MyMomShops Sponsor: Egg2Cake

I am proud to re-introduce you to our latest sponsor, Egg2Cake, a company I first discovered at the 2010 stationery show. Since Egg2Cake's tagline is "playful paper goods for making merry memories," it's not surprising that I (a self-professed stationery and keepsake junkie) love its products. The company was started by two moms and best friends, Jamie Diersing and Kate Blackman, who wanted to celebrate the high (and low) moments of motherhood with fun, quirky products that use wordplay (the punny "Momglish" line), list-keeping/organizing (helpful sticky page markers), and keepsakes ("Mamento" Pregnancy Journal) all to help you celebrate and commemorate that unique time after you become a new parent. These are the kinds of products that work equally well whether you give them as a gift to an expectant or new mom, or as a gift to yourself. Let me show you some of my favorites.

One of Egg2Cake's signature gifts (and a surefire hit at a baby shower) is its Momglish Pocket Dictionary ($12.95). This handy guide will explain a new mom needs to know for her "A.D." (that's After Delivery) life. I like this description of "Wrapture" (no, not the Rapture)--basically, that truth that dawns on every parent at some point that you really could have just given your kid an empty box and wrapping paper without any expensive toy inside.




Another great gift idea (perhaps for when you are visiting bleary-eyed new parents) is this set of Momglish door hangers ($12.95 for set of 4). Which one do you like best?




For memory-keeping, there are plenty of products to help even the most exhausted new mom jot down unforgettable moments (which would otherwise be forgotten in the haze of sleep deprivation). How about keeping this Mamentos Notepad ($7.95) on the kitchen table?


The fun doesn't stop after infancy, though. Check out the entire range of Egg2Cake greeting cards that includes a Happy Half Birthday card ($3) for kids who can't wait 6 more months (or for friends whose birthdays you forgot months ago!) as well as a Daylight Savings sympathy card (boy, can I relate to that one).


Check out all of the goodies--including an upcoming line of entertaining products called "Toast" at Egg2Cake.

Please note that this is a sponsored post. As always, all views expressed here are entirely my own.

The 3000th Post

The blog reaches a milestone today--this is my 3000th post. That's 3000 posts in 4 years, 4 months, or an average of 1.9 posts per day. For those of you who have ever blogged, and struggled to keep up with it, you might be able to appreciate this feat. I used to brush away praise that I got, but today I'll accept it. The blog has survived while I've gone through a separation, divorce proceedings, and raising two children with special needs on my own. Aside from a small handful of guest posts, I have written every single post myself. I've posted nearly every day, and often multiple times a day. It's a lot of work, but it's a labor of love. When I started the blog in January 2007, not only did I not anticipate any of those things, but I also never dreamed the blog would become "anything" (I had about 5 readers back then!). So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you to all of you for reading the blog and for all of the positive feedback you have given to me. It means the world to me.

To celebrate my 3000th post, here are photos of my 2 greatest inspirations. These photos were taken in mid-January 2007, the same week I started the blog. R. is almost 3 1/2 and S. is five months old.

MyMomShops On the Air

If you have a spare 10 minutes or so, and want to listen to me wax rhapsodic about the National Stationery Show and various paper trends (I won't be offended if you don't), go listen to this podcast interview (or just read the transcript) I did with LCI Paper, a Boston-based paper company. You'll hear some tidbits from me about promising new designers, blogger etiquette, and what my 7-year-old daughter thinks about my stationery obsession. Enjoy!

Thanks to Josh Birch of LCI Paper for interviewing me!

Boden Fall 2011 Preview

I know we're all thinking summer now, but, lo and behold, the Fall 2011 Boden Preview just went online. You can pre-order now for August delivery (see coupon code below); this will get you 20% off plus free shipping/returns, plus you'll be assured of the size(s) you need. As always, there's trademark Boden pieces like Hotchpotch T-shirts for girls and Camo Cargos for boys. But I always like to show you what's new, including this cozy girls' two-fer Pet Cardigan (and also, for mom, a fantastic pair of Bloomsbury Lace-Up Boots). Go over to the Boden Fall Preview to see what catches your eye.

You may be able to get the 20% discount (plus free shipping and returns) just by visiting Boden's preview site, or try codes "PRV5" or "PRV4".

Memorial Day 2011

Remember I told you about my own little Etsy shop, Brown Eye Blue? I just updated it with some of my summer photo notecards, including flags (like the East Hampton flag above), beaches, and sunsets. Please go take a look and tell me what you think. Which cards do you like best? I hope to be updating the inventory (and look) of the shop this summer...stay tuned.

p.s. I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day. If you have a moment, check out this non-profit I just learned about called Smiles Over Miles which helps U.S. soldiers abroad send video messages to their families back home. Thank you to all the U.S. soldiers (and military families) for their sacrifices!

