Party Goodies from Anders Ruff {GIVEAWAY}

I first came across the fabulous party products from Anders Ruff when I put together my THE BUZZ ON BEE PARTIES post back in April and included this sweet invitation in my round up.

What I didn't know at the time was that Maureen, one of the talented mamas behind Anders Ruff, also threw her son Pierson (that cutie pie in the picture above) a bee themed first birthday using the store's printable party pack, and let me tell you, it was un-bee-lieveable!  She made the birthday boy this adorable bee adorned Jon Jon:

Filled empty honey bears with treats and topped them off with personalized hats for the favors.  The labels say "Thanks for bee-ing so sweet!"

And made the cutest hive cake I've ever seen.

There are so many more bee-autiful details from Pierson's first bee-day and you can check them out on the Anders Ruff blog.

After seeing that party, I did some more investigating.  Turns out Anders Ruff is run by two moms, Maureen (Anders) and Adria (Ruff), who met at a pre-school open house.  Their mutual love of paper, design and art led to them to start their own business and the store was born!

The ladies of Anders Ruff design everything from simple invitations to full-blown party packs which can be used in so many ways.  Their "Under the Big Top" printables were used for this gorgeous dessert table from Swank Sweets.

And look at what Tricia, a wedding planner from California, did with the same set for her daughter's birthday party!

So cute!

This Anders Ruff swimming party invitation (which also comes in pink and orange for girls):

Also inspired an amazing 5th birthday bash.

Everything from the water bottles to the paper goods had one of the custom logos.

Lunch was served in personalized pails.

And each guest left with a bucket filled with sidewalk chalk.

Isn't it astounding how much you can do with a few digital files???

Almost all of the Anders Ruff invitation and party pack designs come with different color and pattern options like this luau invitation:

And the themes in their store are endless!  From airlines:

And Sesame:

To Legos:

And construction:

There's something for the farm:

And the sweet shoppe:

A safari:

And cars:

The Anders Ruff team will work with you to change colors, fonts, images and text further to get exactly what you want and they're always up for custom work.  I've even got my eye on one of their invitations for Gabrielle and Alaina's second birthday party.

Visit Anders Ruff on Etsy and see their designs come to life on their blog.  And one lucky reader is going to win something of their very own!

Maureen and Adria have generously offered to give away one of their Personalized Party Invitation Digital Files to an AFOMFT reader!  To enter, visit Anders Ruff and post a comment here telling me which design you'll choose 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
• 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.  
• Publicly follow the Anders Ruff blog
• Visit Anders Ruff and make the store a favorite.
• Follow AFOMFT on Twitter (@AFOMFT or click the birdie icon on the sidebar) and tweet this post by clicking the graphic above or this giveaway:  #Win a fabulous personalized party invitation design @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 June 29th at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be selected by random.org and announced on AFOMFT on June 30th. 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: Swank Sweets, Tricia Nicole Events & Anders Ruff

AND THE WINNER IS....

Congratulations HANSENPJ05!  You've won a Tiffany Initial Hair Clip from The Baby's Bundle! 

The lucky little lady who gets this barrette is going to look so sweet with a bit of bling in her hair.

Please e-mail me at afomft@gmail.com by end of day Wednesday, June 23rd to claim your prize. If I do not hear from you by then, a new winner will be chosen. 

If you're sad you didn't win, don't forget that readers of AFOMFT get 15% off all purchases at The Baby's Bundle by entering code FAVS at checkout.  Thanks to The Baby's Bundle for this fantastic giveaway and wonderful discount!

AND THE WINNER IS....

Congratulations EMILY B!  You've won the Newborn Essentials Gift Pack from Paige Lauren Baby!  It's worth more than $100 and I know you're going to love all of the super soft pieces. 

Please e-mail me at afomft@gmail.com by end of day Wednesday, June 23rd to claim your prize. If I do not hear from you by then, a new winner will be chosen.  And a huge thank you to Paige Lauren Baby for this wonderful giveaway!

More Fun Finds for the 4th! {GIVEAWAY}

I posted some FUN FINDS FOR THE 4TH on Friday, but I had such a hard time narrowing the choices down to eight that I had to share some more today too.     

