Celebrate Nie Nie's birthday with The Sweet Tooth Fairy!

Just the title of this post should have your tastebuds all atingle with the thought of a celebration complete with decadent cupcakes, cookies and my newest love, The Sweet Tooth Fairy's famous cake bites. (Yes, they really are famous. To find out why, click here. Hint: it has something to do with Rachael Ray and the "snack of the day.")

I love a good celebration, but what makes a celebration great is when it's all about helping, lifting, supporting someone else, and this is one is all about doing just that. It's Nie Nie's birthday and what better reason to celebrate? (Okay, kids sleeping through the night comes close!) In honor of Nie Nie, The Sweet Tooth Fairy is having a celebration tomorrow, June 27th at their store located in Provo, Utah. From 11am to 7pm you can shop, eat and shop some more. (Think gifts for friends or a "sweet" pick-me-up for a family member.) Proceeds from the sale of her special VaNIElla Squared cupcake will benefit the Nielsen family and the Arizona Burn Center.

Don't live within an hour's drive of Provo, the city The Sweet Tooth Fairy calls home? Don't worry; you can still party along with the rest of us and show your support by ordering your VaNIElla Squared dozen (or two) over the phone and have them shipped anywhere in the U.S.! Trust me, their worth 100x their weight in gold! So satisfy your cupcake cravings and support a worthy cause by joining in the Nie Nie birthday celebration with The Sweet Tooth Fairy. (And while you're at it, order about a pound or two of their cake bites.)

For more details on the event, click here. --Emily

P.S. You can follow The Sweet Tooth Fairy on Twitter (@sweettoothfairy) or become a fan of her on Facebook!

What's hot this summer? An aden + anais giveaway!

I would normally wait until a that's hot! thursday to post such a "hot" giveaway, but the sooner the better when it comes to giveaways I say!

In April we featured aden + anais' Winter Warmth Swaddles and Dream Blankets. It is no longer snowing in Utah and we're heading for warmer weather. With 80's and 90's around the corner (and I'm not talking decades...the hot pink and yellow pants currently at PacSun scare the crap out of me) you'll be looking for a different option for bedtime than that fleece or flannel baby blanket you're currently using.

aden + anais has a wonderful line of muslin sleeping bags perfect for summer because they are lightweight and breathable. I found that even those lightweight cotton receiving blankets made my baby sweat during her summertime naps. I wish I'd had another option for helping regulate her body temperature while sleeping, one as cute and functional as the Pink Stars Muslin Sleeping Bag!

aden + anais muslin sleeping bags are made from the same 100% cotton muslin used in their swaddling blankets. They offer six layers of waffled cotton, which provide a layer of cushioned warmth "produced from only the most natural of fibers allowing babies and toddlers to feel warm and toasty without overheating." Newborns and infants need all the help they can get regulating their body temperature, and these muslin sleeping bags are a great way to help them do so. They are available in sizes ranging from small to extra-large and at only $29 they are a truly affordable option compared to other infant sleeping bags.

I also love aden + anais' collection of organic muslin wraps, and even though my daughter is almost two I'm considering buying one for her since she still takes about a two-hour nap, and her south-facing room can get a little toasty. And when the A/C is on, she can get a little chilly; a muslin wrap would be the perfect solution!

Giveaway!!! To kick off summer aden + anais is giving away one sleeping bag, winner's choice! Here's how you can enter to win:

• For one entry, visit aden + anais and leave a comment telling us your favorite blanket and/or sleeping bag; include a valid email address in your post.
• For one extra entry, tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the link to your tweet; again, include a valid email address for our drawing.
• For another extra entry, blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with a link to your blog post; don't forget that email address just in case!
  

The deadline for this giveaway is midnight, June 16th. We will use Random.org to draw the winner from the comments and notify her via email. The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen. Good luck!!! --Emily

What's your Skin Deep toxicity rating?

Earth Mama Angel Baby is a line of 100% natural, organic, toxin-free herbal skin and body care products perfect for pregnancy, labor, postpartum and c-section recovery, breastfeeding, baby care and even the loss of a baby. Earth Mama Angel Baby is all about keeping you and your little ones toxin free. Their latest effort to "[move] earth and heaven for you" is the What's Your Score? Challenge--and yes, there are prizes!

