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Living the Dream…
Our days aren’t glamorous – actually, more often than not, they are roll-up-your-sleeves dirty! But we moms are “living the dream!â€
After leaving the corporate world, Nina Frye and Cindi Schmitzer discovered first hand that motherhood, with all its joys and thrills, also brings a lot of work and chaos too. But not willing to surrender to the hard moments, Nina and Cindi look at motherhood and smile, realizing that even on the bad days they are truly living the dream!
I love the story behind Nina and Cindi’s company LTDchix, so I asked them a few questions about it all…
Janice: You give a great background story on your site about how LTDchix was born – but could you tell us briefly here how you got the idea to start your company and why you decided to add “mom-entrepreneurs†to your already busy lives?
LTDchix: We were at the shore together, and as we were trying to wrangle all of our kids to go home, they were screaming and fighting, we couldn’t find things, it was just chaos.
Cindi and I looked at each other and asked, “Did you ever dream life would be like this? When we were younger and dreaming how motherhood would be, all this screaming and mass hysteria wasn’t exactly part of it, was it?” We laughed because that’s all you really can do in those situations, but then later, we were talking and said, hey, other mothers must feel the same way we do at times, but you never really hear a lot of talk about the not-so-glamorous aspects of motherhood. So why don’t we take these emotions and try to market them? And that’s how our slightly sarcastic tagline was created — “Living the Dream†— and LTDchix was born.
Janice: What is the most challenging part of being working-moms? How do you balance running your company with being moms?
LTDchix: The most challenging part of being working-moms is trying to balance work and the kids’ schedules. The kids come first, and LTDchix gets worked in where it can. Cindi has 3 kids in school full time and one in preschool, half day — so her schedule is tight. She still manages to do a great job with all the accounting and inventory aspects of LTDchix. With all three of my kids in school full time, I’m able to handle our sales and marketing during the day. We try to work during school hours because as soon as the kids get home, we’re off and running to all their activities. It’s definitely a challenge for us, but we believe in our company and believe it’s worth the effort. And when we hear our kids talking about our business with so much pride — who could ask for more?
Janice: Can you tell us a bit about your “Living the Dream†t-shirts. The designs are so fabulous and fun – who designed them? Where can moms buy them?
LTDchix: From the very beginning, Cindi and I knew exactly what we wanted our signature “Living the Dream” Mom to look like — completely frazzled but with a huge smile on her face. To create the t-shirt designs, we brainstorm about scenarios we and all moms find ourselves in every day — grocery shopping, carpooling, doing laundry, refereeing the siblings. We work with an illustrator, Steven Anderson, who is a stay-at-home dad, ironically. Our goal is to make sure the “Living the Dream” Mom is able to find humor amidst the chaos of everyday life. Like Cindi always says, you either have to laugh at life or bang your head into the wall, and laughing is much less painful. We try to introduce at least two new designs twice a year — each spring and fall. You can check out all our t-shirt designs at www.ltdchix.com and shop online or at the stores listed on our site.
Janice: Thanks so much for chatting with us today – and for being a part of our July 4th Giveaway!
LTDchix: Thanks so much for the opportunity! LTDchix is here to make moms giggle a little and realize that while we love being moms, sometimes our days can be crazy. Laughter is the only option! And we love to hear from other moms — so we invite everyone to share your thoughts with us throughout the ltdchix.com website. Thanks again!
Cindi and I looked at each other and asked, “Did you ever dream life would be like this? When we were younger and dreaming how motherhood would be, all this screaming and mass hysteria wasn’t exactly part of it, was it?” We laughed because that’s all you really can do in those situations, but then later, we were talking and said, hey, other mothers must feel the same way we do at times, but you never really hear a lot of talk about the not-so-glamorous aspects of motherhood. So why don’t we take these emotions and try to market them? And that’s how our slightly sarcastic tagline was created — “Living the Dream†— and LTDchix was born.
LTDchix: The most challenging part of being working-moms is trying to balance work and the kids’ schedules. The kids come first, and LTDchix gets worked in where it can. Cindi has 3 kids in school full time and one in preschool, half day — so her schedule is tight. She still manages to do a great job with all the accounting and inventory aspects of LTDchix. With all three of my kids in school full time, I’m able to handle our sales and marketing during the day. We try to work during school hours because as soon as the kids get home, we’re off and running to all their activities. It’s definitely a challenge for us, but we believe in our company and believe it’s worth the effort. And when we hear our kids talking about our business with so much pride — who could ask for more? 
