Guest Blog "Love Notes to My Body" and Launch Party Invite by Nicole C. Ayers

A huge thank you to our guest blogger Nicole C. Ayers for sharing her journey and generous invitation to the launch party for her three beautiful books. 

Several years ago, I realized I wasn't okay. I was experiencing anxious thoughts and having nightmares, and old wounds I thought I'd buried were showing up in unexpected places.

I made a commitment to myself to make things better. And silly me, I assumed that learning to meditate would do the trick just fine.


Meditation certainly helped, but it wasn't the cure-all I thought it would be. So I went on a journey of self-discovery and realized that I didn't like myself very much, especially my body. When I acknowledged her at all, it was to berate her for her wrongness. She was the wrong size and shape and weight and ability and look . . . and the list went on and on.

I was horrified when I became aware of just how cruel I was to my body. I have two daughters (ages twelve and ten), and I would be heartbroken if they shamed their bodies the way I was shaming mine. But that’s what I was teaching them without even meaning to.

I wanted to change my relationship with my body, and I needed something practical to do.

I've always enjoyed writing notes to people, and writing is how I process my thoughts and feelings. I decided I'd begin to write love notes to my body and all her parts as a daily journaling practice because it's awfully hard to hate something when you're sweet-talking it in a love note.

Over the course of months, I wrote hundreds of love notes to my body parts from my crow's feet to my pinky toe. Sometimes my notes were full of love and gratitude. And sometimes they were full of pain and grief. Anger, even. But they were always a real conversation with my body.

The transformation was liberating. Body parts I'd thought I hated, I now cherished. I appreciated my body in a way I'd never experienced. And while I still struggled to love some of my parts, I was finally able to accept all of them.

One of the best parts of my transformation is the extra energy I now have to experience joy and be creative, energy that used to be spent on trying to make myself fit into society’s definition of “good enough.”'

Of course there are days when that mean little voice cranks up with the nastygrams again, days when I’ve taken an unflattering photo, had a yucky dressing-room experience, or just struggled with my reflection in the bathroom mirror. But those moments are less frequent now, and when that voice shows up, trying to make me feel ashamed of my body, I can usually catch her after just a few minutes and shush her. Because I’ve written so many love notes to my body, it’s the most natural thing to place my hands on my heart and send myself love.

I’ve realized that decades of conditioning around what makes an “ideal” body is going to take time to unlearn. This process to appreciate my body exactly as she is will be a lifelong journey because she will continue to change as I age and experience life.

I love the simplicity of writing love notes to my body, though, because it’s a practice I can revisit whenever and wherever I need to. And it’s a tool that my daughters now have to combat messages that tell them they are anything other than perfect, just as they are. I can’t silence the mean little voices in their minds, but I can teach them how to silence it themselves.

Nicole C. Ayers has been playing with words as long as she can remember. While she's held many jobs in her life, including stints as a server, camp counselor, telemarketer, print shop lackey, bartender, and teacher, editing at Ayers Edits was her favorite, because she combined her love of reading with the fun of wordplay, until she added writer to this list. Now it would be hard to convince her there’s anything better than telling her own stories.

Nicole has written three body-positive companion books (SPARK Publications, February 2020) about her journey to accept and love her body: Love Notes to My Body; Love Letters to My Body: Writing My Way to (Self-)Love; Writing Your Way to (Self-)Love: A Guided Journal to Help You Love Your Body, One Part at a Time. She is available for speaking engagements also.

Nicole lives in South Carolina with her brilliant and brave daughters, her best friend and husband, a goofy dog, a long-suffering tortoise, and the occasional fish.

Contact Nicole at www.nicolecayers.com and connect with her on Instagram at @nicolecayers.

