Win it: Stella & Dot On The Mark Necklace

Valentine’s Day is around the corner and you know what that means. It’s a good time to nudge the men in our lives for a little romance. We know you mommy fashionistas love some Stella and Dot and they have so generously provided our next giveaway. Yay! Up for grabs is their “On the Mark” necklace. This super cute necklace is a gold vermeil arrow on a 17 inch gold vermeil chain. Exclusively designed in NYC, the necklace is artisan crafted and hand finished.

If you haven’t checked out Stella & Dot, you definitely should. Their collections are stunning and tips for accessorizing can help anyone. And, you can also look into becoming a Stylist. Their program provides work-from-home business opportunities that come with free jewelry!

Details on how to enter below. Good luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Three Cheers for 3 Cords

I wanted to share a new site that my inspiring cousin in law has launched. It’s called 3 Cords. Here’s the back story:

Still in college, Diana and her husband Jay and other friends threw a dance party to start an orphanage in Haiti. They rose over $20,000 and started a non-profit to help finish the construction. On September 9, 2009, Diana, her husband and two friends move to Haiti to live in the completed orphanage, set up some operational foundations and ensure all the kids are loved and receive anything they need.

Three months later, the earthquake happened. The earthquake killed an estimated 300,000 Haitians.  Thousands that did survive had to have one or both legs amputated, as they were crushed underneath falling buildings.

During her time in Haiti, Diana worked in a prosthetics lab, getting to know and helping patients get new legs. As she says, “During the year after the earthquake in Haiti, I managed the prosthetics lab at Mission of Hope, and got to know our patients very closely.  Every day I witnessed stories of beauty and redemption, and – in a country of rubble and ashes, literally – you learn to cling to these moments.  These women, our prosthetic patients, became my closest friends in Haiti.  I would visit them at their tent cities, and play with their kids to try and make them smile.  You see, even though my friends now had legs, they were so discouraged that no one would hire them because of their physical disability.  As much as I tried to encourage them, I knew deep in my bones that they were probably right; Haiti is a country where handicapped people are seen as invalids – people with nothing to contribute.”

Diana, her husband and friends started 3 Cords to train, employ, and empower Haitian amputee women and their families.  3 Cords mission is to provide opportunities to women that are deemed invaluable in their communities due to their physical disabilities, and to show them that they are both beautiful and valuable.  They do this by training the women as artisans in a loving, community oriented environment.

3Cords sells goods made by these talented and courageous Haitian women. Please check it out and share with friends. Also, if you have any time, check out 3 Cords blog as well Diana and her husband’s blog from their time in Haiti.

Lingo for your Private Parts

This might seem silly but I’m curious - how do you refer to your “private parts” to your toddler? I was getting dressed and Reese pointed to my boobs and said, “bubbles.” Ha! I said, “No, boobies…I mean breasts.” Then I realized I wasn’t sure what I wanted to refer to them as so I left it at “breasts.”

And this is only the beginning. What about vagina and penis? 

So do you refer to these parts by their proper name or do you use names like “boobies, hoo-ha, wiener, pe-pe,” etc?  And why? I’m leaning towards referring to them by their proper name and not a nick name. 

I Can Do It Myself

Reese is going through this phase where she wants to do everything by herself. Feed herself, wipe her face, wash her hands, etc. Crap, maybe it's not really a phase, just part of growing up! 

We were at the park today and for the very first time she climbed the stairs to the slide (without me behind her to catch her fall). I anxiously watched her take every step until she reached the top, walked over to the slide, sat down, and positioned herself to slide down all on her own.

It was a proud Mommy moment. She was like, “Wow, Mom, can you see? I’m doing this all by myself!” Then she let go and slid down where I caught her! The look on her face - pure gratification. She glowed with accomplishment.

When I told my husband the story he said, “That’s great. I wonder what compelled her to do it on her own today?” I spit out, “I guess I let her.” But it makes me think…I wonder how long she’s been ready? Would she have done it sooner if I let her? The answer is probably.

So does this mean I’ll stop guarding her so closely? Probably not. But it does mean I’m taking a first step at accepting her independence. 

