Author Archives: Kelley

Stick it, Tag it, Find it {Kiddotags Review}

So, I will be the first to admit I am always learning as a mom. Last year, when LC first started going to preschool I never thought about labeling all of his stuff. I never even considered writing his name on the tag of his coat, on his sippy cup, or his lunch box. Why wouldn’t the teacher’s know he was the kid with the blue Patriots fleece and lunch box with a “C” embroidered on the front?

It wasn’t until he started coming home with masking tape on his cups with his name written on them or in black permanent marker on the bottom that I realized I should probably be labeling my kids stuff. Once I realized this, it was a matter of actually doing it and keeping up with it for every new cup, snack trap, or coat that I had to keep up with.

Enter Kiddotags into my life.

I feel like such a dork, because the day our Kiddotags arrived, I could barely contain my excitement to slap these adorable sticky labels all over my kids cups, bowls, food pouches – you name it! We got a value pack with labels in different shapes and sizes to fit on sippy cup tops, bottoms, sides, all the way around so we would have no more missing lids or cups!

We also got clothing tags, which are not only practical, but adorable! I love that they are so easy to use – they just iron on and Kiddotag’s says they’re also easy to remove for when your little ones grow out of their clothes so the name isn’t left on there when it’s time to donate or re-sell. I even read they can stick onto glass, so since I chose the cute crab design, I might just use them as part of the decor for Lavery’s “under the sea” birthday party coming up too!

The awesome news? No more black permanent marker coming home on cups!

I also think I’m completely in love with these super adorable AND practical Social Kiddo “business cards.” How many times have you been to the park and met a mom with children playing so well, you want to plan another playdate!? Social Kiddos lets you carry around your kids names and all of your info to just hand right over if you need to! We like to be out and about, and my kids get their socialization skills from their mama, so these are a perfect cute, practical, and fun accessory to keep on hand while out and about! Need to give someone your phone number or email? Hand them a Social Kiddos card and you’re good to go! Anyone who know me, knows it’s only natural my children would walk around with their business cards ;)

Can I just tell you… even if these (dishwasher safe I might add!) tags weren’t so practical, I would still want to use them, because they’re so darn cute! And super easy to apply, all you have to do is make sure the surface is clean and dry and stick it right on – easy peasy! You just want to make sure you’re sticking onto a smooth surface.

In love with the cuteness and practicality of Kiddotags too!? They’re perfect for my need to reuse and keep things organized and NOT lost for once! What would you use them for? Check out Kiddotags on Facebook and Twitter to watch for deals, usage ideas, and more!

Monsters University Trailer Now Available!! #MonstersU

I’m SO excited for this movie to hit theaters in June, I had to share!

Check out Monsters University on Facebook to connect with more details & teasers!

Spring Blog Party {How Does Your Nursery Roll?} Week 2

I am so excited to be  a style contributor for Simply Baby’s blog and I’m especially excited to be joining my fellow style contributors for a fun blog party every week! I hope you’ll join us this week  as the blog party embarks on its second week and check out Tiffany Leigh of Tiffany Leigh Interior Design who’s featured today!

I would also love it if you would check out my fellow style contributor’s – I know you’ll love them!

 

Spring Fashion with Stride Rite & Zoe Girl Designs

Having a daughter means many things. One of my favorites? Fashion. I love dressing up Lavery probably just as much (if not more) than she loves to get all dolled up too. I love to pick out adorable outfits with accessories to the nines and watching her prance around so proud.

Among one of her favorite accessories? Shoes. Ever since she was a baby, she has loved shoes and she stands at the shoe closet banging on the door until you open for her to take her pick. Lately, her first choice are these adorable pink pom pom shoes from Stride Rite. Aren’t they adorable?

I love the girliness of these shoes and Lavery does too. We’re having so much fun pairing these with the endless selection of dresses, shorts, leggings, and skirts in her closet! The part mom loves? Stride Rite is a trusted brand making their shoes with good quality, so no worrying about them getting ruined after a few spills outside.

Even though I have one serious girly girl with a love for fashion on my hands, she’s one tough cookie and she likes to keep up with her big brother. The durability of these shoes gives her both the fashion and the strength an active toddler needs. I can’t tell you how many pairs of shoes we have gone through between both kids and anytime we make the investment on Stride Rite, it’s worth every penny.

Now that we’ve got THE shoes, what about the clothing and accessories?