LTDchix: From the very beginning, Cindi and I knew exactly what we wanted our signature “Living the Dream” Mom to look like — completely frazzled but with a huge smile on her face. To create the t-shirt designs, we brainstorm about scenarios we and all moms find ourselves in every day — grocery shopping, carpooling, doing laundry, refereeing the siblings. We work with an illustrator, Steven Anderson, who is a stay-at-home dad, ironically. Our goal is to make sure the “Living the Dream” Mom is able to find humor amidst the chaos of everyday life. Like Cindi always says, you either have to laugh at life or bang your head into the wall, and laughing is much less painful. We try to introduce at least two new designs twice a year — each spring and fall. You can check out all our t-shirt designs at 
Two of you moms are going to get a “Living the Dream†t-shirt of your choice – so make sure you leave your comment here at this post to enter…
We will be drawing the winner on July 4th. All the instructions are in our July 4th Giveaway sticky post (including the code to put our July 4th Giveaway button on your site.)
Here is the quick version:
- Leave a comment on this post to be entered.
- Post a link to this contest and/or link and post a button to our July 4th Giveaway post. (If you post the button and link to the July 4th Giveaway, you are qualified to enter in all the upcoming July 4th Giveaway contests. And we have many more contests to come!) Non-bloggers are welcome too – we understand you can’t link – but feel free to pass the word on to your friends.
Canadians are welcome to enter too!!! 🙂
Good luck! (And remember we still have more contests coming…)
Blessed to be living the dream!
I am SO living the SAHM dream! Been there, done that, NEED the shirt!
I just watched the latest episode of J&K+8 & had to google the shirt she was wearing! LOVE IT!
Cute shirts! I could use one.
These shirts are so cute! I’d love some!
i need tshirts
You never have enough chic t-shirts.
Too Cute!
Please enter me. Thank you!
I love them!
Wonderful prize.
Smiles and Blessings,
Angel Mama ():)
I’ll take a green ,”cleaning one,”thank you!
Cool shirts!
Please enter me!
What a fun shirt. Count me in!
How hilarious! Cute shirts.
These shirts are cute!
I LOVE these shirts! What a perfect answer to those who see me with my 4 kids and scowl…”You sure have your hands full.”
These shirts say it all! I feel like I am living my dream with having a wonderful husband, two daughters I adore, a military career and my own business!
I’m living the dream and would love a shirt that proclaims it!
count me in on this one 🙂 I LOVE those designs!
I’m lovin’ these shirts!
Great designs. Thanks for a chance to win.
Cute shirts!!
enter me to win~! these shirts rock! the beach one would be perfect for this cali mom.
yes, please! count me in 🙂
Cute! Count me in!
I can SO relate to the shirts! I must have one and if I don’t win, I might head over and buy one.
How fun – thanks for the contests!
What unique shirts!
Great shirts!
Please enter me in this contest.
These look so cute! Please enter me! 😀
win or not, i might just have to order one of these!
I love their idea of how the mom looks frazzled, but she still has a smile. So true!! Enter me!
very cool!
i’m LIVING THE DREAM!
Cute! Please include me in the contest!
Count me in!!!
These are awesome! Count me in!
Count me in as well!
Count me in!
Cute! Except I would need one that shows a bunch of kids hanging off of all limbs and shirt tails of the mom. Then I will really be living my dream when I have all those kids. I was the one kid in Kindergarten that when asked “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I said, “A mommy, a stay at home mommy!” Now I’ve started that dream with my one child. Time for many, many more!
Too cute!!
Some days I have so little sleep, I feel like I’m living in a dream 🙂
Those are hilarious. Those are my life. Yes, my life is hilarious.
what a great shirt!!!
i did not dream motherhood would be so chaotic either especially having 4 kids in the home but i would not trade a minute of it !!! your shirts are so creative please sign me up thanks
These are very neat!
Great designs! Very mommalicious!
Love those tshirts!! Please add my name to the draw:-)
I love the design you choose for the t-shirts.
COUNT ME IN!!!
Great shirts. Thanks for a chance.
