Stuff Parents Need

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

May 9th is Not Just Any Old Day

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It was 11 years ago today that I married my college sweetheart. We were SO young (both still 21!). Goodness gracious did we both have a lot of growing up left to do.

But we made the commitment to grow together. And that is exactly what we have done over the past decade (plus 1 year!). Marriage is VERY hard work, to be sure, but if both parties are commited to its success, the work you put in can also have the biggest payoffs.

My marriage to Tim is without a doubt one of the greatest accomplishments of my life. So May 9th is a very special day for me, indeed. I am loving being able to wear that date not only in my heart, but also on my sleeve (so to speak). NotJustAnyOldDay.com recently sent me this FABULOUS piece of jewelry to commemorate the most life-changing day of my life.

not just any old day jewelry

May 9th was the day that I committed my life to my best friend. It was the day that my two little girls became the twinkle in my eyes. And it was the day that love won over everything else. What a day!!!

I bet you have a special day like that in your life. Perhaps it is a wedding anniversary. Or it could be a special birthday. Maybe it is just a day when life as you know it changed for you whether you were expecting it to or not (such as the day you were told cancer was in remission, or the day you earned your high school or college degree). Whatever the reason, you most certainly have at least one day of the year that isn’t just any old day. It is sacred.

Check out what NotJustAnyOldDay.com has to offer to help commemorate those dates on the calendar. My calendar key necklace is such a treasure to me. And bonus: it is REALLY cute! I love how long it is; so stylish right now! The necklace I own is available for $65.00 and can be made for any date of the year. You can also choose the color of the crystal that is placed on your special day.

Please tell me about your special day that you’d love to wear close to your heart! What would you be commemorating?

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

NOVICA Launches Home Party Division (GIVEAWAY!!!)

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I love shopping with NOVICA. Not only will you find one of the best selections of unique gift ideas from around the world, but you will also be supporting global artisans with your purchase, and ensuring that they are paid a living wage for their work. Everybody wins when you shop with NOVICA! I just picked up a very cool gift for Tim. Be sure to check out all of their gifts for dad, as June 19th is right around the corner!

I just heard from NOVICA that they have launched a home party division called NOVICA Live. How exciting! If you have a knack for direct sales, this is a REALLY good time to get started with NOVICA Live. It’s early in their launch, and that means that there’s plenty of room for you to build a client base! And how great will it feel to earn some money in a flexible work environment all while supporting these fantastic artists and craftsmen?

The starter kids are $199 and have over $400 of samples included. Kits also come with $150 in business materials. And get this….they are running a lot of promotions for their early batch of consultants, including earning a trip to BALI!!! Yes, Bali! AKA Earth’s Eden! 🙂

So, wanna learn more? Please go check out NOVICA Live. If it feels like the right opportunity for you, please tell them Stuff Parents Need sent you over. I’ll get some funds to shop with at NOVICA if you do, and I’m happy to shop with you! 🙂

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is about to win a $35 gift certificate to spend at NOVICA! Yay! The contest will run until June 6th at 11:59pm EST when a winner will be selected via Random.org. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to winning notification before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is selected. Open to residents of the United States. Limit one entrant per household, please.

REMEMBER, YOU MUST BE A PUBLIC FOLLOWER VIA GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY. YOU CAN SIGN UP THROUGH MY SIDEBAR IF YOU HAVEN’T DONE SO ALREADY.

Mandatory entry: Tell me what you want to buy at NOVICA!

My answer: I’m digging on several of the women’s robes! This one might be my favorite! http://clothing.novica.com/womens/robes/batik-robe-bali-meadow/177934/

Additional entries:
1. Sponsor love: Like NOVICA on Facebook
2. Blogger love: Like Stuff Parents Need on Facebook

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

Disclosure: Thanks to NOVICA for providing the giveaway gift certificate, and one for my personal use. All opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

Jewelry Inspired by A Legendary Woman (Memphis in May GIVEAWAY!!!)

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EDIT: Giveaway CLOSED

There are so many great examples of women of courage throughout history, and even in legends. One such woman was Lady Guinevere, King Arthur’s queen and the supposed lover of Sir Lancelot. Our next Memphis in May featured business takes its inspiration from Lady Guinevere. Let me introduce you to Gwynevere Creations. Shannon, the owner of this company chose Lady Guinevere (also spelled Gwynevere) as her muse because she wanted to evoke feelings of strength, independence and creativity in her jewelry designs. Her work is also inspired by romance, and all of these elements combined made her think of this legendary queen.

Shannon is a graphic designer by day, and turns to jewelry making as a way to express her creativity through a means other than the computer. While she enjoys making all types of jewelry, she is particularly fond of making earrings. She says, “The combinations of texture, color, and design are interesting — from weaving to wire wrapping — each pair makes a specific statement about who you want to be and how you want to present yourself that moment … from demure and simple pearl earrings to glamorous dangly chandeliers, and in such a small space.” She has an excellent point, don’t you think? Your choice of earrings really can say a lot about your personality, your mood and your personal sense of style.

Shannon sent me a beautiful pair of pinkish amethyst earrings with wire-wrapped tops in sterling and sterling ear wires. I loved the shade, which almost seemed a bit closer to lilac than pink to me. The earrings were very delicate and simple, yet far from unnoticeable. I have yet to find an occasion for which these earrings aren’t perfectly suited. If you take a look around Shannon’s shop, you can’t help but feel as though each piece has been inspired by something in nature, or some romantic idea. I was surprised (but loved) hearing from her that while she finds inspiration in those things, she also often finds inspiration in the food and bedding aisles of Target. Ha! Creativity and beauty really is everywhere, if you just take a moment to look for it. Two of her pieces that are making me swoon right now are the cascading flowers earrings and the alchemy necklace. So lovely!

