February 9, 2012

The Art of the Gift

SRB Signature Box.jpgGift giving in many cultures is considered an art form. Usually gift giving for me entails running around to eight different stores, then stressing over how to wrap it. There’s always that wrapping paper vs bag dilemma, which frankly, leaves me hivey all over. And of course, all of this culminates in a feeling of inadequacy picturing a lukewarm response for all my efforts.
Thank goodness there are companies like Spoiled Rotten
Baby
out there—gift givers who have the ability to elevate gift giving back to an art form. No longer do we need to stress ourselves out finding that perfect gift for a new mom or babe. And it’s all available at your fingertips.
SRB Gift Tag.jpgPreselected packages assembled with fabulous gifts are lovingly wrapped and cared for—right down to the personalized note you ask Spoiled Rotten Baby to enclose. These high-quality gifts (some of the items you’ll find include names like Little Giraffe, Earth Mama Angel Baby and On Cloud Nine) will leave the recipients remembering just how truly fab a sister, aunt, friend you are. Now, was there ever really any question?
Save $15.00 off any purchase of $100.00 or more through 07/25/07 using discount code: MommiesWithStyle

A Baubble or Two

Happy 1st Birthday Card 200.jpgBirthdays can be overwhelming for everyone—even the guests. Stressing over the perfect gift for the little princess can be well, stressful.
But here’s where I remind you that jewelry is always a good gift. Classic, fun and loved by everyone (well, at least most of those who are made with sugar and spice) a little baubble is welcome at any age. That’s where Trisha Fay comes in. She has been making jewelry for over 17 years. Recently, after having her daughter Addison, she decided to expand her already successful women’s and bridal line to include even the smallest darlings with the Baby Addison Collection.
The Baby Addison Collection offers an adorably sweet assortment of bracelets in perfect sizes from newborns up to 12 years old. Chose from a first birthday bracelet (which we have and is positively adorable) to a Swarovski crystal and pearl bracelet in Preppy Pink for that difficult to shop for tween-ager.
Visit and use coupon code MWS10 for 10% off your total order from now until the end of year! Oh and make sure you check back in with the Beautiful Garden Boutique this summer as I’ve heard Fay will be adding necklaces to the Baby Addison line.

It’s a Little Girl’s Dream

fluffcakesm2.jpgFor those of you with girls who dream of far away places where anything is possible, I have found the store for you—Tutu Posh.
This store has the greatest collection of tutus I’ve ever seen. So no matter what color, style, size or price you’d like, Tutu Posh is bound to have it. Not only do they have an amazing tutu collection, they also have leotards, tights, hair accessories and play tents. Basically, it’s all-inclusive shopping for the little princess in your life.
You might think to yourself, “how could one store know so much about tutus of all shapes, sizes and colors?” Well, the designer behind Fabby Gabby knows a thing or two about tutus! When she started stocking her first shop with all the things a little darling dreams of, she realized that the new rapidly-growing collection needed it’s own shop.
So whether your buying for a birthday (yes, they have birthday tutu sets!), holiday, special occasion or simply adding to your little girls everyday play gear, be sure to stop by Tutu Posh.

Madison’s Room

image.jpegJust when I think I’ve run across every cute hair accessory site, along comes Madison’s Room. These hair accessories go well beyond cute. There is an attention to detail that quite frankly, gives me goosebumps. This of course compelled me to contact Cynthia, the mom behind Madison’s Room, after receiving our hair clips just to tell her how stunning I found both the clips and the packaging.
Here’s a little of what I told her: The color combinations are just so fun and fresh. They scream, I love being a kid. Being a designer myself, I’ve always loved the pairing of multiple colors together and these clips do so adeptly. And the fact that all of the metal is covered on the clip? Well, that’s a serious dedication to workmanship.
Check them out for yourself! I promise, you’ll like what you see. After all, these clips bring the happy back to hair.

