The Shopping Mama

Sunday Spotlight: tiny giraffe shop + Giveaway

by Kate on May 31st, 2009 | 5 Comments | Giveaway Linky, Toys, Weekly Features

If you have been reading The Shopping Mama for a few months, you may recognize today’s Sunday Spotlight shop. tiny giraffe shop was one of my Easter basket ideas and a $10 Tuesday feature.

tiny giraffe shop features beautiful handmade goodies made from recycled children’s books and designer paper. Amy, the mom of two young girls, finds books that are unreadable because of torn pages, scribbles, or broken binding and puts them to use on adorable blocks, light switch plates and clipboards. The end result is just adorable. Don’t you love this A to Z set of 13 blocks?

Before we get to the giveaway, let’s get to know Amy.

TSM: When did you start making and selling your adorable goods?

I started my Etsy shop in February of this year…so I’m just getting started! One day I was shopping on Etsy for light switch plates for my little girls’ rooms and couldn’t find any that I loved. I decided to make some myself and just a few weeks later I started an Etsy shop! I must be insane because I launched my shop the day I got home from the hospital after having my daughter. I enjoyed making the switch plates, but fell in love with making wood block sets and puzzles. I get such a kick out of creating a classic toy that children can spend hours playing with.

TSM: What is your favorite item to make or sell?

My block puzzles!!! They are sort of a labor of love because they take longer than making a regular block set…I try to keep them at an affordable price so more people can enjoy them.

TSM: Do you give things you make to friends and family?

Of course! I have started giving the block sets away for baby showers and toddler birthdays. It’s so satisfying to give a gift that I spent time creating.

TSM: As a busy mom, how do you find time to make your things?

Most of my work is done in several hour blocks (no pun intended!) on the weekends. I’m a stay-at-home mom with a newborn and 3 year old, so I don’t have much down time during the week days and even at night these days. I’m hoping nighttime can be productive as my newborn starts to sleep better at night…more sleep would be nice, too.

Yes, more sleep would definitely be nice!

TSM: Do you have any plans for new products or business expansion?

I’m currently working on a Ready-To-Create kit which will include everything you need to make your very own set of 12 blocks – from supplies to easy-to-follow instructions. Making blocks has been so much fun for me, and I think it is something people will enjoy doing with their kids or even giving it as a gift.

I LOVE that idea. Just make sure it’s dumbed-down so even the craft-challenged like me can do it!

TSM: What’s the best part of having your own business?

I have to say that the best part of having my Etsy shop is the interaction I have with customers and other sellers. It’s such a great feeling to receive positive feedback, and I just love the thought of children playing with something I have made!

I just adore the sets of blocks at the tiny giraffe shop. A set is a perfectly unique and inexpensive birthday gift, or a great way to add some fun and color to a nursery.

Shop! tiny giraffe shop is offering The Shopping Mama readers a discount! Get 10% off your purchase when you mention The Shopping Mama in notes to seller.

Win! One lucky reader will win the Short Stack of Blocks of your choice from tiny giraffe shop!

How to Enter: Check out the adorable tiny giraffe shop and leave a message here with your favorite listing.

Bonus Entries:
* Purchase something from tiny giraffe shop before the end of the giveaway for five bonus entries. Leave five comments.
* Follow tiny giraffe shop on Twitter.
* Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter and tweet this: Win cute, cute, cute set of @tinygiraffeshop blocks @TheShoppingMama. http://tinyurl.com/mxa62c
* Follow The Shopping Mama blog.
* Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or a reader.
* Blog about this giveaway including a link to http://www.theshoppingmama.com/ for five bonus entries.

Fine Print: Be sure to have your email address visible in your profile or included in your comments. If you subscribe via email, validate it through the confirmation email you’ll receive. Winner will be chosen via random.org, emailed and has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected. Open to US and Canadian mailing addresses. Contest ends 11:59 pm June 12.

Cool Store Alert: My Retro Baby

by Kate on May 30th, 2009 | 5 Comments | Uncategorized

While researching products for an All About Eating event I’m trying to pull together for next month, I came across the cutest freaking store and I just had to share. My Retro Baby has a huge selection of just about everything you can imagine. And it’s all CUTE!

Here are a few of my favorites.

I’m totally into the fabric on this Pink Birds Modern Blanket. It’s so modern and fresh looking, nevermind how comfy and cozy it looks.

Perhaps I still have travel on my mind after last weekend’s travel-extravaganza 2009, but I think this Cowboy Nap to Go is awesome. It includes a pillow, pillow case and blanket.

My Retro Baby has a ton of adorable wall art. I love this Cherry Blossom piece that can be customized with baby’s name.

How totally sweet is this Personalized Bodysuit? Seriously. I love it! The boy version is on a white onesie and is equally cute.

If you’re looking to splurge on a unique and totally cute baby gift or just want some good baby eye candy, check out My Retro Baby.

