Last Friday, JP Lizzy had the honor of being featured on The Ellen Degeneres Show! In case you missed it, we’re giving you a little recap of this incredible experience.  Wendy Barry, owner of JP Lizzy, and Andrea Fellman, owner of Savvy Sassy Moms, attended the live taping on Thursday (pic below!). The show is filmed at the famed Warner Brothers Studio in Bubank, CA –  though we love Colorado, jetting off to the Cali coast is always a treat.

The Episode 

This was no ordinary episode, it was the popular Mother’s Day Show and is one of Ellen’s biggest and most popular shows of the year. The audience is full of first-time pregnant moms and audience members are gifted with tons (we mean, tons!) of Mother’s Day products- strollers, iPads, cribs, and yes, diaper bags. Not surprisingly, tickets are extremely hard to come by- it was rumored that one woman in the audience actually planned her pregnancy around the show (seriously!).  Needless to say, being selected to be a part of the show was quite an honor.

The Audience 

To say the audience members were adorable is an understatement. The Warner Brothers studio was packed full of first time expectant mothers who were ALL about to get the Ellen hookup. Can you imagine the energy in the room? Let’s just say there was a lot of dancing and cheering…and thankfully no early labors .

The Special Guests

To kick-off the show, Ellen’s adorable nieces Eva and Perry graced the stage outfitted in clothing by  Zulily (one of our favorite online stores), with Ellen announcing that each audience member would receive an iPad from Zulily.  Let the giveaways begin! Special guest and beautiful star Shakira was up next, sharing all of surprises and fears that came with her first pregnancy and birth of her first child, Milan.  Following Shakira was the well-known TV personality, author, and entrepreneur Bethenny Frankel. Looking flawless, Bethenny spoke to her friend Ellen about raising her daughter Bryn, dealing with a difficult divorce, and her upcoming talk show.

The Giveaways!

Finally, the moment we and all the audience members had been waiting for…Ellen’s product showcase and giveaway extravaganza. One after one, new products were showcased & gifted to the audience. From a Britax Car Seat, to a Bob Stroller, to a $250 Starbucks Gift Card, the sea of products was amazing.  Following a 6-Month Free Supply of Huggies, it was JP Lizzy’s moment to shine. Ellen said it best: “For moms that want a diaper bag that doesn’t look like a diaper bag, we have JP Lizzy!” Four of our colorful patent leather diaper bags were on display. As Ellen’s model graced the stage wearing our Sherbert Satchel bag,  Ellen announced that yes, each lucky audience member would be receiving one. And once again, the crowd went wild.

Special Offer For You

Since we know not everyone could be at The Ellen Show, we are extending some great offers to our awesome community. We’ve teamed up with Savvy Sassy Moms and some of the amazing brands featured on the show to bring you The Great Baby Gear Giveaway. This is your chance to WIN 10 featured prizes, valued at over $2,000!

As an added bonus JP Lizzy’s website is offering 25% off any purchase, today only! Please use coupon code Ellen25 at checkout, offer expires 05/14/13. Visit: www.jplizzy.com/shop 

Thanks for all of your support!

-The JP Lizzy Team

responses such as, “Wow. All boys!” Or, “All boys? Heaven help you!” Really? What is wrong with all boys? Did I secretly want a little girl? Yes. Was I upset that I was in fact having another son? Not in a million years. The best I could hope for was a happy, healthy baby.

The moment I found out I was pregnant with baby number three, I just knew in my heart he was a boy. Of course, the thought of it being a girl occasionally crossed my mind but truthfully, this made me a little nervous…little boys are all I know.

The day we confirmed baby number three was a boy was June 10th, 2011. It was a hot, humid day. I left work to drive to my OB office and was filled with so much excitement I could barely stand it. Finding out the sex of your baby is truly both an exciting and joyous moment. I arrived early and waited. The baby before us wouldn’t cooperate for the paparazzi eagerly awaiting to find out his/her sex, so I waited some more.
“Jessica.” Ahh, finally! I thought. I got comfy on the exam chair, rolled my shirt up over my miniature basketball, and got ready for the cold, blue goop. The ultrasound technician asked me if I wanted a girl or a boy. “A girl, ” I answered, matter-of-factly. “But I will love my child just the same. All I want is a healthy baby.” She began peeking around in my belly, pointing out fingers, toes and even showed me his face. Then she looked at me and said, “I guess you didn’t want a girl badly enough.” We both laughed, and I explained to her I knew he was a boy. When you know, you just know.

