Keeper of the Home in an Apron by Carolyn West

CanCan, 27 June 2008,
Categories: Giveaways, Mom stuff, Reviews

Yes, it’s no secret; I’m up to my elbows in things to do. The good news is that I am slowly but surely making my way down the list. I found a source of inspiration for my household duties at The Hillbilly Housewife. I don’t actually consider myself a hillbilly, or even a housewife really, but her Apron testimonial really hit home for me. In short, it was on “one of those days” that her own mother told her that she “needed a uniform…which would reassure myself and others of her intention and status in the home. She claimed it would remind me of my duties, inspire me to greater levels of cleanliness…”

Wow, I think I need that kind of inspiration! The Hillbilly Housewife looked to the legendary Hollywood homemaker archetype Donna Reed as her model. This compelled me to look for my very own vintage-style apron.

I had to look no further than Carolyn’s Kitchen, an online store selling vintage-inspired aprons designed by Carolyn West. These aprons combine practicality with a costumed kind of vah-vah-voom feel. Even if you don’t have domestic talents, you could easily create an alter-ego for the hidden homemaker in you once you don an apron from Carolyn’s Kitchen.
Carolyn’s Kitchen adds a touch of whimsy to the domestic diva ensemble with their lovely matching gloves. You can choose a fabric to match your apron of choice, or you can go dish-pan glam with faux fur-trimmed!

I had a difficult time choosing an apron from the wonderful selection at Carolyn’s Kitchen, but I finally decided on the new Cupcake Apron design and matching gloves.

Next, I need to start wearing high heels and pearls around the house, but I have to undergo this transformation one step at a time.

I am enjoying my apron; I recently wore it in a baking session with my 3 1/2 year old son…he was inspired to go and get his own (non-ruffled) child-sized apron. I felt like, for a moment, we were that perfect family inside of a Norman Rockwell painting, standing side by side in our aprons, making muffins using fresh blueberries picked from our suburban yard.

“There are no desperate housewives in Carolyn’s Kitchen.“

You can WIN your very own Cupcake Apron and Gloves Set from Carolyn’s Kitchen ($70 value!).

To enter, visit Carolyn’s Kitchen online and comment here with your favorite style of apron not mentioned in this review. I purposely didn’t tell you all of my favorites, so that you could go look for yourself!

One winner will be chosen by random integer generator.

This giveaway will end on July 6, 9pm CST.

*Congrats to