Color Me Chocolate

I've always loved "boy" and "girl" themed baby gift sets like this Chocolate Fashion Set (Blue) by Elegant Baby. For $34, it includes pants, long-sleeve tee (size 6 mos or 12 mos), and beanie cap, all in 100% cotton, presented in a gift-worthy fabric drawstring bag. Check out this and all the other Chocolate Collection baby gifts for both boys and girls at ElegantBaby.com.

Writing's on the Wall

R. loves her big Melissa & Doug standing easel/chalkboard, but I'm not crazy about how much space it takes up in our NYC apartment, where every inch of floor space counts. So I was intrigued by this new item in the Land of Nod catalog- a wall-mounted Schoolhouse Chalkboard. It has 3 fun activities- chalkboard, easel, and magnet board. The galvanized steel frame mounts to the wall, there's a place to store art supplies, and your first roll of paper is included. An easel that stays out of the way- wonderful idea. $89 at Land of Nod.

Baby You Can Drive My Car

The award-winning modern Automoblox C9 Sportscar ($34.99) is the latest greatest thing in the world of toy cars. Automoblox cars are made of solid birch wood and can be zoomed around, or taken apart and reassembled in a multitude of ways with parts from other vehicles in the range to create new, original cars. And, of course, they look great too, and don't shriek like all of your kids' other toy cars. Hooray for that. Find it at Small and Medium.

Alex & Jett Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Greta (mom to Z, M & K) in Connecticut, who won a customized T-shirt from Alex & Jett. Thanks to all who entered the contest and keep checking back for more great giveaways!

I Knew It When

I am excited to see that the new Skip Hop Play Spot is hitting stores this August, since I took part in a focus group about its development several months ago (thanks R.!) No longer will moms everywhere have to lay those ugly ABC foam mat pieces across their living room floors. Skip Hop's appealing new soft surface playmat is made of interlocking pieces of EVA foam, so you can create just the size and dimensions you want. There are 3 great color combos: pink/brown, brown/gold, and brights. It's $79 for a 20-tile Play Spot set, and you can pre-order it now at Amazon.com for shipping in early August.

Uni-versally Adorable

Little Uni makes adorable, snuggly baby tees and onesies with hand-sewn appliques made of soft patterned fabrics. There are flowers, apples, dogs, cars, and more, each with an appropriate word (i.e. "beep"). Or, if you prefer, you can personalize the tee or onesie with your baby's name (as shown here). The onesies and tees are by American Apparel and are available in short or long sleeves (sizes 3-6 months through 4 years) or onesies (3-6 months or 6-12 months). Prices start at $26 for a short sleeve tee. For a sweet baby gift, consider the onesie sets ($36) which include matching hat. Visit LittleUni.com.

Buy the Numbers

As a New York City apartment dweller, I am not in the market for house numbers, but if I were, I would loooove to buy these stainless steel Neutra House Numbers from Design Within Reach. Borrowing the iconic lettering that architect Richard Neutra used on his buildings in the 1930s-50s, these numbers each weigh half a pound and install on flat surfaces without visible hardware (included). They are resistant to corrosion, tarnishing and discoloration, and are made in the U.S.A. They have such a beautiful retro look (especially if you are a font fanatic like I am)- they would make me feel like I'm living in a 1950s Hollywood bungalow. $75 apiece at Design Within Reach.

Small Paul, Big Time

ModMama.com is a site I check out regularly, especially its great selection of Small Paul items by Paul Frank. There are lots of fun tees for both boys and girls, and now this adorable striped toddler purse ($28) featuring the trademark Julius logo. This cute clutch is the perfect gift for the little fashionista in your life. Browse the entire Small Paul collection at ModMama.com.

MyMomShops Giveaway: Alex & Jett

I love how creative these personalized tees from Alex & Jett are. Each shirt is fully customized and unique. You choose a kid-friendly design (my favorite is the dinosaur design shown above in both boy and girl versions, but lots of others including construction, rocket, flower garden, and princess are available too). Several color options are available for each design. Then Alex & Jett customizes your tee with your child's first name, birth year, and place of birth. The tees are made of 100% premium cotton and are available in sizes 2, 4, or 6. At just $18.95, this makes a great birthday gift or even a big sibling gift. And, it's guaranteed no one will have the same one! Check out all the options at Alex & Jett.

Win a customized T-shirt of your choice from Alex & Jett! Here are the contest rules:

1) To enter, please make a comment- any comment- on THIS post (click on "comments" below).
2) You must post your comment by 9pm EST on Thursday, June 28th. MAKE SURE you either leave your e-mail address in the comment, or check the site again on Friday to see if you were picked. Unclaimed prizes will be given to the next winner!
3) One entry per person, please.
4) 1 winner will be chosen at random and announced on Friday.

