cupcakeMAG//Winter 2014 by cupcakeMAG

winter 2014

Get the look for the

cupcakemag.com

Jillian Harris! on finding balance, --- , and --our exclusive chat with the powerhouses behind PROJECT NURSERY

HOLIDAYS

with INSIDE! McKenna Bleuyour holiday shopping guide must-have finds everything on our radar X (whatever page number)

Hello,

Jillian Harris

Get the Look for the Holidays with McKenna Bleu

guest editors

guest editors share their wish lists

share their wish lists+ inside the beautiful home of Jenna Sue Designs

Inside the beautiful home of Jenna Sue Design

women in biz: chatting with ladies who mean business

cupcakeMAG.com

27 INSIDE!

your holiday shopping guide must-have finds everything on our radar

our executive chat with the powerhouses behind

PROJECT NURSERY 1

@thekindnessbox THEKINDNESSBOX.COM

@carriegraceshop

CarrieGraceShop.com

cupcakeMAG.com

contents on the cover

Jillian Harris

one on one | 16

women in business

chatting with ladies who mean business | 78

exclusive chat

with Project Nursery | 122

shopping guide

the perfect gift for everyone on your list | 27

Green plaid scarf from cover is JH for Privilege

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WINTER 2014 cupcakemag.com

65 | Living Well Jenna Sue shares design tips to create a beautiful home

110 | Circle Empire Find out how this couple works as a dynamic duo

80 | She’s RAD take a look inside the home of Geo Fox designer

138 | All Things Sparkle Holiday outfits from Mckenna Bleu

92 | Arrow and Lace Behind the scenes at our favorite new boutique

146 | One Stylish Little Momma How to refresh your mom uniform

102 | The Alison Show meet the coolest babe ever

Casi Densmore-Koon, Editor in Chief | Skye McLain, Editorial Assistant | Jessica Peterson, Designer cupcakeMAG.com

cupcakeMAG.com

faeryoftales.com

editor’snote

Hello cupcakes! Happy Holidays! Wait -- come again?

Is it me, or were we just flipping through the pages of our Fall issue? Time seriously is just flying by these days and I can’t believe we are….wait for it -- 30 DAYS from Christmas! Hands down, it’s my favorite. First things first -- I’ve got to give amazing props for my girl, Jillian Harris for pulling off this beautiful shoot for us! I mean, seriously guys? She is the best. We are so thrilled to show her off this issue and catch-up with her. Jilly -- big thanks for being such a huge cupcakeMAG supporter all of these years. We are so grateful for you!! Thank you love. From the fabulous ladies behind Project Nursery to fashion advice from McKenna Bleu and Kilee Nickels to the amazing wish list curated by social influencers -- Sarah of Loved by Hannah and Eli and Kacia of Coconut Robot -- to name just a few. Thanks to them, my wish list is a lot longer this year! And the fun doesn’t stop there -- the pages are packed with behind-the-scenes peeks from some of our favorite leading ladies in biz. From a beautiful home tour to holiday fashion to our never-ending gift guides - we’ve got it all in this issue. Now is the time to grab your hot cocoa, sit by the fireplace and flip-through the pages -- you’ll have plenty of gift-giving ideas and endless inspiration, I promise. As always -- I just want to thank you. Yes, you beautiful! Thank you for reading! Thank you for letting us be part of your day. Thank you for the support and love. Thank you, thank you, thank you! We wouldn’t be here without you. 8

Here’s to lots of holiday shopping, plenty of gift ideas, winter weather and lots of hot chocolate.

Lots of love, cupcake!

Casi Densmore-Koon Founder & Editor in Chief

don’t forget to follow us online! Stop by cupcakeMAG.com, tweet us @cupcakemag, follow us on Instagram, pin with us on Pinterest and say hi on Facebook!

Say Hello!

Your ongoing support and emails always make me smile. Have a comment, suggestion, or just want to say hi?

Email me! casi@cupcakemag.com cupcakeMAG.com

editor’sPICKS

It’s simple and feminine — it’s just perfect. Bip + Bop Darling Bow Necklace, $27.25

Everyone Mama Bear needs the perfect camo tee in their wardrobe. Loved by Hannah and Eli, $35 So in love with these cool shades! Subsidy Shades

Who doesn’t want a pretty little dish for all their hair ties? Twistband Metallic Perfect Little Dish $30 Let’s state the obvious: Nirvana and Elizabeth James. Need I say more? Nirvana Black Rollerball & Lip Set, $30

How can you not just fall in love with this golden leaf headband? It makes any outfit look good. Acute Designs Little Leaves Headband, $24

I am obsessed. I repeat, obsessed with this black and white clutch. Daisy Faye Designs, $50

Because you always need a little sparkle always. I can’t get enough of these personalized wooden car toys. They are almost too cute to play with, almost. Bannor Toys, $10

Wrenn Jewelry Confetti Teardrop Earrings, $52

Olivine does it again with a pretty + powerful spray. Olivine Love + Roses Beauty Mist, $14

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bloggerlove what’s on your

wish

LIST

We caught up with our favorite social influences around the web to ask the burning question.

Laura Boswell Walking in Memphis in High Heels @walkinginmemphisinhighheels My must-have item this holiday season is this gorgeous pair of heels. I love the brown and black combo, and they are sure to make a statement and really amp up any outfit.

Caroline Harper Knapp Founder, HOUSE of HARPER @houseofharper Stephanie Wentworth, The Happening Housewife @thehappeninghousewife I am really loving Chloe + Isabel Jewelry right now! Their company stands behind empowering women to be confident and true to themselves. This Amethyst and Turquoise cuff paired with these Hexagon Bangles are from Lori Miller’s personal Chloe + Isabel boutique and I am dying to get my hands on them! They’re trendy but, simple which is right up my alley! Not to mention they’re affordable and would be a great gift for hubby to stuff in my stocking! 12

We just moved into our first house this holiday season so everything on my wish-list is home decor. One of my first priorities is my office, and I can’t get this girl, but sophisticated pink rug out of my mind! (Santa, I hope you are reading this!)”

Natalie Spencer @natspencer My must-have holiday item is a pair of snowshoes! Living in Ottawa, Canada, we have long, cold and very snowy winters. One of my goals this season is to get outside more and partake in winter activities that I used to enjoy as a kid. I’m hoping that if I can find joy in doing things outdoors throughout the long winter months, my daughter Ellia will someday love doing them too! cupcakeMAG.com

beauty

winter beauty must-haves

Fashion and Beauty director, Katlyn shares her must-have products that will get the job done this Winter. Make your list and check it twice! This brush set never leaves my make-up bag. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an essential for every girl!

Hands down, the best. OGX TeaTree Peppermint

Jane Cosmetics Brush Set , $20 Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to choose one product from the amazing, vegan skincare line.

Body Wash, $11.25

OSEA Malibu Sea Vitamin Spray, $36

The perfect accessory for messy hair days. Twistband Headband Set, $12 This little bottle of heaven makes wearing heels bearable. Sole Serum, $29.50

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A perfect pouch that holds everything you need. Blair Ritchey PAK Pouch, $225

Everyone needs a pop of color during the season to get them through the winter blues. Lorac Lip Luxe 8 Hour Lip Color, $16

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Photography by Sharla Pike 16

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Jillian Harris THE REAL DEAL She signs with her emails with lots of x’s an o’s. She’s charming. She’s sweet. You pretty much just want to bundle her up and put her your pocket. She’s a real gem of a girl. She is the real deal. To have her on the cover of this issue means so much as she’s been a supporter of cupcakeMAG since circa 2010. Lucky for us, we tracked her down during vacation and got the real deal on what’s new. And one last thing -- Jillian -- we just want to take a minute to say thank you for being you! Confession: Everyone stalks your Insta feed. You’ve been living the dream! How are you? What’s new? I’m wonderful! I mean I’m busier than EVER…but I thrive off of that!!! I love instagram!!! (a total guilty pleasure) I try to share as much of my life on Instagram as possible…it’s so quick and easy and the one place I can be as creative as I want. Instagram has pretty much become my daily journal, where I share great memories, special events, and little snippets of my daily life! What’s new? we re-launced www.jillianharris.com (SO EXCITING) as well as my new rug line with KORHANI, and fall line with Privlege! We are busy filming the new season of Love it or List it Vancouver (Love it or List it TOO in the USA) and I got a new puppy!! Mr. Sir Nacho Cilantro came from Mexico this summer and he is our everything! You recently teamed up with Privilege to create an exclusive line. Tell us about that! I’ve always loved Privilege, and spent many hours shopping their stores. I have also always wanted to start my own clothing line. When Privilege and I put our heads together we came up with the great idea at the perfect time and next thing I knew my first collection was launched!!! Privilege happened to be such a great fit, and I have now been able to collaborate with them on two successful curated collections! From designing to styling pretty blog posts. Take us through a day-in-the-life of Jilly? Well, my brain is always turning and thinking of new recipes and cupcakeMAG.com

new ideas, so when I have free time, I execute as many of those ideas as possible! A typical day would be waking up at the crack of dawn, rushing out of the hosue, stopping at starbucks on the way and heading straight to set for hair and makeup. I am usually on set for about 10 hours or so, and from there, I’ll usually head to hoot yoga or any other events going on in Vancouver!!! When I’m finally home I catch up on emails (sometimes in bed) and must-dos for the day. Your site is so much fun. I’m pretty sure anyone could browse for hours. What made you get into blogging? Thank you!!! Well, I have a HUGE passion for so many things, including travel, décor, food and fashion, so it got me thinking…I should probably start sharing my love for everything with everyone! In hindsight, there was no better way to combine all of those passions into one engine…and a few years later, here we are! How would you describe your style both in the home and in the closet? In home décor, my style is definitely vintage-chic. I LOVE white, cream, oatmeal, grey… and all together! Bright, crisp fresh spaces (and outfits!) Don’t get me wrong, I do love new pieces, but I love to mix them with distressed wood, vintage metals, and collectables. I would classify my fashion style to be feminine, yet casual with occasional structure! I like to mix casual pieces with formal staples, and I ALWAYS like to be comfortable. I love a classic button up, or a flirty flare dress, but I ADORE a good old 17

