What a 4-Year-Old Boy Loves

I've learned that having kids whose birthdays are twelve days apart doesn't leave much breathing room (or time for thank-you notes, which I always like to send out punctually, but send out later and later each year). Now both kids' birthdays have passed, but I am still finishing up thank you notes for both. Here were some of S's favorite gifts (in addition to the Fisher Price Imaginext DC Batcave), which I think all are good recommendations for little boys under age 5:

International Playthings Lift-off Rocket ($34.95 at Genius Babies). S. and R. fight over whose turn it is to play the "liftoff sequence." My sister gave this to S. paired with Byron Barton's I Want to Be an Astronaut ($6.99 at Amazon.com). (Thanks, E.!)


Tomy Pop-Up Pirate Game($11.99 at Amazon.com). S. squeals just as much each time the pirate pops up- even for the 1000th time. (Thanks, Jonah!)


Automoblox T9 Truck ($34.99 at Target.com). S. adores his blue Automoblox car, so I was touched when R. asked if she could buy him a green one, too, for his birthday. Now he plays with his "blue guys" and "green guys" (the little peg people) together. (Thanks, R.!)

Mega Bloks Yo Gabba Gabba Plex's Tour Buggy ($25.99 at Amazon.com). A perfect gift for the boy who had a YGG-themed 4th birthday party. (Thanks, Ronnie & Michael!)



Do you have a son aged 4 (or thereabouts)? What are some of his favorite toys?

Hugs and Kisses at School

Oh, I love these "Ruby" shoes from See Kai Run. Super cute for a first day of preschool. The red leather rubber-soled shoes have black piping and straps with hook-and-loop velcro closure. Insanely adorable. Sizes 3-9, $40 at See Kai Run.

Mabel's Labels Giveaway Winners

Congratulations to entry #32 (Jen @Bling-Baby who wrote, "Tweeted about Mabel's Labels") and and entry #16 (Some Lucky Dog who wrote, "I like the Date Mates labels"), selected by Random.org to win $21 gift packages to Mabel's Labels. I will be e-mailing each of the winners shortly with their gift certificate codes. Everyone else, check back soon for more giveaways of swag from BlogHer '10.

Bargain Alert: Free Hardcover Photo Book from Picaboo

I always find great deals via a fellow frugalista on Twitter, Moms Who Save. I have to thank her for this awesome find: a 20-page Hardcover Photo Keepsake Book ($39.99) from Picaboo that you can get absolutely free (you just pay a few bucks for shipping). Such a fabulous bargain and perfectly timed to make a keepsake book of your summer vacation. Click over to Moms Who Save to get more info. on this special deal...but hurry, it expires on August 31st.

MyMomShops Giveaway, BlogHer Swag Part 1: Mabel's Labels

As promised, I have some BlogHer '10 swag to share with you.

First up, I've got two (2) gift certificates which each entitle one winner to a FREE pack of Mabel's Labels' famous Colourful Label Out Loud Sticky Labels (retail value $21). These are Mabel's newest designs in bright, fun colors and new designs; my own kids got these for camp these past summer and they worked great on everything from clothing to water bottles to shoes (your pack will include an assortment of different shape and size labels). Perfect for back-to-school season.


Here's the thing. These gift certificates are valid through tomorrow night (Tuesday, August 31st) only. So I'm conducting this giveaway quickly, and a little differently. Please read the rules below carefully.

To enter this contest:

1) Please leave a comment below (click on "comments") indicating what your favorite product is from Mabel's Labels is.
2) You may leave up to THREE entries- one regular entry (as described above), one entry indicating that you have tweeted this giveaway (please leave your Twitter name), and one entry indicating that you have blogged about this giveaway (please provide a link). You MUST include a valid e-mail address or I can not contact you with the gift certificate code if you win!
3) The two winners will be chosen randomly.
4) This giveaway is open to U.S. AND Canadian residents. Yippee!!!
5) You must enter by 12 midnight tonight, EST. A winner will be announced (and notified) at 8am tomorrow morning, August 31st. Then you must use your gift certificate by midnight EST that same night. Got it? Good!

Good luck!!!

