Gorgeous Clothing for Both Mother and Daughter from @MatildaJane435 #FashionistaEvents

Denise DeMarchis is founder and CEO of Matilda Jane Clothing (MJC). MJC started as a kitchen table startup that grew quickly into a national children's clothing business. Denise has held a passion for art and design from a very young age and has spent a decade showcasing her clothing line at regional art fairs before launching MJC.

In building MJC, Denise wanted to be able to help connect people though her designs – colorful, timeless, and playful ensembles that are age-appropriate and help reflect the personality of the child. And that connection shows in the designs MJC carries.

MJC loves to give back and is extremely generous with their random acts of kindness. As an extension of MJC’s desire to give back (such as to various children’s charities and orphanages, or the company’s pledge with Habitat for Humanity to build a home for a deserving family), the company also actively involves its customers in ongoing charitable giving efforts.

Most recently, MJC asked customers where to donate in its “Spread the Love” initiative. The annual campaign involved surprise giveaways to 100+ deserving families, as well as smaller giveaways to 300 individuals, a $50,000 expression of MJC’s heartfelt thanks to its loyal customer base.

Despite MJC’s strong online presence – nearly 60,000 Facebook fans, a thriving blog, and a website that attracts more than 70,000 unique visitors monthly, the company has bucked the trend and chosen not to have an e-commerce store. MJC sales are made directly though a Trunk Keeper, a representative who gets to know her customers personally.

The exclusive sale of clothing by Trunk Keepers is a wonderful direct selling model through which Denise is able to pay forward business opportunities for entrepreneurial women driven by creativity and relationship building.

Stay tuned for my review of the gorgeous outfits pictured in this post at the beginning of next week!

The Matilda Jane Lookbook changes every few weeks or whenever the collection is updated. Feel free to review the most current one at: http://www.matildajaneclothing.com/the-lookbook.php

And to stay up to date on the latest styles, sales, and more, check out Matilda Jane Clothing on Facebook and follow Matilda Jane on Twitter at @MatildaJane435.

Use Moo.com To Be Remembered #SeenInTheCity

While getting ready for one of the biggest blogging conferences of the year, I always make sure the one thing at the top of my list is to update my business cards. With the fluidity that is my life, my blog changes. And in this past year it has dropped the blogspot, gotten a facelift, and increased in readership (YAY for readers!).

So this year when I started to design my business cards I knew I wanted them to

A. Stand out and B. Look good

Two things that every business card needs, right?

I mean, if I were to exchange cards with you and you wanted to reach me later, you want to know who I am quickly. And with a business card that both reflects my blog and my personality, I'm more apt to be getting returned emails.

And with that I got to designing. I simply created a paint document (because I still haven't broken down and bought Photoshop AND I still haven't mastered GIMP) with the size I wanted my business cards to be. Once I had a design I liked I headed over to Moo.com and got to uploading.

Moo.com lets you not only design your cards through their system (they have a LOT of variety!) they also let you upload your own designs. So if you want to have a completely unique look you can just design them yourself. Or have your blog designer whip one up for you.

Once you're done designing your card you simply double check all of the information and Moo.com will get started printing your perfect business card.

What do you think? I was going for simple but informational. With white space. I love white space!

But that's not all Moo.com offers! 

Moo.com also has a long line of accessories and labels that will compliment any of your business card designs. In addition to my business cards, I picked up some address labels and a gorgeous leather business card holder to take with me to BlogHer'12.

I cannot wait to see what they look like!

Heading to BlogHer'12 in August? Then you'll want to take advantage of the generous offer Moo is giving to BlogHer'12 attendees. You can design 100 mini moos or 50 regular moos for free! All you have to do is pay $3 shipping and handling. And the best part? You get to pick them up at BlogHer'12 in NYC!

Design your BlogHer'12 Moo cards here!

But hurry, this offer is only good until July 28th at 11:59pm so that the good folks at Moo.com can get them printed up and shipped out.


Interested in WINNING a business card holder of your own from Moo.com? Head on over the the Noise Girls latest event, Seen in the City, and enter for your chance to win a business card holder and much, much more!

With 5 prizes all worth over $400 each you are sure to find a package you love. Your closet will thank you!



