I took my boys to see it in 3D (much to my chagrin as you may remember…). But as I mentioned in my review, I really liked the movie. In fact, being what seems to be mere moments away from potentially sending our oldest off to college, I think it was more touching to me than the other two movies in the series.

That’s why when offered the opportunity to attend Disney On Ice presents Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story 3, I jumped at the chance. Though, I hesitated for a split second before I jumped, given that my kids are a little older now and I didn’t know if they were too “cool” to go see a Disney production. But guess who was the most excited? (Yep, the oldest of the three, who has deemed Toy Story 3 his most favorite movie eva…) I guess you never grow out of Disney.

I was also super excited because living in Tucson, AZ, we miss out on the big shows and concerts a lot of the time. Phoenix is only a few hours north and most productions opt for the bigger city. This will actually be the first time I’ve every been to a Disney On Ice production and I cant wait to experience it!

And want to know what? If you live in or around Tucson you have a chance to win a family four pack of tickets to the show! See more detail on entering below. But first, here’s more information on the show…

Dates:
October 13 – 16 at the Tucson Convention Center

Showtimes:
Thu, Oct 13 2011 7:00PM
Fri, Oct 14 2011 7:00PM
Sat, Oct 15 2011 11:00AM, 3:00PM and 7:00PM
Sun, Oct 16 2011 1:00PM and 5:00PM

Ticket Prices:
$15, $20, $35 (VIP) and $50 (Front Row)

Tickets:
Available at Ticketmaster.com
or at The TCC Box Office
Use promo code MOM11 at checkout for $5 off the $15 or $20 seats (promo code not available for opening night tickets)

There are a few other Tucson bloggers offering this giveaway. Increase your odds of winning by entering them all!

Chica Ramblings

Eclectic Momsense

Our Crazy Boys

WIN IT! Here’s your chance to win a family four pack of ticket for any showing. Enter below by doing any or all of the following:

Leave a comment telling me if you’ve ever been to a Disney On Ice show…if so, which one?
Post about this giveaway on your Facebook page
Like The Pixel Boutique on Facebook
Like Disney On Ice onFacebook
Tweet about this giveaway using the hash tag #thepixelboutique up to once a day
Need a suggestion? Tweet this: “Live in Tucson? Its a #DisneyOnIce giveaway! Enter here…http://is.gd/0FV8fw #thepixelboutique”

Hurry, giveaway ends Thursday, October 6th at 11:59 p.m. PST.

I am a Feld Family Ambassador, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to this show. All opinions, as always, are my own.

Comments (37)

in style…on a budget: downeast basics

By Nicole · Comments (3)

Friday, September 23rd, 2011

I’m a sucker for clothes. I always have been. Maybe it all started in high school when I was deprived of normal people clothing and required to wear a lovely green and red kilt, complete with matching sweater and penny loafers. I blame a certain catholic girl’s school…

I’m really not fussy when it comes to brands. I’m good with finding great fashions at Target, Old Navy…even my favorite thrift store or Costco.

What I’m not a fan of is overpriced merchandise marked up because of the name on the label. I’ve had just as many tops from higher end brands fall apart in the washer as I have ones from Target. So I’m not completely sold on the paying-more-for-a-better-label mantra, for pieces that come in and out of fashion…except when it comes to some basics like that little black dress or a good pair of jeans. But here’s my mantra…if its cute and looks good on my short bod and is in my budget…I buy it.

This week I got to attend an event for local bloggers at the DownEast Basics store in the Tucson Mall. It was a great time getting to see my bloggy friends (Becca, Darcy, Linsay, Chelsea, Dayna, Melanie and Karen and making some new ones!), trying on lots of clothes, and gettting to know this new-to-me store. This particular store has been open for 4 months. The sales staff was courteous and helpful and polite and I loved the little details in the decor.

It was the first time I’ve been to a DownEast Basics store and I knew when I walked in the door that it was my kind of place. Their style is fun and fashionable, modest and chic.

I got this jean skirt for winter. I love the stitching. It retails for $44.99…

and this cute lace top for $14.99…

Oh, and this and this (I got the bracelet with detachable flower pin for $3 with their BOGO 1/2 Off accessories sale!)…

I wanted to get these

but money doesn’t grow on trees and I am on a budget (an even tighter budget at the moment, thanks to a still un-landscaped backyard…). However, the prices were very reasonable and they had a great clearance section.

Right now, DownEast Basics is promoting their annual LIVE for Pink campaign. From now through October 16, DownEast Basics will donate 50% of all proceeds from the limited edition LIVE for Pink tee series (up to $25k) to the LIVE for Pink breast cancer awareness efforts charity, Needs Beyond Medicine!

I’ll be back to DownEast Basics for sure.

Your Turn! Do you have a DownEast Basics in your town? Do you shop there on a regular basis?

I was compensated for this post. All opinions, as usual, are my own.

Comments (3)

wednesday giveaway linky {9.21.11}

By Nicole · Comments (3)

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011

Hosting a giveaway? Link up here!

For “Name”, use this format: Blog Name: Giveaway Item (End Date)

Looking for giveaways? Take a look at this week’s links!

Comments (3)

wednesday giveaway linky {9.14.11}

By Nicole · Comments (0)

Tuesday, September 13th, 2011

So sorry for completely missing the Wednesday Giveaway Linky post last week. If you were here and wondering where the heck it was, it was so far down on the “to do” list, it never actually got done. But we’re back in action this week!

Hosting a giveaway? Link up here!

For “Name”, use this format: Blog Name: Giveaway Item (End Date)

Looking for giveaways? Take a look at this week’s links!

Comments (0)

new arrivals: strollers, trees and a save the date {and a coupon code!}

By Nicole · Comments (1)

Sunday, September 11th, 2011

Fresh new designs in my Snapfish shop…

First off, announce baby, invite your friends and family, or say thanks with one of these designs in the Baby Stroller Series…

In this series:
Hello, Baby | Its a Baby Shower | Thanks So Much

Next, a little bit of everything in the Blooming Tree Series:

In this series:

Finally, save the special date…

Save The Date – Photo

And just for you, readers and friends of The Pixel Boutique, Snapfish is offering a 30% discount on all your purchases (US only) from now thru December 15, 2011! Simply enter code FFCARDS30 during checkout.