Big Sale at J.Crew!

If you haven't already heard, you can take an additional 25% off all sale prices at jcrew.com! The red sale price you see on jcrew.com is not the lowest price; it's still another 25% off. How great is that! I've been to the sale and there are still some nice cashmere and cable sweaters left. Don't forget to check out their Crew Cuts for those little ones in your life. There are some great deals.

Not Just for Air Jordan Anymore

You say your feet are tired from all the running around and shopping this holiday season? Here are some shoes for you. Cole Hann has been teaming up with Nike Air for awhile now, but it seems they have expanded their "Air" line. I have a couple pair from their casual line, and I absolutely love the shoes. They are incredibly comfortable and even though they are casual, they are stylish (stylish is Cole Hann's middle name). And now they have some super cute air dress shoes.

Cole Hann has a sale going on with up to 40% off tons of styles of shoes, handbags, coats and accessories.

Le Chef Tot Extraordinaire 2

Remember this post from awhile back? The play kitchen that is painted to look like stainless steel? (I'm still wondering if I could paint my appliances to look stainless steel?) Pottery Barn Kids now has this whole set (it is sold in pieces) on sale. If you buy the stove and fridge together, you can save about $140! That's basically what you could save when buying a stove and fridge at, say, Sears! Amazing how the little tykes' toys can cost almost as much as the real thing. Well, ok, it's not real stainless steel, so it's not that expensive!

Take Out Made Even Easier!

The festivities are over... at least until this weekend when we celebrate the New Year! "What to do for dinner?" you ask yourself, "I'm so tired and I'm so sick of eating. I can't possibly think of food anymore."

If you are smart you will buy the Take Out Menu Box from Tatutina. Then next time this feeling hits you, you will be prepared. And let's face it, it won't be next holiday season this feeling comes around again. It could be next week! Collect the menus from all your favorite take out places and put them in this cute little box for easy access next time you are too tired to think about what to make for dinner. Dinner has just gotten a whole lot easier! Open box. Take out menus. Pick restaurant. Pick food. Call to order. Pick up. And the best perk (as we all know), there is no mess to pick up and no dirty pans to clean!

Give it up for the Take Out Menu Box.

Last Minute Cookie Ideas

Presents? Check. Christmas dinner menu? Check. Relatives know what time to come for Christmas? Check. Cleaning? Well, it's getting there, I still have time. All my cookies are baked? Yikes, no, I still need more cookies. We have the in-laws coming on Saturday. We are going to relatives on Sunday. And we are having relatives over on Monday. Plus we have a holiday dinner party tonight. (Actually, it's more the Packers vs. the Vikings dinner, but I since I turned 30, I don't feel like I need to pretend that I actually like watching the sport. So, the girls will be drinking wine and asking for the occasional score.) I will need cookies for all the occasions. Plus, I will want to horde some for myself. I mean it is the holidays and all!

Cookies. Lucky for you I have a couple of awesome recipes for last minute cookies you are sure to love.

White Chocolate Raspberry Cookies (everyone loves these):
8 oz white baking bar
1/2 cup butter (no substitutes, though I use unsalted, just my preference)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2 eggs
2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 oz. white baking bar
1/2 tsp. shortening

Melt 4 oz. of the white baking bar over low heat (or follow package instructions for melting in microwave). Set aside to cool.

Beat butter in a large mixing bowl with for about 30 seconds or till softened. Add the sugar, baking soda, and salt. Beat till combined. Beat in the eggs and melted white baking bar till combined. Beat in as much of the flour till combined. Chop remaining 4 oz. of white baking bar and stir/mix into batter.

Drop batter by rounded spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 7 to 9 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned. Cool for a minute. Move cookies to wire rack and cool.

You can do the following step when cookies have cooled or right before serving. Heat and stir the jam in small saucepan over low heat till melted. Spoon about 1/2 tsp. of jam onto top of each cookie. Heat remaining 3 oz. of white baking bar and shortening (I do not use the shortening). Drizzle each cookie with some of the melted white baking bar. Refrigerate about 15 minutes to firm chocolate, if necessary.

Makes about 48 delicious cookies.


Christmas Wreaths (good one for the kids and adults)
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 bag large marshmallows
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. green food coloring
4-5 cups Corn Flakes (I use Special K)
Red Hots

In a large saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Add marshmallows, stirring until melted and blended with butter. Add almond, vanilla, and food coloring (might need more food coloring, I remember using more). Stir until mixture is a uniform green color. Add Corn Flakes, mix well but gently.

On sheet of wax paper, form heaping tablespoons of mixture into wreaths. (I do not try to form these into wreaths with holes in the middle, I just drop a heaping chunk down on wax paper.) Decorate with red hots (to make them look like red berries, I group 3 together). Cool completely.

Makes 2-1/2 to 3 dozen.

Last Minute Gift Ideas

You have your list. You have checked it way more than twice. And now you are in need of some last minute gifts. But what? Here are a few ideas.

For your kids, Back To Basic Toys has some wonderful options for gifts. In some states, you can still order from this website today (by 2pm EST) and still receive your package. And better yet, in some states it doesn't even have to be expedited Fedex. Tell me any kid wouldn't have fun on the Fun Ride Deluxe. I would love to have this! They have 2 other versions for smaller kids and bigger "kids."

From MSN, I also found a list of stores from where you can still order online. It's worth checking out, they have the shipping information for great stores like Red Envelope, Target, Brookstone, Williams Sonoma, etc.

Also on Gifts.com is a section for the Last-Minute Holiday Gifts. It's an easy website to follow.

And of course, if you wish to give an Emily Allyn gift, you can still order it today by 4pm CST and get it by Saturday, the 23rd. That "One-of-a-kind" Snowflake shirt is calling your name!

