Home again

Happy Monday, lovelies! I am back after a whirlwind trip to Indiana. All went well, I think, but I brought home two sick kids, which isn't so great... runny noses and coughs all around! We are taking it easy today after a few rough nights.

I got the following pics while eavesdropping on Remy, who was playing in my mom's yard trying to climb her tree with that green chair. He was determined to get up there, and the conversation he was having with himself about the climb was hilarious. Nice, isn't it, that I take pictures rather than spot him under the tree? I love just watching him play!

(These were taken when I was done spying.)

Strange that I didn't get any pics of my girl~ She just moves too fast! (hint, hint to my husband that I need a faster camera)

I am hoping to get that giveaway I mentioned last week ready to roll in the next few days. I'll have to chain myself to my sewing machine, but that's hardly torture. I would also love for you to check out the lowercase letters blog by my blogging friend Carissa. She was sweet enough to feature 2 sweet things today, but it's a terribly good read even if I weren't on there~ she is hilarious and always has something wonderful to say!

Have a great day, y'all! I am hoping to get back into the swing of things and get some sewing done on this lovely sunny day!

My Soccer Mom Style

I was thinking about my new status as Soccer Mom (see my last post)... gone are the days of cardigans and pearls (were there ever really soccer moms that wore that stuff?!). I was searching around etsy daydreaming about what I think would be the perfect spectator style, and here is what I came up with. I'm a big believer in casual comfort, but would still like to look pulled together.

Japanese Print and Organic Soy Wrap Hoodie, Isla New York

AG Tomboy Jeans, Anthropologie

Spring Equinox Flat, HydraHeart

Chocolate Circles Headband, In Honor Of Design

Strawberry Shortcake Necklace, aux petits oiseaux

Abanoz in apple green, Bayan Hippo

So what do you wear to the big game?

My First Giveaway! ~ Crafty Mama Designs

Good morning! I am very excited about the feature today because it includes a giveaway of some of my favorite things! I showed you Halle's new hair clippies a few weeks ago, and she has been wearing them a ton since then. I can't say enough good things about them, so I asked Aviva, who has the etsy shop called Crafty Mama Designs, to tell us a little bit about herself & her shop.

Tartan Plaid Snap Clips

"My name is Aviva and I'm a SAHM (stay-at-home mom) getting crafty in my "spare time"- ha! Mostly after the kids' bedtimes and into the wee hours, that is. I started making hair bows and clips for my daughter, and became so addicted to creating them that I soon had more than she would ever need... even for a girl who loves her accessories!

"My daughter has really been my inspiration- mostly out of necessity! She has crazy curly red hair, and so I started making clips to keep the hair out of her face and (slightly) under control! She's a girly-girl for sure, and now she loves to check out my ribbon stash and pick out what I should make for her next.

Winter Applique Clippies

"I really love to use fun, bright colors and whimsical patterns for the hair clips in my shop. I think any set in the shop would be a great gift idea-- they make fun stocking stuffers or party favors too! I pay a lot of attention to detail and offer my crafty creations for affordable prices, because I just have so much fun doing it!

Crochet Layered Flower Clippies

"I'll be running a promotion towards the end of November, so to stay updated on the details, become a fan on Facebook or follow me on Twitter! I do have a blog, but it's sadly neglected right now since I’m having too much fun making clips!!"

Where you can find Crafty Mama Designs:
~ her etsy shop: http://craftymamadesigns.etsy.com
~facebook: http://facebook.com/CraftyMamaDesigns
~twitter: http://twitter.com/CalifCraftyMama
~blog: http://CaliforniaCraftyMama.blogspot.com

Be sure you check out her shop and add it to your holiday list! I swear the little non-slip grippers she can add to her clippies are miracle workers~ Halle hasn't been able to pull them out a bit! I get so many compliments, and at her awesome prices you can afford to stock up to match every outfit.

