Happily Ever Mock

Shop Share- Ben the Rooster Christmas Cards

Hi Friends! If you have been reading for a while, you know all about Ben the Rooster and how much we love his post cards and how great they have been for Hallie’s vocabulary and enthusiasm for learning!

Another amazing thing about Ben the Rooster is his stationary shop! When you purchase from the shop, 50% of the profits are used to help support under-resourced classrooms, how amazing is that?
Right now Ben has a really cool option for your kids to design their own holiday cards to send to family and friends! Hallie and I just tried it and it was super fun!

First Ben sends a postcard with the instructions and the canvas for your child to decorate.

Hallie chose to draw a snowman. So I helped her by drawing an example on scrap paper and letting her practice on scrap paper herself.  When she was ready, she finished on the paper canvas provided by Ben.

 

 

Once your child is done decorating their card, you just send them back to Ben in the pre-addressed and stamped envelope provided by Ben himself, and wait for your designs to come back! We can hardly wait to send out cards to Hallie’s loved ones this holiday season! Be sure to check back here closer to the holidays to see how amazing our cards turned out!

To learn more about Ben and the amazing activity opportunities he has for kids, check out his website or Instagram page!

Mint Standard the dress every mom needs

You know when you fall in love with a piece of clothing.  Nothing in your closet seems to compare and you want to wear it everyday? That is Mint Standard dresses for me. I seriously need to get one for every day of the week, because I never want to take it off.

My friend Kelley wanted to create an article of clothing that was presentable enough to wear to work, but also comfortable enough to wear running errands and playing with the kids. Clothing that is both comfortable as well as fashionable! There are so many amazing features about these clothes that I just cannot stop gushing about them!

First, the fabric is similar to that of high end sports wear so it wicks sweat. Which means you are free to chase your kids in the hot summer sun and still look absolutely fabulous while you do it! It also is super stretchy and has the deepest pockets you’ve ever seen! Feel free to tuck anything inside them; beer, your child’s toys, a subway foot long…try it, they’ll fit! Plus who doesn’t love a dress with pockets?!

Not convinced yet? Check out Kelley’s segment on Charlotte Today and see the dress in action! I promise you will need one when you see it!

Check out Mint Standard’s Website, Facebook and Instagram 

<3 Kelly

Freshly Picked Review/ Instagram GIVEAWAY

“Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world.”- Marilyn Monroe



Freshly Picked moccassins are definitely those shoes for our littlest Mock, Hallie! Hallie has been wearing Freshly Picked Moccasins since she was only a few months old. They will always hold such a special place in my heart, because they tell the story of her childhood.  All of her firsts were done in Freshly Picked! From her first steps to her first birthday, these shoes have been along for the ride!

Our Moccs have been on family vacations, to the park, and to Church. She has warn them with Halloween costumes for family photos,on her birthdays and on so many holidays I have lost count!

Not only are they adorable and come in the most gorgeous vibrant colors, but the quality is outstanding! They are made from the very best quality leather and hold up incredibly well! Even for the spunkiest most active little girl! Don’t believe me? We recently received these precious Spring Orchid Soft Soled Moccasins from the Classic’s Collection  Hallie wore them for the first time to the Tulip Field. It had recently rained, and Hallie got them incredibly muddy. That night I wiped them clean with the Freshly Picked leather wipes and they look practically good as new!

Hallie has worn these shoes in every stage of her life, from crawling to her first wobbly steps to running and jumping on the playground, these shoes have held up through all of her tough love! They are great for early walkers because those cute little toes can feel the ground through the shoes, but they protect those perfect piggies from the rough pavement! The elastic is right around the ankle so they go on with ease and stay on perfectly!

They come in a large variety of colors and styles to match every outfit, every mood and every personality!

Want to hear the best news about this brand?  They are being so kind, and offering one of my lucky readers a chance to win a pair of their own soft soled moccasins for your very own little one! Can you just take a moment to clap, cheer and thank the amazing people of Freshly Picked for the opportunity?

