Charlotte Smarty Pants

Charlotte Smarty Pants – Daily Scoop for Savvy Charlotte Moms

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January 17, 2017

From our friends at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library: You’re going to rock 2017

Cutting word "I can't" flat lay

By our Smarty friends at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

Gyms are packed, kale is flying off the shelves – New Year’s resolution season is in full bloom. Now is the perfect time of year to turn to Charlotte Mecklenburg Library to get inspiration. You’ve been doing a great job of checking in with us already. Keep it up in 2017 by visiting us online or in person anytime you need a boost.

Here are ten ways to rock the coming year, and how your Library can help.

1. Start building a great 2017 reading list.

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And if you need recommendations, come to us. (We’re really good at it.) Speaking of reading, here are the titles that were most borrowed by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library readers in 2016. If you missed them last year, you might want to add these books to your 2017 reading list.

2. Figure out how that new device works.

If you got a tablet or e-reader over the holiday and want to know how to load it up with free e-books from the Library, we can help. Find a class or tutoring session at your nearest branch. Read More →

December 15, 2016

Presenting the Smarty Favorite Things Giveaway Winners!

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The moment we’ve all been waiting for is here. We have winners, and lots of them!! If you see your name by one of the prizes below, please email us by noon on Sun, December 18th.

Merry, Merry!!

First up is FASHION!

Gretchen Scott: RACHEL EFIRD & MEREDITH BURBANK

Gretchen Scott Suede Swing Top

Gretchen Scott has supported every fashion giveaway we’ve done and each season, we love her pieces more and more! Every time I wear a Gretchen Scott piece, I smile. And that is absolutely part of her mantra:

LAUGH MORE.. GRIPE LESS.. IGNORE CRITICS.. SAY YES.. ORDER DESSERT.. LOVE LIFE..

Finding inspiration from her travels across the world, Gretchen’s’ designs reflect a global perspective:

“India is a big part of what I design. The Indian sense of color, proportion and incredible embroidery is amazing. Gretchen travels there often. Indian simplicity informs even the most complicated design elements. Hand printed, festive fabrics and vibrant inks define Gretchen Scott Designs’ look. Our colors are true and often times intense.”

This year, we’re crushing on suede and ruffles, so Rachel & Meredith get to win not one but TWO perfect party outfits:

A Suede Swing Top paired with Gripeless Pull-on Pants, a $238 value:

Gretchen Scott Suede Swing Top

Gretchen Scott Gripeless Pull-On Pants Read More →

December 13, 2016

From our Smarty friends at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library: Volunteer Opportunities for the Whole Family!

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By our Smarty friends at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

The holiday season is a time of giving, and Charlotte Mecklenburg Library offers many opportunities for volunteers to give back…even if you want to make volunteering one of your New Year’s resolutions!

Did you know that in the last year, more than 1,300 volunteers donated 59,000 hours of their time to support the Library – valued at more than $1.3 million in donated services? If you are one of those dedicated volunteers who helps the Library create a more educated community, then thank you! If you aren’t, then we hope you will consider joining us!

Become a VolunTeen

The Library’s VolunTeen initiative is a great way for teens ages 13-17 to earn community service hours! Now that the program is offered year-round, VolunTeens can earn these hours three times a year at any of our locations across Mecklenburg County. Read More →

December 8, 2016

Smarty Hostess Gift Ideas & a FAB Giveaway too!

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{Thankful, Lovely, Creative}

It’s not about the gift, it’s the whole presentation. Gifting should be joyful and filled with attention to detail. There is no substitute for a thoughtful present. A common item can become extraordinary with simple additions such as gorgeous ribbon or fresh greens.

When presenting a Hostess gift, be mindful. She has taken great time to invite you to her home. Treat her time with respect and offer something with a lasting impression.

Here are our favorite, local, beautiful, creative items – some are giveaways and some are just must-haves! And, make sure you grab a few extras to keep on hand, just in case you get invited to a few extra parties that you didn’t have on your calendar!

Merry, merry to all of the amazing hostesses in the QC!
Love, CSP and all of our fabulous friends Read More →

November 15, 2016

From the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library: 5 ways to celebrate picture book month

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By our Smarty friends at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

“By reading picture books with children, we share other worlds, and even more importantly, we share ourselves.” – Anna Dewdney, author of the Llama Llama series

Picture Book Month is an international initiative to encourage everyone to celebrate literacy with picture books during the month of November.

