// Urban Body Jewelry (+ an IG Giveaway!)

I love me some good plugs. My ears have been stretched for roughly 12 years now (or longer?), and they've been about the size they are now (1.5 inches) for somewhere around 8 or so. I've never really been one to wear tunnels, as decorative embellishments and ornate carvings are usually what catch my eye. I used to have quite the collection of wooden plugs, but I seem to have misplaced them over the years. Since losing most of my collection I've been more of a ~creature of habit~ by wearing white acrylic plugs any time I sported jewelry. It's not rare for me to go "naked" and just let my lobes do their thing, but I jumped at the opportunity to partner up with Urban Body Jewelry so I could rock some attention grabbers once more. UBJ has a huge selection of body jewelry on their website, and it's not just plugs either. Nose rings, septum clickers, labret jewelry, you name it. The number one reason I said yes to a partnership was because of the prices! Y'all, large plugs are spendy! I'm talking $$$. Scrolling through UBJ left me kind of being all "Um, what?" Like too good to be true, right? 

I picked up a couple of pairs to give them a whirl and put them to the test. I ended up with these pink howlite stone teardrops, these adorable wooden sunflowers, a pair of white silicone plugs (a trusty fav!), and this super cute rose gold septum clicker (!!!). I was not the least bit disappointed. Everything came in its own little bag, a measuring card was included, and probably my favorite part of all: the septum clicker fit nice and snug on my nose. It didn't dangle down like so many others do. It's a real trick to try and find the perfect sizing for septum clickers, so I was elated that this one was a home-run straight off the bat. While these pieces have all held up wonderfully over the past several weeks, I rest easy knowing that if I were to misplace one or wear one down I could easily replace them because the price tag is totally easy to stomach.

Among their selection of jewelry they have over 1,200 styles of plugs, over 360 different septum clickers, thousands of nose rings, labret studs, lip rings, tongue rings, you name it. They also have a huge assortment of "fake" jewelry so you can try out a new piercing to see how it'd look, or just look the part for a fun night out on the town. You can customize your look effortlessly! 

And because I love my pieces so much, I'm stoked to be giving one of YOU the chance to start your own UBJ collection! If you'll pop over to my Instagram account (this post!), you can enter to win a $60 gift card to Urban Body Jewelry! That's plenty of dough to pick up a few pairs of plugs, some cute nose studs, a clicker or three, etc. The possibilities are endless! Just like the IG post and tag a friend or three in the comments! Each friend tagged is another entry to win! There might even been an additional way to enter, so check it out. I'll draw a random winner next Friday night on December 15th. Good luck!

A few of my favorites from UBJ: quartz roses // turquoise cabochons // sunflowers // yellow pencils // acrylic pugs // red heart glass

xo KB

// WEAR Conference + GIVEAWAY!

I'm sure most of you who have kids and practice any type of attachment parenting has likely heard of MommyCon, right? We all loaded up and headed down to Atlanta in February to the closest MommyCon location. Well, now the team behind MommyCon has put together a 3-day conference dedicated to the art of babywearing! YES! The WEAR Conference is happening in Chicago at the end of May. The Windy City will be overrun with all the babywearers from May 27-29th! My kind of people!

As an educator and avid wearer, I know just how amazing the benefits of attachment parenting can be. I never dreamt that this would become such a passion of mine, but I'm so glad it did. I think my experience with helping other families wear their babies definitely lends itself well to my doula career. I'm trying to see if there's any way I can swing 3-4 days away from the Flynn fellas so I can get up there and enjoy the conference for myself! You can choose from a variety of ticket options: 1 day passes for Friday, 3 day passes for Friday through Sunday, and the Ultimate Educator package (!!!) which includes a 3 day admission and an educator kit meant to help start a lending library. Seriously the Ultimate Educator package is to. die. for!

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And now one lucky winner of This Charming Life gets a 3-day pass to WEAR! All you have to do is leave a comment below telling me a little bit about your babywearing experience(s)! -- If you've never worn before, tell me why it interests you!

A winner will be chosen at random next weekend, and contacted shortly thereafter. Good luck! Hope to see some of you there!

xo KB

PS; You can use the code KAELAH5 to save $5 off any MommyCon or WEAR Conference ticket purchase!

♥ INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // PINTEREST // TUMBLR // TWITTER ♥

// Toddler Tantrums, Mabel Mabel, and Important Reminders

Who is that adorable little child in that photo up there?! Because that was not the baby I had last night. Y'all, I'm straight up wanting to pull a Kitty by breaking out the tequila and getting down to business! #daydrinking (Just kidding. Maybe.) The littlest Flynn was a straight up demon child last night. Toby came home from school and accidentally woke Linden up from his second nap. Everything from there just went doooowwwwnnnhill. We have an exceptionally happy child. There's no doubt about that. He's constantly smiling and laughing and causing a ruckus. But when he wants to ~*Break Bad, he does just that! That child screamed and kicked and threw a tantrum like you wouldn't believe. We tried a bath, we tried a ball pit, a tunnel, a snack, Tylenol (for teething), and holding him. Eventually we just tried to go outside and let him run crazy. Apparently that did the job. Well, that and learning to climb on top of his water table. (HELP!) Afterward we came inside and he fed himself a boatload of homemade meatballs using a fork. And just like that, my heart melted. I realized that he really is this tiny precious little human and he has emotions like the rest of us. I was so flustered and frustrated during his meltdown that I forgot to remind myself that he's just learning to navigate his feelings (because hello! He can't really communicate!) When I saw him learn how to put a meatball on a fork I almost teared up because I wanted to sort of bottle up that moment, you know? I'm really into all of that sentimental stuff. I know, crying over meatballs, KB?! I can't help it.