Mother’s Day Gift with Wow Factor

DSC00310.jpgWhen I recently received my bag from Snaptotes my mom and mother-in-law practically wrestled me over it. Okay, so maybe it was more of a sly, “Wow, isn’t that lovely?” “Why yes, it is. I would love something like that” while they looked longingly at my tote. But still, the twinkle in their eyes made me realize I had procured a truly coveted creation.
Well, frankly who could blame them? It is a one of a kind, custom made bag with a picture of our favorite kids on it—mine (which I can only say confidently right now since my kids are the only grandkids so far). And it’s all thanks to Snaptotes. Snaptotes offers a wide array of bags, from everyday to diaper to messenger bags. And all are just waiting to be transformed into your own one-of-a-kind creation. All you need is a picture and they do the rest.
4519.jpgThe result is a finely constructed bag that doubles as the perfect conversation piece. I’ve already had two requests for the bag and I’m sure to have many more. Plus, there are tons of options. Want sepia? Done. Want your bumpkins picture tiled across the bag? No prob. How about one showcasing little Charlie’s art work he made at preschool? That’s right, they do that too.
Order by May 1st to make sure your bag arrives in time for Mother’s day. Oh and may I suggest emailing this review along with a photo of your choice to your hubby or significant other. Hint, hint fellas!

Rian Mommy Bag? Oui, C’est la Vie!

yhst-83021438714344_1933_2379489.gifOh mes amies, let me tell you a beautiful tale of sitting in an outdoor cafe along the boulevard sipping strong coffee in demitasse cups while watching the finely dressed people walk by. Oh, to be in such a setting. Ah yes, that is the life.
Unfortunately, my hectic life doesn’t quite allow for that idyllic scene most of the time. But I will tell you this, Rian Handbags has captured a wonderful la joie de vie by seamlessly fusing art, style and lifestyle into every one of their bags that I can take with me wherever I go. And don’t we all deserve a little reprieve from our hectic lives every now and again?
yhst-83021438714344_1933_3480959.gifTheir recently released Mommy Bag’s exterior is a true departure from a traditional diaper bag. Made of fine leather (with a wipe clean nylon interior), the illustrations, inspired by cosmopolitan cities around the world, gives these bags an energy that many other bags for moms seem to miss.
The bags are fun and extremely well made. All of the detailing (and as we all know the love is in the details) is exceptional. The inside is roomy enough to comfortably fit diapers and a wipe container, a bottle/sippy, snacks, some small toys along with your own gear. Plus the designers have been so kind as to make sure there is a cell phone pocket and key ring on the inside as well. And since the bag is made from leather it will last for years to come. In fact, you’ll still want to carry it long after the need for a special mommy bag is gone.
As if all of this wasn’t enough, the founders of Rian Handbags, are committed to helping find a cure for Juvenile Diabetes by donating 5% of each purchase of the mommy bag to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
A love of design and a love of life. That’s a bag I’m sure to love for many years to come.

Four Peas

DSC00101.jpgIf you read the message boards, you might have read that my family and I recently traveled to Europe. It was a rather ambitious adventure with two little ones in tow. But one thing that truly saved us was the exceptionally cute toddler backpack and activity pack from Four Peas.
Not only did my daughter proudly wear her backpack through the airport and on our many travels throughout Belgium (on the train and walking through the cities) she enjoyed bringing it to breakfast so she could unload the goodies from her activity pack. And when she did, children came from all over the restaurant to share in the fun. At one point, she was playing with a little boy from Australia and a girl from Italy. And while Ellie doesn’t understand a lick of Italian and the little girl didn’t understand a word of English, they all certainly bonded over the items in the Four Peas activity pack. Stickers apparently speak a universal language.
backpack_monkies.jpgNow even though the Four Peas backpack was an asset on our big adventure, it is equally perfectly geared for those smaller everyday adventures to preschool, the grocery store and the library. Plus, right now Four Peas is offering one free mini-activity pack with purchase. Simply enter code FREE MINI in the comments section during checkout to receive this offer.

