GIVEAWAY - Vintage Style Baby Headbands from DaintyDesignsBySteph

It will be my baby's first Christmas this year, and I haven't picked out the perfect Christmas outfit just yet...... but when I do I know I want a cute headband to match.

 

Now, I've seen my share of over the top headbands and hairbows for little girls, and I have to say that often times they overshadow the classic beauty of the baby with too much fluff. Yuck.

DanityDesignsBySteph on Etsy, however, has a perfect mix of classy and vintage chic designs for little girl's headbands and bows. Based out of Dallas, Texas, Dainty Designs by Steph is an expert on girl's fashion and style, having two of her own tiny “critics” at home.

Dainty Designs by Steph has over 100+ designs of girls bows and headbands to choose from!

Shop now at Dainty Designs by Steph, before the Holiday RUSH!

• SHOP: http://www.etsy.com/shop/DaintyDesignsBySteph

• LIKE @ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaintyDesignsBySteph

To wrap up our “Why Shop Global When You Can Shop Local” October Giveaway Event, Dainty Designs by Steph has gracously offered one of her beautiful headbands for our FINAL GIVEAWAY this month!

“This is a beautiful flower hair set with green, pink and ivory, pearls, lace and tulle. It has a vintage/shabby chic look with tremendous detail. This flower set measures about 4.5 inches in length. The headband is a skinny ivory band, great for your baby's head” - DaintyDesignsBySteph

 

~ GIVEAWAY ~

Vintage Inspired Ivory Skinny Headband with Dainty Pink & Green Flowers

 (pictured above)

ENTER TO WIN daily until November 14th, 2011 by clicking  > > READ MORE below and complete the Rafflecopter Entry Form

Happy Halloween!

If you're still not sure what to do with your little one, and trick or treating in the dark doesn't sound like fun to you, check out Scare on the Square in McKinney!

Historic downtown McKinney is closing off it's streets to allow for safe Trick or Treating for the kiddos today from 4-6pm! Admission is FREE and there will be activities and the shops will be open for trick or treaters!

• WHERE: Downtown McKinney (Parking is FREE)

• WHEN: October 31, 2011 from 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Have an extra coat...or two? Donate to D.I.V.E.'s Coat Drive this week!

Having worked in social services for the past 13 years, I have seen first hand how much a warm coat means to a man, woman or child in need.

Photo by: Clare Bloomfield

At my last job, I had 56 young adults on my caseload who were transitioning out of foster care. Almost every one of them didn't have enough money to afford a nice coat for the winter and COAT DRIVE's were a HUGE blessing to them.

D.I.V.E. (Dallas Independent Venue Exchange) is hosting a coat drive in Dallas this year with November 23rd being the last day to drop off coats at one of their many drop-off locations. 

Click on the photo above to find companies with local Drop-Off boxes in the Dallas area.  All coats will be donated to Genesis Women's Shelter and Austin Street Centre.

MedBling - Fashion for the Compassionate - Review and GIVEAWAY (ends 11/9)

Do you have a medical professional in your circle of family or friends? Or, do YOU work in the medical field?

Heck, you don't even have to be in the medical profession, just be someone who needs quick access to their keys or work badge.

If so, MedBling "Fashion for the Compassionate" has the perfect gift for you (or your friend). Have you ever seen Badge Reels, totally tricked out?

Neither had I, until now!

MedBling, based out of Friendswood, Texas has a fantastic shop on Etsy, selling her one-of-a-kind “BLING”ed out badge or key reels. You can find every theme from Texas A&M, breast cancer awareness, EKG tec, to Halloween and Christmas at her Etsy Shop. 

 

She loves to do custom orders, so say you have a favorite aunt that works as a plumber, loves to knit, has two ferrets and loves the color green? Sarah C., at MedBling will take on the challenge and create the perfect customized badge reel for your, might I say.... “quite interesting” aunt!

I was very excited to get an offer from MedBling to create a customized badge reel for my sister-in-law, who is a nurse (RN) an avid marathon runner and loves ocean hues.

 RN + Marathon Runner badge reel customized for my sister-in-law

I was blown away at the technique and personalized touches of the badge reel MedBling created for my sister-in-law. The perfect color combo,  RN silver decal and awesome little RUNNER charm made this a gift she won't soon forget!

The reel came in a pretty little gift box with a shabby chic fabric ribbon and extra “bling” beads in in case the reel gets knocked around too much with use and needs a little touch up in a few years. Talk about thinking ahead... thanks MedBling!  

