No, I did NOT fall off the face of the earth.

Hi!

So maybe some of you are kinda wondering where I was???  Or maybe not.  I don't know.  But I'm gonna tell you either way. :P

I haven't posted for nearly a month *gasps* and a lot has changed!  First and foremost, I am now going to public school!  I know, surprising, right?  So that's sorta like the main reason why I haven't been posting.  I've been busy, but it's so worth it!!  I really like my classes (woodshop is by far my favorite!!), and it's been great! :)

So.... instead of trying to 'catch you up' on everything, I'm just gonna start right now!

I have some more big news.......

I will be shutting down my blog designs for a while.  I've just been too busy, but I'll hopefully start it up again in the future.  If you have ordered a design from me and are still waiting, I have some great girls you can go to.  Here'a a few great designers:

Rose

Britt

Emma

Anna

Make sure to get in touch with these girls if you're in need of a design. :)

Well, I'm going to cut this post a bit short because I'd better get working on a new autumn design (Happy Autumn!), and get posting on my other blogs. :)

Have a wonderful night, and we'll talk again soon! :)

The Elegant Blogger Award

Hi!

So I haven't really done a blogger award for a long time, and I don't always like doing them, but this one looks fun, and it's been going around quite a bit, so why not? ;)

I was awarded by Maddi and Christina!

THE RULES

-When you receive the award, link back to keepcalmandsparkle1099.blogspot.com and the blog(s) that nominated you.

-Display the award button in the post.

-Answer all of the 12 questions given in this post (Do not make your own questions).

-Nominate 12 bloggers.

-Notify them that they have been awarded.

THE QUESTIONS

1. What made you decide to start blogging?

My dear friend Claire had a blog about her dolls, and I thought it was so cool, and I wanted to do it too!  I started out with a private blog at the age of 9 (I didn't post on that one much), and then I stopped blogging for a while.  I started up again a little over a year ago with this blog, and now I also have a design blog, and I contribute to Seven Faraway Friends! :)

2. What is your fashion style?

Hmmmmm..... Well, summer is my favorite season for clothing because I love shorts and tank tops (what I live in all summer ;).  I like to be stylish, but also comfortable, so it depends on the day. ;)  Some days I feel like getting more dressed up, and others sweats will do. :)  I'd probably say that I lean more towards the stylish side, though. ;)

3. What is something none of your followers know about you?

Well...... ummmmm....... I read all of the posts of the blogs I follow, and from not being on the internet at all for about a week and a half, I had over 800 posts on Bloglovin to catch up on, and I read them all!!! :P  Crazy, right?

4. What are some of your blogging goals?

I'd love to be able to post everyday with lots of pictures, and of course I always would love to increase my followers. :)  I would also love to increase sponsorships with advertising and reviews/giveaways.

5. Where is your favorite place to shop?

Ooooh, that's hard!!!  I love Abercrombie, Hollister, Gilly Hicks, Target, Delia's....... Yeah a lot of different stores. ;)

6. What would your ideal amount of blog followers be?

Infinity and beyond!!! :P

7. What are your talents?

Crafting, blogging, piano, working with animals, working with kids......

8. Are you a leader or a follower?

Um, well, that depends on the situation..... ;)  I don't think I am either definitively.

9. What is one of your favorite quotes?

That's hard, because I'm not a big 'quote person.'  I don't really have any pinned up on my bulletin board, but let me go check Pinterest to see if I've got anything on there. :P  Be right back.....

Ok, I'm back, and now I have a few to share. :)  I couldn't pick a favorite. :)

"Don't let school interfere with your education."

                                   

                             -Mark Twain

"The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why."

                            -Mark Twain

"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough."

                               -Albert Einstein

10. Do you have a favorite book or book series?

Don't even get me started. ;)  I cannot answer this question.

11. Out of all the synonyms for elegant, which would you describe yourself with {smart - stylish - dressy - graceful - dainty - fine}?

Can I choose two?  I would probably say smart and stylish. :P

12. What is your favorite flower?

I'm not really a flower person (I don't know a bunch of flowers, but I always think it's sweet when someone gives flowers to another :), but I would probably have to say (don't laugh at how basic these flowers are) Day Lilies and Red Roses. :)

Ok, time to award!  This may take a while......

1. Jessica @ Whispers of the Wind

2. Angelique @ My American Girl Story

3. Rose @ Truly. Madly. Deeply.

4. Hannah @ The Writings of Hannah

5. Emma @Simply Inspired

6. Danielle @ The Diary of Danielle

7. Emmy @ My Journal

8. Katie @ Adollable Dolls

9. Kara @ Saved By Grace

10. Kayla @ Laugh 'an Love

11. Anna @ Hero

12. McKenna @ The Adventures of McKenna

^^Your guys are awarded!!  Now I have to go let you know.......

Have a great day!!

AG's Fall Collection!

Hi!

Have you seen AG's new release?  There are some super cute new items!!