Use your imagination
These wordless picture books and graphic novels offer the youngest readers a chance to use their imaginations to help tell the story.

Practice your Spanish
Introduce your young learner to a new language, or help your child practice their Spanish speaking skills with these bilingual picture books.

Enjoy a good laugh
What could be more enjoyable than laughing along with a child while sharing a book? Check out these funny picture books to share with your whole family.

Get crafty
Create your own picture book! Have each family member create a character and write a short story together. Cut paper into even sized squares and have each person draw one picture to go along with a part of the story. Use staples or a hole punch and some string to bind the book together.

Visit the Library
Take your children to your favorite local branch to find new picture books to enjoy. Enjoy a Book Start Art program at South County, Picture Book Bingo at Cornelius, or a storytime offered at many library locations.

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November 2, 2016

Don’t Miss EpicFest Teen Night – An epic event for students in grades 9-12

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By our Smarty friends at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

New this year, EpicFest introduces a teen-only event on Friday, November 4 from 7-10 p.m., for students in grades 9-12.

This special evening will feature two EpicFest young adult authors as featured guests: Adam Silvera, New York Times best-selling author of More Happy Than Not and fantasy writer Jessica Khoury, author of the Corpus Trilogy and The Forbidden Wish.

The authors will speak at 8 p.m. and be available to sign their books. Each teen will receive a copy of their latest release. Read More →

October 18, 2016

From our Smarty friends at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library: Epic Fest

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By Smarty Guest Blogger Melanie Baron, communications and marketing specialist for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation.

My kid loves to read. But until recently, I think she believed that books just hatched.

Until she wrote to her favorite author…and the author wrote back! My daughter wrote again, and received another handwritten reply. And another…and now she thinks they’re pen pals.

Bringing together kids and authors is a magical thing, and it’s what the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation’s EpicFest is all about. Read More →

October 9, 2016

Local Charlotte author releases book for middle schoolers & up (moms, too!)

Kim Love Stump, a local Charlotte author is releasing her debut fantasy novel, A Clearing in the Forest, targeted for sixth grade reading level and up. We haven’t yet had a chance to read this yet, but can’t wait to get our hands on it. We are hearing fabulous things, and if your child likes Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire, this should be on par with that. We’ve also been told there is nothing inappropriate for younger readers. Yay! Always what a mom wants to hear – especially if you have one that reads above grade level :-). img_3595

Kim is the ultimate Smarty mama. Originally from Asheboro, NC, she and her husband of 30-plus years and their family live in Charlotte. I met Kim years ago when she was speaking at a bible study that I was attending. She was the key note speaker and sharing some valuable truths with our group. I immediately could tell this lady was very special. She shared form the heart, but backed up everything she spoke with multiple biblical references. She knew exactly what she was talking about. I later learned Kim had her MBA and worked in finance for many years, but always had a huge love for writing and reading. I am so thrilled to see Kim pursue her love of writing in her new book, A Clearing in the Forest, the First in the Journeys from Ayrden Series. I can’t wait to read this myself although I might have to fight my 4th grader over who reads it first! Read More →

September 30, 2016

From our Smarty friends at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library: Lynda.com

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By our Smarty friends at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

Did you know that Charlotte Mecklenburg Library offers account holders free access to lynda.com’s library of instructional videos? Normally, using lynda.com requires a paid subscription, but Library cardholders can access lynda.com content with just their library card number or ONE Access account and password.
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What’s available with lynda.com? Over 4,000 courses in Business, Technology and Creative Skills taught by industry experts. Most tutorials last several hours but are broken into multiple chapters. Read More →

September 15, 2016

From our Smarty friends at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library: Community Read in October offers Frankenstein-themed activities for all ages

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From our friends at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

Each year, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library hosts a Community Read, in which librarians select a book to be read and discussed by everyone in the community. This year, the Community Read takes place in October, and the Library recently announced that the book adults will be reading and talking about during this spooky month will be Frankenstein, the classic novel by Mary Shelley. But it’s not just about grown-ups! Librarians have also picked age-appropriate companion titles to become the focus of fun teen and children’s activities—everyone is invited to Community Read!

The companion titles for younger readers this year are: This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel (for teens), The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm (for children) and Frankencrayon by Michael Hall (a picture book for young readers). We’ve provided book summaries and links to the titles below. Read More →


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