The Shopping Mama

New Year, New Mama in 2010

by Kate on December 31st, 2009 | 5 Comments | Blogging, Life, New Year New Mama, Parenting

This is the last post of 2009! Woo hoo. I have to admit when I started The Shopping Mama in January, I never imagined it would take off and take over my life the way that it has. But, I am thankful for all the amazing opportunities, friendships and connections I’ve built throughout the last year.

But, now it’s time to look forward to 2010. (20-TEN! Can you believe that?)

New Year, New Mama

Throughout the next month or two, I’ll be sharing products (think jogging stroller!), tips (guest posts) and resources (great websites) to help you achieve your goals for the new year. I’m looking forward to learning myself and becoming a better mama in the process.

My Resolutions

So, without further ado, here are my goals and how I hope to be a better mama in 2010.

GET IN SHAPE. Not lose weight – but tone up. I have a membership to the Y and I went pretty religiously when I was pregnant with Toddler Girl. Since she was born? Not so much. She is now over one year old and the weather is lovely and I really have no excuse not to exercise.
SHOP SMARTER AND USE COUPONS. I admit it – I am totally lazy about print or clip coupons. And it’s silly. I should be much better about making our money go farther.
USE TIME ONLINE WISELY. I am on the computer. A lot. I think that much is obvious. But, I really waste a lot of time and find myself up way too late at night finishing posts. I’d like to be more efficient online so I can get the same work done in less time.
ART AND LEARNING PROJECTS WITH THE KIDS. Poor Toddler Girl being the second doesn’t get nearly the attention that Preschool Boy did when he was young. I really need to make an effort to take advantage of our alone time while my son is at school and do more art projects and such. And, I want to work with Preschool Boy to learn his letters and numbers.

What are YOUR goals for the new year? How do you hope to be a better mama in the new year?

Thursday Giveaway Linky

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

Happy New Year! I hope 2010 brings you an abundance of joy and love. And lots of luck to win some amazing blog giveaways. Like a VTech Bouncing Colors Turtle!

Great Soft Soled Shoes for Winter: Robeez Review + Giveaway (Closed)

by Kate on December 30th, 2009 | 5 Comments | Giveaways, Reviews

Keep the holiday spirit going with a pair of adorable Robeez shoes for your little one. I confess that I am a longtime Robeez fan. Preschool Boy received an adorable pair of soft soled shoes as a gift when he was born. They were perfect and I was hooked. Robeez has little feet covered this winter season with whimsical, practical styles that are perfect for holiday parties and events throughout the year.

About Robeez

Barefoot is best. Choose Robeez next. The best shoe mimics bare feet, by supporting – not constricting tiny growing feet.

Robeez footwear flex and bend with every step. They promote good balance and unrestricted growth, while protecting little feet from the world. They stay on too, with elasticized ankles to ensure a perfectly snug fit. From crawling to cruising, walking to running, for indoors and out, Robeez makes different shoes for newborns to four-year-olds.

Robeez Shoes – Great Gifts

The Robeez Winter Gift Guide is overflowing with big style for little feet.

Soft Soles are ideal for every day wear and special occasions. Definitely get your little racer a pair of the Race Car shoes – how fun are they, especially if he got a special car for the holidays.

Robeez Mini Shoez are the icing in this year’s Holiday collection. With their stylish look and durable sole, these shoes are the perfect compliment to any outfit. I love, love, love the Quilted MJ in winter white. I wish they came in my size.

Booties are the finishing touch to the Robeez Soft Soles collection. The 2009 Holiday Collection comes in an array of new styles and materials, the biggest and best collection ever. I’m partial to this collection because Toddler Girl’s been rockin’ the classic pink style and they are to die for.

Tredz are a premium shoe designed for comfort and protection — perfect for outdoor adventures and early walkers. I love the Handsome style for boys.

Our Booties

Like I mentioned, Toddler Girl has been wearing the uber-stylish Robeez Booties in pastel pink. As you know, we live in Florida so they might not seem like the obvious choice, but they are perfect. The lining is soft and cozy, the bottom is actually non-slippery and the leather shoe itself is easy to clean. We know because Toddler Girl was wearing them when she tried to feed herself applesauce. Using her hands.

And, even though she’s accessorized all sorts of outfits – leggings, jeans, you name it – with the booties I think these pictures of Toddler Girl with only onesie and booties are blogworthy. And they show off the shoes, don’t you think?

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… The Booties are just too cute. Even if you live in warm weather like we do, you can find an occasion for these shoes. Or any Robeez shoes, for that matter. The quality is great and the styles are very cute with great selection.

Or Not to Buy… My husband said the problem with these shoes is that too many people stop you to comment on how cute they are and that it takes a lot of time so he would prefer if the little “Robeez” tag were bigger. Ha.

Shop! The Robeez Booties in pastel pink are $38.95.Lots of the holiday styles are currently on sale at Robeez.com. Plus, get free shipping when you order two pairs!

Win! A pair of Robeez!

How to Enter: Visit Robeez and leave a comment with a pair of shoes your little one would love to wear this winter.

