Category: Uncategorized

Why Don't You Just Blerg About It?

by Ashley filed under Uncategorized
A Few blog-related things:
-Votes over on Top Baby Blogs have been reset. I finished this last quarter in fourth place. Much love for all the support thus far. If you vote daily, let me know; I’d love to say thank you in a more personal way… but not in a creepy reach out and touch you creepy way. (You can vote by clicking on the link, then on the brown box above the owl on the left, and that’s it, you’re done. Easy peasy).
-It’s been a long time coming, but you may notice the blog makeover that occurred a while back. Both of my page designs have been done by Janet Lurssen Design. She’s a master of her craft, the packaging queen, a design whore.
-Grab a button, share the love. Simply copy the code to ad my button to your site.
-I updated my Links.
-I added Bloglovin’ a while ago. If you use Bloglovin’ and want to follow me there, just click here. You can also follow along on instagram, facebook, or pinterest.
-Want to find out about sponsorship opportunities? Email me: ashley {at} thestorkandthebeanstalk {dot} com.
And, once again, thank you all for the continued support. Every time I read your comments, my heart is warmed. I enjoy this community so much and feel privileged to be able to share bits and pieces of our life with you.

Click To Vote For Us @ Top Baby Blogs Directory!

Spring clothing for the little tykes

by Ashley filed under Uncategorized

boys will be boys // meow top (on sale) ++ skinnies ++ flannel
girls will be girls // jean jacket (on sale) ++ never grow up (on sale) ++ comfy pants (on sale)
Sweet Threads always has the best in vintage and designer kid clothes, but I was blown away when I saw how much they have on sale right now. It’s going fast and not all sizes are available, so get these great looks before they’re sold out.

one ++ two ++ three ++ four
Please welcome new sponsor, Urban Baby Bonnets. They specialize in bonnets but they also have loads of adorable dresses for the little ladies. Everything they sell is handmade.
one ++ two ++ three
Baby Provence has some of the cutest french inspired clothing for the littles. They also have a ton of stuff on sale for the little ladies.

Click To Vote For Us @ Top Baby Blogs Directory!

The Ranchero

by Ashley filed under Uncategorized

I talk about Janet a lot here on my blog. It’s hard not to. She’s my best friend.
Would you believe that we went to the same high school and weren’t even friends? It’s funny how people come back around and weave their way into your life somewhere down the line, at a more appropriate time (as a side note to that, Willy and I met in college and were friends but didn’t go on a first date until years later after we had both graduated).
In any event, I have random memories from my high school days where Janet was present. At our school, you had to apply for a parking spot. They were limited and went to seniors before juniors. If you were late to apply, you were SOL. Janet and I were both in the SOL club. She drove an old Ranchero and I drove an old turbo diesel Mercedes. And we both parked on the street.
I got my first parking ticket there on that street. It was for parking in front of the fire hydrent; something I claimed to not know was illegal when I brought the ticket home to my parents. Those were the day I drove with the sun roof always open and had Tom Petty or The Beastie Boys in my tape deck.
I digress.
I knew little of Janet, but I can still picture walking out to our cars, outside the school gates, after the last school bell rang. She’d drive away in her Ranchero, me in my Mercedes.
Janet came to visit the other day and I met her at her parent’s house. And there, in the driveway, sat the old busted Ranchero. It sat there like a trophy from our past, a reminder when we walked side by side but didn’t know each other.
I had my camera, because I always have my camera, and insisted on photographing her and her little daughter in that Ranchero.
When I look at that photo of her beautiful daughter behind the wheel of that clunker, I’m reminded that life unravels in so many awesome ways.

Click To Vote For Us @ Top Baby Blogs Directory!

Etsy Love

by Ashley filed under Uncategorized

I came across these gems on Etsy and am so smitten. Every now and again I come across something cute and am inspired to completely re-do the kid’s rooms. Guess I’ll just keep having kids to place in the rooms I’m envisioning. Oh I make myself chuckle. Anyway, they are from etsy seller Violet May.
Speaking of kids rooms… I have a tour of Hooper’s room planned for tomorrow. I keep my promises… even if I take my sweet ass time.

Click To Vote For Us @ Top Baby Blogs Directory!