1. Frosty Fair Isle Set & Puffy Jacket

This is my absolute FAVORITE item of the new release!!!  This is a MUST-BUY for my dolls. :)

2. Sparkle Sequin Outfit for Dolls + Charm

I love this outfit, too!  It seems like a style that real girls would wear. :)

3. Gymnastics Outfit for Dolls + Charm

This is such a cute little leotard!!

4. Coconut Fun Outfit for Dolls + Charm

I don't love this outfit, but I think the separate pieces are fantastic!

5. Polar Bear Pajamas for Dolls + Charm

TOO MUCH CUTENESS!!!!

6. Sparkle Party Dress for Dolls + Charm

I LOVE this dress, but what is with the model's hairstyle????

7. Brocade Holiday Dress for Dolls + Charm

I'm not a huge fan of this, but it's still nice. :)

8. Gymnastics Set

Yay!!!  A new beam and bar set!!!!

9. Salon Center

I, uh, just may need to buy this.... ;)

10. Spa Chair

This is so cute!!!!  I really really want to buy it, but it's SO expensive!!!

What do you think of the fall collection?

The ABC's of Bloggers

Hi!

I've seen girls doing this on lots of blogs, and I thought it would be super fun to do myself, so here I am. :)

Before I get started, though, I have some exciting news!!  I have joined Six (actually, it's now seven :) Faraway Friends!  I just put my first post up on Monday, and I'd love it if you'd check it out and follow our blog!!  Click here. :)

Onward!

A: Angelique, Anna, Autumn, Alyssa, Amaya

B: Bella, Britt

C: Claire, Christina, Christy, Chloe, Claire, Chloe

D: Danielle, Dollygirl

E: Emma, Emily, Emmy, Emily

F: Flower

G: Grace, me! :P

H: Hailey, Hannah W, Hannah C

I: Inky

J: Jessica, Jessie, Jenny, Jan

K: Kayla, Katie, Kara, Kelli

L: Lindsay, Liz, Lili, Lissy, Lulu

M: McKenna, Melody

O: Please claim if your name starts with an O.

P: Piper

Q: Quinlyn

R: Rose, Rhonda

S: Spicys, Sarah

T: TL

U: Please claim if your name starts with a U

V: Vanessa

W: Willow

X: Please claim if your name starts with an X

Y: Please claim if your name starts with a Y

Z: Zali

Thanks for reading!

Great Giveaway!

Hi!

Have you seen the latest giveaway at Daydream Doll Boutique?  It is AMAZING!!!!  You can win SO MANY AG back to school items!!!!  Check it out here!!

Have a great night!!

For Sale!

Hi!

Guess what?  I just posted my first ever Ebay listing!!!  And can you guess what it's for?  An American Girl InnerstarU Online code, Campus Guide, and Charm-Keeper Necklace for #56!!!!  Interested?  Check out the listing here:

American Girl Doll InnerstarU #56 Online Code and Charm Necklace NEW IN PKG!!

Have a great night!

The Last Day

Hi There,

Well, another summer has come and gone, and another school year it about to begin.  Am I excited?  Ummmmm, NO.  Haha!  No, I'm really not, because I don't like school work, and being homeschooled sort of cancels out the social advantages. :P  So, I'm going to enjoy my Last. Day. Of. Summer. :'(  Although I'm not excited for school, I'm of course going to do my best, get good grades, and have a good year. :)

Are you excited to start school?

End of Summer Sharing

Hi!

I don't know about you, but I am so sad that summer is almost over. :'(  I wish it would go on forever!!

To help reminisce our favorite summer memories, we want you to send us a paragraph or two telling us about your favorite summer memory.  We would love to see a picture too, so send us your short memory and a picture, and we'll have a wonderful collab post sharing all of our favorite summer memories!  Send your story and picture to:

americangirlgrace@yahoo.com

Sounds fun, right?  We can't wait!

Have a wonderful day!

Catching Up

Hi!

Since I hadn't posted for two weeks since my last post *bad blogger award goes to me* I thought I would post some pictures of what I've been doing the last couple weeks. :)

I got all dressed up and went to church with my friend. :)

My cousin came and visited us for a day, and we had so much fun!!

We made a DELICIOUS no-bake cake/pie thing, and oh my gosh was it good. :)  Check out the recipe here.

We had some friends over to swim, and had fun swimming in the pool and *attempting* to play ping pong. :P 

We also had our friends over for a sleepover, and yes, I fell asleep with by legs on the back of the chair. *bizarre sleeper here*

I also got to go to a water park with my friend, and we had SO MUCH FUN!!!!!  We are also total dorks around each other, which adds to the fun by about 1000%. :P :P :P

We have been having so much fun enjoying our last bits of summer, and we hope you have been, too. :)

We'd love to here about your end of summer fun, so leave a comment below and tell us about some of your favorite things about this summer!

Have a wonderful night!

Summer Sweets Giveaway Winner!

Hi!

