Gorgeous Dresses & Prizes at Craftsbury Kids

Just got an e-mail from indie fave shop Craftsbury Kids about their new shipment of dresses by Kiki Fluhr (top photo). Are these gorgeous or what? The elephant patch design ($48) is my top pick. If you order one of these dresses by Friday, April 3rd, you'll also receive a complimentary bracelet kit and be entered to win a set of ten letterpress greeting cards (bottom photo, shown framed as nursery art) by one of my favorite letterpress shops- Sweetbeets. This prize has a $55 value. Just mention "giveaway" in your order notes at checkout. Get shopping at Craftsbury Kids

Mom's Make Up

I like these chocolate brown Initial Make-Up Bags on clearance at Exposures. They arrive in a set with coordinating chocolate and cream ribbons attached to the zipper of each bag (largest measures 7" x 10 1/2"). They're padded on the inside and wipe clean. The set of 3 (available in all letters except I, O, Q, U, V, and X-Z) costs $16.99 (reduced from $24.95) at Exposures. Keep them in mind for Mother's Day!

Are You Sitting Down?

I've posted about these Kids Cardboard Chairs (Set of 2) from The Land of Nod before; I think they are terrific and they are finally priced at a reasonable $19.95 (originally $69). Let the kids go wild decorating them, and then fold 'em up when you want the extra space back. Buy them at The Land of Nod.

MyMomShops Giveaway: Cookie Tin Set from Sara Langley

This week's giveaway is from Sara Langley, a boutique that sells everything from handbags to stationery to baby bibs, and bills itself as "unapologetically preppy." Love it! The item up for grabs is Sara Langley's attractive Cookie Tin Kitchen Kit for Kids ($55). The kit includes one adjustable kids' apron (fits up to age 9) and matching baker's hat, beautifully packaged in a re-usable cookie tin. The winner chooses from five different fabrics (chocolate sunflower, magenta floral, sherbet paisley, watermelon stripe, or kiwi paisley). The items are not personalized and the bowl, spatula, and (cooperative-looking) child are not included. Add your own ingredients, get messy, and have fun!

Win it! One lucky reader will win a $55 Cookie Tin Kitchen Kit for Kids (you choose from the 5 available fabrics) from Sara Langley. Here are the contest rules:

1) To enter, please leave a comment- any comment- on THIS post (click on "comments" below).
2) Post your comment by 11:59pm EST, Thursday, April 2nd. US addresses only. One entry per person, please. Duplicate entries will be discarded.
3) One winner will be chosen at random and announced on Friday morning, April 3rd.
4) NOTE: If you wish to be notified by e-mail if you win, please include your e-mail address in your comment. Otherwise you must check back on Friday to see if you won. Unclaimed prizes are forfeited after 72 hours.

Good luck!

1000 Markets

First, a warning. If you are already addicted to buying handmade products from Etsy.com, you may not want to read any further about 1000 Markets. Or your wallet will be in serious trouble.

Want to read on? 1000 Markets is currently in preview/beta mode (it will have a grand opening later this spring) but you can start shopping now. Like Etsy, 1000 Markets is a place where you can browse hundreds of beautiful handcrafted goods by talented artists. It's a bit different than Etsy, though. 1000 Markets' founder Matthew Trifiro says his goal is to have a more personalized online marketplace where "markets" are based by theme, locale, process, or medium, to make for easier browsing. Each "market" also has detailed stories about the craftspeople themselves (sometimes including their own blogs). Sellers must go through a rigorous filtering system, so there is less "junk" than you might find occasionally at Etsy. Like Etsy, you can also search by keyword ("letterpress", anyone?) And, like at Etsy, you will find way too many things that you just must buy. Now. It's another indie-shopping-lover's paradise.

Here's just a sampling of items from 1000 Markets that I thought you might enjoy:

Seersucker for Sammy overalls ($32) by Figgys. Nothing sweeter than a baby boy in seersucker!

Mahogany Bunny Room Decor ($35) by Greco Woodcrafting. Unique nursery accent.

Chocolate Marshmallows ($4.95) by Jake Bakes. An allergy-friendly bake shop at 1000 Wares...mmm.

Circle of Love Necklace ($40) by Jewelry by Natsuko. Love the rustic look of these charms.


Gift Set: 1 Clip and 1 Clip-and-Carry ($12.50) by Cutesie Clips. Pretty fabric pouches to store all of your daughter's barrettes. This seller has some very cute clip designs.


Hooked yet? Let the browsing (and buying) begin. Visit 1000 Markets.

Time for a New Watch

Warm Biscuit has some colorful new arrivals for spring including this girls' ribbon watch which would be a popular birthday gift for any girl who's reached the "accessorizing" stage. Packaged in a cute stainless steel pink case, each watch set includes eleven different tie-on grosgrain ribbon straps in bright pastel colors and patterns. $24 for the set at Warm Biscuit.

Enjoy 15% off all full-price items at Warm Biscuit with code "WB3269ESR."

Bus With Bells & Whistles

It's not quite the quaint, retro-style 50th Anniversary Fisher Price playsets I posted about recently, but FP's current Little People Lil Movers Bus sure is making my 2-year-old son very happy these days. Apparently he really enjoys toys with lights and sounds best...who knew? This set includes the bus plus 3 Little People figures: Carlos the Bus Driver, Michael, and Maggie, plus a wheelchair accessory piece. I found the best price for it at All Aboard Toys, where it cost just $17.97 (reduced from $24) and there is flat rate shipping of $5.95 (or free shipping over $67). While you're there, you may find some other deals from brands like Melissa & Doug, Lego, and Learning Curve. Take a peek around All Aboard Toys.

