Happy Pumpkin Day

Today is my 35th birthday- and, of course, Halloween- so I am taking the day off to celebrate with my little ballerina (age 4) and monkey (age 1). I hope you all have a spook-tacular Halloween and I will resume posting tomorrow. Have fun!

Thanks to the many, many friends (and family) who made this Halloween/birthday extra special and fun for me and my kids. You know who you are!

Stadium Eating

Just in time for tailgate season, check out this Stadium Bundt Cake Pan from Williams Sonoma. Made with premium non-stick interior to help it turn out perfect, this clever pan will score big with its many fine details. It has 9-cup capacity and measures 12 1/4" x 9 3/4" x 3" high. $32 at Williams Sonoma.

My First Guest Blogger

I am very excited to introduce my first guest blogger, who happens to be my sister. Read all about her and her many accomplishments as a writer here.

Hello, MyMomShops readers! I'd like to thank your resident blogmistress for allowing me the privilege of guest-posting. I'm her sister--you may remember "meeting" me back in this post.

Most of the gifts I buy for R. and S. are connected in some way with my own passion for books and writing. And that includes magazine subscriptions. Most recently, I've subscribed R. to Ladybug Magazinewhich is published by the well-known Carus Publishing Group. The magazine describes itself as appropriate for children ages 2-6 (R., as you all know, is 4). I'm always happy to see the new issue over at my sister's place. When I peruse the stories, poems, and illustrations (not to mention the suggested activities), I've never regretted my choice. Bonus--there's no outside advertising in this magazine.) A one-year subscription costs $35.97 at Amazon.com.

Which magazines for children would you recommend? Please share your favorite(s) in comments!

Tray Chic

I love anything that can help me organize my clutter, like this monogrammed Green Fleur de Lis Tray from stationery and gift site Iomoi. Love the pretty pattern accented by bold stripes. The handmade lucite tray features your monogram and costs $100 (hint you'd like it as a gift!) at Iomoi.

Personalized Skip Hop

A mom in Baby S's music class last summer had a personalized Skip Hop diaper bag and I thought it looked great, so I searched for one online. I like this Duo Denim Diaper Bag ($76) at The Nest Baby Shop, where it costs just $7 extra to have it personalized. All the Skip Hop diaper bag features you love- like adjustable stroller bar straps and lots of pockets and bottle pouches- plus chic denim styling and a personalized touch. I might consider this for Baby S's toddler years! Visit The Nest Baby Shop.

Sushi Deluxe

Isn't play food spectacular these days? In our days we played with flimsy mini Frosted Flake boxes. Now kids get toys like this hip wooden sushi roll set by German toy manufacturer Erzi. Set contains 6 sushi rolls, 1 shasimi, wasabi, and 1 pair of chopsticks. Perfect for NYC tikes' sophisticated palates! $19.99 at European toy site Moolka.com

Picture Perfect

The Children's Place can be hit or miss, but on a recent visit there I was very impressed with this pretty family plaid velour dress. It has lovely, classic styling including a satin Peter Pan collar, bow accent at the waist, and tiered ruffled skirt. There's hidden zip closure in back for easy dressing. If I had 2 girls I'd love to have them wear these for the holidays. The dress costs $29.50 in sizes 4-14, and is also available for baby girls ($24.50) in sizes 6-9 mos through 4T.

Giveaway Week: Apples-n-Oranges

This contest is now closed. Congratulations to Mama Zen, who said, "I love the monkey tee!" Mama Zen, please e-mail me with your name and address to claim your prize.

Thanks to everyone for participating in Giveaway Week and stay tuned for more great contests at MyMomShops!

I must admit I have a special fondness for mom-launched businesses. I think it takes a lot of inspiration, drive, and (most of all) stamina to start your own business on top of the 100% time consuming job of raising your kids. So I salute "mompreneurs" like Canadian new moms (and best friends since high school) Lara and Vicky, who at the end of their respective maternity leaves (they had baby boys 6 weeks apart) launched Apples-N-Oranges. Apples-N-Oranges is a hip e-boutique featuring original clothing, shoes and accessories for children ages 0-5 years. All the brands are Canadian (many brands are also mom-run businesses). There are some great finds at Apples-n-Oranges; here are just a few.

"Tie" Long Sleeve T-shirt in Red ($20) by Rock n Rattle:


Pixie Dust Dress- Day Dream ($44) by Peekaboo Beans:


Superstar Shoes ($29) by Little Squeaky Feet:


NOTE: Enter code "mymom15" to get 15% off all orders over $50 at Apples-n-Oranges.