TGIF: Sales, Coupons & Discount Codes

by Kate on May 29th, 2009 | 5 Comments | Uncategorized

Protect-a-Bub was recently sold to Baby Jogger but that company did not purchase the Protect-a-Bub line of swimwear. To sell the remaining inventory, the company has set up a website for the closeout sale: http://www.babysunwear.com/. Swimsuits and swimshirt sets are only $9 and sun hats are only $6! Seriously? NINE dollars for a two-piece bathing suit? You can’t beat that!

Pediped Purchases with Purpose. Now through June 10, pediped is hosting the Purchases with Purpose fundraiser to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Over 50 styles of shoes are marked 30 – 50% off. And, fifty percent of sales from this fundraiser will be donated to the charity to help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. I am all over this sale because pediped very rarely marks down the price of their shoes and it benefits a great cause.

More Shoe News. Save the Date for the See Kai Run Warehouse Sale June 13 – 14 from 10 am until 3 pm at the See Kai Run HQ in WA. Save at least 50%! (Oh how I wish I lived there!) If you like See Kai Run shoes, and who doesn’t, don’t forget to enter The Shopping Mama giveaway.

Sales
* Stride Rite: Free shipping when you buy 2 pairs of shoes. Ends May 30.
* Robeez: Spring into Summer sale.
* Pottery Barn Kids: Furniture Event, save up to 30%.

Coupons
* Carter’s: Earn $10 gift check for every $25 you spend through June 14. Plus Baby Sale.
* Osh Kosh B’gosh: Earn $10 play card for every $25 you spend through June 14. Plus Summer Blowout Sale.

Exclusive Discount
* The Crazy Dazy: 10% off your purchase with the code SHOPPINGMAMA.

Breastfeed Discreetly & Comfortably with Belly Fish Review + Giveaway

by Kate on May 29th, 2009 | 5 Comments | Reviews

Meet Belly Fish: a stylish nursing cover and nursing pillow all-in-one. Genius, right? Most first time (and experienced, for that matter) breastfeeding moms need the support and comfort that comes with using a nursing pillow, and most breastfeeding moms want the privacy that comes with a nursing cover. The Belly Fish blends both functions with total style and ease of use.

Belly Fish was created by two moms who recognized the need for a product and found an awesome solution. About Belly Fish, from the creators Erica and Julie:

“Like many new moms, we absolutely loved our nursing pillow. We carried it from room-to-room as we nursed, and even took it with us when we visited friends and family. As much as we enjoyed our nursing pillow, it was not easy to travel with. Its large and bulky shape was just not meant for the everyday errands and outings. With that thought in mind, we developed our first prototype. We dedicated countless hours of hard work to ensure our product met the high standards, that we as moms demand.”

How does it work? The Belly Fish is a crescent shaped nursing pillow that cradles the body. A neck strap goes behind your head and has snaps to which a privacy panel attaches. There are several snaps and the neck strap is adjustable allowing for a secure and comfortable fit. It has two privacy panels – one for each side so you can create good coverage no matter which side you are feeding. When not in use, the panel snaps tightly around the folded nursing pillow to create a portable pillow. The nursing pillow is covered in an adorable fabric and the privacy panels are made from a coordinating and equally cute fabric.

I received the Turquoise – Gothic Rose Belly Fish and I love it! I have to admit, I’m pretty lazy about using a nursing pillow. The first time I used the Belly Fish I thought, “Why have I not been using one of these for the last 5 months?!” The support of the raised baby makes feeding Baby Girl so much more comfortable.

I put the privacy shield to the test when we had some of my husband’s colleagues over to dinner. Breastfeeding in front of fighter pilots? Can be a little nerve-wracking. Once I got the Belly Fish in place, it provided enough coverage so that I felt confident feeding baby in front of our company. And, did I mention I felt physically comfortable? What a relief!

My one initial concern when hearing about the Belly Fish was its size. The idea of a nursing pillow and cover in one is amazing, but if it doesn’t travel well it’s pretty much useless. I was pleasantly surprised by how compactly and easily the Belly Fish folds. It could easily fit in a stroller basket. It can also be carried over the shoulder using the neck strap.

To Buy… I think the Belly Fish would be an amazing baby shower or new baby gift for a new mom planning to breastfeed. At $48 the Belly Fish is also a very economical purchase. It easily replaces three popular products that can run upwards of $75 (nursing pillow $30 + cover $10 + nursing cover $35).

…Or Not To Buy. The only negative I found is that it the privacy panel sort of obstructs the view of baby when nursing. The issue was easily overcome by using my free hand to move the panel back slightly when I wanted to look at Baby Girl.

Shop! The Belly Fish nursing cover and nursing pillow all-in-one can be purchased at http://www.belly-fish.com/ for $47.95. There are six beautiful color choices to pick from.

Win! Belly Fish is generously giving away one Belly Fish Pillow in Turquoise.

How to Enter: Visit the Belly Fish website and leave a comment here with your favorite color combination.

Bonus Entries:
* Tell me your favorite feature of the Belly Fish!

* Follow Belly Fish on Twitter

* Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter and Tweet this: Win a @BellyFishPillow nursing cover and nursing pillow all-in-one @TheShoppingMama. http://tinyurl.com/n244lu

* Grab The Shopping Mama’s NEW button for your sidebar!

