Matilda Jane Paint by Numbers Review and $50 Gift Card Giveaway

The fall is my absolute favorite time of year - the leaves are changing, the candles are burning, and wardrobes shift to all things soft and cozy and warm.  I love nothing more than cuddling up in some lovely fall clothes to get that feeling of warmth and comfort.

So it was with absolute pleasure that we accepted when Matilda Jane recently offered us the opportunity to review outfits from their newest line - Paint by Numbers.  

Have you heard of Matilda Jane?  If not, I'm thrilled to make the introduction.  This beautiful clothing line was created by Denise DeMarchis, a mom and successful decorative artist, who wanted to create "an unpredictable clothing company."  The result was a collection of whimsical prints, colors and textures perfect for lovely girls, tweens and adults.  Denise says "It's all about keeping a little girl...a little girl. Keeping her youthful. Keeping her spinning and twirling and carefree. And most importantly, bringing her happiness." Truly, this sense of happiness defines the brand, who even have Mom in mind with their unique approach to kids clothing.

Matilda Jane Clothing is made to mix and match within the line.  Moms will love the convenience of no longer hunting through laundry for that perfect match - everything is interchangeable.  "You are not wearing that out of this house!" may disappear from a Matilda Jane mom's vocabulary.  Paired with a reputation for the highest quality, Matilda Jane clothing truly makes it easy to build the perfect wardrobe.

Even the unique shopping experience with Matilda Jane is convenient.  Trunk Keepers, experts in the Matilda Jane Clothing line, work with a hostess (known as a Jane) to offer a Trunk Show to guests who get to see the product first hand.  Nothing is more important than touching and feeling the fabrics, seeing the colors and prints first hand, and getting advice for the perfect fit - and Matilda Jane has found a great solution to give you all of these things in a fun environment with friends.

When our box arrived from Matilda Jane I could barely contain the excitement.  Opening the package like it was Christmas morning, I was delighted to find our outfits beautifully packaged in tissue and mesh bags - keeping every little ruffle in perfect place.  

Julie's outfit is simply adorable.  The Limelight Peasant Top in a sunny cream color, subtly printed with butterflies and hot air balloons (which we love by the way).  Julie loved the adorable wrist ruffles, touching them with her fingertips and showing us proudly. 

 Paired with the plum, polka-dot Pointillism Big Ruffle Pants, this outfit takes "cute" to a whole new level.  I loved the personality and sass that just poured out of this outfit.  The fabrics were so soft and perfect for an active kid as our Julie just doesn't sit still for long.

      

I love the opportunity for a "mom and me" connection with Matilda Jane!  My outfit was made with the same rich tones and complimentary colors to the children's wear.  Consistent with the ruffles and whimsy Matilda Jane is known for, my outfit was fun and flirty.  I loved the deep purple of the Grape Leaf Cardigan with it's beautifully patterned weave and detailed buttons.  The Fragrant Lilac Tee covers with great stretch and pretty lace edging.  My Midnight Big Ruffles pants were  super soft and comfortable, and I even I was tempted to twirl in all the flouncy fabric!  I will say that personally, my body type may not have been the perfect one for these pants as my midsection (still a bit ample from twins) felt a little bare.  The great thing about Matilda Jane though, is that I could easily pair the pieces with others from the collection - like the Liberty Button Up top or the Hazel Circle Skirt for additional coverage.  I love this convenience and versatility!   

I even had the pleasure of trying the Nancy in Chocolate Headband since Julie still has little patience wearing hair accessories - even fabulous ones!  I loved that this headband could fit both mom and daughter with it's hand tied closure.  The print is so reminiscent of fall and matches everything beautifully.

We are so thankful for the opportunity to connect with Matilda Jane and try out these beautiful outfits.  We're looking forward to wearing them together again very soon - perhaps on a special Mom and Me outing to the museum or fall festival!  

Matilda Jane has generously offered our readers the chance to win a $50 Matilda Jane Gift Card so you can shop for all of your favorite pieces for your special girl - or even a little something for yourself!  

