The Shopping Mama

Thursday Giveaway Linky

by Kate on March 31st, 2010 | 5 Comments | Giveaway Linky, Weekly Features

Thanks for stopping by to link up and check out some great giveaways. There are a couple great giveaways here on The Shopping Mama that end tomorrow – and that’s no joke! Enter to win a $100 Gift Certificate to Tea Collection and a $75 gift card to Macy’s.

And even though I’m off sailing through the Caribbean, Emilie from Baby Loving Mama and I have an amazing – ah-may-zing – line up of giveaways for the Spring into Spring event. So be here (and there) bright and early on Tuesday to check out the first giveaways.

As always, hop on over to Baby Loving Mama to list your giveaways there, too!

Vibrant Trains: Etsy Shop of the Day + Giveaway (Closed)

by Kate on March 31st, 2010 | 5 Comments | Giveaways, Shopping

I am so excited to share with you today’s Etsy Shop of the Day, and even more excited for one of you who will win your very own custom name train.

About Vibrant Trains

Vibrant Trains is the original provider of one of a kind custom hand painted alphabet name trains. Each alphabet name train is hand painted to meet your personal design specifications. The sky is the limit as to what can be created for each client!

Custom Name Trains

I was totally enamored of Lisa’s work the first time I found Vibrant Trains. Each train is made of several components: engine, caboose, letter, hearts and stars. Each segment of the train is hand painted with non-toxic paint. Of course, I think the very best part is that each train is created and painted just for you to match any room or decor. You can even have a train customized to your favorite sports team, TV or movie characters or one large image that spans the entire train.

Here are a few of my favorite trains:

Aren’t they amazing?

Shop! Visit Vibrant Trains to see sample trains and previous designs. A five segment train (that is a train with an engine, caboose, and 3 letters) is $25. Additional letters are $5.

Win! A Custom 5-Segment Name Train from Vibrant Trains!

How to Enter: Visit Vibrant Trains, take a look around and leave a comment here with a train that catches your eye. (Just leave the name from the train.)

Bonus Entries - valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do:
* Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter tweet this giveaway. You may do this every day, just leave a link every time you do:
Win a beautiful custom hand painted alphabet name train @TheShoppingMama http://bit.ly/c2UzUN
* Fan The Shopping Mama on Facebook
* Be a Shopping Buddy, aka, follow in Google Friends Connect
* Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or RSS
* Blog about this giveaway including a link to this post and Vibrant Trains – leave 5 comments with your link
* Post the Spring into Spring button on your blog

Disclosure: This giveaway ends April 14 and is open to US residents only. Thanks to Vibrant Trains for providing the giveaway prize. Opinions are my own and uninfluenced by receipt of product. Others may have a different experience.

Wordless Wednesday: I’m on a Boat!

by Kate on March 30th, 2010 | 5 Comments | Weekly Features, Wordless Wednesday

We’re having a great time on our cruise! We stopped at Nassau in the Bahamas yesterday and spent today at sea. Tomorrow we will explore St. Thomas.

Here are a couple pictures from the trip so far.

Leaving Nassau:

Exploring the Bahamas makes a little one tired.

Our little man has been truly independent! He’s really enjoyed playing with other children at Camp Carnival. Today he had his face painted (twice) and decorated the shirt he’s wearing.

Happy Wednesday! I hope it’s sunny where you are.

Sweet Bitty Bows: Etsy Shop of the Day

by Kate on March 30th, 2010 | 5 Comments | Shopping, Ten Dollar Tuesday, Weekly Features

Folks, I have found my new guilty pleasure: Sweet Bitty Bows. Oh. My. Goodness. The bows and clips are beyond cute. They are unique, fun, bold, girly and just plain awesome. And, of course, since it’s$10 Tuesday, you know they are affordable.

Check out some clips and bows I’m pretty sure my daughter needs to have.

I love all of the felt bows because they’re so unique and seriously the cutest things ever. I am dying over the owl and elephant. You can have them made with non-slippie material on the clip, too, so the littlest ones can wear the sweetness, too.

How about this set of 4 Sequin Heart Variety Clippies for only $5.99? Every girl needs a little bling.

I love all the colors in this his set of Velvet Mini Petal Flowers. All six for only $8.95!

I’d love to know your favorite Sweet Bitty Bows design. So, spread the love and leave a comment.

Kissing Kumquats: Etsy Shop of the Day

by Kate on March 29th, 2010 | 5 Comments | Shopping

I have been a long time fan of Kissing Kumquats on Etsy. Kerrie, the designer and seamstress, was even the first sponsor ever of a giveaway on The Shopping Mama over a year ago. Kissing Kumquats dresses and skirts feature the best designer fabric around. All the pieces are professionally finished with lined bodices and top-stitching and other sewing terms I don’t understand, but know are important.

