Ready to Look Hot this Summer?

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Express for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Express is ready to help you look your hottest this season with their NEW Spring women's swimwear. As always, Express manages to help you to look sexy and sophisticated all at once. They are one of my absolute favorite stores. 

I took some time to browse through their new collection and my favorite is definitely the sexy one piece shown below. It's revealing without being too much. This would be perfect for mine and John's anniversary mini vacay we go on every year. Express also has some great cover ups for as you stroll around the beach or pool. 

And if you're feeling adventurous and want to show off your bikini body they have plenty of cute bikinis with amazing details like flirty ruffles and glam beading. These are two of  my favorites. 

I love the ruffles!

This one totally says French Riviera to me.

What's your favorite?

Sign up for Express e-mail for your chance to win one of ten $200 Express gift card. The sweepstakes ends 4.21.11 at 11:59 pm EST. You can view the sweepstakes rules here. 

Rolly Loop, Model

I'm a Photographer!

Ok, I am so not, but I am doing way better with my new camera. Takea's wedding was last night and I had a prime seat of the action and got some great pictures. She was such a gorgeous bride. I literally got chills as she walked down the isle.

I am particularly proud of this one. It would Have been ever better if I figured all how to use al the setting. lol.  

I love Takea's face here. Derrick was hilarious. He slowly whipped off his jacket then his vest and danced around her. 

Please ignore the fact that I look like a blob next to these two. I just can't compete next to a model. 

So what did you think of my pics? Improved?

New Camera (Drooling Permitted)

I haven't been able to post any of my own projects this week because my camera totally died over the weekend. It was very poor timing because I wasn't ready to pick out a new one and I wasn't sureif I was ready for a DSLR. Plus, one of my good friends is getting married this weekend and I HAD to have a camera.

I spend way more than I ever anticipated, but I really think I got the absolute best camera I could ever get, and I won't have to replace it for a long long time. I hope it really improves the quality of my blog, as well.

Here she is! What should I name her????

Sony alpha NEX-5 Compact Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera w/18-55mm Zoom Lens

It is the latest in camera technology. It has the performance of a DSLR, in about half the size and weight. I got an interchangeable lens and it takes full HD movies. One of ythe best parts for me is it takes great low-light pictures since I am usually a night time crafter. It has continuous shooting up to 7 fps so no more blurry Rolly pics!

And it takes 3-D pictures viewable on a 3-D television. I didn't even know that was possible! Im headed out to buy a memory card tonight (because the one I got doens't fit) and I'll put up some pics for you to see! 

Target Shopping Trip (DEALS!)

I am not a couponer although I totally envy people who are awesome at it. I am much more a bargain hunter. Today I went to target on my lunch and got some amazing deals. My work is in a pretty economically depressed neighborhoood so there is always tons of clearance. I headed over to get a card for a wedding I am heading to this weekend and boy am I glad I did!

This lamp was originally $40 and I got it for $9.98. We are in so desperate need of lamps, but I couldn't bring myself to spend this much. I got two of them!

I got two of these shade to go with it for only $4.98 each.

Altogether this would have cost over $120, but I got everything for $30. I can't believe it. I also got tons of picture frames I'll be posting later once I take some pics. What sales have you found lately?

Happy National Puppy Day!

I had no idea it was national puppy day! How exciting. Check out this list of the Top 50 Ways to Celebrate!

Pet Alert! Please Read if You Have a Dog

If you are currently giveing your pet Greenies treats STOP! There have been several recent report of dogs who were harmed or even killed by these treats. They are wildly popular, but arecurrently under investigation. Obviously, they could be found to be safe, but until that time I don't think it's worth the risk.

Help Me Pick a Camera (Please)

Ok all my camera ladies, I need your help. My camera broke and I need to get a new one ASAP. I am trying to read views online, but I am totally overwhelmed. I'm not a great photo taker, but I would like a decent camera as I try to improve my skills. I am on the fence on if I should spring for the DSLR or if I should get a nicer point and shoot.

What do you think? I'm seriously open to suggestions. The main things I care about are optical zoom because it hard to get those little details of my crafts and home improvement ideas and I want it to not be ridiculously delayed when I try to take the picture. Here are a few I am considering. Any comments are greatly appreciated!

Olympus-SP-800UZ

Nikon Coolpix L110 12.1MP Digital Camera with 15x Optical Vibration Reduction

Nikon-L110

I'm Kind of a Big Deal...

So remember the Bridal Card Box I made for my friend Takea's wedding a few months ago? Well, Takea is a model and has done some catalogs, spokesmodeling and QVC modeling before. We just saw this on the QVC website!

Takea is all the way to the right. Doesn't she look gorgeous. I just thought you guys should know that I do personal crafts for the stars now. LOL. I'm thinking of submitting my own photo as the skin tone "So White She looks Sickly."

Do Some Good

Meet Austin.  He is a vibrant, sweet, and happy three year old in need of a kidney transplant. Last summer he contracted a deadly stain of E. Coli that caused his kidneys to shut down. Though he escaped with his life, his kidneys took a huge hit. 

Over the last year he has been through so much in his short life. Tests, operations, in and out of the hospital, and has to travel to receive dialysis three times a week.  He is scheduled for a much needed kidney transplant sometime this spring and his mother Courtney is the most likely donor.

You can read his entire story here.

As you can imagine, the cost of a transplant is high, even with insurance.  They are hoping to raise $50,000 (of the $500,000) for the transplant and anti-rejection medicine.  There are several fundraisers being worked family and friends. 

My bloggy friend, Crystal of Crystal's Craft Spot  and a personal friend of the family is setting up up an online donation/giveaway. There will be several fabulous prize packages to be won (including an item from yours truly!) and a $2 donation to the family will buy you an entry for any of the prize packages. You can enter as many times as you would like and trust me, these prize packages are well worth $2 for a family in need. Keep your eyes peeled in the upcoming few weeks.