GOOD LUCK!

Bitty Boden

I just saw the fall preview of Boden and was very excited to learn that about their new line of baby clothing (they did in fact sell infant-size versions of some of their most popular kids' clothing before, but now they have designed a line specifically for your littlest fashion plates). Sizes run from 0-3 months up to 12-18 months and pieces include an adorable (not shown here) applique romper ($24), practical Twin Set Sleepsuits ($38), and a luscious Teddy Button-Through Cardigan ($36). Most items can be pre-ordered and will be available to ship in early August. Happy browsing at Boden's baby preview.

If you pre-order items from the Boden preview, you get an automatic 20% discount, plus free shipping and returns!

More "Wow" Wall Art

With so much new wall art for kids out there, the bar is being raised higher and higher. But designer Avalisa, I think, has created something that's just about perfect- bright, vivid, modern wall art that cool enough for mom & dad, but still entirely child-friendly and nursery-appropriate. Her Animals Collection is my favorite, making it easy to create a veritable zoo, safari, or farm on your child's wall. Avalisa wall art is printed on fabric, stretched, and ready to hang. Three sizes are available (12x12, 18x18, and 28x28) and prices start at $59. And, best of all, Avalisa is dedicated to brightening the environments of children everywhere; the company donates canvases to CURE international hospitals to cheer kids. All in all, a great company. I think you'll see Avalisa wall art a lot more in the months to come. Visit Avalisa.com.

Chittypulga Sale!

Chittypulga.com, a charming boutique site I've mentioned before, is having a big summer sale including select items by designers Tea Collection, Zutano, and Sophie & Lili. Here are just a few of the great deals I found:

A lovely lavender Topaki dress (50% off, now $23.00) by Tea Collection:

L.A. shoe designer Pazitos's adorable floral sandals (25% off, now $37.50):

I love casual yet snazzy shirts for boys like this elephant polo (30% off, now $19.60) by Jaffa by Oink Baby:

And this Nopales Raincoat (45% off, now $25.30), again by Tea Collection:


Take a look around! Chittypulga.com is offering MyMomShops readers an additional 10% discount on top of sale prices, as well as free shipping on orders over $75, through Sunday, July 8th. Enter code "MMS10" at checkout.

Your Name in Brights

How cool are these CRAYO-names I found yesterday at Etsy.com? These letter-shaped crayons are not just fun and usable, they are also eco-friendly (made from recycled crayons). They cost just $5 for any name up to 6 characters; if you need additional letters, they cost 50 cents apiece. What a unique and inexpensive personalized gift for the budding artist(s) in your life! Find them at the Etsy storefront of Story Blox.

EggPress-ly Excellent

Here is another fantastic letterpress designer I discovered at the Stationery Show last month. Egg Press was kind enough to send me samples and I have been enjoying holding and admiring the thick cardstock, beautiful designs, and yummy letterpress texture (can anyone relate to this or do I sound crazy?) Here are some of my favorites from their site, Egg Press (just click on "Shop Online"). Feast your eyes:





Individual cards cost about $4.50, with lovely translucent or glassine envelopes included. Oh, and they also have some adorable baby Ts and onesies, too! Browse around Egg Press.

To the Beach!

Hooray! We are going to the beach today for the first time in 2 years today (I spent last summer in our apartment, on strict bedrest awaiting Baby S's arrival). I have a pretty pathetic selection of beach toys for my kids, though (i.e. none). For future beach trips I'm planning to order this Sand Play Backpack Set from Olliebollen.com. For a clueless beach mom like me, it makes things easy. Your little ones will be all set with this sturdy clear backpack which contains a watering can, bucket, sieve, scoop, and 2 sand moulds. On sale for $18.95. Not bad! Just add sand and water. Visit OllieBollen.com.

p.s. What a disaster. Half-way through a two-hour drive in traffic on the Long Island Expressway, we discovered Baby S was teething again (thus the non-stop screaming), and R. announced "I don't like the beach. I don't like sand." And she did not change her mind once we got there. Today we'll just stick to the NYC playground sprinklers.

Your Lucky Number

I love black-and-white tableware and I think this porcelain Party Raffle dinnerware from Rosanna (a great new entertaining/decor site I stumbled on) sets a great stage for entertaining. Pick your number and you won't end up using someone else's glass! There are plates, mugs, coasters and wine glasses. Bonus: Every item except the wine glasses is dishwasher and microwave safe. The prices are reasonable, too (6 appetizer plates for $35, packaged in an adorable hexagonal gift box). Check out this and all the other great dinnerware patterns at Rosanna.