Bonus Entries - leave a separate comment for each.
* Fan Robeez on Facebook
* Follow Robeez on Twitter
* Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter and Tweet. You may do this once a day: Just entered to win a pair of Robeez shoes @TheShoppingMama http://bit.ly/6rKuoN (US & Canada)
* Fan The Shopping Mama on Facebook
* Blog about this giveaway including a link to this post and Robeez (leave five comments including your link)
* Follow The Shopping Mama in Google Friends Connect
* Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or a reader

The Fine Print & Disclosure: Winner is guaranteed gender and shoe size but not specific style. Giveaway ends January 13. Open to US and Canadian mailing addresses. Thanks to Robeez for providing a sample product for the purposes of this review and the giveaway prize. The opinions expressed are my own and uninfluenced by receipt of product. Others may have a different experience.

Wordless Wednesday: Presents from Santa

by Kate on December 29th, 2009 | 5 Comments | Weekly Features, Wordless Wednesday

I hope you had a wonderful holiday! I took a little time off to enjoy family time. Of course, one highlight of our trip was Christmas morning. It’s so fun to experience Christmas through the eyes of a 3 year old! (And, a one year old, for that matter.) Here are a couple of the big hits Christmas morning.

Preschool Boy got Spike the Dinosaur! It was all he asked for, every day, for the last month. That’s pretty unprecedented so he was very excited to see his new dino friend.

spike the dinosaur

Toddler Girl got a fancy Princess ride on toy and she is smitten with her newborn Cabbage Patch Kid.

princess ride on and cabbage patch I look forward to seeing your photos!

Top 10 Product Reviews on The Shopping Mama in 2009

by Kate on December 27th, 2009 | 5 Comments | Blogging

Baby, Toddler Boy and even my husband and I have tested, played with, worn, pushed, held, eaten, and reviewed our way through more products than I ever imagined in the past year. It’s been extremely gratifying and rewarding and for the most part our experience has been very positive. But, there are some stand out reviews over the past year.

These are the top 10 products we’ve reviewed. The products we use every day and recommend at every possible instance.

Bumbleride Indie Twin Stroller Review. Smooth ride for kids and easy to maneuver and push for parents = win-win.

Keurig Platinum Brewer Review. I now drink a cup of coffee every day. And we are proud Keurig Coffee Club members.

Boba Organic Carrier Review. A comfortable way to wear a 13 month old! Enough said.

Stephen Joseph Products Review. Whimsical, affordable and practical. A great combination! (Pssst… check out this post for a Crazy Dazy discount – a great source for all things Stephen Joseph.)

Sprig Toys Review. These eco-friendly toys are head and shoulders above competitors, creating innovative, imaginative and completely fun toys.

My Tot Clock Review. My toddler simply won’t go to bed until the clock’s light is blue to signal sleeptime. Thankfully, changing the color is as easy as the push of a button.

PlasmaCar Review. Fun for kids and (small) adults. We were zooming up and down the street nearly every day this summer.

Anka Highchair Review. Beautiful design, solid wood construction and we use it every day, several times a day.

Five Blessed Bows. Simply the best I’ve found. Great quality, amazing selection and fast shipping.

Baby Eggi Review. I just love these clothes. Love, love, love. They’re hip and funky and affordable. What’s not to love?

Honorable Mention – more products we love and use. A lot.

Merry Christmas!

by Kate on December 25th, 2009 | 5 Comments | Life

Happy Holidays

How to Make Buckeyes!

by Kate on December 24th, 2009 | 5 Comments | Life

: Buckeyes Peanut Butter & Chocolate Candy

My Christmas present to you? The best recipe ever! This easy to make recipe for Buckeyes is my favorite from a dear family friend. Buckeyes are an Ohio tradition, and they are delicious! We make them a few times a year – for the holidays and big Ohio State football games, but you’ll find they are delicious any time of year.

What You Need

1 stick Butter
1 1/2 cups Peanut Butter
1 pound Confectioner’s Sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
12 ounces Semisweet Chocolate Chips
1 tablespoon Crisco shortening

Directions

1. Cream the Butter and Peanut Butter together.

2. Add the Sugar and Vanilla and thoroughly blend. (After several years of blending by hand, I am now very thankful for our awesome stand mixer!)

: Peanut Butter Balls

3. Shape the mixture into small 1 inch balls and refrigerate on waxed paper for 30 minutes.

4. Melt the chocolate chips and shortening together in a double boiler. I don’t have a double boiler so I use a heat safe bowl over a saucepan filled with an inch or two of water. I’ve found you can melt the chocolate with the stove on low and that way you don’t burn the chocolate. (For more directions, read this article on how to melt chocolate without a double boiler.)

5. Pierce the peanut butter balls with a toothpick and dip them into the chocolate, covering all but a small circle on top. You have to make it look like a real buckeye nut! To make them extra pretty, you can smoosh the top a little to cover the small hole left by the toothpick, but to be honest I never bother.

6. Let cool on waxed paper.

Makes about 60 – depending on the size of the peanut butter balls.

how to make buckeyes