You may have seen me mention our Mabelcloth in Linden's First Birthday post, but there it is in all it's glory! We tried running with Mabel Mabel's suggestion of putting his handprint on it, but have you ever tried getting a 12 month old to lay his hand flat?!?!? It was everything we could do to keep him from eating the paint haha! It's certainly not perfect, but I'll remember wrestling him for it and him grabbing the paintbrush, etc. I get teary-eyed looking at the little signatures and messages. I'm such a sentimental person, so I'll never apologize for having a million and seven ways to immortalize moments like this (Hence why my Instagram is overflowing with family photos - #sorrynotsorry!)

This specific tablecloth actually covers years 1-10 on it, so you can have a little keepsake from all of those fun, festive parties. (Apparently you can actually buy an additional 1 to sew on so you can make it for 2-11, or something similar, too. Never too late!) Here's a really perfect example of what you'll end up with over time!

Despite knowing it happened, I won't really remember the tantrums and the missed naps. I'll remember that smiling face looking up and reaching out for "uppies" and that tiny little hand that fits so perfectly in mine. Cue the crying. Why does it have to go so fast?!

Here's your chance to win a Mabelcloth of your own, too! (Or give it as a baby shower gift - I swear you to they'll freaking love it. So many emotions!) And if you want to go ahead and snag your own, just use the code charminglife for $20 off! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck, y'all! I'm going to go snuggle my sweeties.

xo KB

// Happy Heart Kid Giveaway

I'm really excited about today's giveaway because it's for a brand/product that Toby has been using for several months now. Happy Heart Kid is a line of activity kits aimed to children to help teach social emotional learning. With kits such as Empathy, Courage, Patience, and Responsibility (among others), children learn valuable lessons while "playing" with their parents. My personal favorite of all the kits we have is Empathy, but Toby loves the Manners game. Archana, the brains of HHK, got in touch with me several months ago simply asking if Toby would like to receive some of their stuff to play around with. There was no obligation to share the product anywhere, or write about it, etc. She just wanted some honest feedback on how we both felt about it after playing. Toby was instantly hooked and he loved when we'd take time out of our evenings to play. It can be hard to ensure Toby gets as much individual attention as he needs since he's constantly in and out of the house, playing sports and playing with the kids next door. Not to mention the added obstacle of Linden. When we sprawl out in the living room to play, Toby's eyes light up. The most recent kit we played with was Generosity. Toby is really good about being generous, despite not knowing what it was prior. (Last year he regularly took extra ice cream money to give to kids in his class who didn't have any. Proud mom moment!) It gave me the opportunity to teach him something so incredibly valuable. I asked Archana a few questions (below) and then there's a giveaway, too! Whether you have kids yourself or just know someone who does, these kits would make such a lovely gift. They're truly so fantastic.

Hi Archana! We are so tickled to have you with us today to tell us a little bit more about Happy Heart Kid! I’m sure everyone would love to know what inspired you to create this line and how HHK came to life. Care to share?

The idea for Happy Heart Kid was born while I volunteering at a neighborhood children's class. I met my friend Martha there and while we were working with young kids and planning lessons and activities around universal values such as patience, kindness, manners, team work, and more.  As we built relationships with these families, we realized that busy parents were constantly seeking tools to teach these same traits to their kids, and weave meaningful conversations into their everyday lives.  We all tend use situations when we observe bad behavior to react and talk to kids, but what if we made playtime a way to proactively get our kids to start thinking, practicing and talking about their character? Our goal was to create a line of products that used creative art projects and fun games to inspire meaningful playtime. What we realized after speaking with hundreds of parents is that each toy, book or kid product facilitates a certain interaction between parent and children. Just as Legos are about building, we wanted to provide a fun set of activities with the purpose of engaging kids in social and emotional learning through play.

The idea of interactive board games to help teach children a lesson is pretty clever! How did you outline what you could teach and how to approach the topic?

Our games and activities are created by Montessori teachers and mom themselves. I am usually just involved in project managing between the creators, graphic designers, copywriters, illustrators and our craft suppliers. We do a lot of user testing and our goal with these sessions is to make sure the activity is engaging, age appropriate and fun! It is difficult to test for social-emotional or non cognitive skills, but we do keep in mind a few things in mind when developing the product. 

1. Does the project activate learning vocabulary around character building skills e.g. ' learning phrases such as 'Try, Try Again' ?
2. Is it simple enough for parents to engage in talking about values during playtime ?
3. Does the pretend play component extend into a family's daily life as a teachable moment? 

How has HHK grown since it’s creation? Have you noticed parents and children taking a liking to your games?

The experience of launching and growing a business has been incredible for me. While challenging and fraught with many mistakes, HHK has helped me personally grow beyond my comfort zone and growth can be scary but rewarding in the long run. This business has given me the opportunity to connect with so many wonderful teachers and moms who have validated our mission. The best part of our job is to hear customers say things like "my son brought up sharing the felt necklace (from our Generosity Kit) when he shared his animal crackers at his playdate." And we have heard that several iterations of such testimonials,  and that has been heartwarming :)

When you think about the future of HHK, where do you see yourself and your brand? Do you hope to expand the values taught through games? 

We have big dreams to be a leader and innovator in the toy industry. We've seen upward trend of STEM products in our toy stores but there is little to nothing focusing on social emotional learning. While many schools are focused on developing these skills, parents need more tools available at home. We hope that trend for character education sees the same positive change we have witnessed in STEAM education over the last decade. Happy Heart Kid has several new products on additional character traits in the pipeline but are waiting until 2016 for new releases.  We are also approaching retailers this fall in preparation for the holiday season.