Clockwise from the top left:

1.  Independence Day Pinwheels {get the instructions at Good Housekeeping}

2.  Stars & Stripes Twinzie Onesies or Tees from klzart {such a cute set for twins or siblings!}

3.  Red, White & Blue Parfaits {get the recipe at Martha Stewart}

4.  Patriotic Hair Clips from The Baby's Bundle {just $3 each or 2 for $5}

5. DIY Confetti Paper Rockets {find the how-to at Alpha Mom}

6.  Lil' Firecracker Onesie or Tee from Lil' LJ {get it personalized at no additional cost}

7.  4th of July Paper Lanterns {Martha Stewart has the DIY details}

8.  Dressed Up Ice Cream Cones {find out how to make 'em at All You}

Hopefully, these fun funds will help you plan the best Independence Day festivities yet!  And this should give you a little more assistance....

Want something fun for your 4th?  AFOMFT is giving away a $10 credit toward any of the products you saw in our previous FUN FOR THE 4TH post or this one.  To enter, vote for us on Top Baby Blogs by clicking here -  - and then clicking the VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE BLOG GRAPHIC.  Then post a comment here telling us you did and which fun thing from our posts that you'll put the $10 toward if you win.  You can do this once per day per IP address so if you have multiple computers or can vote from your phone, you can earn more entries.

This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada and ends June 24th at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be selected by random.org and announced on AFOMFT on June 25th. 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: Good Housekeeping, klzart, The Baby's Bundle, Alpha Mom, Lil' LJ, Martha Stewart & All You

Catch the Mania!

I'm so excited to announce that A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS will be participating in BLOGMANIA on September 15th & 16th!

Haven't heard of it?  Then you're missing out!  BLOGMANIA is a HUGE giveaway event that happens twice a year.  Over two days, you'll have the chance to win amazing prizes on more than 100 participating blogs.  Just how amazing are we talking?  None of the giveaways are valued at less than $100 and there are some worth more than $1,000!  There's already more than $20,000 in prizes lined up and that number is growing every day.  I told you - amazing!

AFOMFT will be hosting two giveaways.  The first is filled with things that are MARVELOUS FOR MOM, like jewelry, handbags, beauty products, stationary and more.  I honestly want just about every single thing we have lined up.  The second is called THE WHOLE KID CABOODLE and includes tons of goodies for little ones, from custom bedding and wall decor to adorable clothing and terrific toys.  Both prize packs are valued at more than $400 right now, and there will be more additions over the next three months.  I'll be announcing the wonderful stores who are sponsoring AFOMFT's giveaways throughout the week and I know you're going to be excited when you see what great products they'll be offering.

And I've got some more news to share - AFOMFT is also an official sponsor of The Kids of Blogmania 1st Annual Photo Contest!  There are so many wonderful stores sponsoring prizes geared toward children younger than 14, so BLOGMANIA is looking for three adorable kiddos to be the faces of these fun giveaways.  One winner and two runners up will be selected based on the number of votes received and will win a gift certificate that can be used at any of the shops participating in BLOGMANIA!

To enter your cutie pie into The Kids of Blogmania 1st Annual Photo Contest, please visit the BLOGMANIA Central Blog. Moms of Multiples - you can enter one photo of your twins, triplets, quads, etc. and they will be counted as a group (i.e., one vote for their photo is a vote for all of them); if you'd like to submit your children of different ages, you must enter a separate photo of each of them as they will be counted as individuals.

All entries must be received by end of day on July 2nd, and voting will be open to the public from July 7th through July 21st.  I would love to see one of AFOMFT's followers win one of these three prizes so head on over and submit your photo! 

So don't forget to Save the Date - BLOGMANIA is taking place September 15th & 16th.

Until then, you can check out the BLOGMANIA CENTRAL BLOG, "like" BLOGMANIA on Facebook, and follow BLOGMANIA on Twitter for daily updates on the prize totals and new sponsors, and I'll be posting our first sponsor spotlight tomorrow!  If you're interested in sponsoring one of AFOMFT's prize packs, e-mail me at afomft@gmail.com and we'll try to work something out.  In the meantime, I'll help you count the days, minutes and seconds until all the giveaway goodness begins!

Got a second?

Top Baby Blogs is a directory of mommy and baby blogs that ranks them in order of popularity based on votes from readers.  Every few months, they reset the votes to even the playing field for newer and smaller blogs and today was reset day.  AFOMFT has been consistently ranked in the top 20, and more often than not the top 15, for the past three months.  We're hoping to make the top 10 this time around but we can't do it without all of you!

