New Layout and Design by Kayti Designs

As you can see my blog has undergone a makeover! I am pretty excited, I absolutely love how it turned out.

Back when I lived in Virginia I met Kayti through my old job. Eventually I PCS'ed and we kept in touch and I was so happy to learn she quit her job to start her own full service graphic design studio! I love her work and via facebook I have been stalking following her designs ever since.

When I was debating revamping my blog she eagerly offered her assistance. In her own words, "I am a full service graphic design studio - but my main love is character and blog design - I love designing for women and children the most." As you can see from the Allie on the header and signature she is pretty good at it too! She is able to capture your likeness and personality in a really wonderful way. I remember early on we were talking about how a lot of bloggers use pin ups for their designs, which I love, but it just didn't seem to fit me. I am awful at being flirty and sexy is way left field for me, so I just didn't feel like a pin up would work for me as much as I love them. But talking to Kayti in my vague "Not too sexy but not overly conservative... maybe somewhere in the middle. Just fun?" rambles she nailed it.

Aside from my blog please check out her website for more examples of her awesome work: kaytidesigns.com She is also on Twitter as @KaytiDesigns and of course Facebook.

Now here is the super part.... if you are looking for a blog revamp/design Kayti is offering a 25% DISCOUNT to any My Marine and Me readers who contact her and mention my name or blog! So do it! Kayti is familiar with both WordPress and Blogger platforms and she is wonderful to work with. Her designs are terrific and she works quickly and efficiently. Go check her out, you won't regret it!

Lauré Love Photography

Ryan and I were never able to do engagement pictures or any other fun sort of professional photographs, so when Kaylah contacted me to say I was excited was an understatement! I was battling with a rather difficult photographer via Facebook trying to get nice pictures of Ryan, Rylie and I before he deploys. Kaylah came in at the perfect time and definitely saved the day!

Over email I quickly learned she was not only one of the nicest people but so incredibly willing to work with us and our difficult schedules! With pre-deployment leave and my work hours we weren't the easiest to schedule but Kaylah was super flexible and I was very excited to meet her, especially once I saw her website!

This excerpt is from Kaylah's website:

I graduated in 2012 from the New York Institute of Photography

with my Photographer's Certification. This means I put time, money, and effort into actively learning how to use my equipment to best suit my client's (that's you) needs.

I'm fun. If your husband rolls his eyes and makes excuses as to why you just caaaaaan't get pictures right now, this is huge. I make it a top priority to make the majority of your pictures look unposed & natural, and there's usually a lot of laughing involved.

"I specialize in couples, newborns, weddings, homecomings, lifestyle sessions, product photography, pet photography, still life, etc..." That quote right there? That is not me. While I CAN do all of these, I specialize mostly in couples photography. This means my look isn't generic, it won't look like something you can get done by anybody else, and you won't be disappointed.

I offer more than just a CD with printing rights. I know this is a huge deal to a lot of people - who doesn't love the luxury of owning digital files of your pictures to print off at your leisure? Here's what most people don't know: "At your leisure" usually means "when you get time" (which usually means "never"). My full sessions come with a disc AND a print package - so your pictures can be displayed promptly (which, of course, is why you came to a photographer in the first place).

Awesome right?!

I was especially excited about the second point. Ryan is a LOT of things; happy to have his picture taken is NOT one of them. He grumbles anytime a camera comes into view and when you ask him to smile he gives some weird grimace thing that drives me nuts. My husband insists that if the corners of his mouth are upturned then he is smiling. No. If you ever see my husband's real smile you know how far that is from the truth!!

We met Kaylah in downtown Jacksonville in the early evening. She was right on time at our designated meet up spot and took us to our location. I was pretty nervous, as I tend to be, but that quickly melted away as we got to work. She was very sweet and even tolerated Rylie trying to lunge all over her at every moment. Not only did she capture some amazing images but she made our family translate on film in a way that was very us. It was composed, fun and natural... as you can see below not a fake smile in sight from Ryan! We had a blast, disobeyed a sign or two in the sake of Chive On "I Do What I Want" and had a great time! Ryan got me hooked on the Chive and I knew if we wore our shirts for a few fun shots he'd be more than willing... and Kaylah was familiar with the Chive and right on board!

Check out the AMAZING shots from our session:

Even with the Dup running like crazy, I think she saw her can of treats I had by my purse, this became one of my favorite shots. I think it was the second time she clicked the shutter. Perfect.

These two are my favorite. One I plan on printing to a canvas for our room... a service Kaylah also has on her website for use as well as prints.

