Just like Mommies!

My grandmother was a firm believer that every little girl needed two things, nice shoes, and a string of pearls. Mind you when I was a little girl I refused to wear shoes, at least if it involved socks, and forget pearls as you could usually find me chasing some poor toad around the back yard.

I think as an adult Ive been making up for my lack of girlishness as a child and pearls were one of the first pieces of real jewelry I ever owned as an adult. I'm actually quiet jealous of the selection of little girl's pearls over at Moon River Pearls.

The one thing I do not have is a pair of white pearls, and I've always wanted a pair of white "tin cup" pearls. Which is a set of white pearls strung together with silver spacers. They were recently made popular by a movie with the same name, but I never saw it I just like the look. Moon River Pearls actually offers several variations on the "tin cup" look including a really nice set of white ones for only $78.00 which is a steal.

Though if your looking for a great gift for a little girl in your life, they offer the same "tin cup" style in pink for little girls at only $33.60 you can afford to give any little girl on your gift list her own pair of pearls!

I found the perfect necklace for myself over there as well, its simular to a tin cup necklace but instead it uses flat pearls on three strands. The triple strand coin pearl necklace would be just at home around your neck at a casual dinner in a tank top and skirt as it would be at a wedding. If anyone is looking to buy me a birthday present they know exactly where to find one. heh.

Shipping is always free at Moon River Pearls and all of their necklaces and earrings come with a free gift box.

Moon River Pearls was gracious enough to send us a pair of pink children's earrings to give away to one lucky reader.

To enter :

• Leave a comment on this post. Check out Moon River Pearls website and tell me what piece of jewelry is your favorite other than what we listed in our review!
  
• No "i want to win" stuff without a little effort (and I do mean little!)
• Make sure there is a way for me to contact you - if your email address is not on your profile or you are not a blogger you may leave it in your comment or email it to me directly (angelaandconnor at gmail dot com) We have had to disqualify a lot of potential winners as of late as many people do not have emails available in their profiles or leave anonymous posts without any way to contact you.
• Please US entries only.
• To get extra credit :
• For an extra entry :
• Bloggers - Blog about this contest and leave me the link on your comment, or add me to your sidebar and let me know its there.
• Non Bloggers (or bloggers) subscribe to my mailing list/RSS feed and earn another entry!
• One extra credit per person. Please post your extra credit in a separate post.
• This contest will end August 31st at midnight!

A gift that will touch any mom..

Baby Emi's jewelry for moms and babies is exactly the sort of thing I have in mind when it comes to gifts from the heart. When I was younger I used to wonder why mom's got all teary eyed over badly done artwork or that awful birthstone jewelry they sell at the mall, which for the record I still think is awful but I at least understand now the purpose.

I think every mom wants to hang on to the good moments and have something even if its small to remind them of what it really means to be a mom. For those of you that thought mom jewelry had to be frumpy (or encrusted with thousands of little birthstones) are totally off. Baby Emi's jewelry collection for moms, babies, little girls, and even grandmothers are stunningly gorgeous and the hand stamped jewelry especially has that sort of a modern flair that I really appreciate.

I really wanted something that would stand out.. and scream to the world that that gorgeous little creature running around at my feet screaming like a banshee was indeed mine. Something that would be beautiful now, but something I would want to wear twenty years from now. So I gave my brilliant idea for a necklace to Debbie, the owner and designer over at Baby Emi, and she thought it was a good idea as well. I decided to ask for the demi circle necklace, but instead of just having Connor's name or birth date on the necklace I really wanted to mark my claim as a mom. I ended up requesting a custom sterling silver Demi Circle Infinity Necklace with the most important phrase thus far in my life : Mom * To * Connor. Why? Well because that is the defining moment of my life thus far, being a mom, his mom. I also couldn't resist and ended up adding some amethyst demi stones to it as that's my favorite color and stone. Its really pretty and I feel so proud to wear it. If anyone asks who Connor is I gleefully point at the raging screaming lunatic running manically through whatever place we are at and beam with pride.