The What's Your Score? Challenge is one challenge in which you need--not just want--to participate. Here's how it works:

~ Gather some of the most common personal care products you use regularly on yourself or on your baby. (Personal care products include shampoo, lotions, soaps, diaper cream, stretch mark oil, etc.)

~ Go to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics’ Skin Deep database and enter a product name in the search field.

~ Add up the Skin Deep toxicity rating for all the personal care products you use on a daily basis on your pregnant or nursing body, or on your baby, to find out what your score is.

~ When you have your score, post your answer to three quick questions (below) in the comments area. Your post in the comments section with your three answers is one entry into the contest. Don’t worry – there are no right or wrong answers, but we think you’ll be surprised at how high the toxin score is for those products you are using that are labeled natural or even organic.

1. What was your Skin Deep toxicity rating score?
2. Were you surprised with the score and/or ingredients?
3. What would you like your score to be?

Most women are truly shocked at the high toxin scores of their pregnancy or baby products they thought were safe. Of course we hope they’ll also notice that Earth Mama Angel Baby products are different from most personal care products. We’ve even signed a truth in labeling pledge. All pure, herbal Earth Mama Angel Baby products are toxin-free and contain no artificial ingredients. Just pure, natural products for pure, natural mamas and babies!

For helpful advice and safe, natural products that work, women can trust Earth Mama Angel Baby. After all, if Mama wouldn't use it for her own family, then she doesn't sell it. Mama's Promise™.

For more information and some great research on toxins in personal care products, see the No More Toxic Tub in the Earth Mama Angel Baby April Newsletter.

So the challenge has been issued--will you accept? I highly recommend you do! Along with an increased awareness of the chemicals you're using on yourself and your baby, by commenting on this post with the answers to the three questions above you'll be entered to win an Earth Mama Angel Baby gift set!

Here's how to enter:

• For one entry comment on this post with the answers to the three questions above.
• For an extra entry tweet about this challenge and giveaway; leave a separate comment with the link to your tweet.
• Though the challenge is ongoing this giveaway ends two weeks from today (June 16, 2009). Good luck!

Image by Chriggy, shared via Flickr.

Giveaway: Fabulously gorgeous Lizzy Anne Pink-a-Boo quilt!

Elizabeth Cranmer, a super gorgeous, super talented woman, is giving away one of her original quilt designs! The Pink-a-Boo quilt is simply scrumptious:

I am so excited to introduce you to 'Pink-A-Boo' my latest quilt for Lizzy Anne quilt designs. This quilt may look familiar if you saw my last post. It too is done in the Darla line by Tanya Whelan for FreeSpirit. This is her yellow colour way, and I love it too! It's fresh and garden-ish and makes me think of lemons, which always make me happy! ...

This quilt measures 42 inches square, making it perfect for a sweet little baby, that special english rose in your life! It's all 100% cotton and has been washed already for that scoochie feel and ready to love!

The roses are a raised raw applique that is frayed to perfection! The button center is secure and cute as all get out!

I would really love to win this quilt so it doesn't make sense to spread word about the giveaway, but blogging about it does earn me a few extra entries so it's worth it! You can enter the giveaway for the Pink-a-Boo quilt here. Good luck! --Emily

Made By Survivors: Give a truly meaningful gift this Mother's Day

I am all for sparkly things and two-pound boxes full of dark chocolate come Mother's Day, but what really sets my heart aflutter is a gift that gives back. I don't think we give these gifts often enough, and so this Mother's Day I want you to really think before buying that slow cooker or Kitchen Aid mixer. They may help support your position as the "favorite" in the family but do they support a more worthy cause like fighting human trafficking and modern-day slavery?

Made By Survivors is part of The Emancipation Network (TEN), an international organization that "[helps] survivors of slavery rebuild their lives after rescue from slavery, with sustainable income, education and help reintegrating into society. [They] work to prevent slavery in high risk communities such as red light and refugee communities, by creating jobs for adults and through volunteer trips and donations to our shelter partners for rescue, school fees, emergency needs and reintegration."

The Emancipation Network imports and sells a wonderful collection of beautiful handmade products created by survivors of slavery and persons at risk of being trafficked into slavery. Made By Survivors is where you can find these handcrafted products, from jewelry, handbags and clothing to paper products, home decor and fun children's items such as the Butterfly Purse pictured at left.

