Go Bears!

Go Bears! Rawwr! Shee-cago. He dropped it! Get him! Time out!...are just a few things Mia can say while watching football J She fits into her (Ryu’s) Bears hoodie now so I thought it’d be fun to do a same time last year comparison…

Let’s hope Monday Night Football ends with a win tonight!

Girly Monster 1st Birthday Party: Inspiration Board

Mama Kaye took on my DIY ideas for her daughter's baptism and now she's enlisted me to help with the first birthday party planning! She is going to be one busy busy bee for the next week! Here are some ideas that gave us inspiration for her baby girl's MonSTAR first birthday party...

Resources (clockwise from the top left):
 - Sweets Table: via Kara's Party Ideas
 - Pom Garland: etsy shop unknown
 - Yarn Wrapped 1: See Kate Sew
 - Star Cookies: Vixen Made
 - Yarn Pom Monsters: The Purple Pug via Catch My Party
 - Monster Utensil Holders: a {day} with lil mama stuart by Tre
 - Streamer Backdrop: Annie's Eats via TomKat Studio
 - Lollipop Cone: One Charming Party
 - Yarn Pom Garland: Shortcake Party Shop
 - Yarn Pom Sign: Hostess with the Mostess
 - Invitation made by the birthday girl's dad!

**Update** See how the party turned out here.

{Mama K} - 40 weeks

A few Fridays month ago, the moms in my building enjoyed an evening out with Italian dinner and drinks The dads took our babies to a local watering hole and surprisingly, it seemed like they were fine without their wives! Good job guys!

Our newest soon to be mom couldn’t make it out because she was due to have her baby that Monday. On a whim, I photographed Mama K's beautiful belly just days before her son arrived. Can't wait to meet you Connor! 

**Warning if pregnant bellies gross you out, look no further!**

 

Paper Culture Giveaway Winner!

Thanks for playing along every one! The winner of my last giveaway, a $50 voucher to Paper Culture, is Lori from Chic Geek Designs! Congrats Lori, you won something!

1 Year + 3 Winners!

Happy Friday everyone! As if you didn't know by now, today marks my one year blogiversary! It's gone by fast, and surprisingly, I haven't run out of things to talk about yet. And even more surprisngly, people are listening! So thank you for taking the time to spend a {day} with lil mama J

Hopefully I don't get burned out, but I think things are just getting started. As Pioneer Woman said the other day, "I’m nowhere near where I want to be. But I’m a lot closer than I’d be if I hadn’t kept going." Although I don't know where I'll be and what I'll be doing years from now, I know something good (aka creative) is in store for me...

On to our three winners shall we!?

Winner of the Little Penelope Lane hair wrap is....Samantha!
Winner of the Ruffled Begonia apron pattern is...Ashley @ Cherished Bliss!
Winner of the Baby Byrds 8x10 personalized print is...Nelly @ I Can Dabble!

Emails have been sent to the winners. Thank you all for entering! If you haven't entered the Paper Culture giveaway yet, I'm leaving it open through Sunday October 2nd, 11:59pm, winner to be announced Monday! Have a great weekend! Tonight I have a LONG list of supplies to gather from Michael's and Joann. By myself. In peace. Exciting Friday night isn't it? Don't be jealous.

**CLOSED** Giveaway #4 - Paper Culture

If you’re new around here, have you checked out giveaways 1, 2 and 3 for my blogiversary? Take a peek, you can still enter!

So you’ve heard about Paper Culture here, here and here. But let me give you a refresher on why this modern eco stationery company impressed me time after time. Do check out their holiday cards/invitations,

modern baby announcements, baby shower invitations, birthday party/other invitations, thank you cards and stationary.

