Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke - Page 3 of 73

Blue Nile Earrings Giveaway

May 5, 2013 by Kristen Duke · 27 Comments

You know how yesterday I posted about the birthstone necklace I made my mom? Well, getting crafty is the way to a woman’s heart, but so is something sparkly that was purchased. I was sent the most lovely earrings to review from Blue Nile, and I wanted to share them with you JUST in time for Mother’s Day. A great gift for your mom, or one to nudge your hubby with a simple link;) The Leaf Chandelier Earrings are so elegant and pretty, who wouldn’t love them? Some Mother’s Day exclusive items are even up to 25% off on their site! {I was sent a pair of earrings to review, but all opinions are 100% my own}

Blue Nile giveaway

Here is an up close shot of the earrings in my ears (and my uneven eye liner), I love that they are fancy enough for dress up, or casual. Love how they shimmer, love the design.

blue nile earrings

And here they are in the fancy navy colored box…

blue nile

Here is a quick glance at the elegant options on the Blue Nile website

blue nile website

Fancy, yes? I’m so excited because TODAY I get to give a pair away to one of YOU!

blue nile earrings giveaway

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Filed under: giveaway | Tagged with blue nile, earrings, giveaway, silver | 27 Comments

Handmade Mother’s Day: Birthstone Necklace

May 4, 2013 by Kristen Duke · 6 Comments

I’m so delighted to share with you the birthstone necklace I made for my mom for Mother’s Day. I’m equally happy to be sharing this project as a part of the Handmade Mother’s Day Series organized by my friend Kelly at Live. Laugh. Rowe. Head on over to view the save the date page to see links for who else is contributing and get caught up on the past few projects! Yesterday, Taylor at… Continue Reading

Filed under: gifts | Tagged with gift, jewelry, mother's day, necklace | 6 Comments

Teaching Kindness to Children

May 3, 2013 by Kristen Duke · 13 Comments

I’m excited to share a fun summer idea to help promote kindness around our home with our kids spending so much time together. I’m part of Summer Fun Series organized by my friend McKenzie at Girl Loves Glam. It is one of my biggest dreams as a mother that my children will love each other. Not just get along, but enjoy each other. I LOVE summer because we get to hang out and do fun… Continue Reading

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged with coins, kind, kindness | 13 Comments

Stenciled Glass: Mother’s Day Gift Idea with Martha Stewart

May 1, 2013 by Kristen Duke · 14 Comments

Note: This post is sponsored by Plaid Crafts and Blue Print Social, but all opinions are my own. I was recently sent a package full of Martha Stewart crafts, including glass paint and stencils. I was challenged to make a Mother’s Day craft, and I came up with this simple stenciled glass frame art. I have a large stash of frames in a storage space in my home. Shocking, I know. That a photographer would have a… Continue Reading

Filed under: Crafts | Tagged with glass, marthat stewart, mother's day, paint | 14 Comments

Creamy Jalapeno Ranch Dip

April 30, 2013 by Kristen Duke · 28 Comments

There is this Tex-Mex restaurant just down the road from me called Chuys that introduced me to this creamy jalapeno ranch dip 10 years ago. Everyone raves about it, says they could swim in it or have it drenched over their heads and they’d be happy. I tend to agree. They serve it with their chips and salsa (but only if you ask). They also serve it as a dressing for their salads. I came… Continue Reading

Filed under: misc. recipes, Recipes | Tagged with chips, creamy, dip, food, jalapeno, mexican, nachos, ranch, salsa, sour cream, tex-mex, texas | 28 Comments

How to follow your favorite blogs

April 29, 2013 by Kristen Duke · 16 Comments

I was having a conversation the other day with one of my good friends about Pinterest. She was telling me that she wished more of her friends pinned stuff because her Pinterest feed wasn’t moving very fast. I suggested she follow some of her favorite creative bloggers because if she likes their style, she will like what they pin. She didn’t realize she could do that. Once I got over the shock and lifted my… Continue Reading

Filed under: photography tips | Tagged with blogging, bloglovin, facebook, instagram, pinterest, social media, twitter | 16 Comments

