Stylin’ Skirt for Summer

prAna's kate skirt in Agean on a real mom

prAna’s luxuriously comfortable and gorgeous Kate skirt is perfect for summer strolls, barbeques, and canoe rides.  Really, this skirt is comfortable enough for any place you dare to venture.  Yet, it’s so lovely you can get away with wearing it to weddings, showers, and church.

prAna sent me the Kate skirt in Agean for review.  The contrasting pick-stitching in white along the hemline and embroidered detail along the border add interesting detail with an Indian flair.  I love the Agean shade which is easy on the eyes, yet it has just enough color to add some “pop” to a complete look.  It’s 100% cotton poplin which makes it environmentally sustainable and easy maintenance for me.  prAna’s commitment to organic trade, sustainable fibers, and giving back to conservation efforts resonates with me.

The relaxed length hits just at or below the knee depending on your height.  This beautiful skirt is at a conservative length that keeps you covered when you have to kneel down to pick up your toddler. The hip panel is slimming for a more flattering silhouette, even if you have a little post-partum extra in the abdomen.

It’s available in 3 gorgeous colors Agean (shown in photo above), Berry, and Black in sizes 0 through 12 ($65).

*WIN IT*

prAna® is offering one lovely winner a Kate skirt in Agean or Berry. Oh yes,  you can have your very own!   The winner will be randomly selected via random.org.

1. To enter, a) first leave a comment  on the TWB Blogaversary Bash post about your ideal way to spend Mother’s Day (while you’re there, check out the other awesome giveaways!)  Then, b) leave a comment on this post with your favorite item from prAna.  They even have a maternity line.

EXTRA CREDIT

2. Earn a second entry by blogging about the giveaway and linking to Traveling with Baby using “Traveling with Baby’s Blogaversary Bash” as the title in your blog’s post.  Then, leave a comment with a link to your post.  Non-bloggers can participate by subscribing to Traveling with Baby’s feed .

3. Follow me on twitter (drdolly) and tweet about this contest.  Leave a comment saying you tweeted, and provide an html link to your tweet.

Leave a valid e-mail address, so I can contact you to claim your prize, or it’ll go to another amazing person.  The contest is open to U.S. shipping addresses only.

This contest runs until 11:59PM (EST) on May 31st, 2009.

One winner will be randomly selected (via random.org) and announced on this post and e-mailed sometime shortly after May 31st (a slightly belated Mother’s Day gift). If a winner doesn’t respond within 72 hours, a new winner will be selected.

*UPDATE*

Congrats to the winner: Nad who said she also likes the Rachel dress.

– By Dr. Dolly

Raving Ribbons

My friend Mindy launched her Ivan & Mary etsy store with incredibly cool reversible ribbon belts and fun totes in delicious prints.  Now, she’s expanded to her own online store complete with canvas ribbon belts for kids, dog collars, and sweet reversible ribbon headbands which will keep your locks swept away from your eyes and give you a slightly more pulled together look than just a ponytail.

reversible ribbon headbands

Each headband set comes with three reversible ribbons for a total of 6 different looks per set.  The ends are folded in and stitched to prevent fraying.  One end remains open for ease of headband threading and removal.

Usually my biggest complaint about headbands is that they’re too tight on my skull.  After a few hours or even a few minutes of wear, many of them cause discomfort.  My grandmother always said, “Honey, sometimes we have to suffer to be beautiful.”  While that may be true for some things, I don’t think that should be the case for a lovely hair accessory.  Discomfort is definitely not the case with Ivan & Mary’s reversible headband.  It’s a lightweight and flexible plastic which fits varying sized crowns from a young girl to a mom.

Ivan & Mary has five headband sets available, each with its own unique combination of six lovely looks.  If you live in Charlottesville, you don’t have to wait for shipping.  Pick up your favorite Ivan & Mary goods locally at Novel boutique in Barracks Road Shopping Center – North.

Whether you live locally or on the west coast, you can win your own set of reversible ribbon headbands (retail value $15) courtesy of Ivan & Mary.

*WIN IT*

To enter, a) first leave a comment  on the TWB Blogaversary Bash post about your ideal way to spend Mother’s Day (while you’re there, check out the other awesome giveaways!)  Then, b) leave a comment on this post with your favorite item from Ivan & Mary.  Simple, right? (U.S. participants only, sorry Canadians)

EXTRA CREDIT

1. Earn a second entry by blogging about the giveaway and linking to Traveling with Baby using “Traveling with Baby’s Blogaversary Bash” as the title in your blog’s post.  Then, leave a comment with a link to your post.  Non-bloggers can participate by subscribing to Traveling with Baby’s feed.

