Blog a la Cart

Amanda Jane Jones

How unbelievably clever, cute and well-designed are these Year in Review holiday cards? So so so much so. But believe your eyes, friends, as both of these cards were created by the very talented Amanda Jane Jones – a blogger/designer that I’ve been following for some time, primarily inspired by my love of her My Better Half series. I dream that one day James and I will be a part of this awesomeness!

She’s currently running a giveaway on her blog for one lucky reader to have their “Year in Review” designed and printed thanks to her and Cleanwash Letterpress. My fingers are extra-super crossed that I win – but I thought I could share the opportunity with all of you. How great would it be to highlight the purchase of Cartwheel Farm, our flock of hens with one rogue rooster, and our three-legged wonder dog? What a year it has been! The giveaway details are here. Good luck!

Images & Designs: Courtesy of Amanda Jane Jones

Hare + Hart // giveaway

Here’s a much more wearable look, no? Delightful for a styling, lazy stroll among the fall leaves with some flashes of color and dependable basics. Granted, this jacket has the ability to make a muumuu fashionable. I could honestly wear it everyday for the rest of my life. And it is so wonderfully made, it would no doubt stand up to the task.

Pop down below to see how you can replicate this look and win yourself a pair of Hare + Hart’s Zero Waste Bangles.

To enter to win the two Zero Waste Bangles pictured above:

Shop ’em: 1. Wide Hair Calf Zero Waste Bangle by Hare + Hart; 2. Schiller Jacket by Hare + Hart; 3. Skinny Zero Waste Bangle by Hare + Hart; 4. Jade Legging in Super Stretch Denim in Princess Blue by NYDJ; 5. Vintage Cotton Tee in Graphite by J. Crew; 6. Dune Melissa Slouch Boot from ASOS; 7. Original Wayfarer by Ray-Ban; 8. Chanel Rouge Creme Lipstick from Beauty Encounter

Hug a Plush // giveaway

This little company‘s slogan is “get Happy.” After the past two weeks of worst case scenarios and rainy, grey, miserable days, I could use some forced happiness in my life. Couldn’t we all?

I’m mixing it up this week and instead of featuring yet another Eph business, I’ve got my eyes on Hug a Plush, a company run by a woman who worked at Goucher College with me in my first post-collegiate job. She is an illustrator and graphic designer by trade, and began making and selling this adorable line of plush creatures. They’re quirky and colorful and totally amorphous – perfect for a child’s burgeoning imagination and creativity, or to add a little sunshine and light in your home! Head on over and meet the whole crew.

To enter to win a Hug a Plush of your choosing:

Cliff Belts // giveaway

To help brighten up an otherwise gloomy week, here’s a treat for you to win a sweet something something for your closet. Thanks, Cliff Belts!

Skinny belts, y’all. They’re so hot right now. And, given that I tend to purchase incredibly oversized, forgiving tees and dresses for my wardrobe, I’ve found the skinny belt to be an essential accessory to bump my style from hobo to hobo chic. A skinny gives a quick shape to these otherwise baggy ensembles without overwhelming or distracting from the look. That’s my kind of style. So why not invest in a belt that’s not only an easy addition to your closet but looking out for Mama Earth? Enter: Cliff Belts. Another Eph business, this line of accessories is made from cork from the bark of trees, so it’s like sheering wool from a sheep. Nifty, eh? And they’re expanding the line to bags… so keep an eye on this burgeoning biz.

To enter to win a skinny belt in the color of your choosing:

• visit Cliff Belts 

• then, come back here and leave a comment below telling me how you’d rock a skinny belt. I love cinching one around a simple cotton dress to give some shape. 

• for an extra chance to win…
‘like’ Cliff Belts and Blog a la Cart on Facebook, then come back here and tell us you like us, you really like us! in the comments

• and one final chance to win…
subscribe to Cliff Belts newsletter and Blog a la Cart, then come back here and let me know that you’re reading along in the comments.

Make sure you enter a valid email address in the email section of the comment box so I can contact you if you win! The winner will be chosen next Friday, October 5th at 12pm EST. Open worldwide. Total Value: Up to $50.

GOOD LUCK! 

The Home Ground // giveaway

I have been a long time fan of The Home Ground, a beautiful, sweet collection of jewelry from designer Brittany Noel Campbell. Kimmy and I posted about her work back in our Green Eyed Monster days, and I’ve kept up with her ever since. I’m thrilled to be able to offer you all a chance to win one of her pieces and scope out all these gorgeous images of her Coastal Collection. I adore how delicate and timeless each piece is, whether tossed over a tee with a pair of jeans or glammed up with a LBD. You can follow her chronicles of life as a jewelry maker residing in Michigan over at The Home Ground blog.

Style a la Cart // 3

For our apple picking escapades, I donned an oversized flannel shirt/dress that, as always, embraces my love of all things hobo. The perfect cozy hybrid garment that captures my style succinctly in one item. And, as is at the heart of any fall wardrobe, I layered the heck out of the look. It was a tad warmer than my overeager autumn ensemble suggested, so by the time we hit the orchard, I was down merely to leggings and this rocking scarf/necklace/shawl awesomeness. An item that the designer, SAAKO, refers to as the GOLA.