Check her out: 

Birthday Inspiration: Rockin' Horse Soiree

Please welcome a guest post from amazing photographer and mom Candace McKay sharing her inspiration and perfect details of her little girl Reese's 2nd birthday party!

When I thought about a birthday party theme for my soon-to-be two year old baby girl, I decided we needed to keep it soft, sweet, a little vintage, and of course, PINK!   Here’s my planning journey and a few tidbits on some of our great finds!

DECIDE YOUR THEME:  By profession, I am a photographer.  I recently had a vintage style rocking horse built for my daughter’s nursery.  We used it as a prop for our Christmas cards and it soon became the centerpiece of the pink soiree!  Once the theme was final, I was off on my quest for all things pink and girly!

DESIGN THE INVITATIONS:  I used a few images from our Christmas session on the invitation as well.  The design had a vintage feel with soft pink hues and chocolate design elements.  The back featured a custom rocking horse logo (if you will) that was used in several ways throughout the party.

DEFINE THE DETAILS: Most of the pink items came from Party City.  If you are planning a party around a certain color, Party City is the place to go!  I had a buggy full of PINK (all in the exact same color, YAAY)!  I also found some great items at Hobby Lobby.  Here’s a list:

• Pink gumballs (Party City)
• Pink and Crystal Rock Candy Sticks (Party City)
• Pink Rocking Horse Suckers (Party City)
• Pink/White Swirl lollipops (Party City)
• Pink Plates and Pink Utensils (Party City)
• Pink /White Polka Dot Napkins (Party City)
• Pink cups (Party City)
• Pink/White Pearl balloons (Party City)
• Pink Garland (Party City)
• Pink Leopard/Stripe Napkins (Hobby Lobby)
• Custom Stickers with Logo and my daughter’s photos.  I used my print lab, but there are several sources online for similar products. These were placed on the cups and on the back of the cookie bags.  They were also used to seal the invitations.
• Custom smocked rocking horse bishop dress (Etsy) 

SATISFY  YOUR SWEET TOOTH {Cake and Cookies}:  I knew the cake had to feature a rocking horse, but the plan was a little ambitious.  Luckily, my talented cake maker pulled it off with ease.  Carol Fanning from Mississippi was our cake artist.  The hand-painted rocking horse and two cookies were created by The Palestine Painted Cookie in Palestine, Texas (Yes, she ships!  And yes, they are DIVINE…as well as super gorgeous)!!!

 

GIFTS FOR GUESTS: The rocking horse logo was used to create a custom applique for small pink tote bags monogrammed with each guest’s name.  Sew Much Sass made those for the party.  She just happens to be my mom, so that worked out quite well!

 

TABLESCAPE: When you fill your house with toddlers, there has to be a game plan for organized chaos, right?  I decided to have a special table for our special guests where they could have their own party in their own space.  I found three child’s folding tables (Walgreens) and covered them with burlap table cloths.  They were topped with centerpieces of fabric, tulle and ballons.  At each place setting, our guests found a pink place and a cellophane wrapped cookie.  The chairs were a mix of pink, white and gold.  Hanging on their chairs, were their gifts.

• Pink Tulle Ribbon (Hobby Lobby) used to make decorative ornaments and ties for chairs
• Pink/White Striped Fabric (local fabric store) used for kid’s table centerpiece

SAVOR THE MOMENT: As moms, we have a tendency to get all caught up in the details.  We find ourselves stressing over the smallest situations.  We have to remind ourselves to stop, and savor!  Don’t let the moment slip away.  Give the camera to a friend while you watch the sweet expressions of your little one opening gifts and squealing with delight!  Let someone else cut the cake.  Notice the smiles of close family and friends and appreciate how much your child is loved. 

I am grateful for the moments to celebrate our little blessing…not only her, but the love that surrounds her.  I can’t believe her second birthday has come and gone so quickly!  I had the best time on my quest for all things pink…lucky for me, my quest for keeping her little as long as I can won’t stop here!   Happy planning!

Blessings to you!

Candace

ABOUT CANDACE

Candace McKay is the Owner of Candace McKay Image & Design, a photography and image consulting firm in Philadelphia, Mississippi.  For more information, please visit www.candacemckayimageanddesign.com.  please www.candacemckayimageanddesign.com.