Still need more ideas? Here are some of my favorites I've posted thus far. Maybe you can find these items at your nearest Target or book store.
Books
If I Build a Car
Dinosaur Stomp
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
Three-Martini Playdate
The Mommy Chronicles

General
Red from Gap
Soccer Guys, Football Guys, Baseball Guys
Puzzles for kids
The Safe Side (video)
Zingo
Cranium Games

If you are still stumped, there is always the gift certificate option. Like I always tell my husband, you may not know specific items I love, but from the credit card bills you know the stores I like, so you can't go wrong!

Blast from the Past!

This post is two-fold. It's a message to remember those this holiday season who are less fortunate and it's a little PR for an amazing organization.

This isn't a new find, but none-the-less it is still amazing... even after 22 years! Remember Band Aid? The music group that is. Remember their song, "Do They Know It's Christmas?" I bet you are humming it to yourself now. Just in case you forgot the words, here are the lyrics. When you read them (as opposed to listening to the song), you realize how dismal the words and therefore the situation was... is. For example, "And it's a world of dread and fear where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears," "And the Christmas bells that ring there are the clanging chimes of doom," and "Where nothing ever grows, no rain or rivers flow." However, the words I would like to focus on is an important line, "The greatest gift they'll get this year is life." It reminds me how precious life really is. When you are down on your luck, it's hard to remember this. But it is worth remembering.

This brings me to another amazing organization that Emily Allyn has given to in the past, save.org. SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education) believes that by recognizing and treating depression in children we can improve the chances a young person with depression can live a longer, healthier, more quality life. If you have experienced depression yourself or know someone who has, I urge you to check out this website. The information is plentiful and there are opportunities to help.

The Band Aid song ends with an upbeat repeat of "Feed the world. Let them know it's Christmastime." A pretty important message this time of year. Remember those who are hungry and/or less fortunate. Teach your kids empathy and show them at a young age how to give.

I can't end this post without reminding you of the other group/song that was similar to the Band Aid project. If you are like me, you are thinking, "I know there is another song just like that one. What is it? How did it go?" I won't leave you hanging. It was "We are the World" sung at Live Aid. The concerts were actually a spin off from the success of Band Aid. You know us American's we always have to get our hands on something that is successful world-wide! But hey, I'm not going to knock it when the money is going to an amazing cause.

If you would like more inforamtion about donating to Band Aid and Live Aid, check out Bob Geldorf's website. He is one of the creators who started it all!

Elf on the Shelf

Every family has traditions. But you can never have enough traditions. Well, if you are the daughter- or son-in-law coming into the family, you might think differently!
The Elf on the Shelf is a tradition Carol began with her family when her kids were little. The children were very curious how Santa could possibly be watching them along with all the other children of the world. Carol found an elf from her childhood and the story of how Santa watches all the little boys and girls easily unfolded.

At our home the elf would arrive around the holidays, usually at Thanksgiving. His sole responsibility was to watch my children's behavior and report it to "Santa" each night. The next morning after the children awoke, they discovered the elf had returned from the "North Pole" and was hiding in a different place. My children would race each other out of bed to try and be the first to spy him in his new position.

Carol pulls out the elf at Thanksgiving to kick off the holidays. Personally, I'll be keeping the elf out all year long. I've noticed as soon as I use the old line, "Remember Santa is watching you. If you continue to act like this at Target, he might not bring you presents," the kids are whipped into shape. While I understand this is a bit cruel and some parents are not as mean as I am, I do find out of desperation it works like a charm!

The website provides some advice and smart tips on how to use the elf. Plus there's even a few fun things to do for the kiddos. Check out your state to see which stores carry The Elf on the Shelf. It is only $24.95 for the Elf, the book, and a certificate adopting the Elf into your family. However this is also a clever idea for a school teacher. Every teacher could use an extra "hand" keeping the kids in line!

Please note: image above is copyrighted and is used with permission.

Sale at Boden USA

Beat the rush! Boden is having a sale. Starting today, receive up to 50% off many pieces of clothing for Men, Women, Boys, and Girls. They say the USA sale has launched 3 days prior to the UK sale, so get shopping before it's all gone!

Reality Book

Even if you don't enjoy reality T.V. (though I would like to know who that is because I bet there is at least one show in the last 5 years you have been hooked on!), you will like this reality book. The Mommy Chronicles by Stephanie Triplett and Sara Ellington is a reality check on motherhood. Stephanie and Sara share their experiences as first-time mothers in a way that sheds light on the true daily events without scaring the bejesus out of you. After all, if you are already pregnant or just had your baby, it's not like you can return him or her, but Stephanie and Sara understand there are days when you might have that feeling! They come from opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of their mothering ideas and that is what makes this book unique. Each perspective is shared. I wish all moms understood that everyone has their own parenting style. New moms know everyone is giving them advice on how to do things. While, at times, it is needed and appreciated, sometimes people don't know how to give advice without sounding like "You do what? No, no, no. You need to do this..." If you are the advice-giver, my advice to you is to say something more delicate to moms like, "I know this technique isn't for everyone, but what worked for me to get little Johnny to sleep was..." If they are interested, they will ask you questions. OK slight tangent, sorry!

Back to the book. You will find yourself laughing and crying while reading their stories. I also appreciate the talk about postpartum depression. While the stigma has decreased, I think we still have a long way to go before moms can admit it and dads can deal with it (without thinking something is wrong with their wife).

The Mommy Chronicles website has a load of information. Stephanie and Sara also host a radio show every Friday where they find experts and ask questions every mom is wondering. These women are seriously busy because they also do podcasts and a blog.

Here's to taking different perspectives of motherhood and putting it down into fun-to-read stories. Amazon sells the book for only $11.66.