I love the Silver and Stone Necklace and these whimsical Recycled Rice Bag 3-Pocket Wallets! Though the selection isn't as huge as what you might find elsewhere online, I dare you to find a cause more worthy of your support. You can still give sparkly things for Mother's Day--they'll just have greater meaning this year.

For more the full line of Made By Survivors products, visit TEN's online store. To learn more about TEN and how they are "fighting slavery with empowerment" please visit The Emancipation Network site. --Emily

Earth Mama Angel Baby's Tea Party & Tea-rrific prizes!

If you're a pregnant or new mom or know someone who is then you've most likely heard of Earth Mama Angel Baby, a line of 100% natural, organic, toxin-free herbal skin and body care products perfect for pregnancy, labor, postpartum and c-section recovery, breastfeeding, baby care and even the loss of a baby. Earth Mama Angel Baby is all about "moving earth and heaven for you." Can it get any better than that?

Actually, yes it can! Earth Mama Angel Baby is having a Tea Party and you're invited! The company is hosting tea parties in various store locations. Mamas can kick back, sip tea, take home samples and possibly win a comfort-filled custom gift basket. Click on Tea Party Locations on the left-hand side and then select a location on the pull-down menu to find a store throwing a Mama’s Day Tea Party and serving USDA Certified 100% organic comforting teas for every stage of pregnancy, pre and post.

If you can’t make it to one of the "real-life" Tea Parties you can brew your own cup of tea and hop on the computer for a chance to win fabulous prizes from Earth Mama Angel Baby's line of USDA Certified 100% Organic and Kosher tea. Click on Survey on the left-hand side and answer a few questions (sign up for the newsletter for an extra entry) for your chance to win.

For a list of prizes click on Tea-rrific Prizes. You can also view some tasty tea recipes like Mama’s Ginger Mint Mock-Tea-Ni and Comforting Hot Apple Cider.

Don't wait too long to attend the Mama's Day Tea Party...
...the party ends May 15th!

Anne Taintor is my kind of humor!

It's been a while since I've done a that's hot! thursday post but my recent Daily Dish review on Anne Taintor's vintage-style, humor-infused products gave me the perfect excuse to do another one. Haven't heard of Anne Taintor? Then let me fill you in! Below is my review of what will soon be your go-to gift for female family members and friends alike. Say hello to Anne Taintor!

To be honest I wouldn't know if it's actually better than Prozac since I've never taken the stuff. Apparently I should be on it or something similar since Utah is the nation's top offender when it comes to prescription medication abuse...but I digress as I usually do. My point is, if you're an overworked, overstressed, over-housewifed, under- appreciated or occasionally disenchanted woman (or all of the above) then you'll totally get--and love--the Anne Taintor humor. And yes, this laughter is better than any medicine!

Anne Taintor "is the Original Vintage Humor Company"--and I believe it! The products feature a collage with a Taintorette (based on old black-and-white vintage photos of women) and a smart and sassy (and sometimes naught) phrase. I received one of their eco-friendly shopper bags (not yet on the site) and a note set. The shopper's tagline? "The secret ingredient was resentment." The punchline on the note set? "Stop me before I volunteer again." Now THAT one is one of my favorites--and I'm sure you're smiling by now too!

The Anne Taintor product line includes everything from compact cases, luggage tags and pill boxes to notepads, sticky notes and file folders like the one I have on my desk: "The day was in dire need of a Ctrl+Alt+Delete." If you want to laugh for ten minutes straight, pick up an Anne Taintor catalog. I kid you not, I read that thing like it was a Far Side book! And every time I laughed out loud I'd have to tell my husband the latest Taintorette who had me doubled over. (I think he tuned me out after the fifth TV interruption but I kept on reading!)

One of my favorite features on the Anne Taintor site is "Find Your Favorite Taintorette." It's an easy way to see which products are available in your favorite laugh-out-loud sayings. Pretty much every Taintorette has a special place in my heart (I swear I could be BFFs with most of them) but here are my top five:

• "I believe we have an opportunity to make some extremely poor choices"
• "Together, we will own your grandparents"
• "If by 'happy' you mean trapped with no means of escape...? Then yes, I'm happy"
• "Male refrigerator blindness claims another victim"
• "Damn straight I keep score"

And those are only five out of about 100 different Taintorettes! What a really love about Anne Taintor is the universal humor. I'm sure you can relate to at least a dozen Taintorettes and know sisters, moms and girlfriends that can relate to another dozen or so. With so many products from which to choose, you have a gift perfect for every woman on your list! Mother's Day is just around the corner, and nothing says motherhood like a "Remember sweetheart... Mommy loves you, but she doesn't have to like you" magnet! --Emily

aden + anais: winter sale & giveaway!