Speaking of children running around in public. Have you ever wanted a really stylish way to keep track of your toddler in a crowed store or a public event. I'm not sure about you guys but I haven't quite gotten to the point yet that I'm willing to put a leash or a tracking device on Connor though that day may come, but I've joked on several occasions about putting a bell around his neck so I can find him in the chance that he runs off in that half second that I blink. Well now you can literally put that bell around your toddler's leg (or arm) and keep track of them as well as add a really beautiful accessory to your child's wardrobe. For generations Cambodian mothers have been using jingle ankles on their children, as a way to ward of evil spirits and a really gorgeous way to keep track of that running toddler as they go running down the isles at your local toy store too. I have yet to loose Connor in a store, but there has been many a family event where I've had to track him down between our huge family and my cousin's large house sometimes he ends up in places he shouldn't be and I'm stuck trying to find him in a sea of kids. We did test out the anklet and I could indeed track him all over the house and he had the best time stomping around making it jingle.

I've got a coupon code for 10% off any purchase at Baby Emi. Use the code SDB10 and while your at it tell Debbie I said Hi! We just love her.

I absolutely adore my necklace from Baby Emi and I really want to share this anklet with one of my readers. It comes in a cute little gift bag and is ready to make a little person's day. It is adjustable so it will fit babies to a very large toddler and it also fits my wrist with no problem as well so you could use it as a bracelet even after they outgrow it as an anklet. Sterling Silver and adorned with eleven beautiful little bells which jingle as you walk or move.

To enter :

• Leave a comment on this post. Check out Baby Emi's product line and tell me piece is your favorite and how would you customize it.
  
• No "i want to win" stuff without a little effort (and I do mean little!)
• Make sure there is a way for me to contact you - if your email address is not on your profile or you are not a blogger you may leave it in your comment or email it to me directly (angelaandconnor at gmail dot com) We have had to disqualify a lot of potential winners as of late as many people do not have emails available in their profiles or leave anonymous posts without any way to contact you.
• Please US entries only.
• To get extra credit :
• For an extra entry :
• Bloggers - Blog about this contest and leave me the link on your comment, or add me to your sidebar and let me know its there.
• Non Bloggers (or bloggers) subscribe to my mailing list/RSS feed and earn another entry!
• One extra credit per person. Please post your extra credit in a separate post.
• This contest will end July 31st at midnight!

OO! I already know what I am making everyone for christmas!!

There is something about handmade items that makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. To be brutally honest with the prices of things going up all the time and a LARGE family to buy for, handmade is one of the most cost effective gifts I can give. Cost effective or not, I'm pretty sentimental and a really thoughtful handmade gift is, at least for myself, more powerful than any store bought gift.

Little Windows offers the most fabulous photo jewelry kit. I'm a sucker for personalized anything especially mom jewelry and at almost $80 a necklace it gets expensive if you want to update your photo necklace every time you get a new great photo. Well, if your feeling a little crafty why not make them yourself? I promise if I can do it, you can!

The Little Windows Photo Jewelry Kit includes everything you need to make THREE necklaces, and will get you started towards making your own photo magnets as well! I am so making everyone a photo magnet of Connor for Christmas! As well as photo necklaces you can use the kits to make beautiful washi paper necklaces, bead design necklaces, or really anything you can think of and will fit in the mold tray you can encase in resin for save keeping! Do you think it would be terribly gross if I used the kit to house Connor's first lost teeth? Seriously I think that would make the coolest magnet! (no no.. I'm not so weird as to make them into a necklace.. or am I?). You could even use the kit to make key chains, bracelets, or whatever your little heart desires.

If you run out of supplies or need more photo paper you can just refill directly from Little Windows. She even stocks the cutest little gift boxes to display your finished creations! If you want more advanced tools or more resin trays she has those as well in all sorts of shapes and sizes.

I just need to find the time to start some projects, though I'm a little scared I will find this too addicting and end up having to make one for every picture Connor ever takes... ah well! I'm going to need a TON more of the special paper!

Little Windows's products including their necklace kits are available directly from their website.

Little Windows sent over an extra necklace kit for one lucky reader! Whoever gets this kit is super lucky as its personally one of my favorite crafty things Ive seen this year!


To enter :

• Leave a comment on this post. Head on over to Little Windows and check out all the great projects you can make with your kit as well as her custom made pieces and supplies. Then tell me if you could have anything you wanted what would you buy from her store!
  