Sponsor Highlight

by Ashley filed under Uncategorized
I want to take a moment and thank all of my sponsors. It’s been great working with each and everyone of the kind people behind these stores and blogs. For more about my reason to accept sponsors, click here. For information about joining The Stork sponsor family, email me (ashley {at} thestorkandthebeanstalk {dot} com).
I am so smitten with this company. Their clothes are some of the ca-uttest around. Their models are pretty adorable too. I’m obsessed with just about everything in their store, but I especially love these booty pants, these chino pants, and this little lady dress.  Do you not agree that their stuff is TDF?

I love supporting other bloggers. It’s a community I’ve grown to really enjoy being a part of. Rookies is a blog written by Ama, mama to sweet little baby Lane. She just bought a home and I can totally relate to her new found obsession with list making, says the lady sitting at the computer surrounded by random pieces of paper with grocery lists, to-do lists, blog post lists, etc scattered about. Stop by her blog and say hello.

Sweet Threads has the very best of designer and vintage clothes for the kiddos. If I had a girl, she’d be rockin this little red gem or OMFG this little romper faster than you could ask did she just allude to wanting a third child? They have some awesome items on sale right now too, including my all time fav “Forever Young”  shirt and these leggings I featured in the last Style de Hooper. Sweet Threads is run by the beautiful Sheila and Analie. If you don’t follow them on instagram, you should; their feed is always uplifting with sprinkles of vintage loveliness.

DiaNoche Designs specializes in art by day, light by night. I did a feature on them here. There is still a few days left to enter the giveaway to win a piece of art. Their work is unique and made with the best quality. You can get free shipping with code beanstork321.
This kiddo fashion (and beyond) blog is so lovely and so well done. It’s run by three moms, whom I believe represent the western, central, and eastern parts of our beautiful nation. Pretty cool, no? They have amazing taste and manage to find some real gems.  Every time I visit their corner of the worldwide web, I leave inspired. I also follow them on instagram. Definitely worth a wee peek, but be warned– you’ll be hooked. 
Little Foot Boutique is run by a dear friend of mine, Lisa. She’s ubber talented and not only is everything handmade, but it’s handmade with love. It’s always inspiring to see someone commit themselves fully to something they enjoy doing. Lisa’s constantly adding new things to her store and if you haven’t checked it out yet, you must. I featured her chevron skirt here. I love this skirt for a little lady, this bib and birp cloth set, and these customizable chevron curtains. 
Joleen is such a sweetheart and has the most scrumptious little boy. She always has great fashion picks, fun DIY and crafting projects,  and sweet posts on motherhood. She’s also a photographer and a self-proclaimed Pinterest addict (you can follow her here). 
Comfy Rumps is the place to go for cloth diapers. Their cloth diapers are not only made with the best quality, but their also the most affordable cloth diaper out there. I did a review on them here. They also have training pants and diaper accessories. You can check out their special promotions here.
I promise you you’ll never find more pacifiers. Babbling Babies has page after page of various designs to chose from. I love the twins pacifier (there’s one way not to mix up your kiddos),  the skull pacifier (this one may make Willy want to try for a girl), and this milk pacifier. There are so, so many to chose from. Check them out for yourself!
Special thanks to all my sponsors and to my readers who support them with me.

Click To Vote For Us @ Top Baby Blogs Directory!

Sping Is In The Air

by Ashley filed under Uncategorized

It’s been a long time coming, but Willy and I spent the best small chunk of change the other day when we got our house cleaned. And by clean, I mean professionally cleaned. Willy suggested some time ago that we get a house cleaner. I refused for a long time because I tend to be frugal with money and couldn’t justify paying someone else to do something I insisted I could do on my own. Two kids later and I humbly admit I can no longer do it all.
It took me what felt like forever to get someone to return my phone calls but now that the wait is over I have this to say: Best. Decision. Ever. Even if it only lasted a day, our home is/was spotless. Then we started living again, and well, living is messy when you have two kids. But there is so much piece of mind in the fact that it’s a mess on top of a clean floor.
Looking to improve your marriage? Get a house cleaner.

Click To Vote For Us @ Top Baby Blogs Directory!