Disclaimer: I received Moo.com products for review purposes only. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. All opinions are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation.

mod. by C. Decor @modstraps {#MomMETime Sponsor Spotlight}

mod. by C. Decor is a mother and daughter owned business created by Jeannie Cheatham and Amber Clay. An avid photo enthusiast, Amber was searching for a new camera strap. All she found were low quality straps in limited basic styles and colors. She set out to create her own strap cover using her existing strap as the base. Choosing stylish fabrics in vibrant colors and textures, she began sewing on her grandmother’s old sewing machine with Jeannie’s help. The idea for a business was taking form.

I'm not sure if any of my readers noticed but I absolutely love photographing my kids. Whether it's the weekly Wordless Wednesday pictures or photos of my kids making crafts, I enjoy capturing the small and large moments we share together. So for the most part I have one or both of my cameras strapped to me at all times.

I had the pleasure of trying out a gorgeous basic camera strap for my DSLR camera in Black & Turquoise Damask. As soon as I got my package I ripped it open to test out this bad boy. Not only was the print gorgeous, but the minky backing was super soft and comfortable.

The length of the strap was a bit longer than the standard Nikon strap that came with the camera so it didn't do the funky under-the-boob thing that my Nikon strap did when I carried the camera across my chest.

Now this might sound silly but it isn't! My normal strap would place the camera right underneath my boob and armpit if I wore it across my chest as pictured below. And that is just NOT attractive! And since I'm constantly running after one kid or another when out and about I need a comfortable, secure position for my camera.

Not only is this camera strap comfy and stylish but it's a high quality, durable strap that's sure to last in this kid-friendly household.

Another item I absolutely love from mod. is their compact camera pouch and strap. Not only is it a safe place for your point and shoot camera, it's also roomy enough to throw in your cell phone to carry around when you're on the go. The minky lining protects your camera and phone at the same time! And the matching strap is just adorable. I cannot wait to share it with my mommy friends.

From camera straps, to bags, to accessories, mod. has everything a mama needs for her camera care. And the products are stylish to boot! With the amount of fabric and color choices, there's a pattern for every person and every season. And the best part? They're made in America!

So whether you're a professional photographer (like a few of my friends out there) or a parent who loves capturing the small and large moments in your child's life, check out mod. if you're in need of a camera accessory that will not only compliment your camera but your outfit too.

Want to purchase from mod. now? Just head over to their website and check out all of the great products they carry! I can't wait to order a cap saver and neck pad to really set my camera up for comfort and style.

And now through April 21 you can get a FREE cap saver ($15 value) when you purchase a Classic or Premium eco strap. Please use the code “1FREECS” when you complete your order. 

I'm excited to announce that mod. is sponsoring my Mom ME Time giveaway prize and is offering one lucky reader a $35 gift card on their website!

Keep in touch with mod. and like them on facebook or follow them on twitter. And make sure to head back to the Simmworks Family Blog for your chance to WIN a gift card to mod. in the Mom ME Time Giveaway Hop on April 22nd.

 Disclaimer: I received a mod. basic camera strap and compact camera pouch and strap for review purposes only. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.  

The Sweets Fairy Easter Goodies {#tiskettasket Sponsor Spotlight}

 One of my favorite stores to buy sweets for my loved ones is The Sweets Fairy Bakeshop. I've featured them on this blog before and absolutely love their products! Jeanna puts her heart and soul into everything she makes and it shows in the quality and flavor of per products.

This Easter Jeanna has created some amazingly awesome sweets that would make the perfect addition to any Easter basket (including my own!). Take a look at her Easter specials!

Easter Gift Basket (Assorted Chocolates - $25)

Easter Themed Cake Pops (1 Dozen - $18)

Easter Bunny Chocolate Boxes (2qty - $12)

Easter Chocolate Covered Oreos (1 Dozen - $18)

Chocolate Covered Easter Marshmallows (4qty - $15)

In addition to these fabulous Easter goodies, The Sweets Fairy Bakeshop is hosting an Easter egg hunt in each of her shops! Plus, when you use code sweet30 you can take 30% off your order (for a limited time).

Announcing The Sweets Fairy Bakeshop's 1st Annual Easter Egg Hunt!!! 

It's very simple... just find the "Happy Easter" graphic located on one of the bakeshop's Facebook pages, Luulla or Etsy shop listing pages, or the main website pages & then contact The Sweets Fairy with the page or link to the page you found it on and you'll receive a prize!!!

