A Nod To The Oval Crib

Sometimes you just need to throw the word practical right out the door. Round/oval cribs are impractical because you have to use the mattress and sheets shown with the crib. What if you use the crib for your second child and you don't like those sheets anymore? Not to mention the cribs are always well over $1000. But they are adorable and a fresh perspective on the crib, not to mention everyone will always comment on how fun and different it is. Plus, because they are a bit spendy, you can bet your bottom it is made well and will last.

The crib pictured above is from Land of Nod and called the Stokke Sleeep Sleepi System 1. You don't necessarily have to throw the word practical out the door when using this system. As my youngest would say, "It's magic." It conforms from a bassinet, to a crib, to a toddler bed. It sells for $1249, but this crib includes 2 mattress sizes - one for use as a crib/toddler bed and one for use as a bassinet. Now that's a deal! To use as a toddler bed, you simply place the mattress position on the lowest level and remove one of the side panels (shown below). And to use as a bassinet, you move the matress position to the highest level and remove both side panels (becomes a circle bassinet, not shown).

I also need to mention it has wheels. If you've never purchased a crib before, make sure you buy one with wheels. Trust me the first time you try to change those sheets, you will be thankful you have those wheels to easily move that crib away from the wall. If you have someone who changes the sheets for you, think about making their life easier and get the wheels!

• Beechwood construction
• Eco-friendly
• Four adjustable mattress heights
• Lockable wheels
• Assembly required
• Stained Espresso or painted White

Land of Nod. Love that store.

Umi Shoes + Giveaway!

Remember when Elefanten shoes were the "it" thing? They were one of the first companies to hit the U.S. market with quality and fashionable shoes for babies and toddlers. Everything in life seems to come full circle, and the people behind Elefanten have done it again. In 2004, they launched Umi Shoes - the new "it" shoe for the 21st century.

My 5-1/2 year old wears the Jet Shoes (pictured above). Now, my son gets excited about video games, playing with his friends, Bakugan, and Pokemon cards, but not shoes... until these came in the mail. He took one look at them and couldn't get them on his feet fast enough. Then he ran all over the house and made some comment about looking like his super-cool-dude-self in the shoes. (He just may have inherited my shoe fettish, poor kid.) I'm just happy they fit well and have lasted through dragging his toes on the ground at a break when using his scooter. Do you see that reinforced toe in the picture? Love it!

The shoes are handcrafted using drum-dyed, breathable leathers which make the shoes vibrantly colored and extremely durable and comfortable. The heels and collars are padded for a soft and comfortable fit. My son agrees! And the easy closures make it easy for moms to put them on the little tots or for the bigger tots to do their put on their own shoes.

But enough about how well they are put together, check out all the beautiful styles for girls and boys. Even the soles are adorable. The soles of the Jet Shoes we have remind me of planets and our solar system. Another pair (shown below) have pink and black soles and remind me of a sun and some flowers.

For those who are turning to the green side of life, they are also made from environmentally friendly materials and sold in packaging made from recycled goods.

Side note: you may have noticed some styles are out of stock. Some styles are limited and new styles will be arriving the end of October!

Giveaway

The best part!
The extremely nice people at Umi Shoes would like to give one lucky winner a free pair of the ultra cute black leather Ithica Shoe. I have a size 10 USA (27 EUR and 9 UK) sitting here waiting to be worn by some fortunate little girl. Keep in mind if the size 10 is too big, your little girl will grow into it. Or if you don't have a little girl, this would make an unbelievable gift to a friend who does. (And then just drop a few hints about how it would be nice if she returned the favor by buying you a little something-something... or isn't that how gifting works?)

What you need to do to become the winner:

Click the link below and answer a whopping 2 questions. One of two questions asks for your email. The only purpose for the email is to notify you if you are the winner.

Click here for your chance to win!

The giveaway will end Tuesday, October 7th.
That's only 9 days away, so be sure to enter now!

Déjà Vu

Can you say Cabbage Patch Kids? Are you old enough to remember this craze? Moms were pushing and shoving and fighting other Moms to get their hands on these dolls for their own little girls.

Lesson learned.

