What’s special to me about writing a blog isn’t just the content that I share that’s hopefully inspiring, it’s learning about others who inspire me. The talent that manifests when people share their dreams with the world is incredible, and the story behind the designer diaper bag company Lily-Jade is living proof of that. Landon & Meggan, the married duo behind the Lily-Jade brand, are one of our sponsors* this month. Below is a fun interview with Meggan featuring their business and product line. And there’s a really fabulous giveaway at the end, just for the Gussy Sews community ;) Happy Friday!
featuring Becki of Whippi Cake
“When I had my first baby, Caroline, I was going through diaper bags like Caroline was going through diapers, quickly. I just couldn’t find one that was chic and sophisticated but also super functional. After my second baby, Madeline, I started hinting to my husband that I thought it would be so fun to create the perfect diaper bag. He loved the idea and we began working hand-in-hand developing the designer diaper bag line, Lily-Jade. Being organized is honey to my heart so I knew my bag MUST include an organizational component that would provide a separate home for each item a mommy carries for her baby. And, the Lily-Jade “baby bag” was born. Easily removable and fits into other bags perfectly.
Currently I am carrying the Caroline in Brandy. One of my favorite features about both of our bags is the straps. They are the perfect length. The Madeline can be worn three ways and the Caroline can be worn two. When I travel I take a Madeline because of the zipper closure but with my baby years over I am now carrying coloring books and tablets in place of diapers. The bags convert nicely to every stage of life.”
featuring Kacia of Coconut Robot
“It has been has been a dream come true to have my husband of 13 years, Landon, as a business partner. I call him the “diaper king” (laughing). We’ve wanted this business to be more than just a traditional business. Our desire is to elevate the role of motherhood. It is a huge responsibility and a rewarding one, but not every mom has support in this role because of cultural, economic, or family dynamics. It has been touching watching a daddy jump in and assist with my vision of honoring the role of mommy around the world.
Creating the perfect diaper bag is very small part of honoring the role of mommy. Even before I had little ones of my own, Landon and I have always supported young single mommies. And, to bring that part of our lives into this business, we are excited to roll out Lily-Jade’s give back program in January 2014. Lily-Jade is partnering with an organization here in our city of San Antonio, Texas that takes in young (as young as 14) mommies and their babies providing SAFETY (most of these girls come from abusive situations), shelter, food, education, and LOVE. The stories of rescue, recovery, and hope that I hear from the 32 mommies move me to the core. They are heroic and full of bravery. Staring in the new year, follow us on Facebook and social media as we celebrate the lives of these mommies, support them, and giveback to them.”
featuring Merrick of Merrick’s Art
“To every mommy reading this, your role as a mommy is valuable and matters. Your patience and kindness does not go unnoticed. May this year be filled with joy and peace on your journey of motherhood.
I tell women who have an idea or who are interested in opening a shop these four things: DREAM, write your dreams/ideas down, talk about your ideas to others (you never know someone who knows someone), and don’t be afraid to fail. The last one is often times the hardest one, but once overcome can be the most rewarding.”
To enter the giveaway, follow the rafflecopter prompts below. Lily Jade is offering Gussy readers 20% off their order with code GUSSY20 at checkout. Good luck! I hope you win :)
Would love to win! Thanks for the chance!
Love the Madeline in brandy!
What a great bag and mission statement!
LOVE the Madeline in Red!
Love the Madeline bag. Hard to choose!!
I love the Madeline in Brandy!
I love the Caroline in black! :)
My little guy, our first, is one week old today. I would love, love to tot all his things in such a nice bag
I love the Caroline bag in red!!
Love so many… But the Madeline might be my favorite… Hard to choose!
So awesome!
@Ashley c, I love the Madeline bag.
I LOVE the Caroline in brandy.
Love it!!!
The Caroline bag… Love it!
My BF is having {surprise!} TWINS this year…would love to win and gift the Caroline bag to her :)
I love the Caroline in brandy :) I love the styling of it plus the idea of being able to snap out the “baby bag”!
I love the Caroline, in all three colors! The Baby Bag is a genius idea!
Madeline bag in brandy!
In love with this bag! Toting around a 10 month old and would ♥ to have this bag on my shoulder;)
I adore the Caroline in Brandy!
