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!