Blankets that Stay Put

Though we're out of blanket season now, I can not begin to count the number of times Baby S's blanket fell off his stroller or car seat this past winter. And when a soft pretty baby blanket falls onto a New York City sidewalk, it's not so nice. The new Secure2Me Blanket ($36) solves this problem- it is an ultra-luxurious, soft blanket that easily attaches to strollers, car seats, and baby carriers with finger-friendly clips on each corner. The blankets are crafted of fine boutique-quality fabrics, so they make great baby gifts as well. My favorite patterns are the Petit Four and Gumdrops. A lighter-weight, sun-protecting "Eclipse" version ($29) of the blanket is available too (great for summer). Check them out at Secure2Me.com.

Pretty Polka Purse

Like polka dots? Then I think you'll love these Polka Dot Initial Bags by Polka Dot Market. The bags (which measure 13" x 13" x 4") show a wonderful attention to detail and are a fun gift for a little girl. Each bag is personalized with a hand-cut initial and features your choice of fabric and ribbons. The construction is very solid and these bags can be packed with just about anything- clothes, snacks, toys, books...you name it. At just $18, this is a nice, affordable treat (big sister gift, perhaps?) Check out all the goodies at Polka Dot Market.

Brilliant Bulldogs

If you follow kids' fashion and haven't spotted Appaman's trendy Bulldog Tee yet, maybe you live under a rock (well, you probably don't live in New York City). Appaman's line of hip Ts for little guys is all the rage in my neighborhood, with good reason. The designs are fab, and the price is right. At Little Boy Chic, you can buy the Bulldog Tee in wine from sizes 6 months-4T, $29. The same design is available as a onesie ($25) up to size 18 months, too. Love it, love it.

Diaper Bag Addiction

I've been using a plain light blue canvas Skip Hop diaper bag since Baby S. was born last August, but I think it's time for an upgrade. I'm considering the newer, snazzier Skip Hop Blue Teal Glam Duo Diaper Bag. Spiffy, isn't it (and probably easier to clean since it's laminated)? Otherwise, it's got all the usual Skip Hop features we know and love (i.e. adjustable stroller bar straps, removable shoulder strap, changing pad, side bottle pockets, magnetic closure, easy access zippered pockets, etc.) The bag measures 13 inches wide x 14 inches high x 3.5 inches deep. I am not sure my husband will be thrilled that I've bought a new diaper bag when the old one is perfecly fine, but, hey, you understand, don't you? It's $89 at boutique site Miss Fitz Inc..

Mason & Matisse Giveaway Winners

Congratulations to the 2 winners, who will each receive a set of French Bull monster plates:

Justyn, who wrote, "My litle monster would love those"
Bethany, who wrote, "Shatterproof- that's a good thing"

Justyn and Bethany, please e-mail me your names and mailing addresses to claim your prizes.

Thanks to everyone for entering the contest and stay tuned for another great giveaway next week!

Wishing for Simple Toys

Thanks to my friend and BridesmaidAid.com co-founder E. (mom to M. and 1 on the way) for introducing me to Wishing Tree Toys, a site that sells simple yet whimsical wooden toys that children (and their environmentally conscious parents) will enjoy. The toys are made from 100% natural, chemical-free basswood and are designed by Japanese sculptor Mitsuo Shimizu. They are sophisticated but child-friendly, with round edges and smooth finishes. The adorable lion shown here ($10) is unfortunately sold out at the moment, but there are several other fun choices including Tammy the tortoise, a sweet Farmhouse, or a lively ocean. Bonus: Wishing Tree also donates a portion of its profits to Save the Children. Visit Wishing Tree Toys.

Spunky Sprouts

I hear about new websites all the time, but this one really made me take notice. Spunky Sprouts is a new children's boutique featuring stylish modern products for hip moms and dads. The items- ranging from clothing to decor to baby gear- are modern and high quality (and, yes, a bit pricey). Like modern nursery furniture? Hate cutesy characters on kids' clothes? This is the place for you. Featured designers include- among others- Bloom, ducduc, Oioi, French Bull, notNeutral, Wallcandy Arts, and Pixel Pieces. I browsed the site quickly and here are some of my top finds:

Remember a few months ago I posted about new designer Winter Water Factory and said you'd be seeing more of their hip clothes? Sure enough, their terrific Juneleaf Kids' Picnic Dress($68) popped up at SpunkySprouts:


What mod mama wouldn't go gaga for this stylish Square Wall Mobile ($180)?


Here's a modern twist on the classic kids' rocking pony ($165):


Go ahead...take a look. And maybe splurge a little, too. Visit SpunkySprouts.com.