The newest Elmo, Elmo Live, is now available for pre-order. So, even though it's 85 degrees and sunny and warm, you need to start thinking about the holidays. "Elmo waves his arms, sits and stands, and even crosses his legs while telling stories and jokes, singing songs and playing games." Now that sounds like a fun toy. I can remember all the giggles we heard from our son with the Tickle Me Elmo. The toy got old after awhile, but Elmo Live sounds a little more interesting.

If you know your toddler would absolutely love this furry little guy you can pre-order your Elmo Live doll at Amazon.com for $65.99 and free shipping or straight from Fisher Price for $60.00 plus shipping. I've seen other stores with the pre-order for more moola.

Why not save yourself the hassle of the crowds and just pre-order him online? It couldn't be any easier! Just like the Cabbage Patch Kids (and the other Elmo dolls), I'm sure everyone and their mother will be buying him up, so don't wait. (I'm not making money off this little push of mine. I'm only thinking of days yore when trying to find Christmas presents at the last moment only to have what you want all sold out... everywhere. And I'm not paying quadruple the cost on Ebay, thank you very much.)

Once A Year

I link to Creative Kidstuff quite a bit on this blog. The store is awesome and the people who work there are amazing. It's a wonderful concept. However, you don't need to live in the Twin Cities to get the perks. They have an online shop as well.

June 5-8, they have their "Once, and only once a year" sale where you can take 25% off everything in the store (and online).

What kid doesn't love the Parachute? It's a hit with all children. And this one even comes with balls to pop around. When you take the 25% off, it's only $37.49!
A take on Bocce ball, Boochie looks like it would be much easier for kids. Only $25.50 after your 25% off.
Rain, rain, stay here today. We have to paint our boots all day. $30 on sale day.
Simple toy. Great backyard fun. Especially if you have a hill! The See Me Tunnel. Will be $27.
Start the brainwashing young, is what I say. Maybe pretend play will turn into reality with this Breakfast in Bed Tray. This thursday only $13.75! Let the brainwashing begin.
Keep the Math fresh in the kid's heads this summer with these addition flash cards. Then it won't take them a month to get back into the swing of things. Also comes in subtraction, mulitplication, division, fractions, time, and money. Great concept. Each only $7.50 after 25% off.
And so, so much more.

Bronze

I saw this in a Posh Cravings newsletter and wanted to pass it on.

American Bronzing is offering up to 50% off in order to bronze your child's first shoes - for a limited time. Parents used to do this all the time and then the trend kind of faded. But now it's back! And to bronze your child's first pair of shoes for only $39.95 - how great is that? You can also choose to have them mounted for a little extra cash. Those cute, oh-so-tiny shoes will be remembered for a lifetime. And how many times will you say, "I can't believe you used to fit into those shoes at one time"? Uh oh, here come the crocodile tears, open the flood gates.

Bullseye

When you see a red bullseye, what do you think of?
Yes, Target. It's all about the marketing. And Target just keeps getting better and better at marketing. They now carry Dwell Studio baby products. Can you believe it? I can. And the designs are adorable.

The Olivia collection is so damn cute. Fresh, modern, not baby-ish, and pink without being in-your-face pink. This bedding, which includes a bumper, a fitted sheet, and comforter is on sale for only $65. Just in case you are wondering, full price is still only $79.99. Bargin, people, bargin.
The crib skirt, on sale for $16.99.
Fitted sheet, on sale for $8.49
Window panel, on sale for $12.74
Decorative pillow, on sale for $7.64
Cribs are around $260.

You can't go wrong with Dwell.

PBK Has a Little Competition

Serena & Lily just might give Pottery Barn Kids a run for their money. This company has unique nursery and child bedding by mixing stripes, stars, dots, flowers, and plaids. They also carry gliders for the nursery, headboards, rugs, lamps, paint, and bedding basics to equal one coordinated room. You can order fabric samples to make sure the colors are a match for your taste.

