Mother's Day Gifts Galore from The Rusted Chain {GIVEAWAY & DISCOUNT}

Last summer, I had the pleasure of meeting Beki from The Rusted Chain when she ventured from Kansas to NYC for Martha Stewart's Blogger Night Out.  She's as sweet as pie and we chatted about doing something together someday and lo and behold, that time has finally come!

Beki makes beautiful hand-stamped jewelry from sterling silver, pearls and semi-precious stones and I love the way they combine rustic with glam.  This Swirled Monogram necklace is one of my favorites.

And the Fresh Cut design is perfect for spring!

A lot of Beki's pieces also have an inspirational or sweet message.  This is something we should always remember.

And everyday would be better if we celebrated with one of these!

With Mother's Day just around the corner, whether you're looking for a gift for someone you love or something you might want to send a hint to your hubby about, The Rusted Chain is the place to look.  There's the perfect necklace for moms who like to shoot:

Or craft (or sew or bake or play soccer or whatever you want it to read):

For moms with heroic husbands:

Or for any mom or grandmother who wants to celebrate her family:

The Rusted Chain also carries bracelets:

Earrings:

As well as gifts for men, like personalized key chains:

And golf ball markers.

I could go on and on so head on over to The Rusted Chain and check out all of the goodies for yourself.  I bet you'll find something you have to have!  Personally, I have my eye on this little number:

 
And if you want to receive your jewelry by Mother's Day, be sure to place your order by April 23rd to ensure it will arrive in time.

And guess what?  I've got an early Mother's Day gift for not one, but TWO lucky AFOMFT readers because Beki has generously offered to give away two $25 credits to The Rusted Chain!  To enter, visit The Rusted Chain and post a comment here telling me what you'll put the credit toward if you win (this is mandatory). For additional entries:

• "Like" The Rusted Chain on Facebook
• "Like" AFOMFT on Facebook 
• Subscribe to AFOMFT or let us know you are a subscriber
• Follow The Rusted Chain & AFOMFT on Twitter (@TheRustedChain & @AFOMFT or click the birdie icon on the sidebar) and tweet this post by clicking the graphic above or this giveaway: #Win one of two $25 credits to @TheRustedChain at @AFOMFT - perfect for Mother's Day! 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.
• Blog or post on Facebook about this giveaway with a link to this post (worth 2 entries so please post two comments) and make sure your comments include a link to your status or blog 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 April 24th at 11:59 pm EST. The winners will be selected by random.org and announced on AFOMFT on April 25th. If the winners fail to contact AFOMFT within 48 hours, a new drawing will be held so be sure to check back to see if you've won!

And that's not all.  Readers of AFOMFT will receive 15% off all purchases from The Rusted Chain by using code FAV15 at checkout!  The discount does not apply to shipping costs.  Happy shopping!

Images: The Rusted Chain

AND THE WINNERS ARE.... {DISCOUNT}

Congratulations LIZA767!  You've won a $20 Credit to Pear Tree Greetings!

Congratulations NYUGEN FAMILY & ANASH!  You've each won two Gold Chain Initial Tees from lilsteinstyles!

If you were one of the lucky ones listed above, please e-mail me at afomft@gmail.com by end of day Sunday, April 17th to claim your prize. If I do not hear from you by then, a new winner will be chosen.

If you want to order some adorable Easter photo cards from Pear Tree Greetings, use code EASTER11 to get 10% off your order of $25 or more!  Happy shopping!

My Five Favorite Pins This Week

I posted about my addiction to Pinterest last week (wondering what Pinterest is? Find out here!), and despite seeking help (read: trying to distract myself by doing something more productive), my obsession is still going strong.  Since I'm determined to get everyone as hooked on it as I am, here are my five favorite pins this week:

#1: It's time to plant that garden again, so why not add some whimsy by using old rain boots as planters?  {Pin via Amy via Iwona Estera from Rosy Posy}

#2: This play kitchen is so cute, it's hard to believe it was DIYed from cardboard! {Pin via Stacy of KSW via Kristin Hayes from Family Fun}

#3:  I love this idea for a kid's gallery wall in what could be dead space in the hallway between bedrooms.  {Pin via Stacy of KSW via Kristal Flentge from A Soft Place to Land}

#4:  Make rainy days tons more fun with this DIY doorway puppet theater. {Pin via luvinthemommyhood via Beth Stedman from Little Lovables}

#5:  These oversized, fabric-covered bulletin boards have me swooning! {My pin via Effortless Style}

So there you have my Five Favorite Pins this week.  If you'd like to check out my boards on Pinterest, you can find them HERE.  If you're already on Pinterest, I'd love to follow you so post a comment here with a link to your boards so I can check them out.  And if you're not already a member and need an invite, post your e-mail address and I'll send you one.