Prizes include: free shipping, 5-15% off purchase, sample goodie bag & more!!!

In order to enter you must be following the the bakeshop on Twitter or "like" the bakeshop's Facebook page.

So spring into action, the hunt starts now &ends at midnight on Friday, March 31st. You don't want to miss out on the sweet prizes! And the more you find the sweeter prize you get!

Giveaway Information

The Sweets Fairy Bakeshop is a sponsor of my A Tisket A Tasket prize basket and will be contributing to both my parent prize basket and child's prize basket.


For the kids basket, Jeana will send one winner a stuffed bunny, 2 chocolate lollipops, 1 Easter shaped chocolate dipped crispy treat, 1 small bag of chocolate bunnies, 1 Easter shaped chocolate covered marshmallow, and 2 Easter themed chocolate covered oreos.  

And for the adults basket, one winner will receive a small assortment of chocolate covered pretzels (rods, twisted, peanut butter filled nuggets), small bag of chocolate drizzled caramel popcorn, and one delicious chocolate covered caramel apple.

The perfect addition to you and your little one's Easter baskets! So stay tuned for the A Tisket, A Tasket event post coming up April 8th. Your chance to enter the giveaway for these awesome prizes will be posted then.

 

I Like Book {#tiskettasket Sponsor Spotlight}

Does it make you feel awesome when people tell you things they "like" about YOU?

Imagine how great it would have felt when you were growing up to have had your very own "like" book.

The "i like" book series is amazingly powerful yet simple! They are creatively designed so each child has their own "like" book and the adults in their life write "like" statements in their book.

When we received our "i like" book (in green for my son and red for my daughter) I was eager and excited to give a copy to my son for his birthday at the end of February. I quickly wrote in it the date we were starting and since the first of March I've written at least one like a day in his book to share with him. We've also become more verbal about our likes as well.

When I kiss him goodnight and read him a bedtime story we end with our like of the day. And he tells us what he likes about his day as well as what he likes about us. It's a feel good way to end our day and we all seem a little less frazzled as we head to bed. 

When my son wakes up he goes to his book and asks me to read what it says. He goes back to previous days and repeats what I've told him I liked and he remembers what good he's accomplished over the past month. I love how positive he is about what he's doing and what he's learning. I know that this book is helping us communicate as a family and I am appreciative of that.

I can't wait to start sharing our likes for our daughter in a few months.

The "i like" book isn't just for kids. The "i like" book for couples (couples share a book) is now available and is bringing peace and happiness to couples everywhere. I can't wait to order a copy for me and my husband.

The "i like" book is back to the basics approach that swims upstream against the current of this fast-paced world. The "i like" books are immediately impactful and forever cherished.

Giveaway Event Information | Where to Buy

To find out more about the i like book check out their Facebook page or follow the i like book on twitter. Check out their blog for great tips and tricks for incorporating the book's message into every day life even more.

To purchase the i like book go here. 

Enter to win the i like book for your child (a $19.95 ARV) in the A Tisket, A Tasket spring giveaway hop that runs from April 8th to April 22nd. You won't want to miss out on the amazing packages I'll be giving away so make sure to come back and enter!

Disclaimer: I received an i like book for each of my children for review purposes only. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Changing Diapers by Kelly Wels {#FluffyXmas Sponsor Spotlight}

I want to start out by saying how much I wished Changing Diapers existed when I first started cloth diapering. The only information I had was a very resourceful message board and a few internet sites. Nothing all in the same place and nothing as straight forward as this book. But after reading through it I've found a new love for cloth. Kelly Wels has really done an amazing job encompassing the world that is cloth diapering.

I'm so excited to be able to have this book available to give to friends who are interested in cloth diapering but need more information. I've had quite a few friends ask for cloth diapering resources and always have to email multiple links about different types of diapers and options. Now I just have to ship this book to them and I'm set! I still love having my friends over to show them exactly how cloth diapers work because I'm a visual learner but having this book as a resource for questions they may have at a later time is so great. This will be my staple baby shower gift from now on.