If you could give one piece of advice to parents of small children, what would it be?

The best part of my job is learning from moms and hearing their parenting stories. I really don't have any advice for parents other than to be yourself and enjoy the time with your kiddos. Our idea with HHK wasn't ascribe to or be a particular type of parenting philosophy about how to teach your kids values. We are just trying to creates resources for parents to use in whatever way best suits their lifestyle. We want to make it easy and provide a tool which we hope incorporates naturally into their playtime. 

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Happy Heart Kid is giving one lucky TCL reader $50 to spend on their site. All you have to do is leave a comment below on which kit(s) you'd spend your winnings on!

You can earn additional entries by Following Happy Heart Kid on Instagram and Liking Happy Heart Kid on Facebook. (Just be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry!)

A winner will be chosen at random next weekend and contacted shortly thereafter! Good luck, friends! And happy Friday!

xo KB

// Itzy Ritzy Nursing Scarf + Target Giveaway!

Happy World Breastfeeding Week and National Breastfeeding Month! Despite our own trials with nursing, and our attempt at relactation, I still think it's amazing how our bodies, and our bodies alone, were made to sustain the first months of life for a tiny little being. It's pretty neat honestly! I know I manage to talk a lot about the hurdles we have to overcome as parents, and maybe that seems like I'm focusing on the negative. In reality my goal is the exact opposite. To shed light on those obstacles so other parents don't feel so alone. Even when everything goes exactly as it should, parenthood is HARD. It just is. That's one reason why I love sharing tips, tricks, and products that make life just a little bit easier overall. Today's giveaway is just that!

Itzy Ritzy is a brand made by moms, for moms. They boast a wide variety of goodies that make life on the go easier, whether by breast, with snacks, nursing jewelry, or wet bags. And now they're celebrating that the holy grail of mama shopping, Target (!!! Come on, you know you love Target as much as I do!), just picked up their "Nursing Happens" infinity scarf, along with the rest of their line! The scarf design comes in two colors/styles and is made to feel stylish and modest for moms who prefer a little privacy when their babies are feeding. I love that so many state laws protect a mother's right to nurse anywhere, uncovered, but even still, some mamas prefer to be discreet. At least with this scarf you can look fabulous during your downtime! I really really love the hot pink one... naturally haha. It also comes in the grey chevron above.

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Now the really fun part! One of you lucky mamas (or friends of a mama!) will win a Nursing Happens infinity scarf and a $50 gift card to Target! All you gotta do is let me know which of the two designs you like best! (Leave your answer in a comment below! Be sure to leave a way for me to get in touch with you in case you win!)

If you want a few more entries, feel free to do any or all of the following: Like Itzy Ritzy on Facebook // Follow Itzy Ritzy on Twitter // Follow Itzy Ritzy on Instagram // Follow Itzy Ritzy on Pinterest

Overall that's FIVE ways to win! The winner will be drawn next weekend and contacted shortly thereafter! Good luck, friends! Happy nursing!

xo KB

// "On The Move" - Tea Box Express - June + A Giveaway!

June's Tea Box Express was totally on point! It was perfect for the season. It's been so sticky hot and humid here in Tennessee, drinking a hot cup of tea or coffee really hasn't been a priority come mid-day. Andrea hit it out of the park by rounding up the perfect mix of vendors and products for this installment of the subscription box. The Steepware Steep & Go travel water bottle infuser is definitely my favorite of the bunch. It's perfect for the Tea Spot tea that was included, but can also be used with any other loose-leaf tea on the go. I haven't tried the almond butter yet because I want to save it for Linden to try, too. He's eaten every possible allergy-causing food, but obviously we're holding off on honey until he's officially one (Nevermind the graham crackers I've let him munch on here and there...) He loves peanut butter though, so I know he'll love this almond butter, too. If it tastes as good as it looks, we're all in for a treat!

Want to win a Tea Box Express box of your own? Just leave a comment below telling me your favorite thing about Summer! It's that simple! I'll choose a winner next week!

If you want to keep up with Tea Box Express happenings, check out the Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest pages! (I'm always cracking terrible jokes and sharing really fun tea-inspired gifts, so it's worth it, I promise!) You can also swing by and pick up your own subscription and get 20% off your first month with the code CLUELESSGIRL20. The deadline for upcoming boxes is the 5th of each month, so get to it! I'm a little biased, sure, but it's by far the best tea-centric sub box out there.

xo KB

PS; If you sign up for a subscription or are already a subscriber and you win this giveaway, you'll be credited for that month's box.

PPS; Happy freakin' July!

// My Mom is a Gem (a Mother's Day Jewelry Giveaway!)

My mom and I have an incredibly close, awesome relationship. It didn't always feel that way (Hello, angsty teenage years!) but I know she's always been my biggest fan and #1 supporter. She'd do absolutely anything for me, and I can't even begin to show my gratitude for her. It was just me and her growing up, so she sacrificed a lot of things to make sure I always had what I needed (and wanted), and she never missed a ball game or practice. And I played a lot of sports. (I don't know how she did it, honestly). Her birthday always falls within 3 or 4 days of Mother's Day, so I try to make it extra special for her. I celebrated Father's Day with her growing up, too. When you're a single mom, you do it all. You don't really have a choice otherwise. Regardless of circumstance, she always made sure I knew I was loved an cherished, and I can only hope I am able to reciprocate that to her. (and show the same to my kids).

