Friday Favorites: Boden, Next and Gap

Not sure if you realize this, but we have an entire page dedicated to our Favorite Things up all the time. (Admittedly we may need to update that page from time to time, but it's a great place to get links fast and furious when you need something.) With all of this back to school goodness in the air, we are in shopping mode, so if you haven't finalized your color scheme/theme for your cards (or let's be honest even started to THINK about them) - you are in luck because we have plenty of inspiration planned for today!

We think clothes should be affordable, durable and obviously cute! Our favorites are a combo of this - many of these retailers carry clothing from infant to adults. We are even share some of our hidden treasures. (Katy really didn't want to share Next Direct with "the world" but Cindy said that it was in the spirit of Christmas). We live by the "it's okay to spend money on clothes if we can wear them again and again" creed.  Over the next few weeks, we will be putting some boards together from our favorites this week, we start with some classics. So... In my best Julie Andrews:

Boden is awesome, we are quite smitten

Next is always ready with stockings and mittens

Gap is a classic, its' wonder still gleams

All are a few of our favorite things

Boden

We like stores that all you to shop for the entire family because they usually have pieces that will coordinate well. This palette would be fantastic for an urban photo shoot or at a carnival or fair. Just add some fun shoes, colorful tights and you are set! 

Fair Isle Knitted Dress/Judy Dress/Wool Blazer/Alice Ponte Dress/Men's Everyday V Neck

Next Direct

Someone build a campfire and grab the smores because THIS has us dying to get outside. We are loving all things plaid (or as we like to call it lumberjack chic)  - just feels comfy and cozy which are perfect adjectives for Christmas. That poncho will be arriving here soon and I **may** even have to try and squeeze myself in the biggest size of that tween tunic. Because clearly. If you never shopped at Next you are in a for a treat - TWO DAY SHIPPING is standard. And, y'all AND, if you ever need to call them (and you totally should) a real, live human answers the phone. And bonus, more than likely with a British accent. 

1. Colourblock Dress / 2. Knitted Stitch Poncho / 3. Longline Shirt Dress /  4. Four Pocket Jacket / 5. Two-Pack Striped Tee / 6. Boys Denim Shirt 

(Sidenote: Let's discuss our friends' across the pond definition of a vest.)

Gap

I know this may seem boring, but we love a monochromatic color scheme. This palette works well with rustic photo shoots, snow (!!),  and we think it would be awesome at a Christmas tree farm.

1.  Women's Cropped Cable Knit Sweater (BR ) / 2. Heritage Toggle Pull Over (BR) / 3. Girls Cable Poncho / 4.  Boys Ribbed Cardigan  / 5. Baby Cable Knit Dress 

If you shop these looks today you will get 40% off at Gap with code BDAY - so you are saving money. Do it!

What are your favorite looks to shop? Any hidden treasures you want to share?

Linking up with Andrea, Erika, and Narci

On the 12th Day of Merry...

So we are finally here... the 12th Day of Merry!!! And we think we saved the {best} for last...Why is it the best you ask? Well - we start with a double card feature and end with another amazing giveaway!  We are sure you will agree!

Let us being with a card that will sure to put a smile on your face...

Who: The Fords - Jennifer, Jody, Skylar (8) and Hunter (5)

Location: Research Park, College Station, TX

Clothes: I was grateful that the guys were ok with wearing purple - I know not everyone is. Jody's tie was a gift from his Fish Camp counselors but I have no idea where we found his shirt. I think the kids' clothes are from Dillards. :) 

Comments: I really loved how the purple looked good on everyone and how it was not the traditional color of family pictures. 

Designer: Shutterfly 

Photographer: Sarah Burns of Butterfly Chaser Photography (and Merry Momma favorite) she has been taking pics of the kids since they were 3 years old and 6 months. 

Favorite Thing: On the way to the photo shoot we made sure everyone was fed, we played a song everyone liked and we just said we were going to have fun and not stress about getting the "perfect" picture. The picture where we all piled on top of Jody is a favorite and I think was one of the kids' ideas. This will be fun to recreate through the years! :)

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Katy's Thoughts: Love the purple. Love the smiles. Love the family. LOVE the card! I really love how Hunter has his arm hanging all the way down to Jody's waist like he is embracing the whole family.  And if you really listen... you can actually hear them laughing! (Or at least I can!) 

Cindy's Thoughts: Purple is a favorite color in the Munson house too!  I think everyone looks good in purple. I love the white space and the brightly colored text, I think it looks awesome with the monochromatic purples. And y'all...that song and food must have worked because those smiles are to die for!

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How can you recreate this card? Jennifer said it best: we just said we were going to have fun and not stress about getting the "perfect". They also chose a great color pallet - all one color in different shades... it is a great way to look coordinated but not matchy matchy!

Get PINspired:

Let's recap, shall we?...

