Welcome to a Babywearing Style Documentary!

Illustration by the amazing Samantha Hahn

Y'know how I mentioned a while back that I've been working on a fun project in collaboration with Sakura Bloom? And then last week I said I have a big surprise? Well, after months of preparation, we are finally ready to reveal the big news and get this party started!

Beginning now and extending over the next couple of months, I will be the hostess, here on Marvelous Kiddo, of the first-ever Sakura Bloom Styleathon. Follow along with nine of the most influential, trend-setting women in the blogosphere (and their babies!) as they fire up their fashion savvy and compete to style the most fabulous, original outfits around Sakura Bloom slings and key wardrobe pieces. Here's the really fun part, and where you come in: the Styleathon is a unique, interactive event designed to spread the love to our readers, with frequent opportunities to win the same items featured by your favorite bloggers!

In three rounds of multi-media Style Assignments, the Styleathon contestants will be challenged to new heights of sartorial genius as we provide them with items to fuel their imaginations -- luxurious linen and silk baby slings by Sakura Bloom, clothing by Lilla P, eyewear by Selima Optique, and handbags by Marla Cielo.

Utilizing their hallmark photography skills, knack for writing, and natural personal style, each contestant will express their take on motherhood and individuality as they document their Styleathon outfits for a shot at the Grand Prize, with the winner selected by an independent panel of judges. Note: this is not a popularity contest! Participants' entries will be evaluated on the strengths of their creativity, originality, content, and sense of style.

I became part of the Sakura Bloom team after using their slings with both of my kids and realizing that this product is the perfect parenting tool for me -- both an essential way to get through the day with a happy baby (and my hands free!) and one of the most beautiful things in my closet. Dedicated to making the world's finest baby carriers out of exquisite natural fibers -- organic Irish linens, Indian dupioni silks, and southeast Asian wild silks -- Sakura Bloom is committed to simplifying and beautifying modern parenting.

Keep up with all the fashion-action on Marvelous Kiddo, and you too will have a chance to win an incredible array of products from the Styleathon sponsors, including slings, clothing, handbags, and sunglasses! Tomorrow, meet our amazing sponsors, and be sure to come back Wednesday, June 8th, for the contestant's first Styleathon Assignment as well as your first chance to win.

Meet the Styleathon Contestants

The nine bloggers featured here come from all over, they have a diverse range of styles and backgrounds, and their babies range in age from just weeks old to two and a half years old. What they all have in common is a strong point of view when it comes to their fashion, and a strong dedication to sharing their personal motherhood journeys with humor, candor, love, and humanity. The spirit of the Styleathon is a celebration of these women in all their fabulous, inspiring, wonderful glory.

And so, without further ado, it is my pleasure to introduce you (in alphabetical order) to the fabulous mama-bloggers of the Sakura Bloom Styleathon:

Elizabeth Antonia of The Littlest

Joanna Goddard of A Cup of Jo

Danielle Hampton of Sometimes Sweet

Natalie Holbrook of Nat the Fat Rat

"Miss" James Kicinski of Bleubird Vintage

Jen Lula of Jen Loves Kev

Sharmadean Reid of London Momma

Melisa Russo of The Lil Bee

Aura Stuemky of Aura Joon

I want to join with Lynne, of Sakura Bloom, in saying a special thank-you to Stephanie Precourt, of Adventures in Babywearing, for her loyal friendship and help, her advocacy of babywearing, and for paving the way for the Styleathon.