Shoes by Aldo

comfy sweater with my leather leggings for those chilly days too! What’s your go-to holiday outfit? During the holidays, I love a good party dress! A super fun LBD with a pop of colour or print in my pumps, an elegant statement necklace and a bold lip is definitely my go-to look! One can only imagine how amazing your home is decorated for the holidays. What’s some of your favorite tips for getting your home holiday ready? Before you do any shopping, take a look at what you have from last year, and pick out all of the pieces that you’d like to reuse. I love to stick to a colour scheme throughout the house so that everything is cohesive, so picking your colours are a must!! They don’t have to be matchy-matchy, but they should mesh well together. Once you have your colours picked, let the DIY-ing begin! There are so many amazing projects on Pinterest that you can recreate on a budget! What’s the best way to update a room? Honestly the best update you can do is to mass clean any room. Starting fresh can instantly make a room feel better…and it’s free!! Another great addition to a room is changing up the lightlubs, I know this sounds so minimal but honestly the lighting in a room can instantly change he feeling!! If you have a tight budget, update the inexpensive items like artwork, throw pillows, 18

and paint colours. Trust me, accessories can go a LONG way!! If you have a little bit more wiggle room, invest in your pieces that you’ll have forever. Your sofa, bed, dining table, etc., are ALL pieces that you should invest in wisely! Avoid trends that may go out of style in the next few years, and opt for pieces with simple, classic designs. You’ve designed some beautiful spaces. What’s been your favorite and why? Well my kitchen has to be one of them, because i get to enjoy the final result! But also, I LOVE the reveals on this upcoming season of LIOLI (airing in January) the key was getting the right team that could all work together to produce the most beautiful, fresh, timeless spaces filled with personality! As a star of The Bachelor, what’s been your favorite season and why? I loved Ali Feditowski’s season because she is as cute as a button!!!!! Any big plans for 2015? hmmm … stay foccused, don’t over commit, work smarter not harder. Grow www.jillianharris.com and try to use my ‘saved time’ to give back. cupcakeMAG.com

TEN THINGS YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT

Jillian 1. I hate showering.

2. I don’t like sweets 3. I am addicted to the app ‘bakery story’ and keep on having to delete it off my phone! 4. I grew up French Immersion (French as a first language) but I can barely speak it now 5. I hate shoes. I mean i love shoes but I only like them for aesthetic reasons. If I could go barefoot everywhere i would. 6. I love sleeping outside (camping is my happy place) I can sleep anywhere anytime. 7. I LOVE lists, and have a dream for my own ‘list app’ … staytuned :))) 8. I have tons of grey hair, it started coming in when i was 22 9. I’ve had a nose job, and I got it because of online bullying 10. I am only 5’2”

skirt by beautulleful white fluffy jacket by JH for Privilege cupcakeMAG.com

“A SUPER FUN LBD WITH A POP OF COLOUR OR PRINT IN MY PUMPS, AN ELEGANT STATEMENT NECKLACE AND A BOLD LIP IS DEFINITELY MY

go-to look!”

Black Jumpsuit by Topshop 20

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Bora-Bora, I would really turn off my phone i swear!!

wish list

because they are amazing!!!

5 Must-Have on Jillianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

for people to donate here

cupcakeMAG.com

because a girl can never have enough leopard

because drinking champagne out of a pink tinted glass is the only way to go!

Toque by JH for Privilege 22

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BIG PLANS FOR 2015?

stay focused, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t over commit, work smarter not harder.

cupcakeMAG.com

get the look: evyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tree

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holiday

shopping guide

trendytot

DON’T FORGET TO GRAB

YOUR HOLIDAY JAMMIES

FROM SKYLAR LUNA

cupcakeMAG.com

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The Holiday Season..

time to dress the part borrowed from mom

ZoZu Baby Headband, $8.50 Old Navy Chunky-Knit Cardigan, $22 Nate and Jake Overalls, $37 Pediped Delaney Originals, $35 cupcakeMAG.com

Treasured by Holly Crochet Headband, $12 Ahoy Amigo Tee, $20 LesPetitsDarlings Leggings, $34 Lil Collection Fringe Boots, $54

Emi-Jay, $10 Little Trendsetters Toggle Trench, $49.50 Lolly Wolly Doodle Romper, $36 Owl Slush High Top, $45 29

shopping

ALL ABOUT

the Babes

DON’T FORGET TOY

STORAGE! BANNOR TOYS

HAS THE CUTEST TOY BOX!

cupcakeMAG.com

Milestone Cards, $26.99

NESBOW Custom Graphics Onesie, $15

Mae & Jane Bowties, $10.50

Stokke Xplory Stroller + Winter Kit, $1399

7 A.M Enfant NIDO, $59 Trendy Treehouse Bow Tee $20

Max and Moose Nursing Blanket, $64

Augie and Lola Blanket, $40

Zoe B Organic Sleep Hat, $17.99 Sweet Merrimint Quilt, $125

Umi Poppy, $60 cupcakeMAG.com

Isabella’s Boutique, $14.99

shopping Mystigail Hand Stamped Jewelry Santa Key $15

LOVE THIS!

Adelaide NYC Ice Skate Ice Skate Clip, $12

DARLING ACCESSORIES YOU MUST-HAVE Shared Joy Headband, $10.99

Every headband needs a little sparkle. Bitty Bow Shop Headbands, $8.50

GIFTS FOR GIRLS our favorites for your little lady

The perfect twirl skirt for the holidays! Hemmed In, $27

A cozy and cute winter hat perfectly topped off with a pom-pom. What’s not to love? Appaman Marble Hat, $36

Sasea Santa Raglan Tee, $25

Baby Beans and Me Black Tree Leggings $32

What little girl doesn’t want a ruffled tee-pee? Sugar Shacks Tee Pees, $185

Twindollicious Treasure and Twirl Power Dress $46.00 cupcakeMAG.com

Type Baby Tee, $24

AIM Organic Cotton Leggings, $30

Heart of Hazel Tee, $24

Little Adi + Co ‘Arrow’ Skinny Harem Pants, $36

Young One Apparel Sweatshirt, $34

Wild Little Comfies Slouchies, $38

FOR THE BOYS

Mawdsley Loves Scarf Bib, $12

perfect picks for your little man KateKatie Raglan, $22

Dear Cub Sweatshirt, $30

SwimZip Fedora, $19.99

Les Petits Darlings Leggings, $34

Little Faces Apparel Leggings, $30

Littlest Prince Couture Tie, $16.99

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shopping Play-Doh Magical Carriage, 14.99

Frozen Pop-up Game, 12.99

Bitty Baby Stroller, $58

Top Toys of TWENTY FOURTEEN

Get the hottest toys this season your littles will love. These must-have, mom-approved toys are sure buys youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll want to check off the wish list. Baby Alive Brushy Brushy Baby Doll, $24.99

Wooden Changing Table, $120

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Tumble ‘n Grow Frog, $19.99

Rock ‘n Stride Hippo, $39.99 Peek a Boo Elmo, $19.99

My Little Pony Friendship Kingdom, $39.99

Transformers Rescue Bots Optimus Primal, $39.99 35

shopping

on our radar

for the babes

whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hot this season and always

Wooden Cars, Bannor Toys 36

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Organic burp cloth, $18 Lulujo muslin cotton swaddling blanket, $15.99 Itzy Ritzy Chewable mom jewelry, $8.99

Little Giraffe plush toy, $45 This plush toy should we love this toy gift

set. top if off with a bow

be on the top of your shopping list.

and you’re ready to go! Piyo Toy Gift Set, $34.95

Poncho Baby Cozy Go Cloth Gift Set, $12

Daily Care Travel Gift Set $20

Comotomo Teethers, $6.99

the perfect stocking stuffers

a must-have for the new mom! Bump Nest Pregnancy Pillow, $99 Babyganics Toothpaste, $5

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Rad Baby Tee from Beckett’s Threads, $23.99

shopping

Home for the

Holidays

must-have buys + inspiring ideas to spruce up your home this season

Create the bed of your dreams! Get the look with Beddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. 38

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Because sometimes you need to de-stress at home. And no, this isn’t your daughters doll. Dammit Doll, $14.95

A striped-mug. Need we say more? NS Pottery, $28

Warm up your favorite chair with a Luxe Snow Leopard Throw Pillow. You’ll never want to stop cuddling. Little Giraffe, $74

It’s the perfect warm + fuzzy way to say, I love you. Idieh Shop, $12

Who doesn’t love a perfectly monogrammed placemat? For Posh Sake, $10

This spoons states the obvious. Jessica N Designs, $18 cupcakeMAG.com

Ombre Mason Jars? Yes, please. CORA and PLUM, $22

shopping

GIFTS

for Her shop small this year and support small biz with one-of-a-kind, unique

gifts everyone will love 40

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Kismet Love Collection Nursing Scarf, $20

Brin and Bell Oval Turquoise Pendant, $23

Halcyon Artistry Cosmo Necklace, $90

June in July Designs, $64

Christine Co. Glass Pendant Necklace, $75

Just Dawnelle Scarf, $45 Metal Marvels Bangle Set, $30

Oakleigh Rose Cardigan, $49

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The Merriweather Council Personalized Embroidered Necklace, $38

shopping Dolce Ave Keychain, $15.30

THE LUST LIST must-have essentials we love She Does Justice Navajo Sweat Knit Scarf, $23

Ruby Claire Boutique Bombshell Jacket, $46

THE PERFECT GIFT!