When I was pregnant with my daughter I search and searched and searched for a diaper bag that didn’t have animals or cartoon characters on it, wasn’t pastel, and didn’t scream DIAPER BAG!!!! I literally scanned through every single diaper bag that amazon sold, as well as Etsy. Thank you Lily-Jade for making such a beautiful, functional bag. I LOVE the Madeline in red!
That brandy colored Madeline is so lovely! Would love to have it for Baby 2’s arrival!
I love the caroline bag in brandy. I have wanted one of these bags for my two Littles but never could quite afford it. I love that your company works towards doing more for those who are in need.
I love the Madeline in Brandy! I am pregnant with our 1st baby & love your designs!
I like the Caroline, in either red or brandy–so chic!
I like the Caroline in red!
I love the Caroline in brandy
I have 4 kids and I think this would come in super handy!!!
The red Caroline bag is fabulous!
I love the Madeline Bag; any color!
My favorite Lily Jade bag is the Caroline! I want one in black. Or red. Or both ;)
Madeline in Brandy…but honestly I love all 3 colors.
Love these diaper bags and the removable insert
Love the Caroline bag! Great simple style!
Love these bags! Would love to win one :)
With twins on the way, I need a bag that’s got lots of room, but still looks fab. This does the trick!
All of the bags are gorgeous, stylish and perfect for toting all of your childcare needs! Praying that I’m so lucky to win one!
I love the Caroline bag in Brandy… so cute!
Wow, those bags are gorgeous and we’re trying to have another baby so a new diaper would be very fun!!
Love the baby bag sooo much
I don’t even have kids & I want this, its so pretty!
The organization is awesome and so pretty!
I love the Madeline bag in Brandy!
Madeline in red! So amazing!
I was just looking at purses that could double as diaper bags the other day! So hard to find..I love the Caroline in Brandy.
I really like the Madeline in red!
Who doesn’t love a designer diaper bag??
I really love the Caroline bag in red, thank you!
The Caroline is beautiful!
Would love to give this to a dear friend who could never afford this herself!
What gorgeous bags! I love both of them!
I would love to win the “Baby Bag!!” I’m due late summer and this would be perfect!
love the madeline bag in black
I love the Caroline in red!
I’d have to go with the Caroline – color might be hard to choose though!
I love the Caroline in red. Just perfect!
As a Foster momma to a one year old and a two year old this bag would be perfect! If I was fortunate enough to win I would love the Madeline bag in Brandy. Thank you so much for this wonderful giveaway!
Love love love!
love the “baby bag”
Oh my goodness, I’m in LOVE! The Madeline in Brandy would be awesome, but then again, any of them would be perfect!
I’m due to deliver baby #2 any day now and this would be FANTASTIC!
Caroline in Brandy
I love the madeline bag in black.
Madeline in Brandy, so gorgeous!
Seriously DUE in 2 months! love love love. Want want want. Please please please
I’m loving the Madeline in red. Dreamy bags!
As a new mama I love trying out different diaper bags! This one looks awesome!
Love the Madeline…any color. All these are so beautiful.
I would LOVE this bag!!
The Caroline bag is my favorite! One of the first mommy bags I’ve seen that dies not look like a mommy bag! Stunning in red!
The Madeline in Brandy is my dream bag!
The Caroline bag is my favorite! I’ve loved Lily Jade for so long I would be so excited to win this bag! Thanks for the opportunity.
With baby three on the way and years between the last two, this would be perfect! Thanks for the chance.
too cute! what a wonderful giveaway!!! Thank you :)
These bags are so beautiful! Thanks for the awesome giveaway :)
I like the Madeline bag in red.
I love the Caroline Bag in Red!
What an incredible company. I love that mommy & daddy work to support & encourage each other. The world could use a huge dose of that kind of compassion! Thank you for this beautiful giveaway!
My favorite is the Madeline bag in Brandy!!
Enthralled with your help of young moms and the role of motherhood. Would be honored to carry one of your bags. :)
Absolutely LOVE these diaper bags!!! They are all fabulous.
Love the Caroline bag in black!
I am due in just 8 weeks and I would LOVE to win ♡♡
I love this bag. I’ve been stalking it for a while now. The red is definitely my favorite. I hope I win!!
What’s funny is I was just looking at these bags two nights ago. I’m in the midst of trying to decide what diaper bag I want. The Madeline is on my list!
These are amazing! So chic and functional!
