The winner of the SewCuteStitches Giveaway is Kristal Hatch Mulder

Kristal Hatch Mulder is the winner of the SewCuteStitches giveaway.  Kristal, please contact SewCuteStitches, by either FB PM or posting on their timeline to claim your prize.

GIVEAWAY ~ one Applique Shirt from SewCuteStitches

Now that the holiday weekend is over and everyone is all shopped out, I have a giveaway for you from SewCuteStitches.  SewCuteStitches is a custom clothing boutique that can be found on Facebook.  The owner is a stay at home mom and she loves to sew and create custom outfits for her children as well as yours.  We have one shirt from her and will be buying another for Christmas.  We wore ours for Thanksgiving so here is my little model showing off her shirt

I like these shirts better than any others that I have bought because the embroidery is nice and thick (not cheap or thin)

The t-shirt itself is also nice and thick, not the thin Garanimals shirts that we usually receive when we order an applique shirt.  I also love the ruffle details on the cuffs and waist (boys shirts do not have ruffles, lol)

So now, the giveaway, SewCuteStitches will be giving one lucky reader one (1) applique t-shirt (short sleeve or long sleeve).  To enter you must "like" SewCuteStitches (click here to be redirected to her page) and then leave a comment.  You must "like" and also leave a comment on SewCuteStitches Facebook Page to be entered (if you already like SewCuteStitches you only need to leave a comment).  We will be accepting entries until 9 p.m. EST on November 28 and will have a drawing shortly after 9 pm EST on November 28.

Although the giveaway is for a shirt, the owner also makes custom outfits.  Here are a few examples of her work.

Don't forget the giveaway!  "Like" and then comment on SewCuteStitches Facebook Page before 9 pm EST on November 28 and you could win one of these shirts.

Give Custom Wall Art by Michelle Raye a try!

I usually (always write about clothes) but today we are changing things up, with something new and super cool that I just discovered...

Over the past few weeks, I have been transforming our guest bedroom into a playroom for Gabby (which is why I haven't been writing very much, it has been keeping me super busy after work).  I have been agonizing about what to do for artwork for the walls.  I didn't want family pictures, or regular boring artwork.  I wanted something creative, playful and fun that would work well with the art that Gabby creates at her art table that we then hang on her art display. That is when I stumbled upon Michelle Rayes Designs, and my problem was solved.  She is a facebook friend of mine that I B/S/T and chat with, but I didn't know she was such a creative, little computer artist!! Here are a few examples of her computer artwork.  You can use these for a playroom or themed bedroom.

As I was perusing her page, I also discovered that she can make custom birthday party invites.  I am so non-creative that I buy pre-packaged, lame, invites from Wal-Mart and fill them out by hand (yes, I know, I suck) but now that I have found these, next year Gabby will have awesome, custom birthday invites.

She can also make you a grown up piece of family artwork, using your names, children's names, birth dates, anniversary dates, etc  (hint:  these would make a great Christmas gifts for Parents or the ever hard to buy for Grandparents)

Or, you can get one of these for the sports fan in your life

Lastly, with the holidays coming, it is time to look for teacher gifts...  So, I saw this on her page and thought it was a super cute idea

This is inexpensive, original, creative, custom and fun!!  You can have a piece of custom artwork made, size 16x20, and emailed to you for $17 and then you can have it printed by which ever photo service you use to print your digital photos (not sure where else, you can get custom artwork for $17).  If you select a design she has already created, then the cost goes down to $12.  The cost to create a custom birthday invite is $7, which is emailed to you and then you can print at home on cardstock (seriously, this is cheaper than the lame, pre-packaged ones that I have been buying...).  Teacher gifts are 8x10 size and cost $7 (being that they are 8x10 you can also print them at home).

If you are interested, you can order on her Facebook Page.  She is a super, nice mom, that I have gotten to know over the last year and will do a fantastic job for you!

Can I brag? Gabby's 4 year old portraits in Persnickety

Every fall Gabby has her yearly portraits done at CSM Photography by Connie Sue and just like previous years, we chose outfits by Persnickety Clothing Company.  I did have to shop around to find all the pieces for these outfits.  All these outfits, including the Joyfolie Shoes, we purchased at Addy's Closet, Smart and Sassy Looks and The Frilly Frog.

I say this every year, but this year's pictures are my favorite.  The first outfit we chose was the Persnickety Lucille Dress, Persnickety Cream Leg Warmers and Joyfolie Maci Boot

I do like to do an outfit change during our photo session, so the second outfit we went with was the Persnickety Alice Vest, Grey Dot Basic Tee, Grey Dot Ruffle Legging, Black Tutu Skirt (from the Holiday 2011 line) and the Joyfolie Kat Shoes.