Stoney Clover Lane Bracelets, $15 and up

Petunia Pickle Bottom Halifax Hobo, $360

Adorable hand-painted art inspired by your fam. Sweet Whimsy Designs Custom Family, $60

Pretty Print Shop, $28

Gigglosophy Bracelet, $30

what’sNEW A seriously-adorable way to show your love.

Applepear Lacebark Necklace, $64

Layering necklaces is simple and just, beautiful.

ON OUR RADAR what’s hot, for all, right now

Urban Peach Boutique Necklace, $18.95 It’s the perfect accessory for your sweet tea. House of Jars, $28

Sparkle. You always need a little Her Joyful sparkle. Studio Bow, $10

Teal and Poppy. It’s a perfect pair for the holidays!

Because doesn’t everyone want a metallic pillow with their name on it? Yes, please.

Sincerely Jenn Make-Up Brush Roll, $30 Not only is it a musthave, it keeps you organized too!

Aspen Lane Calligraphy Name Pillow, $35

shopping

Marc Jacobs Beaut La Coquette Four Piece Favorites Collection, $55

Kat Von D Star Studded Eyeshadow Book, $55

BEAUTY BESTS

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve made a list of the perfect holiday glam gifts of the season for everyone on your list from our one stop shop -- Sephora! Sephora Pure Luxury Antibacterial Brush Set, $60

Endless Kisses Sephora Lip Gloss Set, $28

All Access Glam Gold and Silver Eye and Face Palette, $15

Paint the Town Nail Polish Set, $55 44

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Lily Jade Diaper Bags ORG A N I Z I N G M OT H E R H O OD T h ro u g h t h e b a by y e a r s a n d b e yo n d

A brand who understands. Lily Jade is a designer diaper bag line aiming to make your transition through motherhood both seamless and stylish. Each Lily Jade bag is complete with the removable, washable, 16 pocket “Baby Bag” organizer for holding all of baby’s essentials while on the go. Or, leave it with the sitter for a date night. Beyond the baby years, your “Baby Bag” organizes children’s activities or work items. Mommies, your go-to bag has arrived.

46W W . L I LY - J A D E . C O M W

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YOUNG ONE APPAREL

MODERN

APPAREL FOR HIP LITTLES MADE IN CALIFORNIA

WWW.YOUNGONEAPPAREL.COM

@youngoneapparel

OUR FAVORITE SOCIAL INFLUENCERS SHARE THEIR HOLIDAY WISH LIST

cupcakeMAG.com

The Keepall in Birch with Salt WaterTaffy

This brush takes the natural oils of your hair and distributes them throughout your hair. Who doesn’t want shiny hair?

These Keepalls are actually very roomy and can hold everything for myself and my

Boar Bristle Brush

When I’m not working I like to be as cozy as possibly, I basically

‘Feu de Bois’ Scented Candle I burn this candle from September through April. It smells like I’m in the middle of the woods cozie

Dior ‘Addict’ Lip Maximizer

Like Kourtney Kardashian says, I like the “just stung by a bee” look for my lips.

Ugg Alena Slipper

Susan Peterson, Freshly Picked

Susan Petersen started making baby moccasins in 2009 after becoming frustrated by the lack of well-designed baby shoes. Since then the moccasins have gone through about six design changes. Each change has perfected the look and the fit of the soft-soled shoe. The moccasins you purchase today are durable, well designed, and most importantly: stay on your child’s foot. cupcakeMAG.com

Tea Towels by Earth Cadets Mini Mason Jar Candles by Candelles A perfect

little gift for office-mates and friends.

I stock up all year long on tea towels and save them for the season of gifting!

Brownies by Whimsy and Spice

Totes by Maptote

Instant Cocktail Party by AHierloom

Another perfect, and easy giftable for just about any one on your list!

Amy Richardson-Golia, Little Hip Squeaks Amy Richardson-Golia is the CEO and mastermind behind LHS. She lives in Brooklyn with her bearded husband, awesome son Eli and is expecting a daughter in January 2015. 52

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I own a Giving Key

Oh Sweet Joy Wire Headbands

that says Grace that I

hardly take off. It is

the perfect holiday gift

These wire headbands

because it can be per-

never fall of out of

sonalized with any words.

my hair. ever.

The Giving Key

Make it Happen Lara Casey is a powerhouse and lives life on

purpose. Her book is about

Stationery Kit

how to live a life on purpose.

So Worth Loving shirt

This fabulous letter kit is the perfect way to put a smile on someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face when they open their mailbox.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a fan of shops with

a mission and this one is impacting many!

Carrie Grace, Carrie Grace Shop

Carrie spends her days running an accessory company called Carrie Grace Shop and sending out monthly goodies via my second business called The Kindness Box. cupcakeMAG.com

for me: Top Knot Goods No Rest for the Rad Keychain This keychain would make a great stocking stuffer. It pretty much speaks to me!

for me: Fujifilm Instax mini 8 camera

The absolute

coolest pram liner

for your littles, not

for the kids: Chuck + Taz Universal Pram Liner

to mention a great practical gift.

for the kids: Finkelsteins Plush Lion Friend

for him: Harry’s Father & Son Shave Set What father wouldn’t love

teaching his son how to be

for the baby: Solly Baby Wrap Grey+White Stripe

a man?

for me: The Mason Bar Company MBC Lid

Adrianne Betz, Little Adi

Adrianne Betz is a veteran of the NYC design scene, who recently turned Mompreneur after life presented her with a great opportunity to live the American dream in a small beach town on the sunny-side of life. The care-free lifestyle quickly turned into inspiration for the designer and before you knew it she had created the now famous, one of a kind Bummies™ and every tee your little babe would ever need. 54

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Hunter Tall Fleece Welly Socks

Anything from Twinkle Twinkle Lil Jar

Large Lightup Marquee Letter

My Effing Brilliant Ideas Notebook

Aveda Dry Remedy Moisturizing Masque

Younique BB Flawless Complexion Enhancer

Cady Boughtin, Enjoy Essentials

Cady Boughtin is the owner of Enjoy Essential, a sassy clothing line for kids and women, and co-owner of a sorority apparel company, The Greek Years. She is obsessed with typography, pretty handwriting and her fur ball of a mini-aussie. She works too much, watches way too much tv, overloads on caffeine daily, and clearly believes â&#x20AC;&#x153;anything in moderationâ&#x20AC;? is way overrated. cupcakeMAG.com

Wish Tree Jewelry Holder

ZARA Checked Scarf

This tree would hold all of my favorite baubles and could serve as a beautiful statement piece atop my dresser.

Rebecca Minkoff Hudson Moto Mini in Black Cherry

Right Meow Sonix iPhone Case I love cats, so it only makes sense to have a phone case that has to do with cats, right?!

Deco Wine Bottle Rack

I follow Loren Hope on Instagram and drool with every photo I see.

Loren Hope Small Sarra Cuff in Electric Purple

Urban Decayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Naked Palette

Lauren Elizabeth, Elizabeth Ashlie

Lauren is the writer of the style + beauty blog, Lauren Elizabeth, and owns a jewelry and goods shop, Elisabeth Ashlie. When sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not busy designing new jewels or writing new content for her blog, you can find her scanning through Pinterest, hanging out with her two cats, or exploring her home of Chicago. She loves a hot cup of coffee, changing up the decor in her apartment, and online shopping. 56

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Crazy Love canvas from Naptime Diaries Natalieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pottery is stunning and her coffee mugs are some of my favorites!

Mug from NSPottery

The Simplified Planner by Emily Ley Leather Arrow Bracelet from Melody Joy Designs

Antigua Go Capri from Albion Fit

I am a huge essential oils fan and love Jessicaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fun spoon. This is my go-to recipe for a sore throat!

JaxnBlvd Wooden Sign

Thieves + Honey Spoon from JessicaNDesigns

A big wooden map has been on my wish list for a long time now!

Megan Burns, She Does Justice

Megan Burns is a lover of Jesus, a wife, a mother of 5, and a creative entrepreneur. She is the founder of She Does Justice, an online boutique that gives a portion of sales to a different cause each month. One of her biggest passions is helping women to believe that they can make a difference. She is so excited to share her Christmas wish list that includes items from handmade shops and small businesses! cupcakeMAG.com

I would be so embarrassed if you saw how awful my headphone cords are :/ eeks! This would definitely be a huge help!!

Feather Charm Necklace

Wrap and snap leather cable keeper

I don’t wear a lot of jewelry, but I love having a simple, staple necklace to wear daily!

Bike Coffee Mug

JCrew Pajamas

i’m into quirky iphone cases these

days.

This little artwork is such a

great reminder to make sure I’m

making “playing” a priority too!

Society 6 iphone case

Frye Slippers

Kacia Hosmer, Coconut Robot

Kacia is a natural blonde, type-A and an artist: proof that God has a sense of humor. Kacia writes about her city-living family, motherhood, fashion, DIYs and really anything else that makes her smile. She is a published quilt designer and loves dreaming up new projects and tutorials to share with her readers. Addicted to coffee and instagram. (@CoconutRobot) 58

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Kansas City shirt by Ampersand Design Studio

Navy Geo Print by Britt Bass

I’m a KC Royals fan and this was a great season for us, so I’m showing support to my team!