Mom Replaces Pluto

Now that astronomers have decided Pluto is no longer a planet, they need to look at Planet Mom. I'm pretty sure those same scientists will soon reveal that planet Pluto has been replaced by Planet Mom. Rest assured there will still be 9 planets in the solar system... just in case you were losing sleep over it.

Planetmomshirts.com - apparel with an inside joke and you're in it - has a playful sense of humor. The sayings are sure to grab the attention of people walking by while you sport one of their shirts. And if you are also wearing the pants, be assured people will be staring at your bum as you are walking away!

The shirt above, Secretary of Transportation, will put a smile on any moms face.
From my other posts, you may have guessed that I have a little thing for wine. So, the Whine? No. Wine? Yes. is one of my favorites!
I'm also quite fond of the Because I said so shirt. I believe all moms would frame this shirt.

There are a slew of sayings to choose from. Check them out and allow yourself a few chuckles during this busy time of year. The only thing to be aware of - they use American Apparel shirts which tend to run small; "the shirts have a youthful fit." Definitely order a size up from what you normally wear.

I love these shirts. I wish the women owners/founders much success!

Creative Kidstuff

If you live in the Twin Cities area, you have definitely heard of the store, Creative Kidstuff. It rocks the pants off any other kids toy store in the Metro... and may I dare say, possibly the nation! I have visited this store on multiple occasions, and it is no exaggeration to say I have never been disappointed - never. They test and review each toy before buying it for the store. They also write up a little blurb about many toys and why it stands out. See their Holiday Catalog for examples.

Their tagline, "We Know Kids, We LIKE Kids, We Know What Kids Like!" is genuine and perfect. I can't tell you how many times I've strolled into the store and said, "Can you show me some things I could give to a (insert your prospective age and gender here) 9 year old boy? I'd like to spend about $30." Without missing a beat, they travel around the store showing you things until you are satisfied.

Now, this is all great when you can actually get to the store. (Check out their store locations. They are not only in the Twin Cities, they are in many airports as well). However, lucky for you they also sell their items online! The best part about the online experience is you can call with your questions. So, you can easily pick up the phone and ask, "Can you give me some ideas that I could give to a 4 year old girl? I'd like to spend about $30." And they are more than happy to help you out.

Put simply, Creative Kidstuff:

Has superior customer service,

A selection of toys where there is literally something for everyone,

Finds cool toys you can't find in the big stores,

Has won a mountain-load of awards,

And best of all, you can't go wrong. The kid will love the gift!

As if I haven't talked this company up enough - you should also consider their gift wrapping. This is where the kids (especially those 2-5) go wild. It is a fun and crazy wrapping job.

This One is for the Girls

Remember when you were really little and you thought it would be cool to have braces, a broken arm or leg, and a twin sister? You had the braces and quickly found out how not cool it really was. You may have broken a bone and found out how uncomfortable the cast was. But I'm guessing you never received the twin sister you wanted so badly.

If your little girl feels the same way you did, you can actually give her that twin! My Twinn personalizes dolls to look like your little angel. All you need to do is upload a photo of your little bugger and an artist from My Twinn will create another little bugger resembling her.

What a concept! You can have your twin, but she will never talk back to you and she will never steal your clothes or boyfriends!

They do offer rush delivery if you want this in time for Christmas.

A Little Pizazz for the Holidays

Physically, I am back. Mentally? Well, that's another story. After the Junior League Winter Market lasting Thursday through Sunday, I am dog tired and my "dogs are barkin'." For those who didn't see Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, John Candy said that - referring to his tired feet while taking off his shoes and socks on the airplane. Just for the record I did not take off my shoes at the show!

The woman next to me at the show creates amazing gifts. She started her company, Pizazz-Ware, in 2003 and has grown ever since. Her pieces can be found in stores around the Midwest or you can contact her for more information. Once you see these items, you will be hooked! One of my favorites is either the martini or wine glasses. You don't need wine charms with these because it is built in. You won't believe your eyes when you see the hundreds of ideas that flow from this woman's brain. She is truly gifted.

Utensils
Glassware
Barware
Keepsakes
Serving Pieces (perfect for wedding gifts)
Bowls/Baskets
Acrylic Ware
Pampered Pets
and plenty more

Winter Market

I have been running around like a mad woman trying to get ready for the Junior League Winter Market here in Minneapolis. We will be featuring the Emily Allyn products there and it starts tomorrow! If you are in the area, come check it out. It is a shopping extravaganza, so there's plenty to choose from for those on your Christmas list. Plus, there are some fun events planned, see here. And you can't beat free valet parking!
So, I'm off for the weekend.

Mama Mio

Speaking of the pregos (yesterday's post), here is a gift for yourself or your pregnant friend. It is a product by Mama Mio and it concentrates on you!
They have everything for:
- stretch marks, including their award winning Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Oil
- toning and firming
- itchy, dry skin
- aches and cramps
- relaxation and well-being

Personally, I like the sound of the product called Boob Tube. When I was younger, I sometimes heard people refer to the T.V. as the boob tube. Weird.

Overstuffed

Calling all pregos (0r for the non-pregos, maybe you had a hayday of a holiday and ate waaaay too much food)... you won't want to miss this! This GAP coupon code entitles you to $10 off your next purchase of $40.00 or more within their maternity line. It ends December 31st, so treat yourself to some bigger yet stylish clothes.

Around the holidays, I always thought maternity stores should market their pants as "holiday pants" for those who feel they've endulged a little too much around this time of year!

Surviving Turkey Day

Happy Thanksgiving!
I want to share an e-card I received last year. I thought it was a complete riot. I found it again at American Greetings.

Click here to see the card and you can send it to a friend... long live Gloria Gaynor!