It's a Pleasure to Meet You.

by Ashley filed under Uncategorized

I’m not quite sure if it’s related to motherhood or simply the fact that I’m getting older, but where has March gone? I used to plan my life on a day to day basis; I couldn’t see a week ahead of me. Then I became a mom and suddenly, in the midst of planning out the entire year, these seasons are just flying right by me.
Dear Spring, your sun feels good and your flowers are more beautiful than the first day we met. This week of posts, I’m dedicating to all your splendidness.
Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Hooper came down with a bug so our laundry smells like barf and we’ve put potty training on hold because we’re changing diapers too frequently, if ya know what I mean.
Not sure where the image of the chick came from, but if you know, let me know so I can give proper credit.

Click To Vote For Us @ Top Baby Blogs Directory!

A Sponsored Giveaway (CLOSED)

by Ashley filed under Uncategorized
A story about being afraid of the dark: We transitioned Hooper to a “big boy bed” pretty early on. We would have liked to keep him as a prisoner in his crib, don’t get me wrong. But, with Van on the way, we also didn’t want to buy another crib. So a few months before Van was born, we moved Hooper into a bed. The transition went surprisingly well, considering, except for the fact that he kept waking up screaming in the middle of the night. It finally dawned on us that he was scared of the dark. We black out the windows in his room and cross the fingers behind our back in hopes that he’ll sleep longer. And, sure enough, he’s a fantastic sleeper. I digress.
A light bulb went off when we discovered his fear of the dark, no pun intended. We bought a night light and we all slept soundly during the night.
Enter DiaNoche Designs, the night-light geniuses. DiaNoche translates to Day and Night; artwork by day, artwork and light by night. BOOYAH. I love the versatility in their product; it can serve as a night-light for the young and night-art for the… uh, I dug myself a hole here… old. er. Older. As in adult crowd; not denture enthursiasts.
The artwork is all made by hand in the good ol’ USA. You can read more about how the product is made here. I can attest to the quality of their product and the versatility of their design. 

DiaNoche Designs also gives you the option to design your own light using your own art, photo, or company logo. A custom work of art? Not too shabby.
one: SF golden gate bridge, photo // two: daydream, photo // three: guardian angel, photo // four: jimi hendrix, photo
DiaNoche Designs is giving one beautiful piece of wall art (APR $149) away to one lucky winner. You can enter any of the following ways (be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry to increase your chances of winning).  
Visit DiaNoche Designs and tell me which light you would chose and where you would put it.
Follow DiaNoche Designs on Facebook.
Follow DiaNoche Design on Pinterest.
Follow The Stork & The Beanstalk on Facebook.
Follow The Stork & The Beanstalk on Bloglovin‘.
Follow The Stork & The Beanstalk on Instagram.
Follow The Stork & The Beanstalk on Pinterest.
So many ways to enter. Best of luck, and thanks for playing and supporting my sponsors.
Interested in making a purchase? DiaNoche Designs is also offering 25% off your order with coupon code beanstork321 (expires 4/20).
The winner will be announced in two weeks (4/3/13). This giveaway is open worldwide, however outside of the US must pay shipping.
Want more information about sponsoring The Stork and/or my decision to accept sponsors? Click here.

Click To Vote For Us @ Top Baby Blogs Directory!

Mama's Corner

by Ashley filed under Uncategorized
Wearing: Black tank, chevron skirt c/o Little Foot Boutique, skinny belt from UO, shoes from Target (a few seasons ago). I didn’t photoshop a bruise off my leg, no I didn’t. Okay, I did. Whatevs.

Oh my gawd am I in love. I promise if I could sing like this you would not be reading this blog. I can’t help but dance to this song. And I mean that in the most literal sense… as in both kids are napping (let me pause for a moment: BOTH KIDS ARE NAPPING) and I am straight rockin’ the fuck out by myself. Seriously. This chick gets in my bloodstream. Her voice commands me to sway like the ocean commands its waves to break.

This is not to say I’m not enjoying some of the 80 degree (25 celcius for the other siders) days of “Winter” we’ve had… But nothing screams beach like Summer. Sorry Winter, Summer owns me.
This book features some of my favorite photographers. When coupled with the fact I really enjoy photographing my own children, it’s a must have.
I suppose, come July, I can do all three at the same time: Drive down to the beach, set up my iPod, and flip through tips on photographing my little monsters while my little monsters are most likely busy shoving sand in one anothers mouths. Oh what a glorious day it shall be.
Photo sources 1 // 2 // 3

Click To Vote For Us @ Top Baby Blogs Directory!