Lulu & Georgia State Pillow

I can’t get enough of these earrings, and I’m not one to normally wear earrings

Trend alert, if you haven’t heard about Swell bottles yetyou must buy one!

Nickel & Suede Gold Rush Earrings

This bag just looks like it could handle my crazy life!

Lette Macarons

Swell wood water bottle

Rouge and Whimsy zipper tote

Because who doesn’t have a reason not to eat macarons?

Nicole Schumacher, The P retty Oil

Nicole is a mother of 2 and work at home wife. She’s a Serial Entrepreneur passionate about helping online creatives succeed. Founder of The Pretty Oil, and essential oil junkie. A believer that sequin pants are a mother’s secret weapon to looking put together yet feeling comfortable. cupcakeMAG.com

Raine And Skye “Mini Voyager Leather Bags” Be Still Clothing Co Product: “Be Still Hand Stamped Necklace”

Loved By Hannah And Eli Product: “Mama Bear Hoodie”

Simple and stylish flats are great for that “I looked put together while still chasing toddlers” look.

Chinese Laundry by Kristin Cavallari, Cadence Herringbone Ballet Flat

Pearls & Pastries, The Original Sequin Hanger

Wee Structed “This Is My Journey” Tee I would love my whole closet to be these hangers!

Bow & Drape Goal Digger Sweatshirt

Sarah Duncan, Loved by Hannah and Eli

Sarah Duncan is just a typical stay-at-home wife and mama who was lucky enough to stumble into her dream job. She is the creator/designer for the family oriented clothing brand Loved By Hannah And Eli. Her designs and concepts are all inspired by her daughter, Hannah, and son, Eli. In addition to this, Sarah has a big heart and enjoys doing special designs benefiting various charities and families in need. 60

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Citizens of Humanity distressed denim

Clare V clutch

These jeans have that effortless look, and I love that distressed denim is acceptable with heels these days!

Nothing like a good hat to prolong yesterdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s curls!

Tom Dixon Candle

The perfect small gift for a good friend, or as an accent to a larger gift.

Janessa Leone George hat

Jewelry Cone

Aviator Nation Pray for Surf hoodie I love the laid back, retro feel of this hoodie. It is great to throw on for quick errands. C. Wonder Love Coasters

Shaynah Dodge, Pirates and Peonies

Shaynah is a life and style blogger. She has an eclectic style that always has her on the hunt for small labels and unique artisans. She loves mixing proportions and tends to hoard denim and tee shirts. Shaynah is raising her 3 little boys with her husband Andy, and they are venturing in to interiors as they revamp their new home! cupcakeMAG.com

Daylin Skye El Dorado Satchel

Peace & Calming Essential Oil

Tasseled jewelry pouch

wood airplant holder Toms cable knit suede boots

Jessica n Designs coffee mug

Mama Said tee

H&M striped blazer

Skye McLain, Editorial Assistant

Skye McLain is just your regular southern girl living in Louisiana with her husband, son, and pup. I am a total type-a, list-making, obsessive-compulsive, task-oriented, perfectionist maniac. She is a Virtual Ninja & Dream Designer to creative bloggers and business owners. 62

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HERJOYFULSTUDIO.ETSY.COM cupcakeMAG.com

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livingwell

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AT HOME

JENNA SUE DESIGN CO. Jenna Sue of Jenna Sue Design Co. shares ten expert tips as she takes us inside her beautiful home. 1. DO YOUR RESEARCH. I spend hours browsing blogs, magazines and Pinterest and taking notes before starting a remodel. You want to have a clear vision of how you expect the space to look so you can stay on track and only purchase what you need. 2. DO IT YOURSELF. Don’t be intimidated by DIY projects! Start small and inexpensive so that if it’s a complete fail, you won’t be too disheartened. Pinterest is the best place to source out tutorials—there’s something for everyone! For bigger projects, ana-white.com is my first choice. 3. DON’T IGNORE YOUR WALLS AND CEILINGS. This is such an important part of a room that many people don’t even consider when decorating. You can fill it up with the best furnishings and trendy accessories, but nothing adds character to a space like architectural features (molding, trim, paneling, doors, etc). Those projects also tend to be the biggest bang for your buck! cupcakeMAG.com

4. SCALE YOUR ART APPROPRIATELY. The biggest mistake I see people make is hanging undersized art on a large wall. If it’s grouped within in a gallery wall collection that’s fine—but individual frames shouldn’t have a ton of empty space around them. They should look intentional and anchor the space, and not look like they’re floating aimlessly. 5. PAINT IS YOUR FRIEND it can transform almost anything! Before you throw something out, try giving it a coat of paint first and see if you can repurpose it somewhere that makes sense. 6. LAYER COLORS. If your color scheme is white, tan, and green, try using various intensities of those colors. Make sure to stay in the same color family (don’t mix seafoam green with chartreuse and forest) but if you can visualize adding white or black to a color to lighten to darken it, you’ll create depth without being “matchy-matchy” or monochromatic. 67

“decorating shouldn’t be stressful” 68

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“Your decor can be spot on, but it will just fall flat with the wrong lighting.” 7. DON’T FORGET LIGHTING! This is often overlooked, but spot/directional lighting can help to highlight a room’s features and dimmers really help to set the mood. Your decor can be spot on, but it will just fall flat with the wrong lighting. 8. KNOW WHERE TO SHOP. My best finds have come from our local flea market! It’s hit or miss, but there’s always treasures lurking at the flea market, thrift stores, garage sales, Craigslist or local Facebook buy and sell groups. It’s not as easy (or sometimes as fun) as heading to Target but you’ll end up with something super unique for (usually) a lot less money. 9. KEEP IT SUBTLE. If have a specific decorating theme, it’s easy to go overboard by buying every cutesy fabric, wall art, pillow and tchotchke you spot (i.e. the seasonal rows of craft cupcakeMAG.com

stores). Resist the urge! Take the most subtle elements from that style (a jute rug for beachy, a great antique dresser for vintage, natural stone accents for rustic) and incorporate it into your space. Mix it with pieces from other styles for a more polished, personalized look. 10. HAVE FUN! Decorating shouldn’t be stressful (renovating is another story…) You want to have happy thoughts and memories when you look around at your space, not panic over what needs to be fixed or isn’t “good enough” compared to what you see online. If it’s causing you more anxiety than excitement, step away from it and unplug for a while, take some time to recharge and come back when you’ve reconnected with what made you want to decorate in the first place. 71

“My best finds have come from our local flea market!”

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Winter Essentials

Hot style for cold weather! The products in our Winter Essentials collection, are as functional as they are beautiful. Your child will feel snug and stay protected from low temperatures, while enjoying the wonders of winter. Stay warm and look hot this winter!

Stokke速 Stroller Blanket Pearl Grey

Stokke速 Stroller Winter Kit: The perfect outerwear for your stroller.

Stokke速 Down Sleeping Bag

www.stokke.com facebook.com/StokkeNorthAmerica

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twitter.com/Stokkebaby

pinterest@Stokkebaby

instagram.com/Stokkebaby

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enjoy

essential

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Bannor Toys Modern Wood Toys For Inspired Kids www.BannorToys.com Handmade in the USA

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women in

business

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she’s

RAD Take a peek inside the beautiful home of Geo Fox Apparel designer, Sarah Fox. by Casi Densmore-Koon I met Sarah Fox virtually almost a year ago. We immediately hit it off and now, I call her a friend. A gem-of-a-girl, she’s a hard-working momma of 2 and runs the modern children’s clothing line we all know and love -- Geo Fox Apparel. She’s one of the sweetest you’ll ever meet. Total door-next-door attitude and well, she’s pretty rad.

2. WITH THE UPCOMING SEASON, WHAT CAN WE PLAN TO SEE NEW? WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON CURRENTLY? Geo Fox is going through so many changes right now. We are transitioning into full designed collections. Our spring/summer collection is going to be so rad. I can not wait to share each and every piece with you!

INTRODUCE US TO YOUR BABY, GEO FOX APPAREL. WHAT GAVE YOU THE IDEA TO LAUNCH THIS AMAZING BRAND? Four years ago my son was born & it opened up a whole new world for me of children’s fashion -- specifically boys fashion. I noticed a lack in the market for designed boys clothes. It seemed like so many companies catered to girls fashion or just basic fashion. So in a sense I created Geo Fox for my own personal style aesthetic. I haven’t looked back since!

3. AS A MOM, IT’S HARD TO WORK FROM HOME. WHAT’S YOUR TIPS FOR STAYING SANE? My two boys are always my first priority so I work a lot at night & during nap time. My husband & I both own our own businesses so the time we spend together doesn’t look like most families. If we feeling like we are missing out on family time we take the day off and go to Disneyland with the boys or delay work in the morning take a walk & spend a couple hours together.

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4. WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY LIKE FOR YOU? Oh man, this question is hard because I honestly don’t really have a set schedule. My tasks everyday vary because I am the owner of a small business & mother of two it is hard to say, but my day always starts with a venti iced coffee with cream. 5. WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR FAVORITE MOMENTS SO FAR SINCE LAUNCHING YOUR BRAND? The relationships that I have created as a result of diving into this world of small business owners. I have met so many incredibly hard-working woman who inspire me & encourage me. Also, just being able to satisfy my creativity through design & marketing. It has been very fulfilling for me.

ics (I like a more modern feel & he likes the more industrial feel) so we knew going into remodeling our first home there would be a few hiccups & compromises. Honestly, though I wouldn’t have it any other way because our home is very us. It is a perfect mixture of our love for things that are modern, but with a vintage feel. We believe in thinking outside of the box & mixing elements that you normally wouldn’t pair together. 7. WHAT DO YOU SEE IN YOUR FUTURE FOR GEO FOX APPAREL? Geo Fox is my dream & passion so I am pursuing it with all I have & with that I feel like the sky’s the limit.