I need to break this bad boy in, properly stretch it out, in order to optimize its styling potential. But the season is still young… (and you’re so beautiful (because you can win one of these delights (or any item from SAAKO’s autumn/winter collection), too!)).  Details below.

Here’s how you can win an item of choice from SAAKO’s Autumn/Winter Collection. That’s right ANY item you choose:

• Check out SAAKO’s Autumn/Winter Collection

• leave a comment below telling me what your favorite design is from the collection

• for an extra chance to win…
‘like’ SAAKO and Blog a la Cart on Facebook, then come back here and tell us you like us, you really like us! in the comments

• and one final chance to win…
subscribe to SAAKO’s newsletter and Blog a la Cart‘s RSS feed, then come back here and let me know that you’re reading along in the comments.

Make sure you enter a valid email address in the email section of the comment box so I can contact you if you win! The winner will be chosen next Thursday, September 20 at 12pm EST. Open worldwide. Total Value: Up to $140.

GOOD LUCK!

**For more SAAKO styles visit http://saakodesign.com

Plumed // giveaway

In honor of our 4th wedding anniversary, we’re spreading the love with a giveaway from Plumed, a sweet little Etsy shop packed with custom embroidered throw pillows. Given that LINEN is the traditional gift for the fourth anniversary, any of these numbers would make a perfect gift to mark the occasion. I’m particularly enamored with the Home Is Where the Heart Is collection. A lovely engagement or wedding gift, no? There’s a design for everyone… see?

To enter to win an item of choice ($45 or less) from Plumed:

• visit Plumed

• leave a comment below telling me what your favorite pillow design is from the shop

• for an extra chance to win…
‘like’ Plumed and Blog a la Cart on Facebook, then come back here and tell us you like us, you really like us! in the comments

• another chance to win…
follow Plumed and Blog a la Cart on Twitter, then tweet the following phrase (then, come back here and share a link to your Tweet in the comments): Did you catch @tweetalacart & @plumedpdx sweet giveaway? I just entered!: http://blogalacart.com/2012/09/plumed-giveaway/

• and one final chance to win…
subscribe to The Plumed Nest and Blog a la Cart, then come back here and let me know that you’re reading along in the comments.

Make sure you enter a valid email address in the email section of the comment box so I can contact you if you win! The winner will be chosen next Thursday, September 13 at 12pm EST. Open worldwide. Total Value: Up to $45.

GOOD LUCK! 

Bobbledy Books // giveaway

Meet one of the nooks of Cartwheel Farm. As far as nooks go, it’s one of my favorites.

Something about the faux taxidermy paired with my grandmother’s childhood desk and my great-grandmother’s Steiff teddy, the frames wallpaper (our Wall of Frames) and the growing wall of artwork… they sure add up to some good feelings.

Here’s a close up of the wall. You’ll note some photographs of Sunny, some choice pieces of artwork, and a poster from our friends over at Idiots Books (we’re subscribers, and receive six pieces of independently published booky goodness from this duo a year. You can too! And I’ve teamed up with them on this project). And we’re particularly excited that the Idiots, Matthew and Robbi, have recently launched a site for kids, Bobbledy Books. Now Sunny and Kaki can get in on the fun!

Bobbledy Books launched last week, and, thanks to Courtland’s horrendous sleep habits, Familia Cart signed up right away in the early hours of the morning, which means that a copy of the print below will be coming our way and find a home on our Wall of Frames. (Subscribers in the first 36 hours received this print as a bonus. Wee!)

The print is taken from the first of their children’s books, The Girl With Frogs in Her Ears. While we await delivery of this new book for the girls’ library, Sunny was delighted to receive her first Bobbledy package this week, complete with the Bobbledy Blob.

She put the Bobbledy Blob to work tackling the first drawing prompt over on the Bobbledy Blog. The assignment? Draw a picture of yourself riding a wild animal. It came as no surprise that our Chicken Whisperer doodled herself (complete with green bow) riding on a blue chicken.

The image now proudly hangs on our Wall of Frames. We look forward to adding to the wall thanks to future drawing prompts. And we’re eagerly anticipating the addition of The Girl With Frogs in Our Ears to our bedtime routine.

And now to let you join in the fun! Here’s how you can win a 1-Year Membership to Bobbledy Books. That includes:

• Three picture books by Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr
  
• One “make-your-own” book that we start and you finish with your pictures and words
• One book with pictures and words by one of you
• One album of children’s music by Drew Bunting
• A card on your birthday
• A five-headed crayon (called the Bobbledy Blob)

To enter:

• visit Bobbledy Books. Be sure to check out their blog and leave ’em a warm and fuzzy (or cold and prickly, if you must) comment on one of their posts.

• Then come back here and leave me a comment below telling me that you’ve spread the comment love.

• for an extra chance to win…
‘like’ Bobbledy Books and Blog a la Cart on Facebook, then come back here and tell us you like us, you really like us! in the comments.

