Moving Announcements for the 'Burbs

Remember I posted some city-themed moving announcements recently for one of my local pals? This time I'm offering some picks for another friend who recently left for the suburbs of NYC (sniff, sniff). Here were my suggestions:

"Hello New Home" Announcements by Minted


The Grass Is Greener Moving Announcements by Minted


Rosettes Personalized Modern Moving Announcements by Red Stamp


Long Island Moving Announcement by Robyn Miller Design


Family Bikes Moving Annoucement by Tiny Prints


And here is what my friend eventually chose. Love these, too!

Boatman Geller Traditional House at More Than Paper

Congrats to A. and her family on their move! We miss you.

All Boy

You may remember Wonderboy's popular XY Chromosome shirt, which was a favorite in S's wardrobe in green a few years ago. He outgrow it, so I was happy to find the next season's version--spiffier in red--at a site called Toeheadz. Even better--the only size left is S's (6/7) and it happens to be on sale for $24 (originally $40). So if you've got a little guy who wears a size 6/7, you might want to scoop up one of the last ones, too. A cute addition for his back-to-school wardrobe!

Pretty (and Puffy) in Pink

Remember Appaman's Puffy Coats from last winter? They're back for Winter 2011, too, and I love this new version in Bubblegum Pink, especially if paired with these adorable Appaman Bubblegum Earmuffs. Both are available at Psycho Baby; the coat costs $97 (sizes 12mos-6 yrs) and the earmuffs cost $26 (one size).

Silly Sacs Animal Backpacks

Let's step away from back-to-school for a bit. Earlier this summer, while on vacation, I bought my kids (or, rather, was coerced into buying them) these Stephen Joseph Silly Sacs Animal Backpacks. Turns out these were some of the best $15 purchases I've made for them this year. Even though I thought the backpacks seemed a bit "young," my almost-8-year-old and almost-5-year-old have become very attached to them (as you can see). They use them not only for stashing light jackets or little trinkets on little outings, but also for imaginative play at home. R's elephant backpack is named "Lilly" and "Lilly's" younger brother, S's frog backpack, is named "Jackary" (he couldn't decide between Jack and Zachary). And I think Lilly and Jackary are here to stay for awhile. At $14.95, this makes an easy, fun gift; I found the best selection and lowest prices at Mookie Gifts.

Le Cadeaux Dinnerware

I haven't bought any casual dinnerware (unless you count stuff for the kids) since I got married nearly 9 years ago. So I figured it was time for something new. And since I had a large credit to use at The Mini Social, I jumped at the chance to buy this Le Cadeaux dinnerware that I've had my eye on for years (I mentioned it at the blog way back in 2007). This dinnerware looks like delicate French Provencal or Italian Deruta porcelain, but is actually made of melamine. Which means that it looks stylish for grown-ups, but is safe in case the kids use it (or, more specifically, drop it). I was able to get service for 6 and I am soooo excited to use it with my family. Check it out at The Mini Social.

Bargain Alert: Gymboree Leggings for $5.99

Gymboree leggings have been a staple of my daughter's wardrobe since she was a toddler. They are comfortable, sturdy, and wash well, plus the solid color ones go with just about anything. They're usually about $13 or so, but right now they are on sale (even those from new collections) for $5.99 apiece. Stock up on a few at Gymboree (and note that the high-priced new collections have also been put on sale, too, perhaps in response to customer complaints on the brand's Facebook Page).

The New Balanced Meal

In cased you missed it this past Spring, the USDA (backed by First Lady Michelle Obama) replaced its old food pyramid with a "MyPlate" concept designed to educate consumers about the basics of a healthy, balanced diet. Basically, you should fill half your plate with fruits and veggies, and the remainder with lean proteins and whole grains (plus a dab of healthy fats). A clever new kids' product called Nutri-Plate aims to help young eaters remember this. While I'm not sure it will make my two particularly picky eaters make major changes, I know it would help me follow the new guidelines. me! Buy it for $11.95 at Nutri-Plate.

