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.


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A Mama Uniform

I'm ready to throw in the towel and go naked.  Well - not really, because that would be inappropriate, but I'm throwing my hands up in surrender as the fashion gods clearly hate me.

While I was never a "fashionista" and was proud to shop the clearance racks through middle and high school, I found favorite stores in college and in my early career that kept my wardrobe on track.  The now defunct B. Moss offered classic, quality styles that were more "grown up" than teen clothes but weren't things my mother's generation would wear.  Deeper into my career I fell in love with the quality pants of Ann Taylor, upscale casual of Banana Republic and the reliable standby's of Gap.

Pregnancy brought the maternity clothes, to which my response was kinda "eh - no one looks good pregnant" but secretly I loved the excuse to wear comfy clothes and not worry about my belly "pouch."  Two babies was a great reason to let it all hang out!

My struggle with my wardrobe really began when the babies were born, and here we are 18 months later, still facing an uphill battle.

After delivery, I was down 20 lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight coming home from the hospital, and lost another ten breastfeeding.  Although my body had changed with my weight distribution, my shorts could still zipper and my tops fit fine.  A new fashion plague was upon me - reflux.  Brayden threw up so often (leaving oily stains in his path) that I could barely justify new clothes and stocked my closet full of solid colored crew necks from Kohl's.  Along with yoga pants, these became staples of my new Mommy Uniform, and remain my most commonly worn outfit to this day.  I even joke with my friends that my style is Yoga Homeless, as explained in The Naked Redhead's fabulous video.

But there's so many days I now want more.  Joining Dan for his ten year reunion, I became so frustrated with my lack of appropriate attire that I spent a whole evening crying.  The pounds had crept back on since I put away my  breast pump, and my "real clothes" were again hard to button and I certainly didn't look good in them.

I have the best husband in the world, who has blessed me with the command to "get out there and shop" - no limits, do whatever I need to do to feel better.  I started with a subscription to weight watchers, and now 15 pounds lighter, I'm sitting comfortably in new eating habits and more comfortably fitting clothes.

But the problem remains that Ann Taylor is no longer appropriate for my day to day, but Yoga Homeless is not cutting it either.  I'm ashamed to say it, but I have a terrible fashion secret that I need to "get off my chest" (literally).

I am still wearing my nursing bras - 17 months after my kids failed to nurse.

Yep, you'll have to bust out the magnifying glass to read that one.  Seriously though, I wish Stacy and Clinton from What Not to Wear could sweep me off my feet and into some magical dressing room with piles of clothes that fit and look good.

My sad reality though is that after spending a whole day looking at stores in Grove City, and a good hour of shopping at TJ Maxx, I couldn't find a single garment that interested me.  It's that rough spot where you have no idea what you're looking for, but lots of ideas what you're not looking for.  So how about you?  Where are your favorite "mom friendly" places to shop for casual yet fashion forward clothes?  Somebody's got to fill this girl in!