6. NOW, LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR AMAZING HOME. WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS WHEN DECORATING THIS SPACE? My husband & I are both artists with very different style aesthet88

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We believe in thinking outside of the box & mixing elements that you normally wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pair together.

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Shabby chic painted & crafted goods for your home, wedding, baby & bridal shower.

Etsy.com/shop/CORAandPLUM

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women in

business

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behind the scenes of ARROW & LACE DESIGNS a tour of our favorite new boutique introducing the designer, Laura Derksen Photography by Ashely Martens Photography. Hair and Make up by WeddedBliss Arrow & Lace Designs is where quality meets style. Vintage inspired apparel, bow ties, floral crowns and hair accessories are just some of the items available. All headbands are made to be adjustable so one size fits comfortably for newborn to adult. Designed by a Momma of two children with a passion to create all things beautiful. The attention to detail is so important that even your order is packaged to perfection. We believe your order is a gift and that is why we wrap it like one! Arrow & Lace Designs is now 8months new and flourishing faster than I could have imagined. Trying to balance two kids and a business along with everything else has taught me there is no such thing as balance. My new “normal” is taking each day as it comes and staying organized! Setting goals and fulfilling dreams can

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only come true if you write them down. One thing that has helped me so much is setting scheduled work days! Because running a business can be stressful and the emails and phone calls just don’t stop, setting scheduled work days help me focus on my children on the days I am not working. One of the best things about being a mompeuner is that I set my work days; which means i can work around my children and appointments. Don’t get me wrong, it’s hard and some days full of tears but I am so blessed to have many friends and family who are so supportive. My husband is my biggest fan! (he’s even a pro headband maker ;) shhh....he’s in construction) I can’t wait to show you what Arrow & Lace Designs has in store! So many new designs and collaborations which are sure to make you excited! We are also working hard on getting Arrow & Lace Designs into more retailers so you can get it at your favourite local boutique!

My husband is my biggest fan!

(he’s even a pro headband maker ;) shhh....he’s in construction)

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Trying to balance two kids and a business along with everything else has taught me there is no such thing as balance.

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www.positivelyoakes.com Insta @positivelyoakes

B AG S & ACC E SS O R I E S FO R M O D E R N M OT H E R H O O D

P E T U N I A .CO M

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WANT TO TAKE YOUR BRAND TO THE NEXT LEVEL IN 2015? JENERATIONPR.COM

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Photo by Trevor Christensen 104

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the

ALISON SHOW Alison Faulkner is some kind of wonderful. And let me tell you - this girl can dance. I’ve dance with her before and well, let’s just say, we made memories. And I humiliated myself on social media with the video right after. You might know her as The Alison Show but she is way more then just a name. I want to be her when I grow up -- really, I do. She’s the coolest babe ever and if you don’t know her -- you must be living under a rock because she’s major. All I have to say is read this interview and then go check out this hashtag: #thealisondanceshow. You’ll thank me later. TELL US ABOUT ALISON FEELING FEST! WHAT GAVE YOU THE IDEA FOR IT? Ha! Well I have a lot of feelings. Lots and lots of feelings, and I find the best way to keep those feelings from getting out of hand is to dance them out. So Alison’s Feelings Fest was about inviting people to come, as Taylor would say, “Shake it off!” I also just opened Club Alison, an events and studio rental space in Provo, and I wanted to have a fun party to celebrate that and to introduce the space. WHAT GOES ON IN THE MIND OF ALISON WHEN PLANNING YET ANOTHER AMAZING PARTY? FROM ALISON’S COOKIE PARTY TO THE HAUNTED HALLOWEEN DINNER - YOU ARE ALWAYS COMING UP WITH AMAZING PARTY IDEAS AND PULLING THEM OFF LIKE A ROCK STAR - WHAT IS YOUR SECRET? Haha well there’s definitely no secret! I work really, really, really hard. But, I will say I think it’s just how my brain works! I don’t really remember to mention if I’m going out of town, or exactly when I need to pick my daughter up from preschool...but I will talk your ear off about how cool it would be to have giant Cha cupcakeMAG.com

Cha girl emoji at a party. Yes, I’m a super reasonable person. My professional work before The Alison Show was also very conceptual, and I’ve been doing events since planning the Senior Prom back in high school! I learn something from every event I do and also from events I attend! Everything you touch (or do) seems to turn to gold. What about yourself gives you that Midas touch? Oh man. That’s hysterical. I do not feel that way at all! But I see other people and think that about them! And I think the key to APPEARING to have the golden touch is to continuously be putting out content you are proud of. I’ve had to learn, and still have to learn, that quality is not determined by how many people “like” or “view” a project. I’ve created a lot of quality things that maybe didn’t get a lot of attention. But I try to remember if I’m doing my best to create quality work, that’s a success in and of itself. And odds are, if you just keep creating stuff, something is bound to stick! Right?! HOW DO YOUR KIDS ENJOY BEING PART OF THE LIMELIGHT? WHAT ABOUT YOUR HUSBAND? Haha I don’t think there’s any limelight really! Is there? Haha. They don’t really know any different. And I’m actually very very 105

Photo by Heather Mildenstein

strategic and selective about what information I do and do not share about my family so that we don’t feel overexposed. So even though I talk a lot, haha, I’m only talking about certain subjects. I’ve been doing this for 8 years now, and I had to learn that the hard way! My husband is hysterical, he’s always encouraging me to do more. WHAT IS THE ON THE HORIZON FOR THE ALISON SHOW. DO YOU HAVE ANY SECRETS UP YOUR SLEEVE YOU ARE JUST DYING TO LET SLIP? AND PLEASE, GIVE US THE DETAILS ON CLUB ALISON! The big secret?! I’m taking a break! Haha, well it might not totally look like that, to the untrained eye, but a break from doing anything too big! I’m trying to come to terms with the fact that I am a small business (not just a crazy lady impervious to sleep), and if I keep overextending myself I cannot sustain the business! And speaking of overextending, remember that time I found an abandoned building on the side of the road and declared, “This shall be Club Alison!” ? Hahaha! That’s essentially what happened. We found the person who owned it, leased it, renovated it, and now my sweet sexy husband is running point on that managing the schedule. I created a space that I needed and wanted, for my events and projects, and figured if I needed the space other people might need it too! In my opinion Club Alison is the perfect space for events, workshops, video and photo shoots. It’s basically just a nice white box with all the things I look for when I need a space. Bookings are filing in and we are very excited! It was a 106

tad (cough super) stressful and scary to just dive in, but I kind of just pretended it was not big deal so that I didn’t think about it too hard. Haha. I find that if I think about things too much I don’t do them. YOU SEEM TO HAVE SO MANY “ONLINE FRIENDS” WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO FOSTER THOSE FRIENDSHIPS AND KEEP THEM CLOSE? Haha well that is exactly what I call them! My “online friends!” They are not my followers, or fan club, or a just a number. I’m sincerely honored when a person decides to have me be a part of their life by following along online. When I write a post, or create content I try to really think about the person or people I’m talking to. It’s only The ALISON Show because I’m Alison. I sincerely share it all because I hope that by doing what I love it helps people to feel excited to do what they love. A LOT OF PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW THAT YOU REALLY ARE THAT FUN IN REAL LIFE. HAVING HAD THE CHANCE TO MEET AT MOM 2.0, I KNOW THAT YOU ARE! HOW DO YOU KEEP YOUR ENERGY UP ALL THE TIME? Hahaha! Well thank you! I’m one of those introverted extroverts. Haha. I need a lot, A LOT, of alone time and down time between events. This means I don’t chat on the phone a lot, or hang out a lot. I like to work and I need a lot of time to myself after being in a group setting. I love love being with people and am truly stoked when I’m out and about, but I’m not like that all the time! cupcakeMAG.com

most played

ON ITUNES: Haha it’s probably my Scissor Sisters Album, Ta-Dah. I just checked! That’s so random, but I do love Scissor Sisters. Haha.

favorite

DANCE MOVE:

Hip thrust.

WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR

dinner

LAST NIGHT: Oooh these like flatbread things from Costco! They are frozen, and then I made a salad with pickled beets and goat cheese (also from Costco!). Haha this makes me sound so much better than I am. Usually it’s take out. But I’m trying to do like more meals like this that are kind of half pre-made.

drink at a

COCKTAIL PARTY:

Well I don’t drink alcohol. I KNOW CRAZY. Hahaha no one ever thinks I’m sober. But I love a Diet Coke with Pomegranate syrup and fresh lime.

BEDTIME? Sleep is for the weak. KIDDING!

Haha no, but I have a hard time sleeping. I’ve been trying to get to bed before midnight, but it’s hard. I know that I need more sleep or my body is going to kill me.

favorite

HEELS? I’m a bootie girl. HA and a Photo by Trevor Christensen cupcakeMAG.com

booty girl.

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www.wrennjewelry.com Use coupon code “Cupcake” for 20% off your first order!

