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!

Using Gold and Pearl Earrings to Transition Your Wardrobe to Spring

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Earlier last week we had snow on the ground here in Tennessee, and more snow was getting ready to fall. Old Man Winter was definitely still calling the shots. And yet, this weekend temperatures were hitting the very high 50s, and I noticed that the daffodils in our backyard were getting ready to bloom. This brought me so much joy, because those flowers are one of the very first signs in my world that spring is definitely on the way. In the 9 years I have lived here, we have NEVER had as much snow as we got this year, so those daffodils were an especially welcome sight.

Do you find that when the seasons shift making clothing choices can be a little bit tricky? What do you wear when it is 38 degrees in the morning by 62 degrees by the late afternoon, for example? I always find that to be a challenge. Lucky for you, gold and pearl earrings from lulu by leah I have been given the opportunity to give away some jewelry that can help you out right about now. Let me show you the Frances earring, a delicate, yet not unnoticeable gold and pearl earrings piece handcrafted by Lulu by Leah. According to Leah, “This piece is a great versatile earring as we move from winter into spring. It incorporates gold, white and peach which flatters many skin tones.” I couldn’t agree more. I am really struck by the overall quality of this set. Notice the intricate looping on the hooks; such great detail, and yet, still so simple! The freshwater pearls are absolutely beautiful in these shades, too.

Lulu by Leah is a company that I would call a major find for women who want pieces that will go the distance for them. They are classic, but have an updated feel. I personally find that I prefer to wear jewelry that is quality and that is very versatile, as it simply isn’t in my budget to have tons and tons of pieces. I also need my jewelry to look good in many different settings, so things that are cheap and trendy just aren’t for me. Leah goes on to say that the Frances earring, “can really dress up an otherwise simple top and has a great gatsby-esque look when worn with hair up for evening.” Perfect!

There are several other things that I really like about this company. One is that it is relatively small, which means that you won’t find these pieces in every mall in America. I really love owning jewelry that is a little bit different. I also love that Lulu by Leah is a company that has been launched by an enterprising Southern mom, as Leah has two children and resides in Louisville, KY. I can see the influence of the South in her designs, but she takes that standard strand of pearls and makes something much fresher out of them! I also love that her pieces are affordable, especially considering that they are built to last. Finally, I really love that you can shop online. As a working mom, I have very little time to go to brick and mortar stores looking for jewelry. Lulu by Leah gives me the opportunity to get the perfect pieces right from my computer.

It seems I’m not the only one who has noticed how fabulous Lulu by Leah is. The Lucy necklace was featured in the December issue of Southern Living. That is some seriously high praise to receive, and it impresses me a great deal!

Buy It: If your wardrobe needs some updating, consider buying some jewelry that will not go out of style any time soon! Lulu by Leah is certain to have something that will suit you! She has options for every budget, with pieces ranging from $16 to $78.

Edit: This giveaway is now CLOSED.

Win It: I bet you are still thinking about those gorgeous gold and pearl Frances earrings, aren’t you? Well here’s your chance to win a pair! One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win a set of her very own. The contest will run until Monday, March 8th at 7:59pm CST. A winner will be randomly selected and emailed, and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. Open to residents of the United States.

How To Enter:

Mandatory Entry: Tell me the piece you love the very most from the classic collection by Lulu by Leah, and let me know where you would wear it if you owned it.

Additional Entries:
1. Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email
2. Follow me through Google connect (2 entries, so leave 2 comments)
3. Put my button on your blog and leave a url where I can find it (2 entries, so leave 2 comments)
4. Subscribe to the Lulu by Leah mailing list
5. Become a fan of Lulu by Leah on Facebook
6. Follow Stuff Parents Need on Twitter (leave your TwitterID)
7. Enter any other currently open giveaway on my site (one extra entry per giveaway that you enter)

Disclosure: I received a pair of Frances earrings in order to facilitate my review. The opinions listed above are strictly my own.