Enter to win using the rafflecopter below, and be sure to stay connected with Matilda Jane via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

a Rafflecopter giveaway





Disclosure:  I was provided complimentary product in exchange for my review and giveaway.  I was not paid for this promotion.  All opinions remain my own.


Follow my blog with Bloglovin

The Birthday Triplets: Granny Rosie's Amazing, Magical Day - Review and Giveaway

We love finding fabulous new children's books to fall in love with - and ones about families with multiples are especially exciting!  We were thrilled then, when we had the opportunity to check out the new children's book, The Birthday Triplets: Granny Rosie's Amazing, Magical Day.

This sweet book begins with lonely Granny Rosie, saddened that she'd yet again spend her birthday alone.  She begins looking for a distraction - maybe something in her recipe book?  But none of those adventures seemed quite right - until, that is, a special invitation arrived!  With a little hope and a few special ingredients, Granny was in for a birthday surprise hosted by the magical Birthday Triplets!

Three special girls - Candi, Cookie and Coco (and their pooch Chocolate Pudding) bring excitement and joy to brighten Granny's special day.  Singing and dancing along, the triplets bring celebration wherever they go.

This beautifully whimsical book creates such a delightful world for it's readers.  With a consistent end rhyme, it's a great book to read aloud - such an important thing for our family story time!  The story shares values like compassion and joy and is filled to the brim with fun.  The images are simply gorgeous and full of detail.

While my toddlers surely enjoyed our time reading this book together, especially pointing to all of the pictures along the way.  I think an ideal age for readers might be between 4 and 7.  It's perfect to share together for family reading time, or reading independently for a beginning reader.

The Birthday Triplets: Granny Rosie's Amazing, Magical Day would be the perfect gift for any special birthday as it would bring the magic of celebration into story time.  For families with multiples, this exciting adventure adds an element of familiarity, and illustrates the love and partnership sisters share with one another.  Finally, little ballerinas would be big fans of these dancing triplets with their adorable ballet shoes and tutus.

We loved The Birthday Triplets and I know you will too - even if you're a family of one, two, or three special girls!

 

We are so excited to share this special book, signed by both the author and illustrators, to one of our readers!  Enter using the Rafflecopter below, and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Love our reviews?  Be sure to vote for us every day to keep us in the ranks!

While we did receive a copy of this book to review and give away to our readers, we were not compensated for this post.  All opinions are our own. Amazon Affiliate links are provided for your convenience.  If a book is purchased through these links, I may receive small compensation.

Just Between Friends Consignment Sale Coming Soon in Pittsburgh!

If you've been a reader for while, you may know that we LOVE to shop consignment sales!  We were lucky enough to have read about them a long time ago over at The Fabulous Baby Striblings  and have been hooked ever since.

In the past, I've shared my Consignment Shopping Haul and my 10 Tips for Kids Consignment Shopping Success - both are great reads if you're new to this fabulous way to stock your kids closets.

As the seasons change, we'll be needing to fill up on fall sweaters, jeans and leggings.  Lucky for us, the Just Between Friends Kids Consignment Sale is coming up very soon here in Pittsburgh!  

The Just Between Friends Fall/Winter Children's & Maternity Consignment event kicks off for everyone on September 20th.  There is an exclusive pre-sale for volunteers, consignors, first-time parents, foster parents, military families and teachers on Thursday, September 19th!    

What: JBF Pittsburgh Children's & Maternity Fall/Winter Sale
When: Fri., Sept. 20 – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sat., Sept. 21 - 8am-4pm (NEW Merchandise!) & Sun., Sept. 22 - 8am-2pm (Many items 50% off). 
Where: RMU Island Sports Center in the Golf Dome, 7600 Grand Ave., Pittsburgh 15225
Admission: $3 on Friday (under 18 is free - or print your FREE admission pass below for Friday). Admission is free Saturday & Sunday.

Want to outfit your kids in great brands?  Looking for some new toys or baby gear for less?  You  won’t want to miss the Just Between Friends Children’s & Maternity Consignment event.