Be Honest

HonestBaby.com is a sweet little site that sells baby T-shirts with funny slogans such as "10th percentile but still growing", "ferberizing stinks", and "i'll walk when I'm good & ready" (this last one would be appropriate for Baby S. who at 10 1/2 months is still in no rush to crawl). I like that these shirts are available in sizes larger than newborn, too (in fact, all the way up to 6 years). Short sleeve Ts cost $20, long sleeve Ts cost $22. Check out all the honest statements at HonestBaby.com.

MyMomShops Giveaway: Mason & Matisse

I saw these super-cute Monster Plates Set made especially for kids by designer French Bull at the Kidfresh store on 2nd Avenue recently. They're available online, too, at a wonderful boutique site, Mason & Matisse. If you can't stand the site of plastic Disney plates anymore, but still need something that will hold your kids' interest through dinnertime, try these kooky, durable, monster-themed 100% melamine plates. They are dishwasher safe, high heat resistant, and shatterproof (but not microwave-safe). The set includes 4 plates, each 8" diameter. $29 at Mason & Matisse.

Win one of 2 Monster Plates Set from Mason & Matisse! Here are the contest rules:

1) To enter, please make a comment- any comment- on THIS post (click on "comments" below).
2) You must post your comment by 9pm EST on Wednesday, June 20th. MAKE SURE you either leave your e-mail address in the comment, or check the site again on Thursday to see if you were picked. Unclaimed prizes will be given to the next winner!
3) One entry per person, please.
4) 2 winners will be chosen at random and announced on Thursday.

GOOD LUCK!

You've Got Mail

I've posted before about the hilarious Hate Mail greetings by Carol Lee Designs (another favorite Etsy find) but I just had to post again because some of these new cards are sooo funny. Read them for yourself. Of course, mail these with caution. Only a really good friend would get the joke (you hope). Visit Carol Lee Designs' Etsy storefront.

MyMomShops Sponsor: B-Cozy Blankets

We received a beautiful, thick fleece blanket for Baby S. as a baby gift last year. We have gotten so much use out of it and I have since given it as a baby gift to others because we liked our own so much. The company who makes this gift- B-Cozy Blankets- is MyMomShops' newest sponsor. B-Cozy Blankets creates unique, soft polar fleece blankets that will last long beyond the infant stage. The generously sized (28" x 39") blankets are handmade in Vancouver, BC using two layers of premium Canadian fleece (we have washed ours so many times and it still looks great). The patchwork designs are adorable and range from soft pastels to brighter colors. Two of my favorite B-Cozy blankets are the ladybug and giraffe designs shown above. For an extra special touch, the blankets (regular price $64) can be personalized too ($2.50 per letter).

Looking for a gift for an older baby or toddler? Matching toddler blankets and pillows are available too.

Check out all the beautiful blankets at B-Cozy.

Happy Father's Day

At this point, it would be a belated Father's Day gift, but how about this stylish modern key catchall ($58) from RedEnvelope.com? (Can you tell I love key catchalls? I think this is the 3rd one I've posted). This one is made of durable brushed aluminum (wall-mounting hardware included) and also has space for his cell phone, wallet, and other essentials he needs on his way out the door. Check out all the last-minute Father's Day gifts at RedEnvelope.com.

Keeping Good Company

I recently caught up with my pile of catalogs, including one of my perennial favorites, The Company Store. A great new find are these sets of Rainbow Wall Shelves which I think would look terrific in a kids' room or playroom. You could display keepsakes, collectibles, photos, or even small toys. Two sets are available: Cool (Lagoon, Capri and Lime) or Warm (Lipstick, Tangerine and Sunshine). Each module measures 11 3/8"l x 8 1/8"w x 5"d. $49 (2 or more for $44 per set). Visit The Company Store.

My Little Pony

R. is nearly 4 and her super-curly hair still isn't long enough for a ponytail. Sigh. Someday, though, I hope to spoil her with hair accessories like this lovely Monogrammed Hair Pony from the Etsy.com storefront of Lilli Tutu. It's monogrammed with the initial of your choice and you can also choose any of Lilli Tutu's sweet, vintage-inspired fabrics for a custom order. It costs $7 at Etsy.com.

MyMomShops Sponsor: ChicShopsBaby

Our newest sponsor is ChicShopsBABY, a wonderful shopping guide and directory of amazing websites for moms & kids. It's a fun destination whether you are looking just to browse or you're ready to do some serious shopping. If you register for a free account, you can save your favorite shops for quick access when you return, read and give site reviews, talk to other shoppers in a ChicShopsBABY forum, read interviews with hot shop owners, and see Jake’s Picks, the fave items of a precocious 2 year old product tester.