 Such attitude. I was trying hard not to giggle and look all tough.... not sure I succeeded but I tried!

Also loving this one! Ryan likes to dip me... a lot! Ever time we dance it usually ends with a fun dip!

All my blogging friends and readers in Jacksonville, I highly recommend Kaylah and Lauré Love Photography. She was a pleasure to work with and I hereby reserve her for Ryan's homecoming, whenever that may be! Kaylah, you may not have a say in the issue ;) I could not imagine working with anyone else! You got my husband to smile and you captured some amazing images we will treasure for a long time. This stage of our lives, just a married couple and a dog, are forever something we will cherish. I cannot stop showing them to everyone! Kaylah was professional but still fun and made us very comfortable to obtain some wonderful images. I honestly give my full recommendation for her as a photographer!

Check out Kaylah's website here and her Facebook here. On this page she has her price packages available, prints included, for some terrific rates. I will probably be ordering some prints from you soon!

Thank you again for everything Kaylah!

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Disclaimer: For a services review my session and digital copies were free but all opinions expressed here are my own and are not influenced by that in any way.

eShakti Love

I have sung the praises of eShakti before (here and here) and once again they have asked me to review their new spring arrivals. eShakti has always been a favorite of mine because of the customization options they have. Have you ever seen a dress and thought, "I'd totally get it, but the neckline/sleeve/hem/color isn't right." Well this site is your solution. With a plethora of dresses in many styles and sizes (0-36W) you also have the option to customize.

In my pre-surgery days I had a terrible time with finding a dress to fit me. If I fit my chest, the rest of me swam in the dress, if I fit from the chest down the zipper wouldn't even close. Customizable dresses change that. You can enter in your own measurements to literally have the dress made for your body. They also have the standard number sizes you can pick from if you just want it as is. Add a cap sleeve, half sleeve or full length sleeve. Change the neckline to a deeper or more modest V, make the hem above, at or below the knee... it is whatever makes YOU comfortable.

The newest addition to the site is a cute collection of bridesmaid dresses, so any ladies planning a wedding should check them out. Their spring collection is adorable, 1950s and 1960s retro inspired dresses and more! Check out this wonderful dress I just picked out and plan on wearing as soon as the warm weather hits Eastern North Carolina... which may be this week if we are lucky!

Sorry, I am obviously not much of a model, but bear with me.

This last one was my favorite. My husband is a patient man! I love how comfortable this dress is and it is so classically beautiful. The colors are perfect for spring and summer heat and I know I will be wearing my new beauty quite a bit.
And here are some of my other favorites:

Buttercup cotton knit dress

Floral corset style dress

Belted corset style chambray dress

Blue hearts poplin dress

Contrast color tipped strapless dress

Tipped trim high waist skirt

 

Knotical chevron knit top

 

Floral cut-out cotton skirt

Sails ahoy poplin dress

Buttoned ruffle frill skirt

 

 Follow eShakti on Facebook and Pinterest for more deals and sneak peeks.

Never shopped eShakti before? All new customers can receive $25 off when they register. And if you enter in the special discount code MYMRNENDME you will receive 20% off your order, now through March 20, 2013... go pick out something nice (:

Disclaimer: I was given a dress to review from eShakti but all opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way. Note: Code has to be entered in the 'Promotional Code' box. No Minimum Order Value. The discount code is not case sensitive. The code can be used any number of times until the validity period. This code can be clubbed with any other gift coupon or gift card in the same order. This discount code is not applicable on our Overstock category. Not applicable on previous purchases.

SERVICE: A Navy SEAL at War - Review

A few weeks ago I was contacted to do my first book review. I am a huge reader, but generally I tend to stick to fiction. So when I was asked to review SERVICE: A Navy SEAL at War I was a little hesitant, but I agreed. I am so glad I did. Marcus Luttrell, with James D. Hornfischer, returns to tell his own extraordinary war stories and those of others who have chosen to serve. His first book (Lone Survivor) is now definitely on my to read list! Some of the summaries below are taken from the email sent to me from the publishing company so you can see in detail what the book entails.

Marcus Luttrell became a combat-trained Navy SEAL in 2002 and served in many dangerous special operations assignments around the world. He was deployed to Afghanistan in the spring of 2005. He was awarded the Navy Cross for combat heroism in 2006 by President George W. Bush, and received his discharge from the Navy in June 2007. For more information, please visit http://www.marcusluttrell.com/.

