FAVORITE WEBSITE WEDNESDAY: Lil Blue Boo

I don't even know where to start on my love for Lil Blue Boo!  Run by Ashley, a mom who used to work in investment banking but now stays at home with her 2 year old daughter, affectionately nicknamed "Boo," this blog is chock full of fantastic craft ideas. 

Ashley says her goal is to spread more creativity and she does just that.  Her projects are made for people like me, who yearn to be crafty but think they don't have the skills to do it.  She has a great tutorial section on the site dedicated to step-by-step instructions explaining in very simple terms how to make some really fun things.  Check out these Owl Applique Tees with Matching Skirts:

And how cute is this Frog Beanbag?

These DIY Cork Stamps are such a great - and easy - project to do with your kids:

And your little boy will be the coolest of the cool after you make him some of these fabulous Flaming Pants:

One of my favorite parts of Lil Blue Boo is how Ashley repurposes clothing.  She comes up with amazing creations that can be made using things you - or your little ones - have already outgrown.  I am determined to master my sewing machine to make some of these dresses for Gabrielle & Alaina:

Like what you see?  There's lots more where all of this came from!  Head on over to Lil Blue Boo and get ready to get inspired!


Images: Lil Blue Boo

AND THE WINNER IS....

Congratulations JASONLOVESSARA! You've won the butterfly wall art from Almost Sunday!

Please e-mail me at afomft@gmail.com by end of day Friday, October 2nd to claim your prize. If I do not hear from you by then, a new winner will be chosen. 

YOU TAKEOVER TUESDAY: Head's Up {DISCOUNT}

This week's YOU TAKEOVER TUESDAY question comes from Maggie in Marion, Wisconsin:

Dear AFOMFT:
Believe it or not, it's already getting cold here in Wisconsin (the low tonight is going to be near 30 degrees) and I'm totally unprepared.  I'm desperately trying to find some cute winter accessories for my 6 year old daughter, Kayla, and my 3 year old son, Alex.  Any suggestions?

Thanks for the e-mail, Maggie!  I love that even though you live in a super cold climate, you're still looking for something fashionable to keep your kids warm.  And nothing fits that bill like the adorable fleece winter hats made by Little Lids.

All of the Little Lids line is handmade and come in four sizes - extra small (0-6 months), small (6-24 months), medium (2-4 years) and large (4 years-tween) - so there's something for kids of all ages and even better, you'll probably get more than one season's use out of them.  And the whimsical designs are just too cute! Kayla can choose from Butterflies, Flowers and Cherries:

And Alex might like the Alligator, Dog or Monster styles:

I seriously can't get over how fun the animal designs are with the tails on the back!  Just check out the Monkey hat:

I know how hard it can be to get your little ones to wear their winter gear but with Little Lids, your kids can pick the hat style they want and customize the colors to their liking.  And if they want to personalize it even more, they can even add their name. 

It doesn't get much cuter than that!  Maggie, I hope you love Little Lids as much as I do!  And there's one more great thing I forgot to mention....

Katie from Little Lids has graciously offered 15% off all purchases of $20 or more to AFOMFT readers.  Once you choose the hats you want, convo Katie to let her know you read about her store on AFOMFT and she'll set up a reserved listing with the discounted price.   Please note that this discount does not apply to shipping costs.

Want to get your say on A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS? You're in luck because every Tuesday, our readers are in the driver's seat! Each week, I'll be featuring your favorite things, helping you solve your decorating dilemmas and more. So shoot me an e-mail at afomft@gmail.com if there's something you love that you want to share or if you're on the hunt for the perfect product and just can't find it. And every reader featured on YOU TAKEOVER TUESDAY will receive a special gift from AFOMFT. What are you waiting for? Hit us up!


Images: Little Lids

Don't Forget....

To Blog For a Cure!  There are 10 giveaways up for grabs now and more to come.  Grab the button and spread the word!

AND THE WINNER IS....

Congratulations PYJAMMY PAM! You've won the initial tees from Savvy Sarah Designs!

Please e-mail me at afomft@gmail.com by end of day Thursday, October 1st to claim your prize. If I do not hear from you by then, a new winner will be chosen. 

MULTIPLES MONDAY: Blog For a Cure {GIVEAWAYS}

This week, one of my Mommy of Multiples friends, Lani, is hosting the first Annual Blog For A Cure on her blog, Who Knew? Reviews.  What is Blog For A Cure?  It's a cool new way to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society while also allowing us to make new connections and broaden our social media network.  And on top of that, you can win great prizes!  Here's how it works:

• Head over to Who Knew? Reviews and click on the button to donate $1.00 to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. If you can donate more, please do so, but the minimum to participate is $1.00. This will earn you one entry into each giveaway that you comment on. If you would like more entries for a particular item, each extra dollar will earn an additional entry.
  

• Then, sign in to Mr. Linky and cruise the list of other participants, visiting a minimum of 5 blogs.

