I just got word of this amazing local mompreneur, Melissa Wardy and what she is doing for girls one shirt at a time. Pigtail Pals offers socially responsible t-shirts for babies through teens that “inspire girls to be smart, daring and adventurous.”
How often when you are shopping do you see “Princess,” “Cupcake,” and the like scrawled onto girls’ t-shirts and onesies? Hmmm…let me go ahead and guess that that has been many times….it certainly has been my experience.
Melissa Wardy, a Wisconsin mom created Pigtail Pals so she could have something fabulous and perfect for her adventure seeking daughter and for other parents who were tired of the “Pink Princess Parade.”
Shirts like “Blue is my color” show a girl dressed in a police uniform, or “I broke a nail…,” show an adorable drawing of a girl leaving a tool shed with hammer in hand. And this is only the beginning!
The shirts are empowering and possess every bit of sass that all of us girls have felt when we have succeeded and continue to succeed at something that used to be considered a man’s hobby or job.
I love the concept…I love the designs… and the fact that these ultra-soft tees that are high quality, preshrunk 100% combed ring-spun cotton—-and sweat shop and child-labor free???? Fabulous!! Just to add to all that wonderfulness, she also partners up with a different charitable organization every month that focuses children’s education, access to health-care and to clean food and water.
My daughter loves these shirts and so does everyone who sees them…They are really unlike anything I have seen and a welcome addition to our closets!
This great company just launched and you can enter promo code LAUNCH upon checkout to receive 10% off of your order. Happy shopping for your girls and for others! (free gift wrapping upon request)
***Update!! Two new designs! A Military girl tee and a fab breast cancer research Scientist girl!!
The Scientist girl will be pink only through Dec 2009, it is a limited edition tee and the only time Pigtail Pals will use pink. $3.00 from every Scientist tee sold (through the end of 2009) will go to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Melissa chose the number 3 because Pigtail Pals is a three-generation project 3 generations that could see an end to breast cancer, $3.00 from each tee to fund research for the cure.
Mama Jen
June 19th, 2009
Just a reminder to join us at Bean Sprouts tomorrow !!
Sip free coffee and chat with an expert on all sorts of subjects. Co-hosted by MomAppeal.com, Coffee Talks are held on the third Tuesday of each month; 3:00-4:00 p.m. Kids are welcome!
Join us all tomorrow April 21 for “Nanny 911.” If you can’t get your kid to behave, at least you’ll get free coffee!
April 21st, 2009
FREE COFFEE!!!!?????
The fantastic, hip, ever inventive team at Bean Sprouts has come up with a great way for moms to chat, get a caffeine fix and let their kids eat/blow off steam!
Sip free coffee and chat with an expert on all sorts of subjects. Co-hosted by MomAppeal.com, Coffee Talks are held on the third Tuesday of each month; 3:00-4:00 p.m. Kids are welcome!
Join us April 21 for “Nanny 911.” If you can’t get your kid to behave, at least you’ll get free coffee!
April 2nd, 2009
If the pictures on Tara Kuhlow’s site haven’t made their way into your view yet after I posted info about her, check out the amazing photos she took of my daughter! Totally relaxed photo shoot where the subject was in charge!! I am absolutely in love with these photos and her photography blog!!!! Tara is truly a sweetheart and she has such an artful eye… and boy did she ever capture some wonderful moments of our little Eve!
Mama Jen
March 11th, 2009
Tara Kuhlow is a local mama and shutterbug who snaps the pure essence of her pint-sized subjects on film!
On location, relaxed, child-directed photo sessions are what she’s all about, and I have to say…she captures the spirit of every child beautifully. In fact, my daughter and I spent a chunk of one morning watching her website’s slideshow with music…absolutely captivating photography.
She specializes in natural light, contemporary, custom photography for maternity, newborns, babies, children, teens and families—-AND— for the first FIVE moms that book a newborn session with her and mention Madison Mom Appeal, she will waive the session fee completely–as in, FREE SESSION! She will also offer a complimentary, beautifully edited and professionally printed 8×10 of whichever image you choose from that session. If you want to purchase anything beyond your free session and one 8x 10, you are certainly welcome to do so, but are under no obligation. The opportunity, should you be one of the very lucky 5 moms, is worth $250 PLUS the priceless image you will have captured of your adorable peanut. Lovely!!