2. Follow me on twitter (drdolly) and tweet about this contest.  Leave a comment saying you tweeted, and provide an html link to your tweet.

Leave a valid e-mail address, so I can contact you to claim your prize, or it’ll go to another amazing person.  The contest is open to U.S. shipping addresses only.

This contest runs until 11:59PM (EST) on May 30th, 2009.

One winner will be randomly selected (via random.org) and announced on this post and e-mailed sometime shortly after May 30th. If a winner doesn’t respond within 72 hours, a new winner will be selected.

*UPDATE*

Congratulations! The winner is Sarah who said, “I love the Mod Flowers Tote & Headband Set B!”

– By Dr. Dolly

Hot Jeans for Hip Mamas

Chip & Pepper Stellas in Ash Rapids

There’s one wardrobe item that’s an absolute staple for men and women and children: jeans.  You can dress ’em up with killer shoes and accessories or you can kick back and relax in a tee shirt and flip-flops. I have several types of jeans (from women’s to maternity in a few brands and sizes).

I have been on a desperate search for a pair of jeans that is flattering from the minute I pull them on to the end of the day when I’ve put ’em through the wringer with sitting, walking, and deep-knee-bending to pick up my son. To find a pair that was a good fit for my body shape, I visited the jeans-sizing guide at Zafu which floated Chip & Pepper® styles to the top of my list.  I recently found a pair that fit beautifully, and OH, do they do the trick!

Chip & Pepper® is my new favorite brand of jeans.   As I type, I am currently sporting the Stella Bootcut Jeans in Ash Rapids by Chip & Pepper ($203) which were just introduced for spring.  The Stellas come in 8 other washes from optic white to crow black, and varying shades of indigo.

The back pocket placement and contour stitching adds considerable lift to the butt.  The denim is a lighter weight (perfect for spring and summer nights) and it’s been washed until it’s as soft as velvet without being constricting.  No need to wait several washing to break these jeans in, Chip & Pepper® already taken care of that!  The mid-rise waist provides a modern look in front, but the asymmetrical cut (read: more generous) in the back gives you the freedom to move without worrying about flashing anyone.  This feature alone makes these jeans worthwhile!

Chip & Pepper Stella jeans on a real mom blogger

I truly love them because even after all-day wear which includes chasing a toddler, picking up a toddler, climbing stairs multiple times (wash, rinse, repeat 4 times), they still fit!  Ten hours later, the waistline still clings to my waist and the butt area wasn’t stretched or sagging.  The jeans still hugged my curves and looked as if they still had another week to go before they needed a rest.  Chip & Pepper® could rename the Stellas the Marathon jeans, so women would truly understand their capability and endurance to keep up with a very busy routine!  Free shipping is available for all U.S. orders.

Sizing consideration: These jeans are cut long.  If you’re blessed with long legs, then no worries.  If you have shorter legs, then feel free to sport the cuffed hemline which is very in for spring, and lower them for year-round use with boots.

What mom wouldn’t want a pair of jeans that makes her feel comfortable, attractive, and well-covered?  Gift certificates are available on Chip & Pepper’s® site, and you can also win a pair for you or your favorite mom.

*WIN IT*

prizeypick

Thanks to my new favorite jeans designer, Chip & Pepper® is teaming up with Traveling with Baby to offer one lovely winner will win a pair of Stella bootcut jeans in Ash Rapids (retail value $203).  Oh yes, it doesn’t get any better than this.  Are you excited?  The winner will be randomly selected via random.org.

1. To enter, a) first leave a comment  on the TWB Blogaversary Bash post about your ideal way to spend Mother’s Day (while you’re there, check out the other awesome giveaways!)  Then, b) leave a comment on this post with your favorite item from Chip & Pepper’s new spring line. (Hint: anything that’s marked new) Simple, right?

EXTRA CREDIT

2. Earn a second entry by blogging about the giveaway and linking to Traveling with Baby using “Traveling with Baby’s Blogaversary Bash” as the title in your blog’s post.  Then, leave a comment with a link to your post.  Non-bloggers can participate by subscribing to Traveling with Baby’s feed .

3. Follow me on twitter (drdolly) and tweet about this contest.  Leave a comment saying you tweeted, and provide an html link to your tweet.

Leave a valid e-mail address, so I can contact you to claim your prize, or it’ll go to another amazing person.  The contest is open to U.S. shipping addresses only.

