Let's Talk about Birmingham

There are so many reason I love that town, let me count the ways.... I'll spare y'all ALL the reasons but if you're in the near vicinity and haven't been to Birmingham, GO. You simply must visit!

While there stop into The Summit for fabulous shopping:

And for a cool treat hit up Doodles for their one-of-a-kind Italian Ice.

I recommend the Peanut Butter Cup or Mint Chip. When we were there last week I opted for the Peanut Butter Cup but didn't photograph it until I'd devoured almost half of it, so this pic doesn't do it justice.


Finally, go say "hi" to Kiki! She is my favorite Birmingham resident/hostess!

For more Birmingham love, check out Kiki's blog.....

I WANT this

and I do not have, nor do I plan to have a baby any time soon. A baby is not in my immediate future however, this baby bed is necessary in my life. Isn't it simply divine? Can't you just see some fabulous monogrammed accessories--better yet a big, fat monogram on the 'headboard' and my ring bearer pillow my mom made for our wedding lying in this fantastically antique looking bed? I could go on and on about the other furnishings in the room but this bed has taken my breath away.

Thanks to Pewter + Sage (a new and fab blog find) for the baby bed lust.

This pillow deserves a post of it's own, but it is magnificent with white, ivory and lace (and it was handmade by my mom! for our wedding!). It belongs in this bed. This bed belongs in my house. Do you love it?

I Know Scrunchies are O-U-T....

But what do y'all do to dress it up when you're rocking the pony? I have my fabulous Monogrammed Ponytail holder, but some days that just doesn't cut it. My hair is the longest it is has been. Ever. I admit, I sport the pony tail frequently and feel like I need a little something-something to accessorize the often present pony tail. Here is my dilemma....I find the accessories that are already on the rubber band uncomfortable and awkward, what does that leave me?

I've searched Etsy (did you know scrunchies still sell?!) and while there are some adorable hair accessories for little girls there seems to be nothing for big girls....is this because a brown rubber band is all I need? School me ladies....I need help. What do you use to accessorize your ponytail?

Serious Floral Bags

I ♥ this bag. It is so versatile and tres chic. Great as a gym accessory or an eco-friendly grocery tote. Recently, the Monogram Chick studio was busting at the seams with floral fabulosity as we stitched 60 totes for those amazing University of Iowa Chi Omegas....

Sister Chick joins us in blog-land!

Y'all I'm downright giddy! After at least a year of prodding and downright nagging my sister has finally joined us in the blogosphere. She has been an avid reader of blogs and devoutly follows many great bloggers, reading daily. I am so excited that she has now joined us by starting her own blog: Life with Kiki and Coco. Go check her out, she is not only my sister and my best friend but she is what she says she is: slightly neurotic and type-a. I know her blog will be full of great stuff....go read, go follow and tell her I sent ya!


As a side note, my sister is definitely a creature of habit and change is certainly not her gig....except when it comes to her name. You see, she grew up as "Katie". I remember vividly the conversation we had as we drove through Ocala, Florida on our way to Birmingham, for her Freshman orientation. It was just us in the car and she said "should I go by Kate or Katherine when I get to Samford?" I was blown away, her name is Katie--but it didn't stick. Neither her husband nor any of her college friends call her Katie. Then, not too long ago she made the announcement that when Dr. Chick and I have children she wants them to call her Aunt Kiki. Kiki has stuck, it is her newest nickname and the name of her latest adventure--her blog!

It's 2:39 am

Let's just say that our night involved this:

and this:

Thanks to the Greystone Power guys the fallen tree has now been removed from the Power Line into our house.

and now we'll rest easy.....

Copy Cat

So I was perusing my friend, Nina's blog and came across her post: How Well Do You Know Yourself? Being a chick that loves games and tests and learning I took a few minutes to find out a little more about me.

Director. Sadly & honestly, I get it.....

Monogram Chick (foreground) and Sister Chick; cira 1985

I must say I don't see myself as "animated" and am by no means the par-tay girl, wonder what would happen if I took the test on a different day?

*************

You are an Animated Director.