From the Archives: Softest Baby Blankie Ever

Editor's note: All weekend long, I'll be posting some of my favorite finds from the blog's archive. Here is a winner of a baby gift--and it's reasonably priced, too. I've been meaning to post about these for a long time. Baby S. received a personalized Angel Dear Security Blankie as part of a baby gift from one of my oldest and dearest friends (thanks, Lauren!). He sleeps with it every night and honestly it is the softest blankie I have ever felt (R. has a different brand of blankie and hers took about 3 years of wear and tear to get that soft). I just love it and think it makes a great baby gift. At The Initial Choice you can select from various blankie styles including a pink poodle, brown dog, green frog, or blue lamb (that's what we have). They cost $18, and embroidery is an extra $9- totally worth it in my opinion to make the gift really special. See all the personalized blankies at The Initial Choice.

From the Archives: Alphabet Mommy Necklaces by Jennifer Fisher

Editor's Note: All weekend long I'll be posting some of my favorite finds from the blog's archives. This necklace by Jennifer Fisher was first posted in November 2008. Since then, Jennifer has added more alphabet-themed designs, so be sure to check out her shop for the latest necklaces.

I just got one of these ABC necklaces by uber-talented jewelry designer (and mom of two) Jennifer Fisher. Inspired by her 4-year-old's enthusiasm for his ABCs, Jennifer created this necklace for both moms and their kids to enjoy. It is sterling silver and can be personalized by highlighting your child's initials in colored resins (your choice of 10 colors)- mine looks so sweet with the "R" and "S" colored right next to each other. If you have another baby you can even send the necklace back to Jennifer to color an additional letter. The necklace is unique and modern while still looking delicate (one of my peeves about modern jewelry is that some of it looks too clunky- but this piece is sized perfectly). The pendant measures 1 1/2” X 1 1/4” and is hung on a 16” brown cotton cord. The basic necklace costs $180; there is an additional cost for customizing the letters ($10 for first letter, $5 for each additional one). This is a seriously gorgeous gift for a modern mom; it is a definite wish list item this holiday season. And even better, Jennifer Fisher is donating a percentage of the profits from the sale of this necklace to children's literacy charities. Check out this necklace and Jennifer's other beautiful designs at her Etsy shop.

From the Archives: Home Depot Toy Tool Box

Editor's Note: All weekend long I'll be posting some of my favorite finds from the archives. This toy was first posted in December 2009. It still costs just $9.99 (with free shipping) at ToysRUs.com, making it a great birthday gift to keep on hand.

My 3-year-old son just got this Home Depot Tool Box as a Hanukkah gift from his speech therapist (thank you, Michelle!) and he LOVES it. During the day, he carries it around and stops to "fix" things- "I fix dat, Mama?" is his oft-repeated question. There are 18-pieces inside the sturdy orange box, including hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, saw, nails, and (S's favorite) a tape measure. It is a great toy for creative play and I think it may become one of my go-to birthday gifts for little boys (or girls). Check it out at Toys R Us, where it costs $9.99 (a great deal).

From the Archives: Birthday Outfits by Liliputians

Editor's Note: We've welcomed so many new readers to MyMomShops recently. This Memorial Day weekend I'll be posting some of my favorite finds from the blog's archives (over four years' worth of posts...almost 3000 of them!). Hope you enjoy them. The first one up is handmade birthday outfits from New York City indie designer Liliputians, first posted in May 2009.


I've ordered my children's birthday party clothes each year from NYC-based Liliputians. Owner/designer Heather Flottman makes the most gorgeous handcrafted sets for boys and girls using colorful, vintage-inspired fabrics and appliques. My kids' birthdays are just a few months away now and for R., I have my eye on this Birthday Circus Birthday Skirt Outfit (sizes 6mos-8, $99). Isn't it adorable? Browse all the birthday and everyday clothing at Liliputians.

p.s. And please allow me to brag...my handsome little boy is pictured on Liliputians' happy customers page in a photo from his 2nd birthday. See if you can find him (hint: he's about 6 rows down, wearing a light blue car shirt, and he has dark blond hair with verrrry blue eyes!)

Summer Sibling Sets

If you have a son and daughter and like to coordinate their clothing sometimes (nothing too cheesy), check out all of the brother/sister clothing at one of my favorite sites, CWD Kids. A bunch of summer items are on sale right now, plus today only you get an extra 20% off (see coupon code below). My pick: Flapdoodles's Peace Sign Swimwear. For girls, there's a rashguard set with bikini bottom (on sale for $23.99; originally $29), and for boys there's a rashguard and trunks (on sale for $35; originally $56). Limited sizes remaining.

