Kind of.
Does this count?
Yes, that’s all of it.
She just had these couple little pieces that were longer than all the rest of her hair. So I finally snipped them off. I think the result looks great. And like she only had 2 hairs cut. (Which is basically the truth, but I was really trying to avoid another “bad hair cut so we shaved it” incident.)
I look forward to seeing your photos.
My first introduction to Sandra Magsamen was during the Spring into Spring event when I had the chance to host a bedding set giveaway and review and giveaway items from the Wishes & Kisses Collection clothing and gifts collection. What strikes me the most about everything I’ve encountered is that you’d never believe the price tag. The quality is great, the style is adorable and it’ll cost you much less than you’d expect.
The Wishes & Kisses clothing collection by Sandra Magsamen is available for infants from size Newborn through 9 months. We received the Mommy’s Love Bug short sleeve jumper set and an adorable two piece You Are My Sunshine Pants Set. The first thing I love about both is the sweet sentiment on both. I often call both my kids “Love Bug” so I think that dress is particularly cute. The appliqued bug also features some great detail for the price. The You Are My Sunshine set also has some great details like bright colored buttons on the front of the shirt for a faux-cardigan look. So stylish for a wee one!
If you’re shopping for baby shower or new baby gifts (and doesn’t it always seem like someone is having a baby?), the Wishes & Kisses collection has some great options for baby shower.
We received a fabulously soft baby blanket, coordinating lovie and set of 3 bibs. I am absolutely the most impressed with the baby blanket. It’s soft, cushy, has silky trim and the cutest little elephant on it. No one would ever believe a) that you got it at Wal-Mart and b) it cost less than $20. The coordinating lovie has a rattle in the cuddly elephant’s head and is also very soft and even though my daughter has two special blankets she adores, she keeps trying to run off with the lovie.
Moms of boys, don’t worry, Sandra Magsamen has you covered, too. The Wishes & Kisses boy collection features some really cute clothes and gifts. I love any baby clothes or gifts that give a shout out to mom, so I particularly like the “Mommy’s Mane Man” set of three bibs. And, how much do you love baby socks that look like shoes?
To Buy… The price tag really can’t be beat. The quality of the gift items, in particular, is really outstanding and definitely worth more than the price.
Or Not to Buy… The clothing collection is quite cute but not the very best material. Don’t get me wrong, for an infant outfit your child will wear 3 months at at the price point, it’s still a a great buy.
Shop! Sandra Magsamen gifts can be purchased at your local Wal-Mart store and online at very affordable prices between $5 and $12. For example, the Mommy’s Love Bug dress is $8.50.
How to Enter: Leave a comment telling me who’s the lucky little one to get the Sandra Magsamen goodies in this giveaway.
* Spring into Spring! Enter the Little Tikes giveaway at Baby Loving Mama and let me know you did.
* Follow Sandra Magsamen on Twitter
* Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter and tweet this giveaway. You may do this every day, just leave the link when you do.
Win Wishes & Kisses baby clothing and gifts @TheShoppingMama http://bit.ly/drSVsF
* 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 – leave 5 comments with your link
* Do you have the Spring into Spring button? Leave another comment.
As much as I love summer and the perks that come with a long season living in Florida, I truly dread bathing suit shopping. Trying to find a bathing suit that fits, you feel comfortable in and doesn’t break the bank can be like an exercise is self-torture. DownEast Basics has some great options and I received a great bathing suit in a pleasantly painless bathing suit shopping experience.
DownEast Basics Swimwear is offered as separates so you can find the best fit and style for a top and bottom. I knew I wanted something will good coverage that would be easy to wear while playing with my kids at the pool and the beach. I picked the fun Oceanside Tank and Crystal Cove Bikini.
Oceanside Tank is a long length tankini top with gathering detail along the sides and a knot detail at center chest. It has adjustable shoulder straps and an under bra. The Crystal Cove Bikini is a low-rise bikini bottom with binding around the legs and waist. Both are made of nylon/spandex blend and are available in sizes XS – XXL.
I really like the Oceanside Tank as it has some features I’ve never seen on a tankini before. First, the top is kind of double layered at the top to provide nice coverage and more than average support. The coolest feature of the tankini is that it has an elastic band around the bottom of the tank that prevents it from riding up. The band is subtle enough that you don’t notice it and it doesn’t dig into the skin, but it really keep the tank in place, ensuring the belly is always covered.
To Buy… The DownEast Basics tank set – the Oceanside Tank and Crystal Cove Bikini, in particular, is a great suit for moms. It provides plenty of comfortable coverage but also looks cute. I love the bright pattern and the fit of the suit.
Or Not to Buy… Ordering a suit online can be difficult but I found the DownEast Basics separates to be pretty true to size for bathing suits. I usually wear a Small in pants or skirts and ordered a Medium bikini bottom and find that it fits comfortably (if a bit on the big side, which I’d prefer to being too small and digging in).
Shop! DownEast Basics Swim is very affordable. The Oceanside Tank is $29.99 and the Crystal Cove Bikini is $22.99. Purchase any three separates and save $15 with code SWIM3.
How to Enter: Visit DownEast Basics and take a look around at the bathing suits. Leave a comment with your favorite separate and pattern.
Bonus Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.
* Spring into Spring! Enter the Flojos giveaway at Baby Loving Mama and let me know you did.
* Follow DownEast Basics on Twitter
* Fan DownEast Basics on Facebook
* Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter and tweet this giveaway. You may do this every day, just leave the link when you do.
Win a stylish and comfortable DownEast Basics Swimsuit – perfect for moms! @TheShoppingMama http://bit.ly/dpZe4W
* 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 – leave 5 comments with your link
* Do you have the Spring into Spring button? Leave another comment.