I know not everyone can donate. Even if it's not in your budget right now, consider spreading the word about Austin. Blog,tweet , facebook, spread the word in any way you can.  The more people that know the better.  Prayers can't hurt either, if you are the praying type. 

Click that sweet little boy's face to read his whole story.

The Meg Look is Back!

I have a really hard time finding clothes. The fact that no piece of clothing has ever been made to fit a real person is the least of my problems. I feel like I have a very specific look. I really know what I like and it makes it tough. If I don't love something I won't wear it. It literally will effect my whole day if I am wearing something I don't love. I can't help it. Thanksfully, I finally found a few things that scream Meg to me!

What are some of your favorite things that make you dread the day they wear out?

These lovely items are all from NY and Company using this great coupon:

I'm My Own Grandpa

Ok, so I have blogged about the train wreck that is Sister Wives show before.  I wasn't planning on keeping this a habit because I don't like to promote crazy, but I have to share this. Ok, see if you can keep up.

1. Kody (playboy patriarch) was married to Meri (wife #1).
2. Meri's brother was married to Janelle.
3. Janelle and Meri's brother got a divorce.
4. Janelle then became Kody's wife #2.
5. So now Meri and Janelle are Sister Wifes.

Wait for it....

6. Janelle's mom then became Kody's Dad's second wife!

Did you follow that? It's like that song that goes, "I'm my own grandpa!"

In conclusion Janelle and Kody are like step brother and sister, and they are married, and they are polygamists! Gee people, why don't you be every polygamist stereotype on the planet! Oh wait. You are! This opens up so many possible jokes, but I won't let myself because I'm trying to be respectful of their religion.

I will give props to Kody for this week actually pointing out they aren't LDS. I have felt in the past he hasn't really made that clear enough

Shabby Apple

I ordered my first dress ever from Shabby Apple! I'm so excited. I have a super tough time with dresses because I'm short, but with a large chest. So when I buy petite I pretty much can't breath and when I buy average it falls off of my small shoulders. Luckily, my awesome friend Debbie has been altering my clothes for me so I decided to go ahead and take the plunge.

True story: I went to church with the founders of Shabby Apple way back when I was first married. And I know a lot of the models. Yes, they are that gorgeous in real life. And most of them have had multiple babies. Darn those amazing genes!

Have you made any awesome purchases lately?

I think I'm Broken

So my blog started out as something I did to keep in touch with my family, then slowly it became craftier and craftier and I ventured out more in the blogging world. Occasionally, it still family-ish depending on what we have going on. Sometimes, I feel like I can't write something because a. I don't want to offend anyone or b. I think my average reader won't care.

I don't make money off of my blog nor do I have plans to. I blog because I like it. I makes me feel creative, connected, and it keeps a good record of what I've been doing since I despise journaling. That being said I've just got to to me.

I had fun with pet week last week, but I lost 5 followers. At first, I felt kinda bad, but then I realized I just don't care. Sure, gaining followers is an ego boost and losing them makes me a feel a little dejected, but in the end it doesn't matter. I blog for me and if it makes other people happy along the way it's a bonus.

I've been feeling icky about a few things lately, and I want to talk about it. I just need to write it out. And this is where I am going to do it. Plus probably about 2 people are still reading so oh well.

I feel like the whole dang world is pregnant all the time! Seriously, at any given moment I know like 5 pregnant people. I don't even know how I feel at this point. Do I feel guilty because because I have been married almost 5 years and I still have no kids? Kinda. Do I feel jealous because the fact that they are joyful and pregnant makes me feel like their life is so easy in comparison to mine? Yup. Do I feel angry at women who just get to quit working and stay home with their kid and feel like it's the greatest thing that ever happened to them? Yes.

I am scared to have kids. I said it. I love them, but they scare the crap out of me. What if I have a crazy kid who never stops screaming? What if they are allergic to water  or something and I have to go on Maury in order to raise money to help pay for my kid?

Let's say I do have a kid, I don't even know if I want to stay home. I like working. Not many people can say that, but I do. However, I can't imagine leaving my little baby with some stranger all day. I can't even leave my dog for Pete's sakes!

And let's move on to my worst fear. What if I can't have kids? The STRESS if it scares me. I'm very pro-adoption, I would use a surrogate, or I would get 4 more dogs. Lol. Mostly, I just can't face the idea of going through that stressful experience of determining what I need to do.

So I'm paralyzed. I can't move forward.  And every time someone gets pregnant it reminds me that I am paralyzed with fear.

Let's Get Social with Sweep Tight's Blog Hop

I've made so many great friends lately blogging that I have resolved to join at least one hop per week. If you don't already follow Sweep Tight you should. She does great reviews and giveaways.

For those of you new to In the Loop- Welcome! My blog is about all things creative and humorous. I dabble in a little of everything, but mostly I love to write and create. Last week, I did a week all about pets, but I also have lots of great recipes, crafts, shopping tips, and random humor. Thanks for visiting and happy hopping!

Hopping on Sunday

Make Your Own Frosty Paws!

Frosty Paws are pretty pricey when you buy them from the grocery store. They usually run about $5 for 6 treats. Fortunately, they are super simple and super affordable to make yourself. 

I always feed my dog natural peanut butter to avoid any sugary additives. I also use plain nonfat yogurt as a special treat. 

1. Take 1/2 cup of peanut butter and place it in the microwave for about 30 seconds to get it warm and melty. 

2. Then mix in 1/2 cup of yogurt until well blended. 

3. Place mixture in silicone baking cups and freeze.  

4. You can also add a little honey, but I don't think my crazy puppy needs anymore sugar.