Ana Patricia Boutique: Meet & Greet edition

Hi! Welcome to Sweet and Modern! It's no secret, the blog has taken a backseat to the baby. I wouldn't have it any other way. However, we are still here and I have some SUPER exciting news. Ana Patricia and Sweet & Modern have teamed up to provide a monthly series for all of you! If that doesn't make a Monday better, I don't know what will! 

The first part of our series is a simple meet and greet. Not everyone knows about AP, much less how they got started. No doubt you love their clothes and accessories, but read ahead to find out how they came to be! 

Read to the bottom for special giveaway info! 

Tell us about how AP started. 

Nancy went on a mission trip to Ensenada, Mexico about 20 years ago with her church. While they were waiting in the park she was standing by a young girl who was creating flowers with wire by using her teeth to bend them into the shape she wanted. At that moment, Nancy suggested that she make earrings and sell them.  When all of the earring sold, Patti kept making more and Nancy would keep selling. We have to admit looking back that the earrings she first made were not as pretty as we thought at the time! Patti came a long way with her jewelry making over the years. Nancy would ship supplies to Patti & Patti would ship the jewelry back to sell. For about, 10 years Nancy had a room in her house that the jewelry was set up in and it was named “Ana Patricia” after the creator..Patti!

What sets your boutique apart from the rest? 
Ana Patricia Boutique offers big city styles & trends with keeping the small hometown feel. We LOVE to make each and every one of our customers not only look their best but FEEL their best from the inside out.   We take pride on our ONE on ONE customer service as well! 

How would you describe the vibe/style of AP? 

We love casual pieces that can be worn everyday as well as those go to pieces for special occasions.  If I had to put us in a category I would say Casual with Bohemian flair!

Share about the personalities begins AP?

We have an AWESOME team at AP! We are so blessed to find the right mix of girls who keep each other balanced. Behind the scenes- Nancy, Erika, Mariah- We are a mother daughter trio who works together EVERYDAY!  We do everything from Social Media, Invoicing, Unpacking, Shipping, answering emails/messages & getting merch in the store.  

Frontlines- Morgan, Arianne, Lauren, Katie (Nancy, Erika)- these girls will be the faces you see when you come to the store in Milford. They also help with posting on Social Media.  Morgan & Arianne do POP UP Shops for us as well! ( Yes, we will come set up in your home, place of work, sorority, etc!)

How did AP get started and when?

The “Original” Ana Patricia was started back in 2002. After years of selling jewelry only we took the leap in 2014 and added clothes. That is when we decided to change the name from Ana Patricia to Ana Patricia Boutique.  

What is the best / most rewarding and hardest part of owning/running AP? 

The most rewarding part of running AP is seeing the look on our customers faces when they find something that makes them feel confident! The hardest part of owning the boutique (or any business, I believe) is learning how to separate work from home. With everything being on your phone these days it is hard to put “work” down. 

What is Patti's involvement level now and what does she do with and for AP?  

Patti has a full time job and graduated with an Industrial Engineering degree but still continues to make jewelry when she has time. Her jewelry making is what allowed her to go to college and she could have never dreamt that would have happened. Patti is also married and has a beautiful baby girl Emma. Although Patti’s jewelry making has slowed down the mission behind the business still remains. 

Matthew 25:40  “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Tell us where you are located /store hours?

Ana Patricia Boutique is located in Milford, NE but we ship ANYWHERE in the US for FREE! We are Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 11-8 and Saturdays 10-4!  We don’t have a website but you can follow us on Facebook and Instagram. We do have Snapchat as well..not going to lie it’s not my forte but you can follow us there as well as ap_boutique 

 

So, what now? 

1. Go check out AP on Facebook or Instagram to browse/shop. You will not be disappointed!

2. Follow along to be the first to see and purchase all new trends.

3. WIN a $30 gift to AP!

Omaha Stork review & giveaway + {gender reveal}

Happy Black Friday! I am not much for Black Friday shopping (at least not as die hard as many people that I know) so today is just a lovely day off for me...and the perfect opportunity for me to share this exciting post! 

I can't remember the last time I have been so thrilled about a blog post... but that's exactly where I am at today. A few months ago, my friend and fellow blogger Abigail (Acreage of Grace) shared about her experience at Omaha Stork Vision. Though I live and work in the area, I had NO idea Stork Vision existed! At the time, I knew I was pregnant, but the only other person who knew this was my husband. We were bursting with excitement over our secret, and I knew that I wanted to find out more about Stork Vision as soon as possible. 

