Pages

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Dolce Dreams Review


Recently, I was given the opportunity to sample a product from Dolce Dreams.


Dolce Dreams is a place where you can find handmade, personalized baby gifts and lavender goods. Their Etsy store offers such great products as Heirloom Baby Quilts, Lovey Clutches, Lavender Sachets, Lavender Eye Pillows, Hand Embroidered Pillows and more.

I was ecstatic when the owner of Dolce Dreams reached out to me for a product review! I had already been following her blog, all the while admiring her products and her eye for fashion. She asked me what style of lovey I would be interested in. After telling her my favorite colors and themes, and my daughter's initial, she made me a gift that my daughter and I will treasure for many, many years.

The item sent to me is one of Dolce Dreams' Hand Embroidered Patchwork Lovey Clutches. Here is the stock photo of my personalized clutch. As you can see in the photo, the clutch is basically a mini patchwork quilt. It is made of designer cotton fabrics and is prewashed and shrunk. The size of the lovey measures to be 12" x 12" inches, and is composed of nine 3" x 3" squares.


All four sides of the lovey have ribbon circle knotties, made of satin and grosgrain ribbon. The differences in texture add to a baby's development, along with colors, shapes, etc. I gave the circle knotties a good tug, and am satisfied that they are very well reinforced for safety. Babies absolutely LOVE tugging and chewing on anything that is similar to a tag, so safety is a necessity here.

The lovey clutch came to me wrapped in gold cherub tissue paper, making it perfect for gift-giving purposes. The paper also had a Dolce Dreams sticker across the front. Can't you just imagine this placed in a lovely gift bag, waiting for a mother-to-be to open and be amazed by it's beauty?


After I slid the lovey out of its angel paper wrapper, I found the lovey wrapped like a little present, and topped off with a handmade tag. On the back of the tag read the care instructions for washing. It just kept getting better and better! It felt like I was opening presents within presents! :)


I took a picture of the back of the lovey to show the fabric used on the opposite side. This striped, white on white Versailles minky fabric is the real deal! It is not the generic brand of fabric. It is literally the softest fabric I have ever touched.


A closer picture of the back shows not only the sewn-on tag, but the utter fluffiness (for loss of a better word) of the minky fabric. Look at how plush this material is!


And finally, here is a close up of the embroidered "O." Every stitch is lovingly handworked. No machines, here. The embroidery is impeccable! I've never seen such beautiful work. How did she make this boring letter look so elegant?!?


Since this review, I have purchased other items from Dolce Dreams as gifts. The recipients are in for a real treat, since the items I bought are not only gorgeous, but personalized just for them! If you're in the market for beautiful, handmade gifts, I suggest you check out Dolce Dreams. Their products are perfect for any woman who enjoys a touch of luxury in her everyday life.

To see my full video review of the products mentioned from Dolce Dreams, just click PLAY :)


NOTE: I do not receive payment for reviewing products. I give my honest opinion and am not a spokesperson for the companys I review.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

If you would like me to review your product, please contact me at SugarMamaShop@gmail.com.


Tuesday, April 5, 2011

New Product Sneak Peek - Jute Sunshine Sandals


I'm really loving my new, ever-developing line of crocheted shoes! And the latest, greatest addition will be these Jute Sunshine Sandals, courtesy of Mamachee's amazing pattern! These baby and toddler flip flops are just the cutest things I've seen in a LONG time!


The soles of the sandals are made with jute, a hemp-like natural fiber. They are double-layered for durability. This prevents them from being too floppy. It should also provide more cushion for baby's feet. They can be made with yarn instead of jute, if you so choose. The straps and flowers can be made in any color combination. Just check out my gorgeous yarn color options!

Once ready for sale, they will be available in the following sizes:
0-3 months
3-6 months
6-12 months
12-18 months
18-24+ months

I hope you enjoy these sweet little shoes as much as I do. How could you not?!?

(P.S. - Order them without the flower, and they're great for BOYS, too!)
<3

Sugar Mama

LAST MINUTE ADDITION: A conversation with a customer about removable flowers gave me a great idea! For those wishing to order sandals, and wanting them to match several outfits, I'll offer the shoes with removable flowers on alligator clips. Each additional set of flowers will be a small extra charge. The only concern I have is making sure the clips don't bother baby's feet. This will be up to the customer to decide. :)

Monday, April 4, 2011

Kate's Custom Handmade Gifts Review


Recently, I was given the opportunity to sample a product from Kate's Custom Handmade Gifts.


