Shabby Apple Nine to Five Dress Review

When Shabby Apple contacted me to do a review for them I was no less than thrilled! One look at their dresses and I was hooked.

It was like Christmas when my dress came in the mail! It was wrapped so neatly in some olive and lime tissue paper. I hardly wanted to destroy the cute packaging, but how could I not tear right through it to get to my dress!

My first dress was actually the Anchors Away, but I did not notice the "This dress FITS SMALL a slightly snug, 'true to size'" in my ordering excitement. I put on the dress and LOVED it, but they do not lie when they say it fits snug. I worried that when I washed it, it would become a little too snug. So I sent the dress back (it cost like $2) and they sent me the Nine to Five Dress.

When I pulled it out of the packaging I was a little scared at first. It was so not what I would have chosen. I was worried I would look like a potato sack. It was a lot of Jersey and I was scared that my tummy bulge would be out for everyone to see. The horror. To my wonderful surprise, the minute I put it on I fell in love! The color and details were amazing! I am letting someone else choose for me from now on!

The hubs went on and on about how HOT I looked. Not a bad response to receive. I wore it to church on Valentine's Day and I have never received so many compliments including "You're looking great!" and "I love your dress, you look amazing and tiny!" I had heads turning as I walked down the hall. One of my friends said, "I love all the details. it makes it look so modern."

Did you like my little fashion show right there? Add a belt, wear it plain, mix it up. Did I mention the comfort level? It was like walking around snuggled in the softest, yet nicely breathable blanket. I could live in this dress, though I would take it off to wash it once in a while.

So now that I have expressed my deep and undying love for my Shabby Apple Five to Nine dress, I would like to do what I call a little Shabby Apple runway show. Here is a little preview of some of my faves (click on the pics to be taken to that item's page):

Oh and uh, did I mention the accessories? Love, love, LOVE!

Now to tug at your heartstrings a bit. Shabby Apple donates 5% of its net dress sales to support work in India. I love this! Every $100 donation from Shabby Apple Dresses provides at least 20 women with access to financial services - and the chance to live a life without poverty. Each new Shabby Apple dress features a unique hang tag with a micro-credit success story.

Shabby Apple has a line for you no matter what stage of life you are in. Check out their maternity and baby collections:

I am totally loving that Shabby Apple is a Utah company. Gotta support the locals when I can right! Oh and one last little thing to mention, Shabby Apple is offering $20 off any purchase of $150 or more through April 4th!

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YWYM Mutual Theme Be Strong and of a Good Courage Tile

I love this year's Young Men Young Women Mutual theme! Be strong and of a good courage. I mean they are always good, but I feel like this is just what our youth need right now. I know there are a gazillion theme ideas out there, but I wanted to share what we do in our ward.

Each year we make a mutual theme tile display to put on the table in our YW room. Each week during opening exercises and after we recite the YW theme, we recite the mutual theme. We also have a copy of the theme laminated that we use to recite it with the YM on mutual night.

The kids learn it really fast and I love that they have it memorized! That way they can recite it in their heads whenever they may need it.

I made the tile this year. It was so easy. I just covered it with some scrapbook paper, printed out the theme, chalked the edges and added some embellishments. I already had everything I needed at home.

Remember these courage washer necklaces we made for our Beehives for Christmas? They are a fun way to reinforce the theme too!

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Casual Blogger Conference: Are You Going?

I can't tell you how excited I am about the upcoming Casual Blogger Conference. Many of my friends like Vanessa, Quinn and Kristina are speaking and tons of other bloggers that I adore and can't wait to meet like Melanie, Julie, and Laura. I mean take a look at this agenda! Cute April my blog designer is even going to be there!



We are so lucky to have this kind of conference right here in little ol' Utah! It is seriously such an opportunity! There will be six different learning tracks, covering every element of blogging, from website design, to writing workshops.The conference includes over $3000 of classes for only $155 (if you do the early sign up like me)! Crazy!

Some of the classes I am most looking forward to are:

• Search Engine Optimization: the who, what, when and why
  
• Advertising:You are Your Best Resource
  
• Communications Expert and Author, Matt Townsend
• Finding your Niche
  

Oh and don't you worry, though there are plenty of educational opportunities, there are equal opportunities for straight up fun including a concert with Mindy Gledhill and a GNO party with Teresa Collins!

So please, please come with me! Emily has promised to be my conference buddy, but I know she will be sneaking off to some of those photography classes for the people with "cool" cameras so I need more fun friends to class hop with!

So click the little button below and get your ticket now! You still have time to get the discounted tickets ($20 off the full conference price)! I mean it is 3 days packed with cool classes and amazing networking opportunities!



OK, I will get off my soapbox now, but be sure to leave me a comment if you are coming so I will know to keep an eye out for you!!


