The Shopping Mama

My Daughter’s Room: A Year & A Move Later

by Shannon on February 21st, 2012 | 5 Comments | Children's Decor, Nurseries, Bedrooms & Playrooms

As part of The Shopping Mama’s annual “28 Days of Design” last year, I shared with readers pictures of preschool girl’s room in our Florida home. I made excuses for it saying that we tried to purchase furniture but the local store never delivered, we were moving in a matter of months, and we could not paint the walls of our rental. All that said, I now look at those photos and think how adorable her room was, despite these challenges.

Her Room Last Year

A year later, we have relocated to a new home that we purchased, therefore the walls are our canvas. We have had ample time to purchase furniture. There is no move imminent, but we are a military family, so we know this is not our permanent home and are working to make a room that preschool girl will love that won’t break the bank or be unattractive to future home buyers.

Her Room Now

Preschool girl loves her new room and wants to have this year’s birthday party not just in this house, but in her room. I made painting for her a priority and she chose a shade of light blue because it is the color of the sky where her favorite animals fly. Her favorite animal, of course, is “birds.” Yes, all birds, and she wants to paint them on the wall, hang them from the ceiling and get a few real ones just for good measure.

We’ve also made one small furniture purchase. I found an adorable four-drawer, solid wood bedside table painted with milk paint at a local antique store and snatched it up, just yesterday. I plan to contact this vendor to inquire about a full-size bed painted similarly. Fingers crossed that we get a real bed for preschool girl before she heads to college.

One of the major selling features for this home is the full wall of built-in cabinetry in this bedroom. With ample shelving for display and six deep drawers for toys, I had grand visions of an always neat room. It was a nice vision. The fact of the matter is that my kids play in their rooms and they most often look like this:

Reality

We have more plans for this room. Perhaps by the 2013 installment of “28 Days of Design” we’ll have a headboard and some birds?

What’s Your Most Meaningful Moment? #meaningfulbty

by Kate on February 13th, 2012 | 5 Comments | Life, Parenting

In theory I love the topic of this post. The idea of sharing my most meaningful moment from the last year. But, in reality, I have no idea how to possibly narrow down the last year to one defining moment. It was, quite possibly, the hardest, most eventful year of my life.

Almost exactly one year ago to the day, my dad was diagnosed with leukemia. Three and a half months later he passed away. Those moments were clearly full of meaning and emotion and changed my family forever.

The last year was also full of joyful moments. My husband returned from his extended deployment. Simply seeing the looks of joy on my children’s faces when they saw him is enough to leave a lasting impression on me for some time.

And, then, of course, there’s the surprise news we received last July when I learned I was pregnant. Pregnant! Baby number 3. That moment certainly left an impression (and a big belly) on me. Welcoming a new member to our family will no doubt change me forever. I like to think it’s a nice balance to the way my year began.

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Banana Republic: Giving Back to Military

by Kate on January 19th, 2012 | 5 Comments | Shopping

Banana Republic is stepping up to give back to military personnel and their families in a big way. The company says, “You went beyond the call of duty. Now it’s our duty to give you a stylish new start.” Banana Republic has put together interview and resume tips, top picks for interview styles and is offering a generous discount to make dressing the part more affordable.

“Our Duty to You”

Banana Republic is committed to helping people achieve in the important moments in their lives. As part of that mission, we are honored to support our military personnel as they return home from their time abroad and transition back to civilian life.

If you’re a military service member (active or veteran, returning and home-based), or a member of a military family, take advantage of special savings, styling advice, and interview and resume tips we’ve put together to help you achieve your next goals in life.

Special Shopping Event

One of the most unique aspects of the program is special shopping events in select stores around the country. Military and family can get style, interview and resume tips in person tomorrow January 20. Check the Banana Republic page for information on which store are offering this program.

Shop! January 19 through the 22, active duty military, veterans and military family members can receive 50% off three regular priced items in Banana Republic stores. Check out Banana Republic’s interview, resume and style tips. Banana Republic’s Facebook page also has information and a place where you can send a Thank You note to troops.

UPDATE: Banana Republic has extended a military discount through the end of the year! Military service members (retired and active duty) and their families can save 15% off full priced items on purchases in store through December 31, 2012.

Thank you, Banana Republic!

American Widow Project

by Kate on December 13th, 2011 | 5 Comments | Shopping, Ten Dollar Tuesday

For the second year in a row we are dedicating every week between Thanksgiving and Christmas we are spotlighting a worthy charity through a Ten Dollar Tuesday post. What does this have to do with $10, you ask? Everything. If 10 readers of The Shopping Mama give $10, that’s a $100 donation. That more of us that give, the more impact we can have. $10 can add up quickly and be incredibly meaningful to a charity and the families they benefit.

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The American Widow Project was founded by Taryn Davis in 2007 after her husband was killed by a roadside bomb while serving in Iraq. She sought out support from widows and found few resources or support groups for women her own age, war widows of our generation. She created the American Widow Project “a non-profit organization dedicated to the new generation of those who have lost the heroes of yesterday, today and tomorrow, with an emphasis on healing through sharing stories, tears and laughter.”

Since 2001, over 6,200 U.S. service members have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Around half of these service members were married, leaving an estimated 3,000 military widows across our country. While the service member’s sacrifice is acknowledged, many simply forget or fail to recognize the sacrifice of the spouse who is now left a widow of war. Oftentimes the invisible wounds of military widows are disregarded due to age or a simple lack of knowledge and understanding.

The American Widow Project provides online resources and support as well as AWP Get-Aways where women bond with others in a similar situation. Learn more from Taryn in the L’Oreal Women of Worth video below.