• Click “follow” when you get to those blogs. For each new blog follower that you get, return the “follow.” Feel free to visit and follow each and every other participant that signs in to Mr. Linky- think how many new followers you will receive! Feel free to check back all week long to meet new bloggers, and gain new followers!

• On September 28th, post something about the Blog For A Cure Blog Party on your own blog, including the link: www.whoknewreviews.blogspot.com. Feel free to copy and paste this text, and encourage all of your blog readers to do the same.

• If you do not care to gain followers for your blog, you can still will prizes by donating a dollar, and commenting on the prize posts that you want to win.

• If you do not want to donate, you can still help by blogging, tweeting, and posting on Facebook about this event, to help us spread the word and raise as much money as possible. Just imagine what a difference we could all make, if we all just donated ONE dollar.
  

And what about the prizes, you ask?  Every hour today, Lani will post a new giveaway on Who Knew? Reviews.  Up for grabs is a tandem double stroller from Kolcraft:

A gorgeous personalized necklace from StephieMc Designs:

And other great items from Orglamix mineral makeup, Krizzy Designs, and Boojiboo among others.  And be sure to keep your eyes peels for a great giveaway coming later this week sponsored by AFOMFT! 

There will also be a prize for the person who refers the most participants so when you get to the main link-up post, leave a comment that you were referred by AFOMFT and help me win a special, personalized gift from Stephie Mc Designs!  If you post about the Blog For a Cure on your blog, you could be eligible for that great gift too.  So what are you waiting for?  Grab the button below to start spreading the word about this event! Let’s do something- together- to make a difference.

<a href="http://www.whoknewreviews.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss293/lanik58/bfac150.jpg" /></a>

Image: Who Knew? Reviews

CRAFTASTIC: Silly Snakes

Now that fall is in the air, need an easy project to occupy your kids when they can't go outside?  Check out this adorable stuffed snake from one of my favorite craft blogs, Skip To My Lou.

All you need to make this snake is an old sheet and some fabric markers.  First, you stitch a strip of the sheet into a tube:

And if you can't sew, you can skip that step by using my favorite craft supply - Stitch Witchery tape.

Then let your little one go to town!

After the snake is decorated, stuff it and tie the end off with a piece of yarn.  It doesn't get more simple than that!  You can find the full instructions for this project and many many more at Skip To My Lou.


Images: Skip To My Lou

CRAFTASTIC: Ballerina Cupcake Toppers

Are you sick of my posts about things I discovered on my Internet quest for ideas to use at Gabrielle and Alaina's first birthday party?  I hope not because you're getting another one today!

How adorable are these ballerina cupcake toppers from Jadi at  Homemaking Fun? They're a twist on these equally cute paper dresses from Composing Hallelujahs.

 

Talk about perfect for a little princess!  Making these ballerina or dress toppers is such an easy DIY project and they can be used so many different ways - as invitations, favor tags, place cards, even strung together as a garland.  I think I have the theme for next year's birthday bash!

You can find the step by step instructions at Composing Hallelujahs.


Images: Homemaking Fun & Composing Hallelujahs

AND THE WINNER IS....

Congratulations JENN MARON! You've won the Mommy tee of your choice from Glamajama!

Please e-mail me at afomft@gmail.com by end of day Monday, September 28th to claim your prize. If I do not hear from you by then, a new winner will be chosen.

FAVORITE WEBSITE WEDNESDAY: Bakerella

Gabrielle and Alaina's first birthday party is this weekend and I've spent the past few weeks scouring the Internet for ideas and inspiration.  I've discovered some amazing websites and blogs but find myself constantly going back to one in particular - Bakerella.

Before we go any further, I have a confession to make.  While I've often dreamt of whipping up beautiful pies and delectable cakes, I can't bake.  I even got one of those glistening Kitchen Aid mixers hoping it would motivate me to attempt some sweet treats.  Yet two years later, it still sits alone, gathering dust in a cabinet, never having been used.  But now that I've found Bakerella, that's all going to change. 

What I love move most about Bakerella is that it focuses on fun and easy baking.  None of the recipes are intimidating, even for a novice like me.  You can find recipes and instructions for everything from the adorable cupcake pops pictured above (a Bakerella signature creation!) and these funky flower cake pops:

To cookies, desserts and these yummy takes on the traditional pie:

Martha Stewart liked Bakerella's creations so much that she invited her on her show to demonstrate how to make the cupcake pops.  I mean really, impressing Martha?  Does it get any better than that?

So even though Gabrielle and Alaina's first birthday party hasn't happened yet, I'm already planning their super sweet second.  I'm envisioning a beautiful buffet filled with all of Bakerella's delicious desserts and a design-your-own cupcake pop station for the kids.  You probably think I'm crazy but trust me, once you visit the site, you'll get the baking bug too!

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Images: Bakerella