Some of my favorite products and things to screen shop for are handmade, personalized products from sites like Etsy. A new law set to go in effect February 10, 2009 known as the CPSIA will severely impact all manufacturers of items for kids. The law requires investing tens of thousands of dollars into third-party testing and labeling, just to prove that toys that never had a single toxic chemical in them still don’t have a single toxic chemical in them.

But who am I kidding? I spend waaaay too much time shopping for deeply discounted items that need to sell before the law goes into effect to actually read and understand the law.

So I urge you to read more about it here and take a few minutes to write your Member of Congress. (I did take time away from screen shopping to do that.)

I am now proud to present the first link to a giveaway! Kid Buy Products is giving away a Whimsical Walney t-shirt to help raise awareness of the CPSIA. Good luck.

The women at Kid Buy Products provide thoughtful reviews on all things baby and kid, ranging from books to baby carriers to bags. Best of all? They often have giveaways so you can win products they review. Don’t worry, I’ll post when they have an awesome giveaway so you don’t miss the chance to win.

I am an addict. I am totally, 100% addicted to shopping for my children online.

The blog is now my official excuse for my compulsion to screen shop (like window shop, but on the computer). I am also a cartoholic – I fill virtual shopping carts with thousands of dollars worth of goods only to see them empty because the time has expired and not becuase I actually purchased anything. (But, there are some things a Mama just can’t resist buying her Baby Girl or Toddler Boy.)

Lucky for you, I will put my addiction to good use and compile must-have items and awesome shopping websites. Because of the Husband, I’m on a budget so (most of) the things I’ll show you are affordable.

The Shopping Mama has arrived!