Normally you wouldn't think "winter sale" in April, but if you live in Utah you can pretty much have a winter sale any month from October through May. (In fact, it's snowing as I write this post.) But aden + anais' winter sale has nothing to do with what month it is but more with what products the sale features: Winter Warmth Swaddles and Dream Blankets. And a sale on baby blankets is definitely worthy of a that's hot! thursday post.

aden + anais is known for award-winning swaddling blankets made with super soft cotton muslin. Muslin "is a unique cotton fabric first introduced into England in the late 17th century." This fabric has a soft, light weave that enables an even airflow, which means your baby’s body temperature can adjust naturally. No chance of overheating or discomfort, yet the soft cotton muslin still ensures warmth for your little one.

aden + anais’ line of muslin swaddling wraps and blankets includes designs for boys, girls and a handful of unisex designs. You’ll find zoo animals and camo along with flowers and polka dots. Right now their 2-Pack of Winter Warmth Swaddles (scroll down; they are the last six products on the page) are on sale for $29.95 and the Dream Blankets are on sale for $39.95.

To receive the discount, visit adenandanais.com and enter promo code "wintersale" when checking out.

*** GIVEAWAY! aden + anais is giving one of our freshly baked readers their fabulous Lime-Brown Winter Warmth 2-packs (a $50 retail value)! Please leave a comment on this post and include a valid email address for our drawing. For 5 extra entries, mention this giveaway on your blog. To be eligible for the extra 5 entries, leave a comment below with a link to your post. The deadline for this giveaway is April 8th, 2009 (midnight). Good luck! --Emily

* The winner of our giveaway was chosen using Random.org, and the winner is Vicki! Congratulations!

The Voice of Mom: Tide Loads of Hope

I love when I can combine fashion with supporting a worthy cause, and thanks to a recent post from The Voice of Mom, I get to do that today! I had no idea Tide had a campaign called "Tide Loads of Hope," which "helps in the aftermath of a natural disaster by providing clean clothes and a sense of comfort to families in need."

Tide has partnered with Feeding America and the campaign travels to disaster-affected neighborhoods with either or trucks or vans providing families with free mobile laundry service. Who knew laundry was going mobile? What a great concept! From The Voice of Mom's post: "To date, Tide Loads of Hope has washed more than 35,000 loads of laundry for over 20,000 families. Most importantly, the Tide Loads of Hope program means [they’re] equipped to take action whenever and wherever there is a need in our country."

Here's where the cause ties into our fashion trend tuesday. You can support Tide Loads of Hope by purchasing one of their cool vintage tees. The tees come in four colors (red, green, blue and yellow) and both women's and men's styles. They are only $20, which is a small price to pay for a cool t-shirt and a cool cause. All profits go to support families affected by disaster.

To read more about the Tide Loads of Hope trucks and vans and the cool things they're doing, check out "Buy a Shirt, Help a Cause: Tide Loads of Hope" from The Voice of Mom. To purchase your own vintage Tide tee, visit the Tide Loads of Hope T-shirt page here. Nothing like some good, clean fun tees to kick of spring! --Emily

Photo from The Voice of Mom.

EcoStiletto shows that "green" is the new black

Though I still have a long way to go I am trying to go green wherever and whenever I can. Yes, I have room for improvement (more like a 4-bedroom house) but every little bit helps and that's what I'm banking on. I'll be the first to admit my preconception about "going green" is probably not a fair one (cleaning products that don't really clean, an unsightly mini composter on my kitchen counter), but it is slowly changing as I come across more and more companies that are making going green a fashionable endeavor. Yes, "green" is slowly becoming the new black and sites like EcoStiletto are leading the movement.