Want to turn YOUR clutter into CASH at the Fall Sale?  It's not too late to sign up to sell any new and gently used items your family has outgrown at the JBF event. Consignors prepare and price their own items using an easy, online bar code system. They earn 60% of their sales or if they join the team and help out at the event, 70% of their sales. Anyone interested in consigning can sign up for the Pittsburgh event on the jbfsale.com website (click here).

Team members are an important part of the JBF event. JBF Team Members shop FIRST and earn 70% on their consigned items.  Anyone is welcome to join the JBF Team as a voluteer.  You can register for a short 4-hour shift to guarantee early admission at the pre-sale event!

For our local readers, we have a VERY special opportunity for you to shop at the Thursday night pre-sale on September 19th.  Enter using the rafflecopter below for your chance to win a pre-sale pass to shop early and snag up all the best deals.

Hope we'll see you there!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't forget - you can vote for us EVERY DAY!

DidiPop Review and Giveaway

I have been getting excited about writing this review for weeks now - really I have.  I'm thrilled to be able to introduce you to one of the babies' favorite musicians, to whom we have been listening  since they were only a few months old.

We were first lucky enough to be introduced to DidiPop after winning a giveaway through another favorite blog and since then, we've been hooked.

Deborah Poppink Hirshland (also known as DidiPop) has been making music since she was a child.  After a successful career teaching music to celebrity clients and making music for television and film, she became a mother and started recording some of the tunes she created for her own children.

DidiPop music is above all things, fun and entertaining.  I am not ashamed to admit that I know the words to almost all of the songs on the first two albums and am quickly learning those of the third.  I really believe she makes me a better mom - turning off my top twenty or talk radio to sing along to her joyful songs with the kids bopping in the back.  Sure there's plenty of kids music available - but only DidiPop is enjoyable enough for me that I willingly go for the dial.  The truth is, she is one of MY favorite artists too - and it's a good thing since we listen almost constantly.  

DidiPop's first release, DidiPop Goes to Hawaii has a special place in our hearts as lovers of of the islands ourselves.  The bouncy tunes, many featuring my beloved ukulele, give it a summertime feel that brings welcome warmth to any time of year.  I always get a kick out of Sugar Cane Train which takes the listeners to on a ride through Maui, visiting "Lahaina Station" - one of our favorite places to visit in Maui.  "Way Up High" is another favorite telling the story of a pair of love birds, with beautifully blending harmonies.  I slow this one down a bit, singing it to Julie frequently while we rock together in her room.  "The Hawaiian Alphabet Song" won Deborah the well deserved Grand Prize in the Children's Music category of the John Lennon Song Writing Contest.  While we don't have plans to travel to Hawaii with our kids yet, I'm thrilled that they can get a dose of the Aloha Spirit through this fantastic album!

Everyday Adventures is DidiPop's second release, and the perfect soundtrack to your every day life.  We love breakfast time singalongs with the peppy "tush on the cush."  We sing "look at yourself in the mirror" anytime the babies find their reflections.  "Feed the Pet" is a frequent culprit as the song that just won't get out of my head (not that I mind), and "Yellow Banana" catches a tune every time we have bananas, rice, apples, toast, or yogurt on the menu.  I made it my personal mission to learn all the words to "The Cool Alphabet Song" and can proudly say that I accomplished my goal.  

The newest release from DidiPop, Bunny in the Moon will put you to sleep.  No really - that's what it's intended to do!  This innovative album sings kids through their evening routine of bath, pajamas, teeth brushing and goodnights, then slowly eases them into relaxation, lullabied to sleep. We've been working in our house to find a better routine, and Bunny in the Moon helps us stay on track!  "Bathtime" is a light tune reminiscent of bubblegum doo-wop and we love that our old friend Max the dog makes an appearance!  "Snuggle Up" is another favorite to unwind, the anthem for bedtime cuddles and story time.  We first fell in love with "Oceans of Love" when we heard it on Everyday Adventures, but this new version, intertwined with rich stringed harmonies warms my heart.

So if you couldn't tell already, I am in love with DidiPop music.  I imagine looking back on these days when my kids have grown, and reminisce of our days singing and dancing along.  We were so lucky to have "discovered" her music, and am excited to have been able to bless your family with the same introduction.  