As a DIRECTOR, you combine an unusual openness and passion for beauty and style with confidence and a down-to-earth sensibility that allow you to realize your vision.

You are practical and pay attention to the details that others tend to miss.

By focusing on what is real and concrete, you achieve more than those who always have their heads in the clouds.

When it comes to what really matters in your life, you are confident in your ability to succeed.

Having beautiful things in your life gives you pleasure and satisfaction - you have a keen eye for style.

Even when problems present themselves, deep down you know you will overcome these challenges.

When routines get too familiar, you become bored and start looking for ways to spice things up.

You are open to new types of experiences – you are not afraid to take a risk on something new.

You have a highly developed sense of taste – you know what looks good on you, in your home, and in the world at large.

You have a strong sense of style and value your personal presentation - friends may even seek your style advice from time to time.

Generally, you believe that you control your life, and that external forces only play a limited role in determining what happens to you.

You are outgoing, comfortable with others, and up for anything, which makes you ANIMATED.

Some people find crowds and parties exhausting, but not you! You are able to be yourself in many situations.

Sometimes it is hard for you to understand why others feel the way they do, but that doesn't stop you from trusting them or having faith that they are good people.

You know the world is complicated and that there is often more than one side to a story, so you are careful not to make judgments about others too hastily.

You would rather experience the world than sit back and observe it—you are not one to sit on the sidelines.

You are an independent thinker and don't get too worried about how others might perceive you—you are not self-conscious about being the active, engaged person that you are.

Although you have a keen understanding of different people's life circumstances, you occasionally have trouble seeing why people get so upset and emotional about things—they should just lighten up and have fun!

In addition to having faith in the world, you have faith in the people around you—you trust others to do the right thing and to be honest.

*************

Want to sneak a peek into your psyche? Take the test here.
Come back and let us know what personality type you are. Feel free to post embarrassing childhood photos of yourself too.

Back to School Giveaway Winners

I know, I know.....I am seriously falling behind and have totally been Slacky McSlakerton with announcing the winner(s) of the Back to School Giveaway.

The time has come, my friend random.org and I met this morning and decided on a winner......

Congrats to Heather of 3 Under 3! Heather, email me {sarah at monogramchick dot com} and we'll get your chocolate blooms set in the mail!
After sorting through all of the comments there were 2 shining stars....Bacardi Mama and Summer at Sumo's Sweet Stuff....that both sent an equal number of peeps here to the Monogram Chick blog. Good work, ladies! Email me {sarah at monogramchick dot com} and we'll get your personalized pencil pouches in the mail asap.

Like a New Pair of Shoes

What do you think? You like the new, updated look of the Monogram Chick blog? The ever-fabulous Danielle spruced me up a bit. There is something about a little blog change that revives you, kind of like snagging that new pair of shoes. I've got a new header, some fabulous links across the top and those absolutely AMAZING buttons right over there on the left. <-------------- Aren't they great?! I love the blinkie button and I would be forever grateful if you snagged it and added it to your site--but enough of that, this post is about the super fab Danielle and her mad blog design skills.
If you've been thinking you need a freshening up on your blog this is your week! Danielle is continuing her month of Giveaways and this week she is treating you to the chance to win a Blog Makeover!

Go on over, check it out, and while you're there enter to win her Blog Makeover as well as a Monogram Chick Personalized Recipe Box! While you're there, checking out her blog and terrific giveaways, look for the Monogram Chick discount code--hurray!

New Fonts!

A new school year means new supplies and in the Monogram Chick studio it means new fonts! We've added 2 new fonts to our unique and adorable name font offerings here at Monogram Chick. Due largely to the ever amazing Dr. Chick (he's our resident I.T. expert) the font page has been updated and our newest fonts are ready to be added to your orders! Please join me in giving Dr. Chick a huge 'thank you' as he always works to make sure your Monogram Chick shopping experience is outstanding!

We are proud to introduce Meelee and Kiki!

**Back to School Giveaway Ends Tonight {Wednesday @ midnight}. Enter NOW!**

Back To School Giveaway

Ok folks, this is a BIG ONE. Tell all your friends, shout it from the rooftops, but don't forget to enter!