If you are in North Carolina, I recommend checking out CSM Photography by Connie Sue, she has great, affordable packages, with a CD from your photo session, so you can print your own pictures, as many as you like :) and of course you know I recommend Persnickety Clothing for your portrait outfits.

Persnickety 20% off begins at Midnight - 3 days only!!

I got up this morning and logged on to my computer to set my Fantasy Football Lineups, as I do every Sunday morning and had few surprise emails in my inbox.  Persnickety, Phases 1 & 2, will be on sale, beginning at Midnight tonight (Sunday) for 20% off and an extra special deal on leggings.  Act fast, the sale only lasts for 3 days.

Here are a few of our favorite pieces from Phases 1 & 2 (Pink Lace& Pine Cones and Vintage Woodlands).

I won't bore you with tons of photos, by now you have seen the lines, but here is Gabby wearing one of my favorite sets from the first 2 phases.  This is the Sylvia Dress, Gold Leggings and Newsboy Hat.

Check out my favorite stores for your sale items, I believe they are all still offering Free Shipping (use coupon code Kami for free shipping at Smart and Sassy Looks), so since it is highly likely one store won't have the size you need in all the pieces you want, you might have to shop around at Addy's Closet, One Good Thread, Smart and Sassy Looks and Katiebug's Kids.

A few things to remember:

• This sale is for 3 days only beginning at midnight tonight (Sunday)
• Select styles from Phases 1 & 2 (Pink Lace & Pine Cones and Vintage Woodlands) Collections are on sale.  The sale does not include Phase 3 (Jeweled Forrest) or the Holiday Collection
• Persnickety Sale items don't last long, so shop early

Halloween outfits - Yay or Nay? Yay, but only if they are on Sale

Do you buy Halloween outfits?  I do, but only if they are on clearance sale, 50% off or more.  In my opinion, they can only be worn for 2-3 weeks (at most) in October and since I only do Gabby's laundry every 2 weeks, that makes them a one time wear.  Since Halloween is tomorrow, tomorrow is also the day that most boutiques will mark their Halloween attire down 50%, which means tomorrow is the day to buy for next year, for the best selection.  I picked up this Peaches n Cream outfit from The Frilly Frog for around $30 (regular price was $60).

We paired it with these zebra stripe peep toe shoes by Foxpaws, which are TDF.  Seriously, we have almost every shoe they make. 

I did need a second Halloween outfit, less dressy for our Pumpkin Farm trip and I found this cute sequins pumpkin top at Walmart (yes GASP, I said it Walmart) but it was $4.98 and perfect for the pumpkin farm when layered with a L/S top underneath

And, here is a sneak peak of Gabby in her Halloween costume (homemade by Grandma)

Happy Halloween to all and don't forget to take a few minutes tomorrow to shop for your 2013 Halloween outfit!

I'm back! With a "Steal of a Deal" from Addy's Closet and Persnickety Clothing Company

First and foremost, I apologize for being absent for the last 2 weeks.  We took a mini-vacation to Pigeon Forge and as soon as I got home I decided it was time to re-do my living room (and I mean top to bottom, floors, walls, furniture, windows and accessories).  It probably was not the best idea to give a room a total re-do on the heels of a trip, but oh well...

But, I am back now with a "Steal of a Deal" from Addy's Closet, you can get the Persnickety Clothing Company Taylor Jacket in Olive for $30 (yes that is THIRTY BUCKS).  This jacket retails for $96, so that is $66 off the retail price.  I admit, I did not buy this jacket this spring because I was too in love with the Taylor Jacket in the Dottie print and at that price point the budget only allowed for one, but you can't beat $30 for this jacket, which you can use this fall and again next spring. 

Here are a few outfit ideas for the coat this fall.  First I paired the jacket with the Yellow Hannah Top from Spring.  (Note:  I really wanted to show this with the Persnickety Clothing Company Double Ruffle Jeans but ours have not arrive yet)

I also wanted to pair it with a top from fall that you can still easily locate, so I choose the Persnickety Clothing Pink Stripe Basic Tee from Fall 2012.

If you are still in search of boots we LOVE the Joyfolie Maci Boot.  They work great under jeans or also over leggings and a tunic or dress.

Check out Addy's Closet for all of these looks as well as the Daily Steal of a Deal!

Fabulous Fickle Baby Finds

What Gabby Wore Today has a new store to add to our list of Favorites:  Fickle Baby. 