Dwell Studio for Target

I think that Dwell Studio for Target is one of Tar-jay's best designers ever. I am a big fan of this lower-cost version of Dwell's stylish, modern bedding (in fact, my son has their "Storybook" crib bedding). Here are some of my current favorites from the Dwell Studio for Target adult and baby bedding lines (clockwise from top left: Olivia Crib Bedding, Foliage Bedding Collection, Zoo Crib Bedding, and Pansy Comforter Set). Crib sets start at just $39.99 and adult bedding sets start at $79.99. The quality is surprisingly good for the price, too.

Sunny Chic

This double-strap knit dress from Garnet Hill has a cool, chic vibe for summer. It's made of a cotton/modal blend and available in black or pewter (I like the pewter) for $68 at Garnet Hill.

A Full Plate

If you're looking for child-safe but stylish plates, check out LA Plates, a small company started by a clever mom (and former teacher). The lightweight but durable melamine plates appeal both to kids and grown-ups. They are available in lots of patterns (bamboos, ginghams, paisleys, etc.) and can be personalized, too, making them a perfect gift (customize with a child's name for a birthday gift, or with a family initial for a matched set to use when you entertain). Each one costs $22. The pink with white polka dots is my favorite:

While you're at the site, also check out these retro-style handwriting placemats ($18). The 12 x 18" laminated placemat is customized by you on one side (you choose color and text), and has a proper handwriting alphabet on the other. Cute sibling gift or birthday gift!



Visit LA Plates.

First Adventures of the Incredible You Book Winner

Congratulations to Taryn, who wrote, "What a fantastic giveaway! My little girl is a total bookworm already." Please e-mail me to claim your prize.

Save Some For Me

R. is very excited to wear her new "Save Some for Me" tee from just-launched Playground Stylings. This new California-based shop offers 100% organic cotton and totally phthalate-free tees for babies, kids, and grown-ups. The eco-friendly messages are sweet and simple (and, being a kindergartner of the 21st century, R. instantly understood the "Save Some for Me" message when she read it). The shirt feels sooooo soft. Just might have to get one for myself. Browse the selection at Playground Stylings. Kids' tees cost $22 and are available in sizes up to 6T.

p.s. Some cool trivia- One of the two moms who co-founded Playground Stylings also runs the Etsy.com shop Fox Parlor, whose gift wrap I featured last year around holiday time. Aren't all of these multi-tasking moms amazing?

Bargain Alert: Bella Tunno 3 Piece Sets

We're all on very tight budgets these days, so I'm glad to present the first of a series of "Bargain Alerts" where I'll point you to great deals on products for babies & kids (or moms). These items will be either under $25 and/or reduced more than 50% of their original price. The first is a Bella Tunno Buttie Bundle 3 Piece Set from Amazon.com. This stylish gift set, which is always a hit at baby showers, includes a bib, changing pad, and pacifier holder. The fabrics have colorful patterns and are backed in soft terry velour. The original price is $44 but depending which pattern you choose, the price may be as low as $15. Shown at left is the Floral Wonder/Flower Bubbles set, which costs about $20; check out the different patterns to find those that cost even less. And stay tuned for more bargain alerts!

p.s. I may send one of these to our beautiful new baby cousin in Colorado. Welcome to the World, Annabelle, and congratulations to your parents and big brothers!

Very Comfy Caterpillar

Speaking of caterpillars, I love this Caterpillar Romper by Egg by Susan Lazar. It's made of a nice, lightweight knit for Spring/Summer and I think the blue/green color combo works well for both boys and girls. Sizes 3-6m or 6-12m, $59 at Arte Bebe.

Ladies Who Lunch With Lilly

Attention Lilly Pulitzer fans! This month LP introduces festive new stationery & party goods based on some if its top-selling designs. Traylor Papers is selling lots of them, including paper goods from the ultra-preppy pink-and-green "Taboo" collection (sets of 8: invitations $14, juice bar drink umbrellas $7, place cards $6, beverage tumblers $15). So you will have a super-easy time coordinating tableware for your girls' luncheon, or bridal shower, or baby shower. Some patterns even have been turned into desk supplies ranging from file folders to sticky notes. Visit Traylor Papers for more Lilly Pulitzer eye candy!

Very Hungry Caterpillar Cake

This playful Caterpillar Cakelette Pan with Decoration Kit has arrived in time for Spring at Williams-Sonoma. Isn't it adorable? It's actually a pan that bakes eight miniature cakes that you put together to form a friendly caterpillar (instructions and recipe included). The decorating kit includes icings, sprinkles, sanding sugars, and even red licorice strands for antennae. If you think you can't manage it, there's even an instructional video at the website. Go ahead, give it a whirl for your next party. It'll be a hit! The set retails for $45 at Williams Sonoma.

p.s. Thanks to my sister, ever the observant author and historian, for informing me that the children's classic "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" celebrates its 40th Anniversary this month. Which may explain Williams Sonoma's timing!

While You're Gone...

I received an e-mail about Goods for Goodness Sake, a new paper-focused e-boutique that donates 100% of profits to customer-selected charities through the sale of products created by small businesses (including Rock Scissor Paper, Paperluxe Studio, and Hen & Barley Press). One of the founders is my friend Cathe from Feterie (one of my favorite "paperies"), who has excellent taste, so I'm not surprised that the products at Goods for Goodness Sake are all quite charming. For example, this babysitter notepad ($7.50) covers just about everything you'll need to explain when you go out for the night (sure beats what I do- quickly scribbed notes on a sheet of computer paper). When you purchase this or any other item, you'll get to choose from six carefully selected charities that your purchase will support. Everyone wins. Visit Goods for Goodness Sake.