One lucky reader will win their choice of a DidiPop Digital CD Download.  Enter by completing the rafflecopter tasks below!  And while you're entering, be sure to visit www.youtube.com/didipopmusic and start listening to your kid's new favorite artist.  Her animated music videos are so entertaining that she's about to reach 6 million views!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

DVD Giveaway - Standing Up against Bullying!

As a mom, I've been hopeful that one little perk of having twins will be that my kids will be there to "protect" each other during the cruel moments of childhood bullying.  I can already tell that my Julie will be a child who "marches to the beat of a different drum" - just as I was as a child.  For me, that difference resulted in a lot of bullying growing up.  It wasn't until halfway through High School, when I found my place in music and theater, that my confidence really grew and I fell into my own identity.  Since my own days in school, it seems like kids have even further lost their filters, and the brutality of bullying is intense and widespread.  It scares me as a mom...

According to Pacer.org, more than 160,000 U.S. students stay home from school each day from fear of being bullied.

One of the best things we can do to understand the problem and discuss solutions is to be inspired. The new movie “Standing Up” is THAT inspiration.

Based on one of the most beloved Young Adult novels of all time and directed by the acclaimed D.J. Caruso, Standing Up follows two kids who get bullied by a vicious summer camp prank. Left together on an island, their adventure begins once they decide not to be victims and instead they Stand Up! 

Standing Up is an adorable and heart-warming gem of a movie with an important anti-bullying message that’s suitable for the whole family! Get the DVD August 20!

What can be done to help the bullied “stand up” for themselves?

Discover more about Standing Up by watching the trailer, taking the quiz and signing the Anti-Bullying pledge through the blog app below!



My Tales with Two is excited to be partnering with Standing Up to giveaway a free Signed Copy of the new movie to share with your family, friends or students!  Enter to win using the Rafflecopter form below!


 

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

iTunes Giveaway and Touch 'n Sing Review

Brayden and Julie are getting to the age where anything musical is just thrilling - they smile, bop their head and dance along.  When you pair this with the colorful excitement of my cell phone or tablet, it becomes a great combination that will really hold their attention!

We recently had the opportunity to check out a new app for kids from SumahoMAMA called Touch 'n Sing and it was a total hit!  The app has been out or a while on itunes and recently launched for android.  Designed for kids aged 2-7, Touch 'n Sing (short for Touch and Sing Along Picture Book) hopes to entertain and engage with bright colors, movement and music, while adding a touch of education.

The app is actually a suite of smaller games which kids can access from one place.  The app is free to download and includes two free games - The Hokey Pokey and The Alphabet Game.  Twinkle Twinkle Little Star is also a special freebie until September 1st.  These three are great to get started and my kids loved the songs so much that they'd run across the room to play when I opened the app.  At only 19 months, they're a little young for some of the games, but still loved the cause and effect experience of touching the screen and activating a special little sound or motion from the cast of characters.

When your little ones have mastered the free games (or you're just hoping for a little variety), additional games are available for purchase - most of which are only $.99.  They even offer two "Super Value Packs" where you can get six games for $4.99.  
As a family who likes to have it all, we bought both Super Value Packs so we could try all of the games. Here's a few of our favorites:
- Ten Little Indians
- Old McDonald Had a Farm
- I've Been Working on the Railroad
- Parade of the Wooden Soldier

These four were ideal for us because the child didn't really need any "skill" to have fun.  Touch the screen, and it'll make a noise, label the item, do a little dance, or give some other cute little gratification.  I would definitely recommend these for the littlest players!

For older children, I loved the pattern practice offered in The Farmer in the Dell, sorting in Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree, and the interactive matching challenge in The Muffin Man.

I will give one slight caution though to some conservative parents that are easily shocked - there are a few surprises you may want to watch for for sensitive/overly curious kids.  The Itsy Bitsy Spider does have spiders that eat butterflies and ladybugs if you guess incorrectly.  Similarly, the dog in BINGO will run over the young boy if he's not the correct pet indicated.  I was just slightly disturbed by the "baby or egg" choice in Turkey in the Straw and very surprised to see the animal on my screen simulating a birth of said baby or egg.  Nothing that's a huge deal in my perspective, but just another reminder that families should always be actively involved with their children's digital entertainment experience.

