Another WINNER

Congratulations to:

Anne Molino

You have won the Anne Maddox Boutique Giveaway!! 

Please check your email, or email me!!

Thanks and Congrats!!!

Giveaway Time: Anne Maddox Boutique

May has become giveaway month here on Life with Leahy!! 

One door closes and another opens!! 

Last month I teamed up with the FABULOUS Anne Maddox Boutique! 

She has simply amazing creations in her Etsy store... headbands, shirts, dresses... CUTE!!

She recently sent me this adorable shirt and headband set for Mckenna

I talked about them HERE

And GUESS WHAT?!?
Now's your chance to win!!

Good luck!!
Winner will be chosen on the 23rd!

Visit Anne Maddox Boutique on FACEBOOK or ETSY!!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winners

I have realized that I never posted any of the winners of my giveaways on my blog. I have been posting them on my Facebook page and the winners have claimed immediately, so I have totally forgotten to post them here. 

I am so sorry!! I will be sure to change that in the future!!

Winners:

Tabitha K. - Shutterfly Giveaway

Rachel S - O Jolie Designs

Sara N - Stitched 4 Ewe

Andrea R - Origami Owl

Lindsay P - Giggly Gumdrops

Thanks for everyone that has entered!! More fun giveaways to come!!

Photo Books & A Giveaway from Shutterfly!

One of Mckenna's favorite things to do at night is to "read" her photo albums. She will say, "I'm going to read you a story" and will proceed to say, "Once upon a time you were my Mommy and I was your baby". The albums she has in her room are all from when she was born and the first few early weeks of her life. I don't print a lot of pictures unless they are getting framed. As she has done this more and more, I had begun to think of ALL of the pictures I have and how I want her to be able to look through them all. This blog serves as my "scrapbook" of Mckenna and Norah, however Mckenna's love of pictures (wonder where she got that from) makes me want to give her more!

I have decided to start small and create photo books from special events. Birthday's, vacations, summer vacation... that type of thing. I have created a few Shutterfly photo books in the past, so I turned to their website to begin this project. Since I do not upload pictures to a website like Shutterfly often, I often feel overwhelmed with the idea of doing so.

Did you know that Shutterfly has a new Express Uploader??
I didn't either... so I downloaded it (super easy) and got to work. 

I have started creating books for the girls' birthday's. I had a coupon offer from Shutterfly for 40% off photo books, so I had a reason to do it... and a timeline! I first spent one day uploading all of the pics from Mckenna's first three birthdays.... and when I say ALL of the pics we are talking 400-500 PER birthday. I have issues, yes, I realize that!

I found it easier to just upload all of the pictures from the event rather than sort through and then upload. I just don't have the time to stand around picking and choosing. I wanted them all on Shutterfly when I got creating. But that is what worked for me.

So Shutterfly has some awesome choices when it comes to selecting your albums... you can choose size, type of cover and even if you want them to create the whole thing for you! They make it easy!

For Mckenna's birthday albums I chose 8x11 books with hard color cover.

I then chose a template, selected some pictures and let Shutterfly do its magic!
They created custom pages to fit all of my pictures.
If I wanted, it would have been that easy.... but of course I am picky (difficult).
But I like that they let me be difficult! I was able to go in and move some pictures around, choose new pictures to add and then add text to the book. 
The templates I chose even had various "clip art" style graphics I could add or take out. Loved it!

So... in the end I was SOO happy with the books I created! I was able to create books from Mckenna's 1st and 2nd birthday's and with my coupon for 40% off and FREE shipping, I got both books for under $47.00!! Super excited to create her 3rd birthday when I do Norah's 1st!!

Below you can view the album I created for Mckenna's 1st Birthday Luau!! 

I hope you like what you see because the AMAZING people at Shutterfly have offered to give one of my lucky readers a 

FREE 8x8 photo book 

with 

FREE shipping!!!