Then she said something I will never forget.”Look at it this way, now you won’t be stepping on Army Men AND Barbies.” We both laughed hysterically!

Yes, I am a mom to boys and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I may be the only girl in the house, but I am okay with that … I am the Queen.

By: Jessica ~ Owner: http://www.boys-oh-boys.com
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A Mom’s Moment is a series of blog posts capturing all of the memorable, challenging, significant, and everyday “moments” we experience as moms.  Every woman takes on this role in a different way AND every woman has a special story to tell. Our goal is to embrace these moments and share them with you: the good (and the bad), the things we love (and the things we don’t)… and everything in between.

Like most of you, I distinctly remember the moment I found out I was pregnant. For me, this moment was not that long ago. It was Thursday February 2^nd, 2012. I was at my office in Boulder, Colorado, when I noticed there was a missed call & voice mail from my doctor’s office. Before I even listened to the message, a sense of dread overcame me.

You see, in my annual exam a few days earlier, I had mentioned that my fiancé and I were thinking of trying to have a baby. Sooner versus later were my exact words. I had always assumed getting pregnant would be a struggle – I envisioned inadequate hormones, old, lazy eggs (I was 37), and months or years of trying. To appease my concerns, my doctor suggested we do a simple blood draw to see how my hormone levels checked out.  This way we would know if there were any “red flags” or serious concerns from the onset. We’d have the results in just a few days.Perfect, I thought. I would rather know sooner versus later what obstacles lay ahead.

I realized this on a recent afternoon when, frustrated by the disorganized state of my purse, I decided to dump the contents of my bag and get organized. One by one, I purged all the unnecessary items: expired coupons, nearly-empty lip glosses, old receipts, and countless other odds and ends. Left with just the essentials and nothing more, I instantly felt better, lighter, and more free. This simple “cleanse” did wonders for my state of mind.

Whether it’s organizing your closet, cleaning out your car, or embracing the simplicity of Spring fashion, now is the time to simplify and start fresh.

Here at JP Lizzy, we are ready for the new Spring season. We hope you are too!

Wendy Barry
Founder, JP Lizzy

How can you determine if you are vulnerable to quitting your job abruptly after having your baby? Below are some elements that can contribute to leaving your job:

1. You hate your job

Babies have a way of forcing true feelings to the surface. This means that if you hate your job now, while you are pregnant, you might find it physically impossible to leave your baby to return to it afterward.  If this is the case in your life, admit it now and start planning to find a new job, start your own business or take a leave of absence.  Now is definitely better than later.

2. You are a perfectionist

Being a working mother means trusting others to do things for you but not necessarily like you do them.  Practice letting things go around the house a little bit and delegating more at home and at work. Women who insist on doing it all may end up quitting abruptly due to the stress caused by impossibly high standards.

3. You are 100 percent sure that you will be returning to work

Women who refuse to even allow themselves the thought of quitting are prime candidates for leaving abruptly after giving birth. This is sometimes due to feeling cheated by a short maternity leave or simply repressing true feelings about their dual roles.  Pregnancy and babies are not about certainties.  It is wise to take some time and consider all options including what you (and your partner) would do if one of you decided not to return to work.

The bottom line is that whatever you choose will be the right decision for you as long as you are making the decision consciously and not out of stress or unacknowledged feelings.  The benefits of knowing, for the most part, what your actions are going to be after the birth of your baby are numerous when you think about finances, planning at work and not burning future bridges.

About the author

Brenda is a certified career coach, mother and the author of What’s Your Lane: Career Clarity for Moms (due out March, 2013.) Brenda has used her talents in innumerable ways over the years including author, speaker, sales superstar, recruiter and now professional mentor. Brenda empowers everyone she meets to leverage their talents and to look at things differently. Sign up for her newsletter at www.ManagementMomentum.net

HeatherGibbPhotography.com

Why is it that the once-a-year family photo experience often ends up in shambles, despite the best laid plans?

This year I was determined to keep it simple.  I didn’t plan far in advance—that way, I couldn’t over think it.  I confirmed the date with less than a week to spare, and promised myself that this year it would be easy.   The day arrived, and as we rolled through our marathon of kids’ sports and activities, the afternoon was quickly upon us.

As luck would have it, we landed at urgent care with a soccer injury.  With three boys, this is not atypical.  But, really, did it have to happen the one day I counted on having everyone in one piece for the archives?  Watching the clock tick from the exam room, I realized that my vision of a smooth transition to the family portrait was slipping away.