I have so many amazing memories with my mom. One (many?) of my favorite memories are of her taking me to so many concerts! (Don't laugh at me... these are ridiculous!) We went to those "All That Music and More Festivals" (you know, LFO, 98 Degrees, Aaron Carter... aww yeah!), Spice Girls, N*Sync, etc. I know she was totally out of her element, but it was so fun to spend that time with her. it was something we were able to share together and I love thinking back on those days. I hope I can be half as cool as a mom as she is. (Though that photo above is from last year at the Cher concert! haha)

JTV asked if I wanted to team up again to treat my mom to a little something special from their site (and give you the chance to treat your mom, too!) and of course I said yes. I picked out a ring from their collection and got a matching one, too. My mom is not a big jewelry person honestly. She mostly only wears her wedding ring and maybe a necklace here or there. But she loved the sentimental thought behind the ring I chose and she thought it was absolutely beautiful in person.

Now this is your chance to win this ring for your mama, too! Just follow the instructions below and you'll be entered to win!

Follow @JTV on Instagram (leave your IG name below!) and share why you love your mama in the comments below.

For additional entries, tag as many friends as you like (1 per comment) on my Instagram post for this contest. (Just make sure you've done the top entry first so I'll know you entered!)

A winner will be chosen at random next week and contacted shortly thereafter. Thanks friends! I hope y'all have a fabulous rest of your week, and an chance to hang with your mama come Mother's Day! xo

// TeaBoxExpress Jan/Feb Recap (+ Giveaway!)

I really love my role at TeaBoxExpress. I love connecting with customers and sharing sneak peeks of the upcoming boxes. I love being part of someone else's dream, ya know? I feel like I've learned so much about tea since starting my position last summer. I've also expanded my palate of teas, too. Truth be told, I never really enjoyed drinking tea until several years into my relationship with Mike. I mean I'd go to Chinatown in San Francisco a few times a year and enjoy the tea tastings and what not, but I never bought my own to brew at home. Mike started really getting into tea in January of last year. He'd buy any variety that struck a chord with him and I'd taste alongside him. There have been many mornings since that I've made my own cup (or three), and I can honestly say that I am a huge fan. So working at TeaBoxExpress has opened my eyes to so many more flavors and varieties, and it's broadened my collection of cute tea accessories. The two boxes I'm going to share today are seriously wonderful. And I'm not just saying that, I swear!

I didn't manage to get a group shot of the January box because we blew straight through the Earl Grey tea that came with it (Teapigs brand!). It was so good with a little bit of milk. Yum! The first box of the new year was British themed - with earl grey tea, scone mix, clotted cream, strawberry preserves, and a darling creamer with spoon. I kept saying I was going to make the (Sticky Fingers) scones and try them, but it seemed like a weekend thing since I wanted Mike to enjoy them, too. Unfortunately we're usually gone shortly after waking up and well past dark on the weekends. It's our only time to get things done together so we stay on the move. Well I finally decided to use what little time I had yesterday afternoon to make them, as sort of a surprise when Mike got home from school. The scone mix was nice because you only add water. Now I'm normally very skeptical of things that only require water, but these baked up perfectly! The name (Sticky Fingers) is no lie though... holy sticky when mixing! I'm convinced that stuff could help brick a house haha The part of the box that I was honestly really concerned with was the clotted cream. What?! Clotted cream?! That did not sound like something I would enjoy. I'm a bit scared to try new things but all of the reviews for the January box were stellar so I put on my big girl britches and laid it on a scone, then topped it with strawberry preserves. Mike and I tried a bite at the same time. WHOA! So. Freaking. Good! Toby came in and asked for some and loved it, too. Between the three of us the two containers of toppings were scraped clean in merely minutes. Then we said we'd be going to World Market this weekend to try and find a non-sample sized jar. The scones were perfectly fluffy, and the clotted cream and preserves were deliciously sweet. And now I wish we were British!

The February box was so intriguing to me because I knew there were some fun teas included. Andrea came up with the theme for a Valentine's Day box and instantly I was sold. It was going to be great! In the February box was: two SerendipiTea teas (a rose and green tea variety as shown above) and a fun peppermint, chocolate tea. They both smell divine, but I've only tried the rose tea so far! Also included was a bar of Taza coconut dark chocolate, Earl Grey lip balm, a Tea, Spice and Orchid soy candle, and a mesh tea infuser. I loved how many of the February inclusions were about the physical aspect of enjoying tea. Calming and relaxing - I wanted to take a bath with a cup of tea and eat chocolate and burn my candle haha Mike isn't a fan of green tea, but I am. I loved the rose tea so much, and the candle smells divine. The only part I didn't love was the chocolate, which is rare for me... because chocolate! But I just don't love coconut. Luckily Toby was eager and willing to devour it, even with the more bitter taste of the dark chocolate.

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My favorite part about TeaBoxExpress is that it really is all about the experience of drinking and enjoying tea. You're not just sent five samples of random teas. You're sent one or two teas with well thought out assortments of matching treats and accessories. I feel like TBE is unlike any other box on the market for that very reason. Andrea does such an amazing job putting these boxes together.

Now the super fun part! The giveaway! One lucky winner will receive a TeaBoxExpress shipment of their own! You'll get the March box delivered straight to your doorstep! (A little birdie told me the March box is full of fair-trade and sustainable/eco-conscious brands!) 

To be entered to win:

Leave a comment below sharing your favorite kind of tea

(or if you don't drink tea and would like to win this box for someone else:
leave a comment sharing why you think they'd like it!)