/WRENNJEWELRY

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@WRENNJEWELRY

/WRENNJEWELRY

@WRENNJEWELRY

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women in

circle EMPIRE

business

All photography by Braedon Photography

Oh, those Circles. They don’t need much of an introduction -- they are a powerhouse couple and that sums it up! Lucky for us, we sat down to see just how they’ve built their dream job together. And let us say -- they look pretty damn good doing it. 1.) FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE CIRCLE EMPIRE, TELL US ABOUT POLLINATE MEDIA GROUP AND WEAVE MADE MEDIA. An empire huh?! I like the sound of that! Pollinate Media Group Weave Made Media was founded two and a half years ago with Cost Plus World Market as our first client. Our goal was to become a premium matchmaker between bloggers and brands who saw the importance of working with social influencers. It’s all about finding the right partnerships and that’s where we come in. Having partnered with brands to create content on my own blog, Diary of an Addict, I realized how important the authentic story telling aspect is to creating brand loyalty. How do people truly know if they want to purchase a product unless they can see how naturally it fits into someone else’s life. After all, are you more likely to go buy a new product if someone you trust swears by it? I would! Pollinate is comprised of the blogging industries top digital publishers, we have high standards to get it and high standards to stay a part of the community. And when I say community, I mean it! We truly value The Colony and respect the incredible work that they do. In return, we bring them the best brands in the industry to work with, like Sharpie, Land of Nod, Aloha, ProYo, Rubbermaid, People Magazine and so many more. April of 2014 with the goal of creating opportunities for emerging markets to work with brands. The biggest one being Men and Dad bloggers. Did you know that 54% of married men shop for groceries and household supplied more often than their spouses? 112

If men are the decision makers in their home when it comes to what food they eat, what products they use from detergent to vacuums, how can you deny that this is a group of voices that need to be heard? You can’t! With the launch of Weave for me, we also created a Weave community for emerging female bloggers, multicultural bloggers and military bloggers. love for you to do so! Pollinate just launched a brand new website in November that we’re extremely excited about! 2. WHAT DREW YOU IN TO THE MEDIA RELATIONS FIELD? I (Alissa) have been blogging since 2007 and really fell in love with the blogging community. Social Media has a beautiful way of bringing us all together and knitting us in ways we would never expect. We’re able to support, encourage and share content people create in a way that we’ve never been able to before. If you haven’t had a chance to check out both communities, we’d Word of mouth is a powerful tool! But more importantly, the relationships I’ve built with the people I’ve been so fortunate to meet over the last several years have resulted in meeting some of my closest friends and has opened the door for so many new and wonderful opportunities. I’ve also had the chance to partner with some amazing brands on my own blog, Diary of an Addict (http://www.diaryofanaddict.co), and wanted to pave the way for others to have the same opportunities. Thus, Pollinate Media was born! cupcakeMAG.com

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4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CHARACTERISTIC ABOUT EACH OTHER AND HOW DO YOU INCORPORATE THAT INTO A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP? ALISSA I love Kyle’s passion and his drive. Watching him in action when he’s talking to our clients and just people in general is so energizing. He truly loves life and the business we’ve built together. This translates well into our business because Kyle is client facing, he works on the business development and sales side of our business so these traits have really propelled the success of our companies. KYLE I love Alissa’s ability to lead our teams. She has incredible attention to detail & can multi task like no ones business. She really is super women. More importantly she cares about relationships & people and she always makes time for them. Basically, we each bring a set of strengths, which compliment each other perfectly and respect what the other is responsible for. 5. OWNING A BUSINESS TOGETHER AND BEING MARRIED TO ONE ANOTHER MUST PRESENT ITS CHALLENGES. HOW DO YOU STAY UNITED AND KEEP BOTH THE SUCCESS OF THE MARRIAGE AND THE BUSINESS AT THE FOREFRONT? ALISSA - By doing the business often. ;) Can I say that? hehe But seriously, spending time together, focused on our marriage and our communication with one another keeps us united. When you work together as business partners, it can be hard to separate the business and the personal. So we figure, the harder we work on the personal (our marriage) the more united we are when making important decisions and communicating about the growth and success of our business. 114

KYLE - Our marriage comes first and the business second. It’s all about doing life together as team, with open communication and helping the other achieve their dreams. Building a business like Alissa has out of her passion allows it to not feel so much like work. 6. WHAT PARTS OF YOUR BUSINESS DO YOU EACH LOVE THE MOST? ALISSA - That’s a tough one. I’m a relationship person by nature. So I love traveling to several conferences throughout the year and having the chance to meet and talk to other bloggers. I love hearing their stories and their passion for the blogging community. But then, I also love the strategy and execution side of our business. There’s nothing more exciting that pitching ideas to clients and then seeing the bloggers really bring them to life and an authentic and impactful way. Well, maybe one thing.... hearing how much our clients love working with us!! We’ve built an incredible team who help with our campaign execution and, it’s with their help and dedication to Pollinate that we’re able to keep propelling forward. KYLE – I’ve been a serial entrepreneur my whole life so I love solving problem solving while empowering clients to have the best solutions to solve their problems. I work on the client side building relationships, which is what I do best. We believe a brand is no longer what a marketer tells us it is, its what people tell each other it is. 9. WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON FOR THE CIRCLES? ANY NEW BUSINESS OR PROJECTS IN THE WORKS? Always! We’re always working on exciting things behind the scenes, but nothing we’re quite ready to share yet. :)

day in the

LIFE OF CIRCLE The juggling act that makes it all possible for this all-star team

7am –

I wake up, spend about 10 minutes checking emails and social media, of course, then I get the kids up and ready for school. Kyle gets up and begins his day, checking emails, responding to the urgent ones.

7:45am –

Kyle takes the kids to school so I can hop on my laptop and get some emailing done and social media scheduled for my blog posts.

8:30am –

Kyle and I head to The 12 in Irvine for a workout. Staying healthy and clearing your mind to prepare for the day ahead is really important to us.

4:30pm

Homework time. Set up our son to practice writing letters and numbers and my daughter and I practice her sight words, Bible memory verse and read together.

5:00pm

Start working on dinner if it’s not already brewing in the crock pot. I seriously want to kiss the person who invented the slow cooker, it saves my life most days of the week.

6pm

Family dinner

10am -12:30 Get ready for the day, return emails, team calls

6:30 – 8pm Shower time, clean rooms and then Kyle sits and listens to our daughter practice her sight words and reads with her.

12:30pm

I pick up the kids from school and either bring them home or take them to any after school activities or playdates. We have a babysitter who watches them in the afternoons 4 days a week so I’m able to work un-interrupted till 4pm.

8pm–Bedtime After putting the kids to bed, Kyle and I have a de-brief meeting from our day. Go over any decisions that need to be made, to-do’s for the next day, upcoming events on our calendar and then we snuggle!

1-4pm

work, work, work!

4:00pm

Baby sitter leaves and I make myself a warm cup of coffee

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stay calm CIRCLE TIPS TO

Being the co-founder of two companies plus keeping family life will drain anyone. Alissa what are your five tips to stay calm when things get hectic? Hmmm, what does calm mean? Just kidding. This ones a tough one for me because while I don’t like to be stressed, being busy doesn’t bother me either. With that being said there are still what I call my “must do’s” that help keep me sane when things get hectic. 1.) Find a good book to read 2.) Hit the gym for a good workout 3.) Go hit up my favorite coffee spot and force myself to sit and drink the whole cup without touching my phone 4.) Splurge on a mani/pedi. It’s amazing how pampering and a foot massage can really relax your mood 5.) Go out on a lunch date with my hubby. I find that talking through the hectic-ness of life with my best friend helps to calm me down a lot!

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HAPPY WIFE,

HAPPY LIFE! Kyle shares his five tips for keeping marriage happy and fun

1 2 3

Letting her sleep in on Saturday mornings. Alissa loves to sleep in and Saturday mornings she does just that. I usually take the kids to get donuts so we can keep the house quiet.

Alissa loves to cook, but some days are just too crazy so I find that I need to step in an volunteer to take us all to dinner! That one always earns me more than a smile.

Date Nights. I love to plan date nights for us where we can go out, enjoy a great meal, maybe see a movie and just talk about life. These nights are reserved for us and there’s no talk about the business.

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Take time to listen – I like to make sure I’m being present in our marriage even though our lives can often be busy. I think couples make the mistake of making every conversation about their children or, if they work together, the business, instead of really focusing on each other. Someone once said you start as husband and wife before kids and after kids you end as husband and wife and I want Alissa to know that she’s important enough to me to always want to know what’s on her heart and her hopes and dreams for our future.

Say I love you often and mean it. I want Alissa to always know that I love her more than our business together, so I find ways to tell her and show her that often.

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Handmade clothing for boys and girls from Arizona. @n a t e a n d j a k e 118

www.nateandjakeco.com

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Life is busy enough. Spend more time with the kids, not scrubbing refrigerator bins.

