September Sponsor Love

A huge thank-you and shout out to my wonderful blog sponsors this month!

A Grande Life is written by the witty Stephanie...an amazing writer and beautiful photographer. I had the pleasure of meeting Steph at BlogHer'12 in NYC last month, and oh...my...GOSH! This girl is a HOOT...so much fun was had and I'm absolutely pleased to have her as a blog sponsor this month!

She's the mama of two little boys, who takes things one cup at a time...and preferably that cup overfloweth with coffee. Read all about how she makes it work, her amazing photography and her life as a boy mom!

Living With Peanut chronicles the antics and life of Shaun, Marc and Paige. Admittedly, she's been going a little nutty since 2009 when she embarked on the journey of motherhood, and she leads a very busy life as a full time working mom. Between playdates, blogging and working...Shaun really does it all!

Read all about her life with her peanut, Paige...who's the cutest little ballerina around!

Love Me Knott Bilton Creations returns this month as a sponsor, and I am so excited to have her! Amanda has been creating up a storm, and hosting incredibly successful home parties for her business!

Her creations are simply lovely, and they are so affordable! She's whipping up a load of custom creations right now, so contact her for something truly unique!

BlogHer Sponsors: Thank You!

From the bottom of my heart, I want to send out a huge thank you to all of the amazing sponsors who helped me board a plane today, put gorgeous media cards together for me, provided inspiration and photography, designed incredible outfits, jewelry and tutu's....

Without you all, BlogHer'12 would be but a dream for me. You helped make this possible!

BlogHer Sponsor Love: Atutudes

Have a little girl? Does she love to play dress up, or maybe have a special birthday party coming up? Well you can thank your lucky stars for coming across the blog today!

Kristal Lee of Atutudes Handmade Tutu's creates simply the most gorgeous and well made tutu's around. One of her personal favourites is the Pink Poodle Skirt tutu!

Layers and layers of bubblegum pink tulle, embellished with the cutest white poodle around! Your little one will be sock-hoppin' in no time!

This tutu was actually featured in the 2012 Golden Globes Press Bags! Pretty amazing stuff that celebrity publications have taken these gorgeous one-of-a-kind designs home, and now you can too!

Kristal loves to create whimsical tutu designs....and she's even branching out to create adult tutu's! I'm so excited to have one being created for me to wear at Sparklecorn and can't wait to reveal it to you guys next month!

BlogHer Sponsor Love: Bellaroma Boutique

It's beach season and that means your tender tootsies get to {finally} see the sun...sand...and surf!

I've been using this product by Bellaroma for a little while now, and all I can say is that it is truly amazing. After the first application, my feet felt so incredibly soft and smooth...after a week they were completely beach and sandal ready!

The Peppermint and Fresh Cream Pedi is a thick and luxurious lotion that has a delightful scent of peppermint with a hint of vanilla. It is completely non greasy, and the peppermint provides nice cooling relief to tired toes.

I put it on before bed, and when I woke up in the morning, my feet were touchably soft. As a girl who hates to wear socks with her ballet flats {even in the Canadian winter}, my heels get rather rough and the pads of my feet are just peeling. Not a great feeling, but after one treatment with the Peppermint and Fresh Cream Pedi lotion...amazing!

BlogHer'12 is just TWO MONTHS AWAY! Make sure your toes are ready to go, and can brave the NYC heat...don't forget to pack your Peppermint and Fresh Cream Pedi lotion!

Sponsor Love: Organo Gold Gourmet Coffee

As a busy mom to a busy toddler…and a growing business…I find myself stretched incredibly thin. The first thing I do when I get up in the morning, after grabbing my blackberry and checking in with the living, is think coffffeeeee! Often time, I wonder why I don’t have a cup ready beside the bed…so I can relish those precious few moments before the chaos of being a WAHM begins.

Alas…no bedside coffee, however there is Organo Gold Gourmet Coffee that will make waking up every morning all the sweeter!

Choose from the many gourmet blends to suit your taste…Royal Brewed, King of Coffee, or just regular Black Coffee. No matter what your choice, they’re all infused with 100% Organic Ganoderma – a mushroom that is found in ancient Asian medicines over the past one thousand years. It has proven immune boosters, antioxidants, and anticancer properties as well. Really really amazing stuff…packed into your morning cuppa jo!

I think my favourite would have to be the Royal Blend.

Beans from Jamaica Blue Mountain, known for its smooth and rich…sinfully delicious coffee…infused with the Ganoderma. Amazing concept, and even better execution by Organo Gold.

What’s your favourite cuppa jo? Could it use a kick in the pants from the little mushroom that could? Feel even better throughout the day after your morning coffee from Organo Gold!