Fast forward a few months and I can finally say I was able to to have this miraculous experience. AND we now know the sex of the baby! And, as if that isn't exciting enough, Omaha Stork Vision has graciously offered a session giveaway to a lucky reader! (Scroll down for giveaway details!)

Stork Vision Omaha is the only free standing prenatal imaging center in the Omaha metro area. They offer clients the latest technology in 2D, 3D and 4D (LIVE!) ultrasound services for parents. They will even do gender reveals as early as 17 weeks! So, for those of you who simply cannot wait until that anatomy scan, Stork Vision is for you! Side note: you CAN utilize their services without finding out the gender of your baby. 

Scheduling an appointment with Stork Vision is insanely easy. You can call, email, or schedule on their website. My appointment was scheduled within a few days of contacting them....and from there we just had to wait! 

The entire day of our appointment, I couldn't think about anything else. I knew that in a few short hours, the precious baby growing inside of me was going to be a BOY or a GIRL and that information made the whole pregnancy so much more real. 

Stork Vision allows you to invite friends and family (the amazing living room atmosphere is set up with comfy couches and a giant big screen TV for ultimate viewing). We opted for it to just be the two of us. Clay and I were both so nervous and excited. Cathy, of Stork Vision, explained to us exactly what would happen during our session. She told us that she would take a few photos that would be sent to our doctor, and then she would find out the gender. Once she knew, she asked us if we wanted to know. 

We had discussed prior to our appointment that we wanted to find out if baby was a boy or a girl. Cathy explained to us what we were looking at and...

IT'S A BOY! 

I cannot say enough good things about Stork Vision Omaha. They made us feel so comfortable and you can tell they REALLY care about their clients. I had no idea what a memorable experience it would be... it was truly amazing. I had tears in my eyes watching our little one squirm around. And finding out that it's a BOY was just the cherry on top! Cathy took great time and care to snap numerous pictures of our sweet boy. I have never felt such an overwhelming happiness! We cannot wait to welcome our little guy in April. 

Sucking his thumb! This one kills me every time. 

A few additional things about Omaha Stork vision: they do NOT replace the care of a physician. In fact, you must be under the care of a prenatal health provider. You do not need written consent, but you do need to bring in proof of care (in the form of an ultrasound photo, prenatal appointment card, or prenatal prescription). 

For more specific information about Stork Vision ultrasound VS a medical ultrasound, please click HERE. 

And now for the exciting part! 

First off, a BIG thank you to Stork Vision for giving us this amazing experience. I am so excited that a reader will get to have the same! Stork Vision has offered one lucky reader this amazing package:

-3D/4D scan

-CD of all saved images

-DVD of entire ultrasound

-Printed ultrasound photos

-Heartbeat animal of your choice with your baby's heartbeat recording inside!

This is an INCREDIBLE package (valued over $225!) 

TO WIN:

"Like" Omaha Stork vision on Facebook HERE.

"Share" this post on your Facebook. 

TAG someone in the comments section who may be interested in winning!

Keep in mind, you do not have to be pregnant to enter! Wouldn't this be an amazing gift to surprise someone with? With Christmas just around the corner, I can't imagine a better gift for an expectant parent! 

The giveaway starts NOW and ends December 17th. Winner will be announced Monday, December 19th.

GOOD LUCK! 

This post was sponsored by Omaha Stork Vision

Friday Favorites

It doesn't feel like it should be Friday after our mid week snow day vacation... but I am certainly not complaining! I am ecstatic it is the weekend! We are hosting a diaper keg shower for our expecting friends and then it's Super Bowl Sunday! Per usual, I don't care about the game but I do care about getting together with friends and eating. So there's that. And today we are linking up for Friday Favorites! Woo!

 

 

 Left Handed Letterer GIVEAWAY

 

 This is a BIG favorite. My amazing and talented friend Amy of The Left Handed Letterer is hosting a GRAND OPENING GIVEAWAY! You guys, her stuff is darling. I want ALL of it.

She is taking custom orders as well as hosting a giveaway for TWO winners!

 

Follow her on Instagram @thelefthandedletterer

Like her page on Facebook

 

 

There is SO much cute stuff in her shop... and the options are endless with a custom order! She can do it all :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AND... there are going to be Valentine's Day cards available! Seriously .... again... I want it all!

 

 

 

 

 

 

...yes, I will.

 

AND... my other favorite thing this week... this THREE DOLLAR purchase from Old Navy! This jacket is soft and warm and will be perfect to transition into the Spring. And for $3, it's a must have.

 

 

We are short and sweet today! These were really the things that had me excited today and I wanted to share. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!