Overall, Touch 'n Sing is a fabulous app that I am so excited to have in my entertainment arsenal when we're out and about with twins.  I'm thrilled that I can have it right at my finger tips, where ever we go, and that with such a range of ages, it'll grow right along with them.  It's rare that I find an app that appeals to both of my toddlers, and Touch 'n Sing review seems to offer a little something for everyone.

Touch 'n Sing is available for download on iTunes and at Google Play.  Learn more about the app and it's developers on the SumahoMAMA website, twitter and facebook page.

SumahoMama wants to help you get started in buying additional games for your favorite kid by offering a $10 iTunes Gift Card!  Enter using the Rafflecopter form below - Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest ends August 13th at Midnight and winner will be contacted by email.  Winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.


Make my day and vote for me - please and thank you! :-D

Win It! EquityLock Protector

A long time ago, before we were married, Dan owned our house as a bachelor.  He chose our appliances with the help of Consumer Report guides, and picked out models that shined, blinked, and had fancy LED screens.  Shortly after I moved in, it seemed our curse began - first the washer, then the dishwasher then issues with the treadmill, the grill, the laptop and the fridge filter.  It became apparent that although Dan's choices were well researched, they did not stand the test of time, and he (unfortunately) did not have a backup plan.  He left the sales associates high and dry with their extended warranties unpurchased.

More recently, we do try to purchase extended warranties but what about the items already in our home?  Our original built in microwave and oven are used so frequently that it's almost inevitable that they'll go sooner or later.  That's where the EquityLock Protector plan would be an absolute life saver!

EquityLock Protector insures your six major home appliances - washer, dryer, refrigerator, built-in microwave, dishwasher, and range/oven.  If one of these items malfunctions, EquityLock will cover a repair or replacement of up to $1.500 per appliance per 12-month period. Typically, homeowner insurance policies don't offer help when your appliances break down. With the EquityLock Protector plan, you'll safeguard up to $50,000 of the value of your property and ensure your six most essential appliances are protected.



I'm excited to be partnering with EquityLock to bring our readers an opportunity to win
• 6 months of EquityLock Protector (usually $79.95 a month, that’s over $470 in total value) FREE
• $15 EquityLock Home Improvement Cash (cash card to use at all good home improvement stores) FREE



No credit card information is required - just the contact information of the winner in order to ship your prize.  Complete the Rafflecopter Form below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tell us your appliance woes!  Our personal worst was three weeks without a washer because of a breakdown.  Thank goodness we were baby free at the time because we would have been buried in the piles if something like that happened now!

EquityLock Protector has provided me with a free trial of their program in exchange for my post,  and EquityLock Protector has supplied information and materials included in this post.

GIVEAWAY from GiggleBuzz!

I've written in the past about how there are SO many things I've wanted to do now that I am home.  And sometimes the choices are overwhelming!  In the past few months, I have really been focusing on my hair bow making, and am excited to finally launch my business - GiggleBuzz!

I've been so busy making lovely little bows and bow ties that I thought it was just about time that I share my newest passion with you.  Here's some of my favorite items!

In honor of our Etsy launch, we are hosting our first ever giveaway and hope that you'll enter!  Just use the rafflecopter widget below, or visit http://bit.ly/T8dRmI.  The winner will receive their choice of prizes! 

Option 1: Any two Adjustable or Clip Bow Ties
Option 2: A Korker Hair Bow, Shamrock Ribbon Clip, and pair of pigtail bows.

You can even enter directly via my facebook page!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends February 8th at 11:59 PM EST. Open to Residents of the US only.  Prizes cannot be shipped to PO Boxes.  Winner will be selected by Random.org and be notified by email. Winner have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected.  Facebook, Twitter and Google+ are in no way associated with this giveaway.  By providing your information in this form, you are providing your information to me and me alone.  I do not share or sell information and will use any information only for the purpose of contacting the winner.