Mary Janes for Mom

I love grown-up Mary Janes like these patent leather ones at JCrew.com, available in black, buttercup (shown here), holiday red, or raisin. They are made in Italy and have a 3 3/4" stacked heel (I doubt I could last long in these, but, boy, do they look great). $198 at JCrew.com

Giveaway Week: Baby Loves Takeout

This contest is now closed. Congratulations to Tricia, who wrote, "Neat...takeout that will last longer than 10 minutes at our house! Sounds great to me." Tricia, please e-mail me with your name, address, and choice of burpcloth designs.


Attention take-out food lovers (that would apply to most new moms, right?) This Burpee Takee Outee Gift Set caught my eye immediately when I was browsing Etsy.com one day. It's such a fun idea. You get to pick any four burp cloths from the "menu" (i.e. any of the burp cloths available here) or indecisive types can request an assortment of any girl or boy patterns. The machine-washable burpcloths measure about 15" x 8" and are made of cotton with flannel backing. Your "takeout" order will consist of the burpcloths rolled up like eggrolls, placed in tissue paper, and packaged in a lovely decorative take-out box. The finishing touch is a hand-stamped "to/from" tag. Delish! $24 at the Etsy storefront of Cottontails.

NOTE: Enjoy 10% off all orders by entering code "mymomshops" in the "message to seller" section at checkout. Valid through 11/30/07.

Tis the Season for Tiny Prints

Hoooray! It's time to start obsessing about (I mean browsing) holiday cards. I'm ordering ours from this talented young photographer who took our beach photos in Nantucket in August, but if I were using my own photos I'd most likely turn to my fave site Tiny Prints for their always stellar selection of holiday greetings. Here are just a few of this season's stand-outs:

Snowflake Drums


Candy Frame: Holly Red

Star of David

Enjoy 15% off your Tiny Prints order with code "FRIEND29" (if that one doesn't work for some reason, you can also try "WINTER07" for 5% off).

Giveaway Week: Juvie

This contest is now closed. Congratulations to Chris, who wrote, "Cool store! Definitely what my 3 boys need!" Chris, please e-mail me your name and address to claim your prize.
Granted I'm not yet in the market for stuff for "tweens" (I shudder even thinking about that stage), but I am learning that even my five-year-old cousin's tastes run wayyy more sophisticated than Care Bears and My Little Pony. Who knew? When I was ten years old I still wore Osh Kosh overalls and carried a Cabbage Patch Kid everywhere. So I was intrigued to learn about the Los Angeles shop Juvie. Juvie which features hip, modern clothing and accessories (with lots of cool indie designers) for boys and girls sizes 7-14. There is also a great selection of gifts, toys, and activities for this hard-to-shop-for age group (and, actually, you'll see that you'd love some of this stuff for yourself, too). Here's a sampling:

Pop Tarts Tee ($22.50) by Mini Fine:



Jumbo Circle Calculator ($10.75)


Peace Sign Jersey ($35.25) by Charlie Rocket:


Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress ($7.99):

With the Greatest of Ease....

It's only available now in 18-24mos or 2T, but I adore the slightly retro feel of this Girls Plaid Trapeze Coat from Old Navy. It looks like something my mom would've bought for me in the 1970s. I love the double-breasted styling and the Fall colors. It's 100% cotton and machine washable, and on sale for $19.98 (reduced from $26.50) at Old Navy.

Last Minute Halloween Shopping...

I wanted to post about these colorful personalized treat baskets from Lillian Vernon. I'd seen these in the Lilly Kids catalog every year and this year decided to go ahead and order two (Frankenstein for Baby S. and a Jack-O-Lantern for R.). Well, they arrived last week and they are great- really roomy and well-made, and quite a steal at just $7.98 (personalization is included). Take that, Pottery Barn! There's still time to order (by tomorrow) for rush delivery by October 31st. Visit Lillian Vernon.

Giveaway Week: 3 Sprouts

This contest is now closed. Congratulations to "KristenB" who wrote, "Emily is a blanket kicker and a new roller, so this would be great!" Kristen, please e-mail me with your name and address to claim your prize.



One of my favorite new designers at the Bubble show this past summer was a Toronto-based company called 3 Sprouts. They make lovely, modern, organic babywear including French terry sleepsacks (their most popular item), bibs, and blankets, often featuring their trademark large dot motif. Take a look at the sleepsacks which I photographed at Bubble. They're soooo much more stylish than those icky pastel ones parents usually use, right? 3 Sprouts sleepsacks are now being sold at Giggle, where they retail for $58. And we have one to give away! It's the brown one pictured above with one large dot, and it fits most infants 6-12 months (and, by the way, it meets CPSC safety requirements).

If I Could Knit...

This pretty Knitting Circle Sweaterdress from Hanna Andersson is so cozy for fall. Slight A-line design with faux crossover neckline. It's 100% cotton, too, so you won't hear, "Too itchy!" On sale; reduced to $46 (originally $58) in European sizes 60-160 at Hanna Andersson.

Giveaway Week: Arte Bebe

This contest is now closed. Congratulations to the 2 winners:

1) "and then there were 3..." who wrote, "Love the cable sweater dress for my little girl."
2) "Carrie" who wrote, "Oooo, LOVE the knit hoods!"

Winners, please e-mail me your name and address to claim your prize.

Check back every day at Giveaway Week for more great prizes!

Arte Bebe is one of those fantastic kids' boutiques that has oodles of colorful, stylish products you'd love to buy- from clothing to toys to room decor. I've posted before about their Trumpette baby mocs and they continue to carry some of the hippest finds for babies and kids. Check these out:

Oeuf Coverall Hat ($39, 6mo, 1yr, 2yr, 3yr/4yr):


Supa Star Tee by Dirty Laundry ($40, size 2T available):


French Bull Robot Plates and Juice Cup Sets ($52):


Elly Belly Zip Book/Toy ($22):

MyMomShops Sponsor: Hedgehog

My 4-year-old daughter insists on only the comfiest outfits possible. No fancy decorations, itchy fabrics, or tight fits. As I've mentioned, she has spent entire seasons in dresses like these. It would be nice to have some other options for comfy but cute clothes she could wear to school, birthday parties, and the playground. So I was excited to see what our new sponsor, clothing site Hedgehog, offers. Never heard of it? Hedgehog is from South Africa but is now available in the U.S. They sell quality 100% cotton clothing that will withstand wear upon wear, and wash upon wash. The designs and patterns are very cute and colorful. Here are some of my favorite picks from the Hedgehog site:

Lily's Lace Pinafore ($30, size XXS 1-2yrs through XL 8-10yrs):



Snug as a Bug Hooded Jacket ($28, size 3-6 mos through 18-24 mos) and sweatpants ($20, size 3-6 mos through 18-24 mos)


Visit Hedgehog for more easy, breezy clothes for your kids.

Around the World and Bach

My husband's birthday was yesterday and we had a memorable celebration- he won an Ebay auction of a personal performance by David Juritz, a violinist and guest leader of the London Philharmonic, who was featured in a New York Times article last Friday. David is travelling around the world "busking" on city street corners (i.e. street performing) to raise money for Musequality, the charity he launched to bring music education to children in Africa. The final stop of this several-month "Around the World and Bach" trip is New York, and on Saturday night he played in our living room (!!!) to a rapt audience of me, my husband, his parents, aunt & uncle, and four-year-old R. (who stayed up late for the occasion and was remarkably well-behaved). In addition to being a violin virtuoso, David is a fascinating person. After the performance he sat in our kitchen telling us about his travel experiences and the people he's met. To learn more about David and his journey- and to donate to Musequality- visit Around the World and Bach.

Recycling Within Reach

I'm ashamed to say that I often sort my recycling into different Duane Reade bags (if you're not from New York, read this). I know there must be more stylish options. Like this stylish Set of 4 Recycling Bags from Design Within Reach. They are made of heavy-duty, waterproof tarpaulin yet are softer and more accommodating (not to mention better looking) than traditional recycling containers. The set of four assorted color bags (each measuring 18 x 12 x 12) includes labels for organizing, and costs $22 at Design Within Reach.

Shop for a Cause

With apologies for first posting about National Breast Cancer Awareness Month this far along in October, here are just a few of the many products you can buy this month knowing that your dollars are going to support a very important cause:

Murano Glass Heart Earrings ($60) at Red Envelope:


Bloomingdale's Exclusive Umbrella ($16):


Playdate NYC (20% of each pink or purple tee sale donated to Susan G. Komen Foundation):


Eleni's Fashion Awareness Cookies ($75):

Early Years

Here is a great deal on a charming new baby or 1st birthday gift. This set of 3 Early Years Handpainted Frames from Exposures Online features colorful polka dots (1 year), stripes (2 years) and plaid (3 years) and can be displayed on the wall or table. Each frame accommodates a 4 x 6" photo. The set usually retails for $59 but it is on sale for just $15.99 right now, plus Exposures is offering an additional 15% off to celebrate their newly redesigned website. Check out this and other photo gifts on sale at Exposures Online.

Apple Picking

I met Amor Owens, a very talented clothing designer, at the ENK Children's show last July. Her new line of clothing is called Beau Beaux and it is just as pretty as its name suggests. Beau Beaux's trademark is colorful, retro-inspired vintage prints on classic silhouettes. The high quality casual clothing and playwear is gorgeous in person and many of the patterns are available in both girls' and boys' styles (perfect for those like me who are obsessed with brother-sister clothing). Pictured above are a Beau Beaux Blue Apple Corduroy Shirt ($39, 2T-6) and Blue Apple Corduroy Dress ($52,, 2T-6). Both are available at
Pure and Honest Kids, an online boutique with lots of other finds including pieces by Tea Collection, Room Seven, and Kee-Ka.

Keep an eye out for more pieces by Beau Beaux- I think you'll be seeing more of this designer on the rise!

MyMomShops readers will receive 10% off any order from Pure & Honest Kids with code "10GRND07". Plus, there's free shipping on all orders over $100.

Hostess with the Ghost-est

I was happy to see these Spider Appetizer Plates at Wrapables.com since I own them myself (my in-laws gave them to me as a birthday gift a few years back). The set of four 6.25" diameter ceramic plates comes in a box for easy gift-giving or storage. They are microwave and diswasher safe and coordinate nicely with these Halloween striped spreaders ($9.99). So cute for Halloween entertaining (or to use all Fall, as I do!) The plates are currently on sale for $15.99 (reduced from $21.95) at Wrapables.com.

Moooove your Coat

How adorable are these wooden animal coat racks by Scratch at Moolka.com? The cow is definitely my favorite. The dog and cow racks- each with 4 hooks- cost $42.99 at Moolka.com.

Princess Katie & Racer Steve CD Winners

Congratulations to the following 3 winners:

2migirlsmom who wrote, "We love to sing in the car on trips."
Judy Aschenbrenner who wrote, "We SO need new music!"
and Court, who wrote, "Count me in!"

Winners, please e-mail me with your name and address to claim your prize.

GIVEAWAY WEEK is almost here! Check back every day starting Monday, October 22nd for fabulous prizes EVERY DAY!

Mmmm...Candy Corn

More Halloween goodness from Etsy- these charming Halloween Burp Cloths. Super cute, and coordinating bib and blanket are available too. Only $10 for the pair at the Etsy storefront of Paisley Jane.

My Little Sunflower

I love the richly-colored onesies from Girasole (pronounced Gee-ra-sole-le and meaning "Sunflower"), a graphic design studio run by an Italian artist who creates stationery, journals, and children's apparel. There are 5 designs available (the owl pictured here is my favorite, of course) and the patterns repeat on the sleeves and back. The onesies (which have tagless backs- such a plus) are made in Peru of 100% cotton. Available in sizes 0-3 mos, 3-6 mos, and 6-12 mos for $24 at Girasole.

Girasole is offering MyMomShops readers a 20% discount (enter code "mymomshops reader" in the special instructions box at checkout). Valid through November 17th, 2007.

MyMomShops Giveaway: Princess Katie & Racer Steve

I posted last month about Princess Katie & Racer Steve, the latest dynamic duo to hit the kids' entertainment scene in NYC. This husband-and-wife team have been lauded & applauded for high-energy shows and catchy tunes with sweet, inspiring lyrics. We have their CD, Songs for the Coolest Kids CD ($15), and it is fantastic (and has saved me from throwing R's over-played Music Together CD out the window). Princess Katie and Racer Steve are offering 3 of their hit CDs to MyMomShops readers!

p.s. Pssst...New York City readers, Princess Katie & Racer Steve's next gig is a Pajama Party on Sun. 10/28 at 11am at Brooklyn Play Spot. $20/family of four. Wear your PJs and rock out!

Win it! 3 MyMomShops readers will win Princess Katie and Racer Steve's "Songs for the Coolest Kids" CD. 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 11:59pm tonight. One entry per person, please. US addresses only.
3) THREE winners will be chosen at random and announced on Thursday morning.
4) NOTE: You must check back Thursday to see if you won, and to e-mail me your name and address. Unclaimed prizes will be forfeited after 48 hours.

Good luck!

Welcome!

A warm welcome to readers who have arrived at MyMomShops via our mention today at the awesome site Apartment Therapy: Nursery. Be sure to subscribe to our free newsletter (by e-mailing me with "newsletter" in the subject line) so you'll know about our latest finds and giveaways (next week is an ENTIRE WEEK of giveaways, Monday through Friday!). Enjoy your visit!

Two Tinas

I've posted before about the funky personalized stroller blankets by Two Tinas; now this great company has introduced Stencil initial ringer onesies ($26, sizes 3-6mos or 6-12mos) in must-have blue/brown or pink/brown color combos. The matching receiving blanket ($34) makes this a perfect gift set. Visit Two Tinas.

Owl Save Your Place

Check out these super cute animal bookmarks, brand new at Red Envelope. Each animal clip- made from leather- uses part of its body to mark the page. They're offered in sets of two (orange fox and brown bear or red cardinal and gray owl) and each measures approximately 1 3/4"W x 2 1/2"L . Great gift for a book lover. $32 for a set of two at Red Envelope.

La Dolce Vita, Kid-Friendly

When I saw this Italian Blue Melamine Pottery at Give Simple, I thought, "Hey, that looks just like the pottery we bought on our honeymoon!" Turns out this gorgeous collection of Italian design-inspired plates, platters, and bowls is actually made of child-friendly melamine (doesn't look it, does it?). Yes, these pieces are unbreakable! (And also dishwasher safe). So unlike the beautiful but oh-so-delicate pottery we picked up on the Amalfi coast, this is stuff we can actually use at the dinner table with our 4-year-old and 1-year-old. It's very affordable, too (the most expensive piece, a 12-inch salad bowl, is just $18). Available in yellow or green patterns also at Give Simple.

Snazzy Snanimals

I'm proud to re-introduce Snanimals as our newest sponsor. I posted about this small company back in April, and since then Snanimals has expanded its inventory to include even more charming hand-painted infant & toddler shoes, gift baskets, children's apparel, bags and more. All of these hand-painted accessories easily fall under the category of "too cute"! Right now Snanimals is featuring some adorable Halloween items including these sweet Candy corn sneakers ($27, baby and kid sizes), scaredy-cat sneakers ($27, baby & kid sizes), and Spider Onesie & Shoe Set ($22, sizes up to 9-12mos). Great baby gifts or birthday gifts for little ones born this month! And, be sure to read about Emma, the daughter of the site's founder, who inspired the beautiful designs you'll see at Snanimals.

One Stop Party Planning

A reader recently asked me if I knew any spa-themed party goods she could use for her little girl's birthday party (this mom would be facing a gaggle of girls all requesting toenail polish). Turns out our affiliate
Birthday in a Box offers this perfect Spa Party Deluxe Party Box ($24.99) containing plates, utensils, napkins, cups, candles, balloons, and more for 8 guests. Have fun and enjoy your party!


And while you're at Birthday in a Box, if you're planning a Halloween party (I am), check out the Halloween Party Box ($24.99) featuring all the same party must-haves listed above.

Planning a birthday party for your kids? Check out Birthday in a Box's super-easy one-stop selection of party goods, favors, and more.

Carry On

Love this Keep Calm and Carry On Tea Towel from Pedlars, a fantastic, fun home accessories shop in the UK. The design, taken from a WWII poster, can apply just about anytime, anywhere...so why not in your own kitchen? 100% cotton. Check at out this and all the other cool items at Pedlars.

A Picture's Worth a Thousand Wraps

This very cool custom printed gift wrap happened to win Best New Product at the 2007 National Stationery Show. Available in several different styles, it incorporates your favorite black-and-white photo as well as optional personalization or monogram. Here's the catch, though: it's very expensive (I have no idea why). A set of 2 sheets, each 20" x 30", costs $60 at Traylor Papers. Yikes! I'm going to look for similar, less expensive options and will report back.

Here Comes Treble

Welcome the youngest music-maker with this cute 100% cotton "Treble Maker" coverall and knot cap by Hatley. The only size left is 18-24 months, but, trust me, new parents will appreciate receiving a baby gift in a bigger size (my kids both arrived 3 weeks early and weighed 8 pounds; they wore newborn clothes for, oh, 10 days). The set costs $24.00 at Hatley.com.

Candy Corn Soapsicles

At last, candy corn that does your body good! Love these yummy Candy Corn Soapsicles from Mahar Dry Goods. Lather, rinse, and feel delicious. These make great Halloween treats or party favors (there's limited inventory but they can accommodate larger orders with 7-10 days notice). Each soapsicle measures about 6 1/2" high and costs $6 at Mahar Dy Goods.

By George

Baby S. needed some new crib bedding since his old sheets ripped, so I decided to treat him to a whole new set. I didn't want to spend a fortune since his crib days may be numbered (he is 14 months and his big sister escaped her crib- and earned a twin bed- at the tender age of 22 months). But I still wanted something modern and fun and decent-quality. So I temporarily forgot about Walmart's ethics, and took a chance with this George Baby Uptown 4 Piece Bedding Set ($79.88) along with an extra coordinating sheet. The bedding arrived last week and I love love love it. Who would've thought?? It looks gorgeous and the quality is darn good for the low price. Highly recommend it. Check out all the modern baby bedding sets at Walmart.com.

Skip Hop Table Fun Winners

Congratulations to the following 3 winners:

Cat Hoemke, who wrote, "These are adorable! Thanks for posting these great finds!"

Brit, who wrote, "My little guy would love some new tableware. So would his mommy!"

and Stephanie, who wrote, "Super cute and original!"

Winners, please e-mail me to claim your prize, and include your 1) name 2) address and 3) design choice- farm friends, sea critters, or circus pals.

Thanks everyone for entering the contest and stay tuned for an entire WEEK of giveaways later this month!

I See Isabooties

Isabooties, a company that makes terrific soft-soled shoes for infants and toddlers, is offering free shipping on all orders now through October 15th (plus their usual free gift wrap). Isabooties are a great alternative to Robeez; the ultra-suede shoes are 100% animal-product free and are machine washable (and are guaranteed not to scuff or lose shape after each and every wash). And, of course, the designs are adorable. They cost about $29 per pair. Isabooties also sells Barefoot Books (which my kids love), making it a great one-stop destination for an affordable new baby gift plus sibling gift. Visit Isabooties by October 15th to take advantage of the free shipping and gift wrap!

Retail Therapy

Oh how I would love a "girls' day out" of shopping and lunch (maybe with a drink or two)...just like these Lucy Says! Retail Therapy invitations suggest. The two-sided 5" x 7" flat cards are paired with Kraft Paper envelopes. Fill them out and invite your friends out for the activity which cures all ills- shopping! $12 for a set of five at DearDahlia.com.

Dinner Time!

Just a reminder that there's still time to enter the Skip Hop Table Fun giveaway! Click here to leave your comment at the original post (comments left on THIS post will not be eligible). Contest ends at 11:59pm tomorrow (Thursday) and winners will be announced on Friday morning.

Mimmo Baby

I recently discovered Mimmo Baby, a modern kids' design shop. They have terrific furniture and storage pieces like this Roll-top chair which doubles as toy storage. It's made of solid wood and measures 24"d x 15" w x 22"h. I love the curved lines and the bright red color contrasting with the natural wood roll-top. So cute for a nursery or playroom. $168 at Mimmo Baby.

Letters from England

Another gem I discovered while perusing my fave UK kids' magazine, Junior, these soft, handmade letter cushions by Morello Living are a simply divine addition to baby's nursery. Measuring 14 inches high, they are custom made with the fabric of your choice and filled with non-allergenic filling (and stuffed just enough to stand up on their own, yet still be cuddly). The price is, well, expensive (I can't convert the currency, but it will be a lot...plus overseas shipping), so maybe consider this something to "browse only" unless you have money to burn! Hopefully I can find something similar- and less expensive- on this side of the pond.

p.s. Sorry about the sizing problem on those images- having some glitches uploading photos to Blogger.

p.p.s. Now that the weather has finally dipped below 80 degrees here in NYC, my kids are finally wearing their brother/sister Halloween outfits from CWD Kids today and they look scrumptious!

Holiday Glam

I can't believe I'm posting about holiday clothing already, but I just had to show you these phenomenal big sister/little sister dresses from Chasing Fireflies. The big sister Vintage Drop-Waist Dress ($84, size 2T-10) is adorned with satin ruffles, ribbon and beading and features a dropwaist topped with matte satin sash. The adorable coordinating vintage velvet pleated dress ($74, size 6mos, 12mos, or 18mos), makes little sister look like a princess. It has an Empire waist with sash, cap sleeves,and full lining. Gorgeous, aren't they? Check out Chasing Fireflies, one of my new favorite sites.

MyMomShops Giveaway: Skip Hop Table Fun

Skip Hop- the company best known for its diaper bags and baby accessories- has just introduced these fab new "Table Fun" 5-piece dinnerware sets, designed by indie rock poster artist Eleanor Grosch (the same Eleanor Grosch who designed these Keds). These limited-edition sets ($24)- great for toddlers and kids alike- feature plate, bowl, sippy cup with removable lid, fork, and spoon. They are made of sturdy child-proof melamine and are diswasher safe. Packaged neatly in a translucent box, this makes a great gift for babies or little kids of any age. The sets are available in 3 vibrantly colored patterns- Circus Pals, Farm Friends, and Sea Critters. Percentage of profits from every Skip Hop purchae goes towards supporting the Pediatric AIDS Foundation and the Ovarian Cancer Resarch Fund. Visit Skip Hop.

Win it! 3 MyMomShops readers will win a limited edition Table Fun set of their 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 11:59pm, Thursday Oct. 11th. One entry per person, please. US addresses only.
3) THREE winners will be chosen at random and announced on Friday morning.
4) NOTE: You must check back Friday to see if you won, and to e-mail me your name, address, and set choice. Unclaimed prizes will be forfeited after 48 hours.

Good luck!

Etsy Halloween: Part Two

Here are some more handmade Halloween-themed goodies from Etsy.com. How fun are these??

Halloween Tote or Trick-or-Treat Bag ($12):



Candy Corn Bib ($10):


Mary Jane slippers ($22):

Abigail's Adventures

Have you seen these little book & doll sets called Abigail's Adventures? My four-year-old daughter (who is not easily impressed) has been enjoying Abigail Ice Skates, the set pictured here (the fact that it won a 2005 "Dr. Toy Smart Play/Smart Toy" Award makes me happy too). It includes a 7" Abigail doll, board book, and pull-out ice rink (I love book/toy combos!), and teaches the nice, brief lesson that "if at first you don't succeed...try, try again." It's a lovely little set and would make a great sibling gift or birthday gift. There are 2 other sets- Abigail's Bedtime and Abigail's Ballet Class- each available for $12.99 at The Straight Edge Inc.

MyMomShops Sponsor: Chic Shops Baby

Our sponsor Chic Shops Baby, a great directory of shopping sites you'll love, has a cute feature called Jake's Picks. Three-year-old Jake "posts" about his favorite toys, snacks, clothes, and music...and chances are your three-year-old will love the same. So if you're looking for perfect preschool presents, check out what Jake has to say (I like his current recommendation of sunny yellow Nike preschools dunk sneakers for little guys on the go). Visit Chic Shops Baby.

Mom's Little Black Book

Although I am pretty techno-savvy, I am still a paper lover who loves good old-fashioned notebooks for keeping lists. I could really use this Internet Notes Journal from See Jane Work. It helps you keep track of your favorite sites as well as passwords, usernames and e-mail addresses. It includeds pre-printed and blank labels, and the elastic closure keeps it closed when you toss it in your pocketbook (it's small and portable- 138 pages but measuring just 5 1/2" x 4"). Fabulous idea. I think I need several of these! $8 at See Jane Work.

Prep's Cool

Although I hate cooking, I'm always smitten with cool kitchen items like this Black and White Prep Bowl Set at Bright and Bold. The set includes a 10.5" whisk and 3 nesting daisy prep bowls made from high quality earthenweare. Handwashing is recommended (hey, if you're cooking anyway, you don't mind the extra step, right?) Great hostess gift. And it's on sale, reduced to $36.95 from original price of $49.95. Free shipping, too. Check it out at Bright and Bold.

Etsy Boys' Stationery Winners

Congratulations to the following 3 winners:

PJ, who wrote, "Joseph will appreciate these one day."

CTHelen, who wrote, "I love these! I hope I win!"

and Dana Freeman, who wrote, "Flynn might finally WANT to write his own thank you notes on such cool paper!"

Winners, please e-mail me with your 1) name 2) address 3) sports design choice (football, baseball, basketball, or soccer) and 4) child's name to claim your prize.

Check back on Tuesday, October 9th to enter a fantastic new contest with 3 winners!

MyMomShops Giveaway: Write Away, Boys!

One of my favorite Etsy stationery sellers is Modern Invites (I ordered myself personalized pumpkin notes as an early birthday treat for myself). They make really cute birth announcements and party invitations, and also the terrific personalized boys' notecards shown here. It is always nice to see fun, well-designed products for boys (not that girls couldn't use this stationery also, but you know what I mean). These personalized sets ($11.95) are availabe in baseball, soccer, football, or basketball designs, and include 10 personalized notecards with envelopes. Perfect for kids' thank you notes, notes to grandma and grandpa, or just about anything else. Visit the Etsy.com storefront of Modern Invites

Modern Invites is having a sale till October 11th. Buy one set of notecards and get the next half off! Visit the storefront for details.

Win it! 3 MyMomShops readers will win a set of boys' personalized notecards (design of their 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 11:59pm tonight, Friday, October 5th. One entry per person, please. US addresses only.
3) THREE winners will be chosen at random and announced on Saturday morning.
4) NOTE: You must check back this weekend to see if you won, and to e-mail me your name, address, and personalization/design choice to claim your prize. Unclaimed prizes will be forfeited after Monday, October 8th.

Good luck!

MyMomShops Sponsor: In Good Company Designs

I've written before about the charming stationery products by our sponsor In Good Company Designs, a company which launched at last May's National Stationery Show. The women behind In Good Company Design have a keen eye for fresh designs and great colors. Here is one of their most unique products- a super-practical "tin of tags". Each tin contains 16 funky gift tags that you can use for just about any occasion. The tins are available for $19.00 at The Prints and the Paper; visit In Good Company Designs to browse their full range of stationery, invitations, labels, gift cards, and more.

Puppets for Picky Eaters

R. is the pickiest eater ever and I am always interested in new dinnerware to hold her interest. I like this stylish Puppet Club 6-Piece Dining Set, new at Giggle. The utensils are easy to grip and use, plus they double as finger puppets! The colorful set also includes a bowl/cup, easy-scoop plate, and a bonus piece that serves as an eggcup or condiment holder. So cute, and practical too. $50 at Giggle.

Orange You Happy?

Orange-colored products abound now and as a Halloween baby I could not be happier. Here are some of my favorite finds from the Garnet Hill kids catalog:

Boys' Camo Cargo Pants ($40)


Fall Applique Mary Janes ($88)


Hanger Organizer ($18)

New Mom's Life Giftpack Winners

Congratulations to the following 3 winners:

Susannah, who wrote, "This would be great- I'm due in December."
Angie Harrison, who wrote, "What a neat item, may need to buy it anyway."
MLC, who wrote, "How cute!"

Winners, please e-mail me with your name and address to claim your prize.

Check back tomorrow- Friday- to enter another giveaway contest with 3 winners!

