Skinny Minnie Bowtique review and GIVEAWAY

This summer we started potty training our little girl & on the Pull-Ups package there was some info on how to get a phone call from Disney Princess, Cinderella. It was a very cool (recording) from Cinderella herself! Layla was so excited and talked about it for weeks. She still remembers and lights up when you remind her of it. She is now OBSESSED with Cinderella, since they are personal friends and all now! ;-)

So, when I found Skinny Minnie Bowtique on Etsy and saw the most adorable Cinderella stacked boutique bow I knew I just had  to have it for Layla!




             I spoke with Diana who co-owns the shop with her bestie, Francesca(how cool!) She was so sweet, and very quick to reply, which I love! They are also based out of Canada! I love getting mail from other countries. There's just something extra fun about knowing it crossed the border!! Even, though it was coming from Calgary, it still made it here, to NY, super fast! The packaging was perfect and not one bow was smooshed during travel! The bows were wrapped up super cute in pink tissue paper with a black tie and gift tag attached. Pictured are three bows, the Cinderella one I purchased for my Disney Princess obsessed little girl, a medium-sized layered froggy boutique bow & a small pink layered bow with pink feathers! One lucky reader will win the pink layered hairbow! :) The bows are super well made with high quality ribbon and aligator clips that were lined with no slip grips (of all the bows in our collection, I have no clue how not one has ever had a no slip grippy!) I just love that little feature! 

 Their inspiration comes from the three Daughter's Diana and Francesca have between them (Diana's little girl is 4 & Francesca's are 5 & 2!) Such fun ages. They began making hair bows for their girls for a few years then decided to open up shop. SkinnyMinnieBowtique just celebrated their one year since opening. Diana has a full-time job as a merchandiser for a marketing company, so it's still more of a hobby for her! :) 

I love this little shop. I love the way the bows are made. They are very full & not floppy! The grippys are wonderful. I might just have to find grippys for the rest of our bow collection!  They have lots of designer inspired bows such as Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Gucci,Louis Vuitton & Juicy! Also are M2M Gymboree bows, baby boy Bowties & Bow Boards! 

To enter the giveaway you must be a MMR follower, be atleast 18 yrs & be a US OR Canadian resident! (Not an entry)

Add Skinny Minnie Bowtique to your etsy favorites! ( 1 entry ) 
"Like" Skinny Minnie Bowtique on Facebook and thank her for the MMR Giveaway! (2 entries!) 
Go to Skinny Minnie Bowtique's Etsy shop and tell me what your favorite item is! (1 entries)
Share this giveaway on facebook & leave me the link. ( 3 entries ) ** If the status gets deleted and I cannot view it, it wont count!
Make a purchase and in the notes let her know Modern Mama sent you. Leave me the order number ( 10 entries ) 

Giveaway will run for 2 weeks! GOOD LUCK!

ReilynnDesigns Review&Giveaway!!

There's something really special about ReiLynnDesigns. I came upon Karie's store on Etsy while searching for bottle-cap monogrammed hair bows. Once I got here, what I wanted from her was much different. Bottle caps bows are easy to come by, but Kanzashi Flowers are something new to me. They are so unique and pretty and Karie specializes in making them! Something even more awesome..? She totally cares about your kids.. "I use foil back rhinestones instead of Swarovski crystals because of the lead content in the crystals. Swarovski crystals are not approved for children's items and it is very important to me to comply with children's lead laws." Until I spoke with Karie, I did not know this. I always thought swarovski crystals were the better choice, because, Ohhhh I don't know, they're more expensive? I appreciate that she uses caution when making items for my child & all of her customers.

 Want to know more about these beautiful flowers? "Kanzashi flowers originated from Japan- it was an art form created to wear in Geisha's elaborate hair. In Japan it takes 5-10 years of apprenticeship to learn the art of Kanzashi. These flowers are a fun spin on that tradition.  Each petal is a one inch square piece of ribbon folded over and over again with pliers and tweezers." 

I was sent two of these. One to put in my little one's hair and review... and one for a lucky reader! See this showcase is getting more fun each day.. huh? The flowers are super cute!

 I actually won a grab bag/jar (photo to right*bottom. Also shown to right is what was in the jar*top) in an auction Karie did on her Facebook page!  Like I said before, I love when shops have fun things going on on their facebook pages! :) for $6 I got a mix of 6 bows and 1 Kanzashi flower! I love them so much! Very, very well made! Everything was on an alligator clip. Karie also did a super sweet deal in September where when you referred a friend as long as you BOTH made a purchase and mentioned eachother's names you got your entire order for 50% off! I've never seen a deal that good on Etsy! :)

 Thank you Karie! Since I don't have them yet to photograph, here is Karie's shop photo of what I ordered!  (The black/pink/white bow, The initial bow, and the rainbow Kanzashi flower clips! I cant wait to get them! :) 

I love this shop, it's just fun looking, Karie is super sweet & she's got a nice selection! Plus, I love shops that interact with their customers on facebook and do fan only coupons! All around, Great Shop and I will be back for many more accessories for my little girl! :)

Now onto the giveaway! One reader is going to win their own Kanzashi Flower Clip!

