Help Support The Ride For Kids! {GIVEAWAY}

How about a little incentive to get more donations to a good cause... because sometimes if you give a little, you get a little (or a lot), right? Right. Well, I figured we should set up a little thing where each five dollars you donate to the ride for kids/pediatric brain tumor foundation (read more info HERE) gets you one entry to win this really spectacular giveaway worth over 200$

That's right: It's giveaway time ;)

PRIZES:
The winner of this giveaway will receive three organic shirts of their choice from Barley and Birch, two organic, handprinted shirts from Eric's new soon-to-be (nameless) shop (he owns this pretty awesome printshop where him and his partner create some really amazing designs and shirts), the itty bitty clip set and a headband from Up a Tree Cup a Tea, and a free month (or two) sponsorship space on this blog here (you know, ohdeardrea)!

TO ENTER: 
As mentioned, each five dollars you donate to The Ride For Kids gets you one chance to win. All you have to do is go to the donate page, decide your amount, and make your donation. Then come back here and leave ONE comment for EACH five dollars you donate. Makes sense, right? Lets say you donate five dollars, then you leave one comment. If you donate fifteen dollars, then you come back and leave three separate comments. Fifty dollars? Ten separate comments for ten chances to win! Easy enough, right? Just be sure you leave your name and email address with your comment(s). This way, not only can I reach you, but I can also link your donation and your comment to keep things fair.

End Date:
This charity giveaway will be open until the day of the actual ride (second week of April). That's a long time right? Well, I want to be sure to collect as much as possible since this is such a really important cause. A lot of us are moms here and most of us are lucky enough to never have to experience anything even half as scary as watching our child suffer through a brain tumor, but unfortunately, there are many moms/families out there who aren't so lucky... and that donation, however big or small it may be, can really affect their life in a positive way. So let's help out, donate, and possibly win some really awesome stuff, okay?

More Info:
You can read more about The Ride For Kids HERE.
100% of the proceeds for The Ride For Kids goes to The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.

A Big Thank You To:
Barley & Birch
ID Ink
Up A Tree Cup a Tea

More: 
If you have any more questions or want to help out in anyway just send an email my way: ohdeardrea@gmail.com


**forgive me if this doesn't make a lot of sense. It's been a looong (but good) weekend. It was street painting festival weekend here which means my front yard turns into a massive valet parking zone and the streets get covered with people and chalk. You can see pictures from last year HERE and HERE. Anyway, thanks for your support and don't forget to share the word! There may or may not (may may may) be more prizes added the more people donate. ;)

Ride For Kids

(my dad and little brother, christopher, a few years ago)

I like to poke fun at my dad for his motorcycle riding, mostly because if you look at him he doesn't scream motorcyclist... unless of course you are looking at a picture of him from his youth/teenage years, then you understand: it all kinda makes sense. It kinda just fits him.
Well, my dad and his motorcycle team? gang? group? club? Um, team... (besides my love for motorcycle boots, I obviously do not fit into this world) The Southern Cruisers, are taking part in The South Florida Ride For Kids. The Ride For Kids, is like any other great charity event... like a "Walk For..." or a race of some sort but with HUNDREDS (or thousands?) of motorcycles parading down the street. I'm really proud of my dad and the efforts he puts in to this cause. I know him, and his team, donate A LOT of money and time. This year, with the help of the internet (you guys), I'm trying to help out and raise as much money as I can to also help donate and support this event.
So what exactly is The Ride For Kids and where does the money go to? Well, The Ride For Kids supports The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to The PBTF, to aid in medical research, to find a cause and cure for brain tumors, to help families affected, and even, for college scholarships of brain tumor survivors. Yeah, it's a pretty good cause.
I would love (so so much) if you could take a second and spare any amount, even five dollars, to donate to the Ride For Kids. It would mean so much to me, my dad's team, and most importantly: children, families, and survivors, of brain tumors.

For whatever reason, the widget wont work on this post.... but you can find a donate widget on the top right side of my blog, up until the day of the event, to donate there. Or CLICK HERE to find the donate page :)

And of course, here's a video if you'd like to learn even more about the event and program:

Thank you guys. Every little bit helps, please donate, and share. 