Baby Loves New York

Having lived in Manhattan for 13 years now, I am partial to this adorable Little New Yorker Organic Onesie I found at Bibi & Mimi. It's packaged in a gift-ready box with ribbon handle. Size 6-12 months, $21 at Bibi & Mimi.

Three Potato Four

As a font fanatic, I love, love, love this colorful typographic screen-printed Alphabet pillow from a charming new site, Three Potato Four. The 17.5" square pillow could playfully brighten up just about any room in your home. It's designed by Sukie, a husband-and-wife team based in Brighton, England, and costs $72 at Three Potato Four.

MyMomShops Giveaway: A New Mom's Life Gift Pack

Here is a very sweet gift for a new mom to help her document that sleep-deprived but joyous first year of motherhood. A New Mom's Life Gift Pack from our sponsor Pulp Factory includes an 8" x 8" spiral-bound new mom's calendar (with stickers to mark memorable events such as facing the scale after baby arrives...) along with coordinating notepad and sticky notes (perfect for jotting down things to remember when you're bleary-eyed). The set is gift-ready, packaged together with a polka-dot ribbon. $28 at Pulp Factory.

MyMomShops readers receive 15% off orders at Pulp Factory. Enter code "mymomshops" at checkout.

AND, 3 winners will receive a free A New Mom's Life Gift Pack! 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 11:59pm EST tonight, Wednesday, October 3rd. One entry per person, please. US addresses only.
3) THREE winners will be chosen at random and announced on Thursday morning.
4) NOTE: You must check back on Thursday 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.

Good luck!

Heavenly Sleep

I spotted this set of cloud wall plaques at Well Dressed Home, one of my favorite sites for unusual home accessories. The set of 5 clouds includes hardware for easy installation, and would look so cute over a child's crib or bed. $39.99 at Well Dressed Home.

When in Rome

I love wooden architectural toys for kids, like this German-designed Coliseum Architectural Block Set. Recreating the grand style of the ancient ampitheater, this set includes 110 solid wood pieces in 7 shapes. If you've got a budding builder at home, this could keep him or her occupied for quite a while! $45 at Pacifier Online.

MyMomShops Sponsor: Little Bow Peep Tails

Our sponsor Little Bow Peep Tails- whom I've written about before, has a fantastic array of Halloween-themed hair accessories including barrettes, streamers, headbands, and bows. If you are a Halloween junkie like I am and dress your little girl accordingly, you'll need these to complete her October outfits. Here is just a sampling:




As you can see, personalization is available on most items. I can also attest the quality is excellent, as is the customer service provided by the owner Carol. The prices are reasonable, too (headbands cost about $8, for example). Have fun dressing up your little girl for Halloween! Visit Little Bow Peep Tails.

Etsy newborn bracelet winner

Congratulations to Meredith, who wrote, "This is so pretty!" Meredith, please e-mail me your name, address, and personalization choice for the bracelet.

Everyone else, stay tuned for TWO more giveaways this week- one on Wednesday, and one on Friday. There will be 3 winners for each giveaway!

Sent With Love

A new site I discovered this year is SavvyTot (Baby S. has been sporting their witty "Don't blame me*...I can't vote till 2024" long sleeve t-shirt which gets lots of laughs). Anyway, I just checked their site again and they also offer this very sweet "Heaven Sent" personalized embroidered baby receiving blanket which, at just $29, makes a cute and affordable baby gift. Made of soft 100% interlock cotton and measuring a generous 31" x 30", it's "postmarked" with the baby's date of birth and comes in your choice of pink or blue with contrast trim. In my opinion, you can never have enough personalized baby blankets, and this one is a definite keeper. Visit SavvyTot.

Fooey on You

At the ENK Children's Show this past summer, I saw a couple of argyle-print cotton tees, and I love the idea. Over at online boutique Fooey, I found this teal argyle-pattern long sleeve crew neck T-shirt on sale for just $10! It's available in sizes 12-18 months, 2, or 4 at Fooey.

MyMomShops Giveaway: Etsy custom baby bracelet

I've seen lots of bracelets like these for moms, but not for their little bundles of joy. This Custom Newborn Baby Bracelet makes a very sweet baby gift and is something both mom and her new little girl will surely save for years (my daughter- now 4- loves playing with the newborn jewelry people gave her). It's made with sterling silver alphabet beads and fastens with a lobster clasp. It measures 4 1/2 inches long and can accommodate up to 5 letters (due to its smaller size), or a monogram. Makes a nice photo op for baby, too! $22 at the Etsy.com storefront of 2Moons.

Win it! One reader will win a custom newborn baby bracelet from 2 Moons. 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 11:59pm EST tonight, Monday, October 1st. One entry per person, please. US addresses only.
3) One winner will be chosen at random and announced on Tuesday morning.
4) NOTE: You must check back on Tuesday 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.

Good luck!