Sponsor Love: Love Me Knott

A white tank…paired with your favourite pair of denim Bermudas and a pair of gladiator sandals. What are you missing?

A beautiful, colourful, cheery accessory!

Amanda Knott is the mompreneur behind the Etsy shop Love Me Knott, and she’s she creator of this boho-beach-chic collection, with a concentration in gemstone and glass beaded jewelry. 

Tiger’s Eye, Mother of Pearl, raw Turquoise, Jasper and Agate…a few of the spectacular tones and gems that you’ll find at Love Me Knott. 

Looking for something custom to finish off your spring and summer wardrobe? Contact Amanda today!  

BlogHer Sponsor Love: Kristine Cook Designs...Structured Jacket

I've been trying to write this post for about a week...and I'm not quite sure than any words that I can spill out into a blogpost will accurately describe just how in love I am with this beautiful coral jacket that Kristine has designed for me.

From the pleated pockets to the beautiful button closure....the polka dotted lining to the abstract ruffles down the side

Stunning colour!

She just got me when she was designing this jacket. It's so incredibly detailed, and on trend, and artistic.

Not to mention well made. The entire jacket is lined with the beautiful polka dots {love!}, with the pleat and structured sides. I have never owned a jacket so beautiful, and likely never will again. It's quickly become a favourite in my wardrobe.

How perfect is that!!

I love that I can take it from day to night, and I fully plan on it at BlogHer. During the day, paired with dark skinny jeans, a white tank that hits just below the jacket, and gold gladiator sandals (or black peep toe ballet flats with a ruffle on the top) and some awesome designs from Amber Bryce. During the evening, paired with a pencil skirt and pulling my hair up. Easy peasy, but oh so awesome!

Sneak peek at my new hair!

BlogHer Sponsor Love: Hanlon Lain Photography...getting messy!

Last month, I had the great pleasure of working with my BlogHer sponsor Hanlon Lain Photography  on a fantastic photo shoot. 

I had a vision of me in one of her fields with my canvases, paint and easel…just being me and being inspired by the space around me. 

The messier part of the vision was that I would end up covered in paint….head to toe {not hair to toe…} in paint. My feet were an absolute mess by the end of the shoot since I was literally standing in the drippings off the paintings and my easel, and my hands were blue by the time everything dried and I got home {and I still had to go to the grocery store!}

 

I would never in a million years have thought to capture what Laina did. Her use of angles, the way she captures the light that no one else can see, and the way she caught my expression was incredible. I was able to just paint, do my thing and have her capture who I am as a true artist.

The entire experience was amazing. It made this whole artist thing seem...real. Like this is what I was meant to do and who I was meant to be. What an amazing feeling!

I am absolutely thrilled to feature one of her photos on the bio-side of my media cards that will be passed out at BlogHer this year!

BlogHer Sponsor Love: Amber Bryce...Mi Alma Para

I absolutely cannot wait to share this new piece from Amber Bryce - Luxe Bohemian Jewelry with you.

How stunning is that!? Amber has delicately set Genuine Crystal Drusy, Aquamarine, London Blue & White Topaz, Moonstone in sterling silver and fine silver components to create a showstopping piece that is truly one of a kind; it will never be replicated!

It is so lovely and romantic, telling the perfect story of a summer romance on the beach. Stones clinging together in perfect harmony....peaceful and wonderful.

It pairs perfectly with a simple white tshirt, as all of Amber's gorgeous pieces do, and a pair of bermuda shorts for the day...maybe with a pair of graphite gladiator sandals.

Then take it up a notch and pair it with a stunning black peplum cocktail dress? Wowzah!

BlogHer Sponsor Love: Bellaroma Boutique...giveaway!

Remember that oh-so-amazing of slathering your body with luxurious lotion after a long hot shower?

No?

Then you must be a mama, and you likely take about 5 minutes to shower…forget to shampoo your hair, hear a baby screaming, then have to dash out, without rinsing the suds from your shoulder.

Well…here’s a treat for you from Diana at Bellaroma Boutique

Blush – Classic luxury Lotion 

Relish those moments after your shower or bath and indulge in the seducing scents of ylang ylang, jasmine and rose. It’s completely romantic and will whisk you off your feet…like a knight in shining armor (amore!)

What’s even better is that this week…you can win one right here!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

WAHM Wednesday: #Roadto30 Updates!

Welcome back, everyone!

I'm really excited to share with you some updates from my amazing roommates, Shaun and Mel, who I'm sponsoring in their #Roadto30....a journey to lose 30lbs each by BlogHer this summer!

Their journeys are going strong - Shaun and I have even connected on the Map My Run app for iPhone and I love reading about the routes she is taking. Every step may seem like a small one, but it's a step in the right direction and that's what matters!

