In The District
Mom’s Fashion File & Plum District Bring Sassy Style to BlogHer
The Secret Style Suite comes to BlogHer!
August 4th, 2011 | 9:44 AM
The Mom’s Fashion File team (Nicole of Momtrends, Andrea of Savvy Sassy Moms, Alison of Sassy Moms in the City and Brooke Stewart of Power Moms Media) are taking San Diego by storm. The team is bringing their fashion talents to BlogHer, where 12 lucky bloggers have been hand-picked for a very special opportunity to receive a MFF style session in the Secret Style Suite.
During this exclusive style session, the winning bloggers will receive:
Hair styling by top San Diego hair salon, Detour Salon, courtesy of BlogHer’s Title Sponsor, Plum District
Make-Up by celebrity make-up artist, Tia Dantzler, courtesy of JOHNSON’S® Brand
Manicures by Scotch Naturals
Fashion Apparel and Accessories by LOFT and Kiyonna
Shoes by Dr Scholl’s Shoes and Payless
Handbags by Namaste Bags
Gift Bags courtesy of Lands’ End
The MFF Secret Style Suite is being touted as the hottest ticket in town. That evening, over one-hundred of the top bloggers in the fashion, beauty, lifestyle, & travel will join the MFF team to celebrate style, in style, with a reveal of our winning bloggers’ new looks with a Style Showcase.
“Teaming up with Mom’s Fashion File for the Secret Style Suite event was a no-brainer for us. With our new site re-launch we are more about style and fashion for moms now than ever before. We are so happy to have one of our favorite salons, Detour Salon right here in San Diego, join us tonight to help the MFF team style our special guests”, says Melissa Shymko of Plum District.
Ciao Bella Gelato brings their talent of gelato and sorbet creation to cocktails with mouth-watering options such as the Blueberry Lemon Drop Martini, Prickly Pear Sorbet Bellinis and Sangria. “Ciao Bella brings style to everything they do, so we are thrilled to have them in our Secret Style Suite mixing up stylish cocktails that are delicious too”, says Andrea Fellman of Mom’s Fashion File and Savvy Sassy Moms.
Tia Dantzler, celebrity make-up artist to Jennifer Hudson, is excited to join the MFF team: “I am thrilled to take part in such an exciting event on behalf of JOHNSON’S® Brand. I’m so passionate about helping others look and feel great, so this is a wonderful opportunity.” Tia will be on-hand to give JOHNSON’S® Brand beauty tips to the guests throughout the night.
“Incorporating a charity component to the Secret Style Suite was very important to us”, says Nicole Feliciano of Mom’s Fashion File and Momtrends. “When Trop50 approached us with their charity partner, Dress for Success, I knew this was the perfect fit for our event.” The Moms Fashion File team is asking each guest to bring a new or gently used handbag to the event to benefit Trop50’s charity partner, Dress for Success, which promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and career development tools to help women thrive in work and life. Guests can feel good about supporting other women.
About Mom’s Fashion File
Mom’s Fashion File (MFF) is the premiere source of fashion news and trend advice for modern moms. It is a resource for moms when it comes to the how, where and what to buy. Mom’s Fashion File hosts monthly Twitter parties as well as off-line events that partner great brands with true leaders and influencers in the blogging world.
In The District
Plum District Sassy Deals for Savvy Moms and Families
A Special Guest Post from Sassy Moms in the City!
July 28th, 2011 | 2:55 PM
Sassy Moms in the City gives the scoop on Chicago local happenings, fashion, beauty and lifestyle. Be sure to check out the blog here!
The Moms Fashion File team is partnering with Plum District to host our Swanky Style Suite at BlogHer in San Diego. A daily deal site geared towards smart, savvy moms, Plum District’s mission is to make moms lives easier.
Members gain access to daily deals locally and nationally on everything from beauty, fashion, restaurants, event tickets, kid’s activities, home and spa treatments to family outings. What makes Plum District so unique is they are focused solely on moms and the deals are sourced by local moms from partners they respect and trust.
I was given a special assignment to experience a service from a Plum District partner – Lisa Mattoni Miller, a local Nail Stylist. Lisa provides in home nail services, spa parties, bachelorette parties and corporate events. Imagine our surprise when we realized this was not our first encounter. Learn more about Lisa by watching a preview of our nail service!
Sassy lil sister wants in on the action!
The Drying Chair
To book an in home nail service, spa party or corporate event with Lisa Mattoni-Miller visit www.lisamattonimiller.com.
In The District
Daily Deals for Moms from Plum District
The Plum District adventures of Savvy Sassy Moms' Andrea Fellman
July 27th, 2011 | 11:38 AM
Andrea Fellman is an LA-based mom who is the blogger behind Sassy Savvy Moms. Be sure to check out Savvy Sassy Moms here for more savvy style tips and fun family ideas!