Retro Winter Snowflake Clippies

Now here's where it gets really exciting! Aviva has offered to giveaway a set of clippies from her shop to one of my readers. So cute! Any set, excluding the dozen clip started sets, is up for grabs! All you have to do is go to her shop, decide which set you would like (that's the hard part because they are all so adorable!) and come back here and comment your choice. Entries only in the US and Canada. Only one entry per person, please! The giveaway ends Monday, November 16th, and I will announce the winner here on Tuesday the 17th. Easy, right?!

Velvet Mini Bow Clippies

Fabulous Feature~ Michon

Fused Argentium Silver Pendant

I'm still in my quest for creative gift ideas, and further chatting with the Fabulous Artistic Mom Team led me to a wonderful jewelry shop called Michon. Her unique pieces are wonderfully simple yet dramatic and would be an awesome gift for anyone on your list! Some of my favorite things in her shop are her stud earrings. They are so practical for moms and even says that in the descriptions. (I would like to send a huge thank you to my darling Remy for yanking out and throwing the only pair of diamond earrings I ever had... okay, sarcasm ends here.) Here's a little bit about Leah, the artist behind Michon in her own words amidst some pictures of her lovely work.

Silver Spiral Hook Earrings

~Tell me a little about yourself:
"I'm a mom to a toddler with another baby on the way. I run a jewelry making business part time out of my home, mostly during nap time or when my son goes to sleep."

~Inspiration behind your shop:
"My shop name, Michon, is actually my middle name- I've always liked it, and I thought it sounded like a designer's name, so when I started designing my own jewelry it was natural to use as my business name. I've been making jewelry since I was a teenager, but I didn't stat making things to sell until after I graduated from college, when it became too expensive to be a hobby."

Silver Circles Stud Earrings

~Favorite Gift Ideas from your shop:
"I think earrings make great gifts. I have a variety of earrings, from basic hoops and studs to classic pearl drops, to more unique artsy styles."

~Best gift you've ever gotten:
"I have to say the support my husband and I have gotten from my parents since starting our family is the best gift."

~Where can we find you?
Shop: http://michon.etsy.com
Website: http://michondesign.com
Blog: http://michondesign.com/jewelry-blog
Facebook Fan Page: http://facebook.com/michonjewelry

~Leah is offering a great offer to 2 sweet things readers!:

"10% off (via paypal refund) all orders,  plus a free pair of silver ball studs with purchases over $50 before shipping, from now until November 15th. Be sure to mention this blog to qualify for the discount and special gift."

Turquoise Teardrops Circle Necklace

I hope you'll look around Leah's shop and take advantage of this fantastic offer. Get a jump on your Christmas shopping (and maybe pick out something for yourself!). Be sure to tell her I sent you!

Happy Tuesday!

Fabulous Feature~ Jewelry & Crochet by Momma J

I recently joined a team on etsy called the 'Fabulous Artistic Moms', and as I'm getting to know this great group of moms, I thought I would feature several of them here. The first artist I'm going to show off is Marianne Jackson, also know around etsy as 'MommaJ'. She's usually the first email I see in my inbox every morning, as she starts our promotion threads (check out Temptation Tuesday!).

Marianne has two shops on etsy, one for her jewelry, http://jewelrybymommaj.etsy.com , and one for her crocheted things, http://crochetbymommaj.etsy.com . She's an army wife and lives pretty close to my neck of the woods here in Tennessee. She's been married for almost 16 years and has three daughters (14, 8, and 4). Her daughters are the inspiration behind most of the things in her crochet shop, and her love of nature is evident in her jewelry pieces.

In light of the upcoming holiday season, I asked her to pick a few of her favorite gift ideas from her shops to show off.

Trapped Ocean pendant

Butterfly Dreams Crochet Baby Blanket

And just because I can ask anything I want, I also asked Marianne about the best and worst gifts she's ever received. Her worst was a breadmaker from her husband for an anniversary. A fantastic gift, but I think we all understand why it wouldn't be the best anniversary present. =) Her best was a ring of her mother's that she had always admired.

She'll start adding Christmas items to her shop soon, so I hope you'll check it out. You can also find her at her blog.

Have a happy Tuesday!