KS
http://www.findcooltoys.com/
WOW, sounds like my life. Count me in.
love the shirt!
Please enter me as well.
I just saw these for the first time the other day…sign me up please! 😀
Cute, cute, cute! Count me in!
Enter me.
Carol
Too funny! Count me in!
Enter me, please! Thanks!
LOVING ‘EM!!
Cute!
I love these! Exactly how I feel!
How fun!
So cute!
the shirts are awsome! Please enter me in the drawing!
Please enter me. These T-shirts are really cute! Thank you.
Ooh, I want that shirt! 🙂
So cute. Please enter me.
LOVE IT!!
Cute! Cute! Enter me!
Please enter me! : )
Love t-shirts! Count me in!
I want one!
Love the T-shirts! Enter me please.
These T-Shirts are great. Who can’t use a new T-shirt and get a bonus one to share with a close friend.
Great contest.
These shirts are too cool!
Oh these are neat! Count me in!
I love it…that is totally me!!
Please enter me! Thanks!
I love shirts with sayings !!
Please enter me.
Nikki
That is so me! hee hee
I would love the wear these t-shirts they are super!!! count me in please, good weekend!!
Great shirts….hope i win. 😉
These t’shirts are so cute. Enter me please.
Cute, cute, cute!! Count me in!
Please enter my name!
Thanks for the opportunity to win one of these neat T shirts!
It truly is a dream. Every Mother that ever was or is needs one of these. Please enter me in the contest.
Count me in!! My web site is http://www.homesteadblogger.com/americandream ! How weird is that! It would be so cool to have the T shirt!
The T-shirt logos look great and my children will help them blend in with the rest of my wardrobe as they rub their tiny little fingers that are smeared with the latest food or grub they have decided to explore onto them. 🙂 Sign me up please.
Could always use new shirts, esp. of the mom variety!
Count me in!
Love the t-shirts….hope they come in plus sizes too~
Yes!
Cool. They look like cute t-shirts. I could always use a new tshirt. Sign me up.
These are great..count me in!
What an awesome business!! Love it.
These are adorable. Please count me in!
These Tshirts are just a hoot and a half! I’d love to have one!
THESE ARE SO CUTE!!!
This would be perfect for me. Count me in too!
Cute!
Count me in! 😀
neat!
Please sign me up! Way too cute!
Too Cute!!! These shirts are so fun!!
Love these t-shirts! Not only are they funny, they are cute too! Count me in! Thanks!
How cute! Count me in!
What cute shirts!
So cool! Would love to have one!
I’m in!
These shirts are so funny… and so true! Please enter me to win one!
Living the “mom” dream! Love it!
cute shirts!
count me in
I love the shopping t! Thanks so much!
Love these shirts!
Best thing that ever happened to me has been having my kids! 🙂 Two wonderful miracles in my life!
Please enter me!
These are so cute! I would love to be entered!
Count me in. These are so cute!
Hilarious. I’d love one.
Thanks for bringing these cute shirts to my attention. I would love to win one.
Love these. Please enter my name.
wow, I love these. they are cute
Funny and true! I love these!
Really great – catches your eye! Count me in!!!
What great colors and cute t-shirts please enter me!!
Pick me!
Fun! Please enter me!
Yes, I am living the dream of being a mom!
What fun shirts!
Sign me up!
YEAH, love these shirts…please add me in!! 😀
Sign me up! These are tooo cute!
Sign me up for the contest!
Love these cute shirts!
I love the idea of the shirts they are so cute!!!
Too perfect! Please enter me for the t-shirt drawing!
I’m definitely living my dream. Count me in.
These are cute. 🙂
PLease count me in.
Cool! So if I’m a grandma raising her grands, does that mean I’m reliving the dream? LOL
I’m livin’ the dream!
Wow! I’m In!
Thanks for a fun contest!
Gotta love them! Count me in!
The drawings crack me up, please enter me!
love the laundry shirt…
Love em. count me in.
cute t’s! I want one too!!!
i WANT one !!
i want in!
Cute shirt…add me in the contest.
Love. Them. Please sign me up!
Wonderful! Count me in!
i want one too!!! 🙂 count me in
Cute shirts!!! – MY LIFE
That fuschia is great – count me in!
Please enter me in this contest. Thanks!