Be sure to contact her ASAP, since the best time to photograph a newborn is between the first 4 and 8 days of life. If you can’t schedule during that time frame, you will definitely want to have the photos taken during your baby’s first two weeks. She can leave space in her booking schedule to allow for due date timing as well. If you don’t fall into this category, pass it on to someone who does! Contact Tara for further information.
Happy Session!
Mama Jen
February 3rd, 2009
Bean Sprouts, the nation’s leading hip and healthy kids cafe, where your kids are welcomed and able to have a blast— all while eating healthy food— is close by— in Middleton!
This wonderful cafe is the brainchild of co-owners Kelly Parthen and Shannen Seip and now they are bringing a fab kids’ cookbook to you! There’s one thing! They do need families to test the great recipes —like Taco Towers, Lollipop cakes and that adorable caterpillar pictured above! There are also food-themed games and conversation starters that will spark bonding and conversation about healthy eating that need to be tested in your home too!
The authors are looking for families with kids aged 3-8 to test the recipes and games in their home and then email their feedback. Sounds like a fun way to revive the kitchen during this long winter doesn’t it? The cookbook, Bean Appetit: Hip & Healthy Way to Happy Tummies is set to hit shelves next winter.
The deadline to become a taste tester is February 14th. Interested families should email info@beansproutscafe.com to sign up.
For more information or to check out the cooking classes they offer to kids, please visit Bean Sprouts (beansproutscafe.com) or call (608) 826-6YUM
Bean Appetit!
Mama Jen
January 29th, 2009
Fresh off a Sharpie high, after labeling all of my preschooler’s clothing and gear, these landed in my inbox. Label Daddy peel-and-stick stickers would have saved me a little chunk of time, and a little aggravation … maybe it’s just me, but it’s pretty hard to write neat little names, let alone initials, on some of those teeny tiny, shiny, slippery tags.
Two California dads who’ve been through the process came up with this brainstorm. They’ve created a variety of sticker types, which can be personalized with your child’s name. The allergy notes boldy declare your child’s triggers. Shirt tag labels fit those tiny labels I mentioned above, and the shoe labels come laminated for extra durability; in fact, all labels can be laminated to repel dirt, sunscreen, etc. Sport labels are UV resistant.
As an extra cool measure, you can further personalize all your labels with different fonts, icons and colors. And, you can even go the photo route: use an image of your child, instead of name or initials. The labels and stickers safe in the microwave, dishwasher and laundry.
Other labels in the company’s arsenal will help keep you organized, from garbage bin, return address, and spice labels, to small- and medium-sized all-purpose labels.
I think these snazzy little things will help me keep tabs on my kids things — and mine — in the school years ahead.
— Mama Kate
January 27th, 2009
Dustin Maher, Madison’s best trainer helps a lot of people with their fitness goals and should be your first stop if you want to get started working out, up your workout, or meet a certain fitness goal.
He is responsible for the phenomenal class called MamaTone that is hands down, the best, most fun class in town—- and focuses on fitness for moms. Great group of women, one-on-one attention from Dustin—and it’s a blast! There are so many times per week that this class goes on, that even if kids get in the way of you making a certain class, there is another time available where you can get your workout in…
You may also have heard about his Bootcamps — life changing workouts that have you playing your way to a better, fitter you! These camps have been very successful in helping people reach their goals.
Check out videos of some of his workouts and his guest spots on the NBC15 news. He also has a new blog at http://www.fatlosstipsforwomen.com/ where you can read some amazing stories of moms who have worked out with Dustin. While you’re there, definitely sign up for his newsletter that is full of little ideas, tips and videos to keep you motivated!
Mama Jen
January 23rd, 2009
Kids eat free on Mondays at our favorite little family cafe in Middleton that hides veggies in your kids’ favorite foods—-Bean Sprouts! When you purchase any adult meal you receive a kid’s meal for free! Fantastic!!
There are also a number of new winter cooking classes to check out including Cocoa and Cupcakes class happening on Monday, January 19 (when most schools are out) and a Soup-er Bowl class on January 29 right before the big game weekend!
A new 4-week series of their most popular class - Bitty Bakers starts on January 21. I can vouch for how amazing this one is…the recipes, how it is geared towards the kids–everything. I actually make a number of the recipes we learned because they were so amazing!
Mama Jen
January 6th, 2009
Just a note to all of you that I will be taking a little holiday hiatus so my posts won’t be as frequent until the New Year arrives. I wish you all a fantastic holiday season!!!
Enjoy!
Mama Jen
December 19th, 2008
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