If you don't mind, click the blinking banner below.  It will take you to a landing page with a "VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE BLOG" graphic at the top.  If you click that graphic, your vote for AFOMFT will be cast (our blog ID is embedded in the link that launches from the graphic below).  Your vote won't show up right away in our count but it will within an hour or two.

You can vote once per day per IP address so if you have multiple computers or Internet access on your phone, you can vote from all of those locations once every day too.   

You may be wondering why the Top Baby Blog rank matters, but showing our popularity is one of the things that helps me secure the fantastic giveaways and discounts for all of you.  So if you love what you see here on AFOMFT, give us your vote!

DISCLAIMER: This message was brought to you by the campaign to put AFOMFT in the top 10.  AFOMFT approved this message.

Happy Father's Day!

From our family to yours!  Here's what Gabrielle & Alaina's gave to their daddy this morning.  The silhouette artwork I was planning on giving to him isn't quite done yet (sometimes I'm too much of a perfectionist for my own good) so I went with this project instead.  My husband loved it even more than the present Steve Jobs & Co. is making for him from me.  Now that's saying something!

I hope you all have a wonderful day with your fathers, husbands and families!

Image: AFOMFT

Fun Finds for the 4th {GIVEAWAY & DISCOUNT}

Can someone please tell me where June has gone?  I just looked at the calendar and Independence Day is only two weeks away.  Yikes!  I figure I can't be the only one a little behind lately so here are some goodies to help get you ready for the 4th of July.  Which did I mention is only 14 days away....

Clockwise from the top left:

1.  Boys Polka Dot Tie Tees from lilsteinstyles featuring sam-n-i {enter to win one here}

2.  Ohh and Ahh Twin Pack Onesies or Tees from Lil' LJ {such a cute set for twins or siblings and you can have them personalized for no extra charge}

3.  Simple Patriotic Crepe Paper Table Runner {learn how to make one at Good Housekeeping}

4.  Ruffled Tank from lilsteinstyles featuring sam-n-i {enter to win one here}

5. Patriotic Paper Lollies {find the instructions at Makes & Takes}

6.  Red, White & Blue Hair Bow from Forever Chic Bowtique {special promotion: spend $20 or more and you'll get 10% off your order plus free shipping through Sunday, June 20th}

7.  Flag Cupcakes {get the recipe at Martha Stewart}

8.  Pretzel Sparklers {Martha Stewart has the DIY details}

And if you really want to get the party started, download this free 4th of July Party Printable Collection from Tweedle Dee Designs.

This fabulous set includes eight files with DIY designs for invitations, cupcake toppers, a star-spangled banner, straw flags, bottle labels, treat bag toppers, place cards, favor tags, note cards and more.  And yes, you read it right - the files are FREE!  A huge thanks to the uber-talented Brandi for creating and sharing these with all of us.

Images: Lilsteinstyles featuring sam-n-i, Lil' LJ, Good Housekeeping, Makes & Takes, Forever Chic Bowtique, Martha Stewart & Tweedle Dee Designs

A Personalized Present To Die For {GIVEAWAY & DISCOUNT}

If you "like" the AFOMFT page on Facebook, you may have seen my series of posts yesterday on the great gift we put together to give Gabrielle and Alaina's friend, Olivia, on her first birthday.  Here's a look at the finished product:

The adorable jute bag is from Ballard Designs.  You can get this tote in five different colors and choose from several monogram options.

And here's a little tip - if you sign up for the Ballard Design newsletter, you get a coupon code for 10% off your first order!

Inside the bag, were two more personalized goodies.  The first is this fabulous frilly name pillow from the appropriately names Olivia Handmade.

Olivia Handmade was just started by Kristin, the same wonderful woman behind My Two Babes Designs, which I posted about on MULTIPLES MONDAY.  I was so excited to be her first sale!  She can print the name fabric in any color combination you want, and you can either order a pillow, like I did, or get the fabric swatch to use in your own projects.  And her pillows aren't just for girls.  Check out the fantastic version she made for a little boy.

And last, but not least, I had to include one of The Baby's Bundle Tiffany Clips.

You already know I love them and they're a super sweet addition to any girl's gift.  Don't forget - you can still enter our giveaway to win one of your very own right here - WIN A TIFFANY HAIR CLIP!  But hurry, entries close tonight at 11:59 EST.

So there you have my version of perfect personalized present.  Wouldn't your little lady love to get one of these?

If you're not already a fan of AFOMFT on Facebook, make sure you "like" our page.  You won't want to miss out on our posts highlighting the latest deals, fun finds and so much more!