YEA!! So check out my album and then enter to win the FREE Shutterfly album!!

Don't forget to visit Shutterfly on ALL of their social media sites:

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Instagram

Google+

Blog

a Rafflecopter giveaway

May Sponsors

May is Here!

I am excited to announce our May Sponsor Line Up here on Life with Leahy!

Click on any of the images to be taken directly to their website/store!

Stitched4Ewe is back with Life with Leahy for the month of May.
Did you love the FABULOUS giveaway last month!!! I know that we are loving the shabby chic clips that we got from Jenn! Mckenna loves the bubble gum pink one! These are the few clips that Norah will actually leave in her hair!
 

Do you follow Stitched 4 Ewe on Facebook!
She has been running some GREAT promotions on her page! Check it out HERE!

I love Chevron! Check out this cute little chevron bow Jenn has!!
 

As a special for Life with Leahy readers, Jenn is offering FREE shipping on any domestic orders of $15.00 or more!! Just enter the code: LIFEWITHLEAHY at checkout!





 

Origami Owl - Erica Petro Independent Designer
Origami Owl is back!
Have you looked into these lockets yet? They are SUPER cute! And they are designed by YOU!
Origami Owl gives you the chance to build your own jewelry! You can personalize a locket for yourself using different charms, chains, stamped plates and cute dangles! 
What a perfect gift for Mother's Day!!




We hosted a fun giveaway last month on the blog! Can't wait to see what our winner created!
Hint. Hint!!

Visit Erica's Origami Owl site!  Check her out on Facebook HERE!!




 



Kim Viravec is a Disney Travel Specialist.
She can assist you with planning and booking your trips to any Disney location!
Best of all - her services are FREE!!
Disney has just released some great new promotions (think FREE dining!),
so contact Kim for details!!

My favorite thing about using a Disney Travel Specialist... you can get any new deals if they are released after you book! No more waiting and shopping around for the "best" prices!!
Contact Kim by clicking on the Mickey head above! It will take you right to her Facebook page!






O'Jolie Designs offers hand stamped jewelry for Men, Women and Children!
All of the pieces are hand crafted sterling silver. From the hand-cut circles, to the hand-stamped letters on each piece, the designs are all custom made for YOU!

We have a giveaway going on RIGHT NOW with O Jolie!!! Check it out HERE!!!
It ends tomorrow night!

Back for Father's Day I got Jim one of their hand-stamped Men's bracelets, similar to this...
I had both girls names stamped onto it. It is awesome!


 O'Jolie pieces would make great Mother's or Father's Day gifts!!
Visit O'Jolie Designs on Etsy by clicking the picture above, or visit their Facebook page HERE!

 

Pristine Designs specializes in customized floral arrangements, special occasion decor planning, as well as holiday decor set-up and take down. You must take a look at the pictures on their Facebook page showing the different arrangements they have created! Wow!

Baby Shower floral arrangements

Baby Shower decor

They do an amazing job! 

Gorgeous work without the hassle for you! 

My kind of company!

Visit their Facebook page HERE to get in contact with them!

 

Anne Maddox Boutique features custom made clothing, hair accessories and baby products! 

I just got my little hands on some of her AMAZINGLY sweet products!! Wow!!!

Read my full review HERE but I am seriously loving on (and drooling over) her cute designs!

 

She has burp clothes, hair bows, T-Shirts, and all sorts of other cute girlie designs!

  

Check out Anne Maddox Boutique on Etsy, Facebook and their blog!

We have a fun giveaway coming up SOON!!!

I would also like to welcome back for May... Brooke! Brooke is a Beach Body Coach!

Here is what she has to say to Life with Leahy readers:

Check out my Team Beachbody® Web site. As your Team Beachbody Coach, I can help you achieve your health and fitness goals. Please look around my site, and if you have any questions, click the "Contact me" button. 

A new Challenge group is starting soon. 