Now go over to Freshly Picked’s Website and ooh and ahh over all of the cute shoes! Once you’ve done that choose a pair you would love to have (I know, how can you choose just 1!?) then head over to my instagram (Make sure you are following both myself AND Freshly Picked) and comment with the style and size you would choose if you are my lucky winner! Be sure the check their sizing chart to ensure you get the right size! Then tag some friends who would want to get in on the fun!!! Easy as pie!!!

Terms and conditions: The contest is open to US residents only and will run from 2/27/2017 to midnight 3/1/2017.  The winner will be randomly chosen and announced withing 24 hours of the giveaway closing/  The winner will be contacted and have 24 hours to claim their prize, one pair of soft soled moccasins in the style and size of their choice.  The winner may not have won any other giveaway including a Freshly Picked giveaway in the last 60 days.
Easy peasy right?? Good luck Friends! Get to entering!!
<3 Kelly and Hallie

 

Swaddle Designs Review/**GIVEAWAY**

Happy Wednesday Friends!!! Today is so fun because we are teaming up with Swaddle Designs for a really fun giveaway!

Hallie and I have been using Swaddle Designs Muslin Blankets since she was born and we absolutely LOVE how they have grown with her! They have been swaddle blankets, play mats, loveys and now Hallie loves wrapping up her own babies up in them!

Among the MANY great products offered by Swaddle Designs are these brand new Muslin Swaddles from the new “Touch of Shimmer muslin collection”
The Muslin Swaddles are made from the greatest quality 100% cotton fabric and are SUPER soft to the touch. Our very first swaddles from Hallie’s infant days are still in PERFECT condition and I am convinced they just keep getting softer with every wash!
These Muslins come in some of the most fun and fabulous prints and colors that make it so easy for everyone to find something for their sweet babe!  We are adoring these new shimmery colors and can’t wait to gift some to my sweet friend Callie and her new baby girl! (They match her nursery PERFECTLY!)
Swaddle Design Muslins really make the perfect gift because they are so versatile and are sure to be loved for years, just ask Hallie!
But my FAVORITE thing about Swaddle Designs is that they sew in an easy 123 pictorial instructional guide on the edge of each blanket to help even the most “inexperienced swaddler” (just kidding she had help) learn how to swaddle their baby for the most comfortable sleep for baby.  They are also generously sized and make it so easy and convenient to fit every baby’s need!
 For more of a swaddling guide, you can check out their website for an easy step by step guide!
Want to hear something else amazing? Swaddle Designs has been kind enough to offer one of my readers the chance to win their own muslin swaddle 4 pack! The giveaway is open to all US/Canada residents.  Please head over to my INSTAGRAM to enter! 
Want to learn more about Swaddle Desings?
Website/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/Pinterest/

Ben the Rooster Calendar

Ben the Rooster has done it again!

Hallie and I are of course still enjoying his bimonthly post cards.  She is getting pretty good at answering his open ended questions (of course she tells me what to write) and drawing something at least slightly on topic before mailing Ben back her pre stamped post card.  But the fun now doesn’t stop there.

Starting this month we have an adorable calendar page to decorate once every month.  I was able to use Ben’s calendar as a fun teaching moment for Hallie as well! After Hallie colored Ben’s January calendar photo.  I talked to her about the 12 months of the year and the 7 days of the week.  We discussed how the first month in the year is January, and it is part of Winter.  Then we talked all about the 4 seasons.

I just love that Ben provides such easy educational tools that can be easily adapted for each individual child’s age and comprehension level.

 

If you haven’t subscribed to Ben’s postcards, be sure to do so here!
It’s also not too late to get Ben’s 2017 Calendar! Check it out!

<3 Kelly and Hallie

Freckles Creative Studio

Hi my name is Kelly and I am a compulsive list maker, lover of snail mail, stationary hoarder and obsessive planner.

 And these reasons right here friends, is why I love Freckles Creative Studio 

I just love how bright and fun the colors of their stationary and pencil sets are! I couldn’t wait to dig into the adorable box of goodies! Seriously, isn’t their box adorable!?

