Double Chai Halloween

Today is my 36th birthday, which is significant for many reasons (another post, another time). My day started with a delicious barrage of hugs and kisses from my lil punkins. I'm thrilled that I get to spend the whole day with both of them since R. has off from school. We have a lot of celebrations planned. As my family and friends know, it's been quite a year and I want to thank all of you (including many of this blog's readers) for your support and friendship, which mean so much to me (and my kiddos).

Happy Halloween to everyone!

Photo: A glittery Halloween stoop in NYC (actually, Sarah Jessica Parker's home), 2007. Courtesy of Apartment Therapy. Leave it to SJP, right? Love it, love it, love it.

p.s. We had a great Halloween. I was overwhelmed by so many lovely cards, calls, gifts, etc. Thank you! I will post some photos of our celebrations soon. Our "fast food" costumes were a big-time hit!

MyMomShops Giveaway: Accessory a la Mode

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.



One of my favorite Etsy storefronts is Accessory a la Mode, a shop that features "handforged rustic organic jewelry" (much of it personalized). I've posted about their marvelous "mommy rings" (bottom photo, $29 apiece) before. Several friends of mine (and me!) have ordered them for ourselves and get so many compliments. The NJ artist/mom of four (!!) behind Accessory a la Mode has some other winning designs at Etsy right now, including the sterling silver Double Hooped Necklace ($39) and Personalized Silver Tri-Bar Necklace ($48) also shown above. Really, everything at Accessory a la Mode is pretty and giftworthy. Visit Accessory a la Mode.

MyMomShops Sponsor: Tots n Style

Our latest sponsor, the spankin' new Tots n Style, features a top-tier selection of modern infants' and kids' products, including clothing, gear, and furniture. Some of my favorite brands are reperesented here, including Kingsley, Oeuf, Fleurville, and Diesel. I particularly love the clothing at Tots n Style; several top adult designers have their junior lines represented here. If you're going to spend a few extra bucks on your kids' clothes, you can't go wrong with anything here. Take a look at some of my picks from Tots n Style:

Dotted Dress with Tights ($77, size 6mos-24mos) by Tutto Piccolo. How sweet is this for the holidays?


Lunch Pack Pink Ogo ($31.95) by Fleurville. A very practical and affordable gift, Fleurville Lunch Packs are also the accessory du jour of today's celebrity babes, including Violet Affleck and Moses (Paltrow) Martin.


Beck V-Neck Argyle Sweater ($45, size 2/3 to 7/8) by Ben Sherman. Ben Sherman is one of my newest fave designers for boys' clothing.


Sparrow Twin Bed ($860) by Oeuf. Isn't this beautiful? Wish they made it king size.


Tots n Style offers free ground shipping on ALL orders; also check for current fall clothing on sale (25% off). Visit Tots n Style.

Sustainable Stacker

Never heard of the brand Maya Organics before, but it looks mighty fine. Check out their Peppy Five Stacking Toy at Black Wagon. Made from sustainable wood and decorated with natural dyes, this is a great eco-friendly alternative to plastic stacking toys. It costs $25 at Black Wagon.

Little Suffragettes

If you live in NYC and have a daughter, come on over to this free Take Your Daughter To the Polls party at Alice's Tea Cup (154 East 64th St.) this afternoon. Look for R. and me there- we'll be warming up for when she "helps" me cast my vote next Tuesday!

Stacks of Hugs & Kisses

I'm a big fan of stacked rings, and these new Italian silver XO Stacking Rings from Red Envelope caught my eye today. They are sold in sets of two ($49.95; sizes 6-8 available) but can also be worn individually. Definitely hint-worthy for the holidays. Browse all of the women's jewelry and accessories at Red Envelope.

There's Still Time!

You gotta act TODAY, but if you still need to snag a Halloween costume for your little one, check out the great selection of already-reduced costumes at Babystyle.com (the TrickorTreatosaurus Rex Costume on the far left is now just $14.99; sizes 6mos-24mos). Plus, get 50% off with code BOO50 and enjoy reduced 2-day shipping rates (and, as of today, you need that). Personally I've always had great success (and really cute photo ops) with Babystyle costumes, and they've lasted multiple seasons. Check them out!

