The Sakura Bloom Styleathon Giveaway Winners + Round 3 Update

Styleathon contestants, Elizabeth and "Miss" James,

wearing their daughters in Pure Collection slings.

I am so thrilled to announce the 3 winners of our latest Styleathon giveaway! Chosen at random from the valid entries, they are:

Finance and Happiness, Kim, and Susan Magnolia

Congratulations, ladies, and thanks for entering!

I also wanted to take this opportunity to talk about a slight adjustment that we've made to the requirements for Round 3 of the Styleathon. We've already let the contestants know, but of course I want to keep you in the loop as well ;)

Upon further reflection, Lynne (from Sakura Bloom) and I realized that the video requirement for Round 3 of the Styleathon might put some of the contestants at an unfair disadvantage, due to lack of video-editing experience/equipment. Because of this, we have decided to add a photo option to the final round of the Styleathon. Now, the participants can each choose to complete their entries in either a photo OR video format, whichever they prefer (see specifics below).

Here are the revised, official requirements for Round 3:

Video Option: Create a video centered around a new Sakura Bloom sling, Styleathon accessories and items from your own wardrobe. Your video can be impressionistic, instructional, comedy or drama. It can be all of the above or none of the above. It's up to you to decide what genre or approach will best capture what you want to share with others.

-or-

Photo Option: Submit a series of documentary-style photos that are inspired by the phrase, "a babywearing day-in-the-life." Whether that means you're at home, out running errands, traveling, or attending a special event (or a little bit of all those!). Include a few words that tell us more about what you're doing and how babywearing helps you get through the day.

We are so impressed by everyone's entries so far, and we can't wait to see what they create next! Thanks for following along, and for all the amazing feedback. XOXO, Leigh

The Sakura Bloom Styleathon: Reader Giveaway and Round 3 Assignment!

Styleathon mamas wearing their babies in Pure Collection slings

Time for another giveaway, mamas! And this time it's really exciting: THREE lucky winners will receive their choice of linen sling from Sakura Bloom's Pure Collection. To enter, just leave a relevant comment with your email address on this post by Sunday, July 10th at 11:59 pm. Good luck!

Congratulations to Jennifer Vidalon, winner of the Round 2 Giveaway! Thanks to all who entered :)

And now, Elizabeth, Joanna, Danielle, Natalie, "Miss" James, Jen, Sharmadean, Melisa and Aura, here is the your next (and final) assignment:

The Sakura Bloom Styleathon, Round 2 Roundup!

Elizabeth Antonia, of The Littlest, will pull at your heartstrings

with her post, Mama Kanga, Baby Roo

For their Round 2 entries, The Sakura Bloom Styleathon bloggers were asked to create a look inspired by their sense of adventure or occasion -- and wowza, did they ever deliver the goods! I am so inspired, delighted, and amazed by these wonderful mamas and their gorgeous images and beautiful thoughts on babywearing and life. Here's a little preview, but be sure to click through to each blog to see every post in its entirety.

In her post, Natalie of NatTheFatRat pontificates as only she can, with quirky humor and grace to spare, on living the life of your dreams.

Aura, of Aura Joon, again melds poetry and soulful reflections on motherhood

with beautiful images of her own little paradise in Why I Choose to Wear My Baby.

Against a stunning natural background, Danielle, of Sometimes Sweet,

talks movingly in her post about how babywearing has enriched her life.

"Miss" James, of Bleubird Vintage, offers a post full of tender thoughts about savoring closeness with her little one in a sling. And she rocks the heck out of a pair of Chloe heels.

In Adventures in Babywearing, Joanna, of A Cup of Jo, goes fishing for the first time

and finds her sling to be the perfect aid to outdoorsy adventuring with Toby.

This time, Melisa, of The Lil Bee, bonds with her oldest daughter through

sling-wearing, and the importance of transforming everyday routines into magical adventures.

In a beautiful, sun-drenched post, Jen, of Jen Loves Kev, talks about how babywearing helps her to instill her daughter with a deep passion for adventure and living life to the fullest.

Please check out all the Round 2 posts, and let me know what you think! Who are your favorites? Which mama's words resonate most with your own experience? I would love to know your thoughts!

And don't forget to stay tuned for another Styleathon giveaway and the Round 3 Assignment...

The Sakura Bloom Styleathon: Round 2 Assignment

Elizabeth, Joanna, Danielle, Natalie, "Miss" James, Jen, Sharmadean, Melisa, and Aura have until 11:59 pm, July 5 to post their Round 2 entries on their respective blogs, before we move on to Round 3.

Our goal is to encourage as much freedom of expression as possible in the blogger's entries, while providing them with items that fuel their imaginations. In that spirit, we have one simple guideline:

• Each item received from the Styleathon sponsors must make at least one appearance in at least one round of the Styleathon.

The competition will culminate, in late July, with the announcement of a Grand Prize Winner, chosen by our panel of judges.

Marvelous Kiddo readers: If you babywear, I would love to hear your thoughts on how doing so has affected your life. Leave a comment on this post. Thanks! And don't forget to enter the giveaway!!!

UPDATED: The Sakura Bloom Styleathon, Round 1 Entries!!!

Have you been keeping up with the Sakura Bloom Styleathon contestants? If not, you should be, since all nine of them have now posted their Round 1 entries on their own blogs.

I cannot tell you how moved I am by all of their words and photos. What a talented, articulate, beautiful group of mamas! I am truly humbled and honored to know these ladies.

Now run over and check out all the incredible Styleathon entries, and prepare to be inspired and delighted. Here are links to the posts (in no particular order):

Danielle (and Henry) of Sometimes Sweet

Elizabeth (and Elodie) of The Littlest

Natalie (and Huck) of Nat The Fat Rat

Joanna (and Toby) of A Cup of Jo

Sharmadean (and Roman) of London Momma

Jen (and Rowan) of Jen Loves Kev

Aura (and Elodie) of Aura Joon

Melisa (and Blake) of The Lil Bee

"Miss" James (and Gemma Bird) of Bleubird Vintage

Stay tuned to Marvelous Kiddo for our second amazing Styleathon giveaway and the Round 2 Assignment! Fun!

happy father's day!

Photo sources, top to bottom:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24,25

Sending tons of love, respect and adoration to all the papa's out there!

You guys make life wonderful :)

XOXO,

Leigh

PS: The last photo is of my friend Liz, her son Henry, and her grandfather. Read more about the sweet moment here, and vote for the photo to win a contest while you're there!