I just love finding amazing stationary companies to crush on and this one is so worth it! I can’t wait to make more purchases!! 
What are your favorite stationary companies?
<3 Kelly 

Just a few of my favorite things (Kids Accessories)

I love when I find quality products for Hallie! I have two recent favorites that I want to share with you today:

Turbans for Tots: 
I have been using these bows for Hallie for a while now, and I just can’t stop buying MORE! The colors and patterns are vibrant and fresh. The style of the bow is classic and pretty, but better yet the quality is absolutely AMAZING for the price. If bows aren’t your thing, there’s a variety of other accessories listed in her shop: Bow ties, turban hats, headbands and even scarfs.
The best thing about this shop by FAR however is that the sweet shop owner, Jenna is a real GEM! She is one of the nicest ladies I have worked with through Etsy.  She is a doll to converse with and always ships out items with lightning speed! If you have a girl or a boy, you should definitely check her out! 

Little Stocking Co:
Little Stockings Co makes hand dyed Knee High Socks and tights for girls and let me tell you, they are TO DIE FOR! The colors are absolutely vivid and GORGEOUS and the quality of the Stocking itself is AMAZING. The solid colors are perfect because they pair with seriously everything in Hallie’s closet! I definitely am going to need them in every color!  I love that they are thick enough to wear right now in this chilly weather, but also not too thick so that Hal will still be able to pair them with her dresses this coming spring and summer! I am kicking myself for not ordering Bashful Blue! It’s going to be a must this Spring! I am having such a hard time not pulling these out of Hal’s Stocking so she can wear them now! You need some!  Head on over to Little Stocking Co now and Sock up….I mean Stock up (See what I did there?😉)

What are your favorite kids accessories?
<3 Kelly

Christmas Cards 2016

I am blown away by our 2016 Family Photos and Christmas cards this year! Between an AMAZING photographer (Our Great Friend Whitney) and Shutterfly we have the perfect card!

Shutterfly has some great deals on their site right now too, so if you are behind on Christmas Cards, be sure to check their site!

Now enjoy some more Mock Family Photos:

<3 Kelly and Hallie 

Ben the Rooster Giveaway

A real conversation in our house:

Hallie: “Daddy I got a letter! It’s Ben the Rooster!”

Daddy: “Do you like Ben the Rooster?”

Hallie: “NO! I LOVE BEN THE ROOSTER!”
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If you aren’t familiar with Ben the Rooster, you need to be! Ben is a subscription service Pen Pal for kids ages 2-8 that teaches the importance of literacy.

Twice a month Hallie receives an adorable postcard from Ben telling her about something fun and exciting happening in his life on the farm, then Ben always leaves an open ended question for your child to answer.  Enclosed in the letter is also a stamped reply card so your child can write back to Ben and decorate their own postcard to mail back.

Hallie loves getting mail,she loves reading, and she loves coloring, so this service has been a TRIPLE WIN in our book! So if you haven’t checked out Ben, I highly recommend doing so today! You can find Ben on his Website, Instagram and Facebook.

Also Ben was so nice to offer ONE of my readers his brand new HOLIDAY PACKAGE for FREE! The Holiday Package includes a 6 month subscription to the postcards AND a 2017 Coloring Calendar so your child can have fun with Ben ALL YEAR LONG!

Hallie can’t wait to get her Postcards from Ben each month and she knows you’ll love him too!! To enter the giveaway, follow the easy rafflecopter steps below! Good Luck!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ben the Rooster

Hallie and I just found the cutest thing! It’s another Mail Subscription Service called “Ben the Rooster” and it’s awesome! Ben the Rooster is an adorable Pen Pal for 2-6 year old kids! Ben’s main goal is for kids to learn to enjoy reading!

Each Month Ben sends your child 2 post cards for your to read to/with your child.  Then the child writes back to Ben with the included response card and stamp.

This month Ben asked Hallie what her favorite book was, and if we could share a of it! Hallie wrote back to Ben telling him that her favorite book was “Pinkalicious” and she “drew a picture” of Pinkalicious’s Pink Cupcakes! It was so darling, and she had an absolute BLAST!

Hallie loves getting mail and I love supporting small businesses that endorse the importance of reading for kids! We just can’t wait to see what Ben has to say next!

 
To learn more about Ben, check him out at www.bentherooster.com or on Facebook and Instagram!
Also get your first month FREE with the code: LAUNCHPARTY