My favorite item is the : http://www.lily-jade.com/designer-diaper-bags-p/m1-black.htm
I like it because it can be worn as a backpack and your hands can be free!
Love the Caroline bag!
I like the brown Caroline bag!
Love this!
Would love to win! Beautiful bag and I know It would looks so great with me and all my baby items. As a first time mom I carry almost everything but the kitchen sink everywhere I go… Can’t be to prepared!
I love the Madeline Bag in brandy.
I love the caroline in RED!!!!
I love the Caroline bag in Red!
Love the Madeline bag! I would totally wear it as a backpack!
Great giveaway! After two babies, I have yet to find the perfect diaper bag, but this one looks like it! Baby number 3 is on the way, so this is perfect timing… Would love to win! Thank you!
I love the Carolina bag in brandy! Thanks for the chance to win.
Beautiful bags and definitely needed by moms everywhere!
love everything about this! xoxo
It is beautiful looking.
I am expecting my first baby and have been looking all over for a cute, stylish diaper bag. I would LOOOOVE to win this one! :)
Love your bags!! Your doing such a great thing!
I love the caroline in brandy! Beautiful bags!
Caroline in brandy is lovely.
I love a shop with a purpose, esp as sweet as supporting mothers. And I love a good bag! I’m pregnant with my first, and love finding beautiful and functional things for me and the babe. :)
I love the bags!
I was a mom at 14; and again at 17. Thank you so much for recognizing the need without judgement. Blessings with your business. Love you all.
Oh I love that red designer diaper bag!!! :) Thanks for a chance!! xx Holly
These diaper bags are all gorgeous! I’d love to be a stylish mama with one in my hand!
Such an inspirational blog! Enjoy your posts! Would love to fill this bag with my baby boys gear….fingers crossed!
What a great giveaway, Maggie! Love the brown one pictured with Merrick – I would TOTALLY carry that!
All the bags are beautiful!
I love your diaper bags!! I would be so excited if I could actually carry one!! 😃
Love the red caroline bag!!
Definitely the Baby Bag!
These are the most beautiful bags!!!
Love the Caroline in Black! Wow, these bags are awesome
I am expecting number two and my first diaper bag has had better days. I love the Lily Jade bags! I would go with the Caroline but its a tough choice.
Finally a stylish yet functional diaper bag. Love these bags!
Caroline in Red, although all your bags are fantastic looking!
Love the Caroline bag!
Love this bag!!!
This bag is gorgeous but I also like the Madeline bag for the back pack option!
Love the Caroline in Brandy! It’s so awesome that you’re helping moms feel good about their style and sense of self while still meeting our needs with function.
LOVE! such a beautiful bag!! :)
i LOVE the Caroline in RED!
The caroline bag in brown
What an amazing opportunity to win such an awesome diaper bag. I love. Love. Love it.
I adore the Caroline in Brandy!!!! Hope I win!
Love the bright red madeline bag!
Love the bag!
Love the Caroline in red!
I love the Caroline in Red! What beautiful bags!
Love this bag. Thank you for the giveaway. This would be great to receive we are expecting our first in aug
What an awesome cause to support! May God bless all your endeavors!!!
Your bag looks amazing, clearly something I’ve missed having when my kiddos were wee ones!
Lily-Jade bags are super cute and functional. I definitely want this for my next diaper bag!
This is a great giveaway! I am expecting in March and this would be perfect!
I think I need two! We’re expecting twins in a few months :)
They’re all beautiful! I really like the Caroline!
Beautiful bags! Fingers crossed…not sure how you could pick just one!
This bag, of course, is my favorite! Reason I’m entering! :)
I just found out I’m pregnant this morning. This would be the perfect giveaway for me to win!
I love the Madeline bag in Brandy.
I have the hardest time finding the right diaper bag. These look perfect!!
WOW that is a really neat bag and I LOVE that you have a business with your husband, you are blessed more than you know!
Love the inspiration!
I have been looking for a good diaper bag, I am pregnant with my first child! I love the Madeline bag in Red, it’s beautiful! Thanks for the chance to win :)
i have been desperately searching for a fabulous diaper bag and the madeline bag in red is absolutely perfect! expecting my first this spring and would love to sport this to die for bag! xo
The Caroline in red is my fave
cute! hope i win :)
Love the Caroline – so pretty AND FUNCTIONAL!
