Mother's Day Giveaway #5: Brown Eye Blue at Etsy

OK, I've humbly saved my own product for the last item of this Mother's Day Giveaway Week. As some of my readers know, last Fall I launched my own little Etsy shop, Brown Eye Blue (those of you who don't know me personally will find an explanation of the shop's name online). Many years ago (like in the Dark Ages), I graduated from Harvard with a degree in Fine Arts, and then worked at many museum including the Whitney Museum of American Art. I've been an amateur photographer for years, and many people told me I should find some way to sell my photos (I often gave them as gifts). So I set up Brown Eye Blue, where you will find some of my favorite photographs that I have taken over the last several years, turned into notecards. There are seascapes, spring flowers, fall foliage, glimpses of New York City (from Central Park to Dylan's Candy Bar), and more.

The photographs are all originals taken by me (I use a Canon digital SLR), and I assemble each notecard by hand. The cards measure 4.5 x 6.25", with 4 x 6" photos carefully mounted using acid-free adhesive onto acid and ligne-free premium white cardstock. The insides of the cards are blank and waiting for your personal message. Each card includes a matching envelope and is securely wrapped in its own protective cellophane sleeve. The three cards are tied as a bunch with pretty raffia ribbon (colors may vary...but it'll be appropriate for spring!). I sell each set for $13.50, and shipping is free.

The winner of this giveaway will get to choose whichever 3 cards she likes from my shop, wrapped and gift-ready for Mother's Day! Visit Brown Eye Blue to see all the cards that I offer (and I also can sell them as frameable prints- just send me a "convo" through Etsy to ask).


Win it! One reader will win 3 cards of her choice from Brown Eye Blue, wrapped and gift-ready for Mother's Day. Here are the contest rules:

1) Visit Brown Eye Blue and leave a comment indicating your favorite photo from the collection. Leave your comment on THIS post (click on "comments" below).
2) Post your comment by 11:59pm EST on Sunday, May 2nd.
3) You may leave up to 3 separate entries- 1 entry with a comment as described in #1, 1 entry with a link to where you have blogged about this giveaway, 1 entry with your Twitter name if you have tweeted about this giveaway.
4) One winner will be chosen at random (using Random.org) and announced on Monday morning, May 3rd.
5) 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 Monday, May 3rd by 10am. If the prize is NOT claimed within 72 hours, the next random winner (using Random.org) will be contacted.

GOOD LUCK!

Polka Dot Patch Boutique

Last year I stumbled onto Polka Dot Patch Boutique, a family-owned online shop with lots of fun and colorful kids' clothing that happens to also be well-made and affordable. Owner/mom Marianne Mullin strives for a selection that goes beyond basic pink and blue to catch your attention- and I think it works well. Special emphasis is given to eco-friendly items, including clothing made in the U.S.A. There's also a smattering of gifts including bibs, blankets, toys, and nursery decor, but I think the clothing stands out the most. Here are my top picks:

Bee Line to Paris Eco-Friendly Dress ($56, size 18months-7/8)


Sozo Little Moo Cow Baby Bunting and Cap Sleeve Set ($29, one size)


Striped Monogram Children's Roll Brim Personalized Hats $35 (sizes preemie through adult- woohoo!) other colors/patterns available


Little Girls' Daisy Ruffle Batik Dress ($40, sizes 4-8)


Enjoy a 10% discount on any purchase at Polka Dot Patch Boutique with code "momshops". Limited time only. There is also always free standard US shipping on orders over $100.

A product sample was provided for this review. All opinions expressed here are exclusively those of MyMomShops.

Mother's Day Giveaway #4: Pottery Barn Kids Seacliff Diaper Tote

Would you believe that when I was pregnant with my first child 7 years ago, I bought a plain black nylon diaper bag from Lands End because I thought there weren't other choices? It's almost laughable now, but diaper bags used to be of two varieties- plain black or Winnie the Pooh. Needless to say, the choices have come a long way. It is entirely possible to have a stylish diaper bag that is neither boring nor babyish.

Case in point- today's giveaway, which is a perfect-for-summer canvas Seacliff Diaper Tote ($149) by Pottery Barn Kids. This definitely falls into the category of diaper bags that you can use well beyond the baby years. Measuring a generous 17" wide x 7" deep x 13" high, it's made with herringbone weave cotton canvas with leather accents, and features magnetic and rivet snap closures, a reinforced bottom, and lots of handy pockets. Inside, there is a removable changing pad, of course.

The winner of this bag will get to choose which color (white, navy, or camel) she'd like, plus she gets the optional personalization (a $6.50 value) for free, making the total prize value $155.50. Awesome! Check out this and other Mother's Day gift ideas at Pottery Barn Kids.

Win it! One reader will win a personalized Seacliff Diaper Tote ($155.50) from Pottery Barn Kids. Here are the contest rules (they have changed a bit- please read carefully!) Remember that you can enter as many of this week's giveaways as you'd like now from now until Sunday, May 2nd at 11:59pm EST. Winners will be chosen by Random.org and announced on Monday morning, May 3rd.

1) Visit Pottery Barn Kids and then leave a comment here about your favorite gift for mom. Leave your comment on THIS post (click on "comments" below).
2) Post your comment by 11:59pm EST on Sunday, May 2nd.
3) You may leave up to 3 separate entries- 1 entry with a comment as described in #1, 1 entry with a link to where you have blogged about this giveaway, 1 entry with your Twitter name if you have tweeted about this giveaway.
4) One winner will be chosen at random (using Random.org) and announced on Monday morning, May 3rd.
5) 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 Monday, May 3rd by 10am. If the prize is NOT claimed within 72 hours, the next random winner (using Random.org) will be contacted.

GOOD LUCK!

Little Maven Fall '10 Preview

You know I'm a big fan of little maven by Tori Spelling. So I was excited to see these photos from the upcoming Fall 2010 collections. I love that striped blue and black cardigan Tori's son Liam is wearing. Boys' styles go up to size 7 (hooray) and girls' styles go up to 6x (too small for my almost-7-year-old). Can't wait to all of these in person. To keep up with the latest Little Maven news, bookmark its blog.

Mother's Day Giveaway #1 Winner: Minted.com

Congratulations to Anonymous (entry #26 chosen by Random.org), who wrote, "I really liked bzzzzz with the bee--my husband and I are beekeepers! I also loved the modern nature stationery. All the designs are so great it is hard to pick just one!" Please e-mail me before 10am today to claim your prize.

Remember, ALL other Mother's Day giveaways have entry deadlines of this Sunday, May 2nd at 11:59pm EST. Winners will be announced on Monday morning. Keep scrolling down to enter the other giveaways!

Bargain Alert: Free Mother's Day Card from Tiny Prints Greetings

Here's a fun freebie...from now until Saturday, May 1st, you can choose, personalize and send your very own stylish, customized Mother's Day card via Tiny Prints's new Tiny Prints Greetings division. Just choose from any one of the designs, add a photo and greeting if you wish, and even have it sent out for you, all with the click of a mouse. The cards are printed on heavy matte paper (no photo paper here) and are mailed super fast, within 24 hours. You can pay per card (starting at $1.99 per card) or- even better- sign up for a membership plan that is FREE for the 1st year. Yes, free for the first year...all you'll have to pay for is postage, if you choose to have Tiny Prints mail them for you! It's a great deal and I just joined myself. Check it out at Tiny Prints Greetings.

p.s. Just made my first free card, for my own mom for Mother's Day, using a photo of R. and S. Turned out so cute!

Mother's Day Giveaway #3: Catstudio Geography Pillows (FIVE WINNERS!)

I was contacted recently by Catstudio, a unique design shop whose Geography Collection I have long admired (ever since I spotted it in the Uncommon Goods catalog). They make hand-embroidered pillows, aprons, totes and trays featuring whimsical illustrations of the favorite places you have been to (or hope to visit)- across the U.S. and beyond. The pillows ($155 apiece) are a best-selling item for Catstudio. People snap these up as wedding gifts, anniversary gifts, and hostess gifts; they are perfect for remembering a honeymoon, hometown, or special destination. They are fun, colorful, sentimental, and educational all at once.





These are no ordinary pillows. Many hours of research and handiwork go into each design. Each city, state, region or country is thoroughly researched before being turned into a sketch ("locals" are consulted to make sure the designers make smart choices in which landmarks to include- or not). Each pillow is embroidered entirely by hand. What results is an heirloom quality collectible- I received the New York City pillow and I know it will stay in my family for generations (it is already a collectible- it shows "Shea Stadium" instead of Citi Field!)

For our 3rd giveaway of the week, FIVE winners will be lucky enough to receive a Geography pillow of choice (pending availability). Each of these pillows retails for $155.


Win it! FIVE READERS will win their choice (pending availability) of a Geography pillow from Catstudio. Here are the contest rules (they have changed a bit- please read carefully!) Remember that you can enter as many of this week's giveaways as you'd like now from now until Sunday, May 2nd at 11:59pm EST. Winners will be chosen by Random.org and announced on Monday morning, May 3rd (with the exception of the Minted.com giveaway whose deadline is tonight; that winner will be announced tomorrow, Thurs. April 29th).

1) Visit Catstudio and then leave a comment here about which Geography pillow you'd choose. Leave your comment on THIS post (click on "comments" below).
2) Post your comment by 11:59pm EST on Sunday, May 2nd. You may leave an extra entry if you are newsletter subscriber (please mention that you are a subscriber, or leave your e-mail address to subscribe). US addresses only, please.
3) FIVE WINNERS will be chosen at random (using Random.org) and announced on Monday morning, May 3rd.
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 Monday, May 3rd by 10am. If the prize is NOT claimed within 72 hours, the next random winner (using Random.org) will be contacted.

GOOD LUCK!

Wordless Wednesday

Empire State Building, yesterday 11:15am.

This May Be Your Lucky Week

Just a reminder to enter our 1st Mother's Day Giveaway ($92 worth of gorgeous personalized stationery for mom by Minted.com), by 11:59 EST tonight. The winner will be chosen by Random.org and announced tomorrow morning at 8am. And, if you don't win, don't worry. Minted.com has another sweet deal for you- a free upgrade to 2nd day shipping for all personalized stationery orders of $50 or more. Use code "MDAYTWO" today or tomorrow.

Click here to enter the giveaway (please leave your entries at the original post, not here), and remember that all of of our other Mother's Day giveaways (yesterday's Reisenthel motherchildbag giveaway, and three more giveaways still to be posted) have an entry deadline of Sunday night, May 2nd. Good luck!

The Mini Social

As promised, I have another "flash sale" site for kids/moms to introduce to you. It's called The Mini Social and it is similar to my beloved Zulily- it is a private, members-only online boutique that gives you access to the most hip and modern designer brands for mom, baby and child, all at up to 60% off. Personally, I have bought items including Little Maven clothing and MD Moms sunscreen wipes there for my kids at deep discounts here. Not a member of The Mini Social yet? Click here for your invitation link. Once you're a member, you'll also be eligible to receive a $10 credit to your account each time you refer a friend and they make a purchase! And, trust me, you'll want to be banking those "points" when you see the new threads on sale every few days. Some of the items you can nab right now include (top to bottom): Sophie Catalou smocked dress ($32, reduced from $58); Tiny Revolutionary "Drive a Hydbrid" tee ($11, reduced from $25); Uncle Goose count and stack blocks ($14, reduced from $22); Me in Mind Charlie Metallic Shoe ($12, reduced from $24). Once you're a member, you'll get e-mail reminders about upcoming sales- at any given time, there is clothing, toys, accessories and more.

Shop and save (and bookmark) The Mini Social!

Now through Monday, May 3rd, you'll get $10 off your order of $50 or more (enter code "SPRING10" at checkout, one-time use per customer)at The Mini Social. Also, invite your friends to join and you'll get a $10 credit to your account when they make their first purchase.

Mother's Day Giveaway #2: Motherchildbag by reisenthel

This past February, I posted about this very clever motherchildbag by reisenthel that caught my eye at the New York International Gift Fair. I'm not surprised that this product has taken off- I'm seeing it on tons of other blogs and online boutiques (where it is often sold out) since that time. So I am very happy that we have nabbed one to offer as our 2nd giveaway this week.




The bag is not only eye-catching (love the graphics; they remind me of my calling cards), but also supremely practical. It has an extra handle for Junior to hold onto so that Mom (or Dad) can keep both of their hands free for carrying groceries, a younger sibling, you name it. And, obviously, it keeps the little ones closer to you and less likely to wander off. Why didn't I think of this? Personally, as a single mom who is always out and about with 2 kids, this would come in quite handy (pun intended). I wish it had another handle for another kid! For now, my belt loops will do.

The motherchildbag is made of sturdy tear-proof polyester fabric, has handy inner pockets, and can tote up to 30 lbs. The winner will be able to choose from among four colors (pending availability): kiwi green, navy blue, red, or sand. The bag retails for $19.99 (it's sold out in many places but still available at Touch of Europe). And one last tidbit, which is especially meaningful for Mother's Day: for each bag purchased, reisenthal will donate 1 Euro to selected children's day care facilities in Germany (where reisenthel is based).


Win it! One reader will win their choice (pending availability) of motherchildbag by reisenthel. Here are the contest rules (they have changed a bit- please read carefully!) Remember that you can enter as many of this week's giveaways as you'd like now from now until Sunday, May 2nd at 11:59pm EST. Winners will be chosen by Random.org and announced on Monday morning, May 3rd (with the exception of the Minted.com giveaway whose deadline is Wed. April 28th; that winner will be announced on Thurs. April 29th).

1) Visit reisenthel's U.S. site and then leave a comment here about your favorite reisenthel product (it need not be the giveaway item). Leave your comment on THIS post (click on "comments" below).
2) Post your comment by 11:59pm EST on Sunday, May 2nd.
3) You may leave up to TWO separate entries: 1 comment as described above, and 1 indicating that you have joined the reisenthal Facebook group (not required, but will earn you an extra entry).
4) One winner will be chosen at random (using Random.org) and announced on Monday morning, May 3rd.
5) 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 Monday, May 3rd by 10am. If the prize is NOT claimed within 72 hours, the next random winner (using Random.org) will be contacted.

GOOD LUCK!

The Lilly Things in Life

I met the people at Lifeguard Press at a trade show, and was very happy to receive some sample Lilly Pulitzer stationery items from them recently. One was this Pen Patchtastic Ink Pen decorated in a signature Lilly pattern and housed in a pretty gift box. It is perhaps the nicest pen I own right now- and looks great, too- which may be why my pink-crazed 6-year-old daughter has stolen it (I found it stored in her desk). Buy one for your own mother (or daughter) at Lifeguard Press, where they're on sale (this week only) for $19.95.

Mother's Day Giveaway #1: Personalized Stationery by Minted.com

Welcome to Mother's Day Giveaway Week at MyMomShops! Each day through Friday, we'll offer a fantastic prize for one lucky mom (or grandma, or aunt, or friend, or babysitter...). You can enter as many of the giveaways as you want between now and Sunday 5/2 at midnight EST; the winners will all be chosen by Random.org and then announced on Monday morning 5/3. However, this very first giveaway- from Minted.com- has an entry deadline of this Wednesday 4/28 at 11:59pm EST (the winner will be announced on Thursday 4/29 at 8am EST). More details and contest rules appear below.



Let's get started! Our first giveaway is 50 beautiful personalized notecards from popular stationery site Minted.com (you may remember them from holiday photo card season last year). Minted is popular year-round, though, for its stationery gifts, including these wonderful new photo and non-photo stationery cards which are perfect Mother's Day gifts. One thing that sets Minted apart from the other stationery sites is that its designs are created by independent artists who compete to have their work featured at Minted. You get more unusual, eye-catching designs than you'll find on other stationery sites, but everything remains top-notch and elegant. You'll have a hard time finding a design that you don't like.

The giveaway winner will be able to choose a set of 50 cards, either photo stationery thank you cards or non-photo Mother's Day stationery. Here are a few of my personal favorites (prices start around $35 for 15 cards and include a white gift box; the winner will receive 50 cards valued up to $92 total):

Modern Mommy Photo Stationery Cards (design by Annie Clark, San Francisco CA)


Lemon Lace Personalized Stationery (design by Laura Hankins, Waipahu HI)


Side Street Personalized Stationery (design by Andres Montano, San Francisco CA)


Maura Personalized Stationery (design by Sarah Lenger, Iowa City IA)


Sticky Tape Photo Stationery Cards (design by unless someone like you, Oak Park, IL)


Shabby She Personalized Stationery by Andres Montano:

And keep in mind some other sweet deals from Minted:

1) NOW: Minted is offering 10% off Mother's Day stationery gift purchases of $50 or more. Use coupon code "MDAY2010" and hurry- it expires midnight tonight!

2) LATER: Take a few minutes to fill out this survey about holiday cards (it just takes a few minutes, I promise- I did it myself) and you'll receive a coupon code for 15% off any flat-printed products at Minted. The coupon doesn't expire until Thanksgiving Day, which means you can use it for a big holiday card order if you plan ahead!


Win it! One reader will win their choice of 50 personalized stationery cards (design of choice, up to $92 in value) from Minted.com.

Here are the contest rules (they have changed a bit- please read carefully!)

1) Visit Minted and then leave a comment here about your favorite Minted personal stationery design. Leave your comment on THIS post (click on "comments" below).
2) Post your comment by 11:59pm EST, this Wednesday 4/28.
3) You may leave up to 3 separate entries- 1 entry with a comment as described in #1, 1 entry with a link to where you have blogged about this giveaway, 1 entry with your Twitter name if you have tweeted about this giveaway.
4) One winner will be chosen at random (using Random.org) and announced on Thursday 4/29 at 8am EST.
5) 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 4/29 before 10am EST. If the prize is NOT claimed by 10am, the next random winner (using Random.org) will be contacted. We are doing a quick turnaround on this giveaway so that the winner can have her cards in time for Mother's Day!

GOOD LUCK!

Raffle for Liam

Before I kick off this week of Mother's Day giveaways with a fantastic stationery giveaway from Minted.com later this morning, I wanted to post about another contest that includes stationery, but is about so much more than winning "stuff."

On Twitter, via Crow & Canary, I read about A Raffle for Liam, hosted by Liam's mom, Lynn Russell, the designer and printer behind Satsuma Press. For stationery philes like me (who will soon descend on the Javits Center), Satsuma Press is a well-known letterpress and design studio. I never knew the name of the woman who owns it, or the fact that she has a six-year-old son who has a neuromuscular disorder called Spinal Muscular Atrophy. It's another example of how you don't always know the "real" story behind someone online (I've learned this each time a reader has e-mailed me to say they didn't realize I was divorced mom or raising a child with special needs). So, not only is Lynn a talented artist and business owner, but she is an awesome mother to this gorgeous boy (check out his photos here). I am really impressed with this letter about Liam which she wrote for his kindergarten teacher to distribute to his classmates parents. It's all about his condition and what it does- and does not- mean.

A Raffle for Liam is raising money to help Lynn's family remodel a bathroom in their home for Liam this summer. There are over four dozen prizes- ranging from stationery to jewelry to housewares- from talented artists and studios, including Enormous Champion, Lauren Haupt Jewelry, Modaspia, Paperfinger, Pigeon Toe Ceramics, Pistachio Press, Shim + Sons, Skinny Laminx, Sycamore Street Press, Tokketok, and Twigs + Honey. Raffle tickets are modestly priced at $15 for one; $25 for two; $50 for five. Come on, buy a few.

There has been a lot of derision recently about moms in the blogosphere (see The New York Times' much-discussed piece "Honey, Don't Bother Mommy. I'm Too Busy With My Blog and Building My Brand"). But raffles like these show what it's really all about. I am glad that top parenting bloggers (including Alpha Mom's Isabel Kallman and Mom 101's Liz Gumbinner, both of whom I'm lucky to know personally) have eloquently explained that most moms blog NOT to get free stuff at "bloggy boot camps", but to be part of a larger community that helps sustain its member through thick and through thin. The raffle for Liam is just one of many examples of blogging and "tweeting" done right.

Which is why I am very glad to be writing this blog, because not only do I indeed get to tell you about cute stuff to buy for your kids, but I also have been able to grow an audience that I know, like me, is eager to help spreading a little bit of sunshine- and lots of hope- around.

You can buy raffle tickets here now through May 9th. Please spread the word!

Mama Bird

Note: This is a repost from June 2008. I wore this necklace all weekend and got so many compliments on it. It's a definite winner as a Mother's Day gift!

Oh, this Nestlings Necklace by Figs & Ginger is so sweet. A unique take on a mother's necklace, it features charming little birds perched happily next to their mom. You can add up to 4 Baby Birds (prices start at $70 for the necklace + 1 baby bird). Love it. It's handmade by Figs & Ginger, a husband-and-wife team who handmake simple, eco-friendly jewelry.

Mother's Day Gift Picks: Part 2

As promised, here are 10 more of my favorite Mother's Day gift ideas, including lots of sunny stuff:

Avon Carry Me Away Handbag ($29.99). I had a winter handbag from Avon and even my fashionista friends complimented me on it. Sunny style, super cheap.

Eleni's Happy Mother's Day Cookie Set ($58 for set of 15 cookies). They actually taste as good as they look.


"With a Twist" Coasters ($18) by Kate Spade for Barnes & Noble. Sunny and adorable. Get mom a drink, will ya?


Set of 3 monogrammed bud vases ($39) from Williams Sonoma. Very elegant. You'd better buy flowers with these, too.


Organic Cindilina Dress and Matchy Cindia Mama Dress ($48 and $56) by MamaOm in Mora at Happy Chickadee. Some people don't like mother/daughter clothing- but this may change their minds!


Canvas On Demand will send a 16 x 20" canvas ($112 value) for free to any mom or wife of a deployed service member. Go to Operation Hi Mom/Hi Honey to register and upload a photo. What a lovely idea.

In Style gift subscription ($19.50 for 1 year). Have you ever met a mom who doesn't enjoy reading In Style?.

Sex and the City: The Complete Series on DVD ($115.99). The 2nd SATC movie hits theaters this May. Let Mom enjoy this marathon beforehand (or buy the first movie here to catch up)


"Mom's Nest" Set of 3 name stones in nest ($38) by San Jose Engraving at Etsy. Available in fewer or more stones, depending on how many little birds you have.

Personalized Photo Envelope ($69) from Room Service Home. Give a new mom an elegant way to carry around photos of her baby.

See lots more Mother's Day gift picks here.