This contest runs until 11:59PM (EST) on May 18th, 2009.

One winner will be randomly selected (via random.org) and announced on this post and e-mailed sometime shortly after May 18th (a slightly belated Mother’s Day gift). If a winner doesn’t respond within 72 hours, a new winner will be selected.

— By Dr. Dolly

*UPDATE*

Congratulations to the winner, Jessica Conn at Raising Conn. Her extra entry for blogging is the one that got selected by random.org.  Congrats Jess!

Silver Lining

When I was a child, my aunt Debbie was a color analyst.  She would help people determine which colors complemented their skin tone, eyes, and hair color to help them look their best by holding up swatches of solid-colored fabrics.  Light and airy pastels were for people who were classified as “Springs” and rich and bold colors were for “Winters” with other rainbow hues reserved for “Autumns” and “Summers”

My color classification was Winter.  Winters can wear black, fire engine red, electric blue, and even emerald green, but they must avoid pastels,  off-white, and yellows like the plague.  Gold as a metal is okay, but Winters look far more stunning in Silver.  After getting my color analysis as a kid, I never forgot when my aunt emphasized that I looked better in silver than gold.  Since then, I always had an affinity toward silver or silver-colored metals.

My new favorite place to hunt for beautiful things in silver is Walker Silverworks.  Erica Walker’s father and sister are also jewelry smiths who inspired her to begin crafting on her own.   Walker’s signature style is modern with a classic vein.  Her designs are ethereal, lovely, and full of fun with a preference toward satin-finished silver.

My favorite piece in her etsy shop is the light loopy necklace which would really pull together a crisp white button-down blouse and pin-stripped slacks, but you could also look stylin’ wearing it with a form-fitting tee and jeans.

light loopy necklace

Other jewelry pieces by her design include earrings, cuff links, bracelets and rings.  Check out her lovely jewelry gallery, but take heed, you will fall in love!

Walker Silverworks is generously sponsoring Traveling with Baby’s Blogaversary Bash and honoring moms by providing a delightful and versatile necklace for one soon-to-be-very-happy reader.  Whether you want to win this for yourself as an extra special treat for Mother’s Day or whether you want to present it to your own mom, feast your eyes on the Organic O necklace which is designed for vertical threading, and there’s a design for horizontal threading.

organic o necklace (vertical)

Each Organic O is uniquely designed and can vary from1″ – 1 1/4″ wide and 1 1/2″ – 2″ long.  I love that it is tenderly and uniquely made by hand.  It’s simultaneously light with a feminine, yet bold flair.  When you purchase the Organic O necklace, it comes with 1 silk cord (multiple colors are available on Walker’s site).

silk cords for organic o necklaces

Yet, the winner of the Organic O necklace will get 3 silk cords for variety and mood.  Feeling pretty in pink today, but you’d like earthy brown tomorrow, no sweat.  How’s that for changing the look and versatility of one stunning, handmade piece of silver jewelry?

*WIN IT*

One lovely winner will win an Organic O necklace with a variety of silk cords courtesy of Walker Silverworks.  Retail value of the Organic O necklace is $30, and retail value of 3 silk cords is $9.  Are you excited?  The winner will be randomly selected via random.org.

1. To enter, a) first leave a comment  on the TWB Blogaversary Bash post about your ideal way to spend Mother’s Day (while you’re there, check out the other awesome giveaways!)  Then, b) leave a comment on this post with your favorite item from Walker Silverworks not previously mentioned on this post (something other than the Organic O necklace and the light loopy necklace).  Simple, right?

EXTRA CREDIT

2. Earn a second entry by blogging about the giveaway and linking to Traveling with Baby using “Traveling with Baby’s Blogaversary Bash” as the title in your blog’s post.  Then, leave a comment with a link to your post.  Non-bloggers can participate by subscribing to Traveling with Baby’s feed .

3. Follow me on twitter (drdolly) and tweet about this contest.  Leave a comment saying you tweeted, and provide an html link to your tweet.

Leave a valid e-mail address, so I can contact you to claim your prize, or it’ll go to another amazing person.  The contest is open to U.S. shipping addresses only.

This contest runs until 11:59PM (EST) on May 17th, 2009.

One winner will be randomly selected (via random.org) and announced on this post and e-mailed sometime shortly after May 17th. If a winner doesn’t respond within 72 hours, a new winner will be selected.

— By Dr. Dolly

*UPDATE*

Congratulations to the winner: Leslie Starkey!