Spring Has Sprung

Looking around, it’s hard to miss the signs of spring all around us—the sleepy flowers emerging from the ground, the crisp green leaves budding on the trees and one of the biggest signs, fluctuating temperatures.
strawberrybanana.jpgWhile it hasn’t been cold enough to unpack my daughter’s winter coat (okay, so this past week doesn’t count) I want to make sure I send her off to school in something that she can wear for extra warmth while still looking cute and stylish. That is where I turn to Po Po’s. Designed and made in Canada, Po Po’s knows how to do a poncho right. They are made out of deliciously soft material, and are all accented by adorable prints. And with sizes ranging from 1 to 5 years, plus names inspired by ice-cream flavors, these ponchos are sure to please both you and your little one.
Quite frankly, my daughter doesn’t want to go to school without hers. And that’s a true testimonial right there!

Little Joey

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If you’re looking for matching outfits for your family with a Nantucket Sound kind of feel, look to Little Joey. They offer classic coordinating styles for the entire family (and I mean Grandma and Gramps included). It just could be the answer to that age-old question, what should we wear in our family photo?
Not only are the clothes coordinating, they’re made of soft fabrics in a wide variety of colors. I know father’s day is a couple months away, but I think a classic rugby (and a matching one for jr.) would make a great gift!
yhst-59283373979919_1936_1053208.gifOh and just a little FYI: Little Joey donates a portion of its sales to charity. So you can feel good while looking good!
Coupon Alert: Little Joey is offering MWS readers an exclusive 20% off coupon through the end of March. Just enter mws-joey at checkout to receive your savings. By the way, make sure you check out their Barcelona pants for yourself. They are suuuper soft. Happy Shopping!

The Great Hair Treaty

There is a mother-daughter struggle that begins the moment your little girl has hair at shoulder-length. It is called the Battle of the Hair.
And while it generally begins off as something relatively tame, it soon grows. Before you know it, she starts refusing to wear clips. Then she won’t let you braid her hair. She may even insist on a ponytail everyday—rain or shine, sleet or hail, wedding or soccer game—which is where my daughter and I are in our little skirmish.
th_abbylynngreenpony3.jpgIt has been hard. We have had our fair share of late mornings to school because of our own battle. But as stubborn as I am, my daughter is exponentially so (which naturally must come from her father’s side of the family). So as the old adage goes, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. So I have with these amazingly adorable Ladybugs and Butterflies ponytail holders from Simply Lovely Gifts.
Leslie—owner of Simply Lovely Gifts—offers these chic and adorable, 3-packs of ponytail O’s. Quite honestly, they make our mornings a breeze. My daughter gets to have her hair the way she likes, and we all walk away with a cute do we can all be proud of. Thankfully, we’ve entered a time of peace…for now.
These packs are perfect for tucking in an Easter basket, giving as part of a birthday gift or as a special spring treat. Simply Lovely Gifts also offers an assortment of beautiful bracelets and necklaces. We have the pearl one and Ellie gets tons of compliments on it wherever we go. It is the perfect accent to any spring outfit.
Oh and the best part? Mommies With Style readers get 10% off with code “MWS.” So pick some up and save the hair-drama for later. You know, like when she wants to dye her hair pink.

Snow Day!!

games.jpgAre you living without snow? Do your kids long for making snowballs to launch at one another? What’s a mom to do? Contact Snowed In, makers of a new way to have a snowball fight—indoors.
Made of lightweight fluffy material, these indoor snowballs can turn a boring day into something memorable! Best part, you can use these snowballs in any temperature or any season. So you have a niece and nephew in Florida who haven’t yet enjoyed the pleasures of a snowball fight? Get them the Snowed In Snow Ball Fun Kit. It gets them moving and the snowballs are lightweight enough that everyone can enjoy the fun without getting owies (that goes for your sister-in-laws housewares too).
We received the Snow Ball Fun Kit a week ago and my four-year-old simply loves it. And personally, playing snow games has never been as much fun for me too. After all, the snow where I live (when we do get any) tends to be more ice than anything else. So it brightens a cold wintry day when I get to play with a snowball that doesn’t melt and I can use year round.
Here’s an added bonus, when you mention Mommies With Style with any order, you’ll receive a complimentary snow-yo. Let the snow games begin!