Shannon had two answers when I asked her about her very favorite Memphis thing. First, she said that she absolutely loves Playhouse on the Square, which is a wonderful community theater company with a brand new amazing building! She says of it, “From the shows they choose to perform to their support of the community; it’s just an impressive concept.” She also said that she loves the mockingbirds that call Memphis home. She says, “They don’t live near Syracuse, where I grew up so the first time I had ever seen one was when I moved here. They’re so fun to watch and beautiful, especially their tails. And they look so very elegant.” I think I’ve always taken these birds for granted, and I’m glad she brought them up so that I could take a moment to really appreciate them and their true beauty. Thanks, Shannon!

If you live in Memphis, you can see Gwynevere’s Creations in person at Rivertown Gallery downtown, as well as at Mango Street Baby in the Saddle Creek Shopping Center. For everyone else, check out Shannon’s shop on Etsy…I think her photos give you a good sense for the beauty of her work.

Win it!: Here’s your chance to bring the legend and legacy of Lady Guinevere to your jewelry collection! Shannon is offering any pair of earrings that are similar in style to the ones I received and that cost $18 or less. There are many beautiful pairs on her site to choose from! The contest will run until Sunday, May 23rd at 7:59pm CST when a winner will be selected using Random.org. The winner will be emailed and will have 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is selected. Open to residents of the United States.

Mandatory Entry: Comment on this post with a link to the pair you would choose if you are the winner. Choose wisely, as you will win what you pick!

Additional Entries:
1. Subscribe to my blog via RSS, email or Google friend connect (only one extra entry, even if you subscribe more than one way)
2. Follow Stuff Parents Need on Twitter (leave your Twitter ID)
3. Follow Gwynevere’s Creations on Twitter
4. Add Gwynevere’s Creations to your Etsy favorites
5. If you left a Memphis in May comment on this post before May 2nd, leave a comment for an extra entry

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

Update Your Wardrobe with Mozella Designs Jewelry (GIVEAWAY!)

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EDIT: Giveaway CLOSED

It is with great pleasure that I introduce you to one seriously skilled Memphis jewelry designer. Take a look around Mozella Designs Etsy store. You see a lot of beautiful things, don’t you? Take this silver and gold interlocked mesh bracelet, for example. That’s a piece that would go with pretty much everything! Or what about this fluttery flower ring? It is so delicate, and yet, so bold! This flower pendant necklace could take most any outfit from drab to fab, as well.

The pieces at Mozella Designs are beautifully crafted and very in tune with current trends. They must be made by someone who has been doing this professionally for years and years, right?!
NOPE! Christine, the designer, has only been making jewelry for a few months! I could hardly believe it, myself. I think her work looks like the product of someone who has been around long enough to know how to get it right every single time. Beginner’s luck? I don’t think so. I think Christine has a gift! She says that she really enjoys learning different techniques for making all types of jewelry, but she is currently especially fond of making rings. She’s doing really well in that department, I think!

Christine sent me these lovely earrings, and lovely they are! I have worn them every chance I could. They can easily go with a fitted top and jeans and they look just as great in business attire. I love that they incorporate such pretty dangling features without being loud or garish, as dangle earrings can sometimes be. The Swarovski briolettes add just the right touch of shine to the gold hammered rings and glass pearls. I love these earrings, plain and simple!

Christine says that she doesn’t really have a specific process for making her jewelry. She tries to stay on top of currently fashion trends to get style or color ideas, but often she just imagines a particular design at random times and then goes with it. She keeps a notebook on hand so that she can sketch out her designs when brilliance hits!

I asked Christine what she likes best about Memphis, and she said that the spring and summer months are her favorite because the city is always alive with festivals, parties and other opportunities to just be outside. If you live in Memphis, you might run into Christine at the rooftop party at the Peabody Hotel. Look for the lovely young lady with the best jewelry at the party. That’s her!

Buy It: Mozella Designs’ creations are beautiful, unique and very fashionable. Pick out something special for yourself or a friend today!Having a hard time choosing the perfect gift from so many different beautiful options? That’s ok, because Mozella Designs offers gift certificates so that your loved one can get the perfect item!

Win it!: Christine is giving you the chance to snag your very own handcrafted jewelry by offering a $25 gift certificate to her shop! You guys are SO LUCKY!!! The contest will run until May 17th at 7:59pm CST when a winner will be selected using Random.org. The winner will be emailed and will have 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is selected. Open to residents of the United States.

Mandatory Entry:
Tell me your very favorite item at Mozella Designs and where you would wear it!

Additional Entries:
1. Subscribe to my blog via RSS, email or Google friend connect (only one extra entry, even if you subscribe more than one way)
2. Follow Stuff Parents Need on Twitter (leave your Twitter ID)
3. Follow Mozella Designs on Twitter (leave your Twitter ID)
4. Become a fan of Mozella Designs on Facebook
5. If you left a Memphis in May comment on this post before May 2nd, leave a comment for an extra entry

Don’t forget to check out these other giveaways! Reusable snack bags (ends 05/09), handmade stuffed animal (ends 05/13), silky scarf (ends 05/15), handmade detergent-free soap (ends 05/18)

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