Happy Pinning!

How to Throw the Ultimate Sesame Street Party! {Part 2}

Sunny days, sweeping the clouds away....

I've had that song stuck in my since I posted part one of How To Throw the Ultimate Sesame Street Party last week and why wouldn't I?  Visions of Cookie Monster and Big Bird and Oscar have been dancing in my head ever since.  I guess I should get used to it since it's time for part two!

My last post covered invitations, decorations and food, but what are you going to do with all of those Bert & Ernie lovers once the party starts?  I love this "Pin the Nose on Elmo" game that Melissa from Honey Scrap made for just 50 cents using poster board and construction paper.

There were two great activities at the party thrown by Libby from Libby's Little Addiction - make-your-own Sesame puppets, using foam cut out with scalloped circle punches, googly eyes, popsicle sticks and pom poms:

And this super cute "Toss Oscar in the Garbage Can" game:

Libby painted clothespins to look like Oscar (and even included a little Slimey worm!) and decorated paper bags to look like garbage cans.  Genius!

Jami from Freckled Laundry made this cookie-tastic pinata out of a paper bag and crepe paper for just $1!  You could probably make all of the characters using her simple tutorial.

I found another fun and inexpensive idea over on And Everything Sweet, where Kate set up a fake tattoo parlor for her daughter Olivia's birthday. {Psst- you can get 72 temporary Sesame Street tattoos for $7 at Oriental Trading!}

She also made this amazing photo stand where the kiddos could take a turn being Ernie.

Once the food has been eaten and the games are done, it's time for cake!  The Hudson Street sign on this one from Jenny Cookies is too cute.

Effi from Le Petit Party used fondant characters on her son's cake.

Over on And Everything Sweet, that term was an understatement when it came to Olivia's confection, which featured a huge cupcake on top!

But who says you have to have a cake?  You can keep it simple like Melissa from Honey Scrap, who made an Elmo out of cupcakes. 

Unfortunately, after the candles have been blown out, it can only mean one thing - the party's over.  But don't send your guests home empty handed!  Cookies shaped like the birthday boy or girl's age and initial (this party brought to you by the letter "H" and the number "2") are a fun favor, like these from Jenny Cookies:

And the character pails from Olivia's party on And Everything Sweet would also be fab.

I don't know where they're from but they look like they'd be pretty simple to DIY.

That's not what party goers at Olivia's party received, though.  Elmo inspired the actual favors:

Much to some parents' chagrin, when they left with his two favorite things - crayons and a real goldfish!

Want to do something similar but simpler?  These chocolate-covered Oreo Goldfish pops from Domesticated Lady will probably go over a little better with the 'rents.

And while we're making Elmo's picks edible, why not tackle crayons too?

Jenn from Parties by Hardie shows you how to make edible crayons (hint: they're pretzel rods dipped in chocolate):

And there's also a free printable for the wrappers!

So there you have it - what to do, what to eat and what to give out at your Sesame Street birthday bash.  Hmmmm, it seems like I'm forgetting something.  What could it be?  Of course!  What to wear!

There are tons of adorable Sesame Street outfits, shirts and dresses on Etsy and elsewhere but I'll leave you with two of my favorite ideas.  I adore these darling appliqued shirts from Peanut and Pumpkin Design.

How cute are the names and ages on the back?

Sara can make almost any character and you can pair the shirts with tutus, jeans or whatever. 

And if you're feeling a little crafty yourself, give these hats from Crafts by Amanda a go.  The how to is super simple.

Come to think of it, they'd make cute favors too!

So there you have it - How to Throw the Ultimate Sesame Street Party!  I hope you've enjoyed these posts.  If you have some Sesame ideas you want to share, post them in the comments and I'll include them in the future.  And stay tuned for our next "Ultimate Party" post on rock star bashes!  If you have something that ties into this theme that you think I should include, shoot me an e-mail at afomft@gmail.com.

Images: Honey Scrap, Libby's Little Addiction, And Everything Sweet, Freckled Laundry, Jenny Cookies, Le Petit Party, Domesticated Lady, Parties by Hardie, Peanut and Pumpkin Design & Crafts by Amanda

How to Throw the Ultimate Sesame Street Party! {Part 1}

I've gotten quite a few e-mails over the past few weeks asking for inspiration for Sesame Street-themed parties.  Well, as Abby Cadabby might say, your wish is my command!

