FABULOUS FOR MOM FRIDAY: Banyan Hippo {DISCOUNT}

You may remember that last Friday, I posted about how I love to add color to my city girl black wardrobe when the warm weather rolls around.  Well, I've found a great new store to help me brighten up my closet - Banyan Hippo.  Handmade by a mother of twin girls (obviously a lady after my own heart!), this line of handbags is just perfect for summertime!

From the sunny color to the flirty ruffle, the Frilly style has my name written all over it.  

Then again, so does the Nagy.

And I love the grommet detailing on the Citrine tote.

How perfect would the over-sized Sailor be for a day at the beach? 

And if you need something smaller but still want that nautical feel, the Ahoy will be right up your alley.

If all this color is too much for you, Banyan Hippo has gorgeous neutral options too.  The Candy Bag in Vanilla Cream may not be bold but it will still add sass to any outfit.

My favorite part about this line is that you can choose your favorite style and have it made in any of these fun fabrics.

You can also convo Vildan, the lovely lady behind Banyan Hippo, to customize the strap, pockets or other details.  It's basically like creating your own bag.  So fun!

And while the Banyan Hippo bags look like designs you'd find at Anthropologie for $100+, everything in their store is less than $50!  Crazy right?  At prices like that, you might as well get two!

But before you go running off to Banyan Hippo to start building the bag of your dreams, there's one more important piece of information you need to know.

Vildan has generously offered readers of AFOMFT 10% off all purchases at Banyan Hippo by entering code AFOM in the message to seller box at checkout.  The discount will be refunded to you via Paypal and does not apply to shipping costs.  Enjoy!

Images: Banyan Hippo

FABULOUS FOR MOM FRIDAY: Tamara Handbags {GIVEAWAY}

MOM MADNESS MONTH was such a huge hit on AFOMFT that I decided to start doing a weekly post focusing on fantastic products for moms.  Without further ado, here's the first FABULOUS FOR MOM FRIDAY feature....

I have a thing for bags.  You could call it an obsession but that sounds so.... I don't know, sinister.  It's more like a love affair, and I have to admit, I have a new crush on Tamara Handbags.

Tamara, the lovely lady behind the designs, and I went to college together and in 2003, she started her own line of handbags and accessories.  Since then, her bags have been seen on celebrities including Britney Spears and featured in magazines like Lucky and Us.  All of her pieces are named after her friends so I get excited when there's one titled for someone I know, like the Aria (who was my roommate junior year).  There's even a Danielle laptop bag.

I don't think it was technically named after me, but I love it anyway!

You can shop Tamara Handbags by style or fabric.  My personal favorite?  The Luisa clutch in brown multi-color.  It's perfect for summer.

I also love the leather trim on the Carly style.

And the Ashley.

If you want a small bag but can't live without a strap, check out the adorable Mandy wristlet.

You can attach both ends of the strap to one side and wear it on your wrist:

Or put clip the straps on opposite sides of the bag so you can wear it over your shoulder.  It's like having two bags in one!

Another style I have my eye on is the Amy Triple Zip Satchel in brown paisley.  This design has three different compartments for so you can tote everything you need and keep it organized.  I can totally see this becoming my go-to bag!

And if you're looking for something more classic, the Andrea Satchel in batik paisley will get you through all four seasons in style.

Before I had Gabrielle and Alaina, I never carried big bags, but now that I'm dragging blankets and sippy cups wherever we go, small ones don't make the cut anymore.  The Anya tote is just the right size for all the girls' stuff and the pink paisley fabric keeps it from being boring. 

Tamara is the mom of an 18 month old so she knows very well what makes a great baby bag.  Her diaper bag designs, like the rest of her line, are functional but stylish at the same time.  I love that the Leila comes in a subtle polka dot pattern so dads can't object to carrying it, but the changing pad is a fun red paisley that gives the bag a little sass.

And the Leah baby messenger is great because it can be carried three ways - over the shoulder, across your chest or hung off your stroller.

It comes in two patterns and has a coordinating changing pad, hot pink lining and more pockets than you'll know what to do with!

What more could you ask for?

