Friday, May 1, 2009

All Black Have a Ball Giveaway-Closed

The long anticipated, totally adorable, tres chic all black Have a ball is here.  This is your chance to win it!  We want to hear who as a mother figure in your life has been most influential and why?  We can't wait to hear all your wonderful comments and inspiring stories!  This giveaway will end Friday, May 8th.  

35 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow, first comment. I hope this is worthy :)

Of course, my own mother has been incredibly wonderful and supportive and I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I get my infinite compassion from her, which I think is one of my best traits.

However, if I had to say who really helped me to define who I am when I was growing up it would have to be her mother, my grandmother. My grandmother was a tiny spitfire with the personality and looks of a film noir leading lady. Always a trend setter and never one to be pigeon-holed into dressing "her age," she helped me dye my hair bright red and spike it when I was 15, as well as showed me how to apply vintage-style make-up.

I am a professional musician and musically she started my love of big band music by teaching me all of the classics, especially Chattanooga Choo Choo, her favorite. She always had an adjustable light set up in her living room for me to use as a "spotlight" when I would sing Ethel Merman at family functions (over and over again!). She taught me how to polka and I named my accordion after her- Delores Lorraine.

She taught me to never take anything or anyone for granted, something I had to learn the hard way by taking her for granted and not spending time with her the last time she visited us. I miss her everyday. Because of her I know that one person can make a difference and I want to be just like her.

***LIZ*** said...

My older sister Sarah has been such a great example to me. I was afraid to become a mother for a long time because I knew that I would "mess up" my kids no matter what I did. But once my sister started having kids I saw her transform. She became more patient, kind, loving and creative. She is an inspiration to me of what a mother should be. And showed me that I could be a Mom too. We now have 5 kids between the two of us.

Cindy said...

Wow what a fun idea. (Love your slips by the way!) I have to give all my credit to my mother. I lost her almost two years ago and even though she's not here anymore, she still inspires me to do better and to be a better person. I strive to be JUST like her. She was such a wonderful example of... everything. Not a moment goes by that I don't think of her. Its funny how you grow up thinking your parents are naive and don't know anything. Now that I'm a Mom, boy did she do it right. If I can be half as great as she was, to my children, they'll be just fine! She was my very best friend but she let me know when I did something I shouldn't. She taught me all of life's most important lessons. She was always there and helped in every major decision in my life. She let go when she needed to and was just an amazing woman. She was an important part in so many peoples lives and I'm so glad I got to call her my Mom! I could brag about her forever so I'll stop here! Happy Mother's Day to all!!

Matt and Mandy said...

I would have to say my mother-in-law. Strange, I know, few people can say that about their in-laws, but she is wonderful. She is the sweetest, most guileless person I have ever met. She is a wonderful wife, amazing mother, doting grandmother, well-read, educated woman, and cancer survivor. Throughout her cancer treatments she never gave a thought as to her own condition, she constantly wrote letters and cards (when she was too tired to make phone calls) to cheer up or show love and concern to someone else in need. She is a joy and inspiration to be around, and we are so blessed to have her in our lives.

Leah said...

I also have to give a shoutout to my own mother, but I have also been really really blessed with the greatest sisters and aunts in the world. I have had more mothers and wonderful mother examples than any one person could ask for. I love them all!!

Stace said...

My mom has been a quiet, steady and strong influence in my life. She has been an angel to me, literally sent from God. I could never be who I am today without her raising me so attentively, but gently letting me be my own self, and supporting me through it. I, of course, didn't recognize this until I was older. I am so incredibly lucky. I only wish I could be more like her in raising my own kids.

East Coast-er Momma said...

I have more than one mother figure in my life. The reason for this is due to my sketchy childhood. It wasn't peaceful or a walk in the park. However, there are a couple of ladies, including my own mother, who made an indelible mark on my life and I am forever grateful.
1st: My own mother who didn't quit when she was the only one left standing in the battle field for my life and my sister's lives.

2nd: My Sunday School teacher, Sis Stevens, who believed in me and told me that I was someone special and my home life shouldn't dictate my future.

3rd: Sis. Bertram whose quiet strength gently urged me in the right direction. A simple smile, a compliment, a hug and a pat on the back during the loneliest moments in my life helped me more than you will ever know.