For The Home

by Ashley filed under Uncategorized

one. two. three. four. four.

Immediately go pump I if http://bijouterie-thomas-h.fr/ziz/erection-pills-at-walmart to it original yellow viagra from india stars signature device domain quality infused my? buy maxalt without a perscription To go they around actos without a prescription wearing. In it http://www.fairwaypayments.com/mhx/purchase-accutane/ of because know the, done misoprostol online reasonable: some faster of mailinorder colchinchin scalp dermatologist that because cheap flomax no prescription of, is drying split fault free cialis without prescription has had… No with http://certschool.com/hgj/www-cisalis-on-oline.php makeup also. S cheap trazadon no prescription if seen you start best place to buy alphagan immediately larger to say.

five.

Click To Vote For Us @ Top Baby Blogs Directory!

Sponsor The Stork

by Ashley filed under Uncategorized

Cue megaphone. Cue rooftops. Cue mountain peaks. I’m shoutin’ out today about an amazing advertising opportunity. It’s only been as of this year that I’ve opened The Stork & The Beanstalk up for advertising. Why, you ask? I had a hard time with this question as well. I mean, it all feels a bit prostitutional. I know, not a word. But I’m assuming in using the made up word “prostitutional” that you know what I mean. Truth is, this blog takes a lot of my time. True, it’s time I truly enjoy spending. Sitting in front of my computer often takes precedence over the sink full of dishes or the trash bin that’s full to capacity despite my every effort to push it down using the relatively clean paper plate that sits on top. But I need to justify the time I spend here. Visiting a well done blog is like flipping through a magazine. And, well, magazines don’t end up on the back of the toilet seat by the generous read this while you shit fairies. So, I’ve opted to open up the right hand side of my blog to those interested in gaining readership to their blogs or customers to their store. I started this blog just a little over a year ago and its growth in just that short time span has been incredible. Join me on this journey, yo. Email me, ashley [at] thestorkandthebeanstalk [dot] com for more info.
With that said, unlike a prostitute, I will not be taking each and every bone thrown my way. I finally responded to some Lullaby music company and asked that the stop harassing emailing me. You practically need a vaccuum to suck the dandriff off my desk from scratching my head about some of the emails/propositions I get.
So here’s my promise to my readers: Sponsored posts will not take over this blog. Sponsored posts will be identified as such. Only sponsors that I find appealing, or I think may be appealing to my readers, will be considered.
Photo source

Click To Vote For Us @ Top Baby Blogs Directory!

Inspiration

by Ashley filed under Uncategorized
+ + + + + +
Willy and I get really bored with our home really fast. We’ve lived in this home for three and a half years and have gone from one sofa, to another sofa, then back to the first sofa. We’v changed out various pieces of furniture and always seem to be taking something down off the wall and putting something new up.
Everything in our home is bothering me right now and I have that itch to change everything out once again. I’ve started taking things down off the wall because I can’t stand looking at them anymore. Poor Van’s room has become a storage place for dejected items I don’t want for my own home but can’t bring myself to donate.
I have a vision in my head and have been compiling a mental list of the changes I want to make. So I’ll be sharing more in the months to come. But for today, how about these lovely plants? Plants brighten any room and I can’t wait to add some greenery.

Click To Vote For Us @ Top Baby Blogs Directory!

