Today, TriangleMom2Mom features two local moms - Ameshia Turlington and Jenny McClendon. The Raleigh moms recently opened a business together, The Monkey Exchange, an online children's clothing and shoe consignment boutique. If you'd like to be featured on Mom2Mom or know somebody who should be featured, e-mail me.

Ameshia did the honors and answered the questions for the two. Here they are: 

Mom2Mom: Tell us about yourselves.

Ameshia:  Jenny grew up in Raleigh and married a Raleigh boy. I grew up in Hillsborough and then went to Meredith College. I also ended up marrying a Raleigh boy. After college, we both decided Raleigh is where we wanted to live. Jenny has three children and I have two children. Jenny still works part-time as a physical therapist. I have opted to go from interior design and the building industry to becoming a full-time mom. As first-time moms, we had no idea how fast children grow out of clothes, which also were only worn once or twice. Just like all moms, we wanted to dress our children in nice clothes that also come with those NICE price tags. Then, the nice priced clothes were outgrown, but still looked new. Someone else would love to have the outfits. We wondered how we could get a little money for these clothes and be able to go shopping for new clothes.

Jenny and I started talking one day about a business we could start that would also be fun. The ideas started flowing and then the idea of The Monkey Exchange came about. Our husbands joked that if it could just help get rid of our children's clothes then it would be a great idea. Ha! Ha! The Monkey Exchange came online in 2008.

The Monkey Exchange is an online company that helps moms, boutiques and overstocks trade shows sell those boutique quality clothes that are either out of size or out of season. As first time moms, we also realized that time is precious. This is how the idea of going online came about. This way, everyone can shop from the comfort of their home anytime they have a free moment. Also, since we take any season of clothes all the time, you do not have to wait to shop for what your children can wear next season, the next holiday or that special event.

This children's consignment is totally different from consignment sales. We are open 24 hours a day and our conignors are from all over the United States, not just the Triangle area. This allows us also to sell all over the United States for our consignors and gives us a better variety of clothes for our customers.

Mom2Mom: What's your favorite family place in the Triangle?

Ameshia: Jenny and I both love to take our families to Triangle area parks and the North Hilla grass area. 

Mom2Mom: What's your favorite place for yourself in the Triangle?

Ameshia: Jenny and I both agree having a manicure and pedicure at Lee Spa Nails at Cameron Village is the best!

Mom2Mom: What's your favorite ritual with your kids? 

Ameshia:  Just having time together. Jenny has a great one with movie night. They spread out a blanket on the floor in the family room, order pizza and pick a movie to watch. They have a picnic on the family room floor.

Mom2Mom: What did you eat for dinner last night? Can you share the recipe?

Ameshia: Usually take out for both of our busy families. 

Mom2Mom: What's your guilty pleasure? 

Ameshia: Chocolate concretes with Heath Bar at Goodberry's, Baskin Robbins chocolate chip ice cream 

Check out our other daily themes at TriangleMom2Mom:

MONDAY: Meet!
TUESDAY: Ask!
WEDNESDAY: Eat!
THURSDAY: Play!
FRIDAY: Out!

WEEKEND: Relax!