When browsing around ChicShopsBABY, my favored "stops" are the "The Shops"(perfect if you want to browse for hip new stores, something I am doing constantly) and of course, the Sales & Coupons section offering discounts up to 40% at some sites. ChicShopsBABY lists many sites that I have always enjoyed (BlueberryBabies.com, ModMama.com, and NewForBaby.com, to name just a few), as well as some terrific new finds, including IFete.com (stationery), BebeBabble.com (decor, gifts & toys), and JenniferDelonge.com (modern kids' furniture). You could spend a lonnng time (I did) checking out sites you haven't seen before.

Go visit ChicShopsBABY. I promise you'll have a great time!

Cookies for Dad

This would indeed be a very last-minute Father's Day gift, but I love these World's Greatest Dad cookies from renowned New York City bakery Eleni's. A true work of art, the set of 17 hand-iced sugar cookies has a real NYC pricetag- $65- but I can personally attest that Eleni's cookies are not only gorgeous but also delicious. And since the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, they are a good investment too. Check out the Father's Day treats and other amazing edibles at Eleni's.

My Dog Brio

I was so happy to see this retro toy I owned as a child- Brio's Small Dachsund Pull-Along Toy- for sale at the Wexner Center Store (the gift shop of a terrific art center in Ohio). Turns out this beloved classic has been around since 1953 (so it was retro even when *I* was a little kid.) He is a tiny little pet (3 x 5.5 inches) and when you pull him, he moves his head and wags his tail and ears. I always called mine "Brio" and he still lives at my parents' house in the 'burbs. R. loves to play with him there. This little puppy costs just $7.00. They have also made a large size version of the Brio dog. Browse around for more "gifts you won't find at the mall" at the Wexner Center Store.

Clippy Kits

Aren't these ClippyKit bags adorable? R. and I had so much fun putting ours together. Created by British designer Calypso Rose (whose nickname is "Clippy"), ClippyKit bags (and an accompanying line of accessories ranging from pencil cases to kids' umbrellas) are all the rage in England. Celebrities Thandie Newton, Helena Bonham Carter and Jamie Oliver are big fans. The bag ($32) pictured here is sort of like a portable scrapbook (and sooo much easier than "real" scrapbooking, which frightens.) You can put whatever you want in the pockets- photographs, fabrics, cards, or trinkets. If you're stuck for ideas, try the these sweet ready-made "Kit Bits"($4). ClippyKit products make a great kids' activity, party favor, or big sibling gift. Or a treat for a sentimental mom-who-saves-everything (like me). ClippyKit products are now available for the first time in the U.S. at Creative Kid Stuff. Jolly good fun!

I Can Do That!

This original Do It Yourself Photo Block Kit from Photojojo.com actually looks like something I *can* do myself (I am not as crafty as I'd like to be). The all-inclusive kit includes everything you need to create two sets of photo blocks right at your own kitchen table. All you need is scissors and a ruler, and your own favorite 4" x 6" photos. I don't know about your kids, but mine would flip for blocks featuring their faces. Each kit costs $25 at Photojojo.com.

The Buzz

I posted a while back about my participation in this cool site Stylehive.com- it's a "social bookmarking" site for people who love to shop and share the stylish things they find. I have my own "hive" where I post some of the same items I feature on MyMomShops, but also some that are a little more "out there"- whether more unusual, more expensive, or both. If one of your Stylehive.com finds hits "popular" it means that lots of other style-philes have copied it to their own "hives." One of my earlier finds, this Crossword Wall Art from Posh Tots, hit popular a few months back:



And now so has this one- funky retro-fitted phones from online British shop Peddlars (sorry, looks like you can't buy it in the U.S.)



Stylehive.com is a terrific site and is highly addictive (as if you don't spend enough time online, right?) Want to see more stylish stuff? Visit my hive (or start your own!) at Stylehive.com.

Pick a Daisy

LittleDaisies.net is a sweet new site that offers double the fun for baby onesies- adorable hand-embroidered designs plus personalization or monogramming. I like their fun designs for boys including the dinosaur set pictured here. For either boys or girls, the design of your choice can be printed on various clothing types including onesies, footed sleepers, tees, pant/shirt sets, and even hats. Prices start at $28 and sizes go up to 3T, so you might be able to buy a big sibling gift here too. Oh, and did I mention that the back of the onesies and tees have an extra embroidered design, too? Nice touch. Visit LittleDaisies.net.


Enter code "10Daisies" (case sensitive) for a 10% discount on your order.

In Any Language

Je t'aime these flashcards from unique gift site Bibelot (if you like gift sites like Uncommon Goods, you'll love Bibelot, too). Available as "Basic Words" in French and Spanish, as well as "Things That Go," each set of 2-sided cards hangs together on a sturdy ring (essential for young kids!) and features 26 vocabulary words. The illustrations are delightful, too. Tres jolie! $12 at Bibelot.com.