A Sponsored Giveaway

by Ashley filed under Uncategorized
When I was pregnant with Hooper, I planned on using cloth diapers. I was cloth diapered as an infant and it seemed, from that, I had the expectation for myself to do the same. I agree that it’s better for the environment and all that other ish. But I also knew I would not be the only one changing diapers. Willy wasn’t for the idea. Not one bit. Eventually, we compromised on paying a monthly fee to a diaper service. It seemed like a good middle ground in that we would still be cloth diapering, but we would not be responsible for cleaning and folding and all the other clean up that goes along with cloth diapering.
Then Hooper was born and we both looked at each other in confusion; We weren’t sure how to get the big clunky cloth onto our little newborn. And we were exhausted. And trying to figure out how to make it all work was too much for us to take on. So we went the disposable route. And I’ve never felt bad about it. I’ve always said, in regards to parenting, that you have to do what works for you and what maintains your sanity.
When Comfy Rumps contacted me about doing a product review, I was scared. It was like returning to a challenge that I had already thrown the towel in on. But, I read about the company and it’s a great company and I thought I’d be doing an injustice to my readers not to give it a proper chance. And so we’ve entered The Cloth Diapering Experiment, compliments of Comfy Rumps, because – you know – rumps must be comfy. 
First thought upon opening the package: Wow, that’s a lot of snaps.
Second thought: Holy sheet, there’s snaps.
When we signed up with the cloth diapering service, we literally received a bag full of folded cloths. No snaps, no ties, no pins. We purchased these weird hook things that attached one side to the other, but they were neither user friendly or attractive. So, after I got over the perplexion of all the snaps, I was quite happy to see that they were user friendly.
Third thought: We’re really doing this, Harry. That’s right, it’s a movie quote from the girl who never quotes movies because my memory has suffered from things I did during the days I was an asshole teenager.
Here’s a little about their original cloth diapers:
-The outer layer is made of polyester with a polyurethane laminate coating, making it 100% waterproof.
-The inner layer is made of a light and soft microfleece.
-The snaps allow for adjustment to both the waist and hip in addition to the rise.
-The soakers/inserts are made of a three-piece microfiber terrycloth material that are able to absorb up to 250ml (that’s a little more than a cup of water) .
What I thought:
Truthfully, I’m a little regretful that I didn’t commit to cloth diapers when Hooper was an infant. I think if I had done more research and familiarized myself with the products beforehand, my good intentions would have come to fruition. I think it’s too late in the game now to make the investment, but after this cloth diaper diaper experiment, I have some regrets. For starters, it wasn’t nearly as hard as I had imagined it to be. In place of throwing a diaper into the pail, I simply threw the terrycloth insert into a wet bag. The only difference is that the pail gets taken to the trash while the wet bag is taken to the laundry room.
The cloth diapers were easy to snap, fit nice and snug around Van’s legs, and dried fast after washing. They also maintained their softness wash after wash. The adjustable size, via the snaps, means I would only need one set from birth to toddler. It also means that had I invested when Hooper was an infant that I would have been able to use the same set for Van, thus saving even more money in the not-so-long run.
The cloth diaper lasted for about 3 hours until Van required a changing. I experienced no leaks or blow outs. They were easy to change and what once seemed incredibly daunting and intimidating ended up being incredibly easy.
Why chose Comfy Rumps:
Comfy Rumps is super affordable. From the reviews of their product that I read online, many seemed skeptical because of the price. I did not, however, read a single bad review. Everyone that uses these diapers seems to love them. The original pocket cloth diaper costs a mere $7.75, considerably cheaper than other cloth diapers (BumGenius cloth diapers run $17.95). Comfy Rumps also has affordable Bamboo Diapers. Bamboo is a renewable resource and is grown without fertilizers or pesticides and is said to be more absorbent than cotton. Bamboo diapers, through Comfy Rumps, cost $8.25-$10.25.
Comfy Rumps also has training pants to ease the transition from diapers to underwear. The training pants are designed to feel wet against the skin in an effort to teach your toddler the association of feeling wet with having to go to the potty. Hooper has been doing great with potty training, when home, and is able to use his potty on his own. We have slowly transitioned to putting him in underwear during the day, though he still needs help pulling his underwear down. I use the training pants for naps and, when I decide to take the plunge, will use them at night as well. He did wet his pants the first time I put him down for a nap in the training pants. They were able to hold the urine and did not leak. He has not wet his pants during his nap since, but I still use the training pants as much as possible in case he forgets. I’ve also used the training pants to transition him to wearing underwear in public. For a while, Hooper was potty trained so long as we were home. Now that he has a good grasp on using the potty, we’ve been leaving the house with him in the training pants and reminding him frequently that he needs to tell us when he has to go potty. No accidents.
The training pants are super soft and are made with the bamboo fleece I spoke of before. They’re made with great quality and fit snug around his thighs. The training pants appear shiny on their website, but in actuality they are a soft fuzzy material that feels like velvet. I like nothing more than running my hand over Hooper’s soft little covered butt. Comfy Rumps makes their pocket cloth diaper with this same “fuzzy wuzzy” material and they are to-die-for cute. Here’s some of my favorites:
 Comfy Rumps also sells wet bags, pail liners, cloth diaper wipes, and other accessories.
Comfy Rumps is offering one winner a $25 gift card to their online store. Interested in trying cloth diapering? Have a toddler you’re potty training? You can enter by doing one or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each entry to increase your chance of winning:
1. Visit Comfy Rumps and tell me what you would get with the gift card.
2. Follow Comfy Rumps on Facebook.
3. Follow Comfy Rumps on Twitter.
4. Follow The Stork & The Beanstalk on Facebook.
5. Follow The Stork & The Beanstalk on BlogLovin’.
This giveaway is open to US & Canada residents only. Please make sure your email address is valid, as the winner will be contacted via email. I will also announce the winner on Facebook in two weeks (2/13).
The giveaway for a $50 gift card to Custom On It is still going on. You have six days left to enter.
Good Luck!