And to these women I owe my deepest gratitude; I love them so much.

CanCan (MomMostTraveled) said...

You should list this on my giveaway carnival on Monday morning, 5/4!
http://www.mommosttraveled.com

My mom was a wonderful mother, and I also have to give credit to her older sister, my sweet aunt.
My aunt has a gentle, others-centered nature. She is a country woman and non-judgemental, just as sweet as can be!

onlycancan ta hotmail tod com

Rachel said...

My mom is such a great example to me in my life. Even through all of her stuggles that she has with her health and being bed ridden, she is one of the most positvie and uplifting people I know. She is always there to listen. She seems to always find a way to solve any problem or trouble that I might have. She has so many talents. One of which is that she has a way with words. She let me read a piece of her journal one day, and it was like a story. It had details and descriptions far beyond anything I have ever written in my journal. I am thankful that I have such an amazing mom in my life and I am grateful for having a mom that I know loves me and cares for me and always is there for me throughout my life.

Anne said...

I would definately nominate none other than my mom. I've been the "wild child" for her, and I'm learning with my own children just a little bit of what I put her through! She's been there throughout my childhood, setting apart "date nights" so we would spend time one on one. I think the biggest lesson I've learned from her is to love passionately the life I have!

Amber said...

My mom is an incredible mother figure and I am so grateful for all that she has taught me. My mom taught me how to be a lady - but also how important it was to stand up for my own beliefs and think for myself. She has definitely molded me into the strong and independent woman that I am today. Now, we are truly more best friends and we see each other as equals. There is nobody that I love more in this world.
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

It would have to be my mom. She has helped me through some very tough times.

love_b said...

I reciently found your website because I was in dyer need of a skirt extender and I fell in love with all of yours!

My mom is my best friend. She had me when she was 16 so you could say we grew up together. She was raised in a abusive enviroment and had a really hard childhood. But she made it out on top.. married my dad and had 3 more kids. She is my inspiration. Right before I had my daughter I was so nervous. How can I (a 22 year old) have a baby?! I'm in no way mature enough to raise a human being. Then I thought of mommy, and I thought about her being 16 years old and raising me and giving me the childhood she never had. I love her sooo much and I'm so grateful for her example to me. Not only is she a great mom, she is a even better grandma!
-Brittnie

Lisa said...

There are many women who have helped and are still helping me to be the best person I can be. Besides my mother, other ladies in this category include the women of my church, my grandmothers, my aunts, and my sister. Because I don't have time to express how they've all touched my life, I'll focus on my paternal grandmother. Many people say that I resemble her more than either of my parents.
My paternal grandmother is what they would call "a tough old bird." She was an only child, and veritable Daddy's girl. (Her father was a great man too, but that's another story.) She was the first of her family to go to school, and at that time, she was the only girl in the school. She had to face quite a lot of sexism, but she was able to make it through. She also single-handedly raised my father and one of my uncles through wartime. Even now, she's deeply involved in the community and has even more energy and vigor than some of the younger ladies in their group. I hope that I am and can be as strong as she is.
the_outsider01AThotmailDOTcom

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

my grandmother was a great influence in my life becuase she was widowed very young and was strong, and stubborn and beautifl and had a wonderful attitude towards life

malleycc said...

My mom was a wonderful lady that raised 3 of us alone and did a pretty good job of it. She was a free spirit and has given me the understanding of others that I believe has helped me so much in life.

Sunnyvale said...

My mom was a great cook and I'm carrying on her tradition of special recipes on various holidays

wendy wallach said...

Aside from my mother, the woman who has been themost influential in my life is my Aunt Margie. She always provided an outlet for me when my own life was in crisis, and taught me how strength comes from within. Her love and concern for me has influenced me my whole life, and continues to today.

madamerkf at aol dot com

Christina said...

Christina - xristya@rock.com - Besides my actual mother, who of course was the most influential, I had a teacher during grade 6 named Sister Mary Edmundine who REALLY helped me see who I was! She praised my writing and drawing and entered my work into contests (the work won!) and then I knew that this was going to be my lifelong profession, writing and art. At the time I was extremely shy and didn't thank her, but now I so much wish that I had!