After nursing his mind and body back to health, Luttrell returned to war. The book deals with his recuperation, training and redeployment. You meet the SEALs he served with, the ones by his side and the ones who were an intregal part if his rescue the year before.

Reading about missions in Afghanistan was both fascinating and difficult for me. Seeing what these men (and women) dealt with on a daily basis is something I haven't heard much in detail. As most spouses know our significant others are sometimes hesitant to share the gritty details of war with us once they return home. This book provided me with insight that I had only light detailing of previously. The missions his team encountered, the casualties and the fatalaties, painted a vivid picture in my head on the experience these men experienced.

Luttrell reaches a point where his body cannot continue as it had been. Years of being a SEAL and previous combat injuries stop him from going out on missions with SEAL Team 5. He begins to work behind the wire helping oversee the difficult task of mission planning and implementation.

Luttrell also shares stories of brave warriors who served with him all over the world, including:

· The legendary SEAL master chief who showed him how America’s greatest warriors must put their lives on the line for a mission larger than themselves

· The Afghani tribesman who gave him shelter when his hopes were dimming on a distant mountain—and traveled to America five years later to deliver a powerful message

· The dedicated Air Force pilots who took part in the epic combat search-and-rescue mission to find his teammates in Afghanistan, searching relentlessly night after night until the last sliver of hope disappeared

· The ex-Mormon missionary and his five-man team who flew a helicopter on the impossible midnight rescue mission to take Luttrell off that mountain

· The SEAL senior chief petty officer who helped Luttrell kill the stigma of being the lone survivor

· The decorated 89-year-old Marine Corps veteran whose example of peace and grace helped Luttrell get past his conviction he wouldn’t see age 40, and past his regrets after going through the crucible of close combat

Returning home and leaving military life, Luttrell began a quest to understand why a rare few choose to risk their lives to serve their country. Now married and a father, Luttrell also looks at the women who marry SEALs. The book features four women who discuss in their own words the challenges and rewards of being married to a serviceman. Those chapters were some of the hardest to read, two of the stories featuring SEAL widows. I had tears in my eyes as I read firsthand their experiences as a SEAL wife, from beginning to end. You see as Luttrell begins to transition into civilian life.... marrying and starting a family, writing his books and speaking across the country about the SEALs and their experience, something most people knew next to nothing about.

I see posts all the time of people asking for a new book to read, I highly recommend SERVICE: A Navy SEAL at War to any and all of you looking. The book has powerful messages, meaningful stories and a deep insight for those who chose to serve.

Let's Talk About....

(Mom... don't read this one. Ok? :P)




Recently I was contacted by EdenFantasys.com to do a review for their site. I was a little hesitant at first, but I had seen other bloggers review them before and I thought I would give it a shot! I'm a happily married lady and I will keep this family friendly! Sure they have sex toys and other naughty things, but there is much more than that.

They have a large selection of Beauty and Body Products which range from lotions to perfumes and even make up! Are you a bridesmaid in the near future? They even have an eye shadow pallete just for that. If you like a little romantic glow feel free to peruse the candle section to help set the mood for a couples night in. The bodycare section (including lip balms and candles) is currently having a promotion for 25% off!

If you want to be a little more adventurous they have the usual items and a large selection of lingere that ranges from sex kitten to sexyyyyy. Not your thing? They even have pants, skirts and dresses if you want to just mix it up a little bit.

Eden Fantasys is a great site to shop at home (those shops are kind of intimidating) and they are completely blogger friendly. If you want to become an Eden Blogger check out the link to learn more about site and product review, affiliations and sponsored posts.

Have fun and go a little crazy ladies ;)



I was compensated for the review of the site and this post. All opinions are sincerely my own and not reflected by that in any way.

Shutterfly Yearbooks

Personally, I love yearbooks. Is that weird? I used to flip through my mom's when I was little and giggle at the 70s hairstyles and short basketball shorts on the boy's team. I also own every yearbook available from middle school on, including one from my senior year of college. Sometimes I will get all nostalgic and flip through my old yearbooks, cringing at my braces and that one disasterous perm in middle school. I remember that year of tennis, track and cheerleading and rushing from class to the gym to get my picture taken. Its funny to see the heartfelt messages shoved between words and quotes, TTYL KIT HAGS! Apparently abbreviations were bigger in the 90s than I thought!