I went on a Savvy Sassy mission with my kids over the weekend to the Little Rockstars Salon, where my kids got the VIP treatment!
It’s places like this fun salon that Plum District offers exclusive daily deals for savvy Moms! Plum District is a great resource for moms that want to take advantage of all the fun things to do and see in their cities but for a fraction of the cost. It not only has super kid-friendly deals but ones just for Moms too, because they know we need our ME time!
You can buy deals on everything from jewelry, yoga classes, to wine bars, and special events. It makes it really easy to plan where to go for a Mom’s night out or what to do on a Saturday with the family! It’s a great tool that helps me with the never ending question “What should we do or where should we go?”
SIGN UP: Start getting Plum District deals near you!
LA MOMS: By clicking my Savvy Sassy Moms’ special link http://bit.ly/savvysassy you’ll be entered to win a FREE HAIRCUT or KIDS MANICURE from Little Rockstar Salon!
*You’ll also want to sign up so you get invitations to Plum District’s Los Angeles Mom Meet Ups, the next one will be a Red Carpet Event in the Valley at Sweetharts for FREE frozen yogurt, Balloon Animals, games and more!
In The District
From Punky Brewster to Plum District Advisor
Plum District is Excited to Announce Soleil Moon Frye is Officially Part of the Family
July 20th, 2011 | 10:43 PM
I am so thrilled to join the board of advisors at Plum District! As the mother of two kids, I totally get how hard it is to balance “Me” time and “Mom” time. When I discovered the site I was instantly in love. After speaking to their CEO, Megan Gardner, I knew I had a new friend for life — and everyone on the Plum District team has been so welcoming.
As I look into the future, and working with the company, I foresee lots of magical moments ahead of us. Megan told me how excited everyone was to have me aboard, and what a perfect fit she thought I would be for Plum District.
About Soleil:
Enthusiastic, spunky and positive, Punky Brewster was the quintessential eighties kid. Today the always lovable girl who played the classic character on TV is all grown up, a married mom of two, an author, a designer, a mompreneur and a social media maven with over 1.4 million followers on twitter, and 100,000 Facebook fans.
Adding author to her repertoire, Soleil will release her much anticipated first book Happy Chaos, which chronicles her ‘perfectly imperfect’ adventures in parenting on August 23. It portrays a humorous and helpful look at her freewheeling journey through parenthood; from her own childhood adventures to becoming a mother herself and a major voice in the mom space. She is also Target’s Mommy Ambassador. Soleil loves connecting with moms and has been a huge supporter of Plum District since its inception, and offers the team a wealth of expertise in social media and all things mommy.
Me Time
Making “Me” Time
Being a busy mom has its perks.
July 19th, 2011 | 11:29 AM
Being a busy mom has its perks. There’s never a dull moment. I get to carry around adorable organizational accessories. I can tell my husband to order dinner in because I’m too tired to cook. And I can pull the “me time” card when things get too hectic.
When it’s time to spend time on me, I tend to do something like get a pedicure or go shopping. But one of my favorite “me time” activities is sending everyone out of the house so I can stay in. Being alone in a quiet house is my favorite way to wind down. I can eat ice cream in bed and watch sappy movies. I can walk around in my underpants or stay in my jammies all day (I tend to do this anyway…ha!). I can just be me without worrying for a moment.
And in this moment, I’m only thinking about me. It’s ok – we can do that sometimes. So let me share with you one of my new found favorite deal sites and maybe you’ll think about you too.
We’ve all seen group shopping and discount sites, but we’ve not seen one like Plum District. The ladies at Plum District have taken the time to sort out the joys of “mom time” and “me time” and have created deals specifically tailored to my needs. I’m having a hard time deciding what items I want to spend my account dollars on! How about you? Don’t you deserve some “me time” too?
Kelly Loubet is a Mom, Writer, Speaker, Doodler of notes, Part-time jet-setter, Full-time optimist and Director of Social Community Marketing at Social2B. Find her blogging at EverydayChildhood and on Twitter @childhood.
Me Time
Guest Post – Home by Heidi
Who doesn’t need a change of scenery sometimes, especially in the home?
July 19th, 2011 | 11:09 AM
Hi Everyone!
I am SUPER excited to be here today on Plum District!
Home by Heidi (HBH) is a colorful design blog that truly has something for everyone – from fun tips and tricks to simple inspiration and creativity!
HBH covers everything from DIY projects, paint, decorating, trim ideas and so much more.
I’d love if you would stop by sometime and say Hi! 
Today, I am excited to share My TOP 5 STEPS on how to transform any
room for under $100.
The truth is, who doesn’t need a change of scenery sometimes, especially in the home? But then, we look at our bank accounts and realize that our dreams of the perfectly revamped room might be more of a financial nightmare. What I say to this, my friends, is THINK AGAIN … avoid the pitfall of believing a big transformation must come with a huge price tag.
room for under $100.