Hey, That's Me!

Personalized wall art is all the rage in kids' decor, yet I feel I keep seeing the same things over and over again, like those hanging wooden letters or those "E my name is Ella" type paintings. So I'm impressed when I see something fun and different, like these custom portaits from Muffy's Room. For $200, Connecticut-based artist/mom Muffy Pendergast will paint one of her signature canvases with a likeness of your child based on a photograph (click on the previous link to see how it works). The canvas can be customized with your child's name and/or other fun information. Check out the cute border details on this one. She even does sibling portraits. Visit Muffy's Room.

MyMomShops Giveaway- $150 Shopping Spree at Oompa!

Yep, you read it right. This is our best giveaway so far- a $150 shopping spree at Oompa.com, my favorite online toy store. If you don't know Oompa yet, take a look! Oompa features a constantly-expanding selection of the best European (and European-inspired) toys and baby toys from brands like Haba, Schylling, Brio, and Plan Toys. As the site's tagline says, "No batteries. No blinking lights. No cartoon-themed toys. Period." Just wonderfully-crafted, fantastic toys that will hold your kids' interest (and your sanity) a lot longer than the latest Dora dollhouse.

Ooooh, the winner is going to get to choose from so many great products (check out all of my past posts about Oompa products). Here are just a few of my current favorites at Oompa:

From the looks of WH Swiss Toy's My Magnificent Pirate Ship ($79.99), the name fits the toy. Ahoy, matey!

Prefer to stay on land? Camp out at Plan Toys' contemporary dollhouse ($99.99):

Hungry? Check out this Haba play food basket ($18.99). Looks better than most real gift baskets!

Oompa's not only about wooden toys, though. There are plenty of cuddly friends too, like Latitute Enfant's cozy hugging Grannimal Emile & Emilien ($29.99) which my daughter R. has and LOVES: From beautiful wooden toys to soft cuddly dolls, from baby rattles to room accents, Oompa's got it all. Visit Oompa.com.

Win this shopping spree! We're doing this giveaway a bit differently. Here are the rules:

1) To enter, please make a comment- any comment- on THIS post (click on "comments" below).
2) You must post your comment by 10pm EST on Tuesday, June 12th.
3) One entry per person, please.
4) Winner will be chosen at random and announced on Wednesday.

GOOD LUCK!

UPDATE: Congratulations to Lucy, aunt of 7, from North Carolina, who won the shopping spree!

Baby Instructions

I stumbled on these funny "To-Do" List Burpcloths at Etsy.com. A perfect gift for groggy new parents who can't think straight, these 100% cotton burp cloths (measuring 20"L x 14"W) are also available in white with a variety of thread colors. Handmade in Florida by Joey & Aleethea. $12 each at Etsy.com.

Friday Fun

This past Friday I treated myself to some bricks-and-mortar shopping for my kids. At Gymboree I found this cute ruffled camo skirt ($26.50) for R. (I love the matching hat but I knew my stubborn gal would never keep it on her head). And this fun, fifties-style red gingham bathing suit ($22.50) with matching sunglases. Best of all, I saved 20% with these coupons they were handing out in the store. Take a peek around Gymboree if you still need to stock up on summerwear for your kids.

Chop to It

R. received a pair of kids' chopsticks in a goody bag at a birthday party recently and she has become quite obsessed (though not yet adept!) at using them. Here are some very cute Chopstick Kids from an upscale online boutique called MySweetMuffin.com. Chopstick Kids are soft, washable, food-safe hinges that attach to your chopsticks and help keep them in line. They come in assorted Boy and Girl styles, are molded from silicone rubber, and are dishwasher safe (plus they come with their own nice set of melamine chopsticks in case you don't want to wait for your next Chinese take-out meal to try them out). Go ahead, give them a twirl. Just $6 at MySweetMuffin.com.

Day by Day

As I learned from R's first year at preschool, little kids loooove calendars of any type. This Days of the Week Wall Hanging by modern designer ZidZid- which I spotted at the Giggle store a few weeks ago- is a great accent for a child's bedroom or playroom. With its clever set of pockets, it can (hopefully) help kids to organize their clothes, books, and knick-knacks each day. It's made of cotton flannel with rich appliques and embroidery; it measures approximately size: 12" x 50". $150 at Giggle.

Wrapped Around Your Finger

This would be a very sweet gift for a mom (or grandma). It's a made-to-order personalized picture ring featuring your most prized photo surrounded by 12k goldfill scallop bezel. The image is waterproofed and sealed behind quartz stone. Photo is approx 12mm. The ring is made with age-old blacksmithing techniques to form, solder, hammer and finish with precise detail. The finish is a lovely matte antique satin. $130 at FlyingPeas.com.

