Spill the Beans » Fashion http://blog.thebeanscloset.com Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:11:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 en hourly 1 tyler mackenzie designs bracelet give-away for valentine’s day! http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/2010/02/08/tyler-mackenzie-designs-bracelet-give-away-for-valentine%e2%80%99s-day/ http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/2010/02/08/tyler-mackenzie-designs-bracelet-give-away-for-valentine%e2%80%99s-day/#comments Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:53:13 +0000 Rachel http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/?p=351 When we discovered Tyler Mackenzie Designs beaded bracelets (and necklaces!), we knew we wanted to share them with our readers. Started by bracelets4Chicago mom of two, Lauren Rosen, these beautiful baubles are elegant and easy on the wallet. (Each single bracelet is around $15-$22!) We wanted to scoop up armfuls of these beaded beauties. From gemstones such as jade, aventurine and angelite, to gray, black and rose woods, each unique design is interspersed with gold or silver spacers and charms. Choosing the color and combination is the difficult part! But spill the beans and Tyler Mackenzie Designs have teamed up to give a 3 bracelet set away to one lucky reader! Visit the Tyler Mackenzie Facebook fan page to learn more about her fabulous creations. We’ll randomly select one lucky lady from our mailing list. Join today for your chance to win. (It’s simple, enter your email in the join link above.)  Think of it as our Valentine’s Day gift to you! Plus, enjoy 20% off your baby gift purchases at the beans closet on Monday, 2/15 & Tuesday 2/16 by using code: love.

*Winner will be randomly selected and notified on 2/17.

]]> http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/2010/02/08/tyler-mackenzie-designs-bracelet-give-away-for-valentine%e2%80%99s-day/feed/ 1 spotlight – lauren rosen (tyler mackenzie designs) http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/2010/02/08/spotlight-lauren-rosen-tyler-mackenzie-designs/ http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/2010/02/08/spotlight-lauren-rosen-tyler-mackenzie-designs/#comments Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:51:52 +0000 Rachel http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/?p=332 lauren1.    Company profile
Tyler Mackenzie Designs are beaded, stackable bracelets using various wood and gemstone beads mixed with gold and silver accents. Stylish and affordable!

2.    How did you get into this business?
I bought some beads and started stringing bracelets for fun.  I was wearing them all the time and then started making them for my friends. They all suggested that I start selling them. I wanted people to be able to wear them in a stack and not just purchase one, so each bracelet is priced between $15 and $22! I saw so many similar designs out there that cost a lot more, and most people want to be able to buy 3, 5, 7 or more…and not break the bank!
3.    What/who inspires your designs?
No one, really. I just sit on my bed with my box of beads and my box of spacers. I start stringing with the beads and then grab spacers and see what works!
bracelets14.    Biggest business moment?
My proudest moment was selling to my first store, Just Between Friends, in Deerfield, IL.  They have a great business with great traffic, and I was thrilled to have my designs there!
5.    How do you find the time to create your designs with a family? How do you manage your work and your family?
I am very lucky that both of my children are very independent (7 and 2  and 1/2). If I have a large order to fill and need to bead during the day, my daughter will play by herself with her barbies, dress up clothes, animals, etc… At night, I am usually sitting on the bed beading while they are both watching tv before bed. My husband has become accustomed to being with me…and my box of beads!!! When we watch tv or a movie at night, I’m usually making bracelets! It has become a part of our routine!
6.    What are your hobbies/what do you do for yourself?bracelets2
I spend a lot of time at the gym. I am currently OBSESSED with spinning, and get such a rush out of the sweaty workout! I also enjoy bargain shopping, either in stores  or online…when I have the time.
7. What is your favorite mom tip or advice?
I want to tell all new moms that don’t have time to shower, are up half the night with screaming babies that won’t go back to sleep after their bottle, or have kids that won’t take naps during the day when they need a little break….IT GETS BETTER…I PROMISE!!!! I have two amazing children that were both very difficult the first six months. My son whined all day long, and my daughter would not sleep unless I was holding her! They are now WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL kids!!!
8.    Describe your (collection) style in 3 words.
Trendy, Stylish, Affordable!!
bracelets3Check out the Tyler Mackenzie Facebook page for more info on Lauren’s designs. Click here to win a set of Tyler Mackenzie Designs Bracelets.
]]> http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/2010/02/08/spotlight-lauren-rosen-tyler-mackenzie-designs/feed/ 1 mama’s got a brand new bag http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/2009/12/16/315/ http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/2009/12/16/315/#comments Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:20:31 +0000 Rachel http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/?p=315 timi and leslie charlie bagI was in desperate need of coffee. We were on vacation in Cape Cod, but vacation takes on a whole new meaning with kids. My little guy had been up at 5am 2 mornings in a row and I was beat. I asked my mother-in-law to watch him while I ran into the Wired Puppy for a serious cup of joe. As I was waiting, the young barista was talking to her friend who stopped in. (I’m sure her exhaustion was from a wild night of partying…at least that’s what I told myself during a moment of daydreaming). That’s when the barista said, “See, now she looks great. That’s the perfect uniform…great jeans [yes, I was rocking my Current/Elliotts], great tank [Jockey or Hanes preferably!] and a fabulous black bag. Your bag is gorgeous!” The friend nodded in agreement and reached out to touch it.