• No "i want to win" stuff without a little effort (and I do mean little!)
• Make sure there is a way for me to contact you - if your email address is not on your profile or you are not a blogger you may leave it in your comment or email it to me directly (angelaandconnor at gmail dot com) We have had to disqualify a lot of potential winners as of late as many people do not have emails available in their profiles or leave anonymous posts without any way to contact you.
• Please US entries only.
• To get extra credit :
• For an extra entry :
• Bloggers - Blog about this contest and leave me the link on your comment, or add me to your sidebar and let me know its there.
• Non Bloggers (or bloggers) subscribe to my mailing list/RSS feed and earn another entry!
• One extra credit per person. Please post your extra credit in a separate post.
• This contest will end July 7th at midnight!

Mother's day alert!! Give her a wearable piece of art!

I certainly do.. but I need two little birdies of my own as currently I only have one..

Allison Strine Designs offers some beautiful and funky necklaces, artwork, magnets and more that truely define the joy of being a mom.

Personally my favorite is the "Every little boy she loves is magic." pendant and I love the little story she includes of her son. I can't wait till Connor is talking so we can share our ideas and giggle together, that pendant really reminds me of that.

Though not all of Allison's pieces are mom's only she also offers great pendants that really speak to women. I really love her "Candy Corn is her favorite!" pendant. Who ever said candy corn is NOT a veggie is seriously mistaken!!

Perfect for mother's day.. or just anytime. You're sure to find something in Allison's etsy store that really will speak to the mom in you!

Allison sent me the "Every little boy she loves is magic." pendant and in honor of mother's day I'm going to give it away to one of my readers. *sniff* I hope someone special out there gets it as a gift!

To enter :

• Leave a comment on this post. Check out Allison Strine Designs and check out all her great stuff Come back here and tell us which design really speaks to you.. and why.
  
• No "i want to win" stuff without a little effort (and I do mean little!)
• Make sure there is a way for me to contact you - if your email address is not on your profile or you are not a blogger you may leave it in your comment or email it to me directly (angelaandconnor at gmail dot com) We have had to disqualify a lot of potential winners as of late as many people do not have emails available in their profiles or leave anonymous posts without any way to contact you.
• Please US entries only.
• To get extra credit :
• For an extra entry :
• Bloggers - Blog about this contest and leave me the link on your comment, or add me to your sidebar and let me know its there.
• Non Bloggers (or bloggers) subscribe to my mailing list/RSS feed and earn another entry!
• One extra credit per person. Please post your extra credit in a separate post.
• This contest will end May 10th at midnight!

Sher's Wares update and giveaway!

I got an email earlier today from Sher over at Sher's Wares! She was so excited about her review that she graciously donated a $30 gift certificate to her boutique to one lucky reader!

To visit the original review check it out here!

To enter :

• Leave a comment on this post. Go check out Sher's Wares and and check out all of her great bracelets and kits. Come back here and tell us how you would spend the $30 gift certificate if you won!
  
• No "i want to win" stuff without a little effort (and I do mean little!)
• Make sure there is a way for me to contact you - if your email address is not on your profile or you are not a blogger you may leave it in your comment or email it to me directly (angelaandconnor at gmail dot com) We have had to disqualify a lot of potential winners as of late as many people do not have emails available in their profiles or leave anonymous posts without any way to contact you.
• Please US entries only.
• To get extra credit :
• For an extra entry :
• Bloggers - Blog about this contest and leave me the link on your comment, or add me to your sidebar and let me know its there.
• Non Bloggers (or bloggers) subscribe to my mailing list/RSS feed and earn another entry!
• One extra credit per person. Please post your extra credit in a separate post.
• This contest will end April 23nd at midnight!

Every little girl loves sparkles

I had seen Sher's Wares Bracelets advertised before I agreed to do this review, and honestly though they look adorable I've had some bad luck with bracelet makers in the past using low quality beads and I never really gave her a second thought until now.

WOW, when the bracelet arrived every bad experience I have had in the past is a thing of the past. I got the most beautiful delicate pink bracelet that even my mom tried to steal it when she came to visit last time. The beads are perfect and her craftsmanship is excellent. I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am with this bracelet! For an average of about $20 a bracelet (depending on the options) when I say they are worth every penny, that is almost an understatement.