Not Your Mom's Digital

I love, love, love the look of this wooden play camera from modern kids' shop Romp in Brooklyn, New York (my birthplace!). Sure, other tikes are using special digital cameras for kids these days. But your child will stand out with this totally hip, "wood toys are best" play camera that has superbly detailed moving parts- they can peek through the view finder, focus the lens, advance the film and push the shutter. And, lucky for you, no pictures to upload and put in albums (when was the last time you tackled that chore?) The 6" long camera- which is made of walnut, oak and alder- is crafted in U.S. by a small family-owned company. $25 at Romp.

Like Father, Like Son

Father's Day is just 10 days away, and I'm finding cute dad-inspired gifts everywhere. Check out this adorable Like Father/Like Son playsuit at Tricky & Titch. Made of cozy soft combed cotton, the preshrunk bodysuit has 8 tiny color-matched nickel-free snaps for easy dressing, and is 100% made in Canada. Sizes 0-6 mos or 6-12 mos, $30.50 at Tricky & Titch (click on "playsuits/bodysuits").

Luscious Legos

What a great idea for summer! This Lego Ice Brick Tray will help you serve the coolest drinks in town at your next party or playgroup. The dishwasher-safe tray is made of durable silicone and makes 10 ice "bricks" at a time. $7.99 at the Lego Store.

Hello, My Name Is...

Have I mentioned my ongoing obsession with birth announcements? I chose pretty classic designs for both of my kids, but I am always drawn to funkier announcements when I see them. Like these "Hello My Name Is" announcements from terrific online stationer Demby & Solmon. At $44.75 for a set of 25, these are a great deal (don't even get my husband started on what I spent on birth announcements). And they are sure to get a good laugh. Visit Demby & Solomon for this and other stationery.

Simply Summer Shirtdress

I discovered the clothing by this wonderful New York City designer/mom Carolina Zapf (the line is called Baby CZ) in the lobby boutique of Upper East Side kid mecca Kidville. Baby CZ makes very high-end, chic clothing for infants, toddlers, and kids up to size 12. I love this Deco Dot Shirtdress for an easy, breezy summer girls' outfit. It has a sash at the waist and is available in sizes 2T-12 for $78. Visit Baby CZ for this and other stylish threads for little ones.

Find Dad's Keys

Having spent many of my "pre-mom" years working in art museums, I love browsing museum stores for unusual and fun gifts. The online store of The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) here in New York City never disappoints. This Clote Velcro Key Holder ($70) is a design-friendly solution to the age-old problem of where to keep your keys visible (and, therefore, I think would make a great Father's Day gift). The steel wall-mounted unit features five color-coordinated Velcro circles and loop fastener key chains. Another nice feature: Clote items are assembled in a workshop for physically challenged people in Germany. Check out this and other new arrivals at MoMA's online shop.

Not Your Bag

I got a chuckle out of these Clever Luggage Tags available at Shoestringhome.com, an online boutique featuring home accessories, gifts, and kids' items. A great gift idea for anyone who travels, these brightly colored tags have clever phrases which are sure to deter anyone who might take your bag in error (I like the blunt "I'm pretty sure this isn't your bag.") You can write your contact information on the reverse of each tag. $12 at Shoestringhome.com.

For the month of June, MyMomShops readers receive a free bar of indulgent, pampering Pre de Provence soap with ANY order. Enter the code: FREESOAP in the ordering instructions box at checkout.

Red Sox Nation

My husband is pretty psyched these days that his beloved Red Sox are playing so well. I'm a Mets girl, myself, but I'm still happy for him. Depending how the season continues, I may consider purchasing this adorable Boston Red Sox Sweater ($60) from Red Wagon Toy Co. for Baby S. The navy sweater is 100% cotton with baseball buttons on the shoulder. Gift wrap costs just $2.50. Size 12 months through 6 years at Red Wagon Toy Company.

MyMomShops Giveaway- Introducing the Lamaze Dream Screen!

Here is a fabulous giveaway of a brand-new product by best-selling children's manufacturer Lamaze Toys. The Lamaze Dream Screenis not even in stores until July 1st, but we have one to offer a lucky MyMomShops readers. Poised to become the next wave in soothing crib toys (like plasma TV for babies!), the Dream Screen has an innovative dual motion screen which scrolls calming nature scenes and plays soft music when activated by either baby or mom. In a neat techno-savvy twist, the soother is also i-Pod/MP3-compatible, allowing mom or dad to customize Junior's musical selections. What a great idea (while I loved the Fisher Price crib aquarium for both of my kids, boy, did we tire of those songs!) The Dream Screen is likely to become a baby registry or baby shower "must-have." The Lamaze Dream Screenwill retail for $39.99 at Amazon.com (you can pre-order it now; it will be available for shipping on July 1st). UPDATE: You can also order it on the Learning Curve website where it may be available a bit earlier.


