lylalous {giveaway!}

Today's giveaway has me all excited for spring and summer. I saw the pictures announcing LylaLous on a photography blog a couple weeks before the shop opened. I started checking back regularly, because I knew the girls were in serious need of these, and boy do they look adorable in them. The construction of these clips/headbands is hands down the best I have seen. The flowers are the perfect size, not too large to overpower, instead just the right size to make a statement.

One of the best things about LylaLous is the ability for heads of all shapes and sizes to wear them. So if you love your daughters headbands and clips, you can wear them too. They won't stretch out (they're metal) and you can make a statement of your own. Worried about the flowers being too girly, try their feather headband, the perfect accessory for a day at the park or a night out with your husband. It's that versatile.

While it's difficult to choose a favorite, I'm thrilled to tell you that TWO winners will be going home with a:

Lou Lou flower clip in yellow ($8) 

The perfect touch to a ponytail or bun! These adorable flower clips are lined with a velcro strip for a no-slip finish. Silk ranunculus flower with rhinestone center, with grosgrain covered single-prong metal alligator clip. Flower diameter: 3.75"

Turquoise & Hot Pink Ruthie Headband ($15)

Make an adorable statement with this fun accessory! These handmade headbands are comfortable enough to wear all day, and add the perfect touch. Silk daisy flower with rhinestone center with grosgrain covered thin metal headband. Flower diameter: 4.75"

Which LylaLous design is your favorite?

Would you love to win? be sure to:

*enter a comment on this post - with your name

*please only enter once

*answer question above

*entry will be open until 7am Friday morning

*winner will be announced Friday morning

Good Luck and Thank You LylaLous!

rock a bib baby.

sleep, drool and rock 'n roll. We're right in the throes. I enjoy the rocking and rolling during the day and the sleeping during the night, we're getting there, but the closer we get to a "regular" schedule, the older Finn is and the drooling increases. Rock a Bib Baby has proven to be the perfect solution. Rather than ducks and trucks he's sporting bibs that are as stylish as the clothes underneath. 

Rock a Bibs feature cool rock inspired fabric designs backed with ultra-soft, absorbent white cotton chenille. Each bib is reversible and features an easy on/off front Velcro closure. They are great for drooling in style all day long.

They're absorbent, hip, last all day long and preserve the clothing underneath. Every baby deserves to drool in style.

apple jacket.

Teacher appreciation week is the first full week in May. Add a little something extra to your apple before passing it along this year. What teacher wouldn't love a handmade apple jacket. They'll never have to eat a bruised apple again. Double bonus, they are adorable! 

we're off today.

We're off celebrating two very special birthdays today. Lily (5) and Stella (3). They almost share a birthday, only two days in between. Regular posting will resume tomorrow.







Happy Monday!

A Big Thank You!

A huge thank you! to Jenn Kirk for posting this last week. She's full of fabulous ideas and inspiration, we loved having you.

guest post: friday farewell

Thanks so much to Brittany for having me post this week!

And I know this is the goofiest picture to post of ones self, but this also known as keeping it real. Meaning, we are posing outside because our place is untidy. My oldest child is anti-authority, therefore, anti-pictures, therefore, probably clogging up our bathroom sink. My eyes are closed here because they are closed in most my pictures. My children are not wearing clothes, but still manage to look like absolute angels. This is us! (or, at least, half of us) So make sure to come by AmbrosiaGirl to say hello sometime!

guest post: natural art supplies

My friend Dawn always sends me some great links to natural art and craft supplies. There is something about colors, pigment, and paper that gets my heart beating faster.

1. Ecojot sketchbooks
2. Colored smencils
3. Crayon rocks
4. Watercolor paints
   

guest post: spring/summer jean trend

I'm pretty excited about women's fashion trends this season. For one, showing less skin is in vogue (according to this LA Times article I read recently, "skirt lengths [are] falling in concert with the stock market") and clothing is comfortable again. Really comfortable. Maybe even baggy. And when I have to chase my 18-month-old up some crazy, grassy hill at the park, I am down with the baggy. So, to the new trend that is called 'boyfriend jeans,' I give you the thumbs up.



What do you think of this trend? Pass, or fail?



If you feel compelled to loosen your style, here is a collection of boyfriend jeans, all under $80:

BDG Ripped Boyfriend Jean
501 Boyfriend Jeans Cracked Blue
Charlie Low-rise Boyfriend Jean
Calvin Klein Cropped Cuffed Boyfriend Jeans
Hydraulic Boyfriend Jeans
Levi's 501 Boyfriend Cut Jeans (jean at top of post)

guest post: tiny toms

My friend's son was sporting a pair of these shoes last weekend, and I just had to share the cuteness that is Tiny TOMS.