If you need some last minute Thanksgiving advice, like how long to cook the Turkey or how to make the perfect gravy, All Recipes is your tool.

Have a wonderful day and a relaxing weekend!

A Little Booty

This might just be the most darling pair of booties I've ever seen for a newborn! Can't you just image how snuggly and warm they are? I only wish Chaleur NYC made these for adults. Having cold feet is the worst.
Now, if you are like me, it took me a while to figure out this picture! The front is where your toes go inside and the back is then obviously where your heels would be. I have not tried these booties out with my kids, so I can't comment on the functionality (only their beauty)! Their site does say the grosgrain ribbon is functional. And the sizes are most appropriate for babies up to 9 months.

Resolution #1

The New Year is not too far around the corner, and you know how fast this time of year flies by. So, you know how quickly the New Year will be here.

Resolution #1 - Get organized.

Mom Agenda has stylish planners to keep every mom on top of her game. The planners are a nice size too, not too bulky to carry around and not too small so you can't really use it. Plus, the colors are bright and lively.
You can start out the New Year with a fresh new calendar. And the following year all you need to do is purchase a refill.

Mom Agenda will help you keep your first resolution! Now, how often can you say that?

Unbelieve-a-ball

I love creative ideas. And the people behind those creative ideas never cease to amaze me. It's simple, yet very imaginative!

Bounce Greetings will deliver a ball with your message on it. The best part though, the ball is delivered as is - blown up with no packaging. How cool is that?!? And it's not just for kids.
If you'd like to send a unique holiday greeting, the "Have a kickin' holiday" will do the trick!
If you need a super fun way to invite kids to a birthday party, the "Bounce on over, you're invited" ball will be a hit with a kid at any age!
No need for boring birthday cards anymore, send the "Have a kickin' birthday" or "I get a kick out of you" ball. It will for sure put a smile on the birthday kid's face!

Do you see a theme here?

Toss the idea around, but be sure to bookmark the site so you don't lose it.

50% off at Toys R Us!

Sorry to have been away for a couple of days, but I'm back with big news! Today and tomorrow you can receive 50% off select toys at Toys R Us. The selection isn't bad either. Mostly it's puzzles, video games, dolls, some Power Ranger things, and a couple of kid's T.V.'s. There's more, but that is the bulk of it. And, of course they have free shipping on certain items as well (you have to look for a symbol). Toys R Us is always good about free shipping on things at this time of year. Plus, I think the items available for free shipping grows as we get closer to the holidays!

Dear Miss Garbo:

I can only assume these adorable shoes are named after the famous Miss Gretta Garbo - oh... DEER! Garbo from Shoes.com. These ultra chic shoes are only $95.95 plus free shipping. That's the best deal I found and that's a deal to jump for! I think the black patent leather with the trendy cork platform sole is a fabulous mix! Now, I'm taller than the average American woman, so I don't sport 4" heels too often... well, ok never. But I just might make an exception here.

Just in case you are feeling a little sassy, you can always pick up the red pair!

Spoon Sisters

Creative gifting at it's best.
Are you trying to get your holiday gift list together? Do you need some fun stocking stuffers? Or are you trying to find a gift for the person who has everything?
Stop by The Spoon Sisters and I can guarantee you'll find a gift here that person doesn't have!

• For the hostess, try the Field Guide to Stains.
  
• For a friend, try the Yoga in Bed book or the Words of Wisdom book or the Emergency Chocolate.


• For the forgetful person in your life, try the Do Not Forget! Door Hanger Note Pad.


• For the college-age niece or nephew or the guy who loves a Super Bowl party, there's the Beer Bands.


• For the Mom or Dad, on your list there's the Wheel of Responsibility and How to Con Your Kids.


• For the Dysfunctional Family.


• I can't even mention all the cool things they have for Kids & Teens.
• For almost anyone, there's the Snowman in a Box.

I could go on and on, but I'll leave some of the work up to you!

Can a T-Shirt Change the World?

This year give friends, family members, and yourself something from the RED TM collection at the Gap. Why? Gap is contributing half the profits from the sales of (Product) RED directly to The Global Fund which helps women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa. So while you buy a little something for yourself or some people on your holiday list, you can also feel like you are helping out a wonderful cause. Now that's what I call smart shopping!

Gap is also manufacturing some of their products right in Africa.

"A woman working in a Lesotho garment factory that produces Gap products becomes part of a cycle of hope. She works for an employer that offers her services and support and access to HIV testing and treatment. And she's making a product that's being sold around the world, the profits from which will be invested back into her country." --Dr. Feachem

Although the products are a little more expensive than Gap's regular prices, just remember you are giving to an important organization. If nothing else, check out the website and learn a little more about the product and it's initiatives. Gap says this is not just a project. This is a new brand within Gap that is going to stick around.

So, can a T-shirt change the world?
Don Cheadle (awesome actor) says, "This one can."

The Chic Clique Club

SheSheMe.com.
Stylish. Fabulous. In-the-know. Retail Therapy. Girly Girls.

Get to know SheSheMe.com if you don't. You will find yourself abreast of all the latest trends and be able to reveal the real Mama in you! In addition to the She She Scene, there is also the New Mom Chic.

Right now this fabulous website is offering a free Chic Clique Discount Shopping Club membership ($20 value) when you subscribe to one of their newsletters. All you need to do is be one of the first 500 subscribers to sign up. I just received the information today, ladies. So, if you hurry, your chances are quite good!

You will be amazed at all of the fashion information loaded onto this site. Scroll down and look at the left side. You will see the What to Wear When section and the Fabulous Blogs area. Both will give you hours of reading... if you feel the need and IF junior is sleeping!