For additional (optional) entries, do any of the following (and leave a separate comment for each in order to be counted!): Like TeaBoxExpress on Facebook // Follow @TeaBoxExpress on Pinterest // Follow @TeaBoxExpress on Twitter // Tweet about the giveaway (include a link to the post and tag both @kaelahbee and @TeaBoxExpress)

A winner will be drawn at random next week and contacted shortly thereafter. If you'd like to sign up for TeaBoxExpress yourself, you can get the March box by signing up before the end of the day on March 5th! (If you sign up and win the giveaway, your payment with either be refunded or applied to the April box!) You can use the code CLUELESSGIRL20 to get 20% off your first month's box when you sign up for a recurring subscription. And if you want to shop boxes from the past months, you can do so via the TBE Shop! (The coupon codes don't apply to past boxes however. And they're limited to inventory so you gotta get 'em while you can! But really, go buy October, January and February! They have been my favorites!)

xoxo

PS; Check out the TBE Blog for a sneak peek at March's tea inclusion!

PPS; Mike just said to me "So we're going to World Market today right? We have to get some clotted cream. I had dreams about those scones last night." I can't make this up. They're that good!

Congrats to Amber Freeman! 

// The Art of Gift Giving + a $100 Opry Mills Giveaway

So I totally went Black Friday shopping this year. Not the "wake up at 2am so you can be in the door by 6am" kind of Black Friday shopping, but still totally the "battle crazy traffic and hoards of people" kind. It was the first time I had gone shopping on that day in like... 10 years or more. And you know what? It was fun! I even had Mike and both boys with me... Haha I had a few errands I needed to run in Nashville anyway, so we decided to spend a few hours at Opry Mills on the busiest day of the year because the sales were calling my name. I partnered up with Opry Mills to do a blog post on gift giving, so I wanted to stretch my gift card as far as possible and this seemed like the time to do it! (Seriously, everything pictured below was at least 50% off. WIN!) Anyway, I managed to knock 5 people off my list during Black Friday, and below is what I scored. (Warning: If you're a family member, please skip this post! Or you know, ruin the surprise of your gift. No, but really. Don't.)

Up first is Toby! He was with us, so it might seem like the magic of the surprise is gone, but we let him pick out some pieces that he really wanted (and he's already forgotten about everything except his bear ha). He told us he wanted some new brown "dress" shoes since Mike had recently gotten some new ones. We picked up this pair at The Children's Place for all of $12! Then he saw the cardigan sweater at Old Navy and asked for it. He picked up a Linden-sized version and it took us until we got all the way home to realize it didn't match (That's why he asked to get it for Linden. He loves when they wear the same thing haha!) He had a couple of small Lego things that he had picked out, but I think they went in for an early wrapping haha. We also let him make his own bear at Build-A-Bear. He made a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle bear, complete with the theme song and all. He asked to spend the last bit on making Linden a bear and y'all, I about lost it. It was SO sweet to see Toby be so thoughtful. If that kid loves anything, it's being a big brother, and that makes my heart sing!

Then I picked up a few cozy things for my mom. I thought she might like some warm loungewear from Old Navy. Everything was 50% off so I got her a pullover hoodie and some super soft lounge pants. I love the coral color of the hoodie so much. I also picked her up a coffee mug from Bass Pro Shop to keep in the RV when we go camping/on vacation.

Mike was up next! He was with me, but I already knew what I wanted to get him. A new clinical bag. He had been saying for a few weeks that he would like a bag separate from his class bag so he didn't have to pack and unpack all of his books for each clinical day. I took him over to Fossil to find something he liked and he picked out this messenger bag. I love the navy and brown together. It was originally $148 but was 50% off! And since he's sort of into my whole coffee mug collection, I bought him this fun moose mug of his own. It was from Bass Pro Shop, too. (I totally got one for me and my step dad also. Matching RV mugs!)

I bought this gorgeous chiffon dress and infinity scarf for my sister in law, Laine. I was so jealous of the dress after getting home, I made a note to check Old Navy next time we were at Opry Mills so I could get my own. (Spoiler: It was last Saturday and I totally nabbed one. Is it weird to match your SIL?!)

And finally, the littlest Flynn! I know Linden can't really "appreciate" Christmas/gifts yet, but I had to take advantage of the sales at the mall that day. The two on the left are from Baby Gap and the two on the right are from Old Navy. Itty bitty tiny clothes are just so precious! So really, it's more like these are gifts to myself. Can you blame me?! 

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Overall I'm pretty stoked I was able to knock off so much of my shopping list in one day. I still have quite a few folks to buy for, but I'm working up the courage to face more of the holiday shoppers at the mall haha. I'm definitely going to be shopping for my step dad at Bass Pro Shop, and probably picking something up for my mother in law on the "fashion wing" of Opry Mills. Even though I risk sounding like a commercial, I'm just going to say it: Opry Mills has a crazy amount of stores, and they span every price point and "genre" you can think of. Legos, Disney, and a candy store for the kids. H&M, Forever 21, and Old Navy for the young adults. And Coach, Brooks Brothers, Ralph Lauren, etc. for the more upscale crowd. If it's Saturday, we're probably at Opry Mills haha! (Seriously though. It's a little alarming how often I find myself there...)

Now if you're local to middle Tennessee/Nashville/plan on visiting soon, check out the giveaway below. One of you will win a $100 Opry Mills giftcard to spend any way you choose!

To be entered to win, leave a comment below sharing who you'd spend the $100 on. Would you use it for some holiday shopping? Or would it be more of a "Treat yo'self!" splurge?

For additional entries, do as many of the following as you'd like. Just be sure to leave a separate comment for each! -- Like Opry Mills on Facebook // Follow Opry Mills on Twitter // Follow Opry Mills on Instagram

A winner will be drawn at random next week and contacted shortly thereafter. The winner must arrange for gift card pick-up at the Opry Mills mall! Good luck! xo

Congratulations Jana!