I have met several new friends through facebook buying and selling of children's clothes that I never would have met otherwise.  One of the wonderful moms I "met" a year or so ago is Kimberly Kennedy.  We frequented a lot of the same facebook pages and got to know each other, to the extent that we started buying items the other would like and mailing them back and forth between North Carolina and Texas.  Well now Kim has her very own store, Fickle Baby, so I wanted to share some of our Fabulous Fickle Finds.

Here is Gabby with her new Stephen Joseph Owl Backpack and matching lunch box for pre-school.  I really like that this is leather, makes it easier to keep clean and more durable, and you can even have them monogrammed.  (Please excuse Gabby' outfit, she loves Smurfette and when we ran across this shirt in Wal-Mart, she had to have it)

Another Fabulous Fickle Find is the Joyfolie Jada Dress and matching Brielle Shoes.  This is one of my favorite outfits right now and you can add ivory leggings and a little sweater and wear through fall.

Another Fabulous Fickle Find of ours is this Swanky Baby Vintage Prep School outfit paired with Livie & Luca Peacock Shoes.

If you need a different pair of shoes, Fickle Baby has plenty to choose from.  Here is a picture of just a portion of the shoe display.

Lastly, I bought Gabby's first Christmas present today.  Kim turned me on to this hot pink Diva robe that Gabby is going to LOVE!  This is sized 4, 6, 8 so you should be able to get 2 years out of this robe.

Check out Fickle Baby for all your baby, toddler and child fashion needs for girls and boys. In addition shipping is FREE!!  Like their facebook page  to keep up to date with all the Fickle Fashions.



Labor Day Weekend Sale at One Good Thread

Labor Day weekend is upon us, which brings Gabby's Birthday and of course SALES!!  I have found that Labor Day weekend sales are the best time to stock up on spring/summer goodies for next year.  One of my favorite stores One Good Thread is kicking off the holiday weekend with a gift card giveaway.  For every $50 you spend you earn a $10 gift card toward a future purchase.  It is really the sale that keeps on giving!!This offer is good through Monday, September 3. 

Some of the goodies that caught my eye are this Red Dress by Babycake (Dollcake), always love a red dress with sandals, perfect for next 4th of July, without being in your face "themey" (aka tacky).  This is on sale for $32.

I am seriously IN LOVE with this Dollcake Fringe Dress on sale for $32, original price $64.

Faith's Favorite Peasant by Swanky Baby Vintage is on clearance for $15. I promise you, this will be the best $15 you have ever spent on a top.  They have this top left in every size!!  I already have one for next year or I would be buying one.  Grab the Scrunch Leggings (also still available in every size) for $13 and you will have what will turn out to be your "go to" outfit for $28.  I am not sure where else you will find a boutique outfit like this for $28.  That is a serious steal.  If you have not tried Swanky Baby Vintage you really need to.  It is so easy to wash and wear and doesn't require any special attention

Livie and Luca Sandals are also on sale.  There are multiple sizes left for both the Green and Yellow Blooms

There is so much more available on their new and improved website, so check it out.  Remember, shipping is ALWAYS FREE and from now until Monday (9/3/2012) you will receive a $10 gift card for every $50 spent.  As always limited exclusions apply, if you have questions about exclusions email shop4you@onegoodthread.com.

Gabby's First Day of Pre-School was "Persnickified"

It is hard for me to believe but Gabby started Pre-School today, eeeekkk!!!  It is just a 2 day a week program, she is currently in an in-home day care full time, where she gets spoiled rotten, so I felt it was time to start a program to give her a little bit of structure.  My Little Miss Independent did just fine.  As soon as we arrived she told me that I could go, she did not need me there, I was embarrassing her. Then, when it was time to pick her up, she did not want to leave. 

The only hard part about deciding what she was going to wear, was to choose which Persnickety outfit she would wear, as the brand for such an occasion was a given.  The outfit she choose has made a few other appearances in "What Gabby Wore Today" as it is a favorite and really our "go to" outfit. 

Gabby is wearing the Pink Stripe Lou Lou and Pink Stripe Tutu, both size 3 with the impossible to find Cream Stella Jacket in a size 4 (this is from the Spring 2011 line, the only way to buy one now is to find one used on the Persnickety Addicts Facebook page, which is where ours will be available soon, so sad to be outgrowing this jacket).  Her shoes are the Joyfolie Charlotte in Metallic Cream (the best ever shoe, they go with everything).

It seems a new term was coined this week on the Persnickety Clothing Company Facebook Page, "Persnickified."  They would like to see pictures of all of the children that were Persnickified on their first day of school, just add yours to their Facebook timeline.