Don't leave the site without checking out their Chic Shop. If the products aren't super cute, they are a complete riot! Their merchandise runs the gamut from t-shirts to towels to note cards to mugs to jewelry. "I miss you but I'm shopping through the pain."

The Big Half Yearly Sale at Nordstrom

The Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale for Women and Kids is going on now!
Don't miss out on at least 33% savings.
There, you've been told.

Lunchtime Love

You've seen me refer to a networking group called Ladies Who Launch. Kristi Thomas is a member of the Ohio group and launched an endearing business, Lunchology. It started when she packed her daughter's lunch for school. She began adding little notes of encouragement, fun facts, and jokes to her daughter's brown bag lunch. Needless to say they were a hit at school. Everyone wanted them. Children learn little tidbits without knowing it, plus they receive a dose of home while away at school the whole day.

I love that this amazing business idea started from Kristi who only wanted to give her daughter a few smiles while she was at school... and now it is a nation-wide seller! And if you wanted to take the time and make yours more personal, you can easily make your own. However, if time is of the essence, you can buy the bags for only $4.99 (includes about 25). That's a bargain for giving your child a smile or a "hug" while away from you!

The Snowflakes are Here!

The Snowflake shirts and onesies have arrived and they are now available to order online! I have to get the picture on the website of my two boys in their shirts from last year. It became our Christmas card and we recieved many compliments!

The sizes range from 3-6 months up to 6T. Don't forget to check out the size chart to ensure a good fit.

A Slice of the Good Life

Posh Tots. Posh Mamas. Posh Lives. Posh Cravings.

The founders of the uber shopping website, Posh Tots, have now created a one-stop site to fulfill your "material mojo." It's called Posh Cravings. Material Mojo is their own expression meaning:

1. postpartum aggregate composed of sophisticated self-expression and sensual self-confidence.
   
2. consummate cognizance of the cool


3. incomparable individual style paired with passion for parenting.

Anyway... the four divas have certainly made a name for themselves within the world of motherhood. They each have their own sense of style and cravings. By mixing them together, you get one heck of an array! They cover everything from baby to travel to beauty to decor and more. Every week you can sign up for a chance to win a Fab Swag Bag, and they are quite fabulous. Although, they just branched out and started this site about 6 months ago, it has taken off - just like PoshTots.com!

Read their bios. It's a quick, fun read. With whom do you identify most? I think I identify most with Isabelle... if you care!

Are You Useful?

I realize I might be treading on thin ice by bringing up a political figure in a blog about amazing finds. So, if you'd rather not "go there," please feel free to skip to the next post. However, I assure you my intentions are not to sway you one way or the other, but only to make you aware.
What ever your political beliefs are, put those aside for a moment and take a look at a Senator from Illinios, Barack Obama. Whether this man is in my political party or not (for you to be non-bias while reading this, I won't mention his affiliation), he has some amazing things to say... and maybe, just maybe, we should start listening to some of those things. In one interview I saw recently, he said one of the most important things we can pass on to our children is the ability to think of others.

"One of the values that I think we need to instill in our country, in our children, is a sense, are you useful? Are you useful to other people? Are you making other people's lives a little bit better?"

What strikes me most about this man is how genuine he is. I believe he is the real thing. Now, I'm not a complete idiot. The man is in politics, so he knows how to talk the talk. But if you observe what he says, the way he looks at his wife, his admiration for his daughters, and not to mention the respect he receives from all sides of government, you will see a rare politician.

"If my wife thinks that I'm a solid guy and if my daughters know that I love them and want to spend time with them, then that is probably the most important reward that I receive."

Now, I'm not going into his political beliefs for this article. That is not what this post is about. I just want to provide a brief snapshot of his personality, and you can decide if you want to know more about his aspirations and accomplishments. If you do, here is his website. Senator Obama has also authored some books. Here are the Amazon.com links (bargain prices):
The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream
Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance

Mark my words, this is a man to watch for future elections. I think he is going to be amazing.
Some might say he already is.

For the Kate Spade Fans

Love the Kate Spade handbags? Check.
Love the Kate Spade diaper bags? Check.
Happy she came out with more lines like shoes, tablewares, and paper? Check.

Now you can get your babies used to the Kate Spade label with her new Baby Items! The collection is relatively new and you won't believe all of the baby things Kate has dove into. It is quite impressive and of course, adorable.

Clothing - check out the cashmere kimono and booties along with the shearling booties.
Baby accessories - she has even thought of bottle holders, wipes cases, and diaper pouches.
Baby gear - stroller, rocker, carrier... oh my!
Gifts
Brag books - this was an easy one since she already carries the adult versions!
Baby Stationery - the above announcement, "Here Comes Trouble" - classic.

And you can't miss the sale page. Why pay full price if you don't have to!

Bagettes

You've probably seen totes and purses customized with photos of children or pets. Pretty creative. But this company, Bagettes, has taken the idea further. They offer cosmetic bags, kids' art bagettes, golf accessory bags, multi-purpose packs, a little coing purse, a wristlet and more. The Bridesmaid Photo Bag is a gift I've never seen before and what a great way to remember the day! Don't forget about the little girls, I think they would get a kick out of these personalized items.
I know it's a little early to be thinking about Mother's Day gifts, but keep these Bagettes in mind!

A Far Away Land

The Land of Nod. I love this store. The creativity is bursting from the pages of the catalog (and from the screen of the online store). It's all innovative and artistic kid's stuff from bedding to furniture to the playroom to gifts. You are guaranteed to find some Christmas gifts... even for the kid who has everything!