Playtime New York Roundup: Part 2

I'm back from vacation and busy catching up. Thanks for bearing with me while I finish up my posts about Playtime New York and BlogHer '10. Here are some more of my top kids' finds from the former (and check back later today for a giveaway from the latter):

I was so excited to meet the team behind Soft Clothing (also one of our new affiliates). Remember I mentioned this company earlier this summer when they had a sale at Totsy? I had heard about Soft Clothing several months ago from one of my son's Early Intervention therapists; she told me that some women had created this fantastic new clothing line specifically to meet the needs of children with sensory problems (such as children who have "tactile defensiveness" in which the feel of clothing tags may be unbearable to them). The clothing is all tagless, flat-seamed, and, yes, very soft. Plus it goes up to size 7/8- since sensory difficulties may not always have disappeared by that age/size. Take a look at some of their products, including cute graphic tees and color block dresses. (p.s. I may be working with this brand some more...a trunk show, perhaps? Stay tuned).




Next is Kit and Lili, a brand which I first met at the indie Bubble trade show a few years ago. It has soared to success since then; you may recognize their clothing and accessories from other shops and catalogs such as Chasing Fireflies. Their bold, modern Marimekko-inspired designs are winners with both moms and kids. And, we may have a giveaway with them soon. See, lots of good news when I disappear on vacation for a little while!



Ready for unbelievable cuteness? Check out Little Mave, which bills itself as "vintage inspired pretties for babies and girls." If you've got a little girl to spoil, you must check out these beautiful hand-made ruffled diaper covers ($28, up to size 24 months) and bloomers ($36, up to size 6).


It is always a pleasure running into the folks at 3 Sprouts, another designer I met early on who has now enjoyed success with retaukers like Giggle and The Company Store. New this season: organic hanging wall organizers, and eco-friendly art smocks (please note the prices in the photos are wholesale; the smock costs $24 at Giggle).


Playtime was a debut trade show for SoYoung Mother, a company that makes eco-friendly "lifestyle" bags for moms & kids, including diaper bags and lunch bags. (Apologies- from this point on I accidentally deleted the photos I took, so I grabbed the remaining photos from the designers' own sites)


Feast your eyes on these gorgeous handmade goodies for kids by clemence g., a designer who hails from, bien sur, Paris. You can buy their lovelies stateside from time to time at Comptoir D'en France.

Last but not least, I was introduced to Bequita, a children's clothing designer with products for ages 6 months to 6 years. The designer, Rebecca Bardes, was inspired by time she spent volunteering in China and uses signature details such as hand-drawn fabric prints, Chinese knot closures, and mandarin collars. So pretty, and made with certified 100% organic cotton, too.


Missed Part 1 of my Playtime New York Roundup? You can read it here.

Back-to-School at Layla Grayce

Our affiliate Layla Grayce is running a special on all of its Back to School products (see coupon code below). This includes Skip Hop's popular new "Owl" design for its toddler backpack, which I've spotted in a bunch of fall magazines. Love this one. The toddler packs are the perfect size for preschoolers (10 x 11.5") and are completely BPA-Free, Phthalate-free, and PVC Free. There's a matching lunchpack, too, if you can stand the cuteness. Order one for $20 at Layla Grayce.


Enjoy a 10% discount on all back-to-school items at Layla Grayce with code "BACK4FALL" now through August 31st.

Want More Children's Place Coupons?

I have more coupons for The Children's Place, where I just ordered S. these cool metro lace-up sneakers ($22.50) that are selling out fast. I have four coupons left (each one gives you 15% off any online order, no minimum order necessary, through midnight tonight only), so if you want one please e-mail me with "coupon" in the subject line ASAP.

Note: if you plan to spend $50 or more on one order, use the coupon codes currently on The Children's Place homepage instead, which will give you even bigger discounts, up to 30% off.

Handmade/Indie Back to School Finds

Just popping in from vacation to encourage you to check out my guest post today at Indie Fixx, a wonderful blog that I have long admired that features all beautiful things handmade and indie. I blogged for Indie Fixx about some great independent back-to-school finds for the younger set. Check it out.

I'll be back to regular posting next Monday, with a fun giveaway (actually, several) of BlogHer '10 swag. In the meantime, I'm posting some awesome end-of-summer and early-fall coupon codes and such on Twitter, so you can get your fix there.

Grandma Goes Shopping

My mom recently hit some outlet stores (Carter's, Osh Kosh, and Children's Place) and came back with lots of Fall basics for the kids (socks, tights, tees, etc.) Which is a good thing, since both kids had growth spurts this summer and even their socks barely fit (can you believe that both my 7-year-old girl and her 4-year-old brother wear a size 1 shoe?) I'm thrilled with everything Grandma bought, but I think that R. will like this purchase the best- a Faux-Layer Houndstooth Dress from The Children's Place's new "Plaid to Rock" collection. It's actually only available online or in the outlet stores (not in-store), so snap it up fast (it's available in black, too) at ChildrensPlace.com ($14.98 in sizes 4-14).

Thanks for the goodies, Grandma!

Psst! I've got one online coupon code left for 15% off your entire purchase at ChildrensPlace.com, valid now through August 28th. Want it? E-mail me with "Children's Place" in the subject line, and I'll send it to the 1st person to respond. Enjoy!

Beach Bound

I'm headed to the beach with the kids for a week, so I'll be posting lite...probably every few days between now and next Monday, August 31st (when I will be giving away some great BlogHer '10 swag...so check back then). In the meantime, here are some items I've bookmarked for myself to read; I hope you find them worth a click and a read, too:

"I Tweet, Therefore I Am". A New York Times magazine essay by Peggy Orenstein which, for better or worse, "gets" the narcissism that can be involved in tweeting one's every move. I think she nails it.

The Best Mad Men Parodies on the Web. My favorite one: "I know who you are. You’re not Dan Draperberg. You’re Dovid Drapergowitzenstienhoff.”

Clothing line little maven by Tori Spelling turns 1 year old. If you're a Tori fan like I am, you'll enjoy these recent photos of her with Liam and Stella. They are getting so big! And did you notice mom & kids all have the same length hair now?

My sister's book is being published in January. Click on the link to read an excerpt. It's (loosely) based on some family history. And check out her brand new website, too.

I'm guessing many of you will be away this week, too, before we all head back to school- and our usual routines- next week. Hope you enjoy these waning days of summer!

Bargain Alert: The Baby Bunch Boys' Gift Set

I'm always on the lookout for bargain baby gifts at Amazon.com's baby outlet, and I just found a really good one: The Baby Bunch Large Bucket (Blue): 0 to 6 Months. A baby gift that is both beautifully presented and supremely practical, this gift set contains a bib, t-shirt, hat, leggings, onesie, and two pairs of socks, all made of soft 100% cotton and styled for a baby boy in various shades of blue and white. The clothes are all generously sized for infants up to six months (or 16 lbs, whichever comes first). What new mom wouldn't love this? And, the regular retail price is $54.95, but it's on sale at Amazon for just $27 (a savings of 51%). So you'll be giving a very nice gift without spending a fortune. Buy one (or two) now at Amazon.com for the next baby boy you'll need to spoil with a special gift.

Personalized Masterpieces

My friend Cathe at Feterie e-mailed to tell me about this great back-to-school product that the shop has just introduced. It's a Retro School Drawing Pad. Each standard-sized drawing pad has 53 sheets printed with your little one's name at the bottom in practice "dots" style, so they can sign each masterpiece that they create. It's a gift that will keep giving...just think of all the finished products you can send along to the grandparents! It costs $25.50 (includes personalization) at Feterie.

What a (7 Year Old) Girl Wants

When you have a 7-year-old, you learn quite quickly what The Next Big Thing is in the toy world. I heard about Silly Bandz well before they turned into T-shirts, and this summer (via R., of course) I started hearing the buzz about something else...the buzz of the little Hexbugs. I still can't exactly describe what they are other than "micro robotic creatures" so I will refer you to the Hexbug website instead for product specs. The important thing that *you* will need to know is that your 7-year-old will probably want one. Soon. And if, like mine, they insist that it be a certain color (nope, "assorted colors" is not acceptable to some), you will have to purchase a pink Nano Hexbug on Ebay ($9) like I did so that there are no tears.

p.s. Warning- it arrived and it is fairly creepy. If you startle easily at the sight of something small scurrying around on the floor in your peripheral vision, you won't like this toy very much. The kids, of course, LOVE it.

Personalized Birthday Plates

R. had a wonderful birthday (thanks everyone for your well wishes). I forgot to mention that this morning (as well as on S's birthday 12 days earlier), both kids enjoyed their breakfasts on the hand-painted ceramic plates shown above. They got these last year as homemade birthday gifts from my best friend/college roommate and her kids (then ages 8, 6, and 4) who made them especially for R. and S. at The Kids' Place, an arts & crafts studio in Needham, MA. Isn't this a thoughtful gift? I've seen personalized birthday plates for kids before, but never thought to buy them, and I think these are much more meaningful. I was really touched that my best friend's children took the time and precision (down to hairstyle and eye color) to make these for my little ones. I know we will enjoy them for many birthdays to come!

Thanks H, S, and A!

My Girl, Age 7

R. turns 7 years old today. There is so much I could say about her, and about the experience of raising her. But it's "too much" to share here.