Thought all her bracelets are beautiful I have to say I am particularly fond of the crystal bracelets.

Her bracelets are a great gift, keepsake, and are more than sturdy enough to wear everyday. She even has an online tutorial on how to make your own bracelet as well as kits that not only save you money but you can tell your daughter, granddaughter, or niece, about how you made that gorgeous bracelet they are wearing all by yourself.

Sher has sent over a coupon code as well. Use the word special in the voucher box on your order form and get 10% off on any order at Sher's Wares. Shipping is always free!

My first family heirloom!

I remember fantasizing about having a locket like this one when I was little with a picture of my parents to keep with me all the time. I always had this thought if I somehow lost them, I could use the locket to find them.

At least in my opinion a locket is the quintessential heirloom, I wear mine with a picture of Connor and one day when Connor is older or I have a daughter I will give them the same locket with a good picture of me (if such a thing exists!) I have to hope that one day my own daughter, granddaughter or great granddaughter would wear that same locket with a picture of her own baby in it... how perfect would that be.

The Fine Art of Family offers some of the prettiest and classically designed lockets I've seen. This simple half locket is affordable and so beautiful. Getting the pictures in is fairly simple as there is just small opening in the top that the pictures just slide into. The only problem I had at all was getting the picture small enough and centered to my liking (I'm a bit of a crazy perfectionist when it comes to things like that!!). The locket itself is available in silver as well as 18k white gold and comes on a 16 inch chain to bring the locket down hear "heart level". I commonly wear mine out on display and sometimes tuck it in under my shirt and layer it with other jewelry as especially when Connor is spending the weekends with his grandparents I just want to know he is there, encase I just have to sneak a peak. He may not get homesick yet but I certainly miss him when he is gone even just a few minutes!

I love my half locket but I'm saving to get the Round Hand Engraved Locket as well. A full locket, it has this extra scroll work around the pictures that is sooo beautiful. Along with lockets they also offer a great selection of locket charm bracelets as well!

Any of the lockets at The Fine Art of Family would bring any mother to tears on Mother's Day!

The Fine Art of Family is giving away a Round Signature Half Floral Locket in silver to one of my readers just in time for Mother's Day!

To enter :

• Leave a comment on this post. Go check out The Fine Art of Family and let us know which necklace or bracelet you love most!
  
• No "i want to win" stuff without a little effort (and I do mean little!)
• Make sure there is a way for me to contact you - if your email address is not on your profile or you are not a blogger you may leave it in your comment or email it to me directly (angelaandconnor at gmail dot com) We have had to disqualify a lot of potential winners as of late as many people do not have emails available in their profiles or leave anonymous posts without any way to contact you.
• Please US entries only.
• To get extra credit :
• For an extra entry :
• Bloggers - Blog about this contest and leave me the link on your comment, or add me to your sidebar and let me know its there.
• Non Bloggers (or bloggers) subscribe to my mailing list/RSS feed and earn another entry!
• One extra credit per person. Please post your extra credit in a separate post.
• This contest will end April 30th at midnight!

The one thing that comes to mind when I think of "girlie"

When I was growing up I was an avid tomboy, needless to say as an adult sometimes I feel as if I missed out on all the "girlie" stuff.

Lisa Leonard's designs are to me the definition of "girlie" soo pretty and thoughtfully designed its hard to pick a favorite.

I've actually been drooling over this pendant from the moment I saw it.. beautiful and I think every Mom out there will appreciate the quote. I have to admit I am a sucker now that I am a mom for anything involving my love for Connor. A sappy book, movie, or even commercial these days will bring me to tears. I feel that way about this pendant too. (How sad is that?! lol)

Every piece in Lisa's collection is handmade and many of them are customizable with your own quote or names. If I had a bigger family, I'd really want to honor them with the family tree necklace. Hopefully one day I'll have a few more names to add to mine!

If your looking for the perfect baby shower gift or even first birthday gift Lisa offers the prettiest little spoons that you can customize with the child's name and birthday if you wish!

One lucky lady will be walking away with her own Lisa Leonard necklace for her very own. I have one Sparkle necklace to give away to one of my readers! It would make a great mother's day present too!

