Sharing The {Minted} Love :: TWO {$50 Gift Certificates} Giveaway!

It's no secret around these parts that I love love. It's not very often that I talk about the love thang here on this blog but today I'm here to tell you all just how much I love you and how much I love Minted, the freshest designs on paper and my absolute favorite of favorite paper companies. In fact, you may remember my first declaration of love for them here. Needless to say, I have been an avid fan of Minted and their awesome, amazing and beautiful paper products ever since I first laid eyes on their incredible designs. Since then, I've worked with them on a number of projects including but not limited to Christmas cards, business cards, mommy calling cards and most recently, Valentines. You see, Loyals. I am smitten. And I'm all about sharing the love, especially when it comes to pretty paper, impeccable work and quality customer service.   

Now, I know I can't be the only proud Mama sending out Valentine's Day cards this year, right? I'm sure I speak for many of you out there when I say that I love a great excuse to dress The Toddler up in an outfit, drag him out back and take 472 pictures of him to plaster all over a beautiful piece of pearlescent or 100% quality recycled card stock. Granted, I know some of you out there are sans child at the moment, but that doesn't mean that I'm not expecting to receive quite a few cards this February from some special furbabies/fur-nieces and fur-nephews in my life!

Not to mention those of you moms out there who are responsible for the dreaded Classroom Valentine's Day cards. Gone are the days of buying those flimsy, perforated tear-offs from the local drugstore! Does the thought alone of having to address valentines for every single member of your child's classroom cause you to break out into a cold sweat? Don't sweat it. Let Minted show your kids and all of their classroom friends just how much they mean to him! With a ridiculously cute plethora of options to choose from that are fun, whimsical, colorful and most importantly appropriate, Minted has the perfect card to stick in that construction paper mailbox. I know you know exactly what I'm talking about... Here are just a few of my favorites and you can't beat their price! Fun classroom valentines starting at $16 for 15!

little monster classroom valentine

roarin wishes classroom valentine

handmade heart classroom valentine

Be sure to note these classroom valentines are specifically made to be handed out. They are too small to be sent through the US Postal Service. Printed on luxe paper and 100% customizable, these classroom valentine's day cards are the perfect way for your child to celebrate with his and her classmates!

I cannot wait to share with you all this year's Minted Valentine from the M Family but until our cards go out, it must be kept a great secret. Instead, I'll share with you some of my other favorite designs! You know, just in case you need help choosing which Minted valentine you'll be sending out. I mean, isn't that what I'm here for?

doodle words valentine

all you need is valentine

cupid's arrow valentine

Okay, fine. So maybe valentines aren't your thing. Perhaps you prefer to be a bit more private when it comes to sharing the love. If so, then you must consider indulging in one of Minted's beautiful journals. Specifically their Valentine's/Love journals. 

Once again, completely customizable, you can add a custom interior to include photos and a detailed message inside each of their journals.  Each journal also comes with your choice of 40 lined or unlined pages. It's truly the perfect little place to jot down a quick love note, perhaps a sketch or even a list of qualities you're seeking in that perfect mate!

So, Loyals. Have you decided which Minted valentine you'll be personalizing this February? Better yet, have I told you lately just how much I love you? 

Let's just say I love you enough to partner with the fine and fabulous folks at Minted and give away not one but TWO $50 gift certificates to their amazing store. Yes, you read that correctly! Come Friday morning I will be choosing TWO, yes TWO lucky Loyals and presenting them with the awesome prize at hand. 

All you need to do? Use the Rafflecopter Widget below to enter. And don't forget to tell someone (heck, even me) just how much you love them this Valentine's Day! I certainly can't think of a better way to do so than by sending a Minted valentine! ;)

Just Ducky Originals {C's Awesome Pirate Shortall Details}

Let me start off by saying have you ever seen anything cuter? And for once, Loyals, I am not talking about the child. I am talking about the Just Ducky Originals Reversible Shortall he's sporting. I am so in love with Carter's new shortall that I could go on and on and on about just how much I love and adore it. And that's exactly what I'm about to do. Mostly because it's only fair that I share with you the amazing company that's responsible for the cuteness. 

When Just Ducky Originals reached out to me inquiring as to whether or not I would be interested in reviewing a piece of their incredible children's clothing, I pretty much had to stifle my excitement with every fiber of my being as I immediately responded to the Asheville, North Carolina email.

With just a quick glance through their Spring '12 preview I was smitten. The pages of their Spring catalog are chock full of classic children's clothing, preppy fabrics, coastal colors, adorable kid prints and most importantly? Quality product. 