Wordless Wednesday: Afternoon at the Mets

First Day of School Frames

S. is starting kindergarten this Fall, and given all of the amazing progress he's made to reach this milestone, you can bet I'll be commemorating the big day with photos and keepsakes. I saw these fun Back to School frames in my latest Pottery Barn Kids catalog. I think I like the ruler one the best--how about you? Each one costs $39 (with additional cost for monogramming) at Pottery Barn Kids.

R's Third Grade Backpack

I just saved a bundle on a major back-to-school item--a backpack for R., who is entering 3rd grade. It actually was a last-minute "emergency" purchase because her Disney Princess Backpack, which saw her through last summer, last school year, and half of this summer--finally gave out and literally fell apart at the seams. Which was fine with her, because she's declared, "I'm done with Disney princesses." She is nearly 8, after all. Of course, R. is hard-to-please, so I was a bit worried about buying her a new backpack today without her at my side. But I chose well with Children's Place's pink, bubble-patterned Girls' Backpack, which not only was already on sale (reduced to $12.71 from $16.95), but I nabbed even cheaper with a 15% off coupon. She loves it so much she declared that not only will she bring it to camp for the rest of the summer, but "this will be my 3rd grade backpack, too." Dare I say that was almost too easy (especially after she'd been talking about getting one of those huge, heavy-duty backpacks on wheels)? I think I will buy another one of these too, too. Because at that price (and with the way she treats her gear), I'm not sure it will make it through all of 3rd grade in one piece!

Have any of you purchased/used Children's Place backpacks? How well do they hold up?

Bargain Alert: 50% off Frecklebox Notebooks

You know those cool personalized notebooks that I've used as kids' stickerbooks? They're on sale for 50% off at our affiliate Frecklebox.com (assorted designs, on sale for $4.97; originally $9.95 each). Of course, these are also ideal for back-to-school (even the most reluctant students can't resist a notebook with their own name). Check out all of the new designs for boys and girls at Frecklebox.com.

Enjoy 50% off any and all notebooks at Frecklebox.com now through Wednesday, July 27th at 1pm EST with code NOTEBOOK.

Brother/Sister Halloween Clothing

I loved browsing the brother/sister Halloween outfits in my latest CWD Kids catalog. Some of you may scoff at the idea of matching holiday clothing, but I'm not talking about your grandma's Christmas sweater. These are stylish outfits by top brands, and your kids will enjoy wearing them everywhere from pumpkin-picking to Halloween parties to school. At least, up to a certain age. I have a feeling R. (almost 8 years old) may be boycotting matching her brother this year!

For those of you with kids who are younger and/or more willing, here are my favorite Halloween ensembles for boys and girls:

Halloween Tie-Dye Outfits by Mulberribush. Girls' dress $42, boys' tee $30, boys' pants $34.

Wizard Kitty and Spooky Skull Tees by Flap Happy. Girls' tee $25, girls' leggings $26, boys' tee $24, boys' pants $27.


Personalized Halloween Pajamas ($39 each) by Sara's Prints.


Does anyone else besides me like to dress their kids in coordinating Halloween clothing, or clothing for other holidays? Let me know in the comments.

Lunchtime, Gen X Style

With the upcoming Smurfs movie, there seems to be nostalgia for our Gen X roots--you know, the pop culture we enjoyed as kids in the late 1970s/early 1980s (if you are not yet 30 years old, please disregard this post!). I was happy to spot a I Love Kermit lunchbox in my recent issue of Earnshaws's magazine. Perfect timing, too, because my own daughter is about to turn 8, and I'm remembering my own 8th birthday party and how my "theme" was. . . Kermit the Frog. I was all about the Muppets (yes I was a nerd even back then). Anyway, I tracked down the Kermit lunchbox, and some other Gen X lunchboxes (including Smurfette and The Muppet Show) at our affiliate Perpetual Kid. Boy, do these take me back. Remember our loud clanging tin lunchboxes? This was way before the days of BPA-free products. There is something so sweet and charming about these; and at just $12 each, even if you don't buy one for your child, it might be a fun tchotcke for yourself. Check them out at Perpetual Kid.

Playtime Loves Japan

Next week I'll be visiting Playtime New York, the trendy twice-yearly trade show dedicated to babies, kids, and maternity, with a special focus on new, emerging brands. It is always one of my favorite shows to attend, but this year there's an extra feature that I want to share you. During the run of the show (from July 30th to August 1st), a "Playtime Loves Japan" pop-up shop of designer samples will be open to the public, benefitting K.I.D.S. Japan Earthquake Relief. Merchandise will be sold at a generous 70% off retail price, and will include brands like Bensimon, Flora and Henri, Kico Kids, Le Marchand d'Etoiles, and more. If you're interested in on-trend kids' fashion, this is a great opportunity to take home some samples, all while benefitting a great cause. Visit Playtime New York for more details.

The "Playtime Loves Japan" Pop Up Shop will be open from July 30th to August 1st at SoHo’s 82 Mercer (82 Mercer Street between Spring and Broome Streets, 9am – 6pm, 5pm the last day).

Bargain Alert: Bargain Children's Clothing

Do you know about our affiliate Bargain Children's Clothing? I mention it from time to time here because, like most of you, I love to buy designer clothing for my children but can only do so when it's marked down. Bargain Children's Clothing is a treasure trove of deals on top kids' designers like Anita G., Mish Mish, and Wes & Willy. I also like that they carry both Spring/Summer and Winter/Fall inventory year-round (in fact, I've bought my kids' snowpants here in June). One last bonus: my orders always arrive super fast (like within 3 days), even with regular shipping. Here are some of my top picks right now at Bargain Children's Clothing:

Planet Color by Todd Parr Girls' PJs (on sale for $21.90; originally $32)



Mish Mish Toddler Girls' Long Sleeve Knit Dress (on sale for $22.90; originally $48)


Mis Tee V-Us - Toddler Boys 2 Piece Long Sleeve Fireman Pant Set, Navy, Red (on sale for $31; originally $56)

Gold Rush Outfitters Infant Boys Jeans (on sale for $12.90; originally $48)



Through August 11th, get $10 off any order of $100 ore more at Bargain Children's Clothing with code SAVE10. Tip: Ordering after August 11th? Check the site's homepage every few days because they usually offer some kind of coupon.

New from Serena & Lily

I've been perusing my Serena & Lily catalog and, once again, I'm wishing its gorgeous bedrooms (both for kids and adults) were within my budget:

"Think Pink" Bedding Collection ($88-$350). I think I would love this for myself even more than my daughter would.

If you're not looking for a complete re-do, Serena & Lily also offers some fantastic new accessories. I'm especially loving these new zodiac-themed items:

Zodiac Pillows ($88 each). Even if you don't believe in astrology, you have to admit these make a lively addition to a bedroom or living room. Or a unique baby gift.


I also like thiszodiac artwork ($98 each). Inspired by a 1970s print found at a California flea market, these screen prints include character descriptions for each of the 12 signs. If you have an unlimited budget, you could display the entire set of 12.


See what else is new at Serena & Lily.

From the Archives: Sunscreen That Doesn't Feel Like Sunscreen

Editor's Note: This is a re-post from April 2011. The kids and I have been using MD Solar Sciences products all summer--I *love* the 40+ SPF Mineral Lotion (in fact, it makes me enjoy wearing sunscreen) and R. likes the No-Touch Body Spray. Yes, it's costly, but I have a coupon code for you: SUNSAFE20 (for 20% off any order), plus all orders over $75 automatically ship free.


I've mentioned before how my kids--particularly my son--are fussy about sunscreen. They don't gloppy or heavily-scented lotions and prefer wipes or sprays. However, we have had a hard time finding those that still offer adequate protection (S. is quite fair and SPF 15 isn't enough for him) and are unscented. So I jumped at the chance recently to learn more about MDSolarSciences, a complete line of sun protection launched by Dr. Bob Friedman, the leading dermatologic oncologist in New York City and a renowned professor at NYU School of Medicine. Dr. Friedman has over 30 years' experience in treating (and preventing) skin cancer and a group of bloggers (including myself) learned so much from him at a recent luncheon.

Did you know that:

- Most people do just fine with SPF 30 or above...SPFs like 60 or 70 are mostly a marketing ploy, and the additional protection is really negligible.
- People of ALL skin tones need sun protection. Dr. Friedman has treated many patients with darker skin tones who get skin cancer on places like their palms, or soles of their feet (do you remember to put sunscreen on those areas?)
- You need sun protection year-round, not just on warm sunny days. While UBV rays (the rays that burn- as in "B") are indeed stronger on summer days between 10am and 4pm, equally damaging UVA rays (the rays that age your skin- as in "A") are present no matter what. This was a real eye opener for me.
- Do not use tanning beds, no matter what. They are proven to cause skin cancer and wrinkling.
- Sunscreen does NOT need to have any scent, or greasy feel. The most important ingredients are Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide.

Which brings me to my next point....

MD Sunscreen products include No Touch Body Spray (SPF 40), Ultra-Sport Stick (SPF 40), Ultra Mineral Screen Gel (SPF 50+) and Mineral Screen Gel (SPF 30+( provide broad spectrum protection from both UVB ("Burning" rays) and UVA ("Aging" rays). They are all made from natural ingredients. The best feature, though, for me and my kids is that they go on entirely smoothly and you do not feel like you are wearing sunscreen after that. No grease, no residue, no scent. For kids with sensory issues, this is the way to go. Most of the MDSolarsciences products are also safe for both children and adults (I've been using the same one, the 40+ SPF Mineral Screen Lotion) on all 3 of us.

The downside? The price, of course. It ain't cheap. But what else is worth spending this money on? Personally, I'd rather buy a $36 tube of 40+ SPF Mineral Screen Lotion that my kids will tolerate well than spend $12 on Coppertone that I will barely get onto them because they are running away from me when it's time to apply it.

Check out the entire product line at MDSolarSciences.


I received MDScolarSciences product samples but no compensation for this post. The views expressed are entirely my own.

Batman Birthday Tees

S's Batman birthday party is approaching and he'll be wearing one of these 3 tees...can you guess which one I picked?

Personalized Batman Tee ($16.99) by Priceless Kids



Kapow Number Tee ($25) by Paper Lili


Bat Tee ($20) by Trusty Sidekick

Wordless Wednesday: Fun With Play-Doh

Can anyone guess what my almost 8-year-old made?

Zulily Hits It Out of the Park

Forgive me for gushing, but some days at Zulily are just amazing. Today is one of them--every sale is pitch-perfect, with something for everyone. I know that these deal-of-the-day sites have sprouted up everywhere, but, in my opinion, Zulily still takes the cake whether you are shopping for a new baby or a bigger kid (or even for yourself). Look what's on tap today (and scroll to the end for a coupon code!):

Sofi "Preschool Rocks" Dress ($19.99; was $30) from the Back to School Boutique. Doesn't get more perfect than this for her 1st back-to-school photo op.


Wildkin Astronaut Sidekick Backpack ($15.99; was $30) from the Back to School Boutique. Wildkin makes high-quality, fun-patterned backpacks at reasonable prices.


Petunia Dress ($29.99; was $56) from the Zaza Couture Sale. This Dallas-based designer makes colorfully patterned girls' clothing based on the latest European trends.


"Sister and Brothers" hardcover book ($7.99; was $16) from the Book Boutique. A super bedtime choice for my own kids.


Dino Camo Organic Pajama Set ($14.99; was $28) from the Agabang Sale. I'm thrilled to find these boys' pajamas that are not only organic, but also go up to bigger sizes (10).

Jenny Golf Shoe Socks ($11.99; was $30) from the Trumpette Sale. Trumpette socks never go out of style, and make wonderful baby gifts.


Quick--head to Zulily while supplies last! (Shopping tip: Zulily sales go live at 8am EST every day; make sure to shop in the morning before the best goodies sell out).

p.s. Guess what- you can use coupon code "COUPREF3559" for 10% off orders over $30 at Zulily right now. I used it yesterday and think it should still work today. Enjoy!