New Trent Powerpak iCarrier Battery Review

April 26, 2013 by Kristen Duke · 2 Comments

I wanted to share a fun new product that saved me at my blogging conference last week, I was sent this product to review. I heard about the New Trent Powerpak iCarrier battery charger from another blogger at another conference, and was SO excited about it! I just charged it at night, and carried it with me in my purse. Then when my phone was about to die mid-day, I hooked it up to my phone… Continue Reading

Filed under: review | Tagged with charger, ipad, iphone, phone | 2 Comments

Pretty Purple Party

April 25, 2013 by Kristen Duke · 54 Comments

My baby turned 4, and we celebrated with a Pretty Purple Party! She loves purple, and it was so fun to plan a party around just one color! We have lots of purple for the girls, so I pulled out their purple kitchen and items from the girls fancy room to add to the fun! Enter our world of purple and at the end of this post, I’ll share where I found some of the… Continue Reading

Filed under: Parties | Tagged with cake, cake pops, kids party, lanterns, party, pinwheels, purple | 54 Comments

Easy 4 Ingredient Queso with Velveeta Block Cheese

April 23, 2013 by Kristen Duke · 18 Comments

I’m going to tell you a little secret, that you have to promise to still be my friend after I tell you. I. Hate. Onions. Always have, always will. I never really cared much for queso because it always had big fat onions in it. Until this one day…years ago…I was introduced to this Easy 4 Ingredient Queso with no trace of onions in site. I fell in love….hard. I make it often. It’s my… Continue Reading

Filed under: main dish, misc. recipes, Recipes | Tagged with appetizer, chips, main dish, nachos, queso, Velveeta block cheese | 18 Comments

Spring Fling Giveaway

April 22, 2013 by Kristen Duke · 4 Comments

Prize Package #1: 2-night stay at Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn & Suites in San Diego, California Prize Package #2: Nikon 3100 DSLR camera JoTotes camera bag (your choice) Kristen Duke’s beginner and intermediate photography eBooks Prize Package #3: $50 Gift card to Hoop-La Earrings 2 pairs earrings from Elisabeth Ashlie Jewelry $25 Gift card to Caroline G $50 Gift card to The Chic Orchid STEP 1: Pin the following: Step 2: Click on each of… Continue Reading

Filed under: giveaway | Tagged with | 4 Comments

Past Post Feature Saturday

April 20, 2013 by juliedukecannon · Leave a Comment

I’m going to start featuring past blog posts on Saturdays. I want to highlight projects, recipes or tips you may have missed (or forgotten about!) Instagram Photo Tip How to use two “actions” on one photo in Instagram What to Wear in Family Portraits The how-to of outfit selection, from a 3-part color scheme to accessories to using style boards

Filed under: Past Post Feature | Tagged with clothing, family pictures | No Comments

True Belgian Waffles with Pearl Sugar & Yeast

April 19, 2013 by Kristen Duke · 52 Comments

I’m so very excited to share with you a recipe for True Belgian Waffles, they have pearl sugar & yeast in them, and making them made my heart sing! I’ve always loved a great waffle, and for years I’ve tried different irons and recipes, never making something I loved. Every time I go to Salt Lake City, I plan to make a stop at Bruges Waffles and Frites because I love them SO much (the… Continue Reading

Filed under: breakfast, Recipes | Tagged with breakfast. snack, dinner, recipe, waffle | 52 Comments

Decorating with Pictures at Girl Loves Glam

April 18, 2013 by Kristen Duke · 2 Comments

I’m so excited to have my friend McKenzie share a project from her home. I’ve had the chance to get to know this cute gal recently doing some Google Hangout chats (think skyping in groups). She is so sweet and funny, and I’m excited to (re) meet her this weekend at a conference! Go check out her fun site after reading her post! Hey! I am McKenzie from Girl Loves Glam and I am so… Continue Reading

Filed under: Decorating with Portraits, guest posts | Tagged with decorating with pictures | 2 Comments

My Baby turns 4

April 17, 2013 by Kristen Duke · 18 Comments

I love birthdays. For myself, my kids, my friends. Everyone deserves a day to feel special, and I try my hardest to do that for those I love. Especially my kids. My youngest turned 4 today, and I got to spend the day with her. I ditched my routine gym class for a morning jog with her, and she just chilled in the stroller and we chatted a bit and sang some too. I spent… Continue Reading

Filed under: Kristen's ramblings | Tagged with life as i know it | 18 Comments