 Fitness + Nutrition + Accountability = SUCCESS

We will also be hosting a fun giveaway with Brooke at the end of May! Stay Tuned!

Check out Brooke's site to learn more about getting fit and healthy!
Check Brooke out on Facebook, too!

Once Upon a Lens Photography is a little project I have been working on! 

It is MY new photography business!
If you are local to the Chicago area (and the surrounding suburbs) and interested in an in-home
or on location photo shoot of your children or family, please check out my site!
Don't forget about all of those special events coming up, too!
First Communion, Graduation, Senior Pictures and Prom

I also feature Small Event Photography.
So, if you have an upcoming birthday party, bridal/baby shower or graduation party coming up,
let me be the one responsible for capturing all the special moments!

Also, if you have a products that you would like photographed, please let me know!
I would be happy to help you capture your product images for your small business!

What a fun line up of sponsors!! I am beyond thrilled to feature all of these great businesses!!
Keep on the lookout for all of the great giveaways coming soon!!

I will be accepting new additional sponsors for June-August.
Please email me or comment on this post for more information!
I am also looking for business interested in product reviews! Please contact me for details!

Guest Post and Giveaway!!!

Today my guest post on Fireflies and Jellybeans was posted!!!! 

Go check it out!!!

Also, don't forget about our giveaway going on HERE!!!

Product Review: Anne Maddox Boutique

I am so excited to share about one of my new sponsors!! 

Welcome to Anne Maddox Boutique! 

Anne Maddox Boutique features custom made clothing, hair accessories and baby products!

I have been working with Laura from Anne Maddox over the last few weeks as we set up
a fun upcoming giveaway!
As a fun treat she mailed me these AWESOME goodies for Mckenna!

I opened the packaging and look what was inside!! How cute is this?!
What a great way to send a gift to someone! It is already all wrapped up pretty!!
Mckenna was thrilled with the "present" and LOVE the fun wrapping!!

 

I was SOOO excited to find this insided! 

I have been drooling over this shirt for Mckenna to wear to 

Norah's Sweet Shoppe 1st Birthday Party! 

How cute is it! The "frosting" is made of hand sewn flowers!

And the bow! Oh the bow! 

It is pieces of fabric sewn together to create the flower! It is absolutely beautiful!
And it is on a soft black headband!! 

We are VERY into headbands around here lately!
We are so excited to take some modeling shots in this outfit...
now we just need a rainy day so I can keep my crazy kid inside for 5 minutes to change her into this cute outfit!! Yes, I just wished for rain. Sorry!

Here's a cute shot of the shirt from Anne Maddox Boutique on Etsy! 

 

One lucky reader will get to win something from Anne Maddox Boutique soon!!! 

Visit her shop on Etsy!

Giveaway!! O Jolie Designs

Happy May!!! 

We are back today with ANOTHER giveaway!!! 

Are you LOVING all of these amazing giveaways?!?! I know I am!

Today's giveaway comes from O Jolie Designs! 

O Jolie Designs features hand stamped, personalized jewelry for men and women! 

Erin creates AMAZING pieces of jewelry and the quality matches their beauty! 

These pieces would make amazing Mother's (or Father's) Day gifts! 

Just ask Jim! He got a personalized leather washer bracelet last year for Father's Day!

Today's giveaway is for a hand stamped, personalized silver cuff bracelet... 

Look how beautiful these are!! 

 

You can choose what you want personalized on them, too!

The names of your sweet kiddos? An inspirational message? 

 

 Are you ready to win?!?!? 

Visit O Jolie Designs on Etsy HERE 

Visit O Jolie Designs on Facebook HERE

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Someday Crafts 

Influenster: Ivory 2 in 1 Product Review

I recently signed up for Influenster. 

Have you heard of them? 

Influenster provides me with the opportunity to review awesome products that I receive in the mail! 

I received my first "VoxBox" last week and it contained the new Ivory 2 in 1 Hair and Body Wash.