EcoStiletto is an eco-friendly site geared toward women...but it's not about vegan heels. Their tagline reads: "Stiletto-size your carbon footprint and change the world, one small step at a time." Some of you may not know what the term "carbon footprint" means. Here's what CarbonFootprint.com says:

A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment, and in particular climate change. It relates to the amount of greenhouse gases produced in our day-to-day lives through burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating and transportation etc.

Basically it's the effect your activities have on the environment. Going green is all about shrinking your carbon footprint and having as little negative effect on your surroundings as possible--at least that's my understanding.

But back to EcoStiletto. The site is all about changing your Ugg-boot-size carbon footprint to one that is either nonexistent or at the very least the tiniest of Manolo stilettos. The site features eco-friendly choices in a variety of areas including fashion, beauty, parenting and even entertainment. I love this quote from their About Us page:

We're not about guilt, we're about information. We're not about forcing you to change, we're about giving you alternatives. Because everyone wants to make a difference, but no one wants to give up the little things that we love. Making a difference doesn't have to mean making a huge change in your lifestyle. Sometimes it just means considering the alternatives.

Now that's sounds like change I can handle! Some of EcoStiletto's recent posts include Canopy Verde's eco-friendly bags, organic chocolate (I knew I loved this site!) and cool recycled toddler shoes from Pedoodles. One of my most favorite things is their Big List of Things That Suck, which highlights from A to Z things that are so not "green" (e.g., animal testing, BPAs, phthalates, and VOCs).

"EcoStiletto is for the woman who wants to do the right thing and still look good doing it." That quote comes courtesy of Kelly Rutherford from Gossip Girl. (I'm not into Gossip Girl but from what I gather, if Kelly endorses something it's worth taking note.) With EcoStiletto, going green has never looked so good! --Emily

I Never Grew Up Birthday Bash--giveaways galore!

I only recently discovered I Never Grew Up--how did I go this long without subscribing to this fabulous blog? I met Vanessa when I participated in a focus group for Today's Mama; everyone there had asked if I'd seen her blog. I knew I was missing out if it were that popular! If you haven't heard about it then you've been missing out as well.

Vanessa, who was a nanny in Boston and Salt Lake for seven years before having her own children, started I Never Grew Up "to assist parents in everyday life." I feel having been a nanny and now a mom she is more than qualified to offer help with home education, finding--and buying--the best children's products and books, and spending time in nature. (I am determined to make it to one of her Nature Day outings!) She also blogs about healthy eating and being eco-friendly. Yes, it's a very well rounded blog!

This week she is celebrating I Never Grew Up's one-year birthday with a HUGE birthday bash! She has 10 fabulous giveaways right now on her blog, each and every one a must-have item. Me, I'm going for the Hoover Stick Vacuum!

You can see the full list of giveaways in her "Let the party begin!" post and enter as many as you'd like. Subscribe to her newsletter and you'll get 5 more entries; blog about it and you'll 10 more! Even if you don't win you'll have found a wonderful new blog and a lot of great tips and tricks for motherhood. So head over to I Never Grew Up and join the party! --Emily

Saving money is more stylish than ever!

In today's economy it's all about saving money. Fortunately I've never been a full-price shopper so buying things on sale, and especially clearance, comes naturally. Sometimes it takes a bit of patience while you wait for that must-have sweater to go on sale. And once in a while I experience the pain of disappointment when the skirt I want is sold out by the time I am ready to buy it. But I get over it quickly as I look for the next great deal. That's not to say you shouldn't pay full price for a high-quality wardrobe staple (or a fabulous and comfy pair of heels), but most of the time paying full price is just plain silly.

Fortunately for us a lot of retailers are cutting prices more often and by a higher percentage as they too feel the crunch of the economy. I swear Old Navy, Gap, Gymboree, Esprit, The Children's Place and many others are sending me more emails than ever about special sales and markdowns. Anyone else noticing their Inbox filling up rather quickly? In the spirit of saving and on this fashion trend tuesday, I thought I'd share my recent budget-friendly purchases. (Just don't tell my husband; he doesn't know about all of these...yet.)

Victoria's Secret Hooded Pajama set (Not exactly what my husband had in mind and for some reason it doesn't look that sexy on a normal person like me...)

$19.99 regularly $39.50

Victoria's Secret Empire-Waist Wool Coat (This isn't the exact coat; perhaps they've already sold out. Mine is a similar style but hip length.)