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Finnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nautical Nursery

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PROJECT

nursery

cupcakeMAG sits down with design experts, Melisa Fluhr and Pam Ginocchio of the one and only, Project Nursery WHAT IS NEW WITH PROJECT NURSERY AND YOU FABULOUS LADIES? TELL US WHAT IS GOING ON. WHAT HAVE WE MISSED? ProjectNursery.com has been moving along like a well-oiled machine these days. The blog and gallery are thriving and we often marvel at how awesome our content and community really is. It’s a total testament to our amazing team and wonderful following. But we tend to get antsy when things hit smooth sailing mode, which is why we decide to add another layer to the business. This past September we officially opened The Project Nursery Shop! It’s filled with unique finds and must-haves for the nursery including decor, bedding, gifts and items for mom. It has been so much fun hand picking each item and growing our total inventory to over 500 products! But we’ll be the first to admit, Retail is a whole new world! YOU JUST RECENTLY STARTED THE AMAZING PROJECT NURSERY SHOP! CONGRATULATIONS! WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO GO IN THAT DIRECTION? It’s funny because we can’t tell you how many times we would receive an email or comment on social media about wanting to buy a certain product they would see on the blog or in the gallery. It was a natural step to launch the shop and it feels great that we can finally offer our readers what they have been asking for. Plus, we are really consumers at heart and sourcing products has been super fun and challenging. We are so glad that took on the shop and can add this area of the business to our repertoire. MELISA, WITH BABY #3 (I HOPE I AM RIGHT HERE :) VERY NEAR, WHAT DO YOU DO TO KEEP SOME KIND OF BALANCE IN YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE? WHAT DOES cupcakeMAG.com

YOUR “MOMMY NEEDS ME TIME” BREAK LOOK LIKE? As my due date fast approaches, I am well aware that my already limited “me” time will go out the window, at least for the next couple of months. So with both of my big boys in school right now, I try to do one thing for myself each afternoon when they are gone. Sometimes it’s just shutting down my computer for 30 minutes and curling up on the couch to catch up on sleep from the night before. Other times, it’s making a trip to my favorite Japanese restaurant and picking up Spicy California Rolls for lunch just because I feel like it. I am basically listening to my body and fulfilling all my cravings. While many of these actions are very small, they truly keep me sane, happy and healthy. HOW DO YOU KEEP INSPIRED AND FULL OF FRESH IDEAS? Well, we try to stay on top of design trends as a whole because eventually they will make their way into children’s space too. We always stay in tune with which colors are trending and when we see a hot look in fashion we know its likely to make its way into home decor and then the nursery! We also often go right to our own community for inspiration. Our project gallery is chock full of amazing design ideas, DIY projects and new and exciting trends. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR ALL TIME FAVORITE PROJECT TO WORK ON FOR PROJECT NURSERY? Our own children’s rooms of course! Over the years the entire PN team has tackled a room makeover or two or four. With cross country moves and 5 kids between the two of us, it seems like we are continually working on personal design projects. Melisa has several nurseries under her belt and is currently busy at work on 125

Library Nursery

her soon to arrive baby girl’s new nursery. She is going all out! IT SEEMS AS IF YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED EVERYTHING. YOU TWO ARE POWER-HOUSES. WHAT ARE YOUR DREAMS FOR PROJECT NURSERY IN THE FUTURE? This has been our “baby” for so long and we are really proud of our dedication and drive to move our brand and business forward. We brought on our first hire back in 2010 and we’ve grown to a core team of 12 with an additional 15 contributing design experts. Although it would be hard to let go a little, our ultimate goal is to take Project Nursery.com & Project Junior.com to the next level and bring on a larger partner. DO YOU HAVE A SYSTEM FOR KEEPING YOUR DAYS RUNNING SMOOTHLY? We couldn’t operate without Google Hangouts! And coffee, of course. WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER WORK-FROMHOME-MOMMAS? There are so many great tools to stay connected and organized you don’t have to feel isolated or like you are working in a vacuum just because you are working at home. One tool we swear by 126

is Asana. It helps everyone stay on task and with total transparency it keeps our team tight. Plus we really value our monthly team meetings so that we can all share our challenges and successes. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR A MOM PLANNING A NURSERY WHO DOESN’T KNOW WHERE TO START? We always say, find your inspiration. Is it a color scheme, a style or another parent’s nursery you’ve been ogling? Pinterest and Instagram are great jumping off points for anyone planning the nursery. Don’t be afraid to take risks and choose things you love. After all, the nursery is a very special place for parents and baby. WHAT IS THE BEST PARENTING ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED? WHAT ABOUT DESIGN ADVICE? Design advice is easy - stick with the three rule. Three colors, three patterns max. Never fails. Parenting advice is a whole lot tougher! We love little inspirational quotes. Especially ones that offer a bit of advice or inspiration. We’ve actually turned a few of our favorites into art prints. One thing that we both try to stay true to is being present everyday with our children. Like really present. iPhones off, computers away. Listening with both ears. Some days its less then others but its important that our kids get our attention each and everyday. It goes by fast and we don’t want to miss it! cupcakeMAG.com

catching up with MELISA & PAM

BAG YOU ARE CURRENTLY CARRYING?

WHAT WOULD WE FIND ON YOUR NIGHT STAND?

PAM: Since I’m officially out of the diaper bag stage I recently splurged on a Stella MaCartney Fallabella Shoulder Bag in Grey. It couldn’t be more un-kid friendly but after years of hauling around giant bags filled with everything for the kids, I’m blissfully loving this bag.

PAM: Parenting books, Design Mags, a notebook for jotting down ideas and to-do’s (my best ideas tend to come to me in my sleep apparently) and my guilty pleasure US Weekly

MELISA: Tod’s Nylon Bauletto Grande Bag in Black. However I have my Sydney PacaPod diaper bag packed and ready for the hospital! FAVORITE DRINK AT STARBUCKS? PAM: Tall Soy Latte but waiting for Starbucks to get on the Almond Milk train! MELISA: Funny enough, the exact same as Pam but I am holding out for Vanilla Almond Milk. FAVORITE NAIL POLISH COLOR? PAM: OPI’s “I Saw, You Saw, We Saw... Warsaw” --- it’s a deep blue. I think it is THE BEST color ever! MELISA: Anything gray. I’ve been a a gray mood for a while light, dark or sparkly.

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MELISA: I try to keep my night stand well styled but recently added my new iPad Mini to the mix. I never thought I would care for the size given the iPad and iPhone but it’s perfect and I now use it more than the others. WHAT BEDDING IS AT THE TOP OF YOUR MUST HAVES? PAM: Since I’m in the midst of a design project for my younger daughter I’ve been on the hunt for anything with gold metallic dots. I am currently crushing on this Pottery Barn Kids Gold Dot Quilt . I’m also always checking sites like One Kings Lane for luxe bedding at a great price. Nothing feels better then simple, crisp white sheets that are made of high quality Egyptian cotton. MELISA: For baby, I like the flexibility and customization Carousel Designs offers. For me, I like to keep my bedding looking clean, crisp and simple. Every few years, I purchase a new set from Restoration Hardware’s Italian Satin Stitch Hotel Collection.

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Vintage Soft Pink and Gold Nursery

TEN NURSERY design tips

1. Discover Your Inspiration. Sometimes knowing where to start can be the hardest part of designing a room. Maybe it’s a family heirloom that must be incorporated into the nursery or a fabric that makes your imagination run wild. Narrowing it down to a single source of inspiration can save you time and keep your design focused. 2. Don’t Be Afraid to Think Outside the Box. Have you considered floating your crib in the center of the room? Or placing it on a diagonal? Keep in mind anything is possible when it comes to design. 3. Think Ahead When It Comes to Safety. Fast forward to the future and ask yourself, “What would my one year old do in this room?”. Next, do everything possible to ensure his or her safety. For example: Secure tall dressers to the wall, do not place your crib by cord blinds and keep wall art and heavy objects out of reach. 4. Create a Feature Wall. Now is your chance to make a major statement by focusing on a single wall in the nursery. Ideally, this is the wall where the crib is placed in front of for added impact. Go ahead and put up the floral wallpaper you’ve been dreaming of or paint horizontal stripes til your heart’s content. 5. Make What’s Old New Again. Not everything in the nursery has to be brand new for baby. Survey your home and pull in spe128

cial pieces to add character and meaning. Maybe it’s Grandma’s dresser that needs a fresh, colorful coat of paint or that outdoor garden stool you can repurpose as side table next to your glider. 6. Stay Away from Matchy-Matchy. To achieve a real designer look, consider layering in similar shades of the same color, textures and adding an element of surprise. Not everything or every color needs to match perfectly in the nursery. 7. Avoid Theme Overload. Often the love for a particular theme can take on a mind of it’s own. If you adore elephants for example, try to limit your decor to 4-5 fairly subtle elephants themed items. 8. Paint with Zero-VOC Paints. Traditional paint fumes are hardly healthy for expecting mamas. Loads of affordable, non-toxic paint options are currently on market. 9. Limit Your Color Palette. You might find it easier to come up with three colors—(1) main color, (1) neutral and (1) bright pop of color. This way you are guaranteed a pretty room, soft of the eyes. 10. Have fun! Other than putting baby’s safety first, remember, there are no rules when it comes to decorating the nursery. It’s such a special time in your life so don’t forget to take it all in and enjoy. We guarantee you will be proud of the results! cupcakeMAG.com

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Washington D.C. Nursery

Downtown New Orleans Colorful & Modern Nursery

Emiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lavender and Coral Nursery

Dainty, Soft and Sweet Nursery

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project baby girl Step inside a beautiful surprise baby shower you’ll be inspired to add to your favorite Pinterest board - instantly

CHECK OUT PROJECT NURSERY’S RECAP FROM MELISA’S PERSPECTIVE photo 130 credit: Charlie Juliet Photography

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Pregnancy guru Rosie Pope hosted an incredible day celebrating #projectbabygirl and #amazonbaby for Melisa of Project Nursery. Seasoned bloggers, magazine editors and guests enjoyed a lovely afternoon of networking, tasty treats, Melisa’s “must-have” Amazon Registry picks, atop the Mondrian SoHo penthouse overlooking New York City. How can you not swoon over the brilliant baby shower design by Minted? Get ready to fall in love with a lovely party. cupcakeMAG.com

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Little Gentleman Closet Dividers- These adorable plaid nursery closet dividers are a simple and stylish way to organize your nursery closet. Simply hang in any closet or armoire and start organizing your baby’s clothes by size - It’s that easy!