The one thing that did kind of stink was the price. Shelling out $100 plus dollars for a yearbooks was not fun when you were 12 - 17 years old. I think about all the cool stuff I could have had instead... sure my pogs and nanopets would be gone now and I do still have the yearbook, but it would have been nice to have both! And I remember being very jealous when my little brother got yearbooks from basically kindergarden on. I want a first grade yearbook! :P

That is why Shutterfly's new yearbook service is pretty convenient!

Maybe you go to a smaller high school that doesn't have a strong program/software, or maybe your a class mom for elementary school kids and younger and want to give them something special... you can contact Shutterfly for a special quote and get yearbooks for as low as $5 each! Imagine a photo yearbook filled with little Suzie or little Juniors memories from their entire 3rd grade year. You can use the design templates already in place or make your own way with the custom path. If you can make a photo book, you can make a yearbook! Choose from different yearbook themes, yearbook ideas and maybe even make an online yearbook... the choices are endless.

Then you can remember moments like this:



Behold the power of the 90s! Patterns! Colors! Bowl Cuts! The subject of this photo shall remain nameless but I am sure you can guess who ;)
(Don't kill me!)


Don't forget you can follow Shutterfly through all the addicting usual channels...

Facebook
Twitter
and even Pinterest!




This is a sponsored post from Shutterfly. I was compensated for my review but the opinions expressed here are entirely my own!

eShakti Review

Recently I was contacted by an amazing site for a blog review and I eagerly jumped at the chance! eShakti is a unique women’s apparel store online that allows custom changes in the style of the garment – sleeve, neckline, length can all be changed by the customer to her preference.



You can order clothing in the standard S, M, L, XL etc (0-26W is their selection) or you can customize the garments to fit your shape! As someone who has always been curvy/top heavy I find it immensely difficult to find clothes that fit both my chest and my waist, if I fit my chest it is too big on my waist and if it fits my waist that thing will not zip all the way up! So this site is a godsend for those of us who have more tempermental body types.



All clothes, including the custom designs, are shipped within three days to the US and Canada. These clothes aren't the average dresses in your local stores either. They have an array of unique designs that stand out thanks to their print, embroidery and fabric texturing choices.



Everything is always in stock. Every garment, every size, every color, every time.



Shakti means power in Sanskrit. eShakti therefore means the power of the Net. They believe the internet empowers customers and helps companies be customer-centered. Pretty awesome right?



My dress is super soft and comfortable. It is fit to me. I picked that I wanted the side zipper and knee length. I picked my color and my size to my body measurments. I can wear it as is or throw on a fun belt or even a blazer to wear it all to work.



It was a little chilly last night but I had fun taking pictures in my new dress! Thank you eShakti! I am not much of a model (and thanks to work only photographing at night makes me look extra white!) but I higly recommend this site to all of my readers. Especially since you receive 50% off a gift cards and 60% off your purchases until Christmas Day AND free shipping! Go check them out (:



Note: I was given a garment of my choice from the site for my review of the product. All opinions are strictly my own and I was not offered monetary compensation for this review. Thank you eShakti for contacting me for this and to Carrie for being my photographer.

Review: Semper Wifey Notecards

(My good camera battery died so these are from my point and shoot mini camera, sorry for the quality! The cards are great, my pictures not so much :P)

Recently I was asked to give my first review by Semper Wifey! I had this post started but with the craziness of getting orders this week I am sorry it has taken me so long to post it.

I received the cards very quickly in the mail and I thought they were so adorable. Her shipping was prompt and the cards looked terrific. She did mention she was getting a new printer so the name (not shown) on the back of the cards would be different, but I still thought they were great! I love the Toy Army Men and the sayings fit perfectly.

My family is huge on thank you notes and cards just to say hi, and I would use these without question. I think my Poppy (a one time USMC Sgt Major) would get a kick out of these, I think I may have to send him one. Even my husband, nosy man he is, couldn't help but peek over my shoulder when I got my package. He thought the cards were "pretty cool" and always observant, "Hey, the guy in the foreground on this card is on the background on this card!" Very true.

I know in a technologically strong age that "snail mail" and notes are slowly becoming a thing of the past, but I think the written word (vs the typed!) should continue! Send a card to someone! Everyone loves getting mail, I know I do, especially if it is not bills!

You can purchase your own cards at Semper Wifey's Etsy shop. A set of eight note cards is $12, and individual cards are $2.50 each, plus there is a third card that is not shown here. BUT, you lucky readers can get 15% off of your purchases, plus FREE shipping by entering the code SEMPER15. The shop celebration coupon will expire Friday, July 15.

Go support a fellow milspouse (: I highly recommend it! And feel free to leave some love here for her handiwork!