• and one final chance to win…
subscribe to Blog a la Cart and sign up for the Bobbledy email list (sign up form in the right column of their blog), then come back here and let me know that you’re reading along in the comments.

Make sure you enter a valid email address in the email section of the comment box so I can contact you if you win! The winner will be chosen next Wednesday, September 5th at 12pm EST. Open worldwide. Total Value: Up to $60.

GOOD LUCK!

And, of course, you can just go right ahead and become a member of Bobbledy Books or Idiots Books. For the kids in all of us.

Style a la Cart // 1

I perfected my easy, breezy beach uniform during our Cape getaway. In fact, I was asked if I was going for the pajama look, and touché and right on! I look THAT comfortable, bordering, as always, on the homeless, hobo chic I so adore.

Basic white tee? Check! Cotton tie-dye shorts? Check! Floppy sun hat? Check! Statement accessory? Check! You’ll notice that my mantra for style is comfort, so typically my clothing is oversized and super loose. This look is no exception.

I found the shorts in a boutique connected to a bagel shop in Brewster, MA. Genius, no? While waiting for your breakfast, you can do a little shopping. Perhaps the prospect of a belly-filled with carbs steered me in the direction of these forgiving shorts, but whatever the motivation, I’m more than pleased with the purchase.

And the necklace/scarf hybrid is thanks to the wonderful design company, SAAKO. I’ve admired their work ever since they launched their international line back in 2009. These jersey knit accessories are created using scrap fabric from textile factories in Spain and Portugal. Better yet? Every piece is handmade by a local woman, and her story is included with each necklace she creates.

This particular style can be wrapped and worn in any number of combinations. And, the colors of this particular necklace complimented my wild shorts delightfully. And it gussied up my look so it was less pajama and more lazy summer day. Beach uniform perfected!

And now to let you join in the fun! Here’s how you can win an item of choice from SAAKO’s Spring/Summer Collection. That’s right ANY item you choose:

• Head on over to Facebook and ‘like’ SAAKO and Blog a la Cart on Facebook, then come back here and tell us you like us, you really like us! in the comments. It’s that simple!

Make sure you enter a valid email address in the email section of the comment box so I can contact you if you win! The winner will be chosen next Thursday, August 23 at 12pm EST. Open worldwide. Total Value: Up to $100.

GOOD LUCK!

**For more SAAKO styles visit http://saakodesign.com

3 Sprouts // Giveaway

When Addison was born we received many a purple cow themed package given our Eph roots. The fact that the nursery was decorated in a full blown cow theme only exacerbated the litany of bovine accessories and decor.

One of my favorite packages included this purple cow smock that Sunny has been putting to great use since she received an easel from Auntie Kimmy for her 3rd birthday. Also, this purple hippo towel, which, ya know, could be mistaken for a cow. And honestly, who cares, it is so sickeningly adorable!

It was thanks to this package that I was introduced to and fell in love with 3 Sprouts. Thus, when the opportunity to win some goodies as part of a blogging contest presented itself, I threw my writing in the ring. I could not have been more delighted to be named the winner of said contest! I asked 3 Sprouts if I could continue to share the love by showcasing how I’d put my winnings to use in our new playroom while also offering an opportunity for one of you lucky readers to win an item of your choosing.

Because 3 Sprouts is thebomb.com, they agreed!

And now our playroom is not only organized but outrageously adorable. Double win!

For Sunny’s “art area” of the room, I ordered up the purple cow wall organizer. It compliments her smock just perfectly, and is a great place to store pads of paper, stickers, crayons, colored pencils, etc.

I snapped up one of each of the storage boxes to hold our overwhelming number of stuffed animals and baby toys. They’re at Courtland’s level since the majority of her toys now live in those bins.

The two caddies I filled with less baby-friendly toys, such as Sunny’s array of cars and trains. They live on top of the bookshelf, a place Sunny can reach and Kaki cannot.

Pretty stinking cute, no? I absolutely adore this nook of the house.

And now, to keep the cute party going, here’s how you can win an item of choice from 3 Sprouts. That’s right ANY item you choose:

• visit 3 Sprouts

• leave a comment below telling me what your favorite piece (or animal!) is from the shop

• for an extra chance to win…
‘like’ 3 Sprouts and me on Facebook, then come back here and tell us you like us, you really like us! in the comments

• another chance to win…
follow 3 Sprouts and me on Twitter, then tweet the following phrase (then, come back here and share a link to your Tweet in the comments): Did you catch @tweetalacart & @3_Sprouts adorable giveaway? I just entered!: http://blogalacart.com/2012/06/3-sprouts

• and one final chance to win…
subscribe to my blog, then come back here and let me know that you’re reading along in the comments.

Make sure you enter a valid email address in the email section of the comment box so I can contact you if you win! The winner will be chosen next Wednesday, July 4th at 12pm EST. Open worldwide. Total Value: Up to $34.

GOOD LUCK! 

Photos: Courtesy of Ashley Weeks Cart