What I can tell you is that she is smart and strong-willed, just like her namesake (my late grandmother). And that at the tender age of 7, she has faced more "real" issues than many adults have. Sometimes, her insights stop me in my tracks. Recently while we were playing Freeze Dance, she told me, "Remember, Mommy, it's not about the 'outs'. It's about the music."

Happy birthday to my first baby. I hope you always hear the prettiest melodies playing. Love, Mommy

Photograph by Jason Lindberg.

BlogHer '10 Part 3: The Goods

Besides learning and networking, BlogHer '10 was about products- especially products for moms and kids. Companies exhibited and handed out tons of new items ranging from baby gear to beauty products. Here were some items that I liked the best (where applicable, I noted what I received personally):

Fisher Price Little People Wheels Stand 'n Play Rampway ($39.99 at Toys R Us). It's big, yes (2 feet tall), but how much fun does this look?


Playskool Weebles 2-Packs ($6.96 at Walmart). There's bigger than I remember them, but they still take me back to the 1970s (Remember the jingle: "Weebles Wobble, But They Don't Fall Down!"). I got a pack for R & S, and also one to donate.

Acclaimed children's author/illustrator Todd Parr was on hand to promote his new, limited edition book "Let's Fix Dinner!" ($7.99) in collaboration with Stouffer's.

Inside one of the "swag bags", I received this Vemayca cosmetic bag ($35). It's a super soft, luxurious fabric cosmetic bag with removable liner and it is perfect for weekend getaways.


Remember I told you about the elegant Ralph Lauren event I went to during BlogHer? We learned all about "RL Gang", a virtual storybook (narrated by Harry Connick Jr.) which combines narrative and shopping and launched just this week. We each got a copy of the hardcover storybook, too.


My favorite item of all was this Vera Bradley Very Berry Paisley Tote ($46). I've already received so many compliments on it. It is the 1st Vera Bradley bag I have ever owned.


There were also a lot products given out for infants and new moms. Since I'm out of that stage, I collected my products and samples together and packed them up in this iCandy Lifestyle Changing Bag ($57.99)--which I got at an event hosted by Mom Trends--so that I could donate them. I included new Fisher Price Happy Days & Nights diapers, Lansinoh diaper rash ointment, and Downy detergent, among other items. This week, I'll be delivering them to Inwood House in my neighborhood, where they can be used by teen moms learning how to take care of themselves and their babies.


Finally, dear readers, I have some fun stuff to give away to YOU!!! Yes, I have stashed some swag to include in some giveaways at this blog. That will take place in another week or so; if you want to be alerted when the giveaway(s) has been posted, e-mail me with "newsletter" in the subject line.

Thanks so much to the BlogHer '10 sponsors, exhibitors, and vendors for introducing us to all of these new products. And my daughter (who turns 7 today!) thanks you especially for the Mint Fudge Creme Oreos and Extra Dessert Delights Sugarfree Gum.

Wordless Wednesday: Where Am I?

Where is this bridge? (No, seriously. Where? I have no idea where I was when I took this during a long ferry ride).

Friends & Family Discount at Gymboree

Take advantage of Gymboree's current "Friends & Family" promotion to save 30% on all items, including brand-new fall collections. For baby girls, I like this "Polka Dot Ride" outfit (before the discount: cardigan $29.75, bodysuit $14.75, velveteen jumper $29.75). (Oh, and if you happen to need uniform skirts for your daughter, we swear by Gymboree's navy pull-on skorts).

Get 30% off your entire Gymboree order with code "REWARDSCOF" now through 8/22.

New York State of Mind

I moved to New York City sixteen years ago today, August 18, 1994. My first apartment had a Jennifer convertible sofabed, a card table, a mattress, an empty refrigerator, and a clunky princess phone. No computer, no e-mail, no cell phone (just a roll of quarters for the pay phone downstairs). That year in New York City, Rudy Guiliani was the (relatively new) mayor, a quick cab ride cost only $3, and there were no Metrocards (tokens only, please). I was two months into my first post-college job as a curatorial assistant at the Whitney Museum, and I slowly built a new social life while my college boyfriend and I were "on a break." I was 21 years old. It is hard to believe that I felt "old" at the time. Ha!

That first year out of college is a special one no matter which city you're in, I'm sure, but personally I think it is even more exquisitely experienced in New York City, where, like it or not, you're going to "live a little" in every possibly way. New York bombards you with people, places, experiences, sights, sounds, and smells 24/7. It's overwhelming at first, but it gives you a lot of fun stuff to recall later on. I look back at that time in my life with sweet nostalgia.