Launch Party Details 
Love Notes Joyous Jubilee
Friday, February 21, 2020
1040 Angelica Lane,
Tega Cay, SC, 29708
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

What: Join Nicole C. Ayers to celebrate the launch of her three body-positive companion books:

Love Notes to My Body (https://py.pl/42Ery0236tG)

Love Letters to My Body: Writing My Way to (Self-)Love (https://py.pl/aK1Ys)

Writing My Way to (Self-)Love: A Guided Journal to Help You Love Your Body, One Part at a Time (https://py.pl/PUYiA)

Love Notes bundle (https://py.pl/1cyhEc)

Visit nicolecayers.com/writing to learn more about the books. Click on the titles to preorder and pick up at the party.

All are welcome. So grab someone you love and bring them with you.

Enter the giveaways for fantastic prizes, including an original painting and a lunch with author Nicole C. Ayers and illustrator Mica Gadhia. Enjoy desserts and libations. Take selfies at the selfie station. Crawl the art gallery. Write your own love note. Erupt into spontaneous dance. Buy a book bundle. Leave with a special thank-you gift.

Books will be available for purchase separately and in bundles, and Nicole will happily sign them. Original artwork by the talented Mica Gadhia, Love Notes to My Body illustrator, will also be available for purchase.

Feeling philanthropic and want to share this work with women in need? There will be a silent auction as well as opportunities for sponsorships to bring these messages of self-acceptance and love to all women.

Can't make the party but want to connect with Nicole? Follow her on Instagram at @nicolecayers and sign up for her Love Notes newsletter at nicolecayers.com to access “Nicole’s Love Grooves” playlist.

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Frozen 2 GIVEAWAY - Available on Digital 2/11/20 and Blu-ray™ 2/25/20

Warm the hearts of your adorable Valentines with a copy of Frozen 2 - being released on Digital 2/11/20, and after Valentine's Day on Blu-Ray™ on 2/25/20.

Mom About Charlotte is doing a giveaway for Digital copies of Frozen 2! Our winner will be drawn on 2/13 - just in time to include this Disney fairytale alongside the chocolate hearts and cards for your sweethearts.

To enter simply comment on our social media with your kid's favorite character from Frozen 2, and why they melt their hearts.
1. On our blog below
2. On our Facebook page:
3. On our Instagram:

Here is  more info about the Frozen 2 release!

FROZEN 2 (Walt Disney Animation Studios)

Digital 4K Ultra HD™ and Movies Anywhere Release Date: Tuesday, February 11^th

Blu-ray™ Release Date: Tuesday, February 25^th

Run Time: 103 Minutes

Bonus features include a sing-along version of the film plus exclusive content, including outtakes, deleted scenes and songs, and much more! 

Synopsis: Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” has melted hearts around the world, becoming the No. 1 animated feature of all time. Just in time for Valentine’s Day,  the follow-up to 2013’s hit Oscar®-winning Best Animated Feature, “Frozen,” comes home, with a sing-along version and all-new extras. “Frozen 2” bonus features include deleted scenes, deleted songs, Easter eggs, outtakes and a sing-along version with lyrics to the film’s forever-infectious songs. Extras invite viewers to go behind-the-scenes to hear personal, making-of stories from the “Frozen 2” cast and crew. Fans who bring the film home early on Digital will receive two exclusive extras: an interview with songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, who won an Oscar® for Best Original Song (“Let It Go,” 2014) and wrote seven original songs for “Frozen 2,” and a deleted song titled “Unmeltable Me.”

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Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood - Live - King for a Day

Raising three toddlers has placed me center-stage to the very real, very BIG feelings tiny humans experience. Engaging children in shows and story lines that model different ways to handle these big emotions is why Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood has been a staple in our house. My kids connect with Daniel Tiger and his friends and watch and learn as each episode helps kids to better understand their own feelings and the feelings of their friends and loved ones.

When I told my three-year-old that Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood Live - King for a Day, was coming to Charlotte at Oven's Auditorium on Sunday April 7th - her eyes lit up with excitement! She promptly asked if he would pick her up on his own red trolley or if we would need to buy a ticket for the green one she had seen uptown. The imagination of a three-year-old is endless and inquisitive - this is why she is going to love it when Daniel Tiger and his friends from the Neighborhood of Make Believe come to life before her eyes on stage.

Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood Live - King for a day is an energetic, colorful musical that will have you and your kiddos dancing, singing and excited to be their neighbor (even if it's just for a day!) The ugga mugga's won't be in short supply as your children enjoy the positive energy and messages Daniel Tiger and his friends share. You can catch one of their two shows on Sunday April 7th at 2PM or 5:30 PM. Tickets start at $25.75 plus applicable service fees. Grab your kids and their favorite red jacket and guarantee your seats now by booking tickets here: https://www.ticketmaster.com/daniel-tigers-neighborhood-tickets/artist/2121748?venueId=368656

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Monster Trucks {Giveaway!}

Revv your engines, gaze upon giant dirt ramps and get ready to roar! It’s time for my 5 year old son's favorite time of year - when Charlotte gets overrun by Monster Jam at the Spectrum center on January 5th and 6th! Get your tickets now here or at the link below!

Enter to win 4 tickets for the show on Friday 1/5/2018 at 7PM by commenting below on this blog post with your kids (or your) favorite Monster Truck, include your email address if it's not connected to your gmail profile! You’ll get one entry for each social media comment  you leave. Here are the links to Facebook and Instagram! Winner drawn on 1/3/18 at 8am!

***If you go to the show be sure to bring ear protection for you and the kids!

Blog: https://momaboutcharlotte.blogspot.com/2018/01/monster-trucks-giveaway.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MomAboutCharlotte/posts/1253237541444653
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/BdauQ4aFI7r/?taken-by=momaboutcharlotte

Feld Entertainment, the worldwide leader in live family entertainment, is bringing  Monster Jam^® to Spectrum Center once again in 2018!  The new season will bring motorsport fans to the edge of their seats with adrenaline-charged, high-flying, four-wheel excitement that is fun for the entire family. Unexpected, unscripted and unforgettable, Monster Jam takes center stage sporting meticulously manicured dirt tracks created with the sole purpose of pushing these perfectly engineered, larger-than-life trucks to the limit. Monster Jam is one of the only sports where male and female world-class drivers, some generational rivals, are equals competing for the same championship on the same track. Following racing, new in 2018 across all Monster Jam events, fans in every city will have the chance to vote for the truck winner in the freestyle competition by real-time, in-arena fan voting on their smartphones.

Trucks and drivers scheduled to appear at Spectrum Center include:

Grave Digger driven by Pablo Huffaker

Monster Mutt driven by Kevin Crocker

Northern Nightmare driven by Cam McQueen

Scooby-Doo driven by Linsey Read

Stinger driven by Zane Rettew

Master of Disaster driven by Paul Strong

Nitro Menace driven by Darren Migues

Jailbird driven by Kaylyn Migues

*Trucks/drivers subject to change

Please consider purchasing your tickets through my link below so I can continue to offer these awesome giveaways on MomAboutCharlotte.com!

Ticketmaster Purchase Here: Purchase Tickets Here

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Frozen on Ice Ticket Giveaway!

Comment on the Facebook or blog post to be entered to win 4 tickets for
The show on Thursday, October 5th at 7PM. Drawing will be on October 1st!

You can guarantee your little ones a night of fun when you Purchase Your Frozen Tickets Here!