To Enter You must be a MMR follower, be 18 yrs or older and live in the US. (this does not count as an entry)

"Like" ReiLynn Designs Facebook page & leave a comment there telling her you entered the giveaway at MMR and thank her! :o)  (1 entry)
Visit ReiLynn Designs Etsy shop pick your favorite item, come back here and tell me what it is. (2 entries)
Add ReiLynn Designs Etsy page to your favorites (2 entries)
Share this giveaway on facebook (can be done once a day) then leave me the link to your status update! (3 entries!) 

This giveaway will run for 2 weeks and will end on Halloween!:) Trick or Treat!! 

Cute-E Shop Review&GIVEAWAY

 I found my way to Cute-E-Shop while searching for a Minnie Mouse hair bow to match the TuTu I made for Layla's 3rd birthday! I got to talking with Erin and she let me review the Minnie Mouse bow & will also offer one to a Lucky MMR reader!! :) 

It's beautiful. The bow was made so well, it's sure to last a long time. All ends were heat sealed so they wont fray. Believe it or not, I have PURCHASED bows before that were NOT heat sealed and they were already fraying the first day we had them!  Placed on an alligator clip (my favorite for Layla's super fine hair!) The ribbon is high quality & so was the bottle cap!! I bought (not from Cute-E-Shop) around 6 bottle caps bows for our favorite sports teams (Syracuse and Pittsburgh Penguins!) The picture on the front of the bottle cap kept falling off. I don't envision this happening with the type of caps used on our Minnie Mouse Bow! The bottle cap is also reversed. So the little picture is actually sitting on the inside. This is wonderful because it makes it more difficult for my little one to try to play with the little bubble that covers it. And just in case your were concerned, Nope, the edges on the bottle cap are not sharp! :) 

While browsing around I realized she had so much to offer! Among hair bows & headbands, Erin also makes dresses, ruffle pants,shorts & shirts (for girls and BOYS, too!) I love when you can get more than one item from the same shop! It helps build a relationship and the seller can really learn what you like and help you come up with something to fit your style that is truly unique and made just for you!    

                                     

I also love when Etsy shops have facebook pages! Even more so when they update them with their newest listings, BONUS for Facebook only sales or coupon codes! Cute-E-Shop's Facebook is pretty active and she does post giveaways! So make sure you head over and "like" the page so you don't miss out! 

Erin was such a pleasure to talk. She's so kind and it just leaps off the screen when I read her emails. That can be difficult to find & I truly appreciate that from business' big and small!  I'll definitely be a long time customer of hers!

All in all, Wonderful shop, Wonderful owner! Definitely take a moment to check it out & enter to win your very own Minnie Mouse bow from Cute-E-Shop!!!

A little bit about Erin..(Thank you for your time!!)
Here is my try at the questions:
I have been married for the past 11 years to a man that I met in college at Texas A&M. We have 3 beautiful children, and I have been blessed with being able to stay at home with them. 
I have always loved to do crafts and found so much joy in creating something new with my hands. In college, I had a job at a bow making counter in a craft store and learned the basics of bow making. I didn't start making hair bows until I had kids of my own. I started by just buying a spool of ribbon and making some hair bows for my daughter and some of my friends' little girls.
I learned how to sew right before my 3rd child (Alissa) was born and started making custom outfits and matching hair bows for her and for gifts. The more I gave, the more people told me that I should start a shop. When my daughter, Alissa was born, she had a few medical problems and ended up in the NICU for about a week. Even with insurance, we still had extra medical bills to pay. I started my shop to help pay off those bills.
With three kids and a husband that works hard so that I can be home with them, my top priority is my family. I work hard to keep my shop time for times when they are asleep...sometimes that doesn't work out, but that is what I aim to do. My older two kids, Abby and Caleb have started back at school, and I figure as Alissa gets older, I will be able to work more and more with my shop. I really love having a creative outlet and creating things for people that they will really enjoy...I guess that is why I really do love when people ask me to create custom items for them! : ) As a mother of three, I really do want to treat each customer as I would want to be treated. When you are buying something special for your little one or as a gift, I want each person to be pleased with the product and the service. I really do mean it when I say that I want people to let me know if they are disappointed...I really would want to what I could to make it right for them! : )
My inspiration comes from lots of different places...sometimes it is from a certain fabric that I see or spool of ribbon makes me think of something...sometimes it comes from my kids...what they like and what they are in to! I have also had people ask me to create custom items to coordinate with party invitations or a child's favorite colors. It is so much fun to me!
My favorite things to create are custom outfits and hair accessories. I have tried painting things and sewing larger home items or bags, but I really love children's clothes and accessories!!
Thanks for asking! : )

--Now on to the Giveaway-- 
To Enter you must be a MMR follower (this is not an entry)
Leave your name and email address so I can contact you.
Be 18 or older :)

You must "Like" Cute-E-Shop on Facebook tell her who sent you(1 entry)
Check out her Shop & tell me what your favorite item is! (1 entry)
Add her shop to your favorites on etsy (2 entries)
"like" her Etsy Shop (2 Entries) 
Share this giveaway on your wall (2 entries, can be done once a day) Leave me the permalink

This giveaway will be open for 2 weeks! Will End on October 30. 
Goodluck! 