 

This product is designed to provide you with a 1 product solution for all your bathing needs in the shower! That means there is only 1 product for you to buy and one product for you to keep in your shower. Nice! I love that idea! No more bottles toppling down on top of you or running out of one product way before the other! 

So how does it measure up? I don't know about you, but I have never had the greatest luck with shampoo/conditioner combos. I decided to give Ivory 2 in 1 a shot for a week, though, to give it a fair chance!

Positives:

1. Ivory 2 in 1 left my skin feeling SOOO soft! I can honestly say I did not have to use any lotion on my arms, which are very dry, after day 2. Amazing!! Even my legs felt great after shaving and then washing!! 

2. Ivory 2 in 1 left my hair feeling very clean! It lathers up great and is thick and creamy. It stayed in my hands... no wasting this soap down the drain. 

3. The bottle is a great size and shape. This sounds like a weird comment, but how many times do you get bottles home and they are hard to hold when wet. Weird, but it came to mind when holding. 

Cons:

1. I wasn't really that fond of the "conditioning" part of the product. Now like I said, I have never had any real luck with 2 in 1 products, but I'm really thinking now that this is due to my hair, not the product. I have VERY thick and dry hair. And I have a lot of thick hair. So... I did have to use a little bit of extra conditioner. 

TEST 2

Okay, so since I loved the "wash" part of this product after the week I tested it, I decided to give it a shot on Mckenna (my almost 4 year old). She has long hair and its decently thick. She needs something to help soften it and make it easier to comb, but regular conditioners leave it feeling greasy after 12-18 hours.

Ivory 2 in 1 worked GREAT on her, as well! Same great soft skin feeling. Clean hair. AND soft hair!! It was easy to comb and left her hair looking great!! 

I am thinking my hair is just too dry for a 2 in 1! 

Overall I am REALLY happy with Ivory 2 in 1. I will happily continue to use it and will even buy another bottle!!! 

Thank you Influenster and Ivory for this awesome opportunity!!

 I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Stitched4Ewe Bow Giveaway

Welcome back for ANOTHER Giveaway!!! 

This is so much fun! I am loving giving away all of these fun prizes to my readers!! 

A special thank you to Jenn at Stitched4Ewe for today's amazing giveaway!!

Are you ready?!

Today's giveaway is for 3 Double Shabby Chic clips!
These clips are so cute and are crafted beautifully!
We received some last week from Jenn and the girls had some fun modeling them for me (and Jenn). Check out Mckenna and Norah on Jenn's Etsy store!!

Back to the giveaway....

The winner will receive a Bubble Gum Pink Clip

A Turquoise Double Shabby Chic Clip

 AND

Their choice of a third Double Shabby Chic Clip!! 

The giveaway will close on Thursday night and the winner will be announced next Friday the 26th!

Good luck!! 

Jenn's coupon for Life with Leahy readers is still active!!
Visit her Etsy Shop and get FREE SHIPPING on domestic orders of $15.00 or more when entering the code: LIFEWITHLEAHY
GET SHOPPING!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Link up
Someday Crafts 

Two MORE New Sponsors

I am so excited to continue to announce new sponsors to Life with Leahy!

April has brought us so many new and exciting opportunities, including these new sponsors! 

Please join me in welcoming them on for April and May!

You can click on the images below to be taken right to their sites to explore a bit more!! 

Also, stay tuned for some fun products and opportunities coming from these businesses!

First up is Pristine Designs.

 

Pristine Designs specializes in customized floral arrangements, special occasion decor planning, as well as holiday decor set-up and take down. You must take a look at the pictures on their Facebook page showing the different arrangements they have created! Wow!

Baby Shower floral arrangements

Baby Shower decor

They do an amazing job! 

Gorgeous work without the hassle for you! 

My kind of company!

Visit their Facebook page HERE to get in contact with them!

Our other new sponsor for April and May is Anne Maddox Boutique

 

Anne Maddox Boutique features custom made clothing, hair accessories and baby products! 

