Big Boden Sale

There's a big spring sale at Boden, with up to 35% off women's, men's and kids' clothing. I'm eyeing this intarsia jumper which not only is supremely stylish but also 100% cotton and machine washable. Just reduced to $44 from $68 at Boden. Click here to see all the sale items. Hurry- they sell out fast!

FAO Fun

R. and I paid a visit to her favorite place on earth last week- FAO Schwarz's flagship NYC store. Here are some photos of the fun, plus some of my "finds":

Alex Jr (craft company Alex's new line of plush toys for babies, coming soon!)


FAO Schwarz has a fantastic bunch of life-size Lego sculptures. Here, Sponge Bob gets a cuddle from R.

Check out the beautiful new Zutano boutique, selling infant and toddler clothing:


And, who'd have thought...hip designer Room Seven sells their pretty sundresses at FAO? Only through toddler sizes; too small for R.


Haven't you heard? Ugly Dolls are the new black:


And, last but far from least, FAO's famous "Dance-On" piano, made famous in the movie "Big". Here is R. taking a twirl:


Live in or near NYC? Take your kids on a visit to FAO Schwarz (note you'll have to go elsewhere for refreshments; sadly, their ice cream parlor has closed- sniff, sniff).

MyMomShops Sponsor: Georgie World

By attending those fab Bubble New York boutique trade shows, I've gotten to know Bethany Scott Herwegh, the clever mom/designer (who herself was reading Vogue by age 7) behind our newest sponsor Georgie World. Bethany (who has two sons) launched Georgie World in 2006 in response to the lack of cool threads for little guys; like other moms she noticed all the boys at the playground were wearing the same boring basics. With Georgie World, Bethany has hit the nail on the head with stylish & trendy (but not over-the-top) outfits and separates for boys. Many of her designs are infused with So-Cal surfer/skater sensibility and beach-inspired colors, but even a NYC boy like my Baby S. can pull the look off. Lots of the pieces are mix-and-match, and all wash and wear very well (I can attest to this). Georgie World promises that its design will "keep tots looking like the adorable and roguish creatures they are," and I agree! Here are some of my current faves at Georgie World:

Sk8 Monster T-shirt ($23, size 2T-6) Baby S. has been wearing this tee often in the newly warm weather!


Palm Shorts ($37, size 2T-7). Preppy with a twist!


Lil Ripper Board Shorts ($31, size 2T-8). Coolest swimwear I've seen for boys this season.


Jason Shirt in Green ($31, size 12mos-6). I love the cut of this shirt.


Visit Georgie World to outfit your little guy for the summer (there's several items on sale right now, too!)

MyMomShops Giveaway: Tiny Prints

this contest is now closed.


Though R. is "graduating" from preschool this year, I hadn't given her actual graduation much thought; this might be because here in NY, there is so much focus (to say the least) on getting INTO schools, not graduating FROM them (happily we survived the process- barely- this year)! R. is a low-key kind of gal so I think her "graduation party" will consists of hugs, kisses, and some ice cream. But I'm guessing that down the road, I'll be planning bigger fetes.

Seems that's the trend. Big-time online stationer Tiny Prints has just introduced an exclusive line of stylish graduation announcements and invitations, and, lest you think this only applies to high school and college graduations, well, you'd be mistaken! There are stylish invitations for preschool, elementary, and middle school graduations, too, and they are actually quite cute. All can be customized with your own wording, font choices, and colors (and prices run about $75 for 50 cards). Take a peek:

Wise Owl:


Party People: Blue:


School Days:


Of course, Tiny Prints is a site you can enjoy year-round; in fact, they are one of the most popular online destinations for stylish holiday cards, birth announcements, and kids' party invitations and thank-yous. If you don't find something you love love love at Tiny Prints, well, you're tough to please!

Enter "GRAD8" at checkout for a 10% discount (valid on graduation cards, only), today (4/29) and tomorrow (4/30) only.