$99 regulary $148 (mine was $65 regularly about $125)






New James Jeans via ebay (I love ebay for designer denim. Just make sure you go by measurements--waist, rise, inseam--and not size!)

$19.98 regularly $100+


Anthropologie Frosted Sigh Blouse (I justified this purchase because I had a $20 gift card--thanks, Bri!)

$59.95 regularly $118

Have you found any great deals in the past few weeks? Do you have any favorite websites and/or blogs you watch for upcoming deals and specials? We'd love to know! --Emily

excellent Etsy find: HELICOPTER studios

I am so glad I subscribe to Cool Mom Picks' daily feed or I might not have discovered today's excellent Etsy find. Cool Mom Picks recently featured HELICOPTER studios and the shop's wonderful line of toys disguised as works of art.

The woman behind HELICOPTER studios is Shannon Duffy, who like many Etsy designers, created the first Discovery Tote for her family. I'm sure once others saw the fabulous totes word quickly spread and the result is her cute Etsy shop. Each wonderfully imaginative tote is one of a kind. They are hand stitched with different scenes and include pieces that actually move so children can let their imagination run wild. Now that's my kind of toy!

One of my favorite totes is the Fishing Tote. The fuchsia pom pom trim is to die for! The tote opens to a fuchsia polkadot fabric and three little fish. The fish are magnetic and can be picked up with the magnetic fishing pole. Everything folds up flat in the handy tote. Genius! I'm loving the idea of taking this on a road trip so I don't have to hear Animal Crossing music for hours on end.

My other favorite Discovery Totes from HELICOPTER studios are the Cars, Nest and A Day at the Beach totes. In fact, I love them all! Good luck deciding just which one to buy! --Emily

excellent Etsy find: LeatherPrince Shop

It's been a while since my last excellent Etsy find. To tell you the truth I just plum forget about it come Wednesday night. My brain checks out for the weekend by then and it's all downhill from there. But I'm determined to get back into the habit and I have a great Etsy shop for you today.

LeatherPrince Shop offers the cutest hand-cut and hand-stitched designs by Beon and Candy, a husband and wife team. Beon, from Singapore, and Candy, from Taiwan, love working with colorful leather and enjoy making items together. (I wish I could learn how to work well alongside my husband, but that's another post.)

Most of their collection is made up of key chains though they do offer a few purses, iPod (LOVE the Taka Ninja in red) holders and coin pouches. Of the 118 key chains your bound to find one or two (or five) that strike your fancy. I'm lovin' Fiona the Owl and Ronnie the Raccoon and their juicy red apple key chain would make a wonderful end-of-the-school-year teacher gift. And they take custom orders, so if you'd prefer a hot pink ninja you need only ask! --Emily

cheeky & swank: the perfect combination

I much prefer doing a take it off tuesday than a fashion trend tuesday. Exercise and fitness is much more my thing than the latest styles and trends but since my brownie, bread and Oreo diet isn't having the desired effects I'm not feeling the fitness thing this week. What I am feeling is super cute styles for parents and baby, and that's what Cheeky & Swank is all about!

Cheeky & Swank, a company "for cheeky kids & swank parents," has something for everyone, from bibs and burp cloths for baby to stylish tees and bags for moms and dads. One of my favorite items is their Magna-Bib. Kind of sounds like a superhero, doesn't it? And it just might be with its high-temperature, special magnets hidden in the neck. The magnetic closure means no scratchy Velcro and no snagged tights coming out of washer or dryer. Velcro is probably my least favorite. The tie-on bib is a step above because it stays secure but it can be quite the battle trying to tie it on a very hungry, very squirmy baby. I love the idea of a bib with a magnetic closure. Thank you, Cheeky & Swank!

Beyond bibs the company also has a beautiful collection of blankets, burp cloths and slings. And let's not forget about those swank parents! I absolutely love their Blushing Bird and Madame Butterfly tees for Mom and Owl messenger bag. Their tees for Dad are pretty cool too (the V-Dub long-sleeve is my fave). Oh, and I forgot to mention their cute line of apparel for kids. I just might have to purchase the Miss Peacock smocked top for my little girl. So sweet!