Want to win the Lamaze Dream Screen now? E-mail me by noon on Wednesday, June 6th with "Lamaze" in the subject line. One winner will be chosen at random.

Congratulations to Carrie (mom of H. & J.) from Surprise, Arizona, who won the Lamaze Dream Screen!

Onesies for a Cause

Baby Gap is currently selling these wonderful (PRODUCT) RED onesies for babies. Half of the profits from these styles go directly to the Global Fund to help fight AIDS. Like all Baby Gap onesies, these are made from super soft, high-quality pima cotton and are machine washable. Bold, spirited RED words are printed across the chest (the one shown is "ADO(RED)"). They cost $15 and sizes go up to 18-24 months. Check out all of the (PRODUCT)RED threads for babies at BabyGap.com.

Zutano Giveaway at LoveShakBaby

Just wanted to tell you all about a great contest over at LoveShakBaby. Enter the contest (for free, of course!) between now and June 21st and you may win a $150 shopping spree for your kiddie(s) at Zutano. Check it out at LoveShakBaby and good luck!

Oooh La La

Check out this tres chic Mommy Tote from Rian Handbags. Working equally well as a diaper bag or a stylish tote, this fine leather bag features wipeable nylon interior, antique brass hardware, changing mat, inside bottle holders and various pockets, and both zip and magnetic closure. And of course, a lovely image of stroll(er)ing Parisian moms. It measures 12"H x 15"L x 5 3/4"W and costs $305 at Rian Handbags.

A Day at the Zoo

My daughter R. goes crazy over any playset that contains animals, and this "Day at the Zoo" by Imagiplay was no exception. It includes 11 animals, a 3-piece 8" x 6" zoo entrance, penguin pond, and 8 fences. Unlike other playsets, this one is durable. It's hand-painted and hand-crafted from rubberwood (an environmentally-friendly hardwood) in Sri Lanka. It's a simple toy that gives kids hours of imaginative play. No wonder it's won several awards, including the Creative Child Seal of Excellence. Great birthday gift for ages 3 and up. $27.99 at Imagiplay.com.

Take Your Seats

Do you know anyone who collects miniature chairs? Our aunt does at her beach house. R. unfortunately usually tampers with the perfectly precisioned display of expensive miniatures. So these Chaise Wall Decor plaques gave me a chuckle. They look great- modernist and fun- yet your kids won't get their hands on them. They are from Well-Dressed Home and feature designers' favorite seats. Each plaque in the set of 4 floats off the wall with integrated keyhole hanger and measures 7" x 7" x 1". $44 at Well Dressed Home.

Poopasnuffas

Funny/funky T-shirts for kids are a dime a dozen these days, so it takes a little extra something to make something stand out. Poopasnuffas.com has discovered one of those somethings. Each shirt is adorned with one of Poopasnuffa's original cartoon characters (PooPooDragon, PooPooMonkey, PooPooPotamus, PooPooPuss or PooPooPooch) and arrives with a story about the corresponding character, written by a child. R. was just mildly interested in her pink PooPooPotamus shirt when it arrived, but when she saw there was a story, too, she insisted we read it over and over while she wore her new tee. The company also accepts story submissions online throughout the year for various themes. The cotton tees (which start at $18) are by American Apparel (the gold standard for baby and kids' tees), and sizes run from infants through kids' size 12. Visit Poopasnuffas.com.

The (Funny) Truth about Motherhood

Like most moms of young kids, I barely have time to read anything besides a take-out menu. But I am so glad I read I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids: Reinventing Modern Motherhoodbased on a friend's recommendation (thanks, E!). Authors Trisha Ashworth and Amy Nobile spoke to mothers of every kind and found that while the mothers loved their kids, their guilt, frustration, and stress surrounding "mommyhood" kept them from actually enjoying it. The book offers lots of great advice and humor, too. There are laugh-out-loud quizzes and checklists. Like "Rank these questions in order of bitchiness- 1) Oh, you stopped breast-feeding? 2) Oh, you let your babysitter pick your kids up from school? and 3) Is your daughter still in Pull-Ups?" One of my favorite lines in the whole book is "You know you've lost yourself completely when you drink from a sippy cup in public." (I did that at the park last week, and here's another confession: I signed a document with a glitter glue pen yesterday). More than just telling it like it is, I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids: Reinventing Modern Motherhoodoffers real solutions for letting go of the "mommy guilt"- so you can get your act together, stop obsessing and start enjoying motherhood more. Do yourself a favor (and give yourself some laughs) by picking up a copy (just $12.89) at Amazon.com.