As you know, I like to shop. (Duh.) I like to buy things. It’s fun. But, I can’t run around spending big bucks everytime I want to get my shopping fix. That’s where Ten Dollar Tuesday comes in. Every week I show you a great find for $10 or less. You can get something perfect and sweet for your little one without breaking the bank.

Check out this week’s pick: the Beatrix Potter Wood Block Puzzle from tiny giraffe shop. This set of four 1 inch blocks features images from the 1980 book Giant Treasury of Peter Rabbit. The blocks combine to make six cute images, which may be more difficult to complete than you think. I just can’t get over how totally darling the blocks in this puzzle are. They are obviously great to look at, but I mostly love the creative and fun use of old books.

Each wooden block is sanded and coated with non toxic, non flammable sealant for durability and can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.

This sweet set of blocks is only $10 including shipping! If you’re still shopping for your little one’s basket, check out the tiny giraffe shop. The Wood Block Puzzle, Thomas the Train Clipboard or Mickey Mouse Magnet set is sure to bring a big smile on Easter morning.

If you have a baby or ever shop for a baby you know there are a lot of pacifier clips out there. Well, I am happy to tell you I have found THE cutest one around. pacienvy pacifier clips are not your grandmama’s pacifier clips, but they are your Shopping Mama’s clips of choice. Totally adorable, sturdy and personalized, pacienvy pacifier clips are seriously perfect.

Seana, the mom, brains and talent behind pacienvy, started making pacifier clips in 2005 after the birth of her second daughter. (That’s the darling inspiration in the photo.) In her own words: I saw lots of different clips, most machine made, but never really saw one that I liked. I found some unique ones, with lots of beads and bling bling, but the high price tag kept me from having lots to choose from — they HAD to match our outfits!! So, I started making my own – with her name, to match her outfits. A dear friend of mine saw them, offered to put some in her stores. They took off! I officially became pacienvy in February of 2006.

Every pacienvy clip is totally customizable to your preferences. First, select a ribbon from the more than forty choices. The ribbon is approximately 11 inches in length and has a loop on one end that accommodates most pacifiers with a “ring”. As if those choices weren’t enough, you can even make a special request for the colors of your favorite sports team! Next, decide what name, nickname or characters you want on your ten beads. In addition to letters, pacienvy offers hearts, baseballs, soccer balls and basketballs. (I just adore clips sported by Mia Hamm and Nomar Garciaparra’s girls: “I heart mom” with soccer balls and “I heart dad” with baseballs! Are they perfect, or what?) Colored beads are used to coordinate with your ribbon choice. The end result: an adorable, one of a kind pacifier clip for all to envy.

Baby Girl had the pleasure of testing a pacienvy clip in the pink dots ribbon with her name and pink beads to match. Aside from immediately noticing how cute the clip is, I was very impressed with how “solid” it is. It’s not flimsy at all and is obviously well made. Baby Girl is at that phase where she’s grabbing at anything she can get her chubby little paws on and her pacienvy clip stays put on her shirt or bib or to whatever it is clipped. The beads are larger than I expected and very easy to read so the clip can be admired without people getting up in your baby’s face.

Like I said before, there are a lot of pacifier clips out there but for only $8.99 the quality and cuteness of pacienvy clips can’t be beat. On top of all the reasons why the product is great, the creator herself is kind as can be. After seeing on Facebook that I am the proud new aunt of a little boy, Seana sent me an adorable pacifier clip personalized just for him. I was truly touched.

Shop! You can buy pacienvy clips for your own little ones and for a great baby shower / new baby gift at pacienvy’s website for $8.99 each.

Win! Pacienvy is giving one reader TWO personalized pacifier clips!

How to Enter: For your mandatory first entry, go check out the pacienvy webpage and leave a comment telling me how you would personalize your pacifier clips (including ribbon choice) and who you would give them to.

Bonus Entries - I’ve changed it up.
* Blog about this giveaway and link to The Shopping Mama AND pacienvy. Leave THREE comments that say, “I blogged” with a link.
* Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or a reader. Leave TWO comments that say, “I subscribe” with your email address.
* Become a fan of pacienvy on Facebook.
* Follow The Shopping Mama on Blogger.
* Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter AND Tweet about this contest.