In our house being cheeky will either get you in trouble (those over the age of 8) or make Mom & Dad laugh (those under the age of 4). And style has nothing to do with it. If you're looking for that perfect combination you'll want to check out Cheeky & Swank. They've got it down perfectly! --Emily

Babycapes sale! 40% off all styles!

I reviewed Babycapes not too long ago on Boutique Cafe's Daily Dish. (You can read my Babycapes review here.) Though it took a few tries to get the hang of it we have fallen in love with this stylish, warm, super soft--and very safe--coat. The retail price (around $80) is a bit high for some budgets but since the coat can be worn from infant to toddler I still feel it's a worthwhile investment. Plus your child is a lot safer buckled in her car seat wearing a Babycape than that bulky sweater or coat!

If the price tag kept you from purchasing your own Babycape, you're in luck. The company just announced its American Economic Recovery Sale. All Babycapes are now 40% off! That is just about wholesale so you won't find a better deal anywhere online or at any other time of year. Don't wait too long to choose your favorite--popular styles will go quickly. You can view the entire collection online at Babycapesonline.com.

P.S. Keep your eyes open for our own special sale. We'll be announcing it soon! --Emily

the giving tee

You've heard of Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree but have you heard of Tiny Revolutionary's The Giving Tee? I doubt it's as well known as the aforementioned book yet it has just as strong an impact, if not more, on society. Why? Because The Giving Tee supports a variety of worthy causes.

My favorite Giving Tee has "This shirt saved a life" emblazoned on the front. The tee is the result of Tiny Revolutionary's partnership with Africa Aid. The shirt truly is a life saver. When you purchase a "This shirt saved a life" tee, $20 is donated directly to Africa Aid to fund a child in their school lunch program in the Buduburam Refugee Settlement in Ghana for an entire year. Yes, an entire year. The design is printed on a super soft 100% cotton vintage black tee with non-toxic inks. Each tee includes an inside print explaining the program and is hand-numbered before it's shipped so it's truly one of a kind.

Tiny Revolutionary has two other Giving Tees, both just as cool as their "This shirt saved a life." "No guitar left behind" helps provide music education and instruments to homeless and underprivileged kids in the Chicago area through Rock for Kids. "Where there is love, there is life" helps caregivers learn techniques that improve their ability to nurture a child's social, cognitive and physical development through Hands to Hearts International.

Giving Tees cost from $34 to $40, but $10 to $20 of that goes directly to a charitable foundation. (I can't say the same for my latest Esprit t-shirt purchase.) Tiny Revolutionary is giving you an easy way to support a worthy cause, something that's always in style and even more so in today's economy. Make your next apparel purchase your most fashionable one yet. --Emily

must-have toy: Playmobil Security Check Point

Today's post reminds me of when you hear a funny joke or see something funny on TV (like the cell phone commericial where the mom mixes up the leftover minutes with the new minutes on the coffee table) and you continue to randomly chuckle over it for days to come. Hopefully this week's wonderful web wednesday will do the same.

Actually, it's not my post that will make you laugh but rather the latest must-have toy from Playmobil, the Security Check Point. I hadn't heard of this toy until a Facebook friend posted a link to the toy on Amazon.com. The toy itself isn't really that funny (see image). At first I actually thought it was the joke...Is there really a check point toy from Playmobil? Yes, yes there is. But the real humor is found in the comments at the bottom of the page. Dripping with sarcasm and full of wit I thoroughly enjoyed reading one comment after another. I had no idea Playmobil wouldn't be up to the task of teaching our children the reality of air travel. You better believe I won't be buying it!

Need a good laugh (and a chuckle or two later in the day)? Check out the Playmobil Security Check Point's comments on Amazon.com. Ah yes, it's a wonderful, wonderful web! --Emily

decor8: because fashion isn't just about you

Most of our fashion trend tuesdays have been all about the latest clothing and accessories. I can't recall the last time we featured a site or brand focused on making your little world as fashionable as your little one (or you). So today I have an especially stylish treat for you, a blog dedicated to delicious decor aptly named decor8.

decor 8, a blog with "fresh finds for hip spaces," first launched three years ago. The site offers its readers everything from "decorating ideas, interiors and independent art and design to inspiration for "living a more fulfilling, creative life." decor8 is updated daily with product reviews, interviews, home tours, do-it-yourself projects and even reader discounts and contests. Who doesn't love a good contest almost as much as a great sofa?