If you want your own Lisa Leonard necklace or want to talk to her about customizing one of her designs head on over to her blog and check out her great designs as well as the beautiful pictures she posts of her family.

To enter :

• Leave a comment on this post. Go check out Lisa Leonard's blog and tell us which design is your favorite!
  
• No "i want to win" stuff without a little effort (and I do mean little!)
• Make sure there is a way for me to contact you - if your email address is not on your profile or you are not a blogger you may leave it in your comment or email it to me directly (angelaandconnor at gmail dot com) We have had to disqualify a lot of potential winners as of late as many people do not have emails available in their profiles or leave anonymous posts without any way to contact you.
• Please US entries only.
• To get extra credit :
• For an extra entry :
• Bloggers - Blog about this contest and leave me the link on your comment, or add me to your sidebar and let me know its there.
• Non Bloggers (or bloggers) subscribe to my mailing list/RSS feed and earn another entry!
• One extra credit per person. Please post your extra credit in a separate post.
• This contest will end April 12th at midnight!

Jewelry Review : Kathy Lo Rocks

I'm a sentimental nut.. I wont lie, and when I saw the photo necklaces at Kathy Lo Rocks, I knew I HAD to have one.

You can choose between several diffrent sized charms, as well as silver, vermeil or gold. The charms can be used on necklaces, bracelets, or really any way you want you wish as well as you can buy them with or without the necklace or bracelet. So really no matter what your budget you can find something that will suit you.

All of the charms are double sided so you could get two diffrent pictures or you can choose a picture on one side and a design on the other side. I jokingly refer to Connor as "monkey legs" so I went with a monkey pattern on one side and Connor on the other side. I have rarely taken it off since!

They are 100% water proof so bathing, swimming, and showers are Aok with your photo charms (I have tested all but the swimming aspect and we have no leaks to report). My only real qualm is I love my charm so much I wish I would have spent the extra money and gotten a bigger charm! Everyone always is trying to look at my necklace and I'd love to show my baby off even more!!

For those fellas out there.. you can buy no better gift than a necklace with the picture of a mom's baby on it.. or even for those without babies.. a dog necklace would be divine or even one of a parent or grandparent!

Want one for yourself?
Head on over to Kathy Lo Rocks and check out all the great options!!

Jewelry Review : Smart Mom Teething Bling & GIVEAWAY!!

I honestly am not 100% sure how to classify this one... Jewelry, Baby Gadet, Baby Toy.. its all of the above.

They look like stone donuts from afar, soo pretty, soo stylish.. but up close they are the best jewelry invention for mom's EVER. My son LOVES my jewelry but I spend most of the time saying "no.. Noo.. NOO" when he attempts to eat my necklaces, earrings, bracelets (you name it) so I have pretty much gone to wearing either chokers or none at all. Finally now I can be stylish and he can be safe!

Made of totally safe teething material your baby is safe to chew away. Not to mention if they get dirty you can just pop them in the dishwasher (remove the cord first on the necklaces). The cord comes with a breakaway clasp so if your little one gets a little overzealous you don't have to worry about getting choked to death by an anxious toddler!

Along with the pendants they also come in bangles (which personally are my favorite!) Ive been wearing my bangle around town and its so nice to be able to take it off and hand it to him in a baby freak out emergency. If it hits the floor or gets especially slimy I just pop it in the dishwasher with my normal load when I get home.

There is a color to match any wardrobe and the price is very reasonable! A necklace/bangle set goes for $28 or you can buy the pieces individually.

Visit SmartMom for more options!

SmartMom is giving away TWO pendant/bangle sets to my readers. I have a turquoise donut with bangle and a lavender heart with bangle!

To enter :

• Leave a comment on this post. Go visit SmartMom and tell me which product/color you like best. Also if you have a preference of our two prizes let me know in the post. No "i want to win" stuff without a little effort (and I do mean little!)
  
• Make sure there is a way for me to contact you - if your email address is not on your profile or you are not a blogger you may leave it in your comment or email it to me directly (angelaandconnor at gmail dot com)
• To get extra credit :
• For an extra entry :
• Bloggers - Blog about this contest and leave me the link on your comment, or add me to your sidebar and let me know its there.
• This contest will end Feb 1st at midnight!