Anders Ruff Workshop

Pineville and Davidson, NC

Disney Hacks

Stroller Edition

Adventure Air

Rock Hill, SC

Monday, August 22, 2016

Nailed It DIY First Day of School Board - Using Family-Safe Paints and Stains *Plus Coupon Code!*


Shannon Evans and Misty Grant, owners of Nailed It in Fort Mill, SC invited my sister and I to craft and check out ECOS’s line of chemical-free, organic paints and stains they’ve brought on board for all of their DIY projects. I spend a lot of time educating myself on eco-friendly and chemical-free options to use in my home, so I was very interested to learn more about the products and her exciting DIY business. 


Check out those hues! Aren’t the colors so rich and gorgeous? 


As mothers themselves, Shannon and Misty wanted all the projects created at Nailed It to be adorable AND safe for their family and yours. ECOS brand paints and stains are locally-sourced from Fairforest, SC. They’re 100% organic, non-toxic, solvent-free, VOC-free and safe for your family. Shannon joked that you could drink them they’re so safe - we didn’t try that - but I was impressed with Nailed It’s commitment to offering their clients the most family and environmentally-friendly DIY option in the area without compromising the beauty of the paint. 


The timing was perfect for this DIY project at Nailed It. Aisles are overflowing with binders and book bags, and if you’re like me, you’ve pinned something similar to this adorable back-to-school board on your to-do-list before the big day hits.


I enjoy DIYing, but I’m no stranger to the #PinterestFail. I’ve never worked with paint and stains on a project like this, so I was nervous about how my board would turn out. I didn’t think I could create a board that would receive #PinWorthy status, or one that I'd be willing to debut in all of the back to school photos!


Nailed It is a super cute venue, it's inside of Birds of a Feather in Fort Mill, just south of Charlotte, NC and right off 77 at exit 85 (across from Baxter). It's about a 25 minute drive from Uptown Charlotte and even closer to South Charlotte. 


Shannon guided us step-by-step through the process. She is a talented teacher who dropped  some creative know-how on my DIY-curious self. She gave guidance on applying the paint, sanding and working with the stain and on how to create a rustic look. 

With her help it was fun, easy and we got to connect with the other ladies in the class while we shared laughs and wine. If you haven't had a chance to work with Shannon - she has an amazing energy and contagious laugh. She made us feel immediately at ease and empowered by her DIY can-do. We also realized we're both SUNY Oswego alumni and even attended during the same years - it's a small world! 


I was amazed by how easy the paints and stains were to work with. They had great coverage, zero toxic smell and a little went a long way. Check how Larisa and I rocked the rustic look!


Shannon's instruction added to my confidence and my board ended up being 100% #PinWorthy! When I talk to other moms who aren't DIY confident I always hear - "I'd love to, I always thought it sounded so fun, but I'm afraid mine would turn out just awful." From one #PinterestFailQueen to another, take my advice and try this class. Each woman in the class came from a different age, background and skill level but created a unique and beautiful piece. 


I wasn’t the only one that was impressed with my new DIY skills, my 7 year old made me show her the Nailed It stamp on the back of the board to prove I hadn’t bought it! Yup. I totally Nailed It

My sister and I had so much fun with this project - plus it's a keepsake we can use year after year to help mark the Milestones and Memories of the first days of school. We’re planning on returning to make holiday advent calendars we can have for our family to celebrate the holidays! 

Nailed It is offering my favorite readers (yes that’s you!) a $5 discount for any class you sign up to take at Nailed It between now and the end of 2016 using the code MOMABOUTCLT in the promo area when you book. 


You can check out Nailed It on their website here, follow them on Facebook here and obsess over their must-have DIY creations on Instagram here. Nailed It is a great venue for birthday parties, wedding and baby showers, bachelorette parties, girls night out, family gatherings and neighborhood get togethers and fundraisers. Plus they have paint, wood and will travel - they'll even come to your event and set up shop - that's DIY on the go! Check out their website for more info.

I was provided this class free of charge allowing me to blog about my experiences, but as always all of my opinions are my own and my promise to my readers is that I won’t share anything I don't love and recommend. A huge thank you to Larisa Black with Photography By Larisa for providing all of the photos in this blog. 

Saturday, August 6, 2016

First of School Sign PDF image $10 each - All $ Goes to Buy Supplies for a Charlotte Title 1 School

It's nearly back to school time in Charlotte, NC the kids are brewing with excitement about new teachers, new classmates and a brand new year of learning.

For some families the school supply list can be a hardship on the monthly budget, and each year teachers spend their own money to buy supplies to help bridge this gap.


This year I've decided to put my photoshop skills to work and make these adorable Customized First Day of School Signs, then I'll donate all the money collected to purchase school supplies for Charlotte area Title 1 schools.

I'll happily customize the sign with all of your child's information and email you the printable PDF file (you'll be able to print to 8.5 x 11 paper) for you to print at home or wherever you like to print color copies.


It's easy to order, just send $10 for each sign you want via pay pal using the "Send To a Friend" so neither of us will be charged a fee, to LareinaWelch@gmail.com.


In the "note" include the following information about your child:

Child’s First Name: 
Child’s Grade: 
Child’s Age:
Date of First Day of School: 
Want to grow up to be a: 
Name of School: 
Teacher’s Name:
Favorite Food:
Favorite Color:
Favorite Subject:
Favorite Movie:
Best Friend:
Favorite TV Show:
Favorite Song:
Favorite Activity:
Height:
Weight:
Your Email Address for the file to be sent to (it'll be a pdf): 

Any questions? Email me at MomAboutCharlotte@gmail.com

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Carowinds Bands, Brews and BBQ's



Carowinds has long been known as a place where people come together, after all it's where North and South Carolina's borders converge. This summer Carowinds is hosting another fabulous collaboration melding some of my favorite things in a crowd-pleasing experience called Bands, Brews and BBQ's. From now until August 14th on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays Carowinds will be featuring ice cold craft beer, drool-worthy BBQ and music sure to get your family dancing.



Swing by while you're in the park and purchase tokens to enjoy samples of your favorite summer-time treats. Tokens are 3/$4, 6/$8, 9/$12 and 15/$20.  Access to the #CarowindsBBB area is included in your admission.

Check out our LIVE Facebook tour of the event here and see all the tasty goodness that you need to check out! You can follow Mom About Charlotte on Facebook here.

https://www.facebook.com/MomAboutCharlotte/videos/835770446524700/