Let us take a look, what's in your pocketbook? {Guest Starring Chelsey from The Paper Mama}

It's that time again.

First friday of month means a lookie into another bloggers bag.

This month the lovely Chelsey from The Paper Mama is gracing us with her presence.

I hate to admit it but I am relatively new follower of Chelsey's, but fell fast for her.

I love her candid look into her life, even the not so fun things like her birth story or her battle with postpartum depression. And her super creative side like her hair posts {girls got some hair to envy} and her shop. She is a momma to a beautiful little almost 2 yr old Rurai.

Seriously how freakin cute is she?

Ok now on to the "bag".

- Love backpack style bags, but never have bought one. Was that a strategic move after having Ruari? What do you look for in a bag?

Yes it was. When I went searching online for my bag.... I was specifically looking for a leather bag that doubles as a purse and a backpack. BUT, I didn't want it too big. I was finding I didn't need the huge diaper bag anymore since Ruari is now a toddler... and, this bag has been lovely! I usually randomly get a new idea about a bag I'd like... then, search EVERYWHERE for it. It must be under $35 (with shipping). If I find it thrift: that's a plus! I just cannot spend much on a purse... I change it so much!

- EEP, your iphone case, WANT. Spill the beans, Momma is in the market for a new case.

I love my case... and, it seems to be pretty darn sturdy. I've dropped my phone about 10 times. ;) It's a Cath Kidston case that I found used on eBay.

- I see you carry lipgloss. What are your fav makeup items to use just on the day to day to feel pretty?

Yeah, I have my lipgloss in there... only because when I DO go out it is the thing I always forget to put on. SO, I have it with me. :) I'm more of a chapstick girl normally. The makeup I love to help me feel pretty: just some mascara. It makes a world of difference when I put on just a little mascara. :)

- You are always posting beautiful images, do you carry your camera all the time? And is it cool enough to have its one digs?

I don't always carry my camera. I'm actually trying to carry it with me less. It does get in the way and I'm trying to BE a part of the moment... instead of the photographer of the moment. :)

- Love the fact that you carry a pair of earrings, how would you describe your style?

Yes, as a mama I always forget to put earrings on! Before I had Ruari I ALWAYS wore earrings. I would feel completely naked without them. These days I barely wear them. So, like my lip gloss, I carry them with me... just in case. I don't really know how to describe my style... I'm usually attracted to 50's ish and anything coral in color. ;)

Thank you so very much Chelsey for playing along with me!

The funny thing about these posts {I know this is only number two} but I feel I could go on and on asking questions. But I know these are busy Mommas so I find myself restraining from going on and on and on and on. But truth is I am a much more into asking people questions about their lives then talking about my boring one, ha.

Guest Interview w/ Pencils and Daisies {plus a little discount code!}

As some of you might have figured out from reading my blog I am a little wishie washie about things. So when it came down to me picking a new look for my blog I was ALL OVER THE PLACE.

Then I had an idea, to see if Amanda from Pencils and Daisies could do portraits of the kiddies for my banner. You see Amanda draws, then watercolors portraits, and can digitally scan them for you to use online. AH-MAZING.

I just got the originals in the mail last week and they are hanging at my desk so I can stare at them...

So today we get to know Amanda a little more...

- Tell us a little bit about yourself and Pencils and Daisies:

Hello! I'm Amanda - owner and operator (that sounds so official!) of Pencils & Daisies. Growing up in small town Illinois, I migrated to Arizona when I was 14 and lovingly called it home for ten years. I suppose I've always been a Midwestern girl at heart, because I somehow made my way back here and currently reside in Chicago with my husband and our two animals.

My shop name comes from a Shel Silverstein poem "If the World Was Crazy" (Where the Sidewalk Ends); the whimsical nature of the poem matches my outlook on creating and the world in general. If you can't take things lightly and have a good laugh every day, then you're doing something wrong! Having my own shop has been something I've been dreaming up for awhile now...and when I was presented the opportunity to spend my days creating - I grabbed it! There you'll find custom illustrations and a few vintage items...but currently I'm working on a big plan to expand Pencils & Daisies, so look for changes at the beginning of the new year!

{Also, my photo is totally silly but I'm sort of obsessed with mustaches (I may even have a tattoo of one...shh!) and have way too many Polaroids. This combines both of those loves. <3}

Describe a typical day in Amandaland {ha that has a nice ring to it!}

My days are a strange mix of what we'll call day job, dream job, and real life (errands, etc). I wake up early to hang out with (other peoples!) kiddos before dropping them off at their classrooms and heading to part two of my day. Part two of my day is filled with dream job (illustrating! sewing! etsy! all around craftiness!) and real life (errands! dishes! swiffer-ing!). Once two o'clock rolls around, you'll find me back at Helen C. Peirce Elementary to hang out with the same little kiddos until their parents pick them up at six. Then I'm back home to eat, relax with the mister, and work a little more on dream job...or just watch a lot of tv. ;)

Are you always drawing or doodling?

YES. For as long as I can remember, that's all I've been doing. I've stopped carrying a sketchbook, because it doesn't get any use, but I doodle on everything else that's around. I tend to discard sketchbooks soon after I start them...I'm more of a "get an idea, get it going" type of person. I can't really have a sketchbook of ideas lying around, because they'll never get done! I love to find that great idea, and start on the actual piece right away...somehow it just works better for me that way - to get it all out when the inspiration hits instead of saving it for later between closed pages.

What drives your creativity?

Situations that are unexpected, whimsical, hilarious, or just plain ridiculous are the ones that drive my creativity the most. As I mentioned before, I think it's important to not take yourself, or situations, too seriously. When I was in school, my professors drove home the "art must have meaning" message...which personally, I never bought into. I can respect that, but I think you can also make something beautiful or appealing without having a deep meaning behind it. Being around those that are able to accept or mirror this lightheartedness are the most inspiring to me; sometimes the simplest (or silliest) of conversations with friends or family have sparked the creative flame most of all. Inspiration is usually out there and offered in ways you would least expect...and that surprise is what makes it amazingly fun.

What is your BIGGEST guilty pleasure?

Oh, definitely the amount of TV that I watch...I should probably work on getting Pencils & Daisies situated rather than watching twelve episodes of Daria every day. ;)

Where do you want to see your and your shop in a year?

In a year, I hope to see Pencils & Daisies become my only job (don't get me wrong...I love working with kiddos, but I love drawing more!). It's been a dream of mine for a long while to be able to work from home on what I love most. I'm in the process of really getting my long term business plan down, and hopefully I can keep the current momentum and inspiration going to make it a reality!

Amanda wants to offer Buggie and Jellybean readers a discount code, perfect for right before the holidays. I mean come on what Grandparent would not love a portrait of the grandbabies for the holidays?!

I'd like to offer a 15% off coupon code for Pencils & Daisies for the month of October to all Buggie & Jellybean readers! Just enter code "BUGGIEANDJELLYBEAN" at check out to receive 15% off your order (not including shipping, sorry!) for the whole month of October.

You can found me at:

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/pencilsanddaisies

Blog: http://amandawoodford.blogspot.com/

Thanks Amanda for the interview, the discount code, and most of all making my dream come true with my blog!! YOU ROCK.

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Do not forget to enter for your chance to win a knit scarf of your choice in color, here.