Worth a Thousand Words

I always enjoy reviewing products for this blog, but once in a while a product really blows me away and makes my day (or week)! This is the case with the truly phenomenal artwork I just received from Photofiddle, a company that easily turns your favorite snapshots into a museum-quality work of art. While it's not a new concept, this was the first time I tried it myself, and, wow, was I impressed. So was The Today Show- they just featured Photofiddle last week! It is totally easy- you just upload your digital photo and choose from among various styles of art to create a masterpiece of any size from 8" x 8" to 6 feet x 20 feet. You can choose canvas or art prints, framed or unframed...the choices of endless. I had a tough time choosing, but here was my result:

Before: One of my favorite digital photos of R&S at play:


After: Voila! A "modern art" canvas wrapped on a stretcher, ready to hang on the red accent wall in my living room (and, trust me, this photo does not even do it justice):


We have gotten oodles of compliments on this work of art and I smile every time I see it. Mine measures 24" x 36" and costs approximately $180; many other size canvases are available, too. Can you say Mother's Day Gift??? Visit Photofiddle.com.

Enjoy an exclusive 15% discount on all Photofiddle orders now through June 21st with code "momshops".

MyMomShops Sponsor: Lucky for Baby

I posted about our latest sponsor, Lucky for Baby, once before- this is the shop that was kind enough to sponsor a very generous giveaway during our 1st Blogiversary Giveaway Week last January. Now I'm pleased to tell you about more about the high-quality offerings at this online boutique. Lucky for Baby offers designer clothing, bedding, gifts, and gear by top brands like Nest, Splendid Littles, and Pink Chicken. There's plenty of organic goods, too. They also have their own blog which (unlike many baby boutique blog) is actually kept up-to-date and even offers its own giveaways. Check it out.

Here are some of my favorite finds from Lucky for Baby:

Sasha Dress by Pink Chicken ($60). Wish this came in my size.


Lil Dipper Essentials Gift Set ($46). This luxurious yet practical set includes ShampooWash, BabyLotion, DiaperCream and individually wrapped wipes, all packaged in a gift-ready cube.


Handmade Noah's Ark and Finger Puppet Animals by i golfini della nonna ($70). Hand-knit by a women's cooperative in Bolivia. I've seen these products in person and they are phenomenal.


Urban Convertible Crib Set ($320). Very clever- the bumper ties together to create a floor mattress or playmat for an older baby (or use it as a wall quilt!) Three piece crib set includes quilt, bumper and cotton sheet.


Enjoy a 20% discount on all apparel with code "mymomshops" (valid through 6/30/08) at Lucky for Baby.

Time for a New Diaper Bag?

Our friends at Pure & Honest Kids are hosting a Diaper Bag Extravaganza now through Wednesday, April 30th, with prices slashed up to 40% on bags by Kalencom, Reese Li, Timi & Leslie, and more. Orders over $75 ship free, too. Check it out (this one by Timi & Leslie is my favorite) at Pure & Honest Kids.

Personalized Paperweights

I spotted these personalized paperweights from Minnie & Emma in the latest issue of People magazine (a guilty pleasure). Aren't they sweet? They're made from handcrafted glass and are available in rectangle or heart shapes; $40 at Minnie & Emma.

Pillow Talk

A reader tipped me off to these lovely personalized nursery pillows; she received one as a baby gift for her son. They are from Canadian company Lumiere. The pillows have a cozy cotton velour front, measure about 15" x 12", and will last for a long time as both decor and keepsake. The designs are clever without being cutesy; check out this monkey riding a Vespa! $38 (personalizable with up to 12 characters) at Lumiere.

MyMomShops Sponsor: Downtime Baby

If you're blessed with one of those babies who can fall asleep for a nap at any time or place of YOUR choosing, then you can stop reading this post and have a nice day. For the other 99% of us (including me...who still wakes prior to 5am most mornings with Baby S.), read on about the Downtime Sleepy Hat, a unique product to help your little one fall asleep (and stay asleep) better.

Created by Andrea Verity, the mom of a (you guessed it) sleepless infant, the Downtime Sleepy hat is both practical and cute. Made from luxurious lightweight 100% organic pima cotton, the soft foldover hat creates instant dark and quiet for baby's tired eyes. It is also a supremely adorable baby gift, with its too-precious appliqued eyes and sweet gift packaging (and it costs only $22, to boot). And, if you're wondering, "does it really work?", read the convincing testimonials from rejuvenated parents here. It's available in two sizes (up to age 18 months) at Downtime Baby.

Go ahead and buy yourself (or a tired new mom) the gift of a napping baby. Priceless!

MyMomShops readers enjoy an exclusive 10% discount at Downtime Baby through May 31, 2008 with code "MyMom".

Round Like a Ball giveaway winners

Congratulations to the 3 winners:

MasonsGranny59, who wrote, "Thank you for the great contest."

Jinxy & Me, who wrote, "Looks great!"

Hetz-Junk, who wrote, "What a fun book. I would be excited to win."

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

Bee Your Best

Aren't these Baby Bees Earrings bee-autiful for spring? They're handmade from silver and cost $30 at the Etsy.com storefront of Nectar Jewelry.

A Buck A Bag

If you're a dollar store fan like I am (this store is truly one of my favorite places to shop in NYC)- and heck, even if you're not- you'll appreciate the concept behind Penny Lane Papers. This site sells all types of gift bags and tissue paper for just $1 apiece- with no mininum order required. It's a smart and economical idea for moms who are constantly buying overpriced gift bags for those endless birthday party gifts (i.e. all of us). Take a look at Penny Lane Papers.

MyMomShops Giveaway: Round Like a Ball

This contest is now closed.



In celebration of Earth Day Week, today's giveaway (for 3 lucky winners!) is the new book Round Like a Ball. Written by mom of two Lisa Campbell Ernst (and published by one of my favorite children's book publishers, Blue Apple Books), Round Like a Ball helps young readers guess the identity of an object that is round like a ball, hot and cold, every color, always moving, and home to us all, all as a round die-cut hole in the book grows larger and larger. The text is fairly basic (on Amazon.com they say it's for ages 4-8, but I think it's more appropriate for the 5-and-under set), and the artwork is delightful. And it's a very sweet, literary way to teach your children to care for the planet they call home. $10.85 at Amazon.com.

Lands End Gift Card winner

Congratulations to the winner of the $100 Lands End gift card:

Bethany, who wrote, "I'd get a toddler terry cover up since our daughter has outgrown hers. I'd also probably get an embroidered tote and towels. This is great, thanks!"

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

Please note: you may enter each giveaway ONE time only. Multiple entries are always discarded!

Splendid Sunny Days

One of my favorite new shirts for Baby S. is this Heather Grey Stripe Thermal Tee by Splendid Littles. If you're not familiar with Splendid Littles yet, they make the absolute softest tees for kids, and are a fave brand of celebrities. I love the sunny lemonade color of Baby S's new tee- it is a refreshing change from his predominantly blue wardrobe, and is perfect for the great weather which has (finally!) arrived in New York City. The tee costs $37 at Arte Bebe ; click here for all of the Splendid Little clothing carried by Arte Bebe.

Baby Box

Luxurious crib bedding is a shameless splurge for an expectant or new mom...and even after their little one has passed the infant stage, many moms loooove to browse crib bedding (myself included). Baby Box--in addition to offering a hand-picked collection of baby gifts, personalized gifts, and layette items--has a beautiful selection of crib bedding sets. Sure, the prices are up there, but doesn't every new mom want to splurge on her prince or princess (and did you catch those pictures of J-Lo's twins' nursery in People magazine? Now THAT's over the top). Feast your eyes:

Pennington crib bedding collection by Henry & Henrietta ($678). Designed with 100% luxury European cotton prints by famed Liberty of London. Set features box-style bumper, gathered crib skirt and fitted sheet.


Palm Beach Crib Bedding by Sterling Anabella ($750). Shown here with eggshell blue trim (but also available with soft pink or green), this white pique set is a luxe classic. 4-piece set includes bumper, two crib skirts, and sheet.


Gordonsbury Little Barn Crib Bedding ($743). I've always admired Gordonsbury's sweet bedding sets. The yellow/apple green version of this set is a perfect unisex choice, and the blue chambray with red is also adorable. Each 3-piece set includes crib quilt, dust ruffle, and bumper.


Drool over all the crib bedding at Baby Box.

Enter code "freeshipbed" for free shipping on any bedding set at BabyBox.com.

Little Tourista

Olive Juice Kids has beautiful, classic children's clothing at reasonable prices; this adorable A-line "Touring Dress" for little girls happens to be on sale now for $36.95 (sizes 6-12 mos through 8). It's even machine washable. Browse all the spring sale items at Olive Juice Kids.

MyMomShops Giveaway: Lands End

This contest is now closed.


Ooooh, I am so excited for today's giveaway. I have been shopping at Lands End since before the Internet (yes, that is how old I am...I remember using actual paper order forms). These days, I turn to Lands End for a bunch of different items including basics for my kids (R. gets this dress every year), personalized baby gifts (like this towel set or this blanket), and even items for my home (I'm eyeing these teak bath accessories). You can always count on Lands End for high-quality items and, I must say, they have become more stylish over the years. While you won't find the most cutting-edge runway fashion here, you will always be able to find options to outfit yourself and your kids in great-looking, age-appropriate, affordable threads.

Since Mother's Day is just around the corner, I'm going to share with you some of my favorite Lands End picks for moms (I'll return to post more about their kids' stuff at a later date!):

Tummy Control Bamboo Print Tank Swimsuit ($72.50). Savvy moms know to go to Lands End for the best selection of flattering swimsuits (not an oxymoron!).


Classic Canvas Totes (starting at $15.50). Buy one of the larger sizes, and it's quite possibly the most versatile bag you'll use this summer.


Stretch City Cropped Pants ($39). The ultimate casual chic pant for summer.


Roll-Sleeve Shirtdress ($49.50). I love a good shirtdress. This one was featured on The Today Show!

Earth Day Shopping

We will have an Earth Day-specific giveaway (albeit two days late) this Thursday, but in the meantime, check out this one-day sale of Recycled Grocery Totes by R. Nichols (one of my favorite stationers). These roomy, machine-washable bags normally cost $24 but today they are a mere $15...snatch 'em up! Visit R. Nichols.

Happy Passover

I won't be posting again until Tuesday, since we're headed out of the city to celebrate Passover with my family (it will be a high-decibel affair as there are 7 little cousins under the age of 7!) Be sure to check back on Tuesday, April 22nd because I'll be hosting a BIG giveaway from a major retailer...if you're not already subscribed to our newsletter, e-mail me with "newsletter" in the subject line so you'll receive a reminder when we're back! Happy Passover to all of you who celebrate it. (p.s. KidKraft Passover Setavailable at Amazon.com).

Current Events

Like many moms, I shop mostly for my kids (and almost exclusively for necessities). But occasionally I spend a little bit on myself. When this catalog called Current first arrived in my mailbox, I was skeptical (it seemed like it was for, you know, older women) but, sure enough, I bought two small items and loved them. Take a look:

Personalized Notepads in a Basket ($14.99). This is just about the best value you'll get on a gift like this. I keep this set by the phone along with some pens for easy message-taking. Love it!


I'm not big into beauty and bath products (call me an Ivory girl), but I decided to try this Burt's Bees Hands & Feet Kit ($12.99) and I am hooked. I loved the Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Creme and Coconut Foot Creme so much that I bought more. Ah, decadence.


The Current catalog also has some great deals on gift wrap, stickers, and more. Their products are far from trendy (think Lillian Vernon) but they're fun and inexpensive. Take a look at Current.

Stacrobats

I love toys that appeal to both my four-year-old and her toddler brother. It's like a two-for-one deal (plus, it teaches them to share....um, right). These Stacrobats: Magnetic Stacking Acrobats are currently providing both my kids with hours of amusement. The award-winning toy lets kids create their own circus with magnetic figures, balls, and base. Open-ended, creative, quiet play...what more could you ask for? It ain't cheap ($52), but what price would you put on a four-year-old and one-year-old playing quietly together for more than 5 minutes? I thought so! Buy it at Kushies Online.

Check that Raingear

There is so much in the news about the dangerous materials in children's products- from baby bottles to plastic toys to sippy cups. It is hard to decide where to begin making changes. One step I have just taken is to ensure that my children's raincoats are PVC-free; I was dismayed to learn that children's rain gear often contains dangerous phtalates. You know those popular Kidorable matching raincoats, umbrellas, and rain boots? Yep, they are full of PVC. So I have opted to switch to one of my favorite eco-friendly yet stylish brands, Hatley Nature, and we just received R's new raincoat, umbrella, and boots. Cute, aren't they? And I can feel good about her wearing them. Shop for children's raincoats and coordinating accessories at Hatley.(note: some of the older designs DO have PVC, so click on each product description to make sure you're buying one of the newer PVC-free ones).

Blooming Flowers Raincoat ($36)


Blooming Flowers Rainboots($32)


Blooming Flowers Umbrella ($18)

Morgan & Milo Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Jenna, who wrote, "Ooooh, my 3 year old daughter would LOVE these. Her favorite colors, her perfect style." Jenna, please e-mail me with your name, address, and size to claim your prize.

Om, I Told You So

I got a chuckle out of this Downward Dog Tee by new shop Yoli Poli, since my 20-month-old son looooves to put himself in this position and giggle until he falls over. The tagless shirt is 100% organic cotton and oh-so-soft, available in sizes 2-12 for $28.50. If you are true yoga-phile you will also love Yoli-Poli's other organic kids apparel and yoga mat bags. Visit Yoli-Poli.

MyMomShops Sponsor: Tadpole & Lilypad

Our newest sponsor Tadpole & Lilypad offers beautiful handknit sweaters and coordinating tops & bottoms for infants and children (sizes run from newborn through age 7). Much of the clothing has been designed by talented artist Marika Hahn (who did illustrations for "What to Expect When You're Expecting"), in collaboration with skilled knitters in Lima, Peru. Everything is 100% cotton. One of Tadpole & Lily's specialities is heirloom quality hand-loomed intarsia sweaters (like the sweater shown below), but there are also coordinating tees, pants, and even hand-knit animal backpacks. Prices are reasonable, but there is also an extensive sale section.

Summer Crew Sweater ($38)


Mermaids Smocked Sundress ($30)


Alligator Backpack (on sale for $24)


Truck Graphic Tee ($22)


Dress up your little ones from head to toe at Tadpole & Lilypad.

Enjoy an exclusive 10% discount at Tadpole & Lilypad with code "mymomshops".

Chew-Booka

If you've got a baby in the ever-adorable book-chewing phase, you'll appreciate this "I Chew Books Tee" I found at Etsy. The 100% cotton lap tee (also available as onesie) comes gift-ready, rolled and tied with matching ribbon and gift tag. Makes a great gift for the new babe of a book-loving mama. Available in sizes 3-6 mos, 6-12 mos, or 12-18 mos for $17 at the Etsy.com storefront of Norabella.

MyMomShops Giveaway: Morgan & Milo Mary Janes

It seems that every spring, another pair of stupendous sparkly little girls' shoes catches my eyes (and my daughter's). Last year it was these; this year, glittery Mary Janes get even better with these fabulous Pink Sparkle Mary Janes by Morgan & Milo. I love how even though these look super fancy, they are actually are totally practical rubber-soled playground shoes. They are a hot ticket this spring; I have spotted them on the feet no fewer than 5 little girls I know in my neighborhood already. Pamper your little princess's feet, too! They're available in sizes 7.5 through 12 for $38 at My Princess Closet.

Win it! 1 MyMomShops reader will win a pair of Morgan & Milo pink sparkly Mary Janes (size 7.5 through 12) from My Princess Closet. 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 tomorrow, Wednesday, April 16th. One entry per person, please. US addresses only.
3) One winner will be chosen at random and announced on Thursday morning, April 17th.
4) NOTE: If you wish to be contacted by e-mail if you win, please include your e-mail address in your comment. Otherwise you must check back on Thursday to see if you won. Unclaimed prizes are forfeited after 72 hours.

Good luck!

Pink Gorilla

Pink Gorillas is a funky online boutique where you can find top trendy clothing brands for kids (often at great sale prices). They carry modern designers like Appaman, Claesen's, Glug Baby, Lissoos, and Paulina Quintana. The selection is smallish but superb, in true boutique fashion. Many of the designs are unisex (meaning brothers and sisters can both enjoy hand-me-downs!). Here are some of my top picks from Pink Gorillas:

Ant Short Sleeved Shirt by Glug Baby ($31):


Birdy Sundress by Brooklyn, NY designer Blossom ($50):


Summer of Love T-shirt by Lissoos (on sale for just $10, reduced from $28):


And my top pick (love love love this one):

Dino Road Sweatshirt by Milk on the Rocks (on sale for $30, reduced from $45):


Browse around (and enjoy $5 flat rate shipping in the U.S.) at Pink Gorillas.