I am growing increasingly proud of these ladies. They're not stopping at BlogHer...oh no...in fact...they're going to keep pushing themselves and are going to run the BlogHer 5km Fun Run! Amazing!

I'm considering joining them for the run. It might be crazy...it's be the first 5km I've ever run in my entire life...but I want to support them to the very end of their journey and show them just how incredibly proud I am of them.

Stay tuned! More on their journey next month!

Interested in sponsoring them? Contact Mel and Shaun today!

Sponsor Love: Organo Gold Gourmet Coffee

I’d like to take a moment to introduce you to a new blog sponsor, Organo Gold Gourmet Coffee {have your attention yet…I said coffee!!}

Not only will this coffee give you a much needed pink-me-up in the morning, but it’s a healthy alternative. It is infused with 100% Organic Ganoderma – a mushroom that is found in ancient Asian medicines over the past…oh…thousand years or so! It is known to have anticancer properties, reduces blood cholesterol, is an antiviral and has antioxidant properties {just to name a few of the benefits!}

Organo Gold Gourment Coffee has infused this super-shroom into some really amazing products!

Organo Gold Black Coffee – dark and smooth with a deep aroma

Gourmet Café Mocha – dubbed the guilt-free “dessert in a cup” {I need to get me some of this!}

Gourmet Latte – a light and sweet, creamy coffee that’s perfect for breakfast

Gourmet Hot Chocolate – warming up your body while supporting your immune system? Yes!

Organic Green Tea – smooth and flavourful, chalk full of antioxidants

King of Coffee – the perfect coffee for every day drinking!

Gourmet Royal Brewed – smooth and rich Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee infused with the highest quality ingredients available

Café Supreme – a little kick of ginseng to give you a needed boost throughout your day!

Coffee with a kick…a healthy kick! Absolutely amazing!

BlogHer Sponsor love: Elephoto

Mother’s Day is around the corner, and what better gift to give that special Mama in your life than a photo book from Elephoto?!

There are four beautiful options to choose from, that definitely set Elephoto apart from their competitors.

The 11x8.5 Landscape Books would be incredible full of vacation pictures and special memories. They feature a hardcover, in a variety of styles and colours, which make them not only attractive but also functional and sturdy enough to stand the test of time.

All of Elephoto’s photo books are incredibly affordable, and completely customizable. Add a die-cut cover, embellished pages, and additional pages…and voila! A gift for Mama, with your personal touch that is sure to bring a smile to her face and a tear to her eye.

Looking for a more traditional coffee table book? Elephoto has them in two sizes, 12x12 and 8x8, in hard and soft cover. Choose from plain designs, customization and more pages to suit your needs perfectly!

Preserve your occaision with beauty and style by creating an 8.5x11 Portrait book; perfect for the Hockey or Soccer Mama to celebrate the past year of achievement! Choose a simple hardcover, or upgrade to a photo cover at a very reasonable rate!

Linen and Leather, personalized photo covers…adding text and playing with fonts. Give your Mama something unique and fun this year…and something that will make her heart smile knowing that you poured your love into designing the perfect book for her!

BlogHer Sponsor Love: Kristine Cook Designs

One of the first things that popped into my head when I was planning this big adventure to BlogHer was

How do I want to present myself?

I started looking at my wardrobe, which has a lot of black, white, grey and navy…lots of stripes…scarves…dark skinny jeans but really no amazing statement pieces that set me apart and reflect who I am as an artist.

Off to Etsy I went, and I stumbled across Kristine Cook Designs.

I have now had the pleasure of meeting with Kristine, collaborating with her and having her design some really amazing pieces that I will be able to feature at BlogHer.

I knew that I wanted a jacket that I could wear, in a great colour for summer, with a white tee and dark jeans. I told Kristine that I love ruffles, rosettes and girly details…but that I love a masculine edge with things being fitted and tailored.

Isn’t this concept amazing??

I am thrilled!! It’s an amazing coral colour, which suits this brunette just fine, and has the most intricate almost origami detailing around the collar.

And ¾ sleeves? Perfect for spring and summer, and for layering! A white tee to keep it simple…or a bold graphic print in navy and white…or even a pastel tank and pencil skirt…with fabulous heels of course!

The lining is going to be a really awesome pinstripe fabric, and I am just...squeeing inside about it! Kristine took my Pinterest boards, what little she new about me from my photos on Facebook and my Etsy shop and ran with it. She totally got me, and designed for me. How special is that!?

It’s the most beautiful jacket I’ve laid eyes on, and definitely will set me apart, reflect myself as an artist, and is a piece that I can wear over and over again, yet make look so different depending on the other pieces that I pair it with!

Shop

Facebook