Archives for November 2016

November 24, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

As a local loving, community dweller, shopping small holds a place in my heart. I put together this gift guide made up of some of my favorite small businesses. 

all of the above photos were borrowed from each business.*

1. Suede Satchel from Re-threaded – Rethreaded is a company dedicated to putting an end to the sex trade by employing the women who have been saved from the trade. These gifts are one of a kind and go to supporting a powerful cause. Rethreaded has some beautiful women bags, along with other novelty gifts. Use code “DRAFTSCRAFTS” for 20% off.
2. Urban Backpack from Re-threaded – Awesome gift men, check out their leather goods too.
3. Ikea High Chair Cover from Yeah Baby Goods use code “dccold15” for 15% off – These covers come in the coolest patterns around. Use code “BIGSALE” for 25% off for Black Friday.
4. Baby Onesies from The Perfectly Peared -Several trendy baby onesies to choose from, plus some adorable holidays ones. Use code “HOLLYJOLLY” for 25% off on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
5. Leather Mat from Gather  We use our mat for everything- from hangouts in the park to concert seating!  It can be wiped down easily, so this gift is awesome for any adventurer in your life. BE SURE TO HEAD to my Instagram @dccold to enter a $70 gift card to Gathre!!!!
6.  Letter Board from Letterfolk – Perfect gift for the witty person in your life! 20% for Black Friday starting EST while supplies last.
7. Personalized Calendar from Artifact Uprising – THESE personalized calendar are super cool and they are 20% off for Black Friday.
8. Baby Bonnet and Wooden Toys from Yarn and Hook Made – There is nothing sweeter than a hand-crocheted gift. Teri Jo makes the sweetest baby bonnets around! I highly recommend ordering any mommy-to-be this darling heirloom. Sale: Free teething ring with purchase $20 or more.

I hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving- now who is ready to get in the Christmas spirit?? Putting together this small business list was super fun! I prefer shopping small because you get a chance to support a person: a child, a mother, a father, a family, or even a community. There is definitely something special to be said about hand-crafted and hand-picked items. As an Etsy Shop owner, I know how much love and passion go into creating a small business.

I have had excellent experience with each of these establishments so I hope you will consider the benefit of shopping small this holiday season! Don’t forget about small business Saturday and most places will have a store-wide discount! These shops will have something for everyone on your list! I would love for you to share your favorite small business in the comments! Don’t forget to head to my Instagram @dccold to learn how to enter the GIVEAWAY with Gathre!

Keep in touch,
Dani

November 17, 2o16 by Drafts & Crafts

Our sweet baby is now 6 months! I wanted to take some time and reflect on the past 6 months, as well as my journey with breastfeeding. 

Tanner’s crown: Wild Mountain Knits -use code “dccold15” for 15% off!
Ikea high chair cover: Yeah Baby Goods -use code “dccold15” for 15% off!

It seems like it was just yesterday that I was trying to find the time to write Tanner’s birth story blog post and now our baby boy turned 6 months last week! I have heard it my entire life, time goes by so fast once you have children, but I could not really understand the concept until Tanner was born! The past 6 months are flown by. Don’t get me wrong, some days feel VERY long and some days we are VERY tired, but I can not believe Tanner has been “ours” for 6 months! It is great that his 6 month birthday coincides with thanksgiving time because I am embracing what is means to be thankful for our first children. Being Tanner’s mama is nothing short of a miracle! Jason and I are blessed that God chose us to be his parents.

Tanner weights 19.7 pounds, is 27 inches long, and is one sweet dude!! He is happy, laughing, and talking 95% of the time. The other 5%, he is hungry or fighting sleep. Tanner does sleep through the night, with an occasional off week where he enjoys a 3am feeding. The big boy can sit up by himself now, rolls all around, and is beginning to hold his bottle. It seems like overnight that he went from being a completely helpless baby (i.e you had to hold him and hold his bottle) to now he can sit up and practically feed himself. We love to watch Tanner grow. He is beginning to be introduced to the basic table foods. He loves sweet potato and bananas. We celebrated Tanner’s 6 months with some sweet potatoes and cake for the adults- although Tan man may have gotten to lick some cake.

A few months ago, I shared about my journey of feeding tanner. I had started breastfeeding when Tanner was in the NICU, but when we got home breastfeeding was not easy. Tanner wouldn’t latch for long or he would fall asleep so I began exclusively pumping. I EPed for 3 months. It seemed like the pump was attached to my hip. I pumped every 3 hours for 3 months straight. Until, one week Tanner was extra fussy, not like his usual self, so I decided to try him back on the boob. What do you know!?!?! He went back to breastfeeding and latched on like it was his job! I could not believe it! So fast forward to the present, Tanner will nurse before bed and in the morning. I still EP throughout the day. My goal for breastfeeding was 6 months. There was so many times where I felt hopeless and that I would never make it to my 6 month goal, but here I am and still going!!! I want to encourage any mom who is struggling with breastfeeding that it is all OK. The most important thing is your sanity and health so that you can take care of your baby. I already admit that I don’t think that I will breastfeed baby #2 (one day) because I can not imagine having the energy to breastfeed and chase after Tanner. If you want to talk about EPing or any feeding struggle, please message me! I am so glad that I stuck with exclusively pumping and it can be done! I would love to hear your story or your favorite part about being a mom!

Keep in touch,
Dani