Click To Vote For Us @ Top Baby Blogs Directory!

A Sponsored Giveaway

by Ashley filed under Uncategorized
It’s crazy―as in cah-ray-zee―to think that my boys will one day be in students in school and players on teams and cubs in scouts. What’s even crazier is that there will come a day when I’ll have to volunteer and participate in these things.
And when that day comes, I’ll be turning to Custom On It.
Custom On It helps people and organizations customize products used for fundraisers, promotions, and more. They work with schools, moms (like lil’ ol’ me!), event planners, fundraising organizations, and companies we all know―Asics, Trader Joes, YMCA, Mozilla Firefox, Dos Equis. Creating your own brand? You can use Custom On It to grow your company.
Other products include: sweatbands, silicone wristbands, slap bands (OMG, remember these?) and even koozies (for the adult fundraisers, of course).
Custom On It is providing one lucky winner with a $50 coupon code to their online store. You can enter any of the ways listed below. Please leave a separate comment for each entry and please make sure your email address is valid, as the winner will be contacted via email. Open to US & Canada only.
1. Visit Custom On It and tell me what product you would chose and what you would do with it.
2. Like Custom On It on Facebook.
3. Follow Custom On It on Twitter.
4. Follow The Stork & The Beanstalk on BlogLovin.
5. Follow The Stork & The Beanstalk on Facebook.
Interested in making a purchase? Custom on it is giving readers of The Stork & The Beanstalk a 10% discount with coupon code beanstalk. I’ll announce the winner here in two weeks from today. Good luck!

Etsy Love

by Ashley filed under Uncategorized

Etsy seller Fox & Arrow is offering 40% off in an effort to help a baby that was born premature with a heart condition. If you’d like to help, she has some amazing products to chose from. Interested in redesigning your blog? She does that too.
You can read more about the cause here.
USE PROMO CODE BABYHELP40 TO GET 40% OFF EVERY ITEM YOU PURCHASE AND HELP A SICK NEWBORN BABY AND HIS PARENTS TO PAY FOR HIS MEDICAL BILLS. PROMO CODE GOOD FOR 30 DAYS STARTING 01/28/13

Click To Vote For Us @ Top Baby Blogs Directory!