MyMomShops Giveaway: Penny People Designs

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.
Some moms think that "mommy calling cards" are dorky. I am not one of these moms. In fact, I find them incredibly useful (it is so much easier handing over a card than scrambling for a scrap of paper and a crayon at the bottom of your diaper bag). Not to mention that there are so many cute designs out there (and I am always on the lookout for the newest and best). Plus they do double-duty as business cards if you add your contact info. or blog address. Today's giveaway is for a set of calling cards of your choice from Toronto-based stationery site Penny People Designs. Site owner/designer Lindsay Stephenson offers several appealing designs for modern moms on high-quality, glossy-finished calling cards. Some even allow you to include a photo of your little munchkin. These are some of my favorite designs:

Alphabet 2-Sided Calling Card (100 cards for $65)


Jet-Line Style Photo Calling Card (bottom design shows a version which can be used as a birth announcement) (100 cards for $65)


Zebra Calling Card. (100 cards for $65)



ALL MY MOMSHOPS READERS WILL ENJOY A FREE UPGRADE WHEN ORDERING A SET OF 100 CARDS FOR $65; JUST ENTER "MYMOMSHOPS" AT CHECKOUT WHEN ASKED "HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT US?" AND YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE 500 CARDS (A $325 VALUE!) FOR THE PRICE OF 100 CARDS! YOUR RECEIPT WILL NOT SHOW THE UPGRADE BUT YOU WILL RECEIVE THE EXTRA CARDS.

Gray Matters

Gray is the new black this season, with charcoal-colored clothing popping up everywhere. I especially like this Fine Gauge Scoop Neck Dress from Garnet Hill. Priced at a reasonable $98, the silk/cotton knit dress features three quarter sleeves and a comfy A-line shape. Browse the dress selection at Garnet Hill.

Domino Effect: Part Two

I just received this newly-released book by Domino Magazine, Domino: The Book of Decorating: A room-by-room guide to creating a home that makes you happy, as a birthday gift. As an avid reader of the monthly magazine, I am positively devouring this lovely book which does double duty as a coffee table book and a practical guide to making your home prettier and more relaxing. There are beautiful photographs, layout advice, and specific product tips. I also like that the book is geared towards people my age who might be on a tight budget (in other words, this is not your mother's decorating book). Keep this in mind as a housewarming gift, or as a holiday gift for women on your list, too! The hardcover book costs just $21.12 (regular retail price is $32) at Amazon.com.

Posh and Pink

If you're looking for a luxe personalized gift for a baby girl this winter, consider this "Posh Pink" Cable Knit Jumpsuit from Corner Stork Store Baby Gifts. The 100% cotton, size 0-6mos jumpsuit (which arrives with a matching hanger) has side button closure at the neck and six-button closure at the leg. It can be personalized with the baby's initial. $44 at Corner Stork Store Baby Gifts.

Party Plates

Eleven days to go till Election Day! Check out these handpainted personalized 3-section baby plates from Baby Box (Republican version available, too, of course). Commemorate this historic year in your child's life with this conversation piece- sure to become a keepsake! The 10.4 inch diameter plate can be personalized with the child's name birthday. It's dishwasher safe, too! Buy it for $52 at Baby Box.

Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I had one of those perfect fall weekends with my kids recently- enjoying foliage, pumpkin picking, hayrides, and R's first pony ride! Here are some photos (and Happy Birthday, Grandpa C.!):

R. deliberating which of the small pumpkins to get (mind you, we got small, medium, and EXTREMELY large ones!)


Pretty yellow mums.


We spotted this from the hayride. R., who loves all things gruesome, was delighted. Her two-year-old brother, less so.


The winning "medium" pumpkin. Love the stem.


And, the winning "small" pumpkin, with finishing touches provided at home. "A sticker pumpkin," R. explains.

Let Photo Card Season Begin!

Yes, it's still a week till Halloween yet. No, it's not too early to think about holiday cards (just ask anyone who's spent a fortune on rush shipping in December). I'm going to post tons of holiday cards for you over the next several weeks, but for starters I must direct you to Tiny Prints, my go-to site for photo cards (invitations, announcements, and holiday cards) year round. They recently released their 2008 holiday card selection and it is their best yet. I will show you some of my favorite designs soon (the "Floral Holiday" 5 x 7 card at left is one of them) but in the meantime browse for yourself at Tiny Prints. Place your order by October 31st and enjoy free shipping with code "HOLIDAYSHIP". And, get an additional 10% off your order with code "TPBR136508" now through December 31, 2008. Sweet deal!

Boomerang Toys

I recently stopped by Boomerang Toys in downtown NYC for the first time- this award-winning neighborhood toystore is small but jampacked with the best brands like Plan Toys, Corolle, and Haba. I picked up these Cooking Utensils ($20) by Plan Toys for the kids and I can't get over how realistic they look (and sound...I have to keep S. from banging the pots together at 6am). Check out Boomerang Toys' website here, or if you're in New York City, stop by the store at 173 W. Broadway. (p.s. They do a nice job of gift-wrapping with eco-friendly paper, too).

