You’re the Meaning in My Life…


…You’re the Inspiration … dadada da da da…

I’m off to Chicago today for a book signing and a ridiculous night of debauchery with a bunch of MILFy woman I’m online-acquainted with (oh, now i’ve said too much). I hope you can make it to the Sulzer Library to grab a copy of Prudent Advice with a dorky autograph by nerdy me.  While I’m there I’ll be taking in the sights (it’s only my second visit to the windy city), drinking some champagne, hanging with my amazing sister-in-law who is flying up from Nashville, finally hooking up with the fabulous and amazing Nicole of Making it Lovely, and of course hoping to bump into Oprah, while she’s sitting in a cafe reading a copy of my book, contemplating including it in her favorite things show (ha, a girl can dream, right?). Here’s the deets on the book signing (it was even mentioned in DailyCandy Kids Chicago this week!):

I’d love to get some tips on what to check out while I’m in town from any Prudent Mamas native to the city.  When you shared your San Francisco tips I ended up having a blast so i really, seriously, from the bottom-of-my-heart, mean it when I say that I need your comments and suggestions.  So lay it on me ladies, what’s the deal with fabulous, fun, and crafty Chicago for a mom-about-town and her friends?

And keep in mind, your useful travel tip could win you that half yard of luscious Nicey Jane oilcloth!

P.S. you know that song is stuck in your head right now.. YOU BRING FEELING TO MY LIFE…
Image of Navy Pier Lighthouse above from the awesome Chicago Photo Blog.

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DIY Tinkerbell Fairy Costume


So I have mentioned that Miss S requested a Tinkerbell costume for Halloween, and you guys know me, I had to take that as a challenge and make one, instead of spending like two dollars to buy one (seriously, maybe you should just buy one).

 I took inspiration from a bunch of places, including this awesome homemade costume I found through some creative googling.  I already shared with you how to make Homemade Fairy Wings and the Tutu I whipped up as a sort of petticoat.  Now I’ll share the full tutorial for the costume.  This will work for pretty much any fairy/princess get up your little one requests.

At the end of the day, I’m really glad I did it, I mean, the look on her face when she saw it…priceless.

Get the full Homemade Tinkerbell / Fairy Costume Tutorial after the jump…

And remember, leave a clever, cute, or kind comment on any post this week and you could win that 1/2 yard of Nicey Jane Oilcloth!
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Fat Quarter Apron Contest Reminder!


Hope you all are working on your fat quarter aprons so you can win the entire Anna Maria Horner Innocent Crush Fat Quarter Collection from Fabricworm! We are so enjoying seeing each unique creation you’ve sent in. I found the adorable apron above in the Prudent Baby Project Pool on Flickr from twomoreseconds, and the one below I spotted at We Have Not Met.
Get all the details about the contest here: Fat Quarter Apron Contest. GO GO GO!

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Prudent Advice Gift Bag Giveaway!


I had so much fun last Friday at the Prudent Advice Book Launch Party here in LA hosted by The Little Seed (maybe you know their awesome line of baby items now available at Target). I was lucky to meet some awesome Prudent Mamas, including Bethany who came in a shirt she made from a Fat Quarter she won here, check it out!

Soooo….I snagged a few gift bags for you guys, they’re pretty great! In honor of the launch of Prudent Advice I thought I’d host a little giveaway and send off five bags, one to each of five lucky ladies who couldn’t be here for the event. Inside you’ll find all these fab treats from the party sponsors:

A full size Smashbox Lip Gloss…

A Kimmel Kids stencil set…

A Cooking With My Kid popcorn kit…

One of these snazzy Incase iPhone Cases…

A discount on Kartell furniture…

And a full size California Baby Spritzer (umm, i love this and spray it on myself all the time)…

Isn’t it great when your sponsors are things you love anyway?? We are giving away 5 of these treats! So leave a comment on this post telling us your most prudent advice anytime between now and Tuesday October 26th. Come back every day for a new entry.  Tweet, Stumble, and/or share the giveaway on facebook by clicking “like” below and leave us another comment each time letting us know for an additional entry. We will select five winners at random and send them a gift bag (we can only ship to US addresses). Can’t wait to hear what you have to say.

And if you want to order a copy of the book, I’d be so honored: Prudent Advice.  XOXO

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Prudent Advice Party Pictacular


I feel like such a lucky lady these days. All of your support has meant so much to me over the past year and now it’s all coming to fruition as Prudent Advice is finally in stores!

We had such a blast at the launch party last week hosted by The Little Seed. Photographer (and mom) Christine DeHaven was on hand to capture the festivities. Isn’t she amazing? She’s available to shoot your family and events too, check out her amazing site to see her magical take on family photography.

I’d love to know what you think, and wish you all could have been there! There are a few party DIYs to come, check out more party pics after the jump…

And remember, leave a comment on any post this week and you could win that half yard of nicey jane oilcloth pictured up on the left, so GORG.

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Easy Homemade Fairy Wings


Remember last year when s was a zombie for Halloween, and in the zombie costume tutorial I lamented that it was probably the last halloween before she went all princess? I was right (I usually really love to be right, hmm). So this year she has requested a tinkerbell costume.

These wings are meant to approximate tinkerbell’s wings, but you can make yours a different shape or color to go with your butterflies, bees, dragonflys, fairies, and angels. And you can totally make them with stuff you have laying around the house (I’m just going to go ahead and assume you have glitter in your house). It’ll only take maybe 20 minutes. Get to work mama!

Get the full Homemade Fairy Wings Tutorial after the jump…

And remember, any comment you leave this week could win you an entire half yard of nicey jane oil cloth so you can make Jacinda’s amazing tote!

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Tutu-torial Part Two


Why is a tutu so expensive to purchase?? I mean seriously, this cost to make. I finally got down to business and used Jacinda’s tutu-torial to make one for Scarlet as a sort of petticoat for her requested Tinkerbell costume.

It is crazy simple – all you need to be able to do is sew a line. It doesn’t even really need to be a straight line. So get yourself 4 yards of tulle and some elastic and get to sewing – what a great and simple halloween costume or christmas gift for all the little girlies in your life! Get the How to Make A Tutu-torial here.

And remember, leave a comment on this or any post this week and you could be one half-yard of oilcloth richer!

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GIVEAWAY WINNER: Clickin’ Moms Membership

The randomly selected winner of a 1 YEAR MEMBERSHIP to CLICKIN’ MOMS is…
 
kel.photography said… 170
For my second entry for the giveaway… I am an inspiring photographer who would love to really do this full-time. Right now I’ve done some photo shoots of kids and families as a side job, but I’m still trying to improve and get the business started. I think this site would give me great tips and the push I need to just do it! Thank you for having such a great giveaway!

Sounds like you will get alot of use out of your membership! Congrats!
Use the contact us form to send us your email address and we will get everything set up! Everyone else, if you are ready to jump in and try Clickin’ Moms, click on the “Join” button on their homepage to see the options!

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