1. Customize. It was a breeze to customize the colors (background, font, images) of my invitation to go from their Holiday Party red to my Winter One-derland lilac. After one request, the proof came back looking exactly like I wanted.
2. Fast. Turnaround time was quick. After requesting edits, the proof came back shortly thereafter. After placing my order, it was shipped two days later.
3. Mailed without ever going to the post office (for free + cost of stamp). You can enter all your addresses and Paper Culture ships your cards for you. No buying stamps, licking envelopes or waiting in line at the post office.
4. Individual Personal Messages (for free). I entered one general message to print on the back of all my invites. But in addition to that, I easily personalized each and every message that got mailed out.
5. Repeatedly surprising me. I received a $15 credit for filling out a quick survey. Then out of nowhere, my shipping was upgraded for free and would arrive a few days sooner. Then after I received my pretty little box of cards, there was a 20% off coupon for a future purchase. It was like bringing a sale item up to the register to find out it was discounted even more – pleasant surprise and score!
6. Heavy cardstock. Don’t you just love the feel of solid quality paper? Haha ok probably not everyone notices these things. But I sure do! And rounded corners add a nice touch too! Here’s how they compare themselves to typical competitors like Tiny Prints and Shutterfly.
7. Ecofriendly. They plant a tree with every order!

I definitely appreciate good customer service and attention to detail which sometimes is hard to come by these days. As you can see, I had a very positive experience with Paper Culture for Mia’s Winter One-derland birthday party last year. And even better when I won their contest for free passes to BlogHer J They did not compensate me for this post. They did not provide me with any free products. They are not my sponsor (I don’t have any). I loved them before the free conference passes.

Have I sold you on it yet? I hope so, because they have a $50 gift voucher for one of you! Here’s how you can enter to win: {If your account isn't linked to your email, make sure you leave it in a comment!}

Required: Stop by Paper Culture and comment on this post with what you’d use your voucher for.

Optional extra entries, one for each: {leave a separate comment here for each that you did}. 

Like Paper Culture on FB.

Subscribe to a {day} with lil mama stuart via email – if you already do, just let me know!

Follow me via Google Friend Connect - no blog/blogger account needed! If you already do, just let me know!

Tweet this giveaway.

Post this giveaway on your blog.

Post this giveaway on your FB page.

That’s a total of seven possible entries per person! Giveaway ends Sunday, October 2, 2011 at 11:59 CST. Winner will be chosen at random and announced on Monday.

**CLOSED** Giveaway #3 – Baby Byrds

Mmmk day three of four. Did you catch the first and second giveaways? Hop on over, you can still enter those too!

Next up is etsy shop Baby Byrds. Not long ago, I gave you a peek at Mia’s room and the personalized print I have to decorate it. Not to mention the nine other prints I’ve ordered for all my nieces and nephews! So you know that I highly recommend Christen’s work! With all ten prints, she was so patient with the customization of colors, patterns and images. Now one of you lucky ducks can have your very own 8x10 personalized print too! Don't have a child? That's ok! I'm sure you have a niece, nephew or a friend with a kid, right? *Note, these pictured below are 11x14 in frames purchased from Michael's.  

Contrary to what most people think, you don’t need to have a blog, tweet or FB account to enter giveaways! Here’s how you can enter to win an 8x10 personalized print from etsy shop Baby Byrds:

**If your account isn't linked to your email, don't forget to leave it in each comment**

Required: Visit Baby Byrd’s shop and comment on this post with the name of your favorite print.

Optional extra entries, one for each: {leave a separate comment here for each that you did.}

Like Baby Byrds on FB.

Subscribe to a {day} with lil mama stuart via email - Already do? Just let me know!

Follow me via Google Friend Connect (no blog/blogger account needed! ) - Already do? Just let me know!

Tweet this giveaway.

Post this giveaway on your blog.

Post this giveaway on your FB page.

That’s a total of seven possible entries per person! Giveaway ends Thursday, September 29, 2011 at 11:59 CST. Winner will be chosen at random and announced on Friday.

I have one last giveaway tomorrow, $50 value, don't miss it!