Monogram Chick is giving away a backpack AND lunchbox! That's right--we're going back to school in style and a preppy monorammed backpack with matching personalized lunchbox is just the way to do it.

You know the drill, it's simple really. Go to Monogram Chick. Pick your favorite backpack/lunchbox design, and enter by posting a comment including the set you'd choose if you were to win. Then, check back on Wednesday, August 12th to see if you won. Could it be any easier?

But wait, it get's better....if you're a blogger and you add this Freebie to your blog, sending masses of entries that mention you, Y-O-U win a lunchbox too! Isn't that great? The more you send the better your chances of winning.

Stop. Hold the phones. It get's even better! The blogger who refers the most entries wins too! If you're the blogger that refers the most commenters you win a personalized pencil pouch. Wow, is the Chick feeling generous or what!?!

Good Luck everyone!

Bloggers--feel free to grab this image for your blog.

Giveaway Winner....Finally!

Ok, I've done it. I sifted through the entries, deleted the duplicates, put them in excel and Random.org helped me choose the winner. You'd think this wouldn't have taken me over an hour, but it did. Anyway, without further babble, the winner is Allison from "The Story of 5" Congrats Allison! Email me (sarah @ monogramchick . com) and we'll hook you up with the fuchsia tote!


Another Giveaway is coming tomorrow...all those back to school-ers will swoon!
Stop by Friday and enter!

Back to School

It's that time of year again. I've always loved it. Back to School. Even when I was a child I loved "Back to School" season. I don't know if it was the lure of new notebooks, pencils, and sharpies (I have an addiction to office supplies) or the excitement of change and a new year (I tend to like change--weird, I know) with a new teacher and the opportunity to make new friends. Or could it have been the shopping for the first day of school clothes? I think "Back to School" is just in my blood--for heaven's sake, I was a teacher for 5 years! Even as an adult, I loved the pre-service time of preparing my classroom, organizing lesson plans, new markers, and wide ruled notebooks.
I know the time is here. Not because I'm in the classroom (I thank the Lord for His blessings daily!) but because as I took Bailey outside this morning a busload of quiet children drove down the street. I know that same bus will be filled with excited, noisy children this afternoon--full of stories to tell mom and dad about their first day of school and it brings a smile to my face. Now, don't get me started on the fact that it is AUGUST 6th and kids are going back to school--we'll over look that for now as I think, with fond nostalgia, about my first days of school--both as a student and a teacher. Things have changed, I now stitch the personalized backpacks, lunchboxes and pencil holders that will be going back to school yet, I still feel the same pangs of excitement for those that will be sporting them on their first days.
Am I crazy or does anyone else love "Back to School" as much as I do?

Another Chance Giveaway.....

Danielle (the fabulous blog designer who helped me out with the MC blog) over at The Design Girl is hosting a whole month of giveaways!! And, in my humble opinion she started it out in great fashion, with a Preppy Travel Mug by Monogram Chick. Danielle purchased mugs last year for herself, her mom and her sisters. She swears they swear by them & when she was gathering her giveaway goodies she came to Monogram Chick to share the love. Not only is she giving away fantastic mugs but she has some other terrific schwag up for grabs including a Collar and Leash for your preppy pups, an adorable "boo" tote bag, and a pre-made blog template!

Sorority Licensed!

Y'all, I am SO EXCITED! The licenses to allow Monogram Chick to embroider sorority goodies are rolling in!! It was only fitting that I was an ADPi and it was the first license to arrive. Chi Omega has signed on with Monogram Chick too!! We anxiously await the others {we will announce as the licenses arrive} and will be adding sorority items to the Monogram Chick website TODAY!
Due to initial licensing costs, we will not carry all sororities immediately. However, if you'd like your Greek letters on an officially licensed Monogram Chick product email me, we have a plan!


*****
By the way, we did go to Jim 'N Nicks this weekend and I may or may not have had 4 of their ah-mazing, super delicious muffin/biscuit/cornbread concoctions.