The complete adventure of the Academy Award® winning tale will be told live for the first time in this production, capturing the dynamic of two royal sisters, Anna and Elsa. Anna, a girl with an extraordinary heart, embarks on an epic journey to find her sister, the magical Elsa, who is determined to remain secluded as she finally feels free to test the limits of her powers. Rugged mountain man Kristoff, his loyal reindeer Sven, the lovable and hilarious snowman Olaf and the mystical trolls help Anna along the way in this story about love conquering fear.  Audiences will get to sing along with such musical masterpieces as “Let it Go,” “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” and “Fixer Upper.” Frozen directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee add, “Seeing audiences around the world embrace Frozen has been the experience of a lifetime.  And to now have the chance to consult with the talented team at Feld Entertainment and watch their creation come to life on ice, is thrilling.” In Disney On Ice presents Frozen, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse take the audience through the magical story based in Arendelle, with special appearances by beloved Disney princesses and favorite characters from Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story and Finding Nemo and Disney’s The Lion King, who come together to prove that true love is the greatest power of all.  Director Patty Vincent says, “Our goal is to showcase these heartwarming characters in a way that allows the audience to cheer and sing along throughout this emotional journey.”

Get your tickets here! 

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Charlotte Showcase and Cool Down at Sea Life

One of my favorite things about living in Charlotte are all the family friendly choices for entertainment. So when my long time friend from New York Antoinett and her family came to visit the Queen City for the weekend I wanted to give her the ultimate showcase tour of Charlotte. I won't lie - I have ulterior motives and high hopes that once they allow the beauty of Charlotte to settle in they will join in the migration South!

I wanted to guide them through the beautiful parks, trails and festivals speckled across the Queen City,  but it was about 90 degrees in the shade, and they were looking for a more temperature-friendly option. One of my favorite places to bring company with young kids, especially when it's CLT-HOT is Sea Life in Concord. Not only is it perfectly air conditioned, they have over 5,000 creatures to visit and view in their 117,000 gallon ocean tank, plus Antoinett and I could get some shopping in at the Concord Mills Outlet Mall when we finished our aquatic adventure.

The colors and vibrancy of Sea Life makes you feel like you're stepping into a totally nautical world. Her 10 and 6-year-old loved the touch pool where they were able to explore sea stars and urchins hands-on. There were many oohs and ahhs as we walked through the Shoaling exhibit where thousands of Pilchards circled around us like a NASCAR race. It's quite a mesmerizing experience. 

My personal favorite is the sea horse exhibit, they seem so exotic and calming the way they glide and float across the tank.

Antoinett's son read every single informational post and her daughter enjoyed collecting badges throughout the exhibits with my kids.

I think the kid's favorite was the coral reef, this is where the ocean tanks stretch to the ceiling, and sharks and fish swim overhead as you walk through the middle of the coral reef. 

With the heat of summer and the fun of house guests, a trip to Sea Life is a great way to escape, enjoy and make memories all in a comfortable, educational and fun-filled aquatic setting. 

Memorial Day is just around the corner, and with Charlotte expecting the 90's it's a great opportunity to explore Sea Life!

Tuesdays are Toddler Tuesdays where you can break up the long summer weeks and save money. When you buy a full priced ($15 now) adult ticket you get one child ticket for FREE on Tuesdays. Additional children are $5 up to 5 kids. It's a great play date meet up spot!

For more information about Sea Life and stay up to date on special events you can visit their website here, check out their Facebook page here and follow them on Instagram here.

Sea Life provided passes to our families to facilitate this review, but as always, all opinions are my own. I only share what I love with my readers. 

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Asheville Getaway - Soaked in Bliss at Shoji Spa, Lodge & Wellness

This parenting gig can be pretty scarce on indulgences - but a few weeks ago my husband and I partook in a weekend filled with many of our favorite things during a kid-free getaway to Asheville, NC. 

I'd be lying if I said I didn't have second thoughts about going, it's a LOT of planning and it was tugging at my heart strings to be away from the kids, especially our baby. However, every ounce of me was so thankful that we carved out this special time to be together. We were like giddy teenagers, smooching, laughing and walking hand in hand (because we weren't carrying anyone or holding little hands) along the unique streets of Asheville. 