If you're a New Yorker and know what I mean, you should check out this book My First New York: Early Adventures in the Big City (As Remembered by Actors, Artists, Athletes, Chefs, Comedians, Filmmakers, Mayors, Models, Moguls, Porn Stars, Rockers, Writers, and Others). I flipped through it in a bookstore several months ago and I loved it. There is something so wonderful (and, to use a cliche, "so New York") about recognizing the same feelings experienced by contributors including Amy Sedaris, Andy Samberg, Chloe Sevigny, Kara Walker, and Parker Posey. The trepidation, the panic, and eventually the love affair that (often) sets in between you and this great big town.

My fellow New York City readers, how long have you lived here?

The Only Thing Cuter than a Diapered Baby...

...is a baby wearing a monogrammed diaper. You know that "customized" diapers are all the rage now (I reported on the Huggies jeans diapers and Cynthia Rowley diapers for Target). But these Designer Diapers with Initials at Baby Chix are, by far, the cutest entry in the category. Are these the ultimate new add-on baby gift or what? Sure, they cost $1.50 per diaper (one size only, 8-14 lbs), but buy one or two of them to include as part of a gift package and the new mom will be thrilled. Imagine the photo ops! Buy them in pink or blue at Baby Chix.

Preview: Liz Claiborne for JCPenney

A few weeks ago, I got an exclusive sneek preview of the new clothing line Liz Claiborne for JCPenney (JCPenney is now Liz Claiborne's exclusive distributor- learn more about that here). As someone who used to buy Liz Claiborne clothing for work sometimes (my office was down the street from its former store at 5th Avenue/52nd Street), I was curious to see how the new designs. I liked them. The pieces are smart, stylish, and well-priced, and I love the accessories, too, such as the handbag and monogrammed compact mirror shown above. You can buy Liz Claiborne for JCPenney now at the new JCP store in Manhattan on 6th Avenue/33rd Street, or online at JCPenney.com.

Psst! In a few weeks we'll have a giveaway of a new Fall outfit, head-to-toe, by Liz Claiborne for JCPenney. E-mail subscribers will be notified when the giveaway is posted; if you'd like to be notified about this and other giveaways, just e-mail me with "newsletter" in the subject line.

BlogHer '10 Part 2: Expert Advice

With all the frenzy around BlogHer '10 events and parties, one could have forgotten that it was an actual conference where you sharpen your professional skills. As rushed as the weekend was, I am glad that I got to attend several panel discussions/workshops about topics of interest to me, such as blogging about special needs, or how to improve your blog design. I'm going to focus this post on the latter, since I think that everyone enjoys reading tips from the experts about how to make their blog look as fantastic as possible. Here's what I learned from two amazing bloggers: Grace Bonney from Design Sponge and Gabby Blair (whom I've had the pleasure of meeting several times before) from Design Mom:

1. You MUST invest time, energy, and, yes, money into your blog design. If you want your blog to stand out, it has to look really, really good.
2. Good blog design will cost you, but don't be scared to shop around for bids. Make sure you hire a designer who feels like a good fit and has good references. Go with your gut.
3. Match your Twitter background to your blog so that people will easily recognize your "brand" (Note to self: must do this).
4. Know your audience. Is your blog mostly aimed at women? Women prefer soft, curvier blog design than men, who prefer straight lines (add your own jokes here).
5. Don't go overboard with graphics, fonts, or anything else. There is nothing worse than a blog that looks like a jumbled mess.
6. Know what areas of your site are most "used" (if you use Google analytics, check the area called "heat mapping"). You can see which areas are most popular and make those most visible/user-friendly.
7. Anticipate what basic information visitors want to access quickly, such as contact info. Make it plainly visible on your site (Hear, hear! Drives me bonkers when I can't find this on someone's site. Must make it more clear on my own, too.)

There's more, but that's some of the most important stuff I gleaned. The panel wasn't long (maybe an hour? I can't remember) but it was chock full of SO MUCH helpful information from two bloggers whose work I really admire. If you want you can read the entire transcript of the Good Blog Design session over at the BlogHer site.

Thanks, Grace and Gabby, for the helpful tips!

Photo courtesy of Kate McNeil.

And We're Back

Thanks all for waiting patiently while I took my week off and enjoyed scenery like this. Check back often this week because I have lots of fun stuff to show you, and news to share, too!

p.s. Also remember to follow me on Twitter where I'll be posting lots of late-breaking shopping finds and coupon codes.