Monogr am and Scr gift ever ! These b oll Blanket- Ta lk lankets a price po re fabulo about the best b int! a us prese nts at a g by reat

SHOP must-haves

There are lots of fabulous finds in our Project Nursery shop but here are a few favorite items for both the holidays and just everyday life. Personalized Holiday Tray - Perfect for holiday entertaining, Santa’s cookies, or even just a festive way of carrying your own glass of water as you nurse the baby!

Floral Monthly Baby & Newborn Stickers- Just peel, stick and photograph! This Project Nursery exclusive includes the Newborn sticker too!

Plush Rocking Horse What child wouldn’t be thrilled to receive this rocking horse? Super soft and plush, the horse even makes galloping sounds when its ears are pushed. 132

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Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the most wonderful time of the year...

to dress up!

McKenna Bleu and Kilee Nickels share their fashion tips and outfits for a merry season

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The Holiday Hostess

Put the holiday ham in the oven, turn on your favorite tunes, and get the bubbles ready for your special guests. This will be the winter party everyone remembers. Stand out in your bright red midi skirt mixed with a cozy sweater and your favorite holiday scarf. Let’s just say...you’re the new “hostess with the mostess”! 140

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| 5 LOOKS FOR THE HOLIDAYS FROM MCKENNA BLEU | Photography byRuth Eileen Photography McKenna Bleu is a southern girl who has always had a love for fashion. She’s all about great style doesn’t have to cost a lot, doesn’t have to be what’s popular or limited to a certain size. Being real and having confidence is the greatest style to obtain. McKenna Bleu is just that, a site to gain fashion inspiration, travel & beauty tips. You’ll immediately fall in love with her good ole’ southern charm and want to steal her wardrobe. Thankfully, we caught up with McKenna before the holiday rush so you can step-out in style this season.

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The Casual Cutie

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Be instant holiday ready in a look that covers all the bases. Go from sipping a peppermint mocha cozied up on the couch to running your last minute holiday errands. You can even step out for a casual dinner with family or friends in these skinny jeans, over-sized sweater, textured vest and riding boots.

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The Girl Boss

Attending a business party or industry event? Try mixing prints, a pop of color and your favorite statement necklace to stand out amongst the sea of corporate conservative.

The Modest Beauty

Timeless lace with feminine details keeps it classy while showing off a conservative silhouette. cupcakeMAG.com

The Glitz & Glam

Why blend in when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re born to stand out. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be afraid to turns heads with a little extra sparkle, touch of fur and a bold lip. Any excuse for sequins is fine by me! 143

Looking gorgeous doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be expensive! 144

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MAX + MOOSE

BLANKETS Modern

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Upsie Belly

Support for your back and growing baby belly

Belly Bandit

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Shrinks and tightens your post pregnancy belly , waist and hips

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one stylish Designer and blogger, Kilee Nickels shares how you can re-fresh your beloved mom-uniform this Winter season. As a 24/7 mom, a full-time business owner, and a lots-of-time blogger -- time isn’t always on her side but with a few expert tips -- you’ll be out the door in style -- just like Kilee. Located in Kansas City, Missouri with her husband and three little boys, Kilee is at home in the Midwest and loves comfort foods, thrifting, and tickling her kids. In 2012, she started blogging at ONE little MOMMA at the suggestion of a friend. That grew from dabbling to dedication as she discovered that she loved writing about real life as well as sharing her everyday style and DIY projects. Kilee and her husband love to be creative, and in June of 2014, they jumped into the ultimate creative pursuit: starting a business! Nickel & Suede is an accessory brand for woman whose feature product is the leather earring. Nickel & Suede has been Kilee’s (and Soren’s) full time job for the last six months, and they’re doing their best to enjoy the stress of living the dream. As a mom of three little boys, I have accepted my fate of sticky fingers and smeared clothing, but I have not accepted wearing clothes that I don’t like or that don’t make me feel good. I just won’t. I may blog about fashion, but for me, it’s all about personal style that works with my lifestyle. The casual chic looks works for my lifestyle, and I identify with it. Even though I’m a busy mom, I enjoy using a little creativity to spice up my daily “momiform,” and that helps me get dressed knowing that I will feel good about my look all day. Because we run a business from home and I have a lot on my plate, I don’t get dressed up much of the time. But I have found a few consistent things that have helped me stay feeling put together, and those are having a collection of on-trend and unique accessories and shoes, thrifting regularly, and occasionally updating some wardrobe basics. 1. ACCESSORIES Accessories are definitely my number one weapon of choice against a boring daily uniform. I really don’t like to wear the same outfit twice, and accessories are where I get creative. In the winter, I love to collect scarves, hats, fur, bracelets, earrings, and cupcakeMAG.com

shoes. I would also include jackets in this category because you can always add a jacket just to accessorize. When I get dressed in my favorite basic items, I always look for one to two accessories that I can add to make my outfit interesting. 2. THRIFTING Thrifting is where I take almost all of my style risks. I love to thrift, and usually I go to find one-of-a-kind, unique pieces that I can afford to try out. I have found most of my really interesting skirts, jackets, shoes, and scarves at thrift stores. In the winter, I love to look for coats, sweaters, and real leather boots. When I buy something at the thrift store, I know I can afford to wear it only a few times, and it just adds another accessory to my closet that I can combine with my favorite basics. 3. UPDATING MY BASICS I practically live in a basic gray tee and dark denim. The other half of the year, I’m in distressed black denim and a white tee. Those are all safe and classic, but I have found that from time to time, even the basics need updating. New dark skinny jeans have done wonders for my daily look this last month, and I think a new style of basic tee could do the same. Other basics to try updating are your black pants, chambray shirt, or boyfriend jeans. In the winter, I layer a lot while indoors, so having fresh tees to wear under cardigans or new skinny denim to pair with all of my boots can really make last year’s sweaters feel more up to date. Sometimes I bore myself with how often I go back to the same basic pieces, but then I make sure to throw on two unexpected or interesting accessories, and suddenly the outfit starts working for me. My daily “momiform,” no matter the season, is definitely jeans, a tee, and some kind of slip on sneaker. But it’s also a blank canvas ready for me to add a scarf, cardigan, jacket, or earrings, or to change up the shoes or put on a hat. There is nothing better than being comfortable, creative, and well dressed at the same time. 149

shearling and plaid

You can never have too many jacket and scarf options as winter approaches. I wear a lot of basic tees with distressed denim, so to make things interesting I love adding a trendy jacket (like this shearling one) and a patterned scarf. Even in the winter, my Converse get plenty of wear because as a mom of three boys, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m always on the move.

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Jacket Thrifted (Target) Scarf Thrifted Jeans GAP (DIY distressing) Shoes Converse Bag Lily Jade Earrings Nickel & Suede Ring Wrenn Jewelry

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cute snow boots

I am not a winter person. I usually can’t stand snow... until this year. This year my husband, who is always trying to get me out in the snow, bought me the perfect snow boots. I can’t wait to wear them! If your location gets full on blizzards like ours, cute winter boots are a must. I plan to pair them with cozy sweaters, parkas, and gloves, and I won’t feel compelled to bring a change of shoes with me wherever I go. Sweater Nu-Mod Tee Nu-Mod Jeans Stitch Fix Boots Kodiak Earrings Nickel & Suede

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cozy lounge wear

In the winter, what I really want to do is stay in bed to keep warm! I plan on staying warm and comfortable at home, but somehow, that can get frumpy fast. Even though I love cute blouses or jeans, I think sometimes I should spend less time shopping for them and more time picking out lounge wear that I feel cute in. I highly recommend finding two or three pairs of great leggings, a few tunics, and some cute slippers or moccasins to brave the winter... while staying nice and warm inside the house. Tunic Nu-Mod Leggings Target Moccasins Thrifted (Minnetonka) Earrings Nickel & Suede

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statement coat

Winter weather gets boring fast if you have to wear the same coat every day. I am in love with the idea of splurging on (or thrifing for) one or two statement coats. The plaid coat makes me so happy when I put it on, even though it isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t my daily parka. Find the right statement coat for you, and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll instantly feel better about bundling up.

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Coat Chicwish Jeans Lucky Shoes Old Navy Earrings Nickel & Suede

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vintage sweater

I love to shop at thrift stores and one of my favorite things to look for in the winter is vintage sweaters. They can get ugly fast, but there are a select few that can be overcome with the right skinny jean and updated shoe. Vintage sweaters add a lot of character to your wardrobe and often add a burst of great color as well.

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Sweater Thrifted Jeans GAP Shoes Target Earrings Nickel & Suede

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photography by:3 Cats Photo/www.3catsphoto.com

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Spread some holiday cheer to everyone on your list Personalized, affordable art made just for you. CITY MAPS TYPOGRAPHY CANVAS ART

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apparel & accessories for stylish mamas and their littles

20% of f your ďŹ rst order USE CODE:

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‘The home for Bummies™’

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eco-friendly sleepwear for the trendsetters of tomorrow

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Innovatively designed & meticulously made baby products from our family to yours cupcakeMAG.com www.piyopiyousa.com

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PREGNANCY PILLOWS

Because you’re sleeping for two. Designed with you in mind, Bump Nest® gives you the good night’s sleep you need with the comfort you deserve. Our 2015 Collection is now available at www.bumpnest.com. 168

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Dolce Snuggle™ Sweater & Pant Set

Big G™ Plush Toy

simply the best

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