I can personally vouch for the quality and timelessness of Tamara's line.  I bought one of her satchels and a matching cosmetic bag five years ago and I still carry them to this day.  That's more than I can say for a lot of the bags I've bought!

Tamara Handbags are sold in stores throughout the country and you can also order them online.  If you live in the Boston area, be sure to check out the events section of her website to find shows and shopping events featuring Tamara's line.  You can also get information on how to throw your own Tamara Handbag party and get a complimentary bag for hosting!  But choosing just one may be impossible. Trust me.  My cart currently holds five of them. 

Think you can choose just one of Tamara's bags?  You're in luck because she has generously offered to give a $50 gift certificate to one lucky AFOMFT reader!  To enter, visit Tamara Handbags and post a comment here telling me what you'll put the $50 credit toward if you win (this is mandatory).  For additional entries:

• Subscribe to AFOMFT or let us know you are a subscriber
• "Like" AFOMFT on Facebook -- http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFTFBFAN
• "Like" Tamara Handbags on Facebook --  http://tinyurl.com/TamaraHandbags
• Ask your friends to "like" AFOMFT on Facebook by sending them this link - http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFTFBFAN - and post a comment here with the names of each one who does.  You'll earn one entry per new friend who "likes" our page and names will be cross-checked. 
• Follow Tamara Handbags & AFOMFT on Twitter (@tamarahandbags & @AFOMFT or click the birdie icon on the sidebar) and tweet this post by clicking the graphic above or this giveaway:  Need a new bag for summer? Win a $50 gift certificate to @tamarahandbags from @AFOMFT - http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFT
• Click here to vote for AFOMFT on Top Baby Blogs and post a comment here that you did - .  You can vote once per day per computer so if you vote every day or on different computers, be sure to post one comment for each one.
• Grab our button and put it on your blog or website and post a link here showing us.
• Blog about AFOMFT or this giveaway (worth 2 entries so please post two comments) and post a link to the post.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry (two if you've blogged about the giveaway) and make sure to include a link to your tweet, blog post, etc. All entries must be posted on AFOMFT as a direct comment to this post.  Comments on Facebook will not count as entries.  This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada and ends May 28th at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be selected by random.org and announced on AFOMFT on May 31st. If the winner doesn't contact AFOMFT within 48 hours, a new drawing will be held so be sure to check back to see if you've won!

Images: Tamara Handbags

FABULOUS MOM FRIDAY: Two By Two Creations {GIVEAWAY}

Today's FABULOUS MOM is Joanne of Two By Two Creations.  She's got twin daughters around the same age as mine and named of her business to honor her two cutie pies.  So sweet, right?  Two By Two Creations started after Joanne found herself disappointed in the quality of the things she bought for her little girls so she started making things herself.  From hair bows and hats to tee shirts and tutus, Joanne's products are not only adorable but well-priced too.  And, as she likes to say, everything is toddler tested and mommy approved!

This mommy sure approves of these super cute hats.

 I mean, really.  How cute will these be for spring?

You probably know by now that I'm a sucker for tutus and Two By Two Creations has some of the prettiest around.

I love the way Joanne blends two colors together and musses up the tulle.  And just look at the fun ribbon and Ric Rac detailing!

You can outfit your little girl from head-to-toe in Two By Two Creations.  They also carry the cutest hair clips.

And headbands....

And pillow cases dresses.

But moms of boys, don't worry - Two By Two Creations has something for your little guys too!  Take a look at AFOMFT reader Jenny's sons Hudson and Miles in the Valentine's Day shirts Joanne made for them.

So sweet, right?  Well, with St. Patty's Day right around the corner, you know you want some great green goodies for your McCuties. Luckily, Two By Two Creations has you covered.

I think Joanne sums it up best with this quote from her website:  "I love the look on a little girl's face when she loves her bow or when a mom loves the shirts for her son. It makes me feel so great knowing I am helping to bring smiles to peoples' faces."  You can see that love in each and every one of her products and I'm sure anything you order will bring a smile to your face too.