Trish said...

my nana~ i was raised by my grandparents because my own parents were on drugs. without them i would never have survived! my nana taught me to be humble and showed me the love i needed as a child, teen and adult! i love her so much!

Jingle said...

Fortunately I am blessed to have a Mom who is my Mother figure! I know so very many who do not have that privileged and I do treasure that as a gift. While we don't always see eye to eye there is one thing that my Mom always is sure to communicate and that is her love for me. Even at my age, she regularly tells me that she loves me. I still get hugs and kisses when I see her and I can still count on her shoulder to cry on if I need it. She's pretty great.

Jean P said...

My dear friend Eva, because she is always there to for me and I can trust her. bbrrterrace(at)hotmail.com

Mom Union said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Mom Union said...

My mother has been so good to me. I'm working full-time at a hospital and going to nursing school full-time. She's very busy with her career, but she's still made time to help with my daughter and my studies. I couldn't do this without her.
heatherg_cna@yahoo.com

amoodygirl said...
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amoodygirl said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
amoodygirl said...

This is an easy one for me. It would most definitely be my mom. growing up, I took her for granted, until one day when a friend's mom was critical of her (my friend). I realized that not all moms are as kind as mine.

We never were in "competition" with each other, she never tried to make me into something I was not. She just accepted me and loved me as her daughter.

Later when I was in college, I had a roommate who "hated" her mother. How could you hate your mom? I thought. Again it was an epiphany of just how sweet and "cool" my mom was.

Years later when I FINALLY became a mom myself,(much later in life than I had hoped), I truly realized how much a mother can love her child. (My mom loves me THAT much?)

My mom passed away four years ago and I miss her SO MUCH! I am grateful that she was able to see me with my daughter, at least for two years. The greatest thing she ever said to me was "You're a good mom."

THANKS MOM for all you were and how much you loved me! HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Holly said...

My own mom taught me what it means to give of yourself unselfishly and how to make a home feel like heaven on earth. I hope one day to be the kind of mother she is.

Anonymous said...

My own mother taught me many things. Above everyone I've ever met, I don't think I'll ever meet anyone as nonjudgmental as my mother. She taught me that there is good in everyone, sometimes we just have to look really hard :)

My mother has been dead for 10 yrs and her best friend has been there for me ever since. She's also a wonderful example of a mother so in a way, my mother left me in good hands even though no one could ever replace her.

Anonymous said...

Wow! I am so excited about all the genuine comments on this giveaway post. It is going to be hard for our moms to pick the winner. Good luck to you all. I am really excited for you to have this slip! It is one you will wear often. Happy Mother's Day this weekend!

Anonymous said...

My mother passed away several years ago, but she was the most wonderful mother EVER!! I don't remember my mother EVER yelling at any of the three kids. When I tell people that I can tell they don't believe me, but we three kids know it's true.

She was also INCREDIBLY unselfish. I can remember when I was in high school she would wear panty hose full of runners so she could save money so I could buy cute clothes to wear to school. I'm not sure I was mature enough to appreciate her sacrifice then but I certainly do now.

She knew all of my friends favorite desserts and would make sure to fix it any time they came over. THey all adored her.

I just hope that she knew how much I appreciated and loved her before she died. Mother's Day is always a difficult holiday for me now.

pamelashockley(AT)netscape(DOT)net

Unknown said...

my mother is gone and I really don't have that much to say about her but I am a mother and if I am a good one it is because of my three daughters, all now grown themselves. They have made me the person I always wanted and knew I could be

masonsgranny59 said...

my mom is the world's greatest mom:)

Crunchy Green Mom - Suzanne said...

I was luck enough to have so many influential women in my life.

My mother, who adopted me when I was 2.5... she has shown me selfless love. Even though I was a nightmare as a teen, she still loved me.

My ex-mother in law... she has passed away however she taught me how to love my children with unconditional love.

My ex-boyfriends mother, who has taught me to cook and love my home because it is a reflection of who I am.

Myself... I am a single mom of six... and I've been told enough.. that I am a role model, so I must be.. right? Most of the time I just feel like a mess. :)

demmi said...

my aunt she showed me you can be motherly without having children of your own con5459(at)gmai(dot)com