The best part about the book is it's simplicity and size. It's not overwhelming at all. And it's broken down quite nicely into different chapters that flow nicely. Plus you get extra tips and stories along the way to keep you entertained while you learn (don't you wish we had those in the text books in school?). And an added bonus? One of the diapering chapters is titled "Daddies and Diapers." How perfect is that? Cloth diapering is not just for mamas. Dads need to get involved too. My husband can wash cloth diapers and knows how to put on and use them too. He isn't as good at the folding and putting away part but I can do that. Getting dads involved in the process only makes it easier on both parents.

Kelly's research is extensive and she didn't just stop at one or two diapers or diaper shops. She reviewed and polled many, many cloth diapering mamas, stores and manufacturers. She not only went to the experts who make cloth diapers, she went to moms and dads who are using cloth diapers already. The information and research is put in a simple, easy to read form that even a sleep deprived mother or father can read and comprehend.

Purchase The Book and Giveaway Information

You can buy a copy of Changing Diapers on Kelly Wels' site or on Amazon here (affiliate links). And you can find out more about sales and awesome information by checking out Changing Diapers on facebook and twitter. You can also follow Kelly Wels on twitter and facebook. She is an awesome resource and is super friendly too.

Kelly Wels has been kind enough to include one Fuzzibunz diaper in my Merry Fluffy Christmas giveaway package. The diaper will also come with a super cute "I'm a hip mom and love cloth diapers" temporary tattoo. The tattoo is even eco-friendly! So make sure to come back to this blog from December 1st through December 5th for your chance to enter this awesome giveaway!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of Changing Diapers: The Hip Mom's Guide to Modern Cloth Diapering for review purposes only. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. All opinions are 100% my own. I have also included affiliate links in this post leading you to Kelly Wels' site and Amazon.com.

Aqua Blossom {#FluffyXmas Sponsor Spotlight}

When I first found Aqua Blossom on Etsy it was love at first sight. Natural ingredients, yummy sounding products and most importantly relaxation for mama written all over each product in the store. But not only does Aqua Blossom have amazing products for your beauty needs, they also have an amazing Lavender & Tea Tree Oil wipe solution spray for cloth wipes.

I jumped into cloth diapering with both feet and once we started using our cloth diapers I didn't buy another disposable. But cloth wipes... I didn't think I could do it and stuck with my Kirkland brand disposable wipes. When I started cloth diapering with my daughter I started to have a change of heart and decided to give cloth wipes a try. And with the cloth wipes I needed to find a great wipe solution for when I needed a little extra help.

When I received my bottles of wipe solution spray from Aqua Blossom I immediately opened up one of the bottles and took a whiff. Ahhh... the lavender immediately hit my nose and I was instantly relaxed. Maybe my daughter's bum would feel the same way after I used it. So I sprayed a bit on, wiped and diapered her little tukas. She seemed to enjoy it and even giggled when I sprayed her.

Along with my large bottle for the changing table came a small trial size bottle to use in the diaper bag. This pair is the perfect addition to any cloth diapering stash. Not only is the solution soothing and gentle, but it makes diapering a bit easier. And now I don't have to throw anything but the waste away. Everything either goes in the toilet or in the wet bag. And I feel a bit better when we go to Costco and don't have to pick up another pack of wipes.

Here's a little bit more information about Aqua Blossom from their store:

"Our goal is to provide quality bath, body, and beauty products at affordable prices. All of our products are made in small batches using natural ingredients. By using ingredients found in nature, like plant and fruit oils, butters, and essential oils, you get naturally healthy skin without all the chemicals found in most commercial beauty products."

Not only do they sell the awesome wipe spray but there's an array of creams, scrubs, lip balms and much more! Aquablossom's facebook and twitter fans receive news and discounts first! Like Aquablossom on facebook and follow them on twitter to keep up with the latest and greatest just in time for the holidays.

Discount Code & Giveaway Information

Aqua Blossom has generously offered to include a large 8oz bottle and travel size 2oz bottle of the Lavender & Tea Tree Oil wipe solution spray in my Merry Fluffy Christmas giveaway package. They have also kindly given a 20% discount to all Simmworks Family Blog readers. Please use the code simmworks20 while checking out to receive this discount. So make sure to come back December 1st - 5th to enter my amazing giveaway package valued at over $100!

Disclaimer: I received a full and travel size set of wipe solution spray for review purposes only. All opinions are 100% my own. I only promote products I believe in 100% and will always disclose this information to my readers.