• If you have a little Monet on your hands and need a fun way to display the artwork, try these. These clips look super cute in their bedroom where they are then surrounded by their own art.
• If your little ones like to make forts or hide in small places, they will enjoy the Meet Me in the TeePee.
• I just had to include these Plane Note Cards. You fold the note card which resembles a map into a plane. How cool is that?!!? My son loves to "write letters." I could just see him writing a letter to Dad, hiding in another room and flying the note through the air into dad's lap!
• Girls and jewelry go hand-in-hand. With this kit they can make their own, personalized jewelry. Have at it girls, it's a ton cheaper than the real thing!
• Almost every kid grows up with some kind of toy farm. Most kids seem to have the Little People Farm, but if you have enough toys with noises try the Love That New Smell Farm. And even if you aren't tired of noises, just buy this one for the name!
• For baseball lovers there is the Take Me Out to the Pinball Game, a small wooden pinball game set up as a baseball field. Nice.
• Then there's the all-mighty Free Shipping section. You can't deny free shipping.

If these suggestions don't get your goat, look around the store some more. There is definitely something for everyone!

The Safe Side

Learn safety the fun way! What? Isn't safety supposed to be a serious topic where we drill it into our kids heads never, ever get into a car with a stranger?

Let me assure you The Safe Side - Stranger Safety does not belittle safety what-so-ever. It is a serious topic, but the creators also recognize you don't necessarily need to scare the bejesus out of a child to teach him/her about safety. And we all know children will sit and watch something over and over if they think it's funny. This is a crazy video which is well worth the $20 it costs. If it does what it is supposed to do, which is keep your child safe, it is actually worth millions.

The creators are non-other than Julie Clark and John Walsh. Julie Clark is the inventor of the renowned Baby Einstein videos. Yes, we all used them at one point or another (me, when my husband and I were trying to have a nice Friday night meal with minimal interruptions)! No wonder it grew to be a multi-million-dollar enterprise when she sold it to The Walt Disney Company a few years back. And John Walsh is famous for America's Most Wanted, a T.V. program he founded after his son was abducted from a mall and murdered. (I got the chills just writing that sentence.) He has saved many-a-lives.

Back to the video. Keep in mind the movie is intended for kids. It is wacky and funny and your kids are guaranteed some good laughs while learning. However, that being said, the best way for your child to really soak in the information is for you to sit down and watch the movie with them the first or second time. When you feel it is necessary, pause the movie and talk about some of the situations. Again, you don't need to scare your child, but you do need to be frank. Don't sugar-coat the situation just because you'd rather not think about the things that could happen to your child.

We have owned this video for over a year and my kids enjoy watching it. While writing this post, I visited the Safe Side Shop and couldn't believe my eyes! There is now a ton of things to teach your kids about safety. And recently, they have released a new video about Internet Safety... good thinking. Also note the The Safe Side Child ID Kit. Very important.

This is truly an amazing product!

Zoom, Zoom, Zoom

Simply stated. Cool.

These cars from Automoblox are for the young at heart and the cool kids on the block! The picture above is the rad C9 sportscar. Other models include the S9 Sedan, A9 Compact, X9 Sports Utility, T9 Pickup, M9 Sportsvan, and for the girls who want to play too, the C9p sportscar (in pink). One warning, however, the website claims "Pink. It's the New Black." I'd have to disagree. Or more likely, my husband would disagree! We'll cut them some slack though, they are only trying to appeal to little girls and include them in the fun.

Most importantly, I give these cars a thumbs up for their interchangable parts. You can buy a few cars and kids can use their imaginations to create their own colorful cars. As with all toys, the creators want to explain why you should invest your money in their toys.

1. Creative Problem Solving. Not bad, we can all use more of this skill.

2. Gross and Fine Motor Skills. Good one, we know most boys fall behind the girls with these skills because they'd rather be running around outside or tackling their moms.

3. Visio-spatial Processing. What ever that is! If you don't want to read the link, it's like putting the pieces of a puzzle together - thinking from parts of the puzzle to what the whole picture (car) will look like. OK, I can buy that.

Carve the Pumpkin

This one is for the kiddos. The above images are just examples of what you could do!

Carve the pumpkin by "drawing" with the tool shown.

1. Left click and hold down while dragging your mouse.


2. When finished with shape, let go of left click.


3. Keep going until you are finished.


4. Click the done button to see your very own Jack-o-lantern!

From Shirts into Blankets

Do you wish you could keep all those cute little baby clothes, but don't want to store them for ages? Or do you have baby clothes you would love to keep, but it seems every single piece reveals some nasty stain? If so, here is an amazing idea for you. Willow Creek Baby takes baby clothes and turns them into quilts. You can save the memories in a useful way. Although you'll want to keep a couple of onesies or tees on hand to remember just how dang small your little one actually was at one point (even with that proof it's still hard to believe), this is a smart idea for all the other clothes you can't seem to part from. Maybe you are too practical and give your clothes away, but if you know someone who might love this as a gift, they also offer gift certificates.

The Reading Railroad

Giving a child the gift of literacy is one of the greatest gifts we can give. As I've said before, a child can never have enough books. With television, video games, and the computers taking over our world, it is even more important we read to our children and give to other children who are not as fortunate. I believe a love for books will take you to places you've never been!

Recently, I came across the Reach Out and Read non-profit organization. They promote literacy by giving books to children in need. Plus the program assists parents or guardians by educating them on why it is so important to read out loud to their children.

The website also provides some fantastic literary resources on this topic:

Developmental Milestones in English, Spanish, and Chinese

Reading Tips and Choosing Books

Recommended books for adults regarding reading out loud and early literacy

And a list of links to a whole slew of other organizations whose goal is to bring literacy to families everywhere.

Find a program you believe in and give. It's simple to pass on gently used books. Or if you prefer to give money, a few dollars goes a long way to provide a child a book and an imagination. You never know where that child might go!