1. We've told you about our love for the monochromatic/tone on tone look. 
2. We've also expressed our admiration for being silly.
3. And one of our first posts was all about bright colors which we love!
4. And just check out this. And then click on the link to the blog post. And then have six kids. :)
5. And we love a stacked family pic too!

So what happens from laughing? Well it brings you JOY of course... just like the arrival of a sweet new bundle which is the theme of our second card!

Who: The B Family

Location: Their entry foyer at their house :)

Clothes: Gymboree, Target, Kohls, and our closets

Designer: The card was inspired by a design on Tiny Prints, but since the baby was born so close to Christmas, we made them ourselves with a few alterations.

Photographer: Sarah Burns of Butterfly Chaser Photography

Favorite thing: We love that we were able to share our great news with family and friends while wishing everyone Happy Holidays - it was certainly a HAPPY holiday for us! We also love that his newborn picture reflects the Christmas season - there's no better gift!

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Katy's Thoughts: Let's discuss how beautiful Momma B looks after DAYS post baby. I love the use of gray and red. Gray and anything really - its such a great neutral and allows other colors to pop! I also love that this momma had it together enough to have a baby, design and mail a card all in the month of December! :) 

Cindy's Thoughts: I love that they totally embraced the holidays!  And that picture of sweet Baby B with the ornaments...PRECIOUS!  And the hugged/snuggled family picture just makes my heart happy!

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How can you recreate this card? Have a baby at Christmas time and be totally prepared to send out cards! What? That's not easy?!?! :)

Get PINspired:

Again, allow us to recap...

1. We've discussed ornaments.
2. And, the holidays are all about the birth of a baby!
3. Siblings are also a sweet part of the holiday!
4. And we think a baby in a sweater would be precious!!

Don't you just love those cards? Notice anything in common? Look again...it's a hint!

We ADORE these cards, mainly because the photography just captures their personalities so perfectly! 

Speaking of perfect... we are convinced that we have the perfect ending for...

Are you dying to find out?

....

Because we are DYING to tell you that today we are partnering with....

YES!!!

This is how excited we are....

Today's winner will be treated with a full photo shoot with Sarah Burns and 30 edited files delivered to you digitally over DropBox after the shoot. 

The winner has to live in or be willing to drive to Bryan/College Station (Y'all. Any amount of travel is worth this!!!) and be expecting a baby or have child(ren) under 10. This cannot be used for an extended family shoot. 

The shot has to be redeemed in the months of March - May and is subject to Sarah's availability (We suggest you picking a date NOW!)

And while we don't think you need any motivation to enter, here is a lovely sampling of Sarah's work from March - May 2013. 

She is magical and captures families in all stages of life with beauty and grace.

From bumps....

to newborns...

and momma moments...

and sibling sweetness...

and all the fun of families...

Magic.

And if these two cards and all those pictures isn't enough to convince you to enter... well just check out the Pinterest shrine to her work...

Now. Enter. 

(Friendly reminder ... you may only win once during the 12 Days of Merry which extends to all members of your household)

Cheers!

You can spread the MERRY lots of ways and the Hunter family choose to do so through CHEERS!  Isn't that fun!

Who: Ernest, Shannon and Shelby Hunter

Location: 19th Street in The Heights in Houston, Texas

Clothes: Ernest - Joe's Jeans, Converse Jack Purcell shoes, Polo Ralph Lauren shirt and sport coat, Bulova watch; Shannon - Old Navy top, J.Crew skirt, Kate Spade necklace; Shelby - Old Navy

Designer: Blonde Designs exclusively for Shutterfly

Photographer: Dianna Montoya of Karelle Photography

Favorite Thing: We tried the upside down shot with Shelby on a whim, but when we saw it..we LOVED it.  We were looking for a card that we could send to our friends of all religions; and the look of pure joy on Shelby's face in the photo's just screamed "Cheers!"

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Katy's Thoughts: I love that this card captures that unexpected moment of pure joy that a child can experience. It's those moments we should celebrate all year long!

Cindy's Thoughts: Happy.  This card just makes me happy.  It is fun and bright and full of color.  It sends a cheer to everyone!  And that Shelby...well, she's just adorable - upside down and right side up!

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 How can you recreate this card? Have fun.  Yep, that's it -- just have fun!

Get PINspired:

1. Remember the naughty and nice cards we featured?  Those are fun! :)
2. In fact, all of these are fun (or funny)!
3. Smiles and laughter are universal!
4. Colors!  We love colors!
5. Mustache you always be silly??? YES!
6. This isn't a card, but how stinking cute would this picture be on a card!  Take note, it may be on one of the Merry Momma's card in 2015! (You know we already have 2014 planned!)
7. Y'all.  OH MY GOODNESS!  This is so stinking precious and oh so fun!  It may have to be 2016!