Happy Friday :)

Giving (Away)

I've had two (huge) boxes of things sitting in Marlowe's room for-ev-er... or about four months, but it feels like forever. I like to organize and cleanse my house every couple of months and make a big trip to goodwill. Seriously, it's one of the best feelings for me. But this batch of Marlowe's things had been sitting there (for-ev-er) and made it through about two cleanses, untouched. I kept telling myself I would do a "shop marlowe's closet" or make the hike up to Jupiter (about thirty minutes north) to a children's consignment shop. It made sense because so many of the items were in great condition and many had never even been worn.
This past sunday the box of things made it from Marlowe's room to the front door. Today, I felt almost human again and decided I wanted to do a bit more. If you didn't know (I'm pretty sure you don't, except maybe if you've been following my whining on twitter), I'm pretty much done weaning Marlowe. We're on day four of no breastfeeding and my body is pissed about it and revolting in all ways. I've been miserable for days now... it has not been pleasant. (But we're doing it! And Marlowe has been FANTASTIC! So yeah, anyway... I didn't feel like I had been run over by a train today and I wanted to do something good. I separated all of Marlowe's items (pjs, dresses, t-shirts, and so on) and started making care packages. All together I was able to make seven little bundles of goods, each one containing (at least): one pj, two dresses, two shirts, one pair of pants, one pair of shoes, one hat, and pacifier and/or a toy of some sort. I was also able to make two bundles for "big girls" with dolls/teddy-bears, a book, and hair bows. I wrapped them each up in brown tissue paper and red yarn and placed them on the shelf above a sleeping, clueless, Marlowe. Tomorrow they will not be going to goodwill, or online, or to any store for extra money, but instead: to a women's shelter. I am happy to be able to do a little more this holiday season and I hope these packages bring a little joy to a woman (and baby) in need.

1. packages, artwork in progress, and a new beautiful poster c/o miss igs
2. sorting, folding, stacking.
3. wait what is that? a baby that naps, during the day? yes! the past few weeks we've been able to figure out a schedule that includes: nap time, a no cry bedtime, an early (but not unreasonably early) morning wake up, and no nursing... except for one, in the morning. It's been fabulous. 


More than anything, I'm really looking forward to the day when Marlowe will be able to understand, take part, and share joy in giving.

Let's Do Something Good, Shall We?

*let me start off being saying this is not a sponsored post.... yes Barley and Birch sponsor ohdeardrea, but they in no way asked me to write this... this is something I'm posting about because it really, REALLY means a lot to me ;)

So here I am again, telling you (again and again and again) how much I love Barley and Birch. What can I say? I love anyone (or anything) in this world, that is not only living to live or living for themselves... but rather: striving to be the best, making an extraordinary impact, benefiting everyone around them, and of course...kicking ass while doing it.

Barley and Birch is selflessly doing some of the most amazing things for our Earth and the people on it. They have set out to make this world a better place and are doing a damn good job at it. Seriously, Kyle (founder of Barley and Birch) is a woman to look up to and admire... she is a super woman.

From the little things (that make a big difference) such as: organic clothing, water based inks, being conscious of emissions used, and essentially being a paper free company.... to the bigger things such as: donating 15% of their profits carbon reducing initiatives, and at least another 15% to other life improving organizations, to creating The Barley And Birch Foundation, Barley and Birch is what all companies should strive to be: successful, beneficial, and earth and people friendly.

This is the Holiday season... the season for giving. Can we all try to give a bit more, together? Every little bit counts. If you have yet to check out the Barley And Birch Foundation, I recommend you do. Learn more about their non-profit home and school for orphan children in Haiti and consider donating what you can. After all, it is for a really important cause.

Here is a little video if you'd like to learn more:

Another option, if you'd like to *give a little and get a little* is "The Watch"!

The Barley and Birch Foundation partnered with some watchmakers to create a limited edition watch. With every one watch purchased, 100% of the proceeds goes to fund the education of one child at the Barley and Birch home and school in Port au Prince, Haiti. One watch will fund one child for an entire month. Amazing, right? It's incredible to think how much of an impact one purchase or donation can really make. So let's skip one restaurant meal out, not buy that piece of clothing we were eyeing, or buy that extra toy our child will forget about in a week... instead: let's make a real difference, by giving. Let's do something good, shall we?




Of course, Barley and Birch is one of many great organizations that you can donate to. I write about it, because it one that is close to my heart. Find something that is close to you... a meaningful cause that makes you smile when you think of all the good benefiting from your donation. Another donating idea I really love is: Oxfam Unwrapped. <--- seriously, check it out. I'm sure you all know me well enough by now to look at the site for 30 seconds and go "oh gee, of course Drea loves this idea". 


edit: ps! friends and family who might read this blog: M and I would like donations made in our name instead of gifts. Seriously, I cant think of one thing we *need*.