Catching Up with Lindsay Banner of Banner Boutique, PLUS an amazing $150 giveaway!

Lindsay Banner isn't just the designer behind the most beautiful headbands on Etsy - she is one of the nicest people we have ever worked with and just truly, amazing. Down-to-earth, so sweet, and a busy momma of 3 - Lindsay somehow finds time to run her biz, Banner Boutique. Banner Boutique is our go-to place for those oh-so-chic headbands for our Littles. We absolutely LOVE and are kind of obsessed (okay, we are obsessed!) with Banner Boutique.

{1} Since we last chatted with you, what is new with Banner Boutique? 

Since we last chatted, I think we have more than doubled our staff...and I have somehow been able to balance my life a bit better because of it! We now have an operations manager who over sees everything! Amy handles customer service and the processing of all orders, coordinating all of our employees who makes each piece and most importantly has allowed me to go back to being a mom first and business owner second! She is detail oriented and loves to make each of our customers beyond thrilled with their experience at Banner Boutique!

{2} Do you currently have a favorite item in the shop? Best-seller? 

Hmmmm....you know that's like asking me to pick a favorite child!! ;) One of our new best sellers (because it's such a screamin deal) is the shabby chic rose headbands. I am LOVing the America and the Gigi as well!! ;) We made the Gigi along with several other headbands for Kim's (TomKat Studio) daughter's 4th birthday party! These have been fun!

{Banner Boutique featured on The TomKat Studio}

{3} What is the best part of having your own business?

The best part...if I'm being totally honest...the tax write off and Jeni!! Jeni is my go to girl! She is my second set of hands, and every week, she comes to my house between 3-5 times a week and helps me from 8:30 am to 11:30 am with whatever I need help with...whether I need help getting the dishes loaded into the dishwasher, help getting the house just picked up and back on track, help with organizing the garage, help with a big project for Banner Boutique...you name it, she can do it!! Having Jeni help to make up the difference for the things I sometimes fall behind on due to having a business is what allows me to still be the mom that I want to be. She is what allows me to not have to have child care for my kids because she helps to keep me caught up in life. I generally will work alongside her...we tag team the house and get it done 4 times as fast because you all know how much easier it is to tackle projects when you have someone to work alongside you!! ;)

{we LOVE this super cute bright headband for Spring!}

{4} What tips do you have for other Etsy sellers to really take-off and make their biz grow?

Make sure you have a product that stands apart from the others, make sure you have GREAT pictures, make sure you are charging enough to actually cover your costs, your time away from family etc. to truly make it worth it.

{cupcakeMAG fave: The Audrey Vintage Raw Silk Headband}

{5} As a mom, what advice do you have for others in your position - running not just a business but a family?

Something I quickly learned the hard way...do not try and work while your kids are awake or around. I truly don't even try to work unless my kids are either at school, napping, or sleeping. It is far easier for me to be 10 times as productive if I set a certain schedule for myself around my kids' schedules instead of trying to work while they are around. The last thing you want is for your kids to grow up thinking your business is the priority and not them. It would break my heart to think my kids would ever think they are not first priority in my life.

{6} What are some of your favorite blogs to read or sites?

To be truly honest, I really don't get to read too many blogs/sites etc. I have to be so focused when I sit down to work that it doesn't allow for too much "surfing"...however, if it's the weekend and I do get a few golden moments to surf I love Pioneer Woman, TomKat of course, cupcakeMAG ever since we were fist featured and "found each other", Save the Date for Cupcakes and anything Martha Stewart!

{from The Vienna Collection -- LOVE!}

{7} When you aren't working hours making beautiful hair accessories, what can we find you doing? 

I can typically be found at Target, in my car running LOTS of errands, or at home...that's pretty much me!! ;)

{8} What is up next for Banner Boutique? 

We are working on some BIG changes around here!! I pray they don't take too long...but we have all kinds of fun things in store...a new website will debut them all...in the not too distant future!! Stay tuned for sure!!! ;)

Get your shop on at Banner Boutique and make sure you enter the giveaway below! Make sure you "LIKE" Banner Boutique on Facebook too -- they offer great sales on their Facebook page and check out the Banner Boutique blog!

Read on to enter an AMAZING giveaway from Banner Boutique!

{THE GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED. WINNER WAS EMAILED & ANNOUNCED VIA TWITTER.}

SPOTTED: A MAJOR DEAL!

One of our favorite Etsy shops, Banner Boutique is offering a super-adorable Easter value pack that you won't want to miss! $64 worth of product for only.....$39.95! 

Seriously, this is one AH-MAZING deal! 

AND stay tuned! We can't wait to share our catch-up chat with owner, 

Lindsay Banner coming soon with a giveaway you won't want to miss! 

on our etsy radar -- Sweet & Sassy Accessories

By Lisa Hill, Contributing Writer

An outfit just isn't complete until you add the accessories!  And for your little girl, the accessories we refer to are stylish headbands, hair clips, bows and more! Sweet & Sassy Accessories is a one stop shop for all things adorable and affordable!

With so much to choose from it was hard to pick a favorite! 

But the Plum Daisy Fabric headband won out! 

I have such a love for frayed flowers!

And how cute is this turkey??

There is just too much cuteness to choose from!

Shop Sweet & Sassy Accessories for all things Sweet for your Sassy little girl! 

All U.S. orders over $25 ship for free! 

Handmade Elegance -- Wearable Art by Rosebud Lips

Rosebud Lips is as sweet as it sounds. The unique shop, which we first came across on Etsy, features beautiful, handmade, truly one-of-a-kind elegant headbands (children’s too!), necklaces, hats and brooches. Small treasures you will not find anywhere else. We promise. Not to mention a gorgeous Bridal Suite collection. This shop becomes an addiction as you browse through the silk embellished pieces full of color and texture. The delicate headwear is something like we’ve never seen – it is beyond a work of art.