Bunnys Bows Review&GIVEAWAY

My quest to find some really unique, "Funky Loopy," over the top style hair bows came to a hault when I discovered BunnysBows on Etsy! I made my decision to place an order for a surprise 6 pack within a few short minutes of looking at the photos and reading a couple customer reviews. Some of which said 

-"  Soooooo cute! Deb is so talented and her bows are georgous !"

-" Deb is unbelievably talented! They far exceeded my expectations! More than a bow, they are a work of art! Plan to buy many more...absolutely LOVE them! Thanks so much!"

- "AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!!! GEORGOUS GEORGOUS GEORGOUS!!!!! THESE ARE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOWS I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!! THEY ARE AMAZING AND TOTALLY AWESOME! DEB IS THE SWEETEST PERSON EVER SHE MADE ALL THE BOWS PERFECTLY AND WORKED WITH ME THE WHOLE TIME! THIS IS THE BEST SHOP ON ETSY! BEST EVER! I WILL ALWAYS ORDER FROM HER!!! AND THANKS SOOOOOO MUCH FOR THE EXTRAS!"

Deb truly is something special. What a treasure to find on etsy. I put in my notes to seller a request for one of the bows in the sample photos ( the cupcake one seen above!) and also for a Christmas bow and fall themed bow. She QUICKLY replied back telling me she would be able to do so! Her turn around time is FAST, about 2-3 business days but she waited a couple extra days for a really cute fall themed ribbon to come in and then paid the extra money to get it delivered to me faster since she wanted to use that ribbon. Service and communication are top notch with Deb at bunny bows! 

Her bows arrived to me quickly! Upon opening the box I was blown away by the detail, beauty and uniqueness. My little girl was in love with them! There was so much for her to look at and talk about! Deb does not skimp on stuffing her funky loopy bows! These bad boys are jam packed with all sorts of flat backs and ostrich feathers, korker ribbon, gems & jewels and all sorts of doodads! All 7 of the bows I received are made with high quality ribbon and secured with wire & attached to a barrette style clip to be sure to last! My favorite is probably the Barbie bow! 

Deb was generous enough to offer one of my wonderful readers the chance to WIN one of her beautiful bows! A Christmas themed funky loopy bow! But before we get to that, let me please share with you the mini interview I had with her. 

What got you interested in making hairbows & how long have you been doing so?

- I have been makeing hairbows for about 3 years now. I Love to make them. I kept on seing  the same hairbows around and I thought let me spice it up! Its like art to me.

I know bow making starts as a hobby. Is it just a hobby to have a little extra income or has it become full-time?

- It started as extra money but now it has become fulltime and I love it. I love to make a hairbow from start to finish.

What is your favorite thing to craft? 

My favorite thing to craft is handmade gift tags. i Love all the colors and to Punch them out to see what i can come up with.

Where do you get your inspiration? 

My inspiration comes from colors and from when I was a child ..I just think of alll the pink and sparkly things I had growing up. I love colors, I also try to think of it as what would I liked in a hairbow when i was a child.

Tell us a little about yourself!! 

 My Name is Deb, I love the color Pink,I collect hello Kitty stuff and  I Love to Bake! Iam a person with a big love for pets. I try to help with them as much as I can in my spare time! 

Thank you Deb! I've had so much fun getting to know you. You're a wonderful friend! :)  As long as my little girl is letting me put bows in her hair, I'll be your customer!

Now... on to the giveaway! Like I said Deb generously provided a Christmas themed Funky loopy bow! It's super detailed and nice a big! Secured on a French Clip! 

 To enter- You must be a MMR follower & have an Etsy account (Free and easy to  sign up) 

Entries- 

Go to Bunnys Bows & in the lower left hand column click "Like" then leave your permalink (right after you "like" it, on your facebook wall you will see it. click the timestamp below and it will bring up a page copy and paste the url in the search box and paste it here!) Easier than it sounds! ( 1 entry- leave comment)

Go to Bunnys Bows, take a look around then come back here and tell me what your favorite item is! (1 entry- leave comment)

For additional entries (5) - place an order and leave me your order number! 
Share this giveaway however you wish (can be done once daily) Just share the link to your, status update, tweet or whatever! (3 entries!)

Giveaway will run for 2 weeks and a winner will be chosen by random.org. Good-luck!