We were invited to experience one of the most luxurious ways to warm up and chill on the side of a mountain at Shoji Spa, Lodge & Wellness Center. They offer private, scenic hot tubs nestled within the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

I was impressed with the cleanliness of the spa and the tub - everything was meticulously maintained and the staff was attentive and helpful as they led us to the dressing rooms to take a rain down shower prior to tubbing. We walked out of the dressing rooms donned in over-sized robes, sandals and towels. The spa attendants offered a fruit-infused cup of water as they gave us a tour of the grounds. We began our afternoon of relaxation in their cedar sauna. 

Next we were off to the main attraction. Doesn't this picture just say it all? It was B-L-I-S-S.

The hour of Shoji's hydrotherapy was exactly what we needed to soothe our parenting-weary bodies. Each muscle relaxed as we melted our stress away, encircled by nature and the gorgeous views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We breathed deep, with the breeze in our hair as the quiet rolled over us throughout our long, hot soak. We finally had the time to connect and enjoy one another's company without a basket of laundry to fold or grocery list to compile. It was just silence - and him and me and nature, and the time to lay my head on his shoulder and reflect on all the reasons I fell in love with him in the first place. It was the time and presence we needed to give to each other because we give our kids, our families and our jobs so much. 

We left Shoji feeling more connected, relaxed, rejuvenated, recharged and ready to step back into the real world of adult-ing. It was a wonderful escape and we're already planning our return trip. 

Shoji Spa also offers a cold plunge pool, but I was so elated in my toasty warmness that I skipped taking the plunge. In addition to their renewing hot tubs Shoji Spa provides massage therapy, couples massage, lodging as well as hike and soak packages. 

You can check them out online here, on Facebook or on Instagram. Plus (my favorite) you can book your partner for a you and them weekend - then go online and book your package at Shoji Spa.

My awesome video skills are on display if you want to see more of Shoji's grounds here. 

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Northlake Mall: Adventure to Santa

'Tis the season to round up the kids for their annual picture with Santa. We were invited for an interactive, exciting new take on Christmas pictures with Santa at the the Northlake Mall in Charlotte, North Carolina. They're hosting Dreamworks 'Adventure to Santa', which is an innovative digital holiday experience for kids of all ages.

It's recommended that you make reservations for your adventure online here to help reduce your wait, and avoid any long Santa-lines.

You'll join Po from Kung Fu Panda and venture with him and his cast of friends on a journey to the North Pole to deliver cookies to Santa. The 'Adventure to Santa' is located near the food court, but on the first floor - the digital village that houses the adventure is quite breath-taking. All sides feature digital screens that show silly holiday scenes with Po and his friends. 

After we made reservations online in advance, we signed in at the front desk and received our passport to the North Pole. We waited outside of the large red doors, the kids bouncing in anticipation of seeing Santa.

The first room introduced Po, who explained our mission. The kids got to play on digital screens and help Po collect points before we moved into the next room for the sleigh portion of the adventure.

Next, we all loaded into a sleigh in front of an IMAX-like screen. Then we were off, there was some rumbling of the sleigh as we sky-rocketed to the North Pole. The older two were grinning from ear to ear, but little bits at 20 months wasn't as keen. My husband was able to stand up with her and then she was fine until we arrived at the North Pole.

The third room allowed our kids to create a printable holiday card by donning Po with custom faces, clothes, accessories and their names. My kids handed each of theirs out to their cousins at a family gathering, and felt very big and important doing so.

The final room was where the man, the myth, the legend - Santa- sat in his North Pole study ready to listen toy hopes and desires. We all sat and took pictures - perhaps little bit's face gives away how she felt about Santa this year - but the older ones just adored this experience.

We had booked the Top Flight Package, and with this package they included one of the coolest things I've seen - a high resolution video of the kid's interactions with Santa that they gave us on a jump drive, as well as the digital images and printed photos.

You can check out the price points and what's included for each package below. I've looked around, and at first glance the prices look a little steep, but if you compare the prices for Adventure to Santa to any other mall Santa package in the Charlotte area, you'll quickly see that you get a much more immersive experience. 

At the end of the visit Santa gifted each of the kids these adorable plates they can set out with cookies for him on Christmas Eve. 