Vintage Diva Rosebud pink silk wrapped headband with silk embellished rosebuds $26

Sweet N Sassy Rosebud Headband perfect for you or your little fashionista! $24

Vintage Garden Beanie Hat 'Cotton Candy Surprise' $32

We want you to adore Lauren, the designer just as much as we do so here is a little bit about her & the story behind Rosebud Lips – be prepared to fall in love with Rosebud Lips & the passion Lauren gives - you can just feel the energy!

Q. Tell us about the meaning behind the name.

Rosebud Lips. That's the nickname that my mom gave me when I was a little girl, and then my daughter (her grand-daughter). All three generations shared the Rosebud Lips. I have always been creative, and learned to sew at a young age. I was taught by my grandmother (Nana) and my mom (Tama). I have always loved fashion, and at a young age moved to New York City. I had the opportunity to intern for designer Cynthia Rowley, which was an amazing experience. To tell you why I became a designer would have to be because of my sweet memories of being a little girl (about 4) and dancing around in my Nana's silk bed sheets (my cape), adorned with her costume jewelry. I felt like a princess. My Nana has collected jewelry from my family generations back, and I felt like each piece had a story.

This inspired me to use antiques in my pieces. I love textures, antiques, fabric and jewelry. Together, these form my concepts for my collection-- Making every woman feel beautiful I started the company in 2009, shortly after my mom passed away from Cancer. She was my best friend, and my biggest supporter. She was an artist herself, and she told me to follow my dreams and be creative. This motivated me to leave the marketing/PR world that I worked in for over 5 years. She has changed the course of my life, and I'm so excited for what the future holds.

Q. Tell us about Set Hope Free.

Set Hope Free. This is a project that I'm so passionate about. It's about redeeming women who have been held captive and have been sold into slavery. Human trafficking doesn't just happen in other countries, but in our cities. Every item that is sold through Rosebud Lips contributes to a care package that is being sent to help these women reclaim their dignity. To make them feel beautiful again. My heart desires to set hope free among these women and children. To bring awareness of trafficking, so that we may protect our loved ones, and rescue those that have been enslaved. To learn more, go towww.iamchange.org and see what we are doing.

Stay tuned…Lauren is in the process of creating a children’s line of clothing that we are just dying to see! In the meantime, stay up to date with everything Rosebud Lips on Twitter, Facebook & their blog! As for shopping - go here - your wardrobe will thank you when you spruce it up with Rosebud Lips.

The Preppy Poppy -- Personalized Products for Particular People

It was just a few months ago when we were lucky enough to meet Angela Parks (Owner/Designer) and be graced with one of the cutest catch lines ever – Personalized Products for Particular People. When you put two of our favorite things together – preppy + personalized – you get the most adorable online store known as The Preppy Poppy.

The owner herself sent us a sprinkling of her fabulous work and it remains one of our favorite one stop shops for everything from a quick personalized gift (the preppy key fob $8) to something special for your little babe (grosgrain headbands designed by YOU $12).

We just can’t get enough of the TUTU CUTE SETS for your little princess. Full of tulle and ribbons – they are beyond perfect for making her feel special. Just pick out the colors, ribbon and font making it all about her! The Preppy Poppy is all about high quality – it isn’t your average tutu! And let’s not forget the coordinating bow too – it is TUTU cute.

Super chic and essential for all new moms – the tri-fold burp cloth is anything but ordinary. The designer fabric paired with the personalized monogram makes it the ultimate boutique burp cloth ($16). Everyone will be asking where you got it when it is pulled from your diaper bag.

These are just a few things we wanted to share with you from The Preppy Poppy – you need to take a browse around yourself (and shop!) to see the dedicated, passionate, and just to die for work by Angela Parks.

Stay up-to-date with everything Preppy Poppy on Facebook and Twitter!

Chic Babes: Sweet Little Sprinklings

Over the past few weeks we have tried & tested many different hair accessories in our little one’s locks. After being sick of losing barrettes and hair pulling clips we ventured out to find the perfect match.

Bugalug is the perfect STAY-PUT accessories for the Urban Girl. Unlike other STAY-PUT hair accessories these stay in without giving your sweet cheeks a headache especially the fully adjustable headbands ($8) which us chic-momma’s can wear too! We adore the no slip bows ($5) to add extra sweetness and the grosgrain ribbon barrettes ($4) in just too fun patterns and prints! The newly launched 3 pack of Pony Loops ($10) are perfect for pony tails (and a cinch to use too!). Don’t forget to check out the Soother Clips ($10) for the tiny tots in your life. The multifunctional clip is perfectly chic to hold the lovey; whether it is a pacifier, toy or Sippy cup.

All of Bugalugs high quality hair accessories are innovative, unique and one-of-a-kind for every style that suits your little, or big girl in an array of fun colors, prints and patterns. It’s easy to express yourself with Bugalug!

As for Creative Clips by Colleen – well, you may have seen them around town or in your weeklies on celeb tots like Tori Spelling’s little one, Stella and Denise Richard’s girls. They are truly for your little oh so chic fashionista.

Colleen Connon, mother of 2, set out after an unsuccessful search for fun hair accessories for her daughter’s fine hair and well, became VERY successful as Creative Clips have became wildly popular. We currently are obsessed with the Blue & Green Peacock headband ($12) that even we can wear, not just our girls! We just can’t get enough of the girly sequin glitz and glam bows in a wide variety of colors and styles. And of course, we adore the Cupcake clips! All the clips feature Velcro to prevent the clip from slipping in fine hair. In fact, there is nothing we don’t like – we are craving all the oh so chic bows and just can’t get enough of these FAB hair accessories.