Obviously this is an organization that hits close to home. Three of us who write on this blog are military spouses. Two of our spouses returned from extended deployments this summer and Malia’s husband is currently deployed. (Yes, he deployed shortly after baby Kate was born.) We are thankful for the safety of our spouses, but not everyone is so lucky. I made my donation in memory of an F-16 pilot who died over the summer and left behind a wife and infant daughter.

Donate! Give today to the American Widows Project.

Helzberg Heroes Celebrates Soldiers and Their Families

by Malia on October 28th, 2011 | 5 Comments | Shopping

There’s nothing quite as special as a gift of jewelry from the heart, whether it’s a tiny diamond ring paid for by working overtime every Friday night for a year or a hand designed custom piece. The last time my husband deployed I saved up and bought him a watch that he’s been wanting for years. It was great to be able to give him a gift after what he had to go through and in celebration of how much he was able to help the people he advised. He wears that watch daily. (I however am still waiting for my diamond ring for everything I went through, hint, hint.)

Helzberg Diamonds understands that soldiers and their families make a lot of sacrifices, including spending time far away from those they love the most. More than 30 years ago, Helzberg sent soldiers serving in Southeast Asia “I Am Loved” buttons to show their support. I find this support especially moving in a time when an unpopular war resulted in solders not always being shown the love and respect they deserved. In recognition of Veterans Day on November 11, Helzberg Diamond’s wants to again show active duty soldiers, veterans and their families they are loved and appreciated for their service to our country, this time with a little more bling!

Helzberg Heroes

Today, Helzberg is excited to launch a special military program, Helzberg Heroes, which will celebrate soldiers and their families with two special offers:

$10,000 Helzberg Diamonds Shopping Spree – The Helzberg Heroes contest asks military and their families to share their best “I Am Loved” stories. These stories can showcase those special moments of how your community supports your hero or how your solider expresses his love for his family while deployed. Then, Helzberg will show its love to the best “I am Loved” story by awarding one $10,000 shopping spree winner in December.
Special Military discount - Military members who show a valid military ID will receive a special discount when they visit Helzberg stores, November 1-28.

To enter the Helzberg Heroes Contest, visit www.helzbergheroes.com. Active duty, reservists, retired military and families can share their special “I Am Loved” stories at www.hezbergheroes.com. The entry deadline is November 28, 2011, or after the first 500 submissions is received. Helzberg will select and announce the $10,000 Shopping Spree winner in early December.

The winner will receive a Helzberg Diamonds’ gift card for a $10,000 shopping spree redeemable at any Helzberg Diamonds retail store in the United States. Note, the gift card cannot be used for purchases from Helzberg Diamonds’ online store (but it’s more fun to try jewelry on anyway, right?).

Happy Fourth of July

by Kate on July 4th, 2011 | 5 Comments | Life

I hope you all had a wonderful fourth of July! It’s been a weird day since we’ve only been in our new home for 3 days and don’t really know anyone yet. We planned to go to the town fireworks, but it’s been raining most of the evening so the kids are tucked in bed like it’s any old night.

Despite the fact that we had nothing festive planned, I did dress the kids for the occasion. And, unlike last year when I could not get a good picture of the two of them to save my life I managed to get a couple keepers. Enjoy!

Happy 4th!

Support the Troops with Taste of Home's Flag Cake Recipe

by Kate on June 23rd, 2011 | 5 Comments | Life

Oprah has featured the topic. Martha Stewart has featured the topic. First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden continue to work diligently on this issue. Here at The Shopping Mama, some of us live it. What is “it?”

Supporting Our Troops and Their Families

Many high profile celebrities are encouraging Americans to support our troops. Time and time again, the question is HOW?

Here’s one of the quickest and easiest ways to help our troops and their families in the two weeks leading up to the July 4th holiday: Simply visit the new Taste of Home Flag Cake Recipe and the magazine will donate 10 cents to the USO for each unique visitor up to $100,000!

Did you click yet?

It’s okay…I’ll wait.

I’m patient because each click provides a two-minute phone call home for a current service member working overseas. In addition to clicking on the Taste of Home Flag Cake Recipe, you can make additional donations directly to the USO. Every $1 raised provides 20 minutes of talk time for service members. And while $1, 2 minutes and 20 minutes are all measurable, the emotional impact of hearing a loved one’s voice is immeasurable.

Now that you’ve clicked, share this information on your Facebook page, email your friends and family, talk about it at work. Get others to click as well. Remember, it’s unique visitors through the Independence Day holiday that help donations grow, so tell as many people as you can about this fabulous flag cake recipe.

In addition to supporting our troops, you’re getting a terrific holiday-themed recipe that will outshine the fireworks on the 4th of July!

Finding The Silver Lining

by Kate on May 22nd, 2011 | 5 Comments | Life

In times of great sadness it can be hard to find anything positive. But, in this – probably the most difficult time of my life – I am clinging to the goodness. The silver lining in the horrible cloud that is this year.

Here’s how I see it: If my husband had not received a one year deployment, the kids and I would not have moved to Ohio.

If we had not moved to Ohio, we would not have enjoyed the benefits of living a mile from grandparents and extended family. My kids would not have gotten to really know their grandfather with the luxury of weekly dinners and unplanned visits. I would not have been able to comfort and cry with my family when we learned my father had leukemia. I would not have been able to tell my father “I love you” moments before he passed away last Wednesday.

I am going to cling to the silver lining – that I was and am here. It’s all that is comforting at the moment.

Well, the silver lining and the rainbow.

The day my father left the cancer hospital for hospice care my sister and I were driving home, depressed, and we saw a rainbow. There wasn’t a rain drop in sight but we saw a big, beautiful rainbow. Tonight, five and a half weeks after turning to hospice care, four days after he passed away, this was in the sky: