Beary Snuggly

Isn't this just darling? It's Red Envelope's Bear Cub Blanket and it's a surefire hit baby gift. The blanket works well for swaddling (an absolute must!) by just folding the paws over, and later on can become a cherished blankie. Fits infants up to 6 months old. $40 at Red Envelope.

Years Later

When I was eight years old in July 1981, I woke up early to watch Charles & Diana's wedding on T.V. Today, Baby S. and I watched coverage of Diana's memorial service while he ate his breakfast.

Princess Diana was a huge influence on me for many years; she was probably the only "idol" I ever had, as all my friends and family know. I was lucky enough to meet her several times (too long a story to recount here); the last time I saw her in person was here in New York in June 1997, just a few months before her death. I actually have some great photos I took of her, but this was pre-digital cameras so I don't have them online.

Let me direct you this morning to read about how Diana's charity work continues to this day. It's pretty impressive.

MyMomShops Sponsor: Pulp Factory

Our newest sponsor is Pulp Factory, a very cool site that lets you print your own cards, invites and the like, or order ready-made products. If you're a stationery addict like me who needs to curb costs by printing your own cards, Pulp Factory is great option. Try out their adorable, handy templates for announcements and invitations. An added perk- Pulp Factory does not require a minimum order- so you can order as few or as many as you'd like (there's nothing worse than having to order 50 printed invitations for your kids' birthday party when you're only inviting 10 kids!) Stuck for design ideas? Consult the idea gallery.

According to Pulp Factory's press page, celebs like Tori Spelling and Allison Janney are among the site's fans. And, like I always say, if it's good enough for Tori, it's good enough for me! Be sure to also check out Pulp Factory's ready-made gifts like these super cute themed calendars and journals such as An Engaged Girl's Life and A New Mom's Life. Visit Pulp Factory.

We'll Build a Bungalow

Everywhere I went in Nantucket this month I saw women sporting these pretty canvas bags by Bungalow 360. These prints are perfect for summer beach days, aren't they? The bags are inexpensive, too (around $25) and $2 of each purchase goes towards animal rescue. Take a peek at the offerings at Bungalow 360.

Bubble NY: Boys Only

Moms of boys know how tough it can be to find appealing clothing for their little guys. So I was happy to discover these two new mom-designed clothing lines for boys at the Bubble New York show last month. The top photo is Georgie World and the bottom photo is Ferd. Browse around both sites for too-cool threads for your little guy(s).

Oh, and here was a cute sweatshirt I spotted at the show by another boys-only designer called Sir Hayes. Very appropriate in Manhattan where just about everyone "drives" a Mac (or Bug).

Pottery Barn Kids' new arrival

Ah...the circle of life (and shopping). When I first moved to Manhattan in 1994, I lived in a building at the corner of E. 76th St. and 2nd Ave. which housed a Pottery Barn store. I bought my first "grown up" furniture- a farmhouse dining table- there. In the 13 years since, the store closed, became a Chambers store, then closed again. Now the boarded-up store shows signs of life...specifically, signs indicating that a new type of Pottery Barn Kids store is on its way. Perfect for me! "Threads" will open this October, featuring exclusively designed PBK baby clothing "from everyday essentials to one-of-a-kind keepsakes" (with monogramning available, of course). I will definitely check it out in October and report back to you! (No word about this on the PBK website yet; I got this information from an insert in my latest PBK catalog, and also from a fun neighborhood blog).

Sheppard Girls giveaway winner

Congratulations to Jeana, who wrote, "Oh how I love handmade bibs & burp cloths - I am addicted." Jeana, please e-mail me with your name, mailing address, and choice of fabric to claim your prize!

Lions and Tigers and Bears...Oh My

I need some advice. I am normally a very decisive shopper but for some reason I can not make up my mind which of these totally adorable Tom Arma Halloween costumes to order for Baby S. I'm considering the 3 above- lion, koala bear, or rhino. Click on this page to see even more choices, just to make the decision tougher. Which would you buy for your 1-year-old boy? Leave your choice in the comments. Thanks!