Enjoy an additional 20% off your order (even sale items) with code CHWFFY, today only.

From the Archives: Dr. Seuss's My Book About Me

Editor's note: I first suggested this gift in June 2009. And I just bought another copy to give to one of S's friends. First published in the 1960s, "My Book About Me" just gets better with age. R. and I love looking at the copy she filled out 2 years ago. Also, FYI, the price has dropped a bit at Amazon.com- it is now about $9. Stock up for birthdays!

R. and her friends are into a busy spring/summer season of 6th birthday parties, and I'm considering giving some copies of this Dr. Seuss-style My Book About Me as gifts. R. completed her own copy recently (I think it is ideal for ages 4 to 7). On each page the child gets to fill in something like the number of teeth they have "upstairs" or "downstairs", their favorite foods and colors, or more silly questions like how many windows are in their house (R. loved counting that out). There are places where the kids draw or even trace their little hands. It's fun for kids to do, and a very sweet momento for parents to keep. And, it's quite affordable- it costs just $10.17 in hardcover (normally $14.97) at Amazon.com.

25% off at Boden

I know that many of you love Boden so I wanted to make sure you knew that you could get 25% off any order today, plus free shipping (and shipping at Boden is usually a high flat fee of $10). The discount diminishes over the next few days, so shop early for the best deals (and most popular sizes). I just grabbed this Pink Fish Swimsuit (usually $30; today $22) for R. You don't need any coupon codes; the prices will be marked down automatically at checkout. Enjoy!

Label Me Lisa

Regular readers of this blog know that I'm crazy about personalized accessories, so I knew I'd love Label Me Lisa, a new company that makes "personalized totes for the eco-chic girl." But these are not any ordinary personalized gift. There's a catch...the personalization incorporates a pun or wordplay using your name. So the sample that I was sent for my name (Joanna) read: "MoJO". Empowering, right?! A bunch of common names for our generation are already featured at the shop, including "Zen Jen", "Jodilicious", "Roarin' Lauren", and "Que Sarah Sarah." If you don't see yours, you can request a custom name. The totes themselves are basic natural-colored canvas, and good enough to use for errands or going to the gym. My only (minor) complaint is that they aren't deep, so when I put my phone, wallet, keys etc. at the bottom of my tote, the "MoJO" tagline near the bottom disappeared from view as the bag bunched up. Besides that, I think this makes a unique, fun gift for your gal pals, or, of course, for yourself. Buy them for $30 at Label Me Lisa.

I received one product sample for this review. All views expressed are entirely my own.

UPDATED: Label Me Lisa informs me that they are now moving the personalizations up more towards the middle of the bag, eliminating the small glitch I described above. Excellent!

Bargain Alert: Ella Moss 40% off

Today and tomorrow only, you can get 40% off select styles for women, girls, and babies at our affiliate Ella Moss. I've always liked the style of Ella Moss's outfits (similar to Splendid Littles), but not so much the price. So this is a good chance to dig around the site and see if you can find one of these bargains available in your (or your child's) size. My pick: this Bellah Tunic and Legging Set (reduced to $34 from $66-$69; still available in sizes 2T and 4/5). Shop for more spring/summer deals pronto at Ella Moss.

Psst! Even better, they're offering free ground shipping too on all orders!

National Stationery Show 2011: Kid Stuff

I spotted lots of unique stationery products for babies & kids--everything from birth announcements to camp notes--at the National Stationery Show last week. Here are the best ones that I want to share with you (when available, I have included links and prices):

Elum Designs makes these adorably-packaged My First Thank You Notes kits for kids. Maybe, just maybe, this will make writing thank you notes less cumbersome.



A newcomer to the show, "Up Up Creative" (the company was named by the toddler son of founder Julie Green), makes these "Terrible Twos" cards. My favorite is "Dah-Wee" (Sorry) ($4).



Always a favorite at NSS, Brooklyn letterpress shop 9 Spot Monk offers Little Artist color in-cards with crayons ($4.50). A great option for younger kids who can't quite draw a picture on their own yet, but would like to leave their mark.



I know my tween would love these new scented Twisty Stix ($2.99) by International Arrivals, the same company that brought you Smencils.



Framed birth announcement prints are wonderful keepsakes that do double duty as nursery decor. I liked these Baby Wall Announcements by Abbey Malcolm Press.



Looking for some stationery that feels different? Check out "Fabrinery" fabric-backed notecards by HB Designs. Lots of cute designs available for your little boy or girl to choose from.




I used one of these soft linen Baby Photo Albums ($23) by Estelle Billot as a brag book when R. was a newborn. After several years off, Estelle has returned with a new color palette for this top seller, as well as other new products.



I would love to decorate a kids' bedroom or playroom with the colorful, customized buckets, bins and tubs by The Macbeth Collection. Guess what? We might have a giveaway coming up with them. :-)



If you're looking for a big sib gift for a child older than preschool age, you can't go wrong with the fill-in Big Sibling Book: Baby's First Year According to ME ($11.55 at Amazon.com) by Potter Style.


And, finally, for older kids...check out these camp notes by Oh My Word. Hey, at least it's more personal than an e-mail.


I hope you're enjoying my National Stationery Show finds. I still have much to show you, including top trends, party invitations, and birthday/holiday goodies!

Wordless Wednesday: Foggy Empire State Building

7:45am, 5/23/11, view from West 34th Street.

Bargain Alert: Everything $12.99 or less at Gymboree

I'm not sure that I've ever seen Gymboree do this before, but they've slashed prices site-wide so that every product is $12.99 or less, no exceptions. So even those items that tend to be pricier at Gymboree (jeans, outwear, dresses) are under 13 bucks...which means some are more than 50% or even 60% off. This sweet Ruffles & Bows outfit for a baby girl would have cost about $84 head-to-toe before; with the discounts (already marked) it is now $48. Popular sizes are selling out fast, so stock up on summer clothes (and cute July 4th outfits) before they're gone at Gymboree.

Sneak Peek: Skip Hop's Newest Products

I was invited recently to the New York City offices of Skip Hop (a company that needs no introduction to my readers) to check out their newest products for 2011. Though I will always most associate Skip Hop with diaper bags (I had a bubblegum pink Duo Diaper Bag when R. was a baby), the company now makes award-winning baby products across other categories, too, including toys, decor, and mealtime/bathtime accessories. Here's a sneak peek at some of the products that are coming up this year (as well as some that have recently become available online):

Skip Hop's Zoo Packs Kiddie Backpacks ($20 each) have become a top-seller; these new animals will be introduced later this year. Bonus: they are PVC and phthalate-free.


A new addition to Skip Hop's collection are these soft, crinkly, perfect-for-newborns Hug & Hide Activity Toys ($18). There's already an owl; he'll be joined by this bear and puppy later this year.


Likewise, Skip Hop's Zoo Melamine Plates & Bowls ($6 and $4) will include these new creatures in 2011.


Did you know that Skip Hop makes nursery bedding, too? This Treetop Friends Crib Bedding Set ($220 for set; individual pieces also available) is already available online and is a great unisex choice if you're not finding out baby's gender beforehand.


For baby girls, this Flower Burst Crib Bedding Set ($220 for set; individual pieces also available) has a pretty, modern design.


Keep an eye on Skip Hop's website as these and other products appear during the year. The toys and accessories make great baby shower gifts!

I was invited by Skip Hop to a luncheon and tour at its offices. I was not compensated for this post, and all opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Cupcake Kit Party Favors

The kids and I attended a friend's 4th birthday party this weekend (thanks, Mr. B!), and all 3 of us were quite taken by this awesome party favor. Each boy got a Pirate Cupcake Kit and each girl got a Princess Cupcake Kit by Sassafras. Trust me, we've tried a lot of these types of kits before, and this was the yummiest and easiest one. Each kit costs $14.95 and includes cupcake and frosting mixes, cupcake collars/liners, instructions, and accessories (like little pirate flags). The packaging is adorable too (of course all that confetti was fun for throwing around the living room). Browse these and other kids baking products at Sassafras.

Please Support the YAI Central Park Challenge

They say a picture's worth a thousand words, but the series of five photos above is worth millions to me. My mom snapped these photos of S. taking his very first steps from his physical therapist Alyssa to me in November 2007. It was an emotional moment. Eight months earlier (at age 7 months), S. could not sit, hold his head up during tummy time, roll over, or reach for toys. Alyssa--one of many incredible professionals from a NYC organization called YAI--worked hard with S. three times a week and "got him moving" much faster than doctors predicted. Additionally, S. took his first steps just 10 days after I had become a single mother. So this particular milestone--a joyous moment for any parent--was doubly emotional. Most of all, it gave me an unforgettable moment of hope and promise at an otherwise unsure time.

All of which is a long way of saying that I hope you will join me again this year as I participate in the June 5th YAI's Central Park Challenge to support children with disabilities, and their families. I have written before about my involvement with YAI (and am so grateful to several readers who made donations). You can also read more of our story on our personal fundraising page. I am getting close to my $1000 fundraising goal. Won't you please consider donating even just $5 to help me reach my goal, and to support programs and professionals who bring hope to children with developmental delays and disabilities? Please visit this page to donate.

My children and I thank you in advance for your support and generosity!