I am so in love with this shirt here!

How adorable is that?!

Perfect for Mckenna to wear to Norah's Sweet Shoppe Party!!

And what about this beautiful Pink Paisley Burp Cloth?!

 

Sure beats the ugly white cloth diapers I used as burp clothes! Yuck! 

Check out Anne Maddox Boutique on Etsy, Facebook and their blog!

Stay tuned for a fun giveaway in the coming weeks, as well!! 

Welcome new friends!! So glad you are here!! 

Please go visit my new friends and give them some loving!! 

And don't forget about all of our other sponsors for April!! 

Visit them HERE and HERE!!!

New Sponsor: Brooke at Beach Body

You may have noticed that we have a new sponsor around here at Life with Leahy!

Brooke from Beach Body has joined us for April!

Brooke is a Beach Body Coach! 

Here is what she has to say to Life with Leahy readers:

Check out my Team Beachbody® Web site. As your Team Beachbody Coach, I can help you achieve your health and fitness goals. Please look around my site, and if you have any questions, click the "Contact me" button. 

A new Challenge group is starting soon. 

 Fitness + Nutrition + Accountability = SUCCESS

Check out Brooke's site to learn more about getting fit and healthy! 
Check Brooke out on Facebook, too! 

GIVEAWAY: Origami Owl Gift Certificate

It's that time again... GIVEAWAY TIME!

Erica Petro, Independent Designer of Origami Owl 

has graciously offered a $20.00 gift certifcate 

to one lucky Life with Leahy reader!!

Are you ready to design your own locket!! These lockets are so cute! 

Perfect for Mother's Day! 

It's only a month away!!

Maybe you will win the gift certificate... Bam! 

Mother's Day gift ready to go!

And even if you don't win... check out Erica's website to see what you could design today! 

Click the image above to be taken directly there!

GOOD LUCK!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway






 

Linking Up: Homemaker on a Dime
Someday Crafts

Little Bit of SPONSOR LOVE!

APRIL

A new month... and that means a few NEW sponsors to Life with Leahy, 

along with a few RETURNING sponsors! 

Please join me in welcoming them all!
Click on any of the images to be taken directly to their website/store!

Giggly Gumdrops is returning for another fun month at Life with Leahy!
Thank you to Crystal for my first giveaway in March! We had a great time launching it!

Giggly Gumdrops has adorable vinyl creations that are affordable for any budget!
She will create custom pieces, as well, so you can personalize anything for your home!

Visit Giggly Gumdrops by clicking on the image above or visit them on Facebook!




Stitched4Ewe is back, too!
Have you been keeping up with her on Facebook!
She has just gotten some FABULOUS new products in!
Look at these Shabby Chic Clips! Perfect for Spring!
I can't wait to get my hands on some for a couple of little girls I know!

 

As a special for Life with Leahy readers, Jenn is offering FREE shipping on any domestic orders of $15.00 or more!! Just enter the code: LIFEWITHLEAHY at checkout!
Visit Stitched4Ewe on Facebook, too! 

Be on the lookout for a giveaway from Stitched 4 Ewe later this month!!!

 

Origami Owl - Erica Petro Independent Designer
Origami Owl is back again for the month of April!
Have you looked into these lockets yet? They are SUPER cute! And they are designed by YOU!
Origami Owl gives you the chance to build your own jewelry! You can personalize a locket for yourself using different charms, chains, stamped plates and cute dangles! 
What a perfect gift for Mother's Day!!

Look for a giveaway from Origami Owl starting.... TOMORROW!
Visit Erica's Origami Owl site!  Check her out on Facebook HERE!!




WELCOME to our NEW Sponsors!

Kim Viravec is a new Disney Travel Specialist.
She can assist you with planning and booking your trips to any Disney location!
Best of all - her services are FREE!!
Disney has promotion going on right now for up to 30% off of select resorts when traveling this summer!