*Mom About Charlotte Disclosure: We were given the Top-Flight Package to facilitate the review, but as always all opinions are my own. I tell all venues/events etc. that I review, that  I only share what I love with my readers. 

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Christmas Came Early for this Mom! House Cleaning with Hux.com {Plus Coupon Code}

As a single woman my house was always clean and tidy, oh the organized life I used to lead! Then I became a Mom and my standards had to be lowered, and lowered and lowered yet again as kiddo #3 joined our family. Priorities have shifted to play dates and soccer games instead of dusting and deep cleaning. It's the reality of my mom-life as I balance work, kids, husband and the occasional MNO.

In the past I've hired house cleaners through friend's word-of-mouth, but they'd never done the job as thoroughly as I felt I would have done it if I had the time. I never knew what was included or not included, or how much it would really cost me if they charged hourly instead of by the job. 

Enter Hux.com, they contacted me to see if I'd be interested in reviewing their house cleaning services. I skeptically told them that while it sounded wonderful, I was hard to please and that I only share what I LOVE with my readers, and that if I wouldn't recommend it to my sister I wouldn't review their service on my blog. They agreed to the terms and at 11:30 PM from the comfort of my bed while watching "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" on Netflix I booked a full clean service with Cliff and Daniel. 

After you create an account at Hux.com, you can get quotes for different providers in the area based on your zip code, square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms and the level of cleaning you need. 

Each of the providers are background screened before they can be featured on the hux.com website, and since it can be odd having a stranger in your house, they are also bonded and insured to protect you. They keep high standards, only 3% of applicants pass their process. Plus they bring ALL the cleaning supplies!

I loved that when I booked the service - either light, full or deep clean I knew EXACTLY what to expect would be done upon my arrival home. I liked having a guarantee spelled out so that I wouldn't be disappointed. 

Each provider has a satisfaction number along with customer reviews, the number of recurring customers that they clean for, their fee and their availability. In just a few clicks I was able to book Cliff and Daniel for a full clean of my home, easy peasy.

I received a text message from Cliff and Daniel confirming my appointment and touching base. I was at work while Cliff and Daniel cleaned and my nanny was home to let them in. She was really impressed with how hard they worked and that they even brought in ladders and cleaned ON TOP OF MY CABINETS. Friends, they no joke unearthed 4 years of dust up there. I was hearing lots of good things on the phone from home-base, but I knew the true test would be me walking through the house to gauge the level of clean myself. 

When I got home, no joke - it was like Mommy-Freakin-Christmas-Morning. My house looked AMAZING. Each room I walked into was like opening a present of exactly what I wanted - clean organization that I haven't experienced in oh - 8 years.

My hardwoods gleamed, everything was neat and tidy, the carpets were fluffy from being vacuumed (even the stairs!), my master bathroom sparkled. Sparkled. My whole family showers in our master bathroom and it's a never-ending effort to keep it under control. Cliff and Daniel had every inch of my granite wiped down, every shelf dusted, the beds made, the laundry in the dryer I hadn't gotten to - FOLDED. They even organized my daughters heap of books shoved into her bookshelf into a tidy show-room like state. BLISSSSSS! 

Guys, I know I'm a mom and I tear easily for emotional things -but I don't think I've ever teared up over my house being so gloriously clean. It's the truth - the cleanliness brought me to happy tears! 

I can't recommend the quality work that Cliff and Daniel from Hux.com did enough - I've already shared my experience with my close friends so that they can experience the #MomLifeBliss that I was lucky enough to get connected to.

You can check out my Facebook "Live" video here of the amazing work Cliff and Daniel did here. 

Did I mention they even left me chocolates? A clean house and chocolates. These guys are speaking my language, and I'll be booking them again very soon. 

You can enter the same level of #MomLifeBliss and get a $10 discount by using the code MOMABOUTCLTDEAL.

If you book through Hux.com I'd love to hear your experiences, comment below! 

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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. 

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