Matzah Man

If Passover is approaching, it must be time for the Dancing Matza Man, a fixture in our home every year. R. has loved this toy since she was a toddler, when my mother bought one to entertain all the young cousins at our Passover seder. The matza man dances "The Matzarena" (lyrics: "He's my Matzahman, Oh yeah my Matzaman, He can cook it in the oven, He can fry it in the pan, Stir it up, Sing it loud For the Matzah, Yeah my matzah, Oh, I love you Matzaman!") If you're looking for something to amuse the youngest guests at the seder table, you can't go wrong with this guy. $17.95 at Pop Judaica.

Skip Hop Duo Deal

Check out this awesome deal on a Skip Hop Duo Double diaper bag at the Amazon.com baby outlet. Normally $80, it's on sale now for $54. It's the first diaper bag specifically designed for a double stroller and I see it all the time in my neighborhood (where double strollers are practically the norm). There are several other colors and patterns available, too (not all this price, though). Check it out at Amazon.com.

Fruits & Veggies

Remember last year I posted about these "Freshwear" baby bibs by Dutch company Xplorys? I had seen them at a trade show and now they're available online at Modern Tots. Each set of two 100% cotton bibs (your choice, fruits or veggies) is packaged in a faux-baby food jar. Totally adorable and affordable gift. $19 per set at Modern Tots.

Initially Yours

I just adore these Initial Hair Clips by Lily's Garden. If only my little girl let me put barrettes in her hair! Maybe I'll get one for myself. The black is kinda grown-up, don't you think? $12 per clip at the unfortunately-named shop Stinky Pants.

Gifted Grasshopper Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Kyra, who wrote, "Best party favor I've found. Would love to win this!" Kyra, please e-mail me with your name, address, and age of the birthday child, to claim your prize.

Kice Kice is Nice Nice

My 4 1/2 year old daughter is very picky about her outfits and refuses most new clothing I buy her. So I was ecstatic to see her giddy reaction when this beautiful, anything-but-ordinary dress from Kice Kice arrived. The brainchild of twin sisters and artists Lesley Nishigawara and Karen Kice, Kice Kice is an environmentally friendly clothing line which uses organic fabrics to create utterly unique and stylish (yet playful and comfy) children's clothing. Each piece is handmade and truly a work of art. Their signature O Dress shown here has hand-sewn appliques, detailed stitching, and serged edge. Buy it (or other Kice Kice designs- trust me, you'll love all of them- and if my picky child loves it, yours will too!) for $58 at Nonchalant Mom.

Maptotes

Ooooh, these are fun. I stumbled onto Maptotes, a site that sells simple silkscreened cotton totes featuring city maps and icons. The eco-friendly bags are truly all-purpose and make perfect gifts for everyday use. Of course, I'd probably purchase the New York one, but the sunny yellow-on-black design of the Los Angeles Black Hobo Tote ($20) really stands out, too. Many more cities are available; see if they have yours at Maptotes.

Catch a Rising Farm

One of the reasons I love going to trade shows like Bubble New York is that I get to spot cool kids' items when they first come out, and then (often) I see them reach a bigger audience later on. Like this How Now Brown Cow tee by Brooklyn-based Winter Water Factory. I saw it at Bubble last July and recently it popped up in the Chasing Fireflies catalog, where it sells for $30 (click here to see more super tees and onesies by Winter Water Factory). Isn't it a great design?

MyMomShops Giveaway: Gifted Grasshopper

Not to toot my own horn, but I have almost always given books as party favors at the kids' birthdays. They are small, easy to wrap, and won't be tossed in the trash like all those cheap plastic party favors. So I am very glad to offer you today's giveaway, 10 Party Totes from Gifted Grasshopper, one of my favorite gift sites for books. Packaged neatly inside the company's miniature signature Gifted Grasshopper tote bag is a soft covered book, signature Gifted Grasshopper glasses, pencil and sticky notes. Each party tote is valued at $9.99, so this is a $99.90 value! Perfect for your tot's next birthday bash.