 

Years ago, I worked for a transitional living program in San Diego and had to use a badge reel daily for my key card. I remember looking online to see if I could find any lanyards or reels that had some PERSONALITY and perhaps.....BLING?! I felt that something I used daily, should have a touch of “ME” on it....my search came up dry back then.

I only wish MedBling was around back in the day. Hey, at least they're here now, and have some fabulous badge reels to choose from!

Find YOUR perfect style of MedBling at: 

@ Facebook: www.facebook.com/medbling

@ Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MedBling  

Sarah @ MedBling has generously offered a $25.00 gift certificate to her shop, for our readers, which should cover the cost of a reel and shipping. 

* * NOTE: This giveaway IS open WORLDWIDE. However, winners outside of the US, would be asked to pay any additional duty fees if gift certificate does not cover total shipping cost. * *

 

~ GIVEAWAY ~

$25.00 Gift Certificate to be used @MedBling

Click >> READ MORE below and complete the Rafflecopter Entry Form to WIN!

Need a cheap date night out with the hubby?

How does a FREE Happy Hour appetizer at McCormick & Schmick's sound?

All you have to do is go to their FACEBOOK page, at (https://www.facebook.com/mccormickandschmicks) and vote for the best Ocean Spray inspired cocktail!  When you do, you'll be provided with a link to a voucher for a FREE appetizer!

Now, McCormick and Schmick's was one of the first places (in Boston) that I tried an oyster on the halfshell and fell in "oyster love", so this place has a special place in my heart. So, I hope you like it too.

....as an added bonus, I have TWO FREE tickets to a special screening of  LIKE CRAZY showing at 7:30pm tomorrow (Wednesday, October 26, 2011) at the Angelika Film Center in Dallas - Mockingbird Station to the first person who emails me to request them at: mckinneymommas (at) yahoo (dot) com

Good Luck Angelika Film Center Dallas ·  Mockingbird Station

Calling all Dallas moms! Need a new HAIR DO for HALF OFF?

Capelli Salon in Dallas is offering $50 for $100 worth of services at Daily Candy Deals in Dallas - I hear a new HAIR DO calling my name!

Photo by: healingdream

 Capelli Salon

• North Dallas | 19177 Preston Rd., ste. 165

• 972-250-4565

• capellisalondallas.com

• Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Anthropologie-inspired bookmark Review & Giveaway by "alittlelessmundane"

"alittlelessmundane" @ Etsy

I like to think of myself as a avid book reader. I love to draw myself a bubble bath and soak while nosing through an autobiography, fiction or other NY Times Bestseller. 

I have to admit that I have less and less time to relax these days, with an 8 month old, but still like to treat myself at least once a week.

Coffee Themed

It's not often that a bookmark catches my eye, I usually just use a old scrap of paper or magazine ad to hold my place. So, I was delighted to find Etsy seller, A Little Less Mundane, creating artisan-style bookmarks, that are anything BUT Mundane!

Sweet Little Cupcake Themed

A Little Less Mundane, uses vintage and current scrap fabrics and other upcycled materials from estate sales, thrift stores and tag sales to create one-of-a-kind handcrafted bookmarks.

Tiny cottages, little red dresses, birdcages and little coffee cups, reminicent of something you'd find in an Anthropologie store adorn her one-of-a-kind bookmark creations.

I was excited to receive my very own Anthropologie-inspired-fabric-birdcage bookmark to review from JoAnn at “alittlelessmundane” recently. What a perfect gift this would make, as it came wrapped in sweet tissue paper and mailed in a brown paper envelope with a cute stamp to boot! 

My nosy daughter, trying to grab the bookmark and envelope it was mailed in!

Front

Back

I loved the unique stitching, and handcrafted elements of the bookmark but at the same time felt like I could find this item for sale in a boutique shop on Melrose. 

Its made of linen and upcycled fabrics, so a gentle splash from the bathtub (aka. my reading room) won't hurt it. Also, if my 8 month old daughter got her hands on it (which she did) she couldn't rip up this bookmark like she has to many others!

Up-cycled fabrics = good for our earth!

“Jojo”, the owner of this Amarillo, Texas based Etsy shop puts individual touches on each bookmark she creates, sometimes it's a little crystal or bead all carefully placed with love and care. 

Most of the items in her shop are $6.00-$9.00 so they make very affordable gifts. Visit “alittlelessmundane” and purchase a handcrafted bookmark for your loved one today!

….........AND don't forged to ENTER to WIN your very own bookmark TODAY in our GIVEAWAY!