Fall for Naartjie

I'm so happy that I discovered Naartjie this year. It's a delightful South African kids' clothing company whose name- I'm told- is pronounced "NAR-chee" and loosely translates to "tangerine" (thanks, Tertia!) They ship to US mailing addresses and this Fall they have some delicious knit pieces, like this striped rolled crewneck sweater ($18.95) for baby boys up to 12mos, and this striped jacquard sweater ($29.95) for girls sizes 3-10. Browse all the new Fall collections at Naartjie.com.

Tiny Prints Takes Tea

Oh, happy day. One of my favorite stationery sites (and MyMomShops affiliate) Tiny Prints has just introduced brand-new stationery by Tea Collection (yes, the same Tea Collection that makes stylish kids' clothes). Now you can enjoy Tea Collection's gorgeous patterns in photo birth announcements, party invitations, and more. Take a look at some of them below. To find them online, go to Tiny Prints (scroll down the lefthand side to "Featured Designers" and click on "Tea Collection").

MyMomShops Giveaway: Sheppard Girls

Sheppard Girls is a lovely storefront on Etsy.com where at-home mom Lisa Sheppard handcrafts items like bibs and burpcloths with amazing fabrics, ranging from vintage to mod-ish. Lisa uses patterns based on ones her own grandmother used to make things when Lisa was little, so the designs have stood the test of time!

She has generously offered one MyMomShops reader a set of bib plus 3 coordinating burpcloths. There are so many great patterns available- my favorite is the Rocket Kids bib ($13)and burp cloth trio ($21) pictured here, but the winner can choose any of the fabrics shown at Lisa's Etsy storefront.

Win a coordinating bib and burpcloth trio from Sheppard Girls in the fabric of your choice. Here are the contest rules:

1) To enter, please make a comment- any comment- on THIS post (click on "comments" below).
2) Post your comment by 12 noon tomorrow, Wednesday, August 29th. One entry per person, please. US addresses only.
3) One winner will be chosen at random and announced on Wednesday afternoon.
4) NOTE: You must check back on Wednesday to see if you won, and to e-mail me your name and address to claim your prize. Unclaimed prizes are forfeited within 48 hours.

p.s. Speaking of "vintage", happy anniversary to my mom and dad today! Forty-one years...wow!

Be Kind to Ladybugs

Four-year-old R. has had a ball this summer wearing her ladybug T-shirt from BugsT. Made of soft baby rib 100% cotton, the shirt is a real conversation piece; kids come up to R. asking to see the "real" (fake) ladybug inside the T-shirt's plastic "window." Amazingly, the shirt machine washes really well too. This is a great gift idea for bug-loving girls (or boys- check out their boys' selections too). Ts start at $25 at BugsT.com.

One Kid and Pinwheels

While in Nantucket I visited Pinwheels, my favorite kids' clothing store (it doesn't have a website yet). Owner Beth Hanlon has a keen eye for beautiful items both by classic designers (Florence Eisenman, Bella Bliss) as well as trendier lines (Deux par Deux, Tea Collection, Neige, and Oeuf NYC).

This year I discovered a great new kids' clothing line at Pinwheels. It's called One Kid and the designs are gorgeous, age appropriate, and not outrageously priced...my favorite combination. Lo and behold, One Kid's charming blue/brown and pink/brown fall collection has just popped up in the latest Growing Up Garnet Hill catalog (some of the same items I purchased for R. at Pinwheels, in fact):

Reversible Down Vest ($68, 2T-6X)
Striped Skirt ($42, 2T-6X)

Flower Knit Dress ($50, 2T-6x)

Mini Dot Tights ($28, 2T-6X)


Stay tuned for future posts about One Kid (they have some really nice boys' clothing too...sort of similar to Tea Collection for boys). And, should you find yourself on the lovely island of Nantucket, be sure to stop by Pinwheels (7 South Beach St. Nantucket MA, phone 508-228-1238) and tell Beth that I sent you!

Let the Sun Shine

It can be surprisingly difficult to find lovely, simple personalized baby gift sets that don't cost a fortune. I love the pure, classic "new baby" look of this Tiny Me Collection Gift Set ($30) from the Etsy.com storefront of Tiny Sunshine. Baby's name is embroidered in your choice of thread color and font onto a 100% cotton onesie,hat, and bib. There's soft backing behind the onesie embroidering so baby stays comfy. The onesie can be ordered in sizes 0-3 mos, 3-6 mos, or 6-12 mos, and the bib and hat are both newborn size. A simply delightful and affordable new baby gift. Visit Tiny Sunshine at Etsy.com.

Up, Up and Away

Our flight back home from vacation was delayed and this At the Airport Sticker Set Play Scene by Galison/Mudpuppy- which I had stashed in our carry-on luggage- pretty much saved the day. It kept our 4-year-old happily occupied until we boarded the plane and even through most of the flight. The set measures 9 x 12"and has over 50 reasuable vinyl stickers (and it was quite funny to see the scenes R. set up, like passengers balancing suitcases on their heads...) I highly recommend this sticker set for your next travel emergency! $11 at Galison.com.

An Elephant Never Forgets

I've had a few too many close calls losing my rings. It's probably time for me to invest in something like this Baby Elephant Ring Holder from Red Envelope. This little silver-plated charmer is not only practical but also quite a stylish addition to your bedside table. It measures approximately 2 1/2" x 1 3/4" x 3" high and costs $38 at RedEnvelope.com.

Lego my Clutter

Gotta love the clever new furniture pieces at the Lego store. The solid pine Lego stacking bins ($149) pictured here, available in red or green, mix form and function to create your child's very own storage system. The 3-compartment bins feature stud-top designs and recessed bottoms for sturdy stacking. Each bin measures 14” deep, 38” wide and 14” high. Some assembly required (instructions included, of course). How fun would these be for a playroom? $149 at the Lego store

Blueberry Babies Sale

One of my favorite go-to sites for baby gifts, Blueberry Babies, is having a giant moving sale, with 20% off their entire collection. Just enter code "moving" at checkout. Hurry, the offer expires on Sunday, August 26th. Check out some of the available goodies:

Johnny's Socks by Trumpette ($23 before discount)

3 Marthas Giraffe Baby Gift Set ($48 before discount)
Big Sister Celebration Backpack Gift Set ($35 before discount):

My Mod Girl

I like the look (and price) of this striped sweater dress for babies and little girls from Old Navy's new-for-fall Mod Squad collection. This chic and cozy fold-over turtleneck dress features pointelle accents and gathers along the front and back yoke. Equally practical for the playground or for parties- and, of course, machine washable. Size 6-12 mos. through 5T (also available in black/white stripes), $24.50 at OldNavy.com.

Hooray for Halloween!

I may have mentioned this before, but I am seriously obsessed with Halloween. With good reason- it happens to be my birthday, too. So it is double (make that quadruple) the fun for me.

Even though Halloween is more than 2 months away, you probably have already seen many ghoulish goods creeping up in stores. This year's Halloween decorations, accessories, costumes and clothing promise to be a bumper crop! So here is the first of many Halloween finds I hope will make your October the orange-est one ever.

Halloween countdown calendar ($59) from Pottery Barn Kids:


Spider Dress by Michael Simon (starts at $46) from CWDKids (I am sooo getting this for R.!):

Hot Dog costume for baby ($19.50) from Old Navy (oh how I wish my 26lb 1-year-old could fit into this!):

Halloween Dish Set (set of 4, $26) from Pottery Barn Kids:

Halloween placemats (set of 4, $29) from Company Kids:

Hybrid Mom magazine giveaway winners

Congratulations to the following 5 readers who each one a free one-year subscription to Hybrid Mom magazine:

Robin who wrote, "Sounds like a good read! I'd love to get it."
"Smiley" who wrote, "It's great to see a magazine that sees all the many roles us moms play everyday."
Julie who wrote, "I'm a hybrid mom! I would love a subscription!
Kim who wrote, "Sounds like a great magazine & oh my I do love my magazines!"
Mallika who wrote, "This magazine sounds great - can't wait to find it!"

Winners, please e-mail me with your full name and mailing address to claim your prize. Unclaimed prizes are forfeited after 48 hours.

Zoom Zoom Zoom

Now that my baby boy is 1, I'm sure I'll be learning lots more about planes, trains, and automobiles. When he's a bit older I may buy him these wooden vehicles by French toy company Vilac. They have a lovely classic design- so much nicer (and potenially safer these days) than Hot Wheels, don't you think? Shown here are the truck, mini-truck, and mini-race car. Prices start at $14. Visit Rose & Radish.

Amber Waves of Gorgeous

I saw these gorgeous cotton/cashmere blanket & hoodie sets by Amber Hagen at the ENK Show last month. Yes, they are a true splurge, but look how lovely! They reverse to opposite colors and are even machine washable. The hoodie (sizes 3-6mos through 18-24mos) is $125 and the blanket is $150. I personally favor this Smiley Face design, but the pink and red Hearts and green and blue Peace sign are also winners. Check out these and all the other luxe baby goods at Amber Hagen.

MyMomShops Giveaway: Hybrid Mom magazine

You've heard of hybrid cars...now there's Hybrid Mom. A new magazine for moms, Hybrid Mom offers the camaraderie and “real-deal” talk that you enjoy with your best girlfriends (that is, when you can find five quiet minutes to talk on the phone). Hybrid Mom is for the moms who are part mom, part business woman, part spouse, part volunteer, part community worker, part teacher, part entrepreneur...sound familiar? Read articles like this one about moms who work professionally with their husbands or this one, called "What's my Acronym," about the oft-maligned designation SAHM (stay-at-home-mom). There's something in each issue for just about everyone.

Win one of FIVE free one-year subscriptions to Hybrid Mom! Here are the contest rules:

1) To enter, please make a comment- any comment- on THIS post (click on "comments" below).
2) Post your comment by 12 noon tomorrow, Wednesday, August 22nd. One entry per person, please. US addresses only.
3) FIVE winners will be chosen at random and announced on Wednesday afternoon.
4) You must check back on Wednesday to see if you won, and to e-mail me your name and address to claim your prize. Unclaimed prizes will be forfeited if not claimed within 48 hours.

Nice Shirt Baby

If you like funny onesies you'll love all the choices at Nice Shirt Baby, a clever company I met at the ENK Children's Show in July. These onesies apparently are quite the hit with celeb moms, including Sheryl Crow whose new son Wyatt received the "Walk the Line" onesies. Check these out:



Fun, aren't they? They cost about $29 each. Visit Nice Shirt Baby.

Introducing Crazy 8

Have you heard about Gymboree's new lower-priced clothing company, Crazy 8? This store- promising "cool clothes for kids' crazy lives" in sizes 0-14, has opened a few retail locations in California, New York, New Jersey, and Texas. They're also ready for business online, offering free shipping and free returns on any size order! I checked out their site- the offerings are maybe a little sparse right now- but they are cute, comfy-looking and definitely good value- sort of like Gymboree meets Children's Place. Here are some pics:


If anyone's bought from Crazy 8 yet, let me know you how you like it!

Bubble NY: Pooki & Co.

If you like plush animals with funny faces only a mother could love, then check out the dolls and accessories by French designer Pooki & Co., an exhibitor at the Bubble NY show. Here are some photos I took of their goodies. I love the creative shapes, whimsical faces, and bold colors- and how the animals look when grouped together. Pooki & Co. items are sold at top-notch international department stores including Le Bon Marche in Paris and Barney's in New York. You can buy them online, too- for a list of online U.S. retailers, click here.

Happy Birthday, Cupcake!

