Stuff Parents Need

Easing the chaos in the nest, one find at a time.

What I’m Loving: Copper and Nickel Jewelry

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Lately I’ve been wearing the heck out of one particular piece of jewelry that I received for review. I have found it to have a lot of meaning for me right now. Here it is on the first day I wore it, which was the first day of the cruise Tim and I took, away from our children together for the first time ever.
Notice how rested I look after just 2 days away from home. Miracle of miracles! Now let’s zoom in on this necklace, shall we?
Steer the course. Yes, indeed. When I saw this piece at bama + ry, a fantastic Etsy shop owned by creative genius Jasmine Myers, it stood out to me among the rest. And given how awesome all her pieces are, it says something that it managed to stand out to me!
So what does “steer the course” mean to me? Several things, actually. One of them is cheeky and lighthearted; I’m very Type A, so “steer the course” definitely means “stay on schedule!” to me, and I love that. Others are more serious; I’m embarking on a really exciting yet scary journey of being my own boss, and I have to remember that I really am the captain of my ship, and I get to call the shots. I need to have faith in myself! Finally, the necklace also serves as a reminder to me of the precious time I shared with my husband on our kid-free vacation. We are filled with love for our children, but it is important to remember that they came to be first because we were so filled with love for each other. The necklace reminds me that we are steering this course together, and that we need to make time for each other so that we can continue steering in the same direction.

bama + ry

Fabulous as my necklace is, it is just one of countless designs that Jasmine has dreamed up in her shop. She opened her business in July 2012, and she did so as a way to work through her grief following a miscarriage of twins. Whether or not you have experienced the heartbreak of a miscarriage, most all of us can identify with loss in some way, and with feeling lost as a result. What a powerful way to work on the process of healing, by giving creativity and love a place to shine. I certainly feel the love and care that was poured into the necklace I own from bama + ry.
Jasmine has many fun offerings. I’m feeling very tempted by the snowflake ornament you can get custom stamped with a loved ones name!
And my top pick for a Christmas gift for a good friend? How about the textured copper cuff? Such a lovely piece, and so special since it is handmade! The price is right, too, at $30.
Spend a little bit of time today browsing around bama + ry. I bet you’ll find something just perfect for someone on your holiday shopping list. And as a special bonus, Jasmine wants to offer you a 20% off discount! Simply enter STUFFPARENTSNEED at checkout and save off your entire purchase!

Personalized Jewelry from Isabelle Grace: What I’m Wearing

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Over the last 2 weeks, I had to take 2 separate business trips and be away from my kids for 5 full days. While it was refreshing to get out of the house and to have some time away from home responsibilities, it was also really tough. My children are getting older every day, but with that said, they are still SO young (3 and almost 1). I missed them a great deal.

Personalized Jewelry

I actually wore a piece of jewelry while I was away that had their initials on it, and I thought of my girls every time I touched it, or every time I received a compliment on the piece (by the way, this piece seems to be very popular with other moms, as I get compliments almost every single time I wear it!).

Personalized Jewelry Isabelle Grace

Lovely, isn’t it? This is the Signature Mini Tag Necklace from Isabelle Grace Jewelry. This is one of the best sellers in the entire line, and I can understand why. It is simple, but SO pretty and special. My necklace features the first initials of my two daughters, along with a gold heart tag and a purple gem on either side. I wear my necklace alone, but it could easily be layered with other pieces, too.

I love that each piece is custom made by hand at the time the order is placed. I also love that the company gives each recipient a very special offer at the time that they receive their piece: if you share your story with Isabelle Grace of the meaning behind your piece, they will make a $10 donation to a nonprofit on your behalf. Isn’t that awesome???

I mentioned earlier that moms seem to really be drawn to my necklace when they see it. I’ve referred several people to the Isabelle Grace website, and I’ve only been wearing this for a few weeks. Celebrity moms also seem to be loving it. As I was browsing the website, I saw all sorts of famous mamas proudly wearing their Isabelle Grace pieces (Katherine Heigl and Tori Spelling, to name a few).

personalized jewelry

Isabelle Grace Jewelry has captured the hearts of moms all over the world by providing beautiful pieces that help us keep our loved ones near us in an especially beautiful way. I absolutely adore my signature mini tag necklace (ARV $109) and they offer SO much more. Take a moment to look around on the site and see what you’d most like to own! Then send the link to your significant other as a last minute Mother’s Day gift idea, or as a birthday gift idea!

Do you own any personalized jewelry?

I received a complimentary product for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. 

Handstamped Jewelry You Will Adore (GIVEAWAY!!!)