 

~ GIVEAWAY ~ 

Your CHOICE of ANY bookmark in stock @ “alittlelessmundane”

To ENTER: Click READ MORE below to complete Rafflecopter Entry Form!

GOOD LUCK!!!

Texas Longhorn Beaded Earrings - GIVEAWAY by wolflady!

The third installment of our "Why Shop Global When You Can Shop Local" October giveaway event continues at McKinney Mommas!

Brick Stitch Seed Beaded Desert Dawn Earrings

Looking for a special handcrafted gift for the holidays?  Linda's Beautiful Handmade Beaded Jewelry shop "wolflady" on Etsy has an assortment of lovely items. She will consider special orders and ships worldwide!

Native American Amulet Bag with Bear design

 ~ "wolflady" GIVEAWAY ~

Linda's "wolflady" shop on Etsy, located in Cleburne, Texas has generously offered to giveaway a fantastic artisan, handbeaded and stitched pair of Longhorn earrings this month to our readers!

 

These cute earrings are done in brick stitch, with size 11 delica glass seed beads. The colors used are luster ivory, light gold, root beer, matte beige,matte brown, khaki, black, luster beige, and crystal. They measure 1" long and the pattern designer is Beadintrigue.

 

Take a look at the other exciting items in her shop and come back and enter to win your very own pair of Texas Longhorn Beaded Earrings (pictured above).

* * * Click READ MORE to find the Rafflecopter Entry Form for this giveaway!

GOOD LUCK!!!

TEXAS State FAIR! Sept. 30th -Oct 23rd, 2011

It's that time of the year folks. The time when people from all walks of life in Dallas (and beyond) gather together to enjoy artery hardening, fresh fried, morsels of goodness at the Texas State Fair.

It's all about the food, at least for me. Generally I'm a granola eating, steamed veggie, lean meat eating sort of person. NOT at the fair, people. I throw all caution to the wind and enjoy myself for a day. You should too.

Photo: StevenM_61

What other fair has an actual competition ahead of time to find the brightest, boldest and best new fried food items to be featured at the fair? The crazier the better it always seems.

 

This year, the finalists are:

• Buffalo Chicken in a Flapjack – buffalo chicken strip, flapjack batter, rolled in jalapeno bread crumbs....and FRIED!

• Deep Fried Pineapple Upside Down Cake – cake battered pinapple rings, fried & coated w/ caramel

• Deep Fried Texas Salsa™ - jalapenos, roasted garlic, onion dipped in masa and covered in chips.

• El Bananarito – deep fried banana in a tortilla, whipped cream, cinnamon, vanilla extract

• Fried Autumn Pie – puff pastry with pumpkin, powdered sugar, cream cheese and fall spices!

• Fried Bubblegum – bubblegum “flavored” marshmellow, battered and fried, baby!

• Hans’ Kraut Ball - browned pork sausage, onion, garlic, sauerkraut and mustard....FRIED of course.

• Walking Taco – fried hamburger taco sort of thing served in a Nacho cheese Dorito bag?!?

Photo: Jessica S. Ralat.

Anyone's mouth watering yet? Or, arteries beginning to close at the thought of all that fried deliciousness? Oh the humanity!

Last year, it was hard to try any of the “PRIZE WINNING” fried concoctions as the lines were too long, so had to settle for standard fare (i.e. Fletcher's corney dogs and fried poppers).

This year I'm going to try and go on an “off day” hopefully for better luck with the lines. I hear the Hans' Kraut (I love sauerkraut) and Fried Autumn Pie calling my name.

Photo: nuttakit

WHERE: State Fair of Texas - 3921 Martin Luther King Blvd. Dallas, TX 75210 

WHEN: September 30^th, - October 23^rd 

• exhibit buildings open from 10am-10pm, Friday – Monday (closing at 9 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays).
  

HOW MUCH:

• General Admission: $16

• Kids under 48" tall: $12

• Children 2 and under: Free

• Seniors 60 and over: $12; Free every Thursday (Oct. 6, Oct. 13 & Oct. 20)

DISCOUNTED TICKETS:

Advance ticket sales online: Get a ticket online here now, for $13.95. Kids and seniors are $10.95.

DART + Admission ticket: Available at Kroger Food Stores, $17 buys one general admission to 2011 State Fair of Texas & round-trip transportation on DART the day of your visit. The Green Line drops off at front gate and a second station is located within easy walking distance to the MLK entrance.

$4 Tuesdays w/ Dr. Pepper: Each Tuesday, if you bring an empty can of Dr Pepper, you get admission for only $4.