One of the best aspects of the company is the donation program called Gently Loved. I call it the Gently Loved and Incredibly Generous To Those Who Give program! Read this:
"We invite you to partner with Serena & Lily to ensure that every child has a safe place to sleep. Through our Gently Loved™ program, you can donate your gently-used crib bumper (from Serena & Lily) to an infant in need, and receive a “thank you” gift certificate of $100, good toward any purchase on our website.
Serena & Lily has partnered with Baby Buggy, a New York City non-profit founded by Jessica Seinfeld, to outfit the thousands of cribs they donate every year through Project Safe Sleep. In partnership with Mayor Bloomberg and NYC Hospitals, Baby Buggy has donated over 3,000 cribs to families in poverty so that they may create safe sleeping places for their infants. With your help, Serena & Lily has pledged to make these cribs warm and safe and beautiful, by collecting your gently-used bumpers and by manufacturing new crib sheets using our fabric overruns and extras. By the end of 2007, Serena & Lily will have donated over 3,000 new crib sheets to Project Safe Sleep."

For details on how to donate your Serena & Lily gently loved bumper and receive the $100 gift certificate, please visit their website.

Laugh Over Spilled Milk

Murphy's Law #572:
More food ends up on the floor than in Junior's mouth.

Why is that? I spend more time cleaning the floor under where my kids sit than I spend at the spa. And that is just wrong! I'm fighting back with a spill mat by Caden Lane. Laminated and large, measuring at 35" x 39", these spill mats will make any mess easy to clean. Just wipe the surface. Not to mention the super cool prints you can choose from. Depending on the shape of your floor, you just might want to keep the mat on the floor permanently!

Those nasty little messes come from everything - art projects and play dough to little Ricky looking you square in the eye with a huge grin while he dumps his yogurt on the floor. Next time, you can smile back at little Ricky and laugh. He will not only be utterly confused that you did not get angry and frantically try to clean up the mess, he will probably think, "Game over" and not try it again. Then you will secretly throw your head back, do a mad scientist laugh and think, "I've won. I've actually won."
Daydream over. Back to reality.

Clean floors once again... well, for a few days anyway. Thank you, Caden Lane!

To Have and to Hold

If aliens aren't your thing (see previous post), check out these other little guys from Modern Nursery. A soft, cuddly stuffed animal is just the thing to take to bed... when you are 3. You feel secure. Modern Nursery carries some wonderful creatures to hold.

Large Floppy Elephants
Large Floppy Bunnies

Moncalin Melon Pig

Handknit Monkeys

and a variety of those Ugly dolls.

If your child wants something unique that no other child has, check out the Doodle Dolls. Each one comes with special markers to color the doll just how you want it to look. No worries about mixing it up with other children's dolls. You certainly won't mistake your little one's with the neighbors. Or will you?!?

The Aliens Are Coming

Here are a couple of aliens I would welcome into my home anytime. I don't think you could find a cuter alien. Modern Nursery carries these adorable little handknit guys. They even squeek when you squeeze their bellies. Sure, I can see how aliens would communicate... by squeeking.

Edible Presents

Can you believe this Pretty In Pink Present Cake is actually edible? It looks too picturesque to eat! But when you see the cake is made of mouth-watering chocolate, filled with chocolate truffle cream, and wrapped in white chocolate, you will want to dive right in.

Chasing Fireflies - I love that name - carries this delightful present along with many fun, unique gifts you don't see at every other online store.

Your little girl can sport one of these ultra hip Mermaid Beach Towels while at the beach. She is sure to give other moms and girls a big smile - along with a little jealousy.

If your family loves baseball, you could buy the Baby's First Baseball or Bat or Mit. They all come personalized.

I've always thought these animal backpacks were so funny. You can just picture it on your little toddler going to preschool.

For the "Up North" family, here is the essential moose coverall. The back reads, "I'm a little behind." Ha, ha, ha!

See Kai Run

These might be just about the most adorable, preppy, little shoes I've ever seen! See Kai Run makes these uber treads and makes them well. Made out of luxurious butter-soft leather and very flexible rubber soles, these shoes will stand, wobble, walk, run, and dance the test of time.

There's no point in me listing some of my favorites because they are all (literally) adorable, hip, and functional.

Find a store near you and run, don't walk, to pick up a pair for your little one. Your toddler will give you a big "thank you" smile.