The truth is, who doesn’t need a change of scenery sometimes, especially in the home? But then, we look at our bank accounts and realize that our dreams of the perfectly revamped room might be more of a financial nightmare. What I say to this, my friends, is THINK AGAIN … avoid the pitfall of believing a big transformation must come with a huge price tag.
Here are 5 ways and a few simple steps to transform your living space
into your DREAM room!!!
into your DREAM room!!!
STEP ONE: Get ‘er out of there!
Start from the beginning and clear the room completely! Remove all of your accessories, knickknacks, lamps, art, rugs etc. Clear your room, and by default you clear your head for new inspiration for the space. Just changing a lamp or even a lamp shade can give a room a brighter and totally different look. Also consider changing where items are hung on the wall. Or better yet, revamp old frames or small tables with a new punch of color! A $2.00 can of spray paint will make all the difference in the world!
Check out this before and After!
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Check out this before and After!
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STEP TWO: Put Some “Pretty” On It!
PAINT!!! For a small amount of cash, you can buy a gallon of paint that will turn your walls from boring to BRILLIANT! By changing the hue of a room, even if it’s only a couple of shades darker, you can make a bold statement and get a much bigger bang for your buck! Also, consider doing an accent wall. In my home I have done a number of accent walls with trim, but you can create the same affect on a shoe-string budget by simply painting an accent wall to give you a new focal point. Also consider adding crown molding to the look for a rich and classy look. You would be surprised at how affordable it can be to do it yourself.
In this picture Chalk Board paint was used for the accent wall.
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In this picture Chalk Board paint was used for the accent wall.
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Here is a Before and After paint job…I’m just saying 
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STEP THREE: K.I.S.S. (Keep It Super Simple)
There’s no need to rush out and spend a lot of cash on replacing items you already have. For example: keep the sofa and chairs you already have and get them professionally cleaned. It’s amazing what a little soap can do to bring back the look and life of your fabrics. If you want something extremely dramatic, consider a discounted slipcover or better yet, take the plunge and try to reupholster it yourself. There are many tutorials online that will help in the project. Adding a new set of colorful pillows and a throw will make your sofa makeover complete. To save on money consider re-covering old pillows with new fabric. It’s amazing the deals you can get now a days online or at fabric outlet stores. I have seen designer fabric for as low as $3.00 a yard!
Check out how these pillows give a neutral space some POP!
Check out how these pillows give a neutral space some POP!
STEP FOUR: A Change of Scenery
Simply rearrange your furniture. By changing things around the room it will transform the way you feel about the space. Consider pulling the sofa away from the wall and add a sofa table behind with a lamp. The lamp will create more ambiance and provide more depth in the room. Give it a try, you might be surprised! Also don’t be afraid to take furniture or accessories from a different room – change things up a bit and have fun doing it! You might end up liking them even better in your new space.
STEP FIVE: Out With the Old and In with the New . . . er, or sort of.
Don’t ignore your windows. Heavy, dark, outdated window treatments can make any room feel sad! Replace them with window treatments that are light, clean and airy. This is the one place I say it’s a good idea to spend some money, or better yet, find a way to “repurpose something you already own. I have noticed a popular trend where people use bed sheets for curtains. It is a great, low budget way to cover your windows. All you have to do is add rings. You can also search your local discount store for deals.
Here is an example of bed sheets as curtains
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Here is an example of bed sheets as curtains
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I love how they used a simple kaki fabric for these curtains
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In the end, it’s all about making your house feel more like a home. Keeping it simple and finding creative ways to use what you already have. Then go out and spend a little money on those things you absolutely LOVE and, of course, need
You’ll be surprised that a little bit of elbow grease and creativity can go a long, long way.
For more ideas go to homebyheidi.blogspot.com
Plum Community
The New Plum District Is Here!
Today, after months of work, we are delighted to unveil the new Plum District. We’ve rethought everything on the site — from our logo and our color palate, to the content we’ll publish everyday.
July 15th, 2011 | 1:18 AM
Today, after months of work, we are delighted to unveil the new Plum District. To meet the needs of the modern mom, we’ve rethought everything on the site — from our logo and our color palate, to the content we’ll publish everyday. We’re thrilled to share it with you. We partnered with marketing strategy firm thinkbrandnew and Sequitur Creative to conceptualize this project and bring our new site to life, and we couldn’t be happier with the result.
Of all people, moms have limited time, so we’ve worked hard to develop a site and emails that will provide a daily burst of ideas and inspiration to help moms take care of their families and her. It’s our sincerest hope that the new Plum District will find a place in the hearts and minds of busy moms everywhere!
