doing cartwheels w/ champion sportswear... oh, & a $200 target giveaway (sponsored)

Friends! I've written about my love for all things Target before, and today is no exception... I've got 3 fun announcements for you. 

First, if your New Year's resolution includes getting in shape (um, like pretty much everyone else), then you're in luck. New workout duds are a great way to get motivated (and keep at it), and Target's C9 by Champion Apparel line is having a special one day only sale TOMORROW (1/19) -- the entire line, except for sporting goods, will be 40% off. If you're shopping online, use promo code GETFIT. 

Next, do you know Cartwheel, Target’s first-of-its-kind digital savings program?

Guests can sign up here on a desktop, or via the Cartwheel app in iTunes using a mobile device. And here's how it works: after you sign up, you'll be given 10 spots to fill from hundreds of Cartwheel offers that are available and easy to search. As you use Cartwheel more, you'll earn additional spots for even more offers. Then, redeem those offers at checkout by scanning a single barcode on your smartphone (or by printing it out from home). You can change your list anytime, or redeem offers multiple times. In a nutshell, Cartwheel was created to save you money. And what's not to love about that? 

Last but not least, to celebrate Champion's sale and the awesomeness that is Cartwheel, I've got a $200 Target giveaway for you. Woohoo! See Rafflecopter below for how to enter, and good luck! I'll pick a winner next Sunday, January 26th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, and I was given a $200 gift card in exchange for writing about the C9 Champion sale and Cartwheel app. All opinions expressed herein are my own. #TargetPartner

review: wearing clothes by wearhop

Of the many realizations that come with having children, here's one that I don't love so much: the girls are constantly outgrowing their clothes, often times before they've had a chance to wear them more than a few times. Agh! So frustrating. And when it comes to "special occasion" attire, items you know they won't wear that often, I hate to spend a lot of money. Call me thrifty... I'm okay with that.

As a result, I was so happy to come across Wearhop, a children's clothing rental service (think Netflix and Rent the Runway), which offers you top quality brands like Mini Boden, Lily Pulitzer and Janie and Jack at majorly reduced prices. Conceived and operated by a mom who was tired of seeing her daughter's clothes go to storage after only being worn a few times, I love the concept of Wearhop. You can rent clothes for up to 6 months in new or "like new" condition, with the option to buy if you so desire (see more details here). If not, send back in a pre-paid envelope provided when your clothes arrive. It's as simple as that!

Here's where I think Wearhop is particularly useful -- special occasion and outerwear. The most expensive clothes that your child will wear the least! Millie needed an outfit for her birthday party as well as a fall jacket. I selected an adorable Mini Boden dress and Hannah Andersson jacket, perfect for fall temps. Now, in our case, Millie can pass clothes down to Vivian, so it's probably a better service for Viv (I selected an adorable Mini boden dress for her as well, along with this Tea Collection sweater for fall).

I just love to support mom-owned businesses -- this one was too good not to share. Happy shopping!

Disclaimer: I was provided with a credit to try out Wearhop. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

a christmas recap & a new year ahead

Looking back at last year's Christmas recap, it appears I'm on a roll... time for another mid-January post, but this time the location is that frozen tundra known as Wisconsin (the downside of marrying a Midwesterner... visiting his home state in the middle of winter).

But before we get into that, let's chat about time management, which could almost certainly be my New Years resolution -- i.e., finding more time to do everything I need to do! Not to complain, of course. Writing for BabyZone keeps me pretty busy, along with various other projects. Oh, and that whole motherhood thing. But I must admit it is hard to get much writing done with little V around to entertain me. That and piles of dishes/laundry on any given day. As a result, most writing happens in the evening hours after the girls have gone to bed. Not complaining, just... owning. Here's to more effective time management and superwoman powers in 2014. 

Now, on to the fun stuff. I can sum up our road trip to Wisconsin in a few sentences: Throw up. Lots of throw up. Did I mention throw up? 

Simply put, Vivian had a bug and threw up a handful of times the first day. Millie caught the bug and threw up a handful of times the second day. Insert multiple stops at rest areas for changing clothes, cleaning up car seats and children and you have two withered parents by the time we arrived in Antarctica Wisconsin.

Thankfully, once we arrived the girls were well again almost immediately, and we enjoyed a lovely Christmas vacation week with Husband's family. Winter Wonderland outside... added bonus. 

Here's to an amazing, productive, thoughtful and thankful 2014, friends! 

xoxo