Le Chef Tot Extraordinaire

Start them young, is what I say! I'm lucky, my husband is the cook, and a very good cook at that. He would die for an all-out gourmet kitchen. Well, who wouldn't? Even if you don't like to cook, you can still look stylish! The buyers at Pottery Barn Kids are banking on the fact you would like to give your little one the gift of an extremely nice kitchen this holiday season. It's actually painted to look like stainless steel. Which makes me think, I wonder if I can paint my appliances to look like stainless steel?

The oven burners even turn red and the dishwasher makes real sounds. One "reality" problem - if it is supposed to be stainless steel, most stainless steel dishwashers make little sound, if any. Ohhhh... that's right, this is a set for kids, not adults. Yes, you should have life-like sounds for kids. After all, it's a learning experience right? If you feel you need to justify the purchase to your husband, just tell him the kids need to start somewhere and if they grow up to be wonderful cooks, he can take the credit.

Say it isn't so

God help us. Leggings are coming back in this season. Is it possible to make them fashionable? Since I always try to look at things in a positive way, here's my spin on leggings.

With leggings comes longer tops to cover the bum, right? With longer tops, comes a fashion trend turn-around for our young girls! Get what I mean? If you don't agree with me, feel free to move on to the next post. But I think most moms would agree the trend of tight and very short shirts is out-of-hand. We don't care to see little girls' mid-rifs and "muffin tops." And more importantly (for me), we don't care to have boys looking at girls in those clothes. So, I think the time has come when long tops will be "in" again and crop-crop tops will be "out." Am I thankful leggings are back in for that reason? No, I'm just trying to turn lemons into lemonade!

However, whether you're into leggings or not, here are a few cute sweaters from Nordstrom to cover the bum.

Mac & Jac Marled Sweater Coat

City Unlimited Hand Knit Cable Sweater Coat

Jones New York Sport Sweater Coat

Free People 'Kit' Funnel Neck Tunic

The Fly Lady

Is it possible you haven't heard of this website yet? TheFlyLady.net.

If you feel your life and/or house are a little chaotic, check out this website. And really, who doesn't at some point or another feel this way? Marla, the Fly Lady, is a SHE™ (Sidetracked Home Executive) and claims her system has saved her life. There is so much information on this site your head might explode, so let's try to work through it.

1. Go to the home page. On the left side, scroll down a little and you will see your navigation links. Click Why Fly. Here she explains what to expect if you join.

2. Back to the left side. Click Flying Lessons. Here is a section that neatly lays out a lot of information from how to join to the 11 commandments to how to declutter to vacation planning tips.

3. I think you get the point. The left side is really your key to the links and all the information.

Take a little each day. If you try to read the entire website in one day, get all pumped up, and join the group, I guarantee in 4-5 days you'll be bored with it and not have retained much information.

If you join the Yahoo group, you will receive daily emails to assist you in gaining control of your life and home again. And just a little tid-bit of information. This site and group is so incredibly popular the Yahoo group has 348,573 members. Whew! I guess I'm not the only one feeling a little chaos in my life lately!

Hot Moms!

You are a hot mom and don't let anyone tell you different! The Hot Moms Club is an engaging site for all moms. Their tagline reads, "A resource for moms who refuse to check their sense of style and sexuality at the white picket fence!" That's pretty good! Though don't let it mislead you. This site is not just about being sexy. In fact, there's not much talk of that at all. There is, however, a wealth of information from parenting to health and fitness to beauty and style to house and home to safety tips to mompreneurs (that would be an entrepreneur mom, like yours truly) to celebrity moms. As if that wasn't enough, there is also a mom-to-mom message board to discuss issues, a hot moms marketplace for people to sell a ton of goods, and much much more. The owners, Jessica Denay and Joy Tilk Bergin, have more interesting lives than many of us! Jessica is also the author of The Hot Mom's Handbook: Moms Have More Fun! I have to admit, I haven't read the book... yet. I will. So, for now, I'll have to steal a quote from a reader,

Now there is a creed I can live by. This book is not about how to be a sex pot, but about confidence and empowerment. It is about enjoying every moment you spend with your kids and every moment without them.

OK, if that doesn't make you want to read the book, I don't know what will! Check out the book, check out the site, and join the club. You deserve it.

The Snowflakes are Coming

I'm sorry to say but it is true. The snow is coming. I don't mind the snow. It' s the cold that gets me. But there is a bright side to every situation, right? So, the silver lining here is... the Emily Allyn Snowflake "one-of-a-kind" clothes are coming! WOO HOO.

Your kids are truly all "one-of-a-kind" so mark your calendars for November 6th because that is when our little snowflakes will be available to order in all long sleeve styles. If you're simply not good with calendars, feel free to sign up on the Emily Allyn email list to stay ahead of the game. By signing up, you will be notified before all others about promotions, new designs, and any special news.

For the Little Guys

Get a head start on your Christmas shopping with these "Little Guys" made by Keskey Kids. It reminds me of games we (and by "we" I mean those of us older than 30) grew up with where we actually had to use our imagination and create our own play. They make Football Guys, Baseball Guys, and Soccer Guys. And not to leave the girls behind, they even make Soccer Girls. Each game comes with a playing field, the number of guys you need for that sport, a referee, and goals. It's pretty cool. By using their own imaginations, they can play how they want to play.

And for those dads into college football, they have started coming out with specific teams in their respective jerseys. What dad wouldn't love to play these games with their boys? And Moms... while they are busy it frees up a bit of time for you to get out of the house... all by yourself!

Block Party!