MyMomShops Giveaway: Quote the Walls

This contest is now closed. Congratulations to Paige, who wrote, "I love the laundry room qoute. That's what I'd pick for sure." Paige, please e-mail me your name and address to claim your prize. Everyone else, enter our next giveaway TODAY!




I posted last year about these great-looking, easy-as-pie stickers from Quote the Walls which I put up over Baby S's crib. Many months later, they still look fantastic (everyone thinks the words were hand-painted...seriously!) and have resisted an energetic toddler trying to grab and deface them. So I'm a satisfied customer. I can't believe it was so easy to add this great touch to my son's room.

Quote the Walls is now offering one MyMomShops reader a $50 gift certificate which can be used for any stick-and-peel wall decor at their site. They'll print just about any name or quote you'd like; if you're creatively challenged you can search their gallery for ideas, or browse through sample quotes for nurseries or bedrooms. You can customize almost any design with your choice of font and color. The sky's the limit! Besides the design I chose for my son's nursery, here are some of my favorites from Quote the Walls (prices start around $20, by the way).

Petit Patapon

For those of you who are not familiar with French children's clothing brand Petit Patapon, they offer beatiful play and dress-up clothing for children ages newborn through 12. The styling, fabrics, and patterns are so pretty and unlike anything you'll find at your nearby mall (which helps explain the price tags...that baby girl's crocheted acqua tunic above will set you back $79). So I am especially glad to offer you a discount code for Petit Patapon's online store; MyMomShops readers enjoy a 10% discount with code "OFFER10MMS" through April 16th.

Visit Petit Patapon to browse their new Spring '08 line. Their clothing makes very special baby gifts, by the way!

MyMomShops Sponsor: Kobold Toys

Welcome to our newest sponsor, Kobold Toys, a charming online boutique which has sprouted from a real four-year-old bricks-and-mortar toy store in Panama. Kobold Toys offers an excellent, hand-picked assortment of specialty toys from all over the world, including Europe, North America and Asia. As you might expect, you'll find toys by top manufacturers like Haba, Brio, and Plan Toys. All are high-quality and beautiful (and quiet, too...no batteries needed!)

Here are some of my favorites gifts from Kobold Toys:

Darling Railway Set by Brio ($39.99):


Lavender Dollhouse by Le Toy Van ($139.99)


Magnetic Wooden Building Blocks (by the way, we have these at home and both my preschooler and toddler love them) ($14.99):


4 x 4 WD Adventure Car by Plan Toys ($39.99)


Kobold Toys also distinguishes itself with a unique "Very Busy Very Thougthful" program. It's a personalized shopping advisory service for busy parents (or grandparents). For a small fee, "Very Busy Very Thoughtful" keeps track of important dates like birthdays and helps you choose the perfect gifts for the youngest gift recipients.

Finally, as loyal readers know, I love wrapping paper almost as much as I love the gifts inside. And Kobold Toys considers wrapping paper just as important. Their wrapping paper comes all the way from Germany and it is beautiful!

Browse all the lovelies at our sponsor Kobold Toys.

I Love my Grandma

I just bought Baby S. this What Happens at Grandmas shirt on sale at Babystyle. Love the sentiment, though I must say that my own parents-- who win Grandparents of the Year on a daily basis--are actually wonderful about enforcing my rules. Most of the time. The shirt is still available in sizes 4T or 5T; on sale for $14.99 (reduced from $20) at Babystyle.com.

Baby Gap Home

Baby Gap has just introduced Baby Gap Home, a selection of baby bedding, gear, accessories and gifts being sold mostly online for now. The Ladybug's Garden bedding set ($249) shown here contains fitted sheet, quilt, bumper, and bed skirt. The bedding sets are cute, but Baby Gap has actually sold bedding for a few years now. There are matching accessories like window treatments and blankets, but the patterns are not particularly original. I do like those galvanized buckets($18), though (you can see a pink one in the photo).

Baby Gap Home also carries an eclectic mix of gear including Quinny strollers, Skip Hop diaper bags, Crocodile Creek dinnerware, Pastel toys, and Baby Twig bath products. Kinda handy for one-stop shopping, but, otherwise, I'm not so impressed. I think I will stick to clothing at Baby Gap for now.