Hi, my email isn’t showing on my previous entry, so consider this “the one”. hometeachinatcox.net (replace “at” with @)
Thanks! Jenn
Thanks
Fun stuff… I’m in!
These are cute T’s! I like the colors and the pics are fun, too.
count me in!
These are so cute! I am definitely a referee these days! Sign me up!
sign me up please!
I so feel like this everyday. What a great idea!
Sign me up, please. Thank you! 🙂
I would love to wear one of these – please enter me!
So cute! Enter me please!
Count me in 🙂
Those are fantastic. I would be PROUD to wear one!!
I love those! Very funky!
I’d like to be entered.
OMG I soooooooooo want one of these!!!!!!!!! 🙂
Love these.
How fun! Sign me up!
O wow what really true t- shirts
adorable!
What creative ladies! Very cute shirts. Please sign me up!
Cute!
luv it! count me in!
Ah, yes, I think they’ve hit the nail on the head. Count me in!
I would love to win!
Awesome idea ladies!! I love the T-shirts!
Those are really cute. I am one more of the “Hold it where am I going in this minivan!?! … and who are all those screaming midgets in the back?!?” moms. 🙂
These shirts are too cute!
Cute! Enter me please.
Enter me!
who would have thought 3 years ago that I would be a minivan mom!
I think the laundry one is my favorite.
Those look great. I’m in!
T-shirt junkie here! Maybe wearing one of these would help me remember to smile like the mom on front during those moments when my “dream” becomes a little blurry.
Too many of the shirts look my life! Please include me in the drawing.
Thats the way I roll….living the dream!
Very cute!!! Count me in!!!
Very cute shirts! Count me in!
Thanks!
I love the shrits! Thanks for sponsoring this contest.
How cute are those? Humor is an essential medication in life. Throw me in for one of those, please!
Thanks!
Ooh, sign me up, I love those shirts.
I love then! I hope that I am one of the lucky winners
So cute! Sign me up!
They’re adorable! I’d love one!
So hilarious! I love it!
Motherhood is definitely my dream come true. What Cindi says about laughing is so true. In fact the tagline I have after all my e-mails is this quote (one of my favorites): “When you go through life you either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache.” ~Marjorie Pay Hinckley~
How cute! I would love one!!
Those are great! I hadn’t heard of these ladies until this post…what a great way of turning humorous reality into some extra cash!
These are adorable! I definately need one…
I’m sure I’m living someone’s dream, I just don’t know whose! Sign me up for a shirt.
The shopping one is so me! I have an infant, toddler and a pre-schooler :). That’s about what I look like when I take them all out.
I’m livin’ the dream! and would love the t-shirt to prove it! 🙂
Great shirts! I would def. love one of those!
Love them!
I always need shirts and these send a message! Too Cute!
Cute Shirts! Sign me up please!
I always need new t-shirts. These are just the ones I want!
I’m a t-shirt and jeans girl…these are so cute!
So love this!!! Definitely living the dream over here! :}
Oops.. forgot to type the last of my URL… well, that would make a good t-shirt… a blogging mom banging her head on the computer desk, and laughing!
It is living a dream to be able to stay home with my kids. What a great t-shirt line… funny AND true…
Blessings…
I AM living the dream and desperately need the shirt to prove it! 🙂
These are great shirts. I may have to get some even if I don’t win.
Can you really ever have enough t-shirts? Count me in!
Super cute shirts!
How fun! Count me in!
Very cute shirts! clever!
FABULOUS shirt……love it…..would love to win it!!!
What a great idea!! I’m in. Love the shirts!
count me in!
Cute shirt! I’m in here, too.
I’m in!
Oh my. I need that beach cart one. Too funny!
Sure! They are such fun t-shirts!
Those are too cute!
Fantastic shirts! Off to check out their website!
Sign me up! These are great shirts!
I love the shirts- especially the laundry and vacuum designs! Except the vacuum one needs a toddler hanging off of it to make it a true representation of my life.
What cute shirts!
We all need one~ too bad only two can win!
I love these T-shirts…living the dream, how appropriate! Life is crazy, but wonderful!
Blessings-Andie
These are fun! – I don’t know if they are really about my “dream” but they are too true! Enter me please!