Stop, Thief

How funny is this Sleep Thief baby playsuit from No Added Sugar?!? If I still had an infant, I would buy this in an instant! I am one of "those" who desparately needs sleep. I did not do well when baby woke me up multiple times during the night. Who am I kidding? I shouldn't be talking past tense, I still don't do well with night-wakings!

So funny, yet so true!

The ABCs of Learning

Here is a super unique baby gift idea. My cousin bought this wallhanging for me when my first was born. I had never seen one like it - I love those kinds of gifts! Each ABC pocket holds a pillow toy corresponding to that letter. They are adorable, soft, and fun to play with. The L is a cute lollipop. The reverse side shows the matching letter L for the younger Einsteins out there.

The company, Pockets of Learning, manufacturers a bunch of educational and interactive toys.

Soft books

Soft blocks

Soft toys, like a toolbox, Noah's Ark boat, and tea party set

The read and play sets are quite impressive too

and there's more.

If you are looking for an exceptional baby gift (and let's face it, who isn't?), checkout the Pockets of Learning website. I love it when fun and educational are in the same sentence!

Readers: I think we are past due for a "Just for Moms" post. That will be next!

Lil' Hair Accessories

I remember when I was a little girl with long hair. The most creative pigtail and ponytail holders on the market were elasticized bands with decorative marble-like balls (visual), and I think I even remember holders with little acrylic pigs, strawberries and phones (sorry couldn't find those visuals - I guess nobody wants to remember those)!

Times have changed, thank god! And Lil' Sugarplum is right there leading the way with more trendy styles for infants and toddlers. We tried out the dragonfly clip. First, it is absolutely adorable. Plus, it holds it's own. Through summer-saults and running, it stayed in the hair - which is key. How many times druing the day do you stop and have to re-do your girls' hair?

Just one note when you go through the website. Don't miss all their styles! They have many more on other pages, and the page 2 and page 3 links are displayed towards the top of each page. For example, check out:

Bliss (scroll down). A super cute, brightly colored flower clip

The butterfly bobby pins are precious

The Teddy Bear Ponytail holders

Any little girl would eat these up!

If you are a visual person, Lil' Sugarplum has created a gallery of pictures. You can see what these sweet little clips look like on some sweet little models.

U-G-L-Y...

You ain't got no alibi... your doll's ugly. Just a little twist on the "cheer" people always used at high school sports. (I can't believe we got away with chanting that, how rude!)

I needed a good laugh today. So, when I was thinking about what to post I thought of these little guys, Uglydolls! Every time I see them, I giggle. Their website sheds some humor too. Each character links to information or shopping on their site. In the upper left corner, the blue Uglydoll links you to an area where you can learn the names and funny facts about each doll. You can also find downloads, news, press, and Ugly comics.

The Uglydolls run about $20.00. They have also released Little Uglys that cost a measly $10.00.

Innie or Outie?

Versatility at its best.

You are on your way out the door heading to preschool when you notice a spot on your daughter's outfit. "I don't have time for this," you utter in madness. However, if your daughter is wearing Innies 'n Outies, there is no problem; it's a quick fix. Just whip the outfit off, turn it inside out (or right side in) and voila, you have yourself a brand new, clean outfit! Your daughter will be amazed thinking her mom knows magic. And you will be on your way in no time - instead of digging through the dryer for clean, matching clothes.

The style of the clothes and the fabrics they use are absolutely darling - even for boys. When form meets function, it doesn't get much cuter than the Sandia collection for girls.

The prices are very reasonable considering it's really a 2-for-1 deal!

Especially for Emily Allyn readers, the owners of Innies 'n Outies have extended a generous offer of 30% off your first order! Just enter "emilyallyn30" at checkout.

Enjoy!

Mess Saver

You are at a friend's house for a play date. Little one is crying for some food. You pull out the applesauce and spoon and... uh oh you forgot the bib. But you don't sweat it because you have your handy dandy Kipiis Bib Clip.

Just in case you haven't heard of these yet, you need to know about it. And if you have heard of them, it's just a friendly reminder of how simple and smart this product is. The Bib Clip turns virtually anything into a bib - a towel, a burp cloth, a napkin, or what ever is close. It works like the bib at the dentist with those clips on either end. Like I said, simple and smart. Not to mention they have cool colors and a trendy look to them.

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.

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!