National Reading Month Begins Tomorrow!

Get excited folks!  The National Education Association's Read Across America month kicks off tomorrow, March 1st!  Mrs. Stow is so excited to celebrate National Reading Month with all of you!  Here, I'll be sharing some great tips and techniques that you can practice at home to help your children become avid readers.

Stay tuned for ways to help your children learn how to read, techniques to guide comprehension, some great book reviews, giveaways and MORE!  Do you have a specific question you need answered?  Please leave a comment below or email me!

What is your child's school doing to celebrate Read Across America?  What are you doing to promote a love for reading in your home?  You can even share your own wonderful ideas and creations with the world at SchoolTube and upload your own video!  Have fun and take some time out for books!  Happy Reading!

Wordless Wednesday: What I Found at Blissdom

I had to travel to Nashville, TN to "dig a little deeper" to get to know Diane.  Who knew this match made in heaven would ever take place, on a tiny plane (or 4), in a city that wasn't Foxborough, MA?

You've got a friend in me, Dollops.  I can't wait for our next spring break, I mean blogging conference!

Watch Out, Nashville!

I haven't flown since Ellen.  Seems like eons ago.

A blogging conference, for real.  I've dreamed of this opportunity.

I'd like to thank all my Stow people for making this a reality.  Dear husband, Chris, you will be missed.  I'm not sure how I'm gonna make it through the next 5 days without you.  You best be following me on twitter! To my wonderful in-laws, coming to sit for my kids for the next few days ~ this is the best birthday present ever - just remember, night-time Pull-Ups, night-time diapers, and lots of wine and you'll be golden!  And to Blissdom, for holding a huge, awesome blogging conference during February school vacation week!  Woot woot!

I am nervous about cords and wires and exploding creams and shampoos in my suitcase.  The rest is a cake-walk. Watch out, Nashville ~ Annie and Diane are coming for ya!  We are kidless and ready to party it up in Nashville. Stay tuned world, there will be plenty of photos, tweets and status updates.

And a big shout out to my sponsor for Blissdom, Happy Baby Food!  This mama has left plenty of Happy Baby goodness for the crew while she's gone.  Stay tuned folks, my bags are packed!

My Mess...My Bliss.

Well, maybe.  It's a work in progress.  See you all in Nashville!

Sunday Giveaway Link Up!

What's better than winning?  Got a great giveaway on your blog?  Here's the place to link it up and show the world!  Press your luck and enter a few ~ you just mine win something!  I've got a great Etsy giveaway from the Cotuit Bay Knitter and some super stylin' City Grips for your stroller! Have fun!

Disney On Ice: Dare to Dream

We had the pleasure of seeing Dare to Dream in Boston on Friday night.  A lot of friends have been asking about the show...

"Should we go?"

"Is it a good one?"

It really was an amazing show!  We left both boys at home, however.  I think it was a super smart move since Dare to Dream is chock full of princesses, princesses and more princesses!  So many fun surprises and so well done!  Buy your tickets today!

Sass Up Your Stroller With City Grips!

Congratulations to Calvins Mom, Amy B, ellen, Jackie F and Helen!!  Enjoy your City Grips!

City Grips

Looking to add some sass and spunk to your baby's stroller?  Check out City Grips!  I think they are SO pretty! Make your stroller stands out in a crowd with these soft and stylish grip covers!  These cute little covers come in a variety of patterns and are made to fit all strollers!  You can select the style that is right for you!  Forget the city, they're perfect for the 'burbs too!  So many super cute styles that would make a perfect gift for any new mom!  Don't forget to check out City Grips on facebook!

CityGrips are great for so many reasons:

• Machine washable
• Soft and comfortable on your hands
• Protect your stroller from everyday wear and tear
• Help to avoid grimy, sweaty hands
• Did I say stylish?  I LOVE THE LOOK!

Want to win your very own City Grips for your stroller?  I'm giving away a pair of CityGrips to 5 lucky readers! Here's how to enter:  

• Simply leave a comment below.

For extra entries, you can do the following:  (Please leave an extra comment for each that you do.)

• Follow Stowed Stuff on facebook
• Share this Giveaway on facebook
• Share this Giveaway on twitter

Contest period ends on February 29, 2012 at 8PM EST.  Winner will be chosen using random.org and will have 48 hours to claim prize.  Open to U.S. residents only.  Good luck!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

I was given my own pair of City Grips for the purpose of this review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  

Ready for Blissdom

Pre-Conference Goodies!

The new business cards have arrived, the shopping has been done, the eye-brow is separated, there's a new suitcase ready to be Stuffed and I'm traveling with Dollops.  And today, they've announced all the fun surprises in store for us crazy bloggers.  Couldn't be more excited for our very own concert with Rascal Flatts!  Watch out Nashville ~  Blissdom or BUST!