Kate's Custom Handmade Gifts offers a wide selection of products to choose from. There, you may find Singed Fabric Flower Clips, Sports-Themed Bows, Pacifier Clips, Homemade Crayons, Tutus, Doll Tutus, Assorted Clippies, Bow Holders, Diaper Cakes and Cupcakes, Towel Cakes, Baby Sock Bouquets, Shower Favors, Gifts Baskets and more!

Kate's Custom Handmade Gifts can customize just about any of their items to suit anyone's taste. Their prices are some of the best I've seen around. I know this to be true, speaking as someone who owns a boutique and keeps up with competitors' pricing.

Kate, the owner of the company, sent two items for a review. The first item is a blue singed fabric flower clip. She sent a note in the package, assigning it as specially for me! The flower is attached to a partially-lined alligator clip. The clip is reinforced with another piece of fabric, for durability. The color of the flower is absolutely gorgeous! It has such lovely shimmer and shine. And I love the filigree button center.


I wore my flower clip to breakfast yesterday, and I could tell that everyone liked what they saw. :) Here I am, proudly showing off my clip in my latest Sugar Mama photo:


The second item she sent was a singed flower headband for my daughter. This flower, just like the blue clip, is made of several individual, handcut fabric pieces. They are arranged beautifully, and are finished off with a fabulous pink blingy button! The band is elastic, so it will stretch to fit my daughter's head as she grows up. This flower is attached to the band, and is also reinforced with another piece of fabric for durability.


The funny thing about this item is that I had planned to purchase it in an auction. I recently held a multi-vendor March Madness sale and auction at Sugar Mama's Sweet Bowtique, where Kate's Custom Handmade Gifts was a vendor. If I had bid on the item and won, I would own two of them. I received the same headband I had wanted in the mail the very next day!

My daughter looks so cute in it! She doesn't know this, but I plan to share it with her. She'll never know. haha

Since the review, I have purchased several other items from Kate's Custom Handmade Gifts. I consider myself to be a new addict. :) Kate has great taste and style. Her prices are tough to beat. She is very lovely and kind. How can you go wrong?

Lastly, I will note that Kate is a very busy woman. She is not only a mother of two and owner of Kate's Custom Handmade Gifts, but she also writes two blogs and runs a total of three Facebook pages! And the cherry to top it all off is that she is a charity warrior. The way I was introduced to Kate was through her request for my help in crocheting a hat for a children's pediatric cancer ward in St. Louis, MO. You can read all about her trip and donation to the hospital in her blog post.


Kate's list of Facebook pages and blogs includes: Kate's Custom Handmade Gifts (Facebook), Motherhood and Money (Facebook), The Mommy Exchange (Facebook), Kate's Custom Handmade Gifts (Blog), and Motherhood and Money (Blog). Kate's Custom Handmade Gifts can also be found on Etsy.

To see my full video review of the products mentioned from Kate's Custom Handmade Gifts, just click PLAY :)
 
 
NOTE: I do not receive payment for reviewing products. I give my honest opinion and am not a spokesperson for the companys I review.
 
CONTACT INFORMATION:
               http://www.facebook.com/MotherhoodAndMoney
               http://www.facebook.com/TheMommyExchange
Phone: (314) 738-0118
 
If you would like me to review your product, please contact me at SugarMamaShop@gmail.com.


Saturday, April 2, 2011

New Shoes Available, Featuring Needlepainting!


I've been working hard on custom orders, and now I've added a new feature to my craft: Needlepainting! Check out these adorable shoes, needlepainted by hand with 100% wool. The possibilities are endless!

OU Team "Game Day Shoes" $10.99 + shipping




"Penny Loafers" $7.99 + shipping



I am really enjoying this great new addition to my favorite craft. Needlepainting allows me to turn any crocheted item into a work of art! If you're interested in ordering a pair of custom shoes, check out my Facebook page. You can also order by sending me an email to SugarMamaShop@gmail.com.

Thanks!

<3 Sugar Mama