These are great! I think for most of us moms this is our dream, even if it’s messy and exhausting and we don’t get out of our pajamas all day. Sign me up!
Gee sometimes it feels like a nightmare 🙂 But I have three of the best kids!
How cute!
Very cute, I would definately wear these. I just LOVE contests.
That is my life… Kim
How fun!
How adorable!
I love these shirts!
Awesome.. these shirts are great! pick me…lol
These shirts are great! Add me to the drawing, please.
PICK ME!!!!!! Those are DARLING!!!!!
I’d take one!
It is hard to pick which one is my favourite, they are just all so cute. I would love to be entered to win one of these.
how perfect!!
Love these, too cute! Enter me in that is for sure!
Count me in….those are so cute!
I sure am living the dream! Enter me please.
too cute!
oh, I HAVE to get one of those!!
What great T’s! Count me in!
Woohoo – another contest! love me some contests!
too cute! Count me in!
Too cute! Count me in!!
Tonya
Cute shirts! Enter me
Fun shirt. Enter me.
Count me in – I’m all for humor in dealing with the day-to-day chaos! LOL
Love t-shirts! Count me in.
Yep, livin’ the dream here too. I love the story behind this company. Thanks for sharing that. Please enter me in this drawing and I’ll go check out their website. 🙂
I’ve posted about your July 4th giveaway right here.
Yes please!!
Love ’em!
I love it! Count me in!
I would love to add to my t-shirt collection! I’m in.
Those are the coolest designs. Too many of those scenerios are my life! Love it!
Those are adorable. I’d love to win one. 🙂
Laundry Mom… yeah, that was me last night.
Oh HOW fun!!!! I’d love it!
Steph
i would love this shirt. and I have no clothes that fit! 😉
I’m Living The Dream!
Those are fun t-shirts 😀
Oh my goodness these are so great! I love them all! I hope I win! I’ll wear my shirt with pride! lol
very cute
Count me in please!
Count me in!
What cute shirts!
I love that there is a hockey stick on the shirt. Looks like my life.
I would love to win this shirt!! They are great!!
Very cute! Please count me in.
How cute! I already linked to your contest and included the button as well. Please enter me in this contest, the vacuuming shirt is hysterical. Growing up we always said my Mom would have the following on her tombstone: “She lived, she breathed, she vacuumed.” She’d get such a kick out of this shirt.
This is awesome! I’m almost living the dream… if only my hubby were home with us, then it would be THE DREAM! 🙂
I have never seen these t-shirts before. Very cute. COunt me in
I’m totally living the dream, even though I haven’t showered in two days, I had to clean up puke at midnight last night (it was red from her eating red velvet cake–but I didn’t remember that until after I freaked out thinking she was throwing up blood), and the one year old woke up two hours early this morning. Right now I can’t decide if I should shower or go back to bed. So I’m blogging. Sometimes my dream isn’t too glamorous, but it can be fun. 🙂
definately livin the dream! would love this!
ABSOLUTELY living the dream here!!!! What a incredibly fun idea!!!! Sign us up!!
Enter me! Enter me! I love the idea behind those t-shirts. And what about an illustration for us homeschool moms????
How cute! Enter me!
Sarah, TN
Too cute for words. Count me in.
Perfect! I’m a t-shirt o’holic.
Cute shirts 🙂
Love these shirts!
Oh love these shirts!! Thanks for the contest!! 🙂
Cool shirts, count me in!
count me in!!
What cute shirts. 🙂
Yes!
Very cute! Count me in 🙂
Great shirts — would love to have one!
They are very cute – and real. Amidst the certain ups and downs of mommyhood, at the end of the day I cannot help but smile.
Too cute!
Cool beans! Count me in! Do they have maternity shirts?!
What cool t-shirts!
Oooooh….count me in!
Please add my name to your drawing…those t-shirts are just too cool!!!
I love ’em! Count me in.
they are so true to my life! Count me in.
YES! THANK YOU 🙂
Need new shirts-enter me in!
Bwaahhh ha ha ha ha!!! I LOVE these shirts and designs!!! Please, enter me into this drawing. I could get these for so many of my friends.
Thanks!
I’m living the dream! Would love this shirt! And we get to choose the color! Wonderful! I’d wear the grocery cart one to the store everytime!
God Bless,
Valerie