// Morganite + Rose Gold -- A Jewelry Giveaway

Morganite is without a doubt my absolute favorite gemstone. That's probably because a pale, blush pink is also my favorite color. (Can't you tell by the look of my blog? haha) Morganite and rose gold are also my favorite jewelry combination. My engagement ring is a morganite stone with a rose gold band even! Most of our wedding was planned around this color palette and it's still the first place I run to when I'm designing for myself. I just can't get enough of the combination. I love the subtle pink hues of the stone. This little mood board shows exactly what inspires me when it comes to both jewelry and feminine design. And see that little teardrop ring up at the top? I've been sporting that around for the past couple of weeks and it's so fun to have an equally gorgeous piece on my right hand since I still catch myself staring at my engagement ring.

I've partnered up with Jewelry Television for this super fun giveaway today and one of YOU lucky gals will be getting a matching morganite and rose gold ring! I've whipped up a little Pinterest board of my favorite JTV pieces and a handful of my favorite inspiration images (like above). Feel free to check it out if you want!

Now here's the fun part... the giveaway! 

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Enter to win a teardrop morganite + rose gold ring by visiting the JTV site, and then leaving a comment below with your favorite jewelry piece

For additional ways to win: Tweet about the giveaway (tag @kaelahbee + @jewelry) // Follow @jewelry on Twitter // Like Jewelry Television on Facebook // Follow @JTV on Instagram // Follow Jewelry TV on Pinterest // Pin your favorite piece of jewelry from their site -- Just be sure to leave a separate comment below for each entry!

A winner will be drawn at random next weekend and contacted shortly thereafter. Good luck! xo

// OrbitBaby G3 Infant Car Seat + Base Giveaway

All other car seats just need to go home. We've only had our G3 from OrbitBaby for a few days, but I can tell you we are SOLD! We were totally in love within the first 15 seconds of it being out of the box. It's just so NEAT! I had seen OrbitBaby products floating around when I was pregnant, but really didn't pay much mind to just how exhausting (and hard!) it'd be to get a baby in and out of a rear-facing car seat. Had I known then what I know now, I absolutely would've sprung for the G3 from the start. I feel super fortunate to be working with OrbitBaby and having the chance to make up for lost time. 

Just in case you know about the G3's most incredible feature, it turns a full 360 degrees and locks into place (every 90 degrees). This allows you to turn the car seat to face the door opening when putting the baby in or taking him out. No more back breaking and bending to try and finagle them into the right position. (How's my elevator pitch?! Haha!) This also can be said for the G3 stroller base! (Another thing I highly recommend! It's super utilitarian and works like a dream!) Since we didn't have a travel system for our original car seat, we'd have to get Linden out every time we wanted to go into the store. While we could've carted the seat in and popped it in a buggy, I didn't feel like that was a safe option. All I could see was the buggy tipping over or something falling from the top part and hitting him. Not to mention the plastic handle on it was SO. UNCOMFORTABLE! Toting an infant seat is never fun or easy in my book, but at least the G3 comes with a padded arm strap that makes carrying it in the crook of your elbow far more comfortable. Even if it's just from the car to the house, those bruises can add up haha

Our OrbitBaby ride. This is the Drive + Stroll package, which allows you to use the car seat with the G3 stroller base until your baby graduates to the toddler seat. We really love the setup! -- * This giveaway does not include the stroller or toddler seat as shown on the left!

Another great feature is the built in sunshade/privacy screen. There's a white cover built in to the seat hood that can unroll and shield the baby from curious eyes/hands, sun, wind, etc. We took advantage of it Saturday while walking into and around the mall since Linden was snoozing and it was a bit windy outside. Isn't the Mocha color stunning? If brown or any variation of brown is ever an option in something, you can almost bet that's what I'll be choosing. We love how decadent the color is on the car seat and the stroller cargo basket. 

Honestly, if you knew Linden at all I could just say that the car seat speaks for itself. He's never been fond of riding in one, much less sleeping in one. On Saturday he was all about the snoozes. In his original car seat, he'd scream and fuss the moment he woke up (on the off chance we actually got him to fall asleep while riding). While we were out and about this past weekend, he woke up from his multiple naps as happy as a clam. Totally okay with just chilling in the car seat. That alone is worth all the money in our bank account! 

With alllll that gushing being over and done with, now comes the fun part! The giveaway! OrbitBaby wants to give one of you lucky moms (or moms-to-be) a G3 infant car seat and base! Whoever wins this is going to be pinching themselves through the new year, I promise.Feel free to check out the entry options below! Feel free to enter for yourself or for a friend. Good luck! xo

a Rafflecopter giveaway

** Note: This giveaway is for the G3 infant car seat and car seat base only. The stroller base and toddler seat (as shown in the group photo in Linden's nursery).

// Casetify Giveaway

I'm a sucker for a phone case with a sentimental picture on it. I have quite a few with our wedding photos, as well as several of Linden and Toby. I love having that little reminder on my phone every time I look at it. Back in the middle of the Summer I subscribed to Casetify's (formerly Casetagram) monthly subscription service which allowed me to get a new backplate for my phone case every month for only $10. That seemed like such a steal (it was!) so I quickly ordered a handful of my favorite photos to swap out. Recently I switched to an iPhone 6 (well, I'm waiting for it to be delivered... still... a month later haha) but sadly the subscription service isn't an option just yet for the 6. (But I did snag the classic snap case on the far right with all of my boys on it!) It kind of breaks my heart to get rid of my iPhone 5 because I'm so attached to the cases haha! I'll just have to wait for the subscription to launch for the 6 and then start my collection again!

If you're not big on photos on your phone case, Casetify offers a HUGE selection of artist designed cases for you to choose from. I've come so close to ordering a gorgeous watercolor and glitter one like five hundred times, but I always go back to photos!