Between x-rays and a cast, we ran out of time and finished getting ready in the car on the way to meet the photographer.  Not the peaceful “get ready” process I had anticipated.   With tear stained cheeks from the pain and injury, we barely made it.  It felt like we were in the eye of the storm that day, but somehow we captured it.

And it just may be the behind-the-scenes, secret story that bakes special memories into the picture, and truly documents the treasured moments in time that make me look back—and smile.

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Have your visions of reinstating your fashionable self started to blur in your mind’s eye after just the first few weeks of the school year?  Where is that calm, polished, “all-caught-up” Mom we all aspire to be?

The fact is, Moms are busy—whether the kids are in school, or not. Let’s face it—style needs to be easy, so we can make it work.

We don’t want to give it up, it just needs to fit our lifestyle.  That’s why we love this year’s casual Fall fashion that blends comfort and trends for Moms on the go.  Leggings, a simple tunic and boots couldn’t be more convenient—and morphs with ease from bus stop to class room volunteer to that ‘grown up’ lunch in the hip part of town.

Some bold jewelry, a bright bag or a fun scarf are easy ways to spice up your boyfriend jeans with a simple T, in an ensemble that keeps you running all day between errands, business appointments and teacher conferences.

So thank you to this year’s Fall fashions for helping us Moms keep up, in style.

For more great outfit ideas, check us out on Pinterest.

The key to a busy fall time is to find a balance of caring for others and also taking time out for you too. Here are five ways you can get away during the fall time because after all, you deserve time away so you can be the best mother there is.

Plan a Weekend Away with the Girls

If you’re feeling overwhelmed with many day-to-day tasks such as taking care of the kids, working, and more, nothing is a better stress reliever than getting away with the girls. Make a weekend trip with your girlfriends and go somewhere local or drive somewhere a few hours away. Wherever you decide to go, catching up with quality friends and creating new memories will revitalize you and you’ll be able to go back to a busy fall time with a clear head.

Request for a Mother’s Only Room

Everyone needs their own space and when you’re feeling overwhelmed, why not create a mother’s only room that ensures that you will get some time away when needed? Of course there are exceptions, such as if you have little ones that need constant caring for. But if your kids are old enough to look after themselves occasionally, creating a hideaway such as an office space with a comfy sofa or a library may be just what you need. Ask your kids and husband if you can have some personal space each evening just for an hour or two and you’ll feel more relaxed every single day.

Get a Pedicure and Manicure

Another way to feel relaxed and invigorated is by getting a pedicure, manicure, or both! Head to your nearest salon and treat yourself and you will definitely feel beautiful. Sometimes when its super crazy during the fall time getting away every few weeks and getting treated to a nice pedicure and manicure is just what the doctor ordered.

Go to a Weekly Class or Volunteer

Another way to take a break from it all is to find a hobby that you love. Of course being a mother is a full time job, but there are other hobbies you can enjoy too to ensure that you are well rounded. Take a weekly yoga class, or find an organization that you are passionate about. Volunteering will invigorate you and remind you about what matters most in life. In the same way yoga will help you reflect and remember what a beautiful mother, friend, and wife you are.

Go Shopping and Enjoy Some Retail Therapy

Going on a shopping spree every once in a while is a fun way to stay updated on all of the latest fashion trends and also gives yourself the opportunity to experience some retail therapy! Not only will you be able to shop a little for your kids, but you can remind yourself that it’s important to feel and look your best when it gets super busy during the fall time. Don’t forget to spoil yourself a little with pretty accessories, like a special bag from JP Lizzy :).  Function beautifully!

How do you relax and get away from it all? Tell us about it in the comments!

About the author: Sierra is a freelance writer and owner of Paige One. She loves taking time to relax when things get busy and finding a sofa bed sale will help her create the perfect room for getting away.

My mind is full of childhood memories: days spent poolside, picnics at the park, annual camping trips and family reunions. As a mom, my mind is full of to-do lists, the swim team schedule, tonight’s dinner plans and a visual of wet pool towels stacked a mile high in my laundry room.

I don’t remember a summer as busy as this one.

I am a mom on monkey bars, swinging from one bar to the next. As I endlessly strive to successfully accomplish the task at hand, I’m anticipating the next event and praying nothing falls through the cracks. We are halfway through summer and I am desperate to slow down, take a breath, forget about the lists and enjoy time with my kids. Maybe it isn’t about even getting from one bar to the next, but rather lowering the bar I have set for myself.

What tips do you have for being present with your kids? Share them in the comment below!