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Feature Friday-Blog Swap with Sew Dang Cute

Hello all you "A Little Tipsy" readers! I'm really excited to be with you today on my first-ever blog swap! Michelle is such a fun girl. I love her vlog! WOW!!! Not to mention she is really good friends with my SIL, Amanda, the creative mind behind "Every Crafty Endeavor" (another great craft blog to check out...hint, hint!)
I'm Tam from Sew Dang Cute. Wife to my best friend, and SAHM to three beautiful children. Two girls and one boy, ages 4, 3, and 9 months. I'm a cycle and group fitness instructor, addicted triathlete, and am currently training for my first half IronMan in June.

Michelle wanted me to answer some questions for the one minute interview so here you go:

What is your favorite crafting tool or secret weapon?

• Favorite crafting tool is my sewing machine. I'm fairly new to "crafting" so I don't know much about the different tools, but I love to sew.

If you were a dessert, what would you be and why?

• In the words of my husband (since I couldn't think of anything for the life of me): "A banana split. Sweet, healthy (the banana part), and a little bit of everything."

What is your best ultra beginner sewing tip?

• I recommend reading through the instructions completely before beginning and mentally walking through each step. This helps me see where I'm going and has saved me from making mistakes.

Whenever I can, I like to fit in some craft time. I recently became a "chef" over at Moda Bake Shop, and get to post "recipes", like this Valentine's Day Bubble Skirt over there every now and then. I love sharing tutorials with my readers. You can find sewing ones like this Diaper Stacker or Doll Stroller Cover.
I've also got some crafty tutorials like this Proclamation to the Family Photo Overlay:

Or in the spirit of St. Patrick's Day, this Shamrock Doormat.

I also offer a variety of products that are available for purchase.

If you don't see exactly what you are looking for, I would love to do a custom order for you.
Maybe all you need is fabric? I am now a retailer of Moda Fabric and have just started selling, including the beautiful line Blush. Another of my loves is cooking. Come join me in 2010 as I review 100 recipes, in an attempt to organize my recipe drawer and weed out the worthy and not-so-much.

Hop on over to check me out and be sure to sign up as a follower, so you don't miss anything! Thanks Michelle for blog swapping with me today!!!

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Wait, I am still stuck on the half Iron Man. Girl, are you crazy? I would give myself major props for completing a 5k. ;) Thanks Tam for swappin' it up today!

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Kirstikoo Diaper Clutch Review & Giveaway

As a matter of business, the Fandangling winner is Chrissy B! Thanks to all who entered and remember you can get 20% off using code Fandangling10 until the end of June.

Now, I wanted to share this cute little etsy shop Kirstikoo. Kirsti sent me this adorable Diaperdoo diaper clutch and I am loving it.

It makes it so easy to switch from bag to bag depending on what I want to carry for the day! With my little guy being two now I don't have to carry the full fledged diaper bag so this is a nice alternative to store the essentials.

And don't you love how it just happened to coordinate with the other purse accessories I got in a favorite things swap! I love these colors!

Kirstikoo has lots of other fun things too! Binky clips, Superhero Capes, Burp Cloths, Bibs, Hooded towels and more! I love the bright colors and patterns.

Now for the fun part, Kirsti is giving away a Diaperdoo Diaper Clutch of your choice!

To enter: (Leave a separate comment for each entry with your email in one of them)

Mandatory entry: Visit Kirstikoo's blog and look at the fabric selections (I am so jealous of the new selections!). Come back and comment on this post telling us which fabric combo you would choose for your diaper clutch.

Extra Entries:

• Follow A Little Tipsy
• Follow me on Twitter
• Follow Kirstikoo's blog
  

Winners will be chosen Wednesday March 10th. If you do not leave your email or have it on your profile I am not going to hunt you down, I will just choose another winner. :)

Now for one more bonus offer! Kirstikoo is offering free shipping on any purchases from her etsy store until the giveaway closes. Enter code 'TIPSY' in Message to Seller at checkout. Shipping will be discounted through paypal after purchase.

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March Visiting Teaching Personal Scripture Study Handout

So, I was lazy in February and did not do a handout, but I have repented and here I am on the 3rd day of the month with a March Visiting Teaching Handout. This month the message is on Strengthening faith through personal scripture study. Lucky for me we have a program in YW that keeps me accountable to someone besides myself which has really helped me to keep up on my 5 minutes per day scripture study.

Feel free to print and use it if you like! I got it up in time for all you Visiting Teaching early birds!

Font: Ian Jude from Kevin & Amanda
Digi scrap supplies: Everyday Mom Ideas Cottage Elements & Hope They Call Me on a Mission Kit (with color alterations)
Scriptures pic: all over google images

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Wordless Wednesday-Once There Was a Snowman

Once there was a snowman, snowman, snowman
Once there was a snowman tall, tall, tall...

In the sun he melted, melted, melted.
in the sun he melted...

small, small...

small.

Linking up with Wordless Wednesday on 5 Minutes for Mom

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