It is evident that Just Ducky Originals is all about timeless, quality, classic and custom children's clothing. Exactly what I look for when dressing my handsome little toddler boy. 

I had the pleasure of working with a few members of their incredible customer service team and I have to admit that once I finally decided upon an item, a custom item at that, (believe me, there are way too many cute things to choose from), everyone was so easy to work with. Patient, friendly and always willing to go out of their way to make sure both Carter and I were satisfied with the result of our order!

One of the great things that I immediately loved about Just Ducky Originals is the ability to create a one-of-a-kind custom piece of clothing. This means that not only do you get to pick the style of the item, but also the fabric, the colors, the patterns and any specific applique or personalization that may tickle your fancy. You literally get to design your child's clothing down to every last little detail. We're talking right down to even the ricrac and buttons! It's almost as if you're working with your extremely talented Granny who's making each of your child's custom clothing pieces with the utmost love and care. 

And let's not even talk about how ridiculously cute and amazing their Just Ducky Originals designs are! I could be here all day. I cannot encourage you enough to visit their website and check out their catalog. With so many styles to choose from, I can guarantee you'll want one of everything! From Capris, Dresses, Bubbles, Bloomers, Overall to Swimsuits, and more!

I was dying to show you a picture of the reversible side of Carter's shortall, but when I politely asked him if I could turn his shortall inside out, this was the face I was met with. You'll have to believe me when I tell you that the inner navy madras fabric is just as cute as the outer seersucker! Two outfits for the price of one. You just can't beat that, Loyals!

Before I share even more adorable pictures of Carter in his new shortall, I also need to tell you about an incredible opportunity with Just Ducky Originals, one that I am eager to get involved with. Just Ducky Originals offers us Moms an incredible opportunity to get involved with the selling of Just Ducky Originals products in the form of their Home Shows Program.

Moms are offered the chance to hold trunk shows comfortably in their homes and receive discounts and rewards to use towards their very own sweet Just Ducky Original purchases. 

Some of the incredible benefits of joining the Home Shows Program include the following:  

1.  Earn cash commission and a 40% discount on your clothing purchase.
2.  Just Ducky Collections include affordable cotton knit Essentials lines from sizes 6 months to 7/8 so every child in your house and their friends can look just as adorable!
3.  Easy-to-use training materials will help you make your Just Ducky Home Shows successful as ever!
4.  Consultants have access to an online design page where you can show your customers what specific garments will look like in different fabrics.
5.  Last but not least, if you become an Area Consultant and manage other consultants you can earn both cash commission on all parties and a 40% discount on your clothing purchase.

Too busy to be a consultant but want a little “bonus?” You can simply host a home show and earn 10% clothing credit based on your sales!

Interested? Click here to check out their Home Shows Program information page and read information on how to become a Consultant, Area Consultant and even find local shows in your area! 

Don't let his face fool you, Loyals. Carter is just as in love with his brand new Just Ducky Originals shortall as I am. In fact, we've already sat down and picked out the next few pieces that we plan to welcome into our Spring and Summer wardrobe. Want a sneak peek? Here's what you'll soon find in Carter's closet: 

Be sure to like Just Ducky Originals on Facebook and stay up to date with their latest and greatest children's wear! Not to mention if you're extra lucky, you may even catch a fantastic flash sale or two! 

Thank you so much for your adorable, incredible, affordable and classic children's clothes, Just Ducky Originals! We cannot wait to add to our collection! 

Happy Shopping, Loyals!

It's Time For Sass and Open Letters.

Dear People Who Insist On Proclaiming, "Wow, And You're Already So Big!" 
  
  I get it. I have a belly. I am nearly 19 weeks pregnant. Yes, there is a child in there. No, I will never be one of those mothers who winds up on TLC's "I Didn't Even Know I Was Pregnant," because the second I peed on that stick? I got a belly. Do you not remember the 9lbs. 10oz. man-child that I gave birth to in 2010? I get it. Please. Now shut your face before I tell you how big I think YOU look. 


         Love and Hugs, 
                  AP





Dear Toddler, 


  Remember that day (Monday) where you climbed out of your crib and walked down an entire flight (12) and a half (6) stairs to surprise Mommy while she worked on the computer? Please don't do that again. Mommy doesn't need to know what it feels like to have a heart attack at twenty-eight. I sure hope you weren't playing in the toilet either. 