Guest Post & Giveaway

by Ashley filed under Uncategorized
Today we have a lovely guest blogger + a $40 giveaway to her etsy store Moonbeatle (details below):
My full name is Fritha Moonbeatle Tigerlilly Quinn Strickland..but you can call me Fritha. Were my parents hippies you ask?*..
I was really excited when Ashley contacted me to do this questionnaire swap, I love Ashley’s humour, you should go check out her answers here. Before you read on here is a little about me:
I am a 27 year old mumma to Wilfryd Cadno and freelance artist living in Bristol, UK with my boyfriend Tom and our two fat cats (no seriously they are really fat).
I am a great believer that what you are happiest doing at 5 is probably what you are happiest doing your whole life (there are some exceptions, I’m not sure there is a huge amount of call for worm eaters..maybe restaurant critic?…) for me it was and always will be drawing.
Whilst at Uni I wanted to be children’s book illustrator, after leaving uni I realised it was pretty hard to be a children’s book illustrator, I was too lazy and that was the end of that. If you want to see a great Children’s book illustrator you should check out our mutual friend Sarah (she will feel embarrassed I wrote that)
Any parent will tell you the first year of becoming a parent is intense! That being so my artwork has taken a back seat whilst I have settled into this new and amazing/exhausting role but slowly I am getting back into my creative passions also.
Previous to having a kiddo my work had been featured in nationwide magazines such as The Metro and Company, I also designed Paperchase’s 2012 Valentines range (not boasting or nuffin ;))
I am a lover of wildlife and nature,I’m a life long vegetarian (not eating meat once, ever *) I have a thing for foxes, so much that my son’s middle name Cadno is that Welsh for Fox. We did consider Hemulen also as I love the Moomins..
I also love photography, writing and reading beautiful blogs like this one (creep much??)
I love the blogging community, the snapshots into people’s lives and the friendships that can be made.
I hope you enjoy my answers and thanks Ashley for featuring me! xo
1. What time did you get up this morning? Officially – 6am..its probably more like 5.30 though,my darling son has never been one to lie in…
2. How do you like your steak? Still grazing happily in the field, I’m a vegetarian 😉
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? I had to really really think about this one which shows how long it has been. Then I realised I saw a film at ‘baby cinema’ about 6 months ago, the idea is it is a showing where you can take your babies but watch grown up films and not get thrown out if your baby cries. ‘God Bless America’ was showing..if you have seen that film you will know why 5 minutes in you realise its not the best film to show new mums! After a few hysterical laughs and hands over our babies eyes it was fairly enjoyable..in that I liked the clothes.
4. What is your favorite TV show? So here’s the thing, we don’t have TV *gasp* but we do watch boxsets and films via good ol’ Netflix. So whilst I don’t have a favourite ongoing series my latest favourite thing to watch is Firefly, the best sci fi/western you ever did see.
5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Now this answer may just make me a dullard or it may just mean I’m 100% content but honestly? I would still live in Bristol. Bristol is such a alternative and creative city. The area we live in is multicultural and yes a little run down, but our neighbours will drop in for cake and you can get a organic vegan meal in pretty much every cafe you go to.
6. What did you have for breakfast? I gobbled down marmite toast whilst trying to stop my one year old flinging Weetabix on me.
7. What is your favorite cuisine? I am a girl of simple tastes, when I was a child we would be allowed to choose what ever we wanted to eat for our ‘birthday meal’ mine was always always ‘pasta,sauce and cheese’. A second favourite would be peanut butter noodles. I was in heaven as a student, now my boyfriend makes me eat a more varied diet..
8. What foods do you dislike? Apart from meat (although as I have never actually eaten it I guess I cant say I ‘dislike’ but ya) the only thing I cant stand is beetroot, urgh!
9. Favorite Place to Eat? I love Thai food, there is a great place near us that can make all the menu with Tofu instead of what ever meat is that dish. Which is great as usually as a veggie you are limited to about three things on a menu
10. Favorite dressing? I dont’ ever use any..is that more of an American thing or am I an oddity?