Images: AFOMFT, Ballad Designs & Olivia Handmade

Bring on the Fireworks! {GIVEAWAY}

I'm one of those moms who likes her kids to have an outfit for events and holidays.  Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day (and no, we're not Irish), Easter, Thanksgiving - Gabrielle and Alaina had an ensemble for all of them.  Last year, the girls wore these red, white and blue numbers for the 4th of July:

So I started hunting a few weeks ago for something equally adorable for them to wear this year.  I knew I'd hit pay dirt when I saw this:

Red, white and blue ruffles?  Yes, please!  I immediately contacted the seller, Lilsteinstyles featuring sam-n-i, and asked if they could make me two of these darling tanks for my girls - one as shown and one with a blue ruffle on top and a red ruffle on the bottom - and was told no problem.  When they arrived a week later, I couldn't believe the cuteness!  Independence Day was still 10 weeks away so I folded the tops nicely and put them away in the closet.  But those ruffles kept taunting me and when Memorial Day rolled around, I couldn't contain myself any longer and had to bust them out.  Here's Gaby modeling hers:

And Alaina squealing with joy over how much she likes her outfit.

And sure, I may be biased, but how sweet do they look together?

Love love love!  And Lilsteinstyles featuring sam-n-i has other great red, white and blue options that would also be perfect for the 4th.  This is another version of the tank I bought with more ruffles (the look on this little girl's face kills me!):

And for the boys out there, they make these terrific tie tees.

I know what you're probably thinking.  "Do I really want to spend money on holiday-themed clothes my kids will wear once?"  Let me assure you that the Lilsteinstyles featuring sam-n-i tops are so cute that you'll want to put them on your kids all summer long but even if you don't, the prices are so reasonable that even one wear will be worth it.  The tanks Gabrielle and Alaina are sporting?  Just $7.99!  The boys' shirts are $6.99 and the super ruffled tank is $12.99.  Seriously, I usually spend $16 on one shirt for my girls and for that, I got two that are totally unique.  When they wore them on Memorial Day, people were stopping us on the street to comment on how cute they were.  That alone justified the cost!  (PLEASE NOTE: If you want to receive your order in time for Independence Day, be sure to place it by June 27th!)

There are lots of fabulous handmade items in the Lilsteinstyles featuring sam-n-i store, like this ruffle skirt with coordinating top (just $9.99 for the set!):

But one product that's near and dear to my heart is the Germie Stopper Sign:

Cristal, one of the moms behind the store, has boy/girl twins who spent time in the NICU.  As I know all too well, being a parent of a preemie makes you extremely germ-phobic and the last thing you want - or any parents does, for that matter - is for people to touch your babies with their dirty hands when you're out and about.  Enter Germie Stoppers!  They can be hung from a stroller:

Or a car seat:

To let other know to keep their hands to themselves.  Using a sign like that is so much easier than having to tell people, however well-meaning, to wash their hands before touching your child.  Each Germie Stopper sign is totally unique and comes with the hanging link.

Whether you're looking for adorable and affordable clothing or something to help you keep your kids prying-stranger-free, Lilsteinstyles featuring sam-n-i has something for you!  And I can tell you from personal experience that working with Cristal and Joanna is a dream.  They're collaborative and communicative, which is very refreshing.

And they're also very generous!  Cristal and Joanna are giving away one of their 4th of July tops AND four Germie Stoppers to a lucky AFOMFT reader!  How fantastic is that?  The winner will get to choose from either the polka dot boy's tie tee or the ruffle tank my girls have, but please note it will be made with royal blue polka dot fabric instead of navy.  To enter, visit Lilsteinstyles featuring sam-n-i and makes the store a favorite, then post a comment here telling me whether you'll choose a 4th of July tee for a boy or girl 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" Lilsteinstyles featuring sam-n-i on Facebook -- http://www.facebook.com/pages/lilsteinstyles
• 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.  
• Publicly follow the Lilsteinstyles featuring sam-n-i blog
• Follow AFOMFT on Twitter (@AFOMFT or click the birdie icon on the sidebar) and tweet this post by clicking the graphic above or this giveaway:  #Win an adorable 4th of July tee for your little one & 4 Germie Stopper signs @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 June 23rd at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be selected by random.org and announced on AFOMFT on June 24th. 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: Erin Alfaro Photography & Lilsteinstyles featuring sam-n-i