I started to laugh, and then caught myself, “Thank you! It holds everything!” I was about to add…everything including extra diapers for poop emergencies, wipes for endless spit-up bouts, bottles and snacks to stop a hysterical child…I could go on. But instead, I took the compliment, and let them think I was just a girl about town. Hey, maybe I was up all night partying, coming in for a red eye jolt. The truth is, that fabulous bag was my diaper bag. My Timi and Leslie work of art that my wonderful friends gave me as a baby gift. Soft, buttery leather, straps, chains, compartments…pouches for me, bottle holders for baby…the list goes on. (My little guy even entertained himself with one of the pouches one night for an hour while we were out to dinner!) I am constantly complimented on this bag. Check them out on Michelle’s site. I have the Charlie, above. If you like it, too, ask Michelle to order it for you. And tell her I sent you.

]]> http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/2009/12/16/315/feed/ 0 keep your favorite jeans…even when you’re 8 mo pregnant! http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/2009/10/19/keep-your-favorite-jeans-even-when-your-8-mo-pregnant/ http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/2009/10/19/keep-your-favorite-jeans-even-when-your-8-mo-pregnant/#comments Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:40:07 +0000 Michelle http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/?p=255 Maybe I missed the memo about this amazing service, or maybe I discovered gold, but either way I needed to pass along this great find.  Belly-Jeans, is a priceless service that takes your favorite jeans and for about $27 makes them into maternity jeans. It KILLS me to spend big bucks on maternity clothes, but let’s face it, a girl can’t go 10 months without a good pair of jeans.  Belly-jeans takes your jeans and adds the maternity band so you still get to enjoy the one piece of clothing you can’t live without.  I sent her my Jbrand jeans (that probably would be out of style by the time I could fit back into them again) and she did a fabulous job converting them.  It makes me feel great to wear a piece of clothing from my “real wardrobe” and they are totally comfortable.  I don’t know if they will really last til the bitter end, but I’m not greedy, I’ll take what I can get.  The process was made easy and painless by the one woman show (and get this…mother of 6), Cheryl, who owns and operates the whole operation.  Find out more at www.belly-jeans.com or email cheryl at cheryl@belly-jeans.com.  Tell her we sent you!