I had the opportunity to work with the fabulous Zoe Girl Designs at an event last weekend and she graciously gave us the adorable chevron skirt seen in the photos. I first recognized Zoe Girl Designs, because her adorable boutique clothing is on sale at The Boulevard at South End and as soon as I spotted the chevron toddler fashion, I was hooked! I was so thrilled when she contacted me to participate in The Great Cloth Diaper Change last weekend and even more excited when she offered up one of her especially cute creations for my princess to sport at the event!

Lavery’s Zoe Girl Designs skirt plus Stride Rite shoes are polished off with an adorable headband purchased from The Boulevard at South End! I think I have a little fashionista on my hands, don’t you? Move over Gisele, there’s a new girl in town! ;) I think she’s got what it takes to start a fashion blog, Toddler Fashionista.. whatcha think!?

Thank you so much to my lovely partner Dana of Baby Elan {Daily} for introducing us to these adorable Stride Rite shoes and Zoe Girl Designs for our fabulous skirt. Good news – they’re both Lavery approved! ;)

 

 

Forever’s Like a Dream Sample Disclosure: The opinions expressed above are honest, accurate, and not encouraged anyway by monetary donations. A skirt and pair of shoes free of charge were received from said company, as stated within the editorial.

 

 

Celebrate Earth Day Everyday with a Lorax Nursery

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” -The Lorax

Did you plant a tree this past weekend in celebration of Earth Day? If so, The Lorax applauds you. After all, he does speak for the trees!  Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax is one of my favorite family movies. At the risk of my mothering skills being judged, I’ll admit that my three kids practically have the whole movie memorized. The storyline, witty one-liners and voices by Taylor Swift, Zac Efron, Betty White and Danny Devito make The Lorax equally enjoyable for children and adults alike.

After watching The Lorax for the 20th time and seeing all the celebrations of Earth Day, I nostalgically wished I could’ve created an eco-friendly nursery theme featuring  The Lorax.   Who wouldn’t love all the vibrant colors, funny characters and beautiful Truffula trees?  Most importantly, the message from the movie is something I want to engrain in my children, because saving our environment is our future.  I know I had a hard time thinking of the perfect nursery theme for my kids, which is why I’d like to share my nursery design ideas for all the newbie parents out there.  From my thoughts to you…

Fantastic Design Ideas

Thanks to a combination of The Lorax branded products and DIY tricks, you can make baby’s room earth-friendly while reflecting your own personality at a reasonable price.  Here are some creative ideas to turn your nursery into a slice of paradise in the wonderful world of Dr. Seuss.

3 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day Everyday with a Lorax Nursery:

1. Paint- Select your favorite solid color to use on your nursery’s accent walls. On the main wall, create your own DIY mural of The Lorax’s truffula trees by projecting them on the wall, tracing and painting with your own creative flair.

2. Wall Art and Accessories-

 

On the accent walls, you can showcase The Lorax branded products likethis Trend Lab Wall Clock with the movie quote, “Save the Trees for me” or this “I speak for the trees.” Trend Lab Frame Set.  You can also look for wall decals that are an easy way to spruce up your walls without taking a gamble of your artistic abilities.  Create a lively scene and watch your nursery walls come to life!

3.  Eco-friendly Baby Furniture :  There are many nursery furniture products that use resources that are from eco-friendly sustainable forests and use non-toxic paint and finishes.  That would be the ultimate tribute to The Lorax, right?  If the Onceler could of replanted the trees while others were harvested, it would be a sustainable environment and would not turn into an artificial jungle like Sneedville.  It’s great eco-friendly practice and a valuable lesson to teach the kiddies.

4.  Be resourceful- You don’t have to spend a fortune to decorate nursery shelves, bookcases and night stands.  Some great resources are often little to no expense. For example, you can frame this free Lorax themed printable…

…frame your own Truffula tree art with pom poms and twine

Babble.com

With a nursery theme like The Lorax, the options are limitless! The key is to get creative, have fun and be yourself. Not only will you be gifting your precious child a world of color to stimulate the mind from the very beginning, but you’ll also be instilling, at an early age, the importance of being a good steward of what’s been entrusted to you, including the earth. Happy decorating. Don’t forget- someone like you really can care a whole awful lot and things just might get better….