My favorite thing about using a Disney Travel Specialist... you can get any new deals if they are released after you book! No more waiting and shopping around for the "best" prices!!
Contact Kim by clicking on the Mickey head above! It will take you right to her Facebook page!




O'Jolie Designs offers hand stamped jewelry for Men, Women and Children!
All of the pieces are hand crafted sterling silver. From the hand-cut circles, to the hand-stamped letters on each piece, the designs are all custom made for YOU!

Back for Father's Day I got Jim one of their hand-stamped Men's bracelets, similar to this...
I had both girls names stamped onto it. It is awesome!



 O'Jolie pieces would make great Mother's or Father's Day gifts!!
Visit O'Jolie Designs on Etsy by clicking the picture above, or visit their Facebook page HERE!
Erin will be hosting a giveaway on her Facebook page next week... and hosting a giveaway on
Life with Leahy in the next couple of weeks!! Be on the lookout!

Once Upon a Lens Photography is a little project I have been working on! 

It is MY new photography business!
If you are local to the Chicago area (and the surrounding suburbs) and interested in an in-home
or on location photo shoot of your children or family, please check out my site!
Don't forget about all of those special events coming up, too!
First Communion, Graduation, Senior Pictures and Prom

Additionally, I am featuring Small Event Photography.
So, if you have an upcoming birthday party, bridal/baby shower or graduation party coming up,
let me be the one responsible for capturing all the special moments!

What a fun line up of sponsors!! I am beyond thrilled to feature all of these great businesses!!
Keep on the lookout for all of the great giveaways coming soon!!

 

I will be accepting new additional sponsors for May-August.
Please email me or comment on this post for more information!

Meet Our Sponsors: March

Welcome to my first ever "Meet Our Sponsors" post! I am so excited to be featuring these businesses for the month of March! I love being able to showcase these great, hardworking women and their amazing talents!

Stitched4Ewe

 Jenn over at Stitched4Ewe creates some AMAZING handmade hair clips, bows,

hats and accessories! 

Back in the fall, I stumbled upon her Etsy store when I was looking for some headbands for Norah. I found these perfect elastic headbands that are interchangeable with bows and flowers you already have! You just clip them right on! Look at all the colors they come in!

She also has TONS of different bows and headbands for everyone from these tiny little babies to women. Oh and how about those little boy hats!! Amazing!!

As a special for Life with Leahy readers, Jenn is offering FREE shipping on any domestic orders of $15.00 or more!! Just enter the code: LIFEWITHLEAHY at checkout!
Visit Stitched4Ewe on Facebook, too!

Giggly Gumdrops

Crystal over at Giggly Gumdrops is our next sponsor for March. Crystal and I go about 2 years back to when she created some fun products for our house! Check them out HERE and HERE ! 

She has some great vinyl products featured on her blog! 

My favorite product that I can't wait to get my hands on are these vinyl toy bin labels! How cute are these!! We have lots of great bins in our playroom, but they are lacking kid friendly labels! Love these!

 

Visit Giggly Gumdrops on Facebook to enter her current giveaway! 

Keep an eye out for an upcoming giveaway of some Vinyl Kitchen Labels here on Life with Leahy!

Visit Giggly Gumdrops blog for a special on for the month of March!

 

Origami Owl - Erica Petro

 Have you seen the latest craze?! Custom made lockets design by YOU! Origami Owl gives you the chance to build your own jewelry! You can personalize a locket for yourself using different charms, chains, stamped plates and cute dangles! 

Visit Erica's site so you can learn more about creating your own locket, hosting a home party or even a Facebook party!! Check her out on Facebook HERE!!

 

Keep an eye out for an upcoming giveaway here on Life with Leahy featuring your chance to get your hands on a custom locket!


There you have it!! Our first 3 sponsors!! Keep an eye out for the Giveaways coming up!! 
And go check out their sites!! Fun stuff!!!