Around the World in Six Cards

If you're sticking close to home these days, you might enjoy some vicarious travel with this Around the World Card Set: Places I Have Never Been by JHill Design, a designer I learned about at the National Stationery Show. Including six 5" x 7" blank cards with designs from India, Bordeaux, France; Andalucia, Spain; Wellfleet, Massachusetts; Traverse City, Michigan; and Sun Valley, Idaho, the cards are printed with soy ink on recycled paper and arrive in a lovely red gift box. Nice hostess or holiday gift. $21 at JHill Design.

Mind Your Manners

Want a fun way to liven up your entertaining? Try this subliminal dinnerware from Crate & Barrel offshoot CB2. The dinner plate's hidden message is "clean your plate," the salad plate's is "use a napkin," and the bowl's is "don't slurp." And they cost just $2.95 or $3.95 per piece. Made of glazed white porcelain, and dishwasher and microwave safe, too. Scoop them up at CB2.

Vintage Bookplates at Vintage Prices

I was doing a search on Etsy.com for personalized children's bookplates (I've posted some before posted some before from My Retro Baby but they're a bit more expensive), and found these vintage-style designs by Oiseaux (pictured:the "Ring Around the Rosie" design). The bookplates are printed on high quality, matte paper and measure 3 1/4" x 4" (you supply adhesive, though). 24 bookplates cost $14.50; pair a set with a new hardcover picture book for a perfect birthday gift. Visit Oiseaux at Etsy.com.

Meet Mrs. Goodbee

I held my breath when this Caring Corners - Mrs. Goodbee Interactive Dollhouse by Learning Curve arrived. My five-year-old daughter doesn't like "girly" toys, and she's not so big on manners these days either. So I thought this dollhouse, which promotes etiquette and good deeds through dozens of interactive songs, phrases, and activities (plus an online component), would be a tough sell. But, lo and behold, she loves it. And it may even be working its magic. Read on...

The dollhouse looks very sweet (Mrs. Goodbee's eyes pop open when you ring the doorbell!), and is quite roomy. It folds out to allow a child to play on either side and truly does fold easily. All around the house, if you press various items Mrs. Goodbee's chipper English voice sings the virtues of good hygiene, politeness, and concern for others. There are lots of sound effects- a baby cries, a toilet flushes, and so on. You must purchase the accessory packs separately (of course) but those are chockful of fun learning components too. We have the Caring Corners - Table Manners Accessory Pack (about $16) and while I was worried that R. would be too amused by the "burp" sound effect, in fact she has started to say "excuse me" herself a wee bit more. A slightly more polite kindergartner? I'll take it.

Final point- and I'll write more about this next month, too- Caring Corners has partnered with Goodwill Industries so that children can fill the empty dollhouse-shaped box that the product arrives in with their gently used clothing and toys, and donate it to Goodwill. In return, they receive a lovely certificate. We will be doing this and will also be donating an extra Caring Corners dollhouse to a New York City charity. Stay tuned...

See Mrs. Goodbee live in action on You Tube. And snatch it up for this holiday season, for $84.99 at Amazon.com.

Bill Who?

Out of the mouths of babes...I was in a store with R. yesterday and we spotted his-and-her Bill and Hillary Clinton Halloween masks. Without missing a beat, my politically-savvy kindergartner says, "Look, Mommy, it's Hillary Clinton!" Pauses. "And Joe the Plumber." Poor Bill Clinton...

Get your political groove on this Halloween. Bill Clinton mask ($12.99)- and others, but not Joe the Plumber- available at Oriental Trading.

Bright October Giveaway Winner

Wow! We had quite a response to the Bright October $75 gift certificate giveaway- over 330 entries! Congratulations to the lucky winner, EJW, who wrote, "That kitchen is darling! My little sous-chef would love it!" Please e-mail me to claim your $75 gift certificate to Bright October.

Thanks to everyone who entered the contest and stay tuned for more giveaways each week! Want a reminder when we have a giveaway? Sign up for our free newsletter by e-mailing me with "newsletter" in the subject line.

My Mom Shops For Herself

Thanks to Columbus Day sales and some Macy's coupons for an additional 20% off, I got great deals on a few new items for myself (yes, myself!) recently:

Alfani Layered-Look Sweater Dress ($89 before discounts)


Tignanello Studded Shopper Bag ($139 at Tignanello site, not on Macy's website but heavily discounted in-store!)


Clinique Free Gift ($50 value, free with any purchase of $21.50 or more).

Digital Age

I'm not crazy about a lot of 'tween decor I see for boys, but I absolutely love this digital graphic collection by PB Teen. A modern spin on traditional camo, the charcoal gray and black pattern looks right at home whether on luggage, sheeting, or school gear. Even though most of my own accessories are quite girly, I am eyeing that Dopp kit for myself! Check out all of the digital graphic collection at PB Teen (top to bottom, carry-on suitcase $129; sheet set $26-$99; dopp kit $29 with free shipping; monogramming available on many items; some items are on sale now!).

Win a $75 gift certificate to Bright October!

Reminder- you still have till midnight EST tomorrow (Monday, October 20th) to enter our contest for a $75 gift certificate to eco-friendly toy site Bright October. Click here to enter and check back Tuesday morning to see who won! Good luck!

Shown here: Constructi pull toy by Selecta ($29.99).

Big Finds at Tiny McSmall

Oh my goodness, I just stumbled onto this site Tiny McSmall and I am in love with just about every item there. Some are out of my budget, but this totally adorable Tiny Wooden Hanger Pal costs just $10 (and is a great add-on to a baby gift). I love wooden hangers- even though my kids' closets mostly have plastic hangers, a special hanger like this one always gets rewarded with a favorite outfit. Check out this and other dainty children's decor, clothing, and accessories at Tiny McSmall.

Shop Pink: National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, here are some more beautiful products whose proceeds go towards supporting breast cancer research.

Jennifer Rose Rose Quartz Earrings at Three Lovelies ($80):


Kitchenaid "Cook for the Cure" Measuring Cups & Spoons Set ($9.99):


Harper Stroller Blanket by Serena & Lily ($48):


La Soiree Parisienne collection by Rosanna Inc. ($30-$45):


If you have purchased any other lovely "Shop Pink" products this month, please share them in the comments!

Etsy Halloween: Part Two

Halloween's just two weeks away. Hurry over to Etsy.com to find more handmade Halloween treats like these:

Short Sleeve Baby Tee with Pumpkin Applique ($13) by Very Kiki:


Diaper Booty Pirate Halloween Costume ($40) by Beckaboo:


Letterpressed Halloween Gift Card Set (set of five for $4.50) by Fourteen Sisters:


Pumpkin Pie Vegan Handmade Soap ($5.75) by Soap Lather Me Up Baby:

Art on the Cheap

I bought this Big Color Art Set from Lilly's Kids for R. several months ago, and, boy, did we get bang for the buck. She uses it just about every day, and now her little brother does too. There are 85 pieces, including crayons, markers, colored pencils, glue, stapler, sharpener, sketch pencil, paints, and scissors. It all comes in a handy case which is personalized for free. At just $9.98, this makes a super, affordable birthday gift (or start stocking up for the holidays...buy two for just $7.98 each). Visit Lilly's Kids.

Please note this item is currently out of stock- I apologize for any inconvenience!

Too Young to Vote

With just 3 weeks to go till Election Day, I wanted to re-post one of my favorite funny onesies- this "Don't blame me...I can't vote till 2025" bodysuit from Savvy Tot. S. wore one last year and now, of course, it speaks volumes. Buy it quick for $24 at Savvy Tot.


p.s. Check out Baby S. (age 8 months) last year wearing this onesie in the Savvy Tot photo gallery! He's towards the top...

Happy Chickadee

I get e-mails about lots of new baby & kids boutiques. Some start to blur together, but others stand out thanks to excellent product selection and attractive website design. This is the case with Happy Chickadee, a new mom-launched boutique featuring hand made and boutique designer clothing, accessories and toys, mostly for girls age 0-4. This is a fantastic new place to browse for a new baby gift, sibling gift, birthday gift, or (yes, it's that time already) a holiday gift.

I especially like all the bright patterns at Happy Chickadee. Here are some of my favorite items:

Kate Black Damask Shoes by Mia Joie ($28):


Halil Long Sleeve Bodysuit in Pinky by Me Too ($22):


Reversible Receiving Blanket in White Zany by Little Mismatched ($22):


Enjoy a generous 20% discount with code "MMSHOPS20" at checkout at Happy Chickadee.

Fresh Direct Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to "JAV", who wrote, "Love anyone who brings food right to my door." Please e-mail me to claim your prize. Enjoy!

MyMomShops Giveaway: Bright October

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

I'm very excited about today's giveaway- a generous $75 gift certificate to Bright October, a lovely toy site launched by two parents (whose daughter was born in- you guessed it- October) who craved non-commercial, natural, imaginative toys for their child. The European and American-made toy selection includes top brands like Kaloo, Sevi, and Anamalz. Toys are conveniently arranged by category, age range, price, and brand. I would love to have just about every item in the shop, but here are a few of my favorites:

Soft Birdie Bank by BlaBla ($37.95). BlaBla adds a clever new product to its array of soft, cotton knit toys.


My First Kitchen by Hape (on sale for $74.69). Love the European styling on this toy (if you're in the market for a toy kitchen, by the way, scroll down for the latest "Ask MyMomShops" post).


Milkos the Cow by Deglingos ($39.99). Deglingos are a recent addition to the world of soft children's toys- I've seen "Milkos" at several trade shows and he's adorable!


Construction car truck by Woody Click (on sale for $22.46). My little boy would looooove this one.

Channeling Jackie O

Maybe I'm watching too much Mad Men, but couldn't you just flip for this 60s style "Lauren" black and white dress at Etsy.com? The black twill dress with white trim is handmade from a pattern from the early 1960s, and can be made in sizes 2 through 6. Make it unique with your choice of button colors. $44 at FaithWorks4U.

MyMomShops Giveaway: Fresh Direct $50 Gift Certificate

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.
Oh, how I love Fresh Direct! New York City's premiere online food delivery service brings the freshest fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, bakery items, prepared foods, organic products, and, well, just about everything, right to your door. Since R. was an infant, I've enjoyed Fresh Direct's convenience (have you ever tried shopping with one hand for a week's worth of groceries while pushing your screaming 25-lb toddler in a stroller with your other hand? All in the tiny aisles of a NYC Gristede's? Not fun).

There's lots new at Fresh Direct. The baby section (my go-to source for Earth's Best organic food when my kids were younger) now has over 70 new products. There are oodles of special features like Back to School lunch tips, baby food recipes, and more.

Fresh Direct is offering one MyMomShops reader a generous $50 gift certificate towards any purchase on its site. The winner must use the $50 credit all at once, and before 10/30. (Psst...I highly recommend the cinnamon scones, chicken farfalle with lemon caper sauce, and organic fuji apples).

And, even if you don't win, you can enjoy either of two coupon codes. For NEW CUSTOMERS, get 25% off your first two orders with code "MOMBLOG25" (you must enter it with each order), valid now through 11/30/08. For EXISTING CUSTOMERS, get free delivery on your next two orders with code "MOMBLOG" (you must enter it with each other), now through 10/30/08.

*Web orders only. Limited-time offer. May not be combined with any other offer. All standard customer terms and conditions apply. Offer is non-transferable. Void where prohibited.

Goodnight (Long) John Boy

I recently got this catalog Personal Creations in the mail, and though some of the products were kind of cheesy, there were some great personalized baby and toddler gifts in there. I partcularly liked these personalized long-johns. What wobbly toddler doesn't look adorable in long johns with his or her name across the tush? Available in various colors in sizes 3T-5/6 for $24.95 or 6 mos to 24 mos for $21.95. You can also choose 3 lines of personalized text instead of a name. Keep it in mind for the holidays, and bookmark them at Personal Creations.

Ask MyMomShops: Wooden Play Kitchens

Dear MyMomShops,

I'm trying to find a pretend kitchen for my daughter that is made out of wood and stylish enough that it's not a huge behemoth in the living room. We have a small house so our "living room" is the main family hanging out area. But it's also for entertaining. So I'm trying to make it kid friendly without sacrificing style. I don't want the kitchen to look ridiculously out of place. Any suggestions?

Jennifer, mom of 2, Grand Rapids, MI

Dear Jennifer,

I'm glad you wrote because I am investigating the same thing! My two year old little guy is smitten with the toy kitchens in his toddler classes and I'd like to get him one for home. In our NYC apartment, the living room also doubles as the playspace, so I'm concerned with "style" too and would prefer something streamlined and wood, rather than bulky and plastic. I've looked high and low, and here are some of my favorite picks for wooden toy kitchens.

Retro Complete Kitchen ($249) from Company Kids. Nice and compact, and the red will make any room "pop" (actually, it would match the red accent wall in our living room perfectly).


Eco-Friendly Cooking Center/Pretend Play Kitchen ($129) from Toys R Us. This modern, basic cooking center features an oven, built-in fridge, washing sink and steam hood. Made with water-based paint and replenishable rubberwood.


My French Kitchen (on sale for $99, reduced from $159.80) by Educo from Moolka. A bit smaller than the other kitchens, but you're getting that French country flair.


Mini Oven Set ($120) from Chasing Fireflies. This girly 4-burner oven comes complete with checkerboard "backsplash" and gingham oven mitt.


Gourmet Stove ($299) from Pottery Barn Kids. Their latest play kitchen collection matches top-of-the-line grown-up appliances by Bosch and Miele.


Kids Play Fridge and Kitchenette (Fridge $199, Kitchenette $249). Sweet cottage-style pieces by The Land of Nod.


I hope these are helpful! Write back and let us know what you decide!

Love,
MyMomShops


Pssst! Got a shopping question? E-mail me with "Ask MyMomShops" in the subject line and you may see your shopping dilemma (and my solutions) posted here!

Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet

These Baby Halloween Socks by footie favorite Trumpette are a cute add-on gift for a new baby this season (or a Halloween treat for your favorite infant). The machine-washable, cotton blend socks fit infants size 0-12 mos and arrive in a gift-ready box. Just $5.95 at The Land of Nod.

Think Pink

I've written about wonderful, open-ended Dado toys before. This month, Fat Brain Toys is offering the popular Dado Cubes version in pink. A twist on classic building blocks, these cubes allow endless hours of imaginative construction play (both my 2-year-old and five-year-old love them). Fat Brain Toys is donating a percentage of the sales of this product to breast cancer research. Buy a set for $27.50 at Fat Brain Toys.

p.s. I'll be posting lots more "pink products" for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month soon.

Pure Chemistry

This Periodic Table of Sentiments Cards from stationer Pink Loves Brown is a very clever gift idea for any busy mom. It contains six notecards: happy birthday, thank you, happy anniversary, congratulations, new baby, and I'm sorry. Brown or white envelopes (your choice) included; one set costs $12 (you can get all one design or assorted). Much more fun than high school chemistry, right? Visit Pink Loves Brown.

Halloween Entertaining: Part Two: Sweets, Sweets, Sweets!

Having lost weight in recent months, I'll be selective about sweets on my Halloween birthday. While I'm not much of a candy girl anyway, I loooove yummy cakes and cookies. R. has "expressed interest" in the following items from the Williams Sonoma catalog. They do look gorgeous and tasty, don't they? Though quite pricey. I think we'll go the Duncan Hines route instead!

Ghost & Pumpkin Browniepops (set of 6 for $26):


Personalized Pumpkin Cookies (set of 3 for $26):


Pumpkin Cake ($89):


Also, from another catalogue that is pure eye candy (literally).....

Halloween Petit Fours by Cheryl & Co. ($39.95):


Hungry for Halloween now?

MyMomShops Sponsor: Tree by Kerri Lee

I'm very excited about our newest sponsor, Tree by Kerri Lee, since I'm a big fan of this small but successful company. Tree by Kerri Lee makes original, vintage-inspired nursery and children's accessories. The business is run out of a 100-year-old building on the Delaware river. The products- ranging from door signs to wall art to music boxes- have a charming, retro feel, yet also fit perfectly into today's modern homes. You've probably spotted some of Tree by Kerri Lee's products before, either here at this blog (the personalized alphabet wall sampler is a favorite of mine), or at retailers like Giggle.

These are some of my favorite items from Tree by Kerri Lee:

Personalized Baby Block ($30). This is a brand-new item and I'm adding it to my list of favorite baby gifts. The hardwood block features baby's name, birthday, and initial, and is available in pink, green, or blue, all packaged in a gift box with cotton ribbon.


The best-selling Wind-Up Music Box ($50) is now available in new styles including "Love Makes the World Go 'Round". The front image rotates as the music plays (lyrics provided on the back of the box in case you've forgotten them!) This gift has been featured in Child, American Baby, and more!


I love all of the wooden doornkob signs ($16) as gifts; most of them apply to baby except to this one which is for Mom only! Brilliant.


Lastly, another new product is this Luminous Art ($60)- a quilt-like collage made with special threads that illuminate parts of the picture when the nursery lights are out. Framed in solid wood and trimmed with velvet; available designs include pink bunny or blue bear.


Like what you see? Browse around some more at Tree by Kerri Lee.

p.s. I will be observing Yom Kippur tomorrow, and will resume posting on Friday morning, October 10th.

Election Baby Tees Winners

Congratulations to the following 3 winners, who each won their choice of Election Baby Tee from Charming Maeve:

Gianna who wrote, "One State, Two State, Red State, Blue State."

bfox74 who wrote, "One state, two state...in 9-12 months."

achill who wrote, "I'm so torn! But I think I have to go with the democrat party animal in 18-24 months..."

Attention! If you weren't one of the lucky winners, you can still enjoy free shipping from Charming Maeve now through October 15th; just e-mail the site and let them know you entered the contest at MyMomShops.

Bountiful Baby Basket

I always keep an eye out for really special baby gift baskets. This Overstuffed Personalized Gift Tote from GoToBaby has one beautiful item after the next (wish I had received one). Inside the roomy monogrammed canvas tote are 4 more monogrammed gifts (your choice of block or script font): 2 thick ribbon-trimmed burp cloths, a 100% cotton rollneck sweater in size 0-12mos (Baby S. had one of these), a luxurious terry cotton bathrobe with gingham trim, and a bonus 30" x 40" fluffy satin trimmed blanket. Any one of these gifts alone would be a delightful baby gift, but put them all together and you will have one overjoyed gift recipient.

It gets better: this gift tote (which happens to be GoToBaby's most popular item) usually retails for $229, but is now on sale for $189. And now through October 10th, you get an additional 20% discount at GoToBaby with code "take20". With this additional discount, the tote will cost just $151. PLUS shipping is free! If you want to buy someone (or your own baby) a super luxurious gift set at much more reasonable price, look no further. A boys' version is available too, of course.

Browse for this and other baby gifts at GoToBaby.

Chasing Fireflies Costumes

One of my favorite catalogs is Chasing Fireflies. The catalog is curated beautifully- I love how they arrange items by color or theme. The buyer has great taste in beautiful high-end kids' clothing, accessories, and toys (though they tend to be expensive, so I actually have yet to buy from them).

Chasing Fireflies' Halloween catalog is filled with treats including some truly spectacular, lavish costumes. Here is just one example. Let them eat cake! Marie Antoinette Costume ($89 including wig, pearl choker and feather fan sold separately).


And, more affordable, I love this You Are My Sunshine infant costume ($29). Defnitely would be my choice if I had to pick an infant costume this Halloween!


Browse all of the Halloween costumes at Chasing Fireflies.

"Vote" Necklace Winner

Congratulations to "Alice H." who wrote, "My first vote was in 1996 - I really remember it too. So exciting. Thanks for the chance, its a great necklace and a great reminder!" Alice, please e-mail me with your name and address to claim your prize.

Everyone else, stay tuned for a BIG giveaway next week- a $75 gift certificate to one of my favorite eco-friendly toy sites. Need a reminder to check back? E-mail me with "newsletter" in the subject line to receive giveaway reminders, special discounts, and more!

Thomas Thomas and More Thomas

As the mother of a two-year-old boy, I'm learning that Thomas the Train is a ubiquitous presence in my life...the little blue trains pop up everywhere, from the bathroom floor to the bottom of my handbag to inside our refrigerator (don't ask). S. is now the proud of owner of several Thomas sets (any recommendations for how to store all this stuff would be much appreciated!). His newest one is the Take Along Thomas Morgan's Mine Set. It's a foldable, 35-piece playset where Thomas and friends race through three levels of mine and lots of track, with, of course, multiple sounds and lights to boot. It's made of plastic, so it's not quite as sturdy as his other Thomas sets, but he enjoys it (especially the bells & whistles) and so does his big sister. One caveat- this set is NOT compatible with your wooden Thomas sets. But it's keeping him busy and happy, and that makes one happy mom! $39.99 at Toys R Us.

MyMomShops Giveaway: Election Tees at Charming Maeve

We have Election Fever here in my house...even my 5-year-old is getting so excited that the big day is just 4 weeks away! She can't wait to go with me to the polls to "help" me vote.

Today's giveaway is from the site Charming Maeve, which is offering THREE winners each their choice of one election-themed baby lap tee. The 100% cotton short-sleeve tees are available in sizes 3-6mos, 6-12mos, 12-18mos, or 18-24mos, and retail for $20. The three designs available are (top to bottom: "Party Animal" (donkey), "Party Animal" (elephant), or, my favorite, "One State, Two State, Red State, Blue State.") Shop for these and other election gear at Charming Maeve.

Win it! THREE MyMomShops readers will each win their choice of the 3 election-themed baby lap tees shown here from Charming Maeve. Here are the contest rules:

1) To enter, please comment on THIS post (click on "comments" below), indicating which of the 3 designs you'd choose.
2) Post your comment by 11:59pm tomorrow, Tuesday, October 7th. One entry per person, please. US addresses only.
3) Three winner will be chosen at random and announced on Wednesday morning, October 8th.
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 Wednesday to see if you won. Unclaimed prizes are forfeited after 72 hours.

Good luck!

Halloween Cardigan

Can't you just picture your little one going pumpkin picking in this Fair Isle Pumpkin Cardigan? The soft cotton/wool/nylon blend zip-up cardigan is fully lined in cotton jersey to make it extra comfy. Love the heathered colors. Sizes 3-6mos through 8, $48 at Janie and Jack.

My Little Dust Buster

I got a chuckle out of this Toy Dyson Vaccum Cleaner in the new Leaps & Bounds catalog. It's a great idea- it really works! It's a shrunken-down real Dyson cleaner that gently suctions up the lint and dirt, and even has the same collection container that kids can empty. Since my kids like to push their old Fisher Price corn popper alongside me while I vacuum, I think this might be a very good investment! Put your own little helpers to work; the Toy Dyson Vacuum Cleaner costs $39.95 at Leaps & Bounds.

Etsy Halloween: Part One

Handmade Halloween treats abound at Etsy.com now- here is my first batch of picks to share with you.

My Little Pumpkin Bowl ($12) by Elm Studios Online:


Silver Bat in the Belfry Necklace ($44) by An Original Jewelry.


Cute as a Pumpkin Fruit Hat ($19) by Knitrgal:


Halloween Pumpkin Initial Tee ($20) by JonahBonah:

Organized Baby

You've probably seen nursery decor items byTatunina before. This mother/daughter Massachusetts-based company makes colorful, wooden accessories ranging from book-ends to wall letters to pegboards, all decorated with non-toxic, lead-free paints. Their Tatutina Baby Line includes these sweet nested Mini Bins painted with baby's favorite animals. The gender-neutral set includes 3 bins (largest is 7" x 6" x 4.5"). As any new mom knows, you can never have enough storage bins like these. Put them to use in the nursery to store diaper changing supplies, in the playroom to store small toys, or in the bath to store baby grooming items. This would make a pretty yet practical baby shower gift. The set of 3 costs $24 at Tatutina.

MyMomShops Giveaway: "Vote" Necklace by Brookadelphia

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. Remember the "Vote" necklace by Brookadelphia I posted recently? Well, Brookadelphia has generously offered one as a giveaway. With less than 5 weeks to go till Election Day, this will be a sure conversation piece. Wear it to the polls! The necklace has a laser-cut acrylic pendant hanging from a 15" 14k gold fill chain, and retails for $45.

Wonderboy Shirt Winner

Congratulations to "carolsue", who wrote, "I'd like to have the Pool Shark shirt in 6-12 mos. They are all cute!" Please e-mail me your name and mailing address to claim your prize.

Everyone else, try your luck again with today's giveaway (see above!)

Free Trick or Treat Tote!

My Bambino, one of my go-to sources for reasonably-priced personalized baby gifts, is offering a great deal through October 3rd only. You can get this personalized fabric trick-or-treat tote ($9.99 value) with ANY purchase at My Bambino; just add any item to your cart and click on the free trick-or-treat tote link on shopping cart screen. Need ideas for what else you should purchase? If you need a baby gift (or 1st birthday gift), I highly recommend the personalized photo growth charts ($29.99) that adorn both of my kids' rooms. I get so many compliments on them and it is a lot of fun to choose photos as the kids get taller! Or order a second trick or treat tote, so it's basically buy one, get one free! Browse for these and other personalized gifts (stepstools, piggy banks, backpacks, and more) at MyBambino.com.

p.s. What's up with the name Blaze? Would you believe that just today I saw a nanny pushing a baby in a Bugaboo with a personalized diaper bag that said "Blaze"? Is this one of the new trend-setting names?

Give Me Your Coordinates

This customized Latitute/Longitude sign from LL Bean caught my eye in their latest catalog. The pine sign measures approximately 5" x 16" and displays the name of any US city or town, its state, latitute and longitude. It's a charming conversation piece for an entryway or living room, or a thoughtful housewarming gift for a family who's relocated. Order one for $29.95 at LL Bean.

One More Kid

R's One Kid coat from Garnet Hill arrived recently and it is beautiful. I also just received S's reversible coat ($84, shown at left), also by One Kid (can you tell I am a fan?). I ordered it from Psycho Baby, a site I had never heard of before, but ordered from since I found the best price there. Despite its name, Psycho Baby had reliable, super fast shipping and- to R's delight- also included some small colored play foam sets ("why didn't my coat come with play foam?" she demanded) along with the nicely-wrapped merchandise. They know their young customers, that's for sure. Visit Psycho Baby.

p.s. Speaking of boys' clothing, remember you have until midnight EST tonight to enter our contest to win a trendy boys' button-down shirt by Wonderboy!