Author bio

Hey Yall!  My name is Hannah and I’m a Southern girl that loves sweet tea, flip flops, the ocean and road trips.  As a social maven and work-at-home mom of 3, including toddler multiples, I am living out my Faith while trying to balance babies, budget, beauty, blogging, bookoos of laundry, and Bible Study. I am truly blessed by a great support network of family and friends.

Stormy Surrender by Nicole Andrews Moore #Giveaway

When I first met Nicole Andrews Moore, I knew her as a mom. I knew her as a mom expecting her sweet bundle and then I knew her as a fighter; someone to admire. Now, I know her as an author and I have loved the opportunity to check out of her newest book, Stormy Surrender.

Sometimes the life you planned isn’t the one you get to live.  Sometimes the pain of the past overshadows the future.  And sometimes to start over you have to go back to where it all began.  That’s how it was for Joe Masters.  That’s how he ended up back in New Hope.  And that’s why he was in his thirties and had nothing to show for his life.  He needed a complete overhaul, just like his father’s old house.  Instead of a fast track, he had slowed down and was on a ten year plan.  These days that was more his speed.  And as much as he tried to fight the inevitable, he was learning to accept and surrender.

Martha had weathered her fair share of storms in Vermont, was accustomed to the cold, both the chill in the air and the cold shoulder in her marriage, but after the miscarriage she felt like she would never get warm again.  So she did the research from the laptop while sitting in front of the fireplace.  She knew what she needed when she Googled hope, she just never imagined that it would bring her to New Hope, South Carolina.  She never imagined that her husband would trick her into leaving and never follow.  She never imagined that a southern storm with all its force and fury could be so destructive.  But after the storm, the land is washed clean.  It’s perfect for a fresh start, a clean slate, and a new love.

I really love to read. Even though you can more normally find me behind a celebrity gossip magazine, I love a good book. When I first starting reading Stormy Surrender, I was sucked in. It was especially cool for me, because I knew the author and they talked about Charlotte and the South.
Martha craved a new beginning. She craved finding herself in a new area. This is something I can even personally relate to moving from New England to Charlotte to start my life with my now husband. It’s always fun to read something you can relate to and reading about Martha and her journey of disappointments, new beginnings, and new love was a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Being a sucker for Nicholas Sparks and romance novels, I would put Nicole’s Stormy Surrender to that same category. I love a light, fun read with romance, chaos, and real life moments in between. Stormy Surrender has me eager to read more from the lovely and talented Nicole Andrews Moore!
What’s really awesome? You can enter the giveaway below to win one of FIVE prizes!
  • Custom Jewelry Set (similar to what is described in the book)
  • THREE signed copies of Stormy Surrender
  • $10 Amazon gift card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

A little bit about Nicole :

Nicki has lived in Charlotte, North Carolina with her children for the past eleven years and her husband for the past three years.  Her journey has barely begun and she loves every minute of it.  Every day of her life seems to bring new adventures, some bigger, better, shinier and prettier than others.  She’s still getting used to that new life smell she’s experiencing, a combination of hope, love, and happiness.  (The perfect scents to build a new life on…)

For fun, she spends time with those she cares about, cooks, reads, writes, and especially lives to travel.  The current travel goal: visit every Margaritaville.  Two down!  (Eleven to go?)

In addition to writing on Suddenly Single Journey, Nicki is a contributor for Project Underblog.  Her writing can also be found on Shine, where she is a Shine Parenting Guru and an award winning Yahoo! Contributor on YourWisdom as the relationship and dating expert.  And she has been published by McClatchy News in their syndicated papers.

Find Nicole on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and her website here.

Stormy Surrender can be purchased at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo.

 

Oh, No Big Deal… I’m just on People Magazine Online!

Ever since I was little, all I ever wanted was to be this huge star! Seriously… like I used to dress up for the big awards shows to the nines while I sat in my bed watching the show pretending to walk the red carpet and I was there winning all the awards in the glamorous clothing.

Well, you’ll need to sit down for this one folks, because I’m officially labeling myself as famous – - – Lavery and I are on People.com!

Yes, that’s us with THE Josh Duhamel on People.com’s homepage. No biggie, right!? When you click on the link, you can see more. Wait for it…..

The captain reads

“Dad-to-be Josh Duhamel got in a little parenting practice when he met Kelley Crowe and her little one on the Safe Haven set in North Carolina in 2012.”