Kroger "Three for $2" Wednesdays: $2 admission for each visitor bringing (3) cans of food on Wednesdays only for area food banks. 

PARKING NOTE: I'd suggest taking the DART, if it's convenient as it drops you off right at the fairground gates, no need to worry about where to park........and KEEPS $15 BUCKS in your pocket for that extra corney dog you wanted to take home with you!

Now YOU be the judge, come back and tell us all about your favorites (and least favorites) at the 2011 Texas State Fair!

Tie Tee T-Shirt GIVEAWAY & Review by Create Sew Embellish - Children's Boutique Clothing

Now that I have a little one to shop for, I'm always looking for children's clothes that have a distinct style and flair. 

Now, don't get me wrong...I've been known to shop the sales at the major baby stores when in need of basics.

However, I'm always excited to find outfits for my daughter that express her individuality and uniqueness.

I was so excited to receive an outfit from Create Sew Embellish to review last week.

...and so was my daughter!

This long-sleeve onesie, came in perfect time for fall weather. The 6" Appliqued Owl design on the front and matching corduroy skirt, blew me away. The quality of the applique and stitching was nothing less than professional grade. 

 

The soft, 100% cotton onesie wasn't scratchy or stretched out, and my daughter did not even once pull or tug at it with discomfort. I can tell this outfit, made from 100% cotton and corduroy is made to last!

My daughter wore her little Appliqued OWL Onesie and corduroy skirt out for Sunday brunch last week and we got lots of “oohs and awws.” Now, I'm partial to thinking shes a cutie, but the Owl outfit by Create Sew Embellish sent her over the top cute! 

 

Create Sew Embellish has over 50 children's outfits in their inventory to choose from, with themes like puppy dogs, gumball machines, tie-tees, roller skates, golf, space aliens, trains, cowboys, dinosaurs and sweet little birdies. 

Appliqued Space Scene T-Shirt - in size 18mo - boys size 6

 

Each of their designs can be personalized with your child's name, for a small fee, as well as gift wrapping options for $4.50.

Create Sew Embellish 

has generously offered ANY one of their awesome Tie Tee T-Shirts for

McKinney Momma's October giveaway event!

Each Tie Tee is one-of-a-kind, made using real men's ties!

 

Tie Tee's are one of the latest trends in children's wear.  I'm not one to drop names.......but........ Shiloh Jolie-Pitt (one of Brangelina's brood) has been spotted sporting a T-shirt just like these!

Be sure to check out Create Sew Embellish TODAY
and purchase the outfits you love before they disappear for the season, 
as they rotate their designs every 6 months!

You can find Create Sew Embellish, selling their exceptional items @: 

• Create Sew Embellish ETSY SHOP
  

• Create Sew Embellish on FACEBOOK  (https://www.facebook.com/Createsewembellish)

• IN PERSON @ The Following Upcoming Events (save on shipping costs)

• October 15^th, 9:00am – 3:00pm at the 2011 Grace Avenue United Methodist Church Holiday Bazaar @ 3521 Main Street Frisco, TX  
• November 12^th & 13^th 9:00am – 5:00pm at the Snowflake Holiday Bazaar @ Plano West Senior High School

….......and now the moment you've all been waiting for..............

ENTER TO WIN, YOUR CHOICE of any of the Signature Brand Tie Tees in stock at Create Sew Embellish by filling out the Rafflecopter Form below!

Calloway's Fall Harvest - We came we saw we punkin'ed!

Well, we made it to the McKinney Calloway's on Saturday, October 1st, for their Fall Harvest and had a great time!

Did any of you make it out to any of their locations?

Even though my kiddo is only 7 months, she had fun picking out a FREE pumpkin and decorating it with googly eyes and pom poms.

The bouncy house was in full force, with kids playing and having fun, as well as popcorn flowing freely. Unfortunately, we were too late for the Mad Science Show, but all in all it was a nice little outing.

I picked out a few little plants for my herb garden, basil, oregano, thyme, garlic chives and rosemary. So, even I got something accomplished this weekend!

BIG SHOUT OUT to Calloway's Nursery! We'll be back next year for sure.

Oh, and as an added bonus.........if you remember my previous post about the Plano Balloon Festival being a big huge DUD - where we didn't get to see even ONE balloon!?!?

Well, in the field across from Calloway's we were able to see TWO Hot Air Balloons launch and fly into the great wide yonder! Finally, some closure. I can sleep in peace  now, knowing my kiddo got to see her first Hot Air Balloon this year!

* * * Leave a blog note and tell me if you made it out to Calloway's this weekend!