Look Out—Mom’s Upping Her Street Cred

B000HKDE7Y.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpgBoy, has my world changed since having children. Gone is MTV along with any other station I once youthfully deemed as cool. I now chuckle at how I used to turn to these stations to figure out what was hot. But I’ve grown up. Now, I get my trend-setting tips from little blue puppets on tv. Especially when it comes to what’s going to be hot in the music world. Yes, Jack of Jack’s Big Music Show fame, is now my go-to trend hunting guru for all things music.
I could say that I was slightly depressed about this shift, but strangely I’m not. Hey, what can I say? The torch has been passed. Plus that little blue puppet and his sidekick Mel, have a great track record for knowing what’s going to be hot among the pint-sized music demo.
So, while some of you sit there and ponder the question of my sanity (she’s seriously using a puppet to spot trends?) I’m going to introduce to you a pair of brothers whose music is as imaginative as it is energetic. And yes, I credit Jack for introducing me to their music.
Damien and Tourie Escobar of Nuttin’ But Stringz are sparking the imagination of people everywhere with their amazingly fresh blend of classical violin with hip-hop. Trained at Julliard, these brothers are a truly remarkable group. In Struggle from the Subway to the Charts, these brothers beautifully blend together two seemingly incongruous music forms. It makes a mother proud. I can’t tell you how utterly refreshing it is having something I can listen to with my kids that is so energetic and frankly, just so plain cool.
Plus, I love the message it teaches: that my children can find success in following their passions (even if others think their ideas are silly at first). No one would have thought that hip-hop and classical violin would go together but Nuttin’ But Stringz imagined it and achieved it. Now that’s something to admire.
So pop in their CD. Oh and next time little Johnny or Jayne complains about having to practice the tuba, nudge him or her and say, “Maybe, just maybe, you will one day make the tuba cool again.” Hey tuba players, I’m rooting for you!

S.W.A.K. (Sealed With A Kiss)

puppy1_375.jpgMy all time favorite Valentine’s Day? 1986. I was 9 and I came home from school to find my mom had made me a heart shaped pillow. She even went so far as to hand-embroider my name on the soft red velvety fabric. The worst? 1989. It involved broken hearts and a Valentine’s Day dumping. Oh the tragically dramatic life of 12 year olds. But let’s not dwell on the worst, shall we…
What made that 1986 Valentine’s Day so special was that my mom gave me a sweet little gift that lasted beyond the typical chocolate. She made a simple day special with a thoughtful gift. It was far better than any box of candy.
One of my goals as a mom is to share moments like that with my kids. So for Valentine’s Day this year, I’m passing on the box of candy. Instead my daughter has something special she’ll appreciate all year—the Puppy Love twirl skirt set from the Funday Shop. It’s super cute and just good plain fun! Let’s face it, in a couple years, Valentine’s day is going to have a whole new meaning for my girl. I say embrace the fun and innocence now and make this Valentine’s Day extra special!
And here’s a Valentine’s Gift for you, use MWS20 for 20% off your order from The Funday Shop. Now that’s extra sweet!