Invites for kids parties just got a whole lot more creative. Imagine receiving a box in the mail as the invitation! Every kid loves to get mail and when their mail is in the form of a package it's that much better. Egba Originals has created these solid maple blocks that can be designed any way you want. In fact, they aren't just used for parties. Go ahead challenge the creative minds at Egba Originals and ask them to create invitations for baby and bridal showers, birth announcements, weddings... you name it. Going off the 3-D theme they also make puzzles to use as invitations and announcements. Getting a puzzle in the mail and the suspense of putting it together in order to find out why in the world you were sent this puzzle... sounds fun to me!

Piece by Piece

Puzzles. A great mind exercise for kids. It involves hand-eye coordination, fitting pieces into place, recollection, trial and error, and now an award when you finish... a super cool sound! Melissa and Doug are, in their own right, masters of creativity. They feed imaginations and that's why I love their products. Pictured above are the Train and Fire Engine Sound Puzzles. You guessed it. The puzzles make their respective sound when all the pieces are in place. My boys played with these over and over again. Another great puzzle is their Latches Play Board where tots need to figure out how to latch and unlatch different types of locks. Don't worry, there are no door knobs locks!

Three-Martini Playdate

Can you hear me laughing? I am still laughing at parts of this book, The Three- Martini Playdate - A Practical Guide to Happy Parenting by Christie Mellor. With chapters like these (just to name a few), you know it will be good:

Bedtime: Is Five-Thirty Too Early?

Child Labor: Not Just for the Third World!

Self-Esteem and Other Overrated Concepts.

Read this book and enjoy some of those deep belly laughs while you picture the scenes depicted through Christie's dead-on parenting tales. Then pass it on to a friend who could use some light humor about raising children... or better yet, a friend who may need to realize she is "one of those mothers" described in some of the hair-raising situations. There may be a few chapters you disagree with, but it's humor people! Laugh out loud and enjoy!

Here is an excerpt from the chapter, Children's Birthday Parties: Not Just for Children!

I encourage celebrating the first year. In fact, I heartily endorse the celebration of all birthdays. But things have gone completely haywire. Although a life-sized Barbie impersonator might be a treat for a few of the daddies, it is probable that your three-year old will not cherish the memory of the garishly bewigged ex-showgirl practicing hackneyed "magic" tricks on the back patio, or a bitter, marginally employed actor in a Batman cape making balloon animals.Why not have an afternoon cocktail party. Sure, invite the kids. It's your child's birthday, after all.

Bingo with a Zing!

For those kids who aren't quite old enough to play many games and for those parents who are sick of Candyland and Chutes and Ladders, this is the game for you! Zingo! I would say a good age is 3-5 years. Older than 5 and I think kids get a little bored.

There are two sides to each card. One side is a bit easier and goes a little faster because there are more of those tiles in the deck. Each tile has a picture and the word, so it I'll also give it a thumbs up for association. It's actually a pretty fun game even for adults... as long as you are playing it with your kids, that is! My youngest went through a stage of wanting to play this about 10 times per day. Then it got a little old, but a few times per day isn't bad!

Dirt Be-Gone

Abracadabra. Zippity Doo. Dirt Be-Gone. Poof. Poof. Poo.
There is such a thing as magic! If you don't believe me, you haven't tried the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. It cleans just about anything... literally. I love to have a clean, spotless-as-can-be-with-two-boys house, but I hate cleaning. So any product that is going to make cleaning a breeze, is top dog with me. I have used it on my refrigerator door handles. You know, those handles that get all grimy and nothing, not even bleach gets them clean. Well these little erasers cleaned those dirty handles with ease. I barely had to scrub. I moved on to my dishwasher and microwave, then the stair railings, and some scuffs on the walls. I will warn you, however, it took off some paint on my walls. So far, that is my only negative discovery.

Wine Plates

How many times have you been at a friend's house having appetizers and realized you needed 3 hands? One to hold the wine. One to hold the appetizer plate. And one to eat with. With these wine plates, you can stick with your two-handed self... whew! In fact, you can have your wine and drink it too.

Pumpkin Shirts - Ideal for Fall!

Our Emily Allyn Pumpkin shirts are now on sale! Now all Pumpkin shirt styles are only $18.00! You save up to $6.00 per shirt/onesie. Our sizes range from 3-6 months up to 6T.

You just can't get enough of your little Pumpkin. These cute shirts are ideal for the entire Fall, not just Halloween. Well, they are cute year-around, but especially adorable this time of year.

And don't forget our SALE! page where many overstock items can be found at unbelievable prices.

It's Spooky Fun

It's time to get serious about Halloween. (I say that now, but I probably won't think about it again until 2 weeks from now when I'm running around like a mad-woman trying to find costumes and candy... all for the kids, of course!) Pottery Barn Kids always has the cutest Halloween collections. Their spooky melamine dish set is perfect for any household as you know kids love to use these throughout the year, not just at Halloween! And their bloodcurdling fabric placemats match the dishes. OK, they aren't bloodcurdling by any means. I just think that word is so dang funny.

Let's Bowl!

Baby Farm Friends Bowling game is a great little gift for kids. My boys had these soft, bright, entertaining little animals and couldn't get enough of them. The ball rattles while it rolls down the "lane" ready to knock down any little farm friend in it's way! It's easy to set up and easy to store in it's carrying case. A good age for this game is about 18 months to 3 years. There are quite a few soft bowling sets out now, but I still think this is one of the cutest.

The Real Story

I believe a child cannot have too many books - as you can probably tell from a few of my other posts on children's books (If I Built a Car and Dinosaur Stomp). Another favorite of mine is The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith.

A. Wolf believes he was framed and he decides to finally share his side of the Three Little Pigs story. Basically, he was just out trying to find a cup of sugar for his dear old Granny's birthday cake. It is absolutely hilarious. How people think things up like this is beyond me! The author is incredibly imaginative. This is another must have in your child's library. And of course, it is a book you can read over and over again.