Keep to the Write

I'm running out of S's personalized stationery by Boatman Geller (the ones I used as thank you notes for his baby gifts). And since his favorite thing is cars, cars, cars, I thought I'd look for something appropriate for his next set of cards. I'm trying to choose among the following 3 designs. Which do you like best?

"Primary Car" Flat Card by Robyn Miller Designs at Fine Stationery:

"Cars Cars Cars" Flat Card by Robyn Miller Designs at Fine Stationery:


"Beep Beep'" cards by Dwell Studio at Tiny Prints:

MyMomShops Giveaway: "The First Adventures of the Incredible You"

One of my two year old's favorite bedtime books is The First Adventures of the Incredible You, an award-winning personalized children's book from Custom Made for Kids. Unlike other personalized books which robotically insert your child's name every few pages, this book is customized with lots of details unique to your child, such as his or her favorite foods, activities, and places to play. You supply the details online (and a personalized dedication page), and Custom Made for Kids delivers a beautifully illustrated keepsake book to you (this is one you won't be donating after it gets worn out). The story, by the way, is in rhyme and so far has managed to hold my 2 year old's attention all the way through. Buy one for your child for $32.95 at Custom Made for Kids.

Win it! One lucky reader will win a personalized copy of The First Adventures of the Incredible You. Here are the contest rules:

1) To enter, please leave a comment- any comment- on THIS post (click on "comments" below).
2) Post your comment by 11:59pm EST, Thursday, March 26th. US addresses only. One entry per person, please. Duplicate entries will be discarded.
3) One winner will be chosen at random and announced on Friday morning, March 27th.
4) NOTE: If you wish to be notified by e-mail if you win, please include your e-mail address in your comment. Otherwise you must check back on Friday to see if you won. Unclaimed prizes are forfeited after 72 hours.

Good luck!

Kids' Clothes by Tori Spelling

I stopped by another trade show recently, ENK Children's, and was very excited to stumble onto this booth for Tori Spelling's upcoming "Little Maven" kids' clothing line (no website yet). Regular readers of this blog know I am a fan of Tori's decorating style, and I think she dresses her kids Liam and Stella very well, too. Her reps told me she is "heavily involved" in the design of the clothing you see above (how cute are those suspenders??). I think the results are great, and I can't wait to see them in stores. Will keep you posted when they're available!

p.s. Also keep an eye out next month for Tori's 2nd book, "Mommywood".I'll post a review here.

Psst! Did you arrive here via Celebrity Baby Blog? If so, welcome to MyMomShops! Sign up for our free e-newsletter to learn about our spectacular giveaways, special sales, and more! Just e-mail me with "newsletter" in the subject line. You can also follow me on Twitter. Thanks for stopping by!

Friends Forever Girls Doll winner

Congratulations to The Wehrungs, who wrote, "Would love to win this for my niece." Please e-mail me with your name, address, and choice of doll to claim your prize.

Everyone else, stay tuned for another giveaway coming up later today!

Mary Jurek Design

I was recenty introduced to Mary Jurek Design, an artist/jewelry designer who makes modern, elegant handcrafted stainless steel tableware and home accessories. Her products are enjoyed by celebs like Posh Spice, but are sold at prices that are reasonable for mere mortals like us, starting at $40 and going up past $200. The designs include hammered-style bowls and utensils, salad tongs, and serving trays. I think they'd make unique, high-end hostess, engagement, or wedding gifts. They're not sold online, but you can find the nearest retailer at Mary Jurek Design.

The Heat is On

I don't often review baby gear here (strollers, nursery essentials, baby care products, etc.) but I'm making an exception to tell you about something that has made life much easier around here- our new Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer. I was having a very tricky time taking temperatures for both of my kids (ages 2 and 5); they aren't great at keeping a thermometer in their mouth, and as for the "other end", well, we can just about forget that. Exergen is a super gentle wand-like thermometer that measures temperature with a quick scan across the forehead. When S. was hospitalized for strep and dehydration last December, they actually used this at the hospital. One warning- even if your kids aren't sick, they will enjoy playing with this thermometer. My kids are constantly "scanning" themselves and asking me if they're "normal"! Buy one for $49.99 at Babies R Us.

Spring Designs by Boatman Geller

Via Twitter, I learned about the lovely new stationery designs by chic stationery designer Boatman Geller. Take a look:



All are available at Lemontree Paperie.

PB Teen Preview

I had the pleasure of previewing the new 1600 sq ft PB Teen store at 1451 Second Avenue (76th St.) in New York yesterday. I even got to bring R. along who was quite taken with the "teen" looks considering she is only five (her favorite item: this "Furlicious" Beanbag). The new store looks terrific and is ready for its celebratory opening at 10am sharp on Saturday, March 21st. The first 100 people to walk in will receive a cool backpack as a gift, and will have the chance to win a $1,000 room makeover. Don't miss it!

Here are some of shots from inside the store:

Girls' Blue Bubble Bedding, Girls' Soccer Decal, and Beadboard Collection Super Bed Set. The Bubble bedding set is one of their top-sellers, and the modular bed/shelving "superset" is a very smart space-saver (lots more storage under and around the bed, too):


Boys' Henley Stripe Quilt & Sham, Ultimate Dresser Storage Bed Set, and Rush the Field wall mural. This bed/shelving unit is another smart choice for smaller spaces:


Tropical totes. Aren't these pretty? Pop a changing pad inside and you can use it as a diaper bag:


Skateboard Shelves. I love these shelves for a boys' room:


Bubble Dot Mirror Set and Bubble Dot Decals. I featured these mirrors here at the blog once before; I really like them paired with the removable decals, too. Also check out the "Crinkle Puff" monogram pillow- another favorite.


Lots of the above items happen to be on sale right now; check out the Spring Sweet Steals (including affordable gifts for 'tweens and teens) at PB Teen.

Super Silhouettes

I am absolutely smitten with the new Falling Leaves Digital Silhouette Print ($20) I just bought from one of my favorite Etsy shops, Le Papier Studio. Though I've posted about the silhouette craze several times before, I was never able to make up my mind and purchase something. Now that I'm decorating the wall of my kids' "play area" (in a New York City apartment, this is a small area off of the living room!), I've chosen this as the first artwork to go up. Designer Vana Chupp makes these 8 x 10" digital prints using your choice of template, background color, silhouettes, and font. For just $5 extra per figure, she will customize a silhouette based on a photo of your children, creating a wonderful keepsake. This is what she did for my kids and I am thrilled with the result. Not only is this fantastic and affordable wall art for your own home, but it also makes a lovely gift for friends with kids. Check out the personalized prints, stationery, and more at Le Papier Studio.

PB Teen's Arrival

I walked by the almost-ready PB Teen store in my neighborhood this week. It opens on March 21st and I am very curious to check it out. It is only the 2nd freestanding PB Teen store the company has opened thus far. I will try to sneak in some photos inside the store, too! NYC moms...the store is at the corner of 76th St. and 2nd Ave. Check it out!

Junior Handyman

Green Toys has received a lot of well-deserved press in the past year for its recycled, American-made toys for kids. The latest addition to its toy selection is this Tool Set which I would love to get for my 2-year-old son. The set (which is made from recycled milk jugs!) includes screwdriver, hammer, saw, wrench, pliers, hole connectors, nails, bolts, and nuts. Everything your little handyman needs. And Green Toys packages its products minimally in 100% recycled cardboard. So you won't spend hours untwisting little plastic ties. Buy the set for $19.95 (it will be back in stock soon) at Green National Gardens.

La Cuisine Francaise

Feast your eyes on this modular kitchen set by Nathan, available at Oompa.com. Nathan is a French company and you'll spot lots of their toys and play furniture in European preschools. Affordable? No way. Each component (clockwise from top left: sink, storage unit, oven, and washing machine) costs over $200. If you've got generous grandparents hankering to spoil your little one, that's the best way to go!

p.s. If you're in the market for a toy kitchen and want less expensive options, check out this past "Ask MyMomShops" post.

MyMomShops Giveaway: Friends Forever Girls

My 5 1/2 year old daughter was thrilled (and so was I) to receive a new doll (courtesy of Mom Blog Marketing) from Friends Forever Girls, a new mom-launched company. Friends Forever Girls sells six different, ethnically diverse dolls that come to life with accompanying books that address 'tween topics like self-respect, friendship, and responsibility. The 18" dolls are nicely made (and appropriately dressed- no Bratz styles here) and live up to their "huggable" description- the arms really do "give" enough to embrace your child. R. received the "Nika" doll who arrives with a a description of herself including, "Some of my favorite things in the whole wide world are books, books, and more books... Even better, I love making up my own stories to tell my friends...I am so proud of my ethnic background. My mom is European and my dad is African American." The book that accompanied Nika is a chapter book, a bit too beyond my kindergartner's reading level, but I'll save it for later. In the meantime, R. enjoys dressing Nika, playing with her, and nodding her own head as I read the list of qualities that the Friends Forever Girls share ("I tell the truth all the time, too, Mommy!" R claims. Ha!) And while I'm not sure how much this concept overlaps with American Girl dolls (we have mercifully not reached that consumer stage yet), I appreciate the fact that R. now has a doll that inspires good values, and we didn't even have to travel to any flagship store in midtown Manhattan!

Want to learn more? Visit Friends Forever Girls. Enjoy coupon code "Spring" and you will receive a free Girls Friends Forever T-shirt ($14.99 value) with any doll purchase. Offer expires April 20, 2009.

Win it! One lucky reader will win a a Friends Forever Doll ($59 value, you choose the doll you wanted from this selection). Here are the contest rules:

1) To enter, please leave a comment- any comment- on THIS post (click on "comments" below).
2) Post your comment by 11:59pm EST, Sunday, March 22nd. Continental US addresses only. One entry only per person, please. Multiple entries will be discarded.
3) One winner will be chosen at random and announced on Monday, March 23rd here at the blog.
4) NOTE: If you wish to be notified by e-mail if you win, please include your e-mail address in your comment. Otherwise you must check back on Monday to see if you won. Unclaimed prizes are forfeited after 72 hours.

Good luck!

Bunny Frame

I spotted this cute Bunny Fabric Picture Frame at Giggle, just in time for Easter. Also available in duck, giraffe, and elephant versions. $16 at Giggle.

Pillow Talk

Accent pillows with interesting graphics always catch my eye. Here are some favorites I've spotted online recently- use any one to add instant punch (and a conversation piece) to a ho-hum sofa or bed:

"Lit 101" ($19.95) 18" cotton pillow by CB2.

"Eye Chart" ($99) 17" hemp/cotton pillow by Susan Fredman at Home.

"Be Nice or Leave" ($49) 12 x 16" felt applique pillow by Alexandra Ferguson.

Cutest Sneakers from a Brand You've Never Heard Of

S. is getting lots of compliments on his new Retro Sneakers by Tsukihoshi Kids from Japan. They are nice and lightweight for spring, and I adore the blue and green colors. They are available in sizes 7-13 (note: they run big; order a half size down) and cost $60 at Zappos.

Cheap Chic Comfort

Apparently I have raised a daughter with frugal taste like my own. I've bought R. a few new pieces of clothing for spring and summer and her favorite dress by far is this smocked border-print sundress in brown from The Children's Place. She wears it for fun every night at home even though it's still 45 degrees outside. The dress is made of soft polyester jersey (machine washable and practically impossible to wrinkle) and it's a little long on her, so it looks like a flowery, summery maxi dress! I think she'll be wearing this a LOT this summer. It costs a mere $11.24 right now at The Children's Place.

Bubble Wrap Up

Here are the rest of my finds from last week's Bubble New York trade show:

Fresh new tee designs (including many organic tees) by Winter Water Factory:


Gorgeous bohemian-style hand block print crib bedding and coordinating nursery accessories from Rikshaw Design:



Soft, pretty clothing made in Hawaii by Chase 'n Sky. Love the pink sweater with white bow.



Poloppo is a Brooklyn, NY shop that makes customized clothing using kids' own artwork transferred onto American Apparel tees:


The Little Experience is a British shop selling these terrific all-in-one children's craft kits. Everything you need is included in each kit- glue, scissors, markers, you name it. No fishing around your own home for extra supplies. Online U.S. store is coming soon.

Chic Chandelier Earrings

I freely admit that a large chunk of my wardrobe (and accessories) comes from Ann Taylor Loft, since, like everyone else these days, I am keeping a close eye on expenses. I recently used a coupon to buy these pretty Stone Chandelier Earrings ($29) and I am really enjoying wearing them. They are just the right weight and they go with both casual or dressier outfits. Right now you get 50% off every 2nd jewelry item you buy at Ann Taylor Loft; be sure to also check Retail Me Not for the store's latest online coupons before buying.

Hey, they're now on sale for $19.99! And you still get 50% off a 2nd jewelry item of lesser value, too.

The Little People Turn 50!

We all remember the old Fisher Price Little People (which today would be considered choking hazards). My sister and I had plenty of them and one of our favorite sets was the toy hospital (remember the x-ray machine?) Even though my kids love their Little People playsets, I have always felt nostalgic for the old ones. So I was really excited to hear that Fisher Price has just released limited edition 50th Birthday playsets that look just like the sets you remember. The 50th Birthday Play 'N Go Farm and 50th Birthday Play 'N Go School are designed to bring those memories back to you (for example, the people are peg-shaped and have no arms, but are bigger/safer this time). The price is pretty retro, too...just $18. So instead of spending a small fortune on Ebay buying vintage Fisher Price Little People sets (ok, ok, I did that just once) you can get something shiny and new that will still take you back decades. Groovy! Visit Fisher Price.

p.s. Psst...NYC moms: Bring your kids to Toys R Us in Times Square on Saturday, March 21st to meet the Little People at their birthday celebration!

Revolving Doors

I feel like I just wrote about Pottery Barn Kids Threads debuting in the retail space at 76th St./2nd Ave. on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Barely 16 months later, they have gone out of business. Its replacement is one of the first-ever bricks-and-mortar PB Teen store. I walked by yesterday and they are putting on the finishing touches. I am curious how PBTeen will do- not only because the economy is tough for home decor stores, but also because the location is a sentimental one for me. My first NYC apartment was 3 floors directly above this storefront (back in 1994 when it was a plain old Pottery Barn, and I bought a farmhouse dining table with my first month's salary out of college). The store then changed to Chambers to Pottery Barn Kids to PBK Threads, and now to PB Teen. Wonder how long it'll last this time! NYC moms, stay tuned...it opens on March 21st.

Girls' "Blue Bubble" bedroom by PBTeen.

More from Bubble

I have so much more to show you from last weekend's Bubble show. Let's get started!

Linen letter cushions and organic silkscreened totes by Atsuyo et Akiko. Atsuyo et Akiko was at the last Bubble Show, too, and I love their accessories and decor more every time.


Milwaukee-based Mini Rotation, which was debuting at Bubble, showed me some of their best-selling tees, like this "Hot Dog High 5":


Ferd is a line I discovered at a previous Bubble show and, once again, their latest line of boys' clothing hits the perfect mix of classic and trendy. They are going to start selling online soon- I'll let you know when!


Love love love the baby clothing by Bubble newcomer Humming Baby . Especially those overalls. Could you just melt from the cuteness? Aren't the animal hangers so sweet, too? The designer's husband made them!




New Yorker Sam Simon, another Bubble newcomer, paints custom nursery art and murals with just a touch of "bling", if that's your thing. I like the peanut canvas called "My family is nuts". Matching lap tee available too!



I enjoyed talking to the husband-and-wife team behind Smiling Planet, a new California company producing 100% recycled, BPA and phthalates-free dishware for children. The plates have very sweet, inspiring designs...and this couple knows a thing or two about dishware- the wife is from the famous Haviland china family.


More to come soon!

Pure & Simple

Don't you love simple wooden classics like this 27-Tri-Wood (Walnut, Cherry, and Maple) Block Set at Etsy.com? Each set has 27 blocks that are 1.5" square, sanded smooth with rounded corners, and finished with beeswax. The packaging sounds equally charming- the boxes are 100% recycled and include lots of fragrant wood curls to protect the blocks during shipping. I think this would make a really beautiful 1st birthday gift. Buy a set for $19 at the Etsy.com storefront of Little Sapling Toys.