The fine print: Please leave a contact email address in your entry. If you prefer, you may email me your contact info. Winner will be selected using random.org and has 48 hours to claim the prize before another winner is selected. Contest ends 11:59 EST on April 17. Open to US and Canada residents.

Appledonia offers an adorable collection of chilren’s shirts and onesies featuring colorful fabric designs. I recently purchased the Dump Truck Fun shirt for Toddler Boy and the This Little Piggy onesie for Baby Girl. If possible, they are even more adorable in person. The quality is great and they look like they cost a quite a bit more than the $11 price tag.

I had the pleasure of asking Kerri, the mom behind Appledonia, some questions about her work.

TSM: How long have you been making your shirts? How long have you been selling them?
I’ve been making them and selling them since February 2008. It has been a lot of fun, because I have a little guy who is perfect for some of my modeling pictures.

TSM: How did you come up with the shop name Appledonia?
Back in 1997 when my sister was pregnant with her first child we were thinking of names and for some reason “Appledonia” popped in my head. They didn’t think it was a good baby name, so I decided one day to name a business after it.

TSM: What is your favorite design?
I would have to say my “Muddy Piggy” design. I love the way it looks on my little guy and his big belly I love it!

TSM: Do you give your shirts as gifts to friends/family?
Absolutely. My sister and her children all have multiple shirts from me.

TSM: How do you find the time to make them?
When my 2 year old is asleep then I’m sewing. I think I still have a husband…but haven’t seen much of him lately I know how that feels!

TSM: Do you have any plans for additional products or business expansion?
I’ve been looking into adding a line of bath appliqué towels. I’m working on my sewing skills for the hooded towels.

TSM: What’s the best part of owning your own business?
Being able to spend time at home with my little guy and soon-to-be little guy (due this July). Also, there are no staff meetings…
Congrats on the little one on his way!

Shop! Check out the Appledonia Etsy shop for all the short and long-sleeved tees and onesies. There are even a couple of cute Easter designs, like this sweet Bunny Egg.

Flossy Stylish Design is giving away a set of 25 personalized notecards. I wrote about the awesome notecards Kelsey made for Toddler Boy here. Now you have a chance to win your own.

Go check out the Flossy blog and leave a comment there to enter. I would normally offer you good luck, but because I would like to win them I will not be doing that today.

The Dfmi Notecards winner is #24 Texan Mama @ Who Put Me In Charge.

The Illia Kids Floral Swing Top winner is # 114 Lindsey.

Winners have been contacted and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.

Big thanks to Erin at Dfmi Designs and Heily at Illia Kids. Thanks, too, go to everyone who entered. Check back soon for more shopping ideas and great giveaways.

Here’s my weekly round up of some current sales, coupons and discount codes so you can shop to your heart’s content while saving a few bucks. My pick? Crazy 8. You can save 25% off everything you buy AND earn Crazy Cash to redeem later.

* Crazy 8: 25% off entire purchase with code “c8online” – Ends March 26
* Gymboree: Spring Break Deals (select items marked $10 & $15) – Ends March 30
* babyGap: Spring Sale, save up to 40%
* Osh Kosh B’gosh: up to 60% Spring blowout sale
* Carter’s: 50% off Easter sale
* The Children’s Place: Spring sale
* Crazy 8: Earn $20 Crazy Cash on every $40 you spend – Ends April 5
* Stride Rite: Buy One Get One 50% Off In Stores Only – Ends April 5
* Gymboree: Earn Gymbucks now through April 12
* The Crazy Dazy: 10% discount code “SHOPPINGMAMA” – No expiration
* Goore’s: Save 10% on Picci bedding with code “tsmpi”

Email mewith scoop to include!

(This post updated 3/27)

The Mom Buzz featured The Shopping Mama today in the Blog Buzz feature. Thanks, Erin! Check out The Mom Buzz to read an interview with yours truly and enter some great giveaways.