Anyway, I was super stoked when they contacted me to offer up one lucky winner a $100 credit to their site! That means you can get a handful of fun new cases for your phone, no matter where you live in the world! They have a pretty large selection of devices that the cases fit, so even if you're not an iPhone person, they've got you covered. The subscription service is only available for iPhone 5 and 5s (in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia) right now, but this $100 can be spent on anything!

Feel free to enter below if you're interested! xo

a Rafflecopter giveaway

// My Babywearing Journey + Ergobaby Giveaway

I could write post after post after post on why babywearing is so important to me, but in order to save you from absolute boredom, I'll try to sum it up nicely in this one entry... When I had so much trouble with breastfeeding (and feeling like an utter failure), babywearing is what "saved" me. I spent the first couple of weeks feeling like I would never bond with Linden because I was so mentally and physically exhausted from stressing over him eating. I was so worried that all of those "breast is best" articles were right and breastfeeding was bonding. Since I couldn't breastfeed successfully, I wouldn't ever bond with my baby, right? Wrong. (Thank goodness!) And I have a handy little wrap to thank for it. 

I knew I wanted to wear Linden since I first found out I was pregnant. I loved the thought of having him close, all the while having my hands free. It would be the best of both worlds. Endless snuggling that allowed me to be a productive work at home mom. Since I wasn't sure what wrap to start out with or if they were worth the cash, I began by using a DIY wrap I had made. It served us well while Linden was still hovering around his newborn weight. Of course thanks to his reflux and incessant spitting up, the crazy amount of washing it endured caused it to check out early on. While it didn't last for long, it opened me up to the wide world of babywearing and everything it entailed. I learned very quickly how beneficial it was for both me and Linden. I began wearing him the moment I was physically able to (post-caesarian) because it seemed so natural. From womb to wrap.

Babywearing is so beneficial for both the carrier and the baby. It has helped me create a bond with Linden that is stronger than almost anything. It's also helped me become incredibly tuned in to his personal "schedule." I'm always aware of when he's hungry, tired, or in need of a new diaper. Linden isn't a huge fan of tummy time, so wearing him helps him strengthen his neck muscles. (That kid has a big head in relation to his body, so strong muscles to keep it up are key haha!) One of my very favorite things about wearing him is I always know when he's ready for a nap because he'll burrow his sweet little face into one of the straps of the wrap where it's dark and cozy. (Anxious mom alert: If your kid does this, you'll freak out thinking he's going to suffocate. Luckily a little adjusting of the strap makes for the perfect little airway! I was worried sick after he developed this habit.)

It's not all about the baby and mama bonding either. Mike was having a hard time feeling super connected to Linden in the earlier weeks because L refused to be held by anyone other than me, and because Mike is gone all day to school, then spends most nights studying like crazy. Linden wanted me to feed him, hold him, soothe him, etc. It took a little bit of practice, but once Mike got the hang of the wrap, Linden was totally game to be worn by Dad. Seriously, it was such an exciting moment for us. Not only did it allow Mike a chance to really bond with L, but it also allowed me to take a shower, get some work done, and be alone when needed. Things that become absolute luxuries once the little ones show up.

Me preaching about babywearing may seriously be bordering on kicking a dead horse for some of you, but it's so hard to keep quiet when it's hands down the one thing that I feel really saved me (and Linden) these first few months. It hasn't been a walk in the park, but wearing him has been exactly what we both needed. And with that being said, I'm super excited about sharing the babywearing love with y'all! I'm certainly no expert on the subject, and in fact I'm still pretty clueless about wearing outside of wraps (soft structured carriers, wovens, etc, etc!). But I'm eager to learn more as Linden grows!

As an Ergobaby Brand Ambassador I am over the moon to share this giveaway today. In celebration of October being World Babywearing Awareness Month, one lucky reader is going to win an Ergobaby 4th Trimester pack which includes a wrap in your color choice and a set of Swaddlers! (Remember when I shared the Swaddlers in my Newborn Essentials post?! They are the bomb dot com!) 

I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to use the Ergobaby wraps these past couple of months. I promise I'm not just saying this, but they're amazing! At first I was worried there'd be too much fabric and they'd be cumbersome (my DIY wrap was much thinner), but they provide the perfect amount of support and stretch, and they still breathe, too. That way Linden is cozy when it's cool, but not too warm when it's hot out. They have a handy little pocket on the front even. (I may or may not use this for my phone and a spare pacifier or three haha!) After a handful of washes each, they're still holding up like new. (When you have a reflux baby, you get used to doing a lot of laundry! SO. MUCH. LAUNDRY!) I alternate between the Clay and Eucalyptus wraps, and I never leave the house without one! One of my favorite things about babywearing is spreading the love when out and about in public. Without fail, every time I wear him in a store, someone comments or asks about the wrap. We may live in a small town, but it's so fun to see babywearing become more and more normal around here.

As far as the giveaway goes, you don't have to be pregnant or a mom to win. Enter for a friend, give as a gift, or donate to a local women's shelter if you'd like! If you're curious about babywearing and you want to try it out without shelling out a lot of cash, enter and test your luck! I promise you'll be so stoked to have these in your arsenal. My hope with this giveaway is that another mama out there experiences just how powerful babywearing can be. It has had such a positive impact on my experience as a new mom, and I really want one of y'all to have that, too!

ENTER TO WIN AN ERGOBABY 4TH TRIMESTER SET

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck, friends! I can't wait to see who wins!

// Win An Ameda Purely Yours Double Electric Breast Pump!