Fairy Godmother Need Not Apply

I often get sucked into the world of all things Disney. That’s what happens when you have a 4-year-old daughter who aspires to be a ballerina-doctor-princess. Between scratching my head trying to figure out how she’ll swing that as her college major and waiting for the preschool vocational tests to come in the mail, I’ve resolved myself to entertain her 4-year-old dream. After all, it was the very dream I, myself had as a kid.
But herein lies the difficulty: how do I teach my daughter to be a princess but still be an assertive young woman? Though you may laugh, I’m thinking a little Cinderella III might help me out here. It’s the perfect tool to teach her she doesn’t need magic to make her dreams come true—some grit and self-reliance will do just fine. Oh and let’s not stop there. Other things like the power of honesty, friendship and of being true to yourself are all cleverly woven throughout this newest Disney tale. All this while still managing to be a good old fashion love story, well that’s Disney for you.
Here’s the set-up, Cinderella’s sister nabs the fair godmothers wand. Of course the Stepmother gets a hold of it and reverses time. The glass slipper didn’t fit, the prince doesn’t know who Cinderella is and it’s up to Cindy to right the wrong. Through resourcefulness and wit (with a song and dance thrown in here and there) Disney has created a Cinderella for the modern girl. But honestly, my favorite part was the prince. In the past Prince Charming has been a quiet character. This time around Disney not only gave a good old fashion jolt of the 21st century to Cinderella, but they gave out a good dose to the Prince as well. He is an active participant and a well-rounded guy. Hooray for the modern man.
This movie is a keeper. And with a release date of February 6th it makes the perfect Valentine’s gift for the princess-in-training in your life. Forget the candy. Give a copy of Cinderella III and you’ll all enjoy it again….and again…and (if your kid is anything like mine) again.
Want more? Grab some popcorn and check out the extended clips from Cinderella III here. Want a copy for yourself? Check out Amazon and save $10 off the list price.

Making Mini Marvelous

emily_big.jpgYou have to hand it to someone who can take the ordinary and turn it into the extraordinary. Take for example invites and birth announcements. Everyone sends them. It’s like one of those common human experiences Oprah’s always going on about (like wearing too tight pantyhose or having a strapless bra slip down).
But taking something two-dimensional (like a standard invite) and transforming it into a three dimensional keepsake is nothing short of, well, genius. That’s how I feel about the makers of Keepsake Concepts, Couture Keepsakes. When I received a miniature white and gingham dress complete with tiny rose and ribbon embellishments perfectly hung from a mini wooden hanger, I couldn’t believe how perfectly adorable it was. There was even a personalized message from the sender clipped to the dress by a tiny clothespin.
Perfect for birthday parties, special invitations, or thank you gifts, these stylish keepsakes make a big statement. Check them out for yourself and I think you’ll share my appreciation for the next big thing in celebrating special occasions!

Chocoholics Rejoice

forgiveness_photo.jpgAdmittedly, I love chocolate. So that makes this time of year especially challenging for me. You see I’ve just come off my chocolate high. That’s right, the month of December was a month long feast of the good stuff. Little chocolate candy gifts flowed from boxes. Rich gooey dark chocolate found its rightful place in yummy cookie dough. And oh, how delicious those mochas and hot cocoas sprinkled with snowy fresh marshmallows were.
Sigh. It’s all over now. January is here fraught with resolutions. “Must eat healthier.” “Must incorporate more fiber into my diet.” Blah, blah, blah.
But wait—a Fine Belgian Dark chocolate bar that’s rich in fiber, has three minerals and is GMO free? New Tree chocolates share my passion for the nectar of the gods. And they’ve taken it one step forward and infused the good stuff with things that are good for you. Take their Forgiveness bar. It’s dark chocolate with a hint of lemon and a kick of fiber. Fiber is known to reduce the intake of fats. So according to my logic, this chocolate bar is now elevated to health food. Yum!
And let’s not stop there. With other chocolate bars like Pleasure, Vigor and Sexy on the menu, I’m sure you’ll find something to tempt any palate (or mood?). And for those who prefer the lighter stuff, check out their assortment of milk chocolate delights.
Mmmm…healthy, guilt-free chocolate? Now that’s a resolution I can stick to!

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