The Chevy Experience: Josephine's Story

Today's Chevy Experience comes from a childhood friend, Josephine Rego.  Josephine and I now live in the same town and she also owns a Chevy Traverse.  Who knew? 

On Mother’s Day last year we packed up the family into the Traverse and headed down to the beach to spend the day with my brother and his family. We had a great day planned. We were going to watch my youngest niece’s soccer game and then head back to their house for a yummy lunch. When we arrived, we were in for quite a shock. The temperature was at least 20 degrees colder than in Foxboro! And I came completely unprepared (I keep thinking at some point I’ll turn into that mom who is prepared for everything, but it just hasn’t happened yet… I’m the type that is running back into the house 5 times before we can leave, because I forgot this or that… ah, well a girl can dream, right?). So here we are, my 2 and 1 year, woefully underdressed and about to go and watch a soccer game on the edge of the ocean. Thankfully, my sister-in-law IS THAT mom and came to our rescue. She bundled us all up and off we went. The kids had a grand old time running around the field… for about 10 minutes… and then the “Momma, I’m COLD” chant/whine started fast and furious. Even my niece got in on the act (yes, the niece that was playing the game!).

Since my SIS was one of the coaches we couldn’t just up and leave, so we did the next best thing. We pulled the Traverse as close to the field as we could, opened the back hatch, got the kids all snuggled up (with the heat cranking), gave them some snacks and let them watch the rest of the game in comfort (though I do wonder if my little guy will ever forgive me for the pink hat he ended up sporting that day…). They had a blast and I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend my Mother’s Day!

Once again, the Traverse saved the day!

*Do you have a Chevy experience you'd like to share?  Be our next guest blogger by contacting me at annie@stowedstuff.com

Cotuit Bay Knitter on Etsy: Giveaway!

CONGRATULATIONS to ColleenMarie82!  You're the WINNER!

Adorable handcrafted girl bunnies from The Cotuit Bay Knitter

Do you ever find yourself searching for that perfect baby gift for a dear friend or relative who has just had a baby?  A gift that new little one will love and cherish for years to come?  Something unique that sets your gift apart from the rest?  Something more than just an outfit or a book?

Look no further ~ meet The Cotuit Bay Knitter on Etsy!  Her adorable little shop is filled with soft and cuddly handknit bears and bunnies that are made with love.

I received my own little bunny, Caroline, who just arrived in the mail last week.  She is the cutest little bunny I ever saw.  She was crafted with such attention to detail.  I especially love her little white bloomers under her dress and her perky ears.  She's going to make a super cuddly lovey for my new niece, Isabel.  No buttons or fasteners - just amazingly soft high- quality wool, cashmere, nylon yarn and hi-loft fiberfill.  She's precious.

When you visit the Cotuit Bay Knitter on Etsy, you can browse the different varieties of bears and bunnies to choose from.  You can also request a custom order by choosing between bear/bunny, boy or girl, your choice of colors and clothing style!  Maybe even add a headband with a flower!  These lovely little bunnies and bears would be the perfect extra-special something for your little one's Easter basket this year.

The Cotuit Bay Knitter has kindly offered one of my lucky reader's the chance to own their very own bunny!

Bonnie the Bunny

Bonnie is wearing a yellow dress with some adorable flowery accents that have us all thinking SPRING is just around the corner!  Isn't she the cutest?  Bonnie loves to go to Whole Foods Market and shop for carrots.  She also enjoys tea parties, bike rides and snuggling in bed.  Want Bonnie to be yours?

Here's how to enter:   (MANDATORY)

• Leave a comment below (check your profile settings in case I need to contact you)
• Follow The Cotuit Bay Knitter on Facebook

For an extra entry:  (leave an extra comment below for each that you do)

• Share this giveaway on Twitter
• Share this giveaway on Facebook
• Follow Stowed Stuff on Facebook

Contest period ends on Saturday, February 25th at 8pm EST.  Winner will be chosen using random.org and will have 48 hours to claim Bonnie.  Continental U.S. only.  Good luck!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________* I was given snuggly Caroline in order to participate in this review and giveaway.  All opinions are my own.  Much thanks to The Cotuit Bay Knitter!