Today my sweet little girl R. turns 4 years old. She loves cupcakes so I'm posting this Set of 9 Cupcake Notecards from Etsy.com in her honor. I stumbled on these cards a while ago and thought they looked so great that I requested some samples. The beautifully wrapped cards were waiting in the mailbox when I returned home from vacation yesterday- what a sweet treat! The set is perfect to have on hand for birthdays or other occasions. It includes nine 4.5" x 6.25" photo note cards (with matching envelopes) featuring actual photos of colorful cupcakes. The photos are adhered to white cardstock and the cards are blank inside. Each card is individually wrapped in its own clear bag. The set costs $16 at the Etsy storefront of Creative Apples, but you can also buy them individually for $2. Take a look!

The Blues

Sorry I don't have links for these kids' items from Ikea right now- we just got back from vacation and I'm furiously trying to catch up. But I think I am newly hooked on Ikea kids' decor. Love these shades of blue. And how great is that teddy bear chair (middle photo)? So cute for a boy's room!

Back Soon

Though I've enjoyed being more "disconnected" on this vacation, I'm also looking forward to coming home on Saturday. I have lots of new stuff to show you. This cotton/chintz pillow pictured here is very specific to our destination, but I still thought you might like to see its lovely design. It's such a nice way to remember a favorite vacation. It costs $95 at this sweet little store.

p.s. How 'bout those toy recalls? Thanks to my sister for removing all of R's Polly Pocket toys from our apartment before we get home. What are the chances R. won't notice?

My Little Activist

Love this Save Some Green For Me! Drive a Hybrid tee from Tiny Revolutionary. No doubt, the environment is going to be a major issue for our kids. Get yours to speak up early. The tee is 100% cotton, size 3-6 months through 4T, $25 at Tiny Revolutionary. Tiny Revolutionary also donates $1 from each sale to various charities.

p.s. We are coming home from vacation this Saturday. Not sure if I'll have a chance to post again before then. My apologies for not replying to the many e-mails I've received during my absence. I'll get back to everyone next week!

Clutter Be Gone

Here is another great item to de-clutter your home. This Tower of Clips designed by Barbara Flanagan for the MoMA Store makes one (wo)man's mess another (wo)man's spiraling work of art. Made of recycled steel from the tabletop industry, the tower with 12 clips can stylishly lift your papers, photos, pens, pencils, and other items to safety. $35 at the MoMA Store.

Bubble NY: Dear Betty

I really enjoyed the booth for Dear Betty Designs at the Bubble NY show. Toronto designer Sherry Pribik says her illustrations were inspired by letters and drawings sent to her mother-in-law, Betty, when Betty was a little girl. Indeed, her work like the 12" x 12" Alphabet Paintings have a fun retro feel to them and would look perfect in a child's room. And I think Sherry's doorknob signs- especially the one I photographed below- take the cake. Remember all the times you had to tell people, "Now is not a good time" when taking care of your newborn? Too funny. Visit Dear Betty Designs for more inspiration (and click here to find online retailers).



p.s. Vacation is lovely and yesterday we celebrated my little boy S's 1st birthday. It was wonderful. I am even discovering some new shopping finds. Stay tuned for more when I'm back!

Let's Go Barefoot

My kids are thoroughly enjoying My Granny Went to Market($16.99), their newest bedtime story. The book boasts the gorgeous color illustrations for which publisher Barefoot Books is well known. The plot is very sweet, accompanying "Granny" as she takes a magic carpet ride around the world, collecting souvenirs from each exotic locale. The book offers rhyming, counting, and an appreciation of new cultures. And sure is a lot easier than travelling in real life with two kids under age 5 (which I am "enjoying" right now!) Check out this and all of the other Barefoot Books at Let's Go Barefoot.

My Mom Vacations

This is my last post for a little while (don't worry, I'll be back). Early tomorrow we leave on our first real vacation in 2 years (last summer we stayed put since I was on bedrest with Baby S.). We will be gone for 2 weeks and we won't (gasp) have Internet access. Though if I come across a computer, I promise I will post something. Otherwise, you can expect regular posts to resume on Monday, August 20th, with lots of big giveaways to follow! Have a great two weeks.