I’m just drooling over the caroline in brandy!!
I would love the Caroline in Red and Madeline in Brandy. Love love love both bags.
I have a grand baby on the way. This would be perfect!
Thank you so much for the contest! I’d love the Caroline bag in brandy or black. It’s hard to choose! :)
I like the Madeleine bag! ♥ that you can wear as a backpack when the kids are older and you need both hands free.
I love the Caroline bag in Brandy! Beautiful!!!
Love your bags!!! Thanks for the opportunity to win one :)
I love the”baby bag” bag….
I love the Caroline bag in brandy and in red!
I LOVE this bag! It’s insanely gorgeous! The reddish pink color is my favorite.
I love all the bags, especially the Madeline Bag in red! We are having our second baby very soon and we are in need of a new diaper bag. I would love to win!!
I love the Caroline bag. So classy!
The Caroline bag by far is my fav. So pretty and stylish and functional!
What a wonderful story! I love her diaper bags
These bags are awesome! There have been lots of times I have wished I could throw my bag on my back like the Madeline, but I don’t think I could pass up the Caroline in brandy it’s beautiful!
This bag is adorable! LOVE it!
I am dire need of a diaper bag! Having a baby requires a lot of stuff to carry around! :)
love the Caroline in brandy!
These bags are beautiful! I love that mamas can be stylish and practical at the same time now!
This would be perfect to have for baby #3 arriving in February. My old diaper bag has been literally drug thru the mud for the last two and is looking a little sad!
I love the Caroline in red
Love the Madeline in Black! :)
These are so adorable!! I can’t really choose a favorite but my best friend needs a diaper bag and would LOVE one of these
I love both bags! Such a great style and I love when shops give back to their communities!
LOVE the Caroline bag in Brandy :). Thanks for the opportunity!
Oh man! I would LOOOOVE to finally have a legit diaper bag that is stylish & won’t fall apart after a month!
i like the caroline in brandy
pinned
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/103301385176865742/
LOVING the Caroline in Brandy !
Love them all- Caroline in red id I had to choose just one
Love the Madeline in red! Great giveaway!
in LOVE with the Caroline in Brandy!
I love the Caroline bag in red and organization that is in the bag !!!
I really am in love with Caroline in Brandy – it looks nothing like a diaper bag, so chic and stylish. Thanks for the chance to win.
i love the caroline bag esp. in brandy or red!
I love the upcoming baby bag and the Caroline in Brandy!
I love the Caroline bag in red :)
Love, love, love the Caroline bag! Thanks for making mamas feel beautiful!
I love the Madeline in red! Also would want the baby bag!
Love this bag! Brilliant!
The baby bag AND the Caroline bag are super sweet!! I’ve never heard of this brand before. I’m loving what I’m seeing. Baby is due today, so this would come in handy ;)
I like the Madeline in Black
I like the Madeline bag in black.
The Caroline Bag in Brandy is lovely.
I’m loving EVERYTHING you do, but am super excited about the Caroline in brandy.
I like the Madeline in Red!
I love the Caroline in black!
I love the Madeline in red! A nice cheery color for this time of year, especially when you are snowed in with your baby bull-in-a-china-shop!
I love the Caroline bag in red!!
Caroline in Black. love them all! :)
http://www.sweetsparrowdesign.etsy.com
love, love the caroline bag!
The Caroline bag is my favorite item!
BEAUTIFUL! I love this bag!
Madeline in brandy!:)
I love the Caroline bag!
Carolyn Bag in Brandy … LOVE … for my new granddaughter Lilli
LOVE the Caroline in red!
I realllllly like the Caroline bag. Any color really.
Gorgeous bag!! Want this for Baby #3!!
love the caroline bag!
The Caroline is my favorite and I’m debating between the black and red!! The red makes such a statement! Im so excited for my little girl arriving in June & I must have a lily jade diaper bag to tote around! :)
It is amazing
These are beautiful bags. I prefer thecaroline for looks but think the zipper closure on the Madeline sounds pretty handy.
i like the caroline
I love the Caroline in Brandy, but the baby bag on its own looks so handy!
Due in 2 month with #2 on this earth! Would LOVE this!
Love the red Caroline!
love all the colors….
The Caroline bag in Red & Brandy are my favs. But the Baby Bag looks incredible as well!!!!!!!
Love the baby bag!