things I love: cute dresses, my girls, photographs, & awesome Haddy Grace Designs giveaways!

I love my girls.  When I was pregnant, I couldn't even fathom the idea of having a boy.  Even though we kept the baby's gender a surprise, in 18 total months of pregnancy we never once came up with a boy name.

So it never ceases to amaze me that although I was lucky enough to end up with two girls, these two girls of mine are as different as two kids could be.  Princess, at 4 years old, is my girly-girl, my perfectionist, my rule-follower, my over-achiever.  This is not because she is older.  She has been exactly the same her whole life.  Trouble, on the other hand, at only 17 months, is my wild child.  A pain-in-the-you-know-what since the day she was born, she is the source of my first grey hairs, as well as the one who also manages to wrap everyone--including me--around her devilish little finger.  Her wry smile, truly unfortunate hair, and fearless personality charms even the most anti-children people we know.  We have yet to meet someone immune to her magnetism.  But my oh my, is she a stinker!

A few weeks ago I came across a beautiful blog, Haddy Grace Designs, showcasing the most adorable little sweater dresses (at totally reasonable prices!)  As the mommy of girls, I was hooked.  Never mind the fact that I live in Florida and even though it is October, it is still 88 degrees during the day (and a "chilly" 75 at night.)  I love sweater dresses and I love pretending it is fall.  I wanted that dress, pure and simple.  I contacted Ruth Ann, the creative genius behind Haddy Grace Designs, and inquired as to whether she might be willing to create a sleeveless version of the sweater dress for those of us not quite so fortunate as to live in an area where sweater dresses are seasonably appropriate.

Amazingly enough, though she probably secretly thought I was a crazy person (which I may very well be), she was more than willing to work with me to create a Florida-friendly version of the sweater dress.  However, she ever-so-kindly suggested that I may want to consider a different design, her pillowcase dress.

Reluctantly, I did, and at that very moment a new love was formed.  I ordered the Fall Festival pillowcase dress for Trouble on the spot and less than a week later, it was on my doorstep, quite possibly the cutest little dress I had ever seen.

And as luck would have it, just as the package arrived, I was supposed to be working on an assignment for my online photography class.  Something about light and framing and negative space and all that photo-jargon I'm trying so hard to understand.  I needed a subject, and what better subject, really, than an adorable Trouble in her gorgeous new dress?

If. Only. She. Would. Sit. Still.

Even for a minute.

Seriously honey, STOP MOVING!

And she's off.  First to the dirt.

Then to the dock to throw rocks in the water.

I finally got the brilliant idea of using a chair on the grass as a prop.  She promptly slid off.

Then happily rolled around in the grass for a few minutes.

And finally wandered off in search of leaves.

At which point, I gave up.

Luckily Princess was eager to step in.

(For a very small bribe of only 10 pieces of candy corn--the girl has learned to negotiate)

Every single shot was gorgeous (if I do say so myself.)

And I discovered something else that made me very, very happy.

The beautiful pillowcase dress from Haddy Grace Designs...

fits

her

too!

A double duty dress that moonlights as a shirt.  What could be better than that?   It means that the oh-so-cute dress will last twice as long, making it twice as good of a deal.  Because when push comes to shove, I love a good bargain but I don't like cheaply made things, especially when it comes to my kids' clothes.  The true beauty of Haddy Grace Designs is that the prices are completely reasonable ($15.99 for this dress!), and yet the quality is top notch.  This dress came out of the wash looking brand new, and I have no doubt it will stand the test of time.

But the very best part about this whole discovery is that RuthAnn of Haddy Grace Designs has generously offered to give one of my readers a $20 gift certificate so that you can discover for yourself just how amazing her designs really are.  (And for those of you with boys, don't fret--she has some absolutely adorable designs for little boys too!)

Enter to win a $20 gift certificate from Haddy Grace Designs:

Mandatory Entry:

- Visit Haddy Grace Designs  (blog or etsy shop) and leave a comment below telling me which adorable item you would purchase with your $20 gift certificate. (1 entry)

Optional Entries:

-Become a fan of Haddy Grace Designs on Facebook.  Leave a comment below telling me you are a fan. (1 entry)

- Follow me and leave a comment below telling me how you are following (via Google Friend Connect, Network Blogs, or RSS Feed.) (1 entry)

-Leave a comment or review for my blog on Top Mommy Blogs - Mom Blog Directory.  Be sure to comment below to let me know!  (1 entry)

New entries will be accepted through Sunday, October 31 and  I will pick a winner using random.org on Monday, November 1st.