And this should put a smile on the face of one lucky AFOMFT reader too - Joanne has generously offered to giveaway a $25 credit to her store.  To enter, visit Two By Two Creations and post a comment here telling us what you'll buy with your credit if you win.  For additional entries:

• Subscribe to AFOMFT or let us know you are a subscriber 
• Visit Two By Two Creations on Etsy and make the store a favorite
• Become a fan of AFOMFT on Facebook -- http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFTFBFAN
• Become a fan of Two By Two Creations on Facebook -- http://tinyurl.com/TwobyTwoCreations 
• Ask your friends to become a fan of AFOMFT on Facebook by sending them this link - http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFTFBFAN - and post a comment here with the names of each one who does.  You'll earn one entry per new friend who becomes a fan and names will be cross-checked. 
• Follow AFOMFT on Twitter (@AFOMFT) and tweet this post by clicking the graphic above or this giveaway:  Enter to win a $25 credit to TwobyTwoCreations at A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS @AFOMFT - http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFT
• Click here to vote for AFOMFT on Top Baby Blogs and post a comment here that you did - .  You can vote once per day per computer so if you vote every day or on different computers, be sure to post one comment for each one.
• Grab our button and put it on your blog or website and post a link here showing us.
• Blog about AFOMFT or this giveaway (worth 2 entries) and post a link to the post.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and make sure to include a link to your tweet, blog post, etc. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada and ends February 26th at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be selected by random.org and announced on AFOMFT on March 1st. If the winner doesn't contact AFOMFT within 48 hours, a new drawing will be held so be sure to check back to see if you've won!


Images: Wendy Boyce Photography & Two By Two Creations

FABULOUS MOM FRIDAY: 'Tis the Season! {GIVEAWAY}

Today is FABULOUS MOM FRIDAY but instead of featuring a mother-run business like I usually do, I'm going to share a Christmas tradition that my mother started for my brother and me.

Every Christmas, she got us each our own ornament for the tree and labeled the year on the back.  When we were little, she'd pick it out for us and when we got older, we were allowed to choose our own.  We used to love to hang those ornaments every year and talk about where we got them and why we picked them out.  Now that I have a family of my own, I have the 30-some-odd ornaments (I'm not going to admit the actual number!) and use them on our tree.  I still buy a new ornament every year and I've started doing the same for my girls.

If you're looking for a fun ornament so you can start the same tradition with your little one, look no further than the personalized ones from Kiddliwink Kreations.

If you've just had a baby, the Baby's First Christmas ornaments would be perfect for you.

If you're expecting, the Mother & Parents-to-be strollers are adorable.

And there are plenty of other designs which can be personalized however you want.  From stockings:

And teddy bears:

To monkeys:

And airplanes:

Kiddliwink Kreations has something for everyone.  And all of these fantastic ornaments are less than $8!  At that price, they'd great holiday gifts too, which is why they're going on AFOMFT's Holiday Must Have List.

And you can win one of your own too!

Kiddliwink Kreations is generously offering one personalized ornament to a lucky AFOMFT reader!  To enter, visit Kiddliwink Kreations and leave a comment here telling me which ornament you'll choose if you win and who it's for.  For additional entries:

• Subscribe to AFOMFT or let us know you are a subscriber.
• Become a fan of AFOMFT on Facebook -- http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFTFBFAN
• Follow AFOMFT on Facebook by clicking the link on the right side of the blog.
• Visit Kiddliwink Kreations on Etsy and add the store to your favorites.
  
• Follow AFOMFT on Twitter and either re-tweet this post by clicking the graphic above or tweet this giveaway:  Enter to win a personalized Christmas ornament at A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS @AFOMFT - http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFT
• Click here to vote for AFOMFT on Top Baby Blogs and post a comment here that you did - .  You can vote once per day per computer so if you vote every day or on different computers, be sure to post one comment for each one.
• Grab our button and put it on your blog or website and post a link here showing us.
• Blog about AFOMFT or this giveaway (worth 2 entries) and post a link to the post.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and make sure to include a link to your tweet, blog post, etc. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada and ends December 17th at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be selected by random.org and announced on AFOMFT on December 18th. If the winner doesn't contact AFOMFT within 48 hours, a new drawing will be held so be sure to check back to see if you've won!

Images: Kiddliwink Kreations