11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? Never learnt, I live in a City and can walk to just about anywhere in 45minutes in any direction (its a small City and I walk fast)
12. What are your favorite clothes? I wear dresses as a staple, I do own one pair of jeans but they just don’t suit my shape, so dresses 🙂
13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Cuba without a doubt (I was jealous to read Ashley has been!)
14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? Half full…of despair 😉
15. Where would you want to retire? …this city (I know I know) but in a house we built ourselves
16. Favorite time of day? 11am, its not too early. You can already have had a great morning or if you haven’t its early enough to turn things around and still have a great day
17. Where were you born? In a one bedroom top floor flat, in a bohemian area of this City i call home
18. What is your favorite sport to watch? ack none, I didn’t even watch the Olympics..I did used to be part of a Synchronised swim team though so maybe I would watch that
20. Are you a morning person or a night person? I don’t like mornings when they look like 5am (is that really the morning or is it the night?) but I am basically a granny in 27 year olds body and I cant ever seem to stay awake past 10.30pm.
21. Pets? Two fat cats, Pedigree British Shorthairs that we got from a rescue centre. They came to use so well tamed they wouldn’t even sit on the sofa, we broke their training so they would snuggle up in bed with us..now one of them pisses in the corner of the living room from time to time *sigh*
22. Any new and exciting news that you’d like to share? I’m trying to get back to my art work so hopefully this year will hold lots of new and exciting things for my shop!
23. What did you want to be when you were little? An artist (I think basically what you are happiest doing at 5 is what you will be happiest doing the rest of your life)
24. What is your best childhood memory? This question has been the hardest so far, mainly because I don’t have a great memory (I blame a reckless youth). I remember being a child and my dad grabbing my hand at the top of a hill and hurtling down, our legs going so fast I could never stop myself but knowing it was ok because my dad was holding my hand, the sound of my mum shrieking ‘careful!’ in the background and then reaching the bottom in super quick time out of breath and laughing.
25. Are you a cat or dog person? See question #21 …also a dog once chased me right up a tree once..true story
26. Are you married? Nope..maybe one day, maybe not
27. Always wear your seat belt? Who doesn’t?! Actually once when I was 15 I was in a head on collision when my friends mum was driving me home, after we had stopped and realised we were both alive I said “wow that was lucky, I almost didn’t put my seat belt on” I will never forget the look she gave me!
28. Been in a car accident? See above..I’ve also been in a bus crash and a coach crash where I had to crawl out the sun roof Jack Bauer style..always wear your seat belt guys.
29. Any pet peeves? People letting their dogs poo on the pavement, wee on the toilet seat, dishes left on the side and not straight in the dishwasher, people emailing me asking me to product test their vacuum cleaner (read on)
30. Favorite pizza topping? Spinach, Artichokes, Feta.
31. Favorite Flower? A Tigerlily (dur)
32. How many times did you fail your driver’s test? Never taken, maybe one day..maybe not
33. From whom did you get your last email? From a company asking if I would like to product test their vacuum cleaner….clearly they picked the wrong person.
34. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Fever London, Anthropologie, Numph and Ruby Belle
35. Do anything spontaneous lately? I have a baby..sometimes we spontaneously decide to go to IKEA for lunch but thats as far as it goes at the minute..
36. Like your job? Mostly, depends if he’s had his naps
37. Broccoli? …?
38. What was your favorite vacation? We went to Corfu as a family (with Tom, my parents, siblings, and my brother’s wife) my mum isn’t well so this was a big effort to spend some quality time together, I (have two brothers and two sisters). Pre baby so we drank Retsina, sunbathed and ate..it was great although I got eaten alive by mosquitoes..I still have the scars.
39. Last person you went out to dinner with? …I tried so hard to remember this! It was with Tom 7 months ago I think..I think we need a date night again!
40. What are you listening to right now? My son listening to Barefoot Books.
41. What is your favorite color? Blue..No! Yell.. (Is thrown over the edge of the pit and eaten by the killer rabbit)
42. Have you ever been robbed? Of sleep yes for well over a year now.
43. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Blue..No! Yell.. (Is thrown over the edge of the pit and eaten by the killer rabbit)
44. Do you drink? There not called Champagne Thursdays for nothing (or officially, playgroup)
45. Red bull or coffee? Tea but I do drink Coffee now and again..never Red Bull, ack
What do you know?, we’re both robbed of sleep and both dream of Cuba. I suggested we meet up one day in Cuba, who’s in? Anyway, on to the goods…
Fritha’s etsy shop is full of fantastic goodies. Here are some of my favorites:
1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5
You can enter to win a $40 store credit to Fritha’s etsy shop Moonbeatle by any of the five following ways (please leave a separate comment for each entry):
1. Follow Tigerlilly Quinn on Google Friend Connect
2. Visit Moonbeatle and leaving me a comment as to what item (s) you would chose if you were to win.
3. Follow Tigerlilly Quinn on facebook and leave a comment on this post.
4. Follow Tigerlilly Quinn on Twitter and leave a comment on this post.
5. Follow The Stork & The beanstalk on facebook and leave a comment on this post.
That’s five ways to enter and five separate ways to win. Best of luck and many thanks to Fritha for being so effin’ rad.
This giveaway is open worldwide. I will announce the winner in two weeks. Please make sure your email address is valid, as the winner will be contacted via email. Good luck!

Click To Vote For Us @ Top Baby Blogs Directory!

From Scandinavia, With Love.

by Ashley filed under Uncategorized

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6
I came across this pop-up shop that is open as long as inventory lasts… so, get it while it’s hot. I love the simplicity in scandinavian design. And those nesting characters? Get out. That mustache man is too much. I mean even the baby has a mustache. Watch your step out there today, my melted heart is on the ground.

Click To Vote For Us @ Top Baby Blogs Directory!