Here are a few of my favorites from Kissing Kumquats.

Niecy Jane Reverse Knot Dress

Lotus Reverse Knot Dress

Design Your Own Knot Dress

Pick your favorite coordinating Heather Bailey fabric to design a gorgeous one of kind knot dress. $45 for Reverse Knot Dress and $42 for traditional Knot Dress.

Shop! Check out all the beautiful fashion at Kissimg Kumquats on Etsy. All dresses can be made in Knot ($42) or Reverse Knot ($45) style. Coordinating capris can be added to your order for $27.

What’s your favorite dress Kissing Kumquats design?

Penny Lane Designs: High Quality Blog Design

by Kate on March 28th, 2010 | 5 Comments | Blogging

You may have noticed that The Shopping Mama got a little face lift. Actually, little isn’t fair because the impact is huge on the overall appearance of my little blog and I LOVE it. I can’t believe how much the look of the blog has changed with the fresh new header.

I had grown a little tired of the old purple header and knew I wanted something different, but I didn’t know exactly what and I don’t possess the talent to create something myself. But, I put the design on the back burner. Until I stumbled upon Penny Lane Designs. I recently discovered a great blog A Few Of My Favorite Things and really like the look of the blog. I honestly think it’s one of the most elaborate, clean and original designs I’ve seen so I immediately searched to figure out who designed the blog. And that’s how I found Penny Lane Designs.

As soon as I saw the drop dead gorgeous samples of her work in the Penny Lane Design Portfolio, I knew it was time for a little pick me up for The Shopping Mama.

Marina is the mom and creative genius behind Penny Lane Designs. Here’s a little info about how she got into blog design:

I started Penny Lane Designs when I realized I had a passion for design and a knack for geeky technology stuff (like learning html) and combining the two to make something pretty. As a kid I was always the ‘creative’ type and I also spent a fair amount of time on the computer, so I suppose this little business was my destiny. I truly enjoy every minute of my job and love working with so many different people!

Marina was a pure joy to work with, and I can’t believe she made such beautiful graphics after I gave her such horrible info to start with. I literally said, “I want something clean and simple with the shopping mama in it.” Not very helpful, right? Well, she took that and made this:

So, I absolutely recommend checking out Penny Lane Designs if you’re in the market for a new blog design or button. There is also an awesome selection of PreFab Designs that are extremely affordable.

Now before you run off to get your own Penny Lane blog makeover, grab my new beautiful button. It’s a great way to show off Marina’s beautiful work and spread a little blog love for The Shopping Mama. (Let me know if you grab my new button and I’ll return the love and put your button my Blog Roll.)

I’d love to know what you think of Penny Lane Designs. Check out the prefab selection and portfolio and leave a comment with your favorite.

A Cruisin’ We Will Go

by Kate on March 27th, 2010 | 5 Comments | Life

Woo hoo! As you read this I am on VACATION. Well, technically on the road on a long car ride on the way to vacation (but that’s a tiny ten hour car ride I like to pretend doesn’t exist). We are very fortunate to be going with my husbands parents and his sister’s family on a seven day cruise through the Eastern Caribbean.

We’ll be on the Carnival Glory and we will be stopping in the Bahamas, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico and Grand Turk. I’ve never been to the Caribbean but I’m pretty sure I’m going to like it.

I have to admit I am a tad nervous about spending a week on a boat with a 3 year old and 16 year old. They aren’t exactly the target cruise demographic so I hope they do well. I am also hopeful that my husband and I will get to take advantage of having the grandparents and older cousins around to watch the little ones so we can have a date night or two.

I won’t have much access to internet on the cruise. And, frankly, that’s a good thing. I’m am going on VACATION. But, I’ve planned some posts for you to enjoy while I”m gone. Next week they’ll be an Etsy Shop of the Day featuring some of my favorites for your shopping pleasure.

Have a great week!

TGIF: Coupons, Sales, Discounts & News

by Kate on March 26th, 2010 | 5 Comments | Deal & News Roundup, Weekly Features

Tyler Trends Easter Sale

Tyler Trends sells adorable graphic animal tees perfect for spring and summer. (Read The Shopping Mama Tyler Trends Review.) From March 29 to April 5 use the code easter25 for 25% off regular priced items.

Coupon Codes

CurlyQ Cuties: Use the code FRIEND5 for 5% off your purchase. PLUS, enter for your chance to win $250 worth of CurlyQ Cuties gift certificates.

Hartstrings: Celebrate spring with 25% off regular priced items and $5 shipping. Use code SPRING. Expires March 28.

Diapers.com: $10 off Diapers or Formula, plus FREE 1 – 2 day shippping. Enter Code PARENTSAPR10.

Stride Rite: Save 20% on your order of $50 or more with code SPRING2010. Also receive free shipping if you order 2 pairs or more. Code expires March 28.