Pregnant_Women_Pictures

]]> http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/2009/10/19/keep-your-favorite-jeans-even-when-your-8-mo-pregnant/feed/ 0 halloween is creeping up on us… http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/2009/10/03/halloween-is-creeping-up-on-us/ http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/2009/10/03/halloween-is-creeping-up-on-us/#comments Sat, 03 Oct 2009 23:05:14 +0000 Rachel http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/?p=214 My son wants to be a dinosaur for Halloween. It’s a recurring theme in our household and we are swimming in plastic dinosaur figures, dinosaur games, dinosaur candies…you name it. I’m not a huge fan of the giant costume with head poking out for a 4 year old. (I mean, a wild 4 year old running around in that? Not so safe… Remember, I’m a nervous mom!) My sis found these awesome dino hoodies on etsy, which got me trolling around on the site. I’m loving the possibilities of a homemade costume…made by someone else! There’s just not enough time in the day to whip something up, so why not rely on the talent represented on etsy?

I’ve scouted some cute things for our readers who didn’t order their kid’s Halloween costumes in June:

Dinosaur Stomp:

dinohoodieToo cool for Barney? How about these adorable dino hoodies? Pair them with a dino tee, maybe some dino slippers from the Gap, and you’re good to go. Plus, the hoodie is cool long after Halloween is over!

For the extremely laid back Halloween costume, how about this adorable dinosaur skullcap?

Are you a good witch or a bad witch:Haloween tutu

Your little girl may have a witching hour, but she’s more of a good witch. She’ll look too cute in this witchypoo tutu.  A candy corn inspired tutu would make for great pics.

Let us know what your kidlets are being for Halloween this year, and any great Halloween costume finds you come across!

]]> http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/2009/10/03/halloween-is-creeping-up-on-us/feed/ 0 fashion week-for the tots… http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/2009/09/21/fashion-week-for-the-tots/ http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/2009/09/21/fashion-week-for-the-tots/#comments Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:02:54 +0000 Michelle http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/?p=189 In honor of NY Fashion Week, we wanted to give you a fall fashion report for the tots.  This is what our scouts were seeing at the shows, on the runways and of course in the stores.  The must haves for your kid this fall…

Plaid, plaid and of course more plaid. A flannel short, a dress or even a skirt, plaid is back in a big way.

favorites-focus

(Kule by Nikki Kule)

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Prints & Patterns..and lots of them…

gp664520-00vliv01(Gap.com)

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Mix and match w/ layers

pPOLO2-6421012_standard_v330 (Ralph Lauren)

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Faux Fur…

89_JUIK_FAUX_FUR_BLONDE(Juicy @ milkshop.com)

]]> http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/2009/09/21/fashion-week-for-the-tots/feed/ 0 prego and hot-pregnant at the emmys http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/2009/09/21/prego-and-hot-pregnant-at-the-emmys/ http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/2009/09/21/prego-and-hot-pregnant-at-the-emmys/#comments Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:01:25 +0000 Michelle http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/?p=219 Just a little morning inspiration (god knows I need it)…pregnant and can’t look glamorous?  I think not…check out Heidi Klum at the emmys.  Who is more gorgeous pregnant or not???emmys-best-worst-fashion-more-photos

]]> http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/2009/09/21/prego-and-hot-pregnant-at-the-emmys/feed/ 0 pajama game http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/2009/08/07/pajama-game/ http://blog.thebeanscloset.com/2009/08/07/pajama-game/#comments Sat, 08 Aug 2009 00:00:10 +0000 Rachel http://thebeanscloset.com/blog/?p=45 jess pjsMaybe your kid is like mine, fixated on certain items of clothing. In our house, it’s pajamas (or jamamas, as my kid refers to them). My son gravitates towards certain patterns and sometimes even insists on wearing fuzzy footie sleepwear in the summer. His most favorite pair is a long sleeved and long pant, size 3T robot pattern from Old Navy. I was so ready to retire them, but our son wouldn’t give them up even though he’s 4 years old and wears a size 5 or 6 T. My husband had the brilliant idea to cut the long sleeve top into short sleeves and crop the pants below the knees. Without the oh-so-tight wrist and ankle cuffs, they fit perfectly and look too cute with the jagged edges. We’ve gotten an extra season (or two or three!) out of them, and while they are not much longer for this world, at least that’s one battle I don’t have to fight at the moment.

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