Pig Heaven

I can always count on my favorite international toy site Oompa.com for great new finds. I love the look of this Australian-designed Bud Posh Pig Bank. This colorful piggy is 100% phthalates-free and virtually indestructible in little hands (why didn't they have stuff like this when we were little?) It is an ideal size for preschoolers, measuring 5.25" x 3.5" x 3.5", and it arrives in a sturdy, coordinating box. $15.99 at Oompa.com.

So Pretty Monograms

The owners of Monograms By So Pretty have just offered MyMomShops readers a 20% discount on all items at their online shop. I browsed around and here are some of the goodies I found (in fact I think I am ordering these clothes for my kids since I have been looking for these exact items with a discount):

Rollneck Letter Sweater ($84):

Monogrammed Crayon Apron ($26):

Monogrammed Pique Dress ($58)

View all the lovely monogrammable gifts for kids at Monograms By So Pretty.

Enter code "MYMOMSHOPS" (no spaces)for a 20% discount. Offer expires on August 31st.

Sugarplum Stationery

I fell in love with these adorable Letterpress Puppy Thank You Cards at Etsy.com ($15 for a set of 5). Wouldn't these make the sweetest thank-you notes for your kids? They are printed on heavy, yummy cotton paper from France. Each set comes beautifully wrapped, too. The cards are also available with the puppy dog in blue or brown. Envelopes are included. Browse all of the offerings at the Sugarplum Invitation storefront at Etsy.com.

Socks for Little Jocks

Looking for a new gift idea for baby boys? Check out these sporty Baby Loopies Lil Jock Sox ($25.99) available at Amazon.com. The set of 6 colorful pairs covers all the classics: baseball, soccer, basketball, tennis, golf and football. The socks are soft, comfy cotton and fit infants 0-12 months. Visit Amazon.com.

Special offer! If you purchase this item at Amazon before August 15th, you'll receive a coupon code for one free 20-page casual photo book ($12.99 value) from Shutterfly.com. Great deal!

Going Dottie

I picked up a copy of the Pottery Barn Teen catalog at a Pottery Barn Kids store recently and really liked what I saw, especially this "Dottie" collection of bedding and accessories (top to bottom: quilted sham & quilt, finials for window treatments, canvas bins, and duffel bags). Click here to see the entire Dottie collection.






We should all be so lucky that this is the decor our teenagers choose, right?!

MyMomShops Giveaway: Read-a-Mat Placemats

I did a double take when I stumbled on the booth of educational company Straight Edge Inc. at the National Stationery Show because we have been using their Habits & Manners Set of 3 Read-a-Mat placemats ($16.47) for the past several months at home. Believe it or not, they have improved my 4-year-old daughter's "mealtime behavior." I mean, she is not ready to dine with Emily Post yet, but she does actually keep her elbows off the table, ask for foods to be passed to her, and ask to be excused when she's done (though unfortunately that may happen after 3 bites of food). Anyway, these colorful, thick vinyl placemats withstand a lot of wear, tear, and spills (we happen to use them on the table when doing art projects, too), and may just stand a chance of maintaining your child's interest- not to mention their sense of decorum- at dinnertime. Plus, they teach him or her how to set a table, and how to maintain healthy habits through the day. Wouldn't that be wonderful. Browse all of the great educational products for kids at Straight Edge Inc.

Win one of 3 sets of "Good Habits" placemats!

Sorry, for some reason the "comments" option on this post is not working properly, so we'll do this contest the old-fashioned way. To enter the giveaway, simply e-mail me with "placemats" in the subject line before 11:59pm tonight, Wednesday August 1st. Three winners will be chosen at random. Good luck!

UPDATE: The 3 winners have been notified. Congratulations to Ashley, Rjo, and Cheri who each won a set of "Good Habits" placemats!