First, I want to start off by saying I am so so sorry for being such a bad blogger!!!!  I have not posted for over 2 weeks!!!  I have been enjoying my summer and doing lots of activities, and just haven't had time to be on the computer. :/  I am back now, though!!  So, I'm going to start off by revealing the winner of the Summer Sweets Giveaway sponsored by Minnie Kitchen!

Chosen by Random.Org.....

The winner is........................................................................................................................................

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.

CHRISTINA!!!!!!

Congratulations, Christina!  Thank you all for entering, and a HUGE thank you to Janet!!!

Christina, please be looking for an email from me. :)  You will have until Friday, August 9 to respond, or I will have to choose a new winner.

Thanks for reading, and keep your eye out for more posts!! ;)

Summer Sweets Giveaway and Review Sponsored by Minnie Kitchen! **CLOSED**

Disclaimer: This post contains a review

and giveaway of American Girl Doll food

provided by Minnie Kitchen.  All opinions

are my own.

Hi!

Who doesn't love a delicious summer treat?  Minnie Kitchen has generously sponsored us for a super fun AG summer sweets giveaway!

Isn't this cupcake realistic?

And these cookies.... Too cute!!

Isn't it the perfect size? 

Love it!!

They are just way too realistic and cute!!  Amazing!!

Let's talk about the cupcake first. :)  This cupcake is THE cutest!!  The frosting is amazingly realistic (seriously, it looks good enough to eat!), and the sprinkles MUST be real.  It is the perfect size for your doll, and the mint green liner contrasts perfectly with the vanilla cupcake and chocolate frosting!  I am IN LOVE with this cupcake, and so are my dolls! :P  Such a tasty treat!

These cookies are super adorable!  They could not possibly look any more realistic.  I mean, they totally look edible!!! :P  The pink frosting is, once again, perfectly realistic.  It seriously looks like somebody spread it on there with a knife!  This is such a special summer treat, and both my dolls and I LOVE them!!!

Here's how to enter for your chance to win:

1. You must be a PUBLIC follower of It's My Life.

2. You must have your parent/guardian's permission if you are under 18, as you will have to give me your address if you win.

3. Comment below with your name or nickname, and tell me what your favorite summer treat is.

4. Go visit Janet's shop, Minnie Kitchen, and take a look around.  Come back here and tell me which item is your favorite in your comment.

5. For extra points, put my button on your blog (+3), post about this giveaway on your blog (+5), pin this giveaway (+3), email 10 friends including me (+5), buy a bag from me; see this post (+20), buy an item from Minnie Kitchen (+20).  Make sure to comment below and let me know/leave me a link if you do any of these things. :)

Giveaway ends August 4, 2013 at 12 midnight PST.

Sorry, I can only ship to the US and Canada. :(

Winner will be decided by Random.Org.

Good luck, and thanks for entering!

P.S. A big thank you to Elizabeth for being our hand model today. :P

**Plate is not included in the prize. :)

Saturday Link Love!

Hi!

So, I forgot to link love last week. *bad blogger*  Since I didn't do it last week, I'm going to feature my favorite posts from both weeks! :P

1. These homemade pretzels look A M A Z I N G!!!!

2. These drawings are gorgeous!!

3. What a fun parcel to receive!

4. This Saige movie premier celebration looks like such fun!

5. These are fantastic tips and tricks for purchasing items on Ebay!

6. If you have the Earth Day AG Outfit and are willing to sell it, you have an interested buyer!

7. Look at this adorable kitten!

8. I cannot relate more with this feeling.

9. Loving these pictures!

10. These are great hair tips!

Make sure to go check out all of these fantastic posts, and if you'd like the chance to be featured next week, leave the link to your blog in the comment section!

Have a great day!

Talia Joy

We lost a very special person on Tuesday morning at 11:22 am.  Talia Joy Castellano was an inspiration to all of us, and a make up pro!

Draw a fish on your wrist all this week to honor Talia, please!

#ALittleFishyProject

We love you, Talia! <3

Meet Up With Jessica!

Hi!

Remember that I told you I was going to meet up with Jessica?  Well, we had a wonderful time, and I wanted to share it with you. :)

All of us together. :)  From left to right: {back} Lindsay, Jessica, Hailey {front} Krista, Erica.

Jessica and I. :)

We had so much fun swimming, playing in our tubes, playing Egyptian Rat Slap, and getting to know each other!  Jessica, Krista, and I swam out to a pole that you can climb up in our tubes, and Jessica even had the guts to jump off!!!  I was too scared. :)

Jessica on top of the pole, and Krista and I floating on our tubes at the base. 

She stands up..... 

....And she jumps!! 

Lindsay, Krista, Jessica, and I floating in the tubes. 

Sitting in the tubes on the beach. :P 

Them burying me. (By my request. :P)

Fully buried!  I'm a mermaid!

Jessica and her family are so wonderful, and we all had a blast!  We can't wait to do it again, and we want to give a huge thank you to Jessica and her family for coordinating this with us!

Make sure to go check out and follow Jessica's blog, Whispers of the Wind!

Have a great night!