Spill the Beans » Mommy Loves

fresh chick has arrived

Michelle — Thu, 20 May 2010 14:29:55 +0000

We are always looking for great etsy finds and this one rocks! One of my fellow contributors at Project Nursery just opened this fab shop, Fresh Chick Design Studios. They will be offering personalized art for babies and kids, invitations, thank-you cards, and all the other in-betweens to coordinate for your next party, shower, wedding, and whatever else you can think of. Plus they will do their best to accommodate any custom requests as well. Check it out!

tyler mackenzie designs bracelet give-away for valentine’s day!

Rachel — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:53:13 +0000

When we discovered Tyler Mackenzie Designs beaded bracelets (and necklaces!), we knew we wanted to share them with our readers. Started by Chicago 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.

spotlight – lauren rosen (tyler mackenzie designs)

Rachel — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:51:52 +0000

1. 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!

4. 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?

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!!

Check out the Tyler Mackenzie Facebook page for more info on Lauren’s designs. Click here to win a set of Tyler Mackenzie Designs Bracelets.

no need to walk this pup

Michelle — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 23:43:10 +0000

One of my favorite gifts of the holiday season for my daughter was definitely the idog by Hasbro. This mess free pup serves as a speaker for any MP3 player. Stella had a blast decorating hers (named sweetness sparkly) with tons of provided decals. And the whole family loves to watch sweetness get her grrrrroooove on when she flaps her ears and lights up to our favorite playlists. This pup is so techno smart that he even changes his mood based on your music. His flashing lights show you how he’s feeling and when he doesn’t get enough love he lets out a little whimper. Just remember to shut him off because he keeps going and going….A must have!

Available at target.

bake me a cake as fast as you can…

Rachel — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 01:22:31 +0000

These cupcakes were a cute and easy way to celebrate the holidays at my son’s school. I’m not going to lie, I felt some pressure to deliver when I was named as one of the moms in charge of the winter holiday party. (You should see what some of the moms at school do.) And then I heard myself volunteering to bake. (A weak moment which I’ll blame on sleep deprivation.) While I do enjoy cooking and baking, I’m not really the Susie Homemaker type…I mean, my form of exercise is pole dancing, I love swearing and I don’t host a weekly playgroup at my home. But I wanted to create something the kids would find cool. And of course I wanted my son to be proud of his mama.

If you live in NYC, NY Cake and Baking Company is a baker’s dream. I love it and I don’t even love (or have the patience) to bake. They have every kind of jimmy, sprinkle, frosting, cake mold, cookie cutter, etc. all the way up to professional baking and display materials. After searching for holiday cupcake ideas online, I decided to make my own version of snowmen. There is so much you can do with these if you have the time and inclination. I used basic Betty Crocker vanilla cupcake mix and icing and holiday liners I found at NY Cake. Once cooled and frosted, I added a marshmallow which I decorated with black gel. I used dark chocolate baking disks, which I adhered to the marshmallow with more frosting for the hat. (My husband claimed they looked French.) My carrot nose proved to be a little difficult since I didn’t have the right tip for my orange frosting tube (some looked like a lame version of Mr. Bill or a group of penguins) but it worked. You could use anything for the nose, including orange gummies. I found snowflake jimmies and sprinkled them all over the dish. And if you weren’t walking them 10 blocks to school, you could make them 2 marshmallows high to resemble a real snowman. Use jimmies instead of frosting for the eyes and buttons, licorice for a scarf…the list goes on.

My only regret is not eating one…my husband claims he “forgot” to share the one extra with me…

mama’s got a brand new bag

Rachel — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:20:31 +0000

I 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.

win a free NYC photo shoot-by lindsey gray

Michelle — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:03:51 +0000

Are you in search of the perfect holiday gift? Look no further than an amazing photo shoot with NYC children’s photographer, Lindsey Gray. Lindsey specializes in children, families, maternity shots and even can be hired to capture special moments like a child’s first birthday. Her work is truly spectacular!

Winning is easy…

*Become a TBC facebook fan (by Nov 30th) by clicking here… TBC Facebook Fan Page

You are entered!

Winner will be randomly selected and contacted after Nov 30th.

Rules & Restrictions

*The free portrait sitting must take place in Manhattan

*If you reside there it can be at your home, otherwise the shoot will be outdoors.

*Timing is up to winner

*Prize includes 1 5×7 (the remainder of prints must be purchased)

visit www.lindseygrayphotography.com to check out her portfolio.

All TBC fans who book a sitting before Nov 30th use discount code tbcpics for 10% off your own sitting.

email lindsey @ lindseymgray@gmail.com

keep your favorite jeans…even when you’re 8 mo pregnant!

Michelle — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:40:07 +0000

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!

rub a dub dub…one baby in a tub

Rachel — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:53:55 +0000

Spa Baby Tub

I was weirdly intrigued when I saw this European style tub in New York Magazine. Not for the womb-like qualities, or that my baby would be warm and snuggly from toes to chest. I was purely thinking of myself…and how this tub could be one less accident waiting to happen. Who cares if lil’ peanut is squooshed (although in the pics the kids look pretty happy), he can’t slide out of your grip. All I know is this could be my ticket to peace of mind while bathing him. I do see some issues cleaning down south, but I must say it did catch my eye. It’s almost like being in a warm swaddle, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s BPA, PVC, lead and Phthalate free. Let us know what you think… Would you use this tub?

If it’s your cup of tea, the Spa Baby tub is available from spababytubs.com

what’s in a name?…how about a $500 shopping spree to the bean’s closet!

Michelle — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:39:43 +0000

Hi all… After giving birth to this incredible blog, the bean’s closet, and of course my first born, Stella Chase, it’s time for baby #2. (How does she have time for this, you ask? Good question…let me know if you find the answer). I am enlisting your help with a major task on my never ending “to do” list. I am on the search for the perfect name…and I’m willing to pay for it! Send in your most original, most endearing and incredibly adorable baby names and enter to win a $500 shopping spree to the bean’s closet. The winner will be selected Oct 10th, the day after we find out the sex. Hmmmm, I’m feeling boy…but you never know . Everyone who enters will automatically get a 15% off one day coupon code Oct 10th to shop the site. Share with your friends, and their friends, and your work friends, your camp friends, your facebook friends and even those neighbors you’re not so fond of…the more the merrier!

Enter today…shop tomorrow (well, Oct 10th)!

*Note winner will be randomly selected.

HOW: Enter your name selections in the comment field below (button for comments are under title of post). Be sure your email is valid so we can contact you with your prize. That’s it, you’re entered!

WHEN: Winner and coupon code announced Oct 10th.

WHERE: spills the beans (where else???)

WHY: Because who doesn’t love a discount?