From the Archives: The Best of 2011 at MyMomShops

Editor's Note: This post was originally published last December.


I love to write this post every year. Out of the nearly 1000 (!!) products I've posted about in 2011, here are my absolute favorites. I hope you love them, too. And check out past yearly favorites from 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2007. Many of these products are still available.

1. Favorite New Store: C. Wonder. I am still smiling from my visit to this new Soho shop last week; it is chock full of every gift and accessory that I love.


2. Favorite Baby Gift: Uncommon Goods Birth Announcement Pillow. The sentimental birth announcement pillow gets an update for the 2010's.


3. Favorite Toy (mom's opinion): Perler Beads. How did I not know about these before?


4. Favorite Kids' Toy (kids' opinion): Happy Nappers. Thanks to my sister, my kids both have favorite new bedtime buddies.


5. Favorite Letterpress Stationery: Pink Orchid Press. Thick cardstock + fun designs + pretty colors= one of my favorites.


6. Favorite Site for Kids' Clothing: Lil Swanky. I've bought my kids a bunch of great clothing--including Appaman and Ouch!--from this NYC mom-owned online boutique. Everything arrives beautifully wrapped, too.


7. Favorite Kids' Book: If I Could Keep You Little by Marianne Richmond (Peter Pauper Press). This one's a tearjerker. Have some Kleenex ready.


8. Favorite Personalized/Custom Gift: Silkscreened House Portrait Pillow by Not Without Merit. I gave this to my parents for their 45th wedding anniversary and it was a hit.



9. Favorite Photo Gift: Erin Condren Photo Gift Labels. These made our holiday gifts look fantastic this year.


10. Favorite Party Favor: Upcycled Crayon Party Favors by Etsy shop Zee Bree. Bye bye, cheap plastic toys. These crayons--made from discarded crayon fragments--will actually be used and enjoyed post-celebration. And they're affordable, too.


11. Favorite Stationery Newcomer: Double Bravo Designs. A newcomer at the National Stationery Show, Double Bravo Designs combines two of my favorite things--letterpress stationery & baby keepsakes.


12. Favorite Trend: The British Invasion Continues. Inspired by William & Kate, all things Anglophile make us happy.


13. Favorite NYC-themed gift: MTA Articulated Bus. My son's beloved NYC "fun bus" makes it to toy stores.

14. Favorite Gift for Mom: Red Envelope Jewelry Tree. Finally, my jewelry is untangled.


15. Favorite Personal Post: Little Swimmer. When your child has special needs, hitting a milestone is the Best. Feeling. Ever.


16. Favorite Trade Show: New York International Gift Fair. I was honored to be selected as a Judge of the 2011 Baby & Child division, and I'm happy to report I've been asked back as a Judge for this January as well. Stay tuned for my 2012 picks.


17. Favorite Post I Wrote Elsewhere: "Don't Sweat the Wedding; it's the Marriage That Counts". If I ever remarry, I'll do so at City Hall; this explains why.

18. Favorite Wall Art: "Man on the Moon" Upcycled Dictionary Art Print from Stay Gold Media. It's the perfect finishing touch in my son's space-themed room.


19. Favorite Blogger Event: Mastercard's "Priceless" Event at FAO Schwarz. Even without my kids in tow, visiting FAO Schwarz off-hours was a truly magical experience.

20. Favorite Shopping Tip: Join Amazon Prime. You'll read a lot of my other money-saving tips via that link, but by far I've saved the most money (both in lower prices and free shipping) with Amazon Prime. Trust me, it'll pay for itself.