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Last May I featured some of the best of the best when it comes to Memphis artists. It was such a fun experience. My old hometown really has a lot of talent! One such designer is Christine, owner of Mozella Designs. Last year I featured her lovely earrings, which I still wear on a very regular basis, because they are really fetching, and also because I always get compliments on them!

I think Mozella Designs is an amazing Etsy shop. Christine seems to stay on top of fashion trends with her jewelry, while also incorporating a certain sense of femininity to every piece that gives them staying power beyond the trends, themselves. She has such a good eye for balancing style with function. Every time I browse her shop I am struck by her beautiful jewelry.

And I’m always especially pleased with her prices. For handmade jewelry that is fashion-forward and that won’t be out of style next month (or even next year!), Mozella Designs just can’t be beat!

Christine has added handstamped jewelry to her collection, and you are going to love what she is currently showcasing in that line! She sent me a beautiful bracelet that is absolutely perfect for wearing between now and late spring! I love the delicate pink beads and accent pearls. But the handstamped initials on the piece are my absolute favorite. I’ve got to tell you, I’m not all that big into having my initials scrawled all over everything I own (more power to you if that’s your thing). These initials are like a whisper, and I adore that. They are soft and sophisticated, just like the bracelet. They are just very…me!

For the gents, oh how I’m swooning over the personalized cuff links Christine has for sale. What a PERFECT Valentine’s Day gift for your man. They are so much cooler (in my opinion) AND so much less expensive than what you’ll find at a department store. They are also a perfect gift for groomsmen if anyone out there is getting married. They can be personalized however you like. I’d love to get a pair for Tim with our wedding date on them.

Buy it!: If you have been wanting some handstamped jewelry but haven’t been too keen on the price tags, drop a hint to your loved one to check out Mozella Designs. The work is top notch and the prices are quite competitive!

Win it!: One lucky winner is going to get $25 to spend at Mozella Designs. Oh how I envy you! The contest will run until January 28th at 11:59pm EST when a winner will be selected using Random.org. The winner will have 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is selected. Open to residents of the United States. Limit one entrant per household, please.

Mandatory entry: Show some love for Mozella Designs by liking it on Facebook and post on her wall that Stuff Parents Need sent you!

Additional entries:
1. Sponsor love: Subscribe to Christine’s blog, where you’ll see her complete a new piece of jewelry each and every week (so fun to watch…she’s so talented!).
2. Blogger love: Follow Stuff Parents Need using Google Friend Connect (if you don’t know how to do this, just email me and I’ll help you out!)

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my homepage.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary product for review purposes. All opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

I Know Why the (Un)Caged Bird Sings: Lisa Leonard Designs Jewelry

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Today I’ll be reviewing Lisa Leonard Designs jewelry, a well-known maker of custom stamped jewelry. To give you some context about the design I chose, I want to talk about making the transition from full-time worker to full-time mommy. How do I describe what the past month has been like as a new stay-at-home mom?

I could tell you that it has been hard, and that would be very true. A young toddler has boundless energy and a fierce sense of curiosity that keeps you on your feet at all times, constantly sweeping the horizon for potentially dangerous items (and sweeping the inside of your little one’s mouth for the dangerous items they spotted first!).

I could tell you that it has been scary, and that would also be true. We have less than half as much money as we did just a month ago, and we are now paying a rent in Chattanooga plus a very high mortgage in Memphis. Ouch ouch ouch. This is a source of much worry for me, and it is difficult, at times, to have faith that it will all work out.

I could also tell you that it has been a bit alienating, and that would also be true. I didn’t fully realize that I had a whole other family I used to be a part of between 8-5 on weekdays. I miss my colleagues and my students and all the great conversations we used to have.

But more than any of that, I have to tell you that this transition has been liberating. I feel so free!!! Darah and I have the world as our oyster each and every day, and we are free to explore, imagine, create and play. It is a magical time, and even in the face of all the struggles, right now I am soaring like a bird let out of her cage.

As I was getting ready for this transition, I had the opportunity to work with the reputable company, Lisa Leonard Designs, to do a review. I wanted to select something that would usher in my new job, and remind me that what I was doing was really going to be worth it. I was going to be experiencing a rare gift: freedom.