The woman behind decor8 is Holly Becker, a writer and interior design consultant with one foot in New Hampshire and the other in Germany. By living in both places she is able to bring readers the latest finds (shows, shops and studios) from Europe to the U.S. Holly is a regular contributor to Real Simple, Domino, and the Boston Globe’s Style & Art section. You can also read Holly's ideas and insight on Real Simple’s Home & Organizing blog.

With a woman such as Holly behind decor8 you have a style mixed with some serious substance. In other words, she knows what she's talking about and when she talks about something called Big Cartel, you listen (see "Big Cartel Shop Roundup"). Why else do I love this site? Because decor8 reminds me of my good friend LeShan. With her eye fashion and style and talent for design she could write for the blog. Me? I am better off reading it. --Emily

stop digging through your jewelry!

For Christmas I received the most perfect pair of earrings from my good friend LeShan. She knows me so well! (I hope you bought a pair for yourself, babe!) The good news is I absolutely love them. The bad news is they're going to get lost amidst the ocean of earrings that is my jewelry box. Even though I've separated the dangly earrings from the posts it takes me a good five minutes to find a matching pair. The same goes for finding my favorite bracelet, and we won't even talk about the tangled mess that is my necklace collection.

That's why today's fashion trend tuesday features a simple yet stylish organizer for your jewelry--or at least for your favorites. The Petite Magnolia Jewelry Tree from Wrapables.com displays your necklaces and earrings on its branches. Plus it's much more decor friendly than using tiny picture nails in your closet to hang your necklaces! Standing 11 inches high, the Petite Magnolia Jewelry Tree comes in both silver and red, and right now it's on sale for 50% off! Let the post-Christmas shopping continue! (You'll need to shop for some new earrings and a bracelet or two, too...) --Emily

Created by Mom, the must-shop chic boutique!

Many mompreneurs are always on the lookout for the right boutique to carry their line and CreatedByMom.com Chic Boutique is one of them. What's really great about CreatedByMom.com is that it was started by a mompreneur just like you! Her idea was to design a boutique to "support moms everywhere, creating what they love and succeeding, selling their products in a mom-friendly environment."

I don't know of too many boutiques started by a mom and showcasing only mom-designed products. Mom 4 Life is the only other one I can think of, so CreatedByMom.com is in good company! I love the story behind the site:

CreatedByMom.com began with the perfect recipe of 50% inspiration & 50% desperation. After watching many friends make fabulous products & then start their own businesses Quinn Curtis had a brilliant idea: open an online store that makes it easier for moms to sell & buy each other's products, making a one-stop shop for consumers to also support moms & their creations.

So you're in good company when it comes to selling your items on CreatedByMom.com. It's kind of nice to know the owner can totally relate! The boutique features gifts for everyone, from baby to mom and dad and even decor for your home. Standard shipping is included in the price. One really nifty thing about this boutique is the Mom-Vendor Discount. Vendors on CreatedByMom.com receive 20% off any other boutique item. How cool is that!

Whether you're looking for the perfect place to feature your products or the best place to shop mom-designed products, CreatedByMom.com Chic Boutique is the place. --Emily

excellent Etsy find: JeniLuScraps

This past week I've done a lot of shopping on Etsy. It's the perfect place for unique gifts and I've found something for everyone, including my oldest daughter's good friend. (I doubt she reads this blog so I won't be spoiling the surprise.) I wanted something fun yet affordable and different than the typical American Girl body product, and I found it at JeniLuScraps.

JeniLuScraps is owned by a mother/daughter team "who have found pure joy in creating anything and everything, and strengthening the bond between us in the process." I'm all for anything that strengthens the mother/daughter bond! Their shop is where I found the cute Mini One-snap Wallet for my daughter's friend. The wallet is perfect for lunch money and student ID and has a key ring so she can attach it to her backpack. I also love their Rags to Bags collection featuring one-of-a-kind fabrics combinations; what a great way to reuse fabric! And their Flaunt Your Photo frames are fabulous!

JeniLuScraps always has new things so you'll want to check in every now and then. If you see something you like but wish it were a little different, the mother/daughter team welcomes the challenge! Their shipping was super fast so you just might be able to still order and receive your item before Christmas. Those wallets make great friend gifts! --Emily