          Your Big Boy Bed Arrives Next Week, 
                  Your Mother






Dear Husband, 


  If you'd ever like to sleep with a sane woman again (I'm speaking about myself, your wife here, so to avoid any confusion), our child will be sleeping in a Big Boy Bed by next week. Don't worry, I already ordered the bedding off of Pottery Barn Kids. And yes, it already arrived. I'm about to pull the trigger on the bed, too. 


           Pregnancy, Heart Attacks and Grey Hair Do Not Suit Me, 
                  Your Loving Wife






Dear Victoria's Secret, 


  Please replenish your stock of adorable cotton pajama sets. Blissdom is coming up and I'm pretty sure my roommates don't need to see me wearing my husband's ratty (and inappropriate) fraternity t-shirts to bed. Remember, I need to make a good impression on these folks and a T-shirt bearing the phrase "We (picture of a screw), We (picture of a nut), We (picture of a bolt) does not scream, "nice little girl from Maryland."


            Jennifer and Whit Will Love Me More, 
                  AP






Dear Makers of Heath Toffee Bits, 

  Please don't ever discontinue these delicious bits of toffee-heaven. Perhaps, however, you may want to include a large straw with your bags as to facilitate their movement more quickly from the bag to my mouth. 


             Your Loyal Devour-er of Bits, 
                   Pregnant AP 

So, What's Carter Thinking? Caption Contest.

For those of you who are new to these parts, this past June I launched a little passion of mine. It's called little joys. photography and it allows me to do more of what I love. Capture your life's little joys. Recently, little joys. and I have been partnering with various retail companies for vendor shoots. This means companies will send me (ahem, Carter) clothes and accessories in exchange for professionally edited pictures for them to use for marketing/sales. Really, it's a win-win and I'm so happy to have connected with so many amazing companies in doing so.

Yesterday's session was a little different. An incredible smocking company from Asheville, North Carolina reached out me and asked if I would be interested in reviewing a children's garment on my blog. Was The Toddler born a man-child? Heck yes, I'll review your  adorable children's clothing! And as soon as the garment arrived, I set out to capture Carter wearing his new threads. 

I attempted to capture these photos after a morning FULL of "modeling" various t-shirts and shorts for an upcoming vendor's Facebook auction. Needless to say, I may or may not have pushed my limits. What do you think?

You tell me. What's Carter thinking?

The Husband and I can't wait to read your thoughts. I have a feeling I may even pee my pants a little from laughing so hard. Who knows, we may or may not even gift the funniest commentor a little something, something for their efforts!
Happy Wednesday, Loyals!

Because We All Love A Good Party.... Showering The Bride!

I adore my future SIL. In fact, we're kind of the same person, albeit she is the blonder, slightly younger and way more athletic version of my former non-mom self. In fact, we even went to the same all-girls high school together back in Hometown, New Jersey. And now? She's about to marry my youngest brother-in-law. I mean, do we have great taste in men or what? 

I am so honored to be standing with her as her Matron of Honor in her upcoming New Jersey nuptials and as her MOH, I fulfilled one of my matronly duties this past weekend as I planned and hosted the first of her two bridal showers. It wouldn't have been possible without this girl, my other SIL and fellow New Jersey-ite. As a matter of fact, she even acted as my very own sister-wife, staying over the night before the shower to help with last minute details, prep and set-up. 

So, how did it go? Just fabulous, if you ask me. I had such a blast planning the small details- everything from the decor to the favors to the food. And thanks to Pinterest, it was fairly easy and tons of fun!

From colorful pennant banners to beautiful fresh carnations and a personalized burlap wreath... 

... to the delicious French Butter cake ordered from a nearby bakery, adorable mason jar cupcake favors (my favorite!) and delicious chocolate-dipped pretzel rods...

... and even personal self-serve crudites... 

...the bride was thrilled and so incredibly thankful that so many of us came together to shower her that day. Isn't she gorgeous?

The bride also happens to be C's godmother and he absolutely adores her. Don't get me wrong, I'm super excited for her to marry my little brother-in-law but I cannot WAIT for them to start having babies of their own! And word has it that my BIL wants quite the gaggle of little kiddies in future! 

As hectic as it was to plan and pull together an event at my home while 4.5 months pregnant, wrangling The Toddler and during a weekend where The Husband was off galavanting with The Bachelor and his friends, I'm so glad that it came together the way that it did and I can only hope the Bride could feel how loved and adored she is! 
Between C's Carnival Themed First Birthday and KL's Bridal Shower, perhaps a touch of Party Planning is in my future? 
HA... How about I just have this second baby, first...