She's All Set

I like the ease of dressing my daughter in coordinated sets like this layered-look Fall Folliage Corduroy Dress and Striped Tights by Baby Nay. This would make a great back-to-school outfit for next Fall. It's available in sizes 2T-6X and on sale (reduced to $42 from $67.99) at My Little Pockets.

Go Human Go!

Maybe by now you have heard (or seen) Quaker Oats' new campaign Go Human Go, touting the many benefits of oat-based foods (filling, tasty, and, important these days, economical). I was honored to be invited by Alpha Mom Isabel Kallman to participate along with several other bloggers to help launch the campaign in Times Square this past Monday (l to r: me, Looky Daddy, Ask Moxie, Alpha Mom, Mommy Poppins, Foodmomiac, and The Motherhood).


We ate oatmeal for breakfast (the president of Quaker Oats handed me mine) and then hopped onto these exercise bikes attached to blenders making pear ginger smoothies (the faster you pedal, the smoother your smoothie). They tasted pretty good:


And, big kudos to Quaker Oats for its Quaker Go Project, in which it will donate up to 1 million servings of Quaker products to Share our Strength, an organization which helps feed hungry families across the country.

After Time Square, we headed to the Bronx to the Food Bank for NYC to sort and package all types of food to be distributed to various NYC food pantries (a Food Bank staff member told us that, not surprisingly, food pantries are overwhelmed by need right now, and there is a 35% increase in the number of college-educated adults showing up in search of food).

This was an incredible experience- though I had volunteered in soup kitchens before, I had never been to a food bank- and this is QUITE a food bank (90,000 square feet- the largest in the country). In just an hour there, our little team packed 1155 pounds of food- the equivalent of 888 meals for hungry New Yorkers. It felt great. Plus, Quaker Oats is donating an additional $500 in the bloggers' names to local food banks in NYC. Thank you, Quaker Oats!
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You can help, too!

1) Join the Quaker Go Project. Just visit this site and enter the 12-digit UPC number under the barcode on any Quaker Oats, Quaker Instant Oatmeal, Quaker Oatmeal Squares, Quaker Life or Quaker Chewy package. Super easy!
2) Support Food Bank for NYC, the largest food bank in the U.S. Their website has a whole bunch of ways you can help, including online donations and virtual food drives.

P.S. Also, some trivia for you. Did you know that orange is the color for hunger awareness? And that the white-haired Quaker Oats icon guy is called "Larry"? Now you know.

Handmade Jig Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Andreah, who wrote, "I like the Sea Horse, Jellyfish and Two Birds on a Branch the best." Please e-mail me to claim your prize!

Tweet Tweet

It had to happen eventually. Like many other bloggers, I joined Twitter. You are all welcome to "follow" me for juicy info. like late-breaking shopping news, sales, tips, and other random bits! Just bookmark this link (or add me to your "following" list if you're already on Twitter). Enjoy!

Board Games

These boys' knee patch board shorts ($30) from Boden are a favorite look of mine for my son. They go with so many of his summer T-shirts. Fortunately, I snagged his size before it was backordered, very soon after the catalog came out (note to Boden: your stuff sells out too quickly! increase your inventory!) See if they have them in your son's size at Boden.

p.s. They just arrived and look great, plus they are so soft. A bit on the small side, though (in my opinion).

Big Girl Doll Strollers, Advice Please

My daughter and son like to take dolls and stuffed animals out for walks together using their doll strollers (yes, it is too too cute) but at age 5 1/2 my daughter has become way too tall for hers. I want to buy her a nice doll "pram" designed for older girls and I'm eyeing this Badger Basket Pink Rosebud 3-in-1 Doll Pram. I found the cheapest price for it ($34.99) at Walmart. Do any readers have this stroller and would they recommend it (or another doll carriage)?


(By the way, what I'd really love to get for her is this Silver Cross Doll Pram, but at $399 it is clearly out of the question!)

Handmade Jig Giveaway Reminder

Psst...there's still time to enter our giveaway of 3 custom, personalized onesies from Etsy.com seller Handmade Jig. Click here to enter the contest by 11:59pm EST tomorrow (Tuesday, March 10th) and check back on Wednesday to see if you won. Good luck! More fun giveaways to come soon!

Please note: Do not enter the contest by posting here. Please scroll down (or click on one of the links above) to enter the contest at the original post!

Lucky Kid

Here's a special St. Patrick's Day offer from Nina & Tom Family Fashion. This limited edition Lucky (U) shirt (not available on their website) is available for $22 (shipping included) for babies & kids, and $24 (shipping included) for adults, just by e-mailing your order. Available sizes are snap onesies (3-6m, 6-12m), lap tee (12-18m, 18-24m), Kids' tee (2-4, 6-8, 10-12, 14-16), and Adults' tee S, M, L, XL, and XXL.

Yes, They Do Make These In Your Size

The first find I'd like to share with you from yesterday's Bubble New York show is Adore La Vie. Created by San Francisco-based designer Amanda Boyd (who used to design girls' clothing for Janie and Jack), Adore La Vie offers high-end, special occasion mother/daughter clothing. The designs are fashion-forward and age-appropriate for both mom and daughter (up to girls' size 6). I like the dressiest designs best (perfect for holiday parties, birthday parties, weddings, or special family occasions), but there is also a more casual line available (bottom photo). Dresses retail for about $286 for mom and $162 for little girl (pricey, yes, but these are fully lined dresses made from luxurious fabrics, and the detail work is wonderful).

Here is Amanda showing some of her designs:


A close-up of this gorgeous purple girls' dress:






Like what you see? Visit Adore La Vie.

From Domino to Glamour

Hate to bring up a sad topic again (the demise of my beloved Domino magazine), but there is a silver lining for my fellow subscribers. I read somewhere online (my apologies that I can not remember where) that if you call one of the other Conde Nast magazines, you can transfer your remaining Domino subscription to another publication of choice. I narrowed my choices down to three (The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, and Glamour) and chose Glamour since I can read the other two sometimes in the waiting room of my daughter's OT sessions! If you are a Domino subscriber, cheer yourself up a bit and enjoy another magazine with your remaining subscription dollars. Happy Reading!

Bubbling Over

Regular readers of this blog know how much I love going to the popular kids' trade shows right here in New York City. Today I return to one of my favorites, the Spring '09 presentation of Bubble New York. Bubble is known for being the place to spot the hottest up-and-coming kids' designers. Debuting at Bubble today are, among others (clockwise from top left): The Little Experience, Tzawa, Half Dot Brooklyn, Clover New York, The Peanut Shell, Patouche, and Mini Rotation. Of course, I will report back on my favorite finds- photos included!

I'm back and it was as great, as I expected. Tons of great new finds (clothing, toys, and decor) to show you...stay tuned!

Preppy Baby Blanket

New moms can never have enough baby blankets. I like these Cover Me Argyle Blankets as a preppy, stylish baby gift, especially for Spring. Available in pink or blue, the blanket is machine washable 100% cotton and measures 30" x 40". It costs $49 at Cottontails.

Your Little Rock Star

As much as I love independent designers, too, I am still loyal to Gymboree clothing for both of my kids, both for its value (everything goes on sale eventually) and for its styles. I really like the age-appropriate clothing for my 2 1/2 year old boy, since I am not a huge fan of the skull-and-crossbones or grunge look. Right now I adore his new outfit that I put together using pieces from both the Baby Boy and Big Boy lines of Gymboree's Rock On collection (currently on sale):

Headphones Double Sleeve Tee (sizes 3-10 on sale for $12.99, reduced from $16.75)


Flame Slip-On Sneaker (sizes 9-13 on sale for $17.99, reduced from $24.50)

Striped Denim Pant (sizes 3-6m to 5T on sale for $19.99, reduced from $26.75)

Outfit your lead singer with these pieces at Gymboree (p.s. I also got him the Make Some Noise outfit for summer).

Old Fashioned Text Messages

Got a girlfriend who spends all her time online (sound familiar?) Consider this BFF Note Stack Tower from Room Service Homee as a birthday gift or hostess gift. The three 100-page pads come wrapped in a ribbon. Give your BFF a chance to write a note long-hand (remember what that is?) $19 at Room Service Home.

Good Luck to You

I don't celebrate St. Patrick's Day, but if I did I'd sure like to have these Lucky Clover Personalized Cards for myself. They are available in either persimmon orange or aqua blue lettering, or you can choose a set with half in each color. Each sit includes 20 cards and 20 coordinating pale blue linen envelopes. $25 per set at the Etsy.com storefront of Farouche.

The Elephant in the Room

In case you haven't noticed, elephants are the new owls in the world of kids' products. I'm spotting them everywhere from kids' clothing to decor to stationery. I have tons of elephant finds to share with you- right now I'll start with ways they can spruce up your kids' rooms:

Flensted Elephant Party Mobile ($29) at Design Public:


DwellStudio Elephant Bookshelf ($190) at Giggle:


Elephant Table Set with Three Floor Cushions ($399 for the set) at Target:

Personalized Elephant Wall Art ($80) at Spunky Sprout:


Elephant Wall Decals Set ($18 for 6 decals) at Hutch Me:

Silver Elephant Bookends by Zid Zid ($68) at Tiny McSmall:

More elephant goodies to come!

100th Day of Kindergarten

Today was R.'s 100th Day of School (I had never heard of such a thing till my daughter started kindergarten!) and her class celebrated with special activities all day long. She came home from school positively bubbling with enthusiasm, so I videotaped her telling me stories about things like "when we tried to fit 100 kids in our classroom!" She actually had been anticipating this milestone day for some time by reading Margaret McNamara's One Hundred Days (Plus One) every night to me. This particular "Ready-to-Read" series of books, by the way, is great for new readers- R. has already devoured their other stories about Halloween, Thanksgiving Day, Election Day, Martin Luther King Day, and even Groundhog Day. They cost just $3.99 apiece. Keep your kindergartner's reading current and check out the series at Amazon.com.

MyMomShops Giveaway: Handmade Jig

I am so excited about today's giveaway. I have admired the Wooden Gift Box Onesie Sets by Etsy seller Handmade Jig for a long time. I wish these were around when my kids were newborns! Each set contains 3 personalized onesies (in sizes 0-3m, 3-6m, or 6-12m) wrapped in a wooden keepsake box tied with grosgrain ribbon and gift tag. Isn't the packaging beautiful? The winner of this giveaway gets to choose which 3 designs they'd like for their short sleeve onesie set ($32 retail value). All onesies are 100% cotton interlock adorned with high quality heat transfer graphics. Here are some of the options you can choose for your set (the winner of this giveaway will be able to mix and match, too!). By the way, the onesie sets are available to purchase with long sleeves, too (the cost goes up to $40 for a set of 3). Here are some of my favorites:

At the Zoo Wooden Gift Box Set (sold out at the moment but the designer will make another set)


Hats Off Wooden Gift Box Set


My Kinda Town Wooden Gift Box Set


And a close up of that last set of designs (as a New Yorker, I'm partial to Lady Liberty!):




Win it! 1 MyMomShops reader will win a Onesie Wooden Gift Box Set (containing 3 short sleeve onesies in size of choice, with designs of choice) from Handmade Jig. Here are the contest rules:

1) To enter, please comment on THIS post (click on "comments" below), indicating which 3 design you'd choose (click here to see all available designs; you will be allowed to mix and match).
2) Post your comment by 11:59pm EST Tuesday, March 10th. One entry per person, please. US addresses only.
3) One winner will be chosen at random and announced on Wednesday morning, March 11th.
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 next Wednesday to see if you won. Unclaimed prizes are forfeited after 72 hours.

Good luck!

A Whole New Bed for $200

I'm a big fan of scalloped percale sheets and of blue-and-white bedding; the two combine in a great package deal with this Complete Bed Set currently on sale at Lands End (reduced to $199.99 from $249.50). The Persian Blue set includes both a fitted and flat sheet, pillowcase(s), sham(s), and a comforter. Other patterns available, too. Check out this and other bedding on sale at Lands End.

MyMomShops Sponsor: Mum 2 Mum

Mum 2 Mum is a New Zealand company started by two moms (both named "Jo", just like Supernanny!) with 5 children between them who wanted to create quality, affordable baby products like bibs, towels, burpcloths, and changing mats. They succeeded big-time in their native England, and have now launched stateside.

Mum 2 Mum's signature product is its renowned Wonder Bib. Just $8, this product lives up to its name, withstanding almost anything your baby will throw (up) its way- reflux, drooling, you name it. Shown below the Original Wonder Bib are two variations- the high-coverage bib with sleeves ($11) and the trendy bandana bib ($7.50). All are available in bright, bold shades that are colorfast and won't fade with washing. And they are super absorbent; each one holds the equivalent of 1/4 cup of water:




I am also eye-ing Mum 2 Mum's funky striped Play and Change Mats ($22) as a stylish yet practical baby gift. I like how these do double duty (so to speak). The mats are 100% cotton terry velour on one side, with nylon, water-resistant backing, and are, of course, machine wahable. Several color combos are available- the lime/teal combo shown here is my favorite for either gender.


Last but not least, check out Mum 2 Mom's plush and absorbent hooded towels ($20). No flimsy bath wraps here!

If you're looking for baby gifts that will actually be used every day (for a long time) check out the wares at Mum 2 Mum. Supernanny would approve!

Why My Kids Don't Play in the Snow So Much

Because here in Manhattan, the fresh snowfall looks gorgeous at 6am...and then it turns to this (or something else, as in "Don't touch the yellow snow!!!")

Photo courtesy of Gawker.

The Envelope, Please

I love seeing unexpected objects turn up in jewelry, like these Valentine's Love Letter Necklaces in silver or gold from Etsy.com. Starting at $75, these are a beautiful year-round gift that can be stamped with a special message on the back of the envelope, such as a name or date. Check out this and other interesting envelope jewelry at the Etsy storefront of Looka Jewelry.

Little Showoffs

Once in a while I like to re-post items I mentioned at the blog way back when (I started writing MyMomShops in January 2007, so newer readers may have missed some of my top finds). For example, recently S. has received many compliments on his own version of a shirt R. first wore- this Warning...I'm 2 shirt ($17) by Little Showoffs. R. had a pink long-sleeve tee, S. now sports one in black with white lettering. These make great 2nd birthday gifts!


While you're at Little Showoffs, check out some of my other favorite items, including the little brother tee ($15) and big sister tee ($17) that my kids are wearing in one of my all-time favorite photos of them:

And, if you're expecting (I guess I'm going in reverse order here!), you can't go wrong with this Due In...(month tee) ($38). I had a "Due in August" tee when I was pregnant with S. but since I ended up on complete bedrest, I never got to wear it outside...


Cute stuff, isn't it? And comfy, too- Little Showoffs uses 100% cotton American Apparel tees. Visit Little Showoffs and receive free shipping with orders over $100.

Snuggie Up

For those of you who are getting a kick out of Snuggie mania these days, you must read this funny essay by a New York Times writer who wore one around in public- from bars to the subway. I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed the Snuggie's monastic qualities. Enjoy!

Photo courtesy of The New York Times.

Oeuf They Did It Again

Next weekend I"ll be attending one of my favorite trade shows, Bubble New York, where I will discover some new designers as well see new lines by old favorites like Oeuf (you know, the folks who make that divine mitten sweater). I just got an e-mail preview of Oeuf's new Fall 2009 line which will include new layette items (jumpers, hats, booties, and baby sets) as well as previous bestsellers in new colors (I love the teal in this fall's designs). The fall '09 clothes are not available for retail yet, but keep checking back at Oeuf.

Best Grandma Ever

In (belated) honor of my mother's birthday last week, I wanted to mention this Grandma, Tell Me Your Memories memory book, a gift I gave her when my daughter was born. She dutifully filled out every single page of this question-of-the-day book (this in addition to being a super busy Grandma who spends tons of time with her grandkids) and presented it to us on my daughter's 1st birthday. I am saving it for R. to read when she is older. It is a fantastic account of her (very moving) life and memories, and something that we will always treasure. If there is a grandma in your life who might be willing to answer 365 (short!) questions about her childhood memories, consider buying it for her. It is small and compact and spiral bound, so it's easy for her to toss in her purse and answer questions when she has a free moment. It's just $8 at Amazon.com .

Happy Birthday, Mom!