And for every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair to a child in need. One for one.

guest post: foods with moods

This is day 2 for me trying to kick a flu bug, so I'm taking it easy with a simple post today about one of our favorite books, How Are You Peeling:


I ordered a copy for myself after coming across it in the waiting room at my doctor's office. And this was when I was in college -- before I even had kids.


Fruits and vegetables are styled to express emotions. Set to a simple rhyme, children learn that it is normal to possess a wide spectrum of feelings; anger, sadness, embarrassment, shyness, love. All through anthropomorphic fruits and veggies. Clever, huh?

Authors Joose Elffers and Saxton Freyman have created an entire series worth checking out.

glass jars.

I just saw this idea at Apartment Therapy and love it! I've etched some glass before (namely casserole dishes) and know that it's easy enough, but never have I thought of doing glass jars, perhaps I'll even pull out the etching lotion today. I'm inspired..

see directions from Martha here.

National Turn the TV Off Week.

It's National Turn the TV off week. Are you participating? We were until my husband turned the TV on for the girls this morning.. I had to quickly turn it off and re-explain.. we were almost over the hump. Now not so much.

guest post: diy personalized retro kid shirts

When Kai, my three-year-old, was very little, I had a hobby of stenciling tees for him. But then #2 came along, and t-shirt making time was quickly replaced by napping-on-the-couch-if-I-had-the-chance time. But all the great freezer-paper tutorials floating around right now have inspired me to finally make Dax his own personalized shirt, and I thought I'd share my take on the process. So, to make your own retro personalized tee:

Step 1: Download the font 'Candice'

Step 2: Print out the name you'll be using for the design directly onto a piece of freezer paper trimmed to 8.5" x 11."


Step 3: Carefully cut out each letterform using a craft knife, saving the inside pieces of your letters (like the inside areas of my 'D' and 'a'). Take care to have clean cuts, resisting any urge to tear away any pieces that may be attached. Because a stencil with crisp lines = a crisp paint job on the shirt.

Step 4: Lay out the letters you just cut out onto your shirt. This is for placement purposes. So you know exactly where to lay down your stencil (second pic below). And I highly, highly recommend American Apparel tees. Here is a link to the ones I used, and link to baby onesies and lap tees.


Step 5: Remove the letter cutouts so that all you are left with is the stencil. Lightly run over the stencil with a hot iron. Add in those tiny inside pieces of your letters and iron again, making sure the inside edges of the stencil completely adhere to the shirt.


Step 6: Paint!


Now this is where my tutorial differs from the ones I've seen online. I'm only able to get my hands on the "cheap" fabric paint locally. And since I'm too impatient to order the good stuff, I settle on these for instant gratification.


Roll or brush on the ink, painting away from the edges of the stencil. You don't want to push any ink under the edges of your stencil, otherwise you won't have sharp edges. I find that I have to use a considerable amount of paint to get it really solid. Just add the paint gradually and make sure a piece of paper or cardstock is under that t-shirt to prevent any paint from soaking through.

If you have the patience, you may want to do a couple practice runs on a test fabric before you paint on your pretty shirt. Of course, this means cutting out more stencils because each stencil is a one-time-deal.

Step 7: When dry, slowly and carefully, peel off the stencil. Using tweezers, pull off the smaller stencil pieces. I've also done this part successfully while the paint was still wet. I actually got a cleaner line because this type of fabric paint tends to dry thickly, almost like a thin layer plastic. Just be careful not to smear the paint if you go the wet route.


Step 9: Set the paint by lightly ironing the backside.



My head was in the shirt stenciling game when I put together this tutorial, so I went ahead and made an age one for Dax. The font I used here is Rosewood (you'll have to purchase this one). Quite a bit of cutting involved, but I think it turned out pretty awesome. Even big brother Kai really liked "the shirt with the number on it."


And lastly, I wanted to add a download of one of my very first t-shirt stencils, bird on a branch. Hope you can find some fun applications for this! I plan to add another stencil download at my blog Ambrosia Girl next week, so make sure to stop by.

guest post: the prettiest kites of all

I'm very much into kites these days, and some online browsing led me to some beautiful designs. In all honesty, my three-year-old is perfectly content with his $5 Spider Man kite. But I like to daydream about going on a picnic lunch date with my husband and sending one of these into the sky. Then taking the longest nap ever known to mom-kind.

I got my eye on the Chinese kites made of bamboo and silk.

1. Yellow Silk Butterfly Kite
2. Karner Blue Butterfly Kite
3. Delta Rainbow Kite
4. Chinese Colorful Eagle Kite
5. Clown Fish Kite
6. Red Big Dragon Kite
7. Bali Dragon Kite
   

how do you do?

Hi there! My name is Jenn Kirk. I am a graphic designer, mother of two little boys, and wife to BFF Ryan Kirk.

About me: I like to think I'm decent at baking chocolate chip cookies, designing invitations and paper goods, and choosing boy names. For certain, I know I'm not so great at Facebook, remembering birthdays, or staying reverent at church when my 18-month-old chucks a toy car at dad's head.

I grew up in San Jose, California, but Ventura -- a cute little beach town situated between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara -- is now my home.

I run a pesonal blog, AmbrosiaGirl.com, but am excited to be guest blogging here at Tangled and True this week. I hope you enjoy my posts!

exciting news x 2

Small Magazine now has a blog. I'm looking forward to the daily inspiration!

I am also excited to introduce you to our latest house guest! Jenn Kirk. Her blog is one of my favorites, she is talented, inspirational and just all around amazing.

Her Superhero party is one of the best I've ever seen (so much so that we have one in the works for two little ladies even as we speak).

I know you'll enjoy her posts. I know she'll inspire, I know you'll be glad to know her!

genius.

"I love art and I know you do too. I also know that when people start to tighten up the purse strings they tend to not spend money on things that aren't necessary for survival, things like books, magazines and art. But, art is important for your soul. It helps rejuvinate, it's thought provoking, offers inspiration and can generally brighten an otherwise dreary day amont other things.."

Thanks to Jen Wallace (of Indie Fixx) you now have the ability to download free art right to your computer, that's right, free art, from some of your favorite artists.

 

Like Belle and Boo or Jo Ashley. Print it out on a nice piece of paper, frame it and add a little extra oomph to your home. Perfect! Downloads available here.

via jack & izzy

lorena siminovich.

I've found Lorena Siminovich's new series of bamboo mobiles to be absolutely beautiful. Laser-cut pieces of bamboo with simple whimsical lines.

The Modern Baby Company {winner!}

Congratulations Jessie! Please email me (tangledandtrue@gmail.com) by Tuesday morning in order to claim your prize.

*winner chosen using random.org

bobs and lolo.

I don't know about you, but in the last hour before daddy comes home, the house gets a little crazy. I'm tired, the kids are getting hungry for dinner, and I've found that turning up some music and dancing with the girls saves us all. It's something the girls look forward to, and we've recently added some new favorites to our list.

The Bobs & Lolo CD's are kid AND adult friendly. I don't find myself plugging my ears, in fact I'm learning the words and loving them as much as the kids. The songs are not only fun to dance to they teach the kids about being polite, animals, living healthy and more.. which is so much nicer than what is on the radio these days.

Growing up on Vancouver Island, Robyn (Bobs) and Lorraine (Lolo) have always shared a love of the natural world and a passion for working with children. Creating the dynamic duo Bobs & Lolo has allowed them to combine their diverse academic backgrounds with a mutual love of teaching and creative arts.

Samples of the songs are available to listen to here and CD's and DVD's are available for purchase here.

little hoot.

We received this book as a gift for baby Finn. It has been a fun addition to our library. The girls want me to read it over and over again. They think it is hysterical that all the baby owl wants to do is go to bed.. they can't believe it and claim they would love to stay up all night.

The Modern Baby Company {giveaway!}

"As parents we understand the need for kid friendly, fun and practical children's products. We also believe the need for kid friendly, fun and practical children's products. We also believe in the beauty and sophistication of clean, simple lines and minimalist design."

-Jesseca Bellemare

owner

Quilt Baby has recently rebranded to The Modern Baby Co. LLC, and while they're still the same great company you've come to know and love, there have been some exciting changes. Not only will they now be available in stores across the United States and Internationally, they've added to their collection. The same high quality, with impeccable designs including..

wall art.. whimsical, colorful and a great addition to a nursery, playroom or child's room. You can group them together or have one as a focal point.

custom designed onesies.. classic white one pieces, with hand appliqued designs. my favorite is the elephant.

baby mobiles... I would love to have one of these hanging above Finn's bed. Modern mobile's made from die cut foam, hand shaped wire, and monafilament thread. They are light and delicate offering your baby hours of visual stimulation and entertainment.

Today The Modern Baby Company is offering one my all time favorites from their blanket line. The orange birds plush baby blanket (a $46 value) has microfiber on one side and high quality cotton on the other, whether at home or on the go it's sure to be a favorite of yours and your baby.

Which Modern Baby Company design is calling your name?

Would you love to win? be sure to:

*enter a comment on this post - with your name

*please only enter once

*answer question above

*entry will be open until 7am Friday (4/17)

*winner will be announced Friday morning

Good Luck!