The first few weeks of Linden's life were hard when it came to breastfeeding. He never seemed to be satisfied and we were advised by his doctor to supplement since he was losing so much weight. My lactation consultant advised that I pump after every single feed in order to stimulate more milk production in hopes that it'd help alleviate the problem. I stressed over my milk supply morning, noon, and night. I was constantly worried that he wasn't getting enough (obviously he wasn't since he kept losing weight) so my breast pump quickly became my best friend. While I was never able to pump more than an ounce or so at a time, I'd celebrate each little session as a victory. A pumping session was never even remotely enough to satisfy Linden, but I felt some slight reassurance knowing exactly how much I was able to give him. That's the one thing about breastfeeding that's so hard... knowing how much they're getting when they feed. 

Our breastfeeding journey hasn't been something straight from a movie or a magazine, but I'll leave that for another post (coming soon). Instead I'll just touch base on what I really love about my Ameda pump and then I'll get to the good part... giving one away!

(any excuse to post pictures of this snoozin' little dude!)

When I first opened my Ameda box I was totally overwhelmed. It looked like it was going to be so confusing to put together. So many parts to unwrap and pieces to assemble. Finally one night I put on my big girl britches, broke the wrapping open and was overwhelmed for a completely different reason. I was overwhelmed at how simple it was. Why did I think it was going to be such a huge to do?! Compared to the other breast pumps I looked at and contemplated, this one was without a doubt much easier to handle in terms of instructions. I had that bad boy ready to go in under 2 minutes. When it came to using the pump, it was just as simple. I really was not looking forward to the tedious act of washing and sterilizing each piece after each use (especially since I was hooked up to that thing every hour or two), but everything came apart easily. It isn't a "hands free" pump so I used one of my nursing bras (that doubles as a pumping bra!) to help me feel more comfortable during those long pumping sessions every day. Overall, two thumbs way up for my experience with my Ameda. I don't think anyone likes being hooked up to a pump, but at least it wasn't a terrible experience for me. It sure beat the thought of manually pumping or pumping one side at a time.

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Now I'm giving you lucky gals a chance to win your very own Purely Yours Double Electric Pump! Check out the details below to get in on the action! If you're not expecting, or just aren't in the market for a new pump, consider entering for a friend or family member who could benefit from this awesome gift! You can even donate it to your local women's shelter or another mother in need!

To be entered to win the Ameda
Purely Yours Double Electric Breast Pump

Please share one thing about motherhood you're most looking forward to
(or that you already love) and leave it in a comment below

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For additional entries, please do any of the following
(but be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry!):

Follow The Clueless Girl's Guide on Bloglovin // Follow @kaelahbee on Twitter // Follow TCGG via GFC (in the left sidebar) // Follow @kaelahbee on Instagram // Like TCGG on Facebook // Tweet the following: "Fingers crossed I win the @MyAmeda #PurelyYours breast pump on @kaelahbee's blog! thecluelessgirl.com"

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A winner will be chosen at random next weekend and contacted to claim their prize. You have seven ways to win! Please be sure to leave me a way to get in touch with you in case you're the lucky winner! Good luck to everyone who enters! Happy pumping! xo

* I received a Purely Yours breast pump free of charge, but was not compensated for this review or giveaway. I simply wanted to help make life a little bit easier for a fellow mama out there by giving away another pump. Thanks to Ameda for being so generous!

// Belly Dance Maternity Giveaway -- $100 Shop Credit

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I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss my "bump." While I never really strayed too terribly far from my usual, non-pregnant style, I loved picking out dresses and outfits that showcased one of the most amazing times in my life. For once it was exciting and desirable to draw attention to my bulging midsection haha! I normally played it pretty safe with the brands I bought and the stores I shopped at when it came to maternity clothes. I shared two outfit posts recently where I wore dresses from Belly Dance Maternity and seriously, I wish I had known about them from the get go because the pieces I have from the brand are hands down my favorite. I felt so classy and put together when I wore them, and that was such a nice feeling at 9+ months pregnant. Now that the bump is gone and I'm juggling a newborn and every day tasks, I need clothing that will allow me to easily breastfeed, whether at home or on the go. Luckily Belly Dance Maternity has loads of nursing options in their apparel, too. Their options don't stop once you're no longer pregnant. Granted I'm looking forward to slapping on some Spanx under a few of my dresses once I'm able... but I do already love my nursing pieces for the ease of wear. And the comfort! Oh my stars, the comfort! I know I said it in my Onyx maternity style post, but I've never felt softer dresses in my life! They're so so breezy and easy to wear even in the sweltering Summer heat of Tennessee. 

// Onyx outfit post ------------------------------ Screensaver outfit post //

Not only do they carry a wide variety of styles when it comes to maternity wear, but they have nursing bras, gifts for moms to be, baby items, and even swimwear. I chose a few of my favorite pieces on the site to highlight, just to show some of the options. I've been so happy with the items I have in my closet, and now I'm super excited to be able to offer y'all the chance to win a $100 shop credit. 

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TO WIN THE $100 SHOP CREDIT TO
BELLY DANCE MATERNITY 

Visit the Belly Dance Maternity website and tell me what you'd spend your credit on! 

For additional entries, feel free to do any of the following: 

Follow BDMaternity on Twitter // Like BDMaternity on Facebook

Follow BDMaternity on Instagram // Follow BDMaternity on Pinterest 

Overall that's five ways to win! A winner will be chosen at random next weekend and contacted shortly thereafter. (Be sure to leave a way for me to get in touch with you in case you win!) * Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted properly! Good luck! 

PS; If you just can't wait to get your hands on something you see, you can use the code 'clueless' for 20% off your order during the month of August!

Congrats Miriam!