“Freedom” is exactly what I decided to have stamped onto the beautiful songbird necklace I chose (unfortunately, they no longer carry this style). It serves as a daily reminder to me that I am richly blessed to have the time I now have with Darah. Freedom doesn’t mean “easy living,” but it is a blessing, all the same. It is up to me how I use this freedom. I can fuss about how I can’t get anything done while watching Darah, or I can embrace the fact that she’s my #1 job, and anything else is a bonus. I can stay up at night developing ulcers over our super tight finances, or I can pray for peace and do my part to keep us fiscally sound without letting it get the best of me. I can sit in my house and wonder why I have no friends here or I can get my butt out the door and meet some folks. I have the freedom to do all of these things, and I hope that I do a great job of making choices that bring my whole family joy, happiness and peace.

Thank you, Lisa Leonard Designs, for making custom jewelry that sums up exactly where I am in my life right now. I love this piece!

Buy it!: Lisa Leonard Designs makes a wide variety of breathtaking pieces, each of which can be customized for you. Check out the shop and put something there on your holiday wish list!

Win it!: LLD has a special treat for one lucky Stuff Parents Need reader! You will get a $50 gift certificate to their store so that you can create your own special piece of jewelry! Woo hoo! The contest will run until September 30th at 11:49pm EST when a winner will be selected using Random.org. Open to residents of the United States. Limit one entrant per household, please.

Mandatory entry: Tell me the word that sums up what’s going on in your world at this season of your life. If you’d care to explain it a bit, I’d really love to hear why you chose that word!

Additional entries:
1. Sponsor love: Subscribe to Lisa’s blog
2. Blogger love: “Like” Stuff Parents Need on Facebook

Be sure to check out my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my home page!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary product for review purposes. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

Do You “Love Loud?” (GIVEAWAY!!!)

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Blog friends, I’m happy to introduce you to a Memphis mom with a mission. Jennifer started her business, Love Loud Designs, because she believes that is is so important for the people in your life to know, without a doubt, in good times and bad, that they are loved. She creates hand-stamped jewelry so that you can proudly display the names of the most precious people in your lives. I just love the idea of loving loud. Jennifer is absolutely right that the people who are your world should never doubt it!

Jennifer sent me a necklace stamped with “Darah.” It is such a treasure, because as you can imagine, I can’t exactly find, “Darah” gear at the mall or even online. My child has an unusual name, so anytime I want to get her name put on something, it will have to be a custom order.

I have to say, I didn’t realize how special this necklace would be to me until I received it. People have commented on the piece, and that’s always an opportunity to talk about my little love. I also think of her throughout the day any time I touch the necklace. I absolutely love it.

Love Loud Designs pieces are sterling silver. Each charm Jennifer makes comes with a ball chain necklace (either 16 or 18 inches in length). Her pieces range from $28-$60, varying by the size of the piece and if you add extra things such as charms or birthstones. Love Loud Designs is set up on Etsy and on Facebook. Jennifer has some examples of items she makes, but if you want to place an order, just send her an email through Etsy or Facebook with what you are looking for, and she’ll be able to quote you a price for your particular needs.

Jennifer has a passion for making jewelry, and she even took a class on metal working so that she could produce pieces of the highest quality for others. She loves being able to offer folks the opportunity to personalize gifts in a way that is original and fun.

Jennifer offers two fonts – lowercase script font and an uppercase gothic font. She also makes leather and beaded bracelets. I love the combination of metal and leather, personally! Basically, Jennifer is a very creative person, and she’d love to work with you to create a one-of-a-kind piece that you or a loved one with cherish. I know I will wear my Darah necklace for years to come!

Also of note: Jennifer is currently being featured on another blog (and it is one of my very favorites!). Check her out on The Makeshift Revolution (and while you are there, subscribe…it’s a blog you will most definitely love!).

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to get the same necklace I received! Your necklace will have the first name of your choice on it (since I suppose you don’t really want a “Darah” necklace!). The contest will run until July 13th at 7:59pm CST when a winner will be selected using Random.org. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to their notification email before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is selected. Limit one entrant per household, please. Open to residents of the United States.

Mandatory entry: Tell me the name (or initials, if you prefer) you want on your necklace (choose wisely, as you will get what you select here!).

Additional entries:
1. Subscribe to the Love Loud Designs blog
2. “Like” Love Loud Designs on Facebook

3. Add Love Loud Designs to your Etsy favorites
4. Follow Stuff Parents Need on Twitter
5. Tweet about this giveaway (once/day allowed)
6. Subscribe to Stuff Parents Need by email, RSS or Google Friend Connect (only one extra entry, even if you subscribe multiple ways).
7. “Like” Stuff Parents Need on Facebook
8. If you are a blogger, add my button to your blog and send me the url so I can see it

Be sure to enter my other giveaways, found on the sidebar of my homepage!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary product for review purposes. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.