Like.. REALLY!? THAT IS US ON PEOPLE.COM!!! Like I am DYING OVER HERE! For real! They posted on Instagram asking their followers to tag pictures of themselves with movie stars using #YTmoviestar. Naturally, I posted this photo, because I already have like 100 times.,.. why not 101!? First, I never thought they would choose my photo out of the crazy amounts of what had already been posted and 2. I never though it would be on their actual website! Instagram? Maybe, but People.com.. and a little snippet on the homepage – NO WAY!

I never would have seen it if it wasn’t for a friend posting it on my Facebook wall when she realized it was little old me on People.com.

I guess you could say my childhood fantasies of becoming a celebrity have been fulfilled… whether I actually live the glamorous life of not ;) I met Josh Duhamel and we are on People.com…. that counts for something, right!?

You can “like” our photo (although admittedly, I have no clue if the “likes” get me anything), but it would be pretty darn awesome to have a lot of FB “likes” on People.com, so would love it if you would check it out!

Check out our picture in the gallery here. And “like” our picture here.

And if you want to be nosy and learn a little more about our visit to the Safe Haven movie set last summer, you can read the old post PLUS my Safe Haven movie review too! ;) I’m in Josh Duhamel HEAVEN!

I Just “Un-liked” Adrienne Maloof

I haven’t blogged much about The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Actually, I haven’t blogged at all about it and as I watched the season finale this week, I wondered why. I discovered once I thought about it… I had a lot to say.

I won’t get into detail about what I think of these women and this show (I’ll save that for another post, maybe the next season) and quite honestly, it would take several posts for me to really sum up what I think! But, I will say…. I just un-liked Adrienne Maloof on Facebook and here’s why….

I realized I don’t like her. I don’t like her based on what I’ve seen on TV and read in gossip. Yes, I’m happy she seems to be moving on from a nasty divorce battle. No, I do not hate her or wish bad things about her, but I will say… from what I’ve seen and read (and with Hollywood gossip, there’s no telling if I’m really seeing or hearing things correctly), but for the sake of the gossip, I think she’s downright nasty, selfish, and a bully.

I absolutely think she bullied Brandi Glanville. Now what I think of Brandi and her big fat mouth is for another post, but I don’t think she deserved to be harassed and treated by Adrienne and Paul as she was. I also think she bullied Lisa Vanderpump. I think Adrienne is a powerful woman and she makes sure everyone knows that.

I think this season really showed how she was. It was okay for her to threaten a lawsuit on Brandi, but it wasn’t okay for Taylor and Russel to do it last season. People can’t state the truth about her and her family, she decides to sue if she doesn’t want the world to know how things really are,… yet you are on a TV show and a public persona. Sorry to break it to you honey, but you chose to be famous and to be on TV and put your life out there. When it comes to Hollywood, there are no secrets and you knew that’s how it was. However.. she thought she was big enough to demand certain things aren’t mentioned? It doesn’t work that way. You’re Adrienne Maloof.. and I think Yolanda Foster said it best this season when she said, “Who is Adrienne Maloof in this world, really?”.. Yes.. really? Who is she? A filthy rich housewife,.. errrrr major rockstar’s son’s girlfriend now. Sound about right?

I don’t mean to sound harsh, but I just can’t believe how she thinks she is. And yes, I’ll admit and like I said before.. who much do I really know? This is all based on how she is portrayed on TV and in the media, but honestly, what’s that saying?…

…. If the shoe fits……………….

Photo credit to Adrienne Maloof’s Facebook page

What do you think of Real Housewives? Or even more curious to hear your thoughts on Adrienne Maloof?

 

Attend an Advance Screening of Jurassic Park 3D in Charlotte THIS WEEKEND!!!

Want to check our Jurassic Park in 3D this weekend? Well, if you live in the Charlotte area – YOU CAN! And an advanced screening at that! Details below and to RSVP, follow this link.

The screening is this SATURDAY March 30th at AMC Concord Mills at 10am.

Harlem Globetrotter’s Coloring Sheet

If you haven’t snagged your tickets yet to The Harlem Globetrotters at Time Warner Cable Arena this Saturday, now is the time to do it! And don’t forget.. you can still score this sweet offer… they’re only in Charlotte for one day!

 

And here’s a fun coloring sheet you can print out to share with your kiddos! Are you going to the game?  My little 4 year old is so excited!!