Fine Print: Please leave a valid email address in your comment so I can contact you. If you prefer, leave a comment and then send me an email. Winner will be chosen via random.org and has 48 hours to respond or the prize will be awarded during a live giveaway. Open to US mailing addresses. Contest ends 11:59 pm June 12.

Do You Follow Me on Twitter?

by Kate on May 28th, 2009 | 5 Comments | Uncategorized

Well, the Savings.com blog thinks you should! I was just named to their list of “30 Deal Hunters to Follow on Twitter.” Very cool!

Savings.com explains that this is just a jumping off point of good people to follow on Twitter and the “list compiles 30 of the most followed people on Twitter who contribute some great deals on a regular basis.”

I guess I’d better get to work on tomorrow’s list of discounts, sales and coupons!

Giveaways Galore: List Your Links

by Kate on May 28th, 2009 | 5 Comments | Uncategorized

On Thursdays I normally post a Mr. Linky so bloggers can list their current giveaways and readers can find a bunch to enter all in one place. Well, Mr. Linky is not cooperating. Instead, this week I’m going to tell you about a few giveaways out there that I want to win. (On second thought, maybe I shouldn’t tell you after all because then you’ll enter and decrease my chance of winning. Oh well, I’ll take my chances.)

The mom blog Busy Mom is giving away a Keurig Platinum Brewing System. It would really take care of Father’s Day if I won since I have not given any thought as to what to get my husband. Maybe I should get on that.

You can win some adorable Ivory & Moss shoes at Swag Studio.

Have giveaways you want to share?
Try the crazy looking Mister Linky. You have to click to add giveaways.

Huggies Pure & Natural Review

by Kate on May 28th, 2009 | 5 Comments | Uncategorized

I’ve often thought about making the big switch to cloth diapers, but I must admit it seems overwhelming. So I was really excited to hear about Huggies Pure & Natural. Granted, Huggies are NOT cloth diapers, but they are a kinder, gentler disposable and every little bit of natural helps.

What makes Huggies Pure & Natural different?

* Organic cotton contained in the outer cover
* Aloe & Vitamin E contained in the inner liner
* Hypoallergenic and fragrance free for sensitive skin
* Less ink used to print images on diaper
* Packaging contains 20% post-consumer recycled materials.

All that is great, but what does that mean for mom and baby? In our experience, the diapers are soft to the touch and very absorbent. Baby Girl’s skin isn’t super sensitive but she has had her share of diaper rash, but we experienced none with Huggies Pure & Natural.

But you want to know the thing that told me these diapers really are different? At Baby Girl’s six-month well baby appointment both the nurse and the pediatrician asked about her diaper! Seriously, the doctor asked, “What kind of diaper is she wearing? It’s so soft.”

The only minor issue we had with the Pure & Natural diapers was the fit. But, I blame that on Baby Girl’s thighs. She is wearing the size 2 which says it fits up to 18 pounds, but I’m thinking that’s for longer and leaner babies because my 15.5 pounder is pushing it to the limit.

Huggies also recently introduced the Enjoy the Ride Rewards program – you may have seen the funny commercials on TV. You can earn reward points to spend on chances to win valuable prizes such as trips, gift cards and more! Go to http://www.enjoytheriderewards.com/, and entering special codes that will be located on direct mail pieces, magazine ads, and online. You can also earn points by taking polls, watching videos and participating in other fun activities on the Enjoy the Ride Web site.

Shop! Huggies Pure & Natural Diapers are avaiable in stores and for purchase online.

Free Sample! Go check out http://www.huggiespureandnatural.com/ for a free sample to try on your little one.

TSM on the iPhone

by Kate on May 28th, 2009 | 5 Comments | Uncategorized

The Shopping Dada here again and I just wanted to tell you about the new iPhone friendly Shopping Mama web design. I happened to be on a business trip without a computer when The Shopping Mama told me about the new web design and how I needed to check it out. All I had with me was my iPhone, so I said I would check out the website, but couldn’t guarantee what I would see.

To my surprise the website looks great on the iPhone, the separate columns make the double click zoom function work great and makes for easy reading of all the great reviews and giveaways. Also, The Shopping Mama doesn’t use any Flash, so all of the cool graphics look great on the iPhone. I was really excited to tell The Shopping Mama how great the site looked and how well it displayed on the iPhone.

The last step was to give The Shopping Mama a cool looking home screen icon so you can add it to your iPhone and have one click access to The Shopping Mama. Thanks to some help from my good friend Mr. Google I was able to find the code to create the home screen icon. In case you don’t know to add the home screen icon here is a quick tutorial:

Navigate to theshoppingmama.com and hit the plus sign on the screen. This screen will come up. Hit the “Add to home screen”
Then enter in “TSM” or just go with the default “The Shopping Mama” This is the text that will be displayed under the icon. It will take a second for the iPhone to read the code and you will see the picture resolve to The Shopping Mama icon.
Go to your home screen and there you will see the new Shopping Mama icon. By pressing it you will get direct access to the site. I know it is not as cool as a web app, but hopefully we will get to that some day, but in the mean time, check out the Shopping Mama and show off the cool icon to all your friends.