We look forward to your thoughts, comments, and insights. We’ll be listening closely, and we will continue to update the site with useful features and informative content — all geared toward helping today’s mom meet the needs of her busy family, and take some well deserved “me time”!
All of us in the Plum District home office and in your local community will be working hard everyday, to make your day, and we hope you like the new site as much as we do!
Best wishes,
Megan Gardner, CEO
Plum District
Plum Community
Elvis Rocks the Plum District House!
Plum District gets a surprise visit from none other than the King of Rock n' Roll himself!
July 14th, 2011 | 4:58 PM
Amid the hustle and bustle of preparing for the launch of the new site, Plum District received a surprise visit from none other than the King of Rock n’ Roll himself!
Thursday afternoon, the King rolled up in a pink Cadillac on our quiet San Francisco street and the PD office was certainly “All Shook Up.” Don’t worry though, one of our PD ladies captured the moment on video – check it out:
Of course, with all of the swooning women in the office, there was quite the competition over who would be lucky enough to grab a picture with Mr. Presley. Luckily we all got squeezed in!
In The District
Plum District Insider Savings For Moms
I am beyond thrilled that Plum District has partnered with me and the ladies at MomsFashionFile.com to put on the swank Style Suite at BlogHer this year.
July 14th, 2011 | 4:05 PM
Nicole Feliciano is the Editor and Founder of the popular blog Momtrends. Momtrends is a fashion and lifestyle blog for hip moms who want to do parenthood in style.
I am beyond thrilled that Plum District has partnered with me and the ladies at MomsFashionFile.com to put on the swank Style Suite at BlogHer this year. Most likely you already know about this community, but for the newbies, here’s the scoop: Plum District is a daily deal site geared towards smart, savvy moms.
Each day, Plum District sends in-the-know moms a deal that relates to them and their busy lives and it’s all local. In NYC Plum moms get insider deals on everything from spa treatments and restaurants to family outings and kids’ activities–perfect for summer. Plum District is unique in that it is solely focused on moms and deals are sourced by moms that will make their lives easier or more enjoyable.
The team at Plum sent me on assignment to Appleseed’s–one of their deal partners. One great deal offered to NYC moms included a discounted set of play passes to Appleseed’s glorious air-conditioned and exquisitely clean indoor playground (for more information on Appleseed’s visit www.appleseedsnyc.com).
Find out more at www.plumdistrict.com
This is a sponsored post.
Check out Momtrends here!
Mom Time
From One SuperMom to Another…
When I brought my first six pound eleven ounce child home from the hospital, I did not realize I was in for the hardest job I would ever have.
July 14th, 2011 | 2:43 PM
For any woman who made the decision to stay home with her children rather than return to work, I am sure you did it with the same ignorance I did. When I brought my first six pound eleven ounce child home from the hospital, I did not realize I was in for the hardest job I would ever have. Twenty-four hours of care for someone other than my husband. Forget the degrees, suits hanging in my closet, or deals I had closed a month earlier…I was a mother.
Thirteen years and two more children later, I am still providing 24 hours worth of care – it just entails much more driving and oodles of patience. The professional woman I once was has transformed into a woman that can drive three kids to three different schools every day, make 3 square meals a day with snacks in between, volunteer at all of their sports teams and school PTAs, bake 4 dozen cookies at the drop of a hat, care for 2 dogs, 1 cat, keep the laundry going non-stop, learn how to throw a Lacrosse ball, teach my 7 year old son how to wear a cup, groom and tack a horse for my 10 year old, and navigate tweenage hormones
I was introduced to Plum District through my brother-in-law who was a friend of Megan Gardner. After talking to her, I was amazed that there was actually a job out there for me: one where I could utilize all of my talents, especially my big mouth, to make a little extra money and have something for myself while being able to work around my kids’ crazy schedules. Something that was a vague resemblance of the professional career I once had. Becoming a DC was a natural fit. I love to meet new people, especially business owners. And I love to tell all of my friends, and anyone who is unfortunate enough to stand behind me in the grocery line, about where they should go to eat, shop and play.
One of the most exciting and wonderful things that has come from my role as a DC for Plum District is the relationship I have built with my vendors. I have made dozens of new friends. I have become invested in their businesses and really want them to succeed. In particular, Louise C. Clow who is the proprietor of Weezy’s Grass Fed Shed in Terra Linda, CA. She is an amazing woman who, instead of just complaining about the fast food industry, is fixing it by providing an incredible alternative for us to feed our children. I would have never met her if I hadn’t searched out her business. Her spirit and determination have inspired me.
The women I work with at Plum District have become my friends. It is so nice to be able to meet women who really get who you are and where you are coming from. I feel like I have a new extended family and we are all in the trenches of raising a family and trying to rediscover ourselves at the same time. I really am grateful for my position at Plum District and am so excited to see where the next few years will take us!