First up - invitations.  You can go the DIY route and make something fun like these Cookie Monster invites from Jami at Freckled Laundry.

Can you believe she hand-made all of these from wash clothes?

And Libby at Libby's Little Addiction used a scalloped paper punch and other scrapbooking tools to make these adorable cards.

If you're looking for something a little less labor intensive, Etsy is filled with tons of fun printable options.  A few of my faves?  This colorful and modern take from Anders Ruff.

The sassy polka dot version from Less Ordinary Designs.

And this bright invite featuring the character of your choice from Shindig Parties to Go.

Once you've got the invitations squared away, it's on to the next piece of the part puzzle - decorations.

You can easily set the tone for the party from the time the guests pull up!  Kerri from Elle Belle's Bows cut out these Big Bird, Elmo and Cookie Monster tracks to lead party goers up to her front door.

And a client of Anders Ruff made this rainbow balloon wreath (here's a how to from How Does She) to welcome everyone....

To Owen Street. 

Notice the 1 on top for his first birthday.  Adorable!

What I love most about a Sesame Street theme is that it's based in bold, primary colors, which means you don't need to go over-the-top with decorations featuring the characters.  Take this bash thrown by Effi of Le Petit Party, which was featured on Amy Atlas. 

Most of the elements are done in simple, solid colors which you can easily create inexpensively on your own, allowing you to splurge on things like the Sesame Street cake and cupcakes.

Jenn from Hostess With the Mostess did something similar when she styled a party for Nancy O'Dell's daughter, Ashby's, birthday.

She created a giant candy buffet filled with solid colored treats, and interspersed framed photos of the characters as well as small plush dolls (similar ones can be found for $2 at Target) to bring in the theme.  I love how whimsical it all looks!

Even something as simple as grouping red, blue, yellow and green balloons like these from Lemiga Events gives you that Sesame Street vibe.

 
Want to add a little more pizzazz? Throw some polka dots into the mix too, like Jenny from Jenny Cookies did for her son, Hudson's birthday (she used the invitation from Less Ordinary Designs that I featured above, along with all of the coordinating printables).

Kate from And Everything Sweet used a solid backdrop, a polka dot garland and an assortment of rainbow colored tissue poms for her daughter's party. {learn how to make the poms here at Martha Stewart}

She also dressed up the kid's tables by adding colorful balloons and adorable DIY party hats.

Aren't they fun?

And while we're on the topic of tables, let's turn our attentions to what I think one of the most fun parts about a Sesame Street party is - the food!

It's so easy to stay on theme by serving items that the inhabitants of Sesame Street like to eat, like Eleven Cupcakes did here - goldfish for Dorothy, cookies for Cookie Monster and pizza for Elmo.  And the street sign labels she used are a wonderful touch!

Libby at Libby's Little Addiction used cookie cutters on the food at her daughter Caroline's 2nd birthday, which, appropriately, was being brought to guests by the letter C and the number 2.

She also cut the sandwiches into shapes.

At the Elle Belle's Bows bash, there were jars of Slimy's Pudding. 

And alphabet and number Jello jigglers.

And every party needs a signature drink, right?  So serve up some of this non-alcoholic Rubber Ducky Punch from Tidy Mom in Ernie's honor!

When it comes to sweet treats, Bakerella has a tutorial for these fabulous Sesame Street cake pops.

You can also make some cute character chocolate lollipops like these from And Everything Sweet.

And of course you're going to want some cupcakes!

Get the how to for these Cookie Monster cuties at Complete Deelite.

And Lovely Sprinkles has terrific tutes for almost all of the Sesame peeps, including my fave, Grover.

Now what are you going to do with the kiddos once they're hopped up on all of that sugar?  I've got tons of Sesame Street themed activities, plus fun favor ideas and more coming tomorrow in Part 2 of How to Throw the Ultimate Sesame Street Party.  You won't want to miss it.

And if you need help with a party theme, send me an e-mail at afomft@gmail.com and I'll see what I can do!


Images: Freckled Laundry, Libby's Little Addiction, Anders Ruff, Less Ordinary Designs, Shindig Parties To Go, Elle Belle's Bows, Le Petit Party, Hostess With the Mostess, Lemiga Events, Jenny Cookies, And Everything Sweet, Eleven Cupcakes, Tidy Mom, Bakerella, Complete Deelite & Lovely Sprinkles