Elephant Family

My friend Lindsay just welcomed her second baby boy (Welcome, baby J.!) and sent out these beautiful Kate Spade Elephant Tower birth announcements available at Fine Stationery. A perfect unisex design for a family who has just welcomed its 2nd child, these cards epitomize stylish, modern design. Just love 'em. The matching green-lined envelopes are a nice touch, too. 50 announcements for $198 at Fine Stationery.

Hoop Dreams

Now that my kids are past the grabbing-my-jewelry phase, I'm daring to wear some bigger earrings again (though my taste still runs pretty delicate). I think these silhouette dot hoop earrings from Calliope Boutique are sooo pretty. The hoops are 1-inch diameter and made from sterling silver. $61 at Calliope Boutique.

West Coast Baby

Located in Vancouver, BC, boutique site West Coast Baby offers a beautiful array of simple, functional baby and toddler clothing; I especially like their cotton stretch jersey layette collection. The photography on the site is fantastic, too...could you just eat these babies up or what??? Click here to purchase the signature infant kimono wrap ($24.95) and/or coordinating aviator hat ($14.95) shown above.

MyMomShops readers enjoy a 15% discount at West Coast Baby. Just click on any of the links above or here and the discount will automatically be applied. Valid through April 30th, 2008.

Loyal Army

I've started spotting these fun Japanese-inspired grown-up tees by Loyal Army in some NYC shop windows. I think they are going to be a big hit soon. They are made of super-soft cotton and cost about $24. My favorite design by far is "Cute Nerds" (bottom photo). Visit Loyal Army to buy them.

Alex Casey Baby Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to the winner of the Alex Casey Baby snapsuit + blanket giveaway: Julianna, who wrote, "Flutter pink all the way! It's almost moroccan-looking, somehow." Julianna, please e-mail me with your name and address to claim your prize. Everyone else, stay tuned for more contests next week!

Enjoy a 15% discount at Alex Casey Baby, now through April 11th, with code "anni".

Felt Baskets

If you're looking for more "grown-up" toy storage (or storage for your own books, magazines, or trinkets), check out these nifty felt baskets from Room & Board. A modern take on the traditional basketweave pattern, the felt containers are soft to the touch, but durable. Available in 4 colors; $49 each at Room & Board.

1 in 150

I'm late in the day to post this, but in case you haven't heard, today is World Autism Awareness Day. Check out the Autism Speaks website for more information. And, if you haven't already seen the very moving documentary "Autism: The Musical" on HBO (about a group of autistic kids learning to put on a musical performance about their experiences), run now to HBO.com to see when you can watch it. I promise you it'll be worth your time.

Baby S's 15 Minutes of Fame

The Time Out NY Kids article about MyMomShops is now online at the magazine's website. Click here to read it in its entirety!

p.s. Alert readers will notice 5 items in the photo which I've posted about here, including one of my all-time favorite baby gifts. Can you tell what they are? I'll list them tomorrow.

Actually, there are 6 (clockwise from top left)
1) Monogrammed Rollneck Sweater
2) Monogrammed gingham coverall by PBKids
3) Striped Kashwere Pullover
4) Little Giraffe Duo Blanket in chocolate/blue
5) Striped Shutterfly Photo Book
6) Craft-e-Family Personalized Baby Block. One of my favorite baby gifts!

MyMomShops Giveaway: Alex Casey Baby

If you've ever shopped for a baby's layette, you've probably noticed that all of the very sweet, soft pastel, teddy-bear embroidered onesies and blanket start to blur together after awhile. Not so with these mod-patterned "Little Dipper" onesies and blankets from Alex Casey Baby. Made from soft 100% cotton, the long-sleeve Little Dipper Snapsuits($35) sizes 0-3mos through 12-18mos)and coordinating "Little Dipper Blankets ($35) are perfect for dressing and swaddling a stylish, modern little one. Definite head-turners! Visit Alex Casey Baby for these and other baby clothes & gifts.

This contest is now closed. But you can enjoy a 15% discount at Alex Casey Baby, now through April 11th, with code "anni".