vanessa i am

I am super excited to post on Tangled & True! As my daughter would say, “It is my favorite and my best!” I often don’t know where to tell people I am “from” because I have never stayed in a place for long and don’t have to much interest in doing so yet. Maybe I am gypsy at heart :) For the time being I currently reside in Utah with my husband aka Ty the Dog Guy, two daughters (ages 2 and 1) and two dogs. My goal for 2009 is to have a family picture taken so these will have to do until then.

I thrive on being a mother, writing, photography, creating, cooking, reading, enjoying the arts, taking time to spend in nature every day and “trying” to craft and sew. I just started training for my first marathon (wish me luck) and love to host the best birthday parties :) I also love to shop and have a small obsession with visiting cupcake shoppes with my girls.

Things I have indulged in lately are:


This Count the Stars Jacket from Anthropologie because it hides those last pounds of baby weight very well for the time being :)




After 13 years of wearing makeup just this past year have found what works for me, Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact is the best money I have ever spent on makeup.


I am loving my subscription to Kiwi Magazine which promotes an organic family lifestyle.



Belle & Boo and Sarah Jane Studios are my favorite places to buy stationary. I love giving and receiving hand written notes to loved ones.


The girls and my new yoga mats from LotusPad Yoga Mats which are very affordable and eco-friendly.

My blog is I Never Grew Up where I write reviews and ideas to help parents entertain, care for and educate their children. I am also a weekly contributor at Little Window Shoppe and Blissful Kids.

cookie extravaganza.

Every year during the first weekend of December you can find me up to my eyeballs in cookies. It's an annual event, it's exciting, competitive, creative, the perfect way to start the season.

 

The decorations are festive and add just the right ambiance.

The presentations of the cookies incredible.

The categories you can win? Best tasting chocolate cookie, best tasting non-chocolate cookie, the best presentation and the best recipe card.

The prizes, worth every hour spent planning, baking and executing.

We eat, and visit, vote and celebrate the holiday season

With Family and friends (some old, some new)

and in the end we go home with a box of the best Christmas cookies around!

It's one of my favorite holiday traditions, what are some of yours??

photo credits: Modern Day Photography

event credits: Laurie, Chelsea and Sis... You're amazing!

unique children's literature

I have been collecting children's books since far before I had any children. I love reading children's books. I was thrilled this year when I found the author Oliver Jeffers. His story lines are unique, quirky and the illustrations are so creative and colorful.

No matter what author is paired with the illustrator Alison Jay I pick up the book. Her illustrations are so beautiful. They all have a fairy tale and old fashioned feel to them that I just can't seem to get enough of.

Promise me you will check out these two!

ribbies clippies {winner!}

Congratulations Claudine!! Please email me (tangledandtrue@gmail.com) by Wednesday morning to claim your prize.

papers edge {giveaway!}

I have been anxiously awaiting this giveaway. Emily from Papers' Edge contacted me a few weeks back and told me about the latest additions to her shop. Limited Edition, high quality giclee prints. Each comes hand-signed and numbered, printed with archival inks on somerset printmaking paper, and are only available while supplies last.

The designs are fun and original, the color combination's are brilliant. I have plans to work our "play area" around them, as well as a perfect spot for "swing" in baby boy's nursery. I think you'll agree they are a brilliant combination of creativity and modern playfulness.


Swing giclee print $34



Pretend giclee print $34


Twirl giclee print $34


Mother and Child giclee print $36

Also new to the shop and definitely worth mentioning are her custom family silhouettes. Sized at 18x24, each piece is hand drawn, cut out and pieced together to create an original piece of art. These are sure to make a statement and will be an exciting addition to your home.


Custom Family Silhouette $365

Be sure to add a Papers' Edge creation to your list of gifts to give. Emily recently created a custom set of her papercuts for us to surprise my dad with. We had each grandchild in a different beach scene that corresponded with the colors of their beach property. It was such a fun gift to give that everyone loves and the set receives many compliments (from all types of visitors). Orders for Christmas must be in by December 15th, which is right around the corner...

Today Papers' Edge is giving away a giclee print of your choice to TWO winners. That's right, you have double the chance of winning. Thank You Emily!

*Extra Goodness: Purchase any 3 giclee prints for $67, contact papersedge@gmail.com

What is your favorite Papers' Edge creation?

Would you love to win? be sure to:
*comment on this post - with your name
*please only enter once
*answer question above
*entry will be open until Monday (12/15) 11:59pm
*winner will be announced Tuesday morning

Good Luck!!

keen {winner!}

Congratulations Aimee! Please email me by Monday (12/15) morning to claim your prize.

*winner chosen using Random.org

ribbies clippies {giveaway!}

We've talked about Ribbies Clippies before, and they are one of my go-to sources for simple quality hair clips. They don't slip in either girls hair (straight/fine and coarse/curly). The girls love that they can put them in their hair all by themselves (I love this too), and they love picking out different designs that they think match their outfits perfectly. Ribbies Clippies has 5 different sets (noel, maya, holly, ruby and ella) that are perfect for the holidays. They are sure to delight and bring happiness to any little girl, and are the perfect stocking stuffer or gift for the little fashionista in your life.



Today Ribbies Clippies is offering your choice of TWO sets of Christmas clips which are sure to brighten up the holidays.

Which set will you choose?

Would you like to win? be sure to:
*leave a comment on this post - with your name
*please only enter once
*answer question above
*entry will be open until Sunday (12/14) 11:59 pm MST
*winner will be announced Monday morning

Good Luck and Thank You Ribbies Clippies!!