Happy Birthday To Me

35

Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting
From the BEST baby-sitter in the history of the world:  Michelle Kelly

I'm a lucky lady.  Watch out world, I've got a BIG to-do list.  30's rock.  Thanks for having me, Mom and Dad. Life is fun.  xoxo

Wordless Wednesday

Clean and Cute

When to Wax

Photo by Glamcheck.com

You already know I have (a) bushy eyebrows.  Ya, it's really one.  It's really OK because as a kid, I used to see it all the time.  Every six weeks or so, my mom could be found stirring up some wax in the kitchen in the bottom of a blue Maxwell House coffee can.  She would usually be singing, "Beauty school drop out..." and proceed to the bathroom.  Then my older sister got involved.  The bathroom door would close, but I liked to peek in to see what all the nonsense was about.  The two of them would be making super funny faces in the mirror, applying what I thought was glue to their faces.  Then bloody hell, the laughter and shreiking would begin.  And then they would say to me, as I looked on, panic-stricken, "You'll have to do this too someday, don't worry!"

*Awesome.*

Well, as I got older, waxing was totally normal.  As a teenage girl, with a big sister in the know, no one in my house was going to let me walk the halls of high school with one eyebrow.  I thanked the heavens above when an Elizabeth Grady, opened up right in my hometown.  No coffee can stirring for this girl.

So then the big sister would sometimes start rubbing my upper lip when we'd be out shopping or driving somewhere together, just to piss me off, like any good big sister does.  Ya, real nice, right?  I'm a fair skinned girl, so it really couldn't have been that bad.  That's what I like to tell myself.  I'm really just not that hairy.  So I took the abuse for a while, thought she was crazy for trying to persuade me I was hairy in that specific location and listened to my mom.  "She's fine!  She doesn't have anything there!"

Well, as the years went on and I started putting on make-up some days (at the age of 26), I did start to notice a funny fuzz that could be seen if you looked close-up or in a super duper magnifying make-up light.  So that was when I first gave in and de-fuzzed the upper lip area, or my 'stache.   I don't do it all the time, probably about 4 times per year.  But when I do, I love it and I can't stop rubbing it with my fingertip!  I just love how smooth and soft it is, and I especially love it in the summer time.  It makes me feel prettier and I like how my little bit of make-up looks after a fresh wax!  No more peach-fuzz for this girl.

No pain, no gain.  Upkeep is important.  It's the most hurtiest, owiest place a girl can be waxed ~ in my opinion.  I feel pretty today.  Thanks, sis.  I'm so glad you clued me in.  Every time I see a mad 'stache on a woman, I'm grateful.  Ladies, it might be your time.

anewjewel on Etsy: Giveaway!

Congratulations to Lisa Deck, winner of the Valentine's Day Giveaway!  

I must admit, I'm not the crafty type.  However, it doesn't mean I don't love to cruise Etsy now and again to admire all the beautiful hand-made items by so many amazingly talented shop owners.

Meet my wonderfully talented colleague, Aly, who is the owner of the new Etsy shop, anewjewel.  Aly is a vibrant and dynamite kindergarten teacher.  I even have the pleasure of working in her classroom everyday with her adorable little six-year-olds.  We teachers have a lot of tricks up our sleeves, but making jewelry?  I guess that's what happens when you're the daughter of an art teacher.  Anyway, let's get down to business.

She crafts these gorgeous everyday pieces by hand and they are simple and elegant.  I love her style.  She's even offering her customers 15% off at checkout for Valentine's Day!  So please have a look-see and check out what she's got.  They make GREAT gifts!  She's got bracelets, earrings, necklaces and more.  She can even craft you a custom piece, especially designed for you.

One of my favorites from anewjewel
Large Infinity Turquoise Gold Necklace

Ok, are you ready?  Aly has so graciously offered up an amazing opportunity for the readers of Stowed Stuff.  One lucky winner is going to get to choose a piece of choice from anewjewel (according to availability.)  So get over there, start browsing and pick your favorite.  You'll have to leave a comment below telling me which piece makes your heart go pitter-patter for Valentine's Day.

Here's how to enter:  (MANDATORY, Good for one entry)

• Leave a comment below about your favorite piece from anewjewel.
• Like anewjewel on Facebook and leave a comment for Aly on her wall.

Make sure your comment below is not anonymous and lets me easily find you on the web.  I can't even tell you how many times I have chosen a winner that can't be contacted.  Sadness.  (Check your profiles, peeps!)

Red Hot Mint Dangler {LOVE}

For an extra entry, complete the following:  (LEAVE AN EXTRA COMMENT FOR EACH THAT YOU'VE COMPLETED)

• Tweet this giveaway
• Share this giveaway on your own Facebook wall
• Like Stowed Stuff on Facebook
• Follow me on Twitter
• Subscribe to this blog

There you have it.  Contest period ends at 8pm (EST) on 2/14/12.  Winner will be chosen using random.org and will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.  Open to continental U.S. residents only.  Good luck!
______________________________________________________________________________________________Many thanks to the the cute little red head in 428.

My View #Febphotoaday

This girl made me do it.  But it should be fun.  This is my view:

From the driver's seat of the Traverse

That flash gets 'em every time.  I love my kids.