One of the many fun things about having little ones is celebrating holidays in a big way. Memorial day is a perfect opportunity to break out the red, white, and blue, and I’ve put together a collection of some of my favorite handmade ways to celebrate the stars and stripes.
Row 1, left to right: Anchor Baby Bib by tadpolecreations, Stars and More Stars Cookies by lorisplace, Toddler Denim Beach Hat by madmarycreations.
Row 2, left to right: Fourth of July Peasant Dress by prissypeacockdesigns, Stars and Stripes Shirt by PoppySprouts, Wacky Slacks Beachcomber Pants by anabelfuzz.
Row 3, left to right: Nautical Striped Smocked Beach Dress by lakenandlila, Simply Sweet Stars and Stripes Clips by JunbugbyJme, Red White and Blue 2 Bunting by HeartofHolland.
Inside scoop:
*Check out the extensive SALE section at tadpolecreations – lots to choose from at great prices.
*Buy 2 skirts, get 1 FREE at laken & lila
I have always been an avid exerciser and healthy eater. It is a passion, hobby, and just plain makes me feel good. After the birth of my daughter, the three weeks I stayed away from the gym were so hard for me because I count on those endorphins from getting my heart rate up to make me the happiest mommy that I can be! So not exercising combined with no sleep equals a miserable me.
Once I started getting back into my routine I was so excited to feel like “me” again. However, I decided I needed to get out and try something new, challenge my body, as well as my social skills. So, I joined a local running club.
I was pretty much scared to death the first time I went last week. Would I be fast enough? Would I have anything to talk to the other women about? Would my 12 week old baby take a bottle from my dad and go to bed ok? Should I pump as soon as I got home? The questions were endless in my head, and I almost had myself convinced it was more of a hassle to go. Sometimes I feel like being a SAHM has made me lose all sense of social skills, and to put myself into a new group of people was pretty terrifying to me. Thank goodness my friend was picking me up – no excuses!
It ended up being such a good decision! Not only was I leaving my house after 4 pm (this rarely happens!) alone, but I was doing something that I love, and was getting to meet some amazing women. All the women in the group are moms, hence the name of the group, Moms in Motion. We have a great coach who leads the workout, and I am so excited to go back this week. My husband travels a lot, so my parents are being fantastic and are available to put the babies to bed for me so that I can have this “me time”.
There is a part of me that feels guilty for leaving the kids one night a week, and not doing my “job” of caring for them 24/7. But then I think back to 10 weeks ago and how miserable I was being inactive, and I know this is something I deserve, will make me happy, and therefore make me a better mother to my children. Oh, and there is talk of a triathlon in my future. Stay tuned!
Moms in Motion is a national group for moms who care about fitness, camaraderie and improving their quality of life. If you want to check out local franchises in your area, take a look at the website and get moving! You won’t regret it!
I planned on writing this post from the airplane, taking full advantage of modern technology and kid-free travel. The freaking airline had other plans and I”m sitting in an airport. Again. Still.
I was going to write about my mixed emotions – excitement about a weekend with my husband in Las Vegas and my guilt about leaving the kids behind. And, now it’s like the universe is laughing at me. Because of not one, but TWO broken planes, my quick weekend has been trimmed to a very short 30 hours in Vegas. (Assuming I actually get there tonight on the new airplane making its way to pick up all the would-be gamblers.)
Anyway, I’ve spent a couple nights away from both kids before. But, for some reason this trip in particular has had me nervous and feeling guilty. Guilty because it’s a trip purely for fun – no family obligation, no blog obligation, nothing. Just. For. Me. I should be excited, right?
But, I’m a mom. And we worry and feel guilty. That’s just what we do. I’m nervous that the kids will run my mom and aunt ragged. Don’t get me wrong, I know my mom and aunt are perfectly capable of a weekend with my kids. I just hope they enjoy themselves a bit – they’re doing such a nice thing for me and I hate to think they won’t enjoy every minute of it.
Finally, I”m feeling guilty and nervous that this trip might be the end of breastfeeding my daughter. She’s already weaned herself to the point of nursing only a few times a day. (Although, this morning when she sensed something was up, it seemed she was nursing constantly.) I contemplated bringing a breast pump to make sure my supply stays up, but when I couldn’t find a necessary attachment for my small travel pump this morning, I shrugged and moved on. I’m just hoping that when I get home on Sunday she’s still interested.
For now, I’ll watch the lightning and listen to the thunder. All I can do is laugh as the universe completing foils my weekend. The only real saving grace? I don’t have to two kids along for this plane / airport / weather adventure. Maybe it’s a good thing I’m traveling without them, after all.
Stop by tomorrow for Monica‘s post about her attempt at Mom Me Time.
Photo courtesy: James Beattie
KODAK has babies on the brain! Between celebrating the launch of the movie “Babies”, offering free birth announcements in the KODAK Gallery, and the KODAK Gallery Baby Photo Contest there are lots of ways to celebrate the camera’s littlest subjects.
KODAK has partnered with the motion picture “Babies” to celebrate the lives of babies around the world. The Focus Features film follows simultaneously follows infants from Mongolia, Japan, Namibia and the United States from birth to walking. Check out snapshots of their lives in the Babies Slideshow in the KODAK Gallery. The images are stunning and if that doesn’t make you want to see the movie, perhaps the trailer will. I know I’m excited to see the film.
Babies in in theaters now so check your local theater for show times. And if you loved the Slideshow, you can make your own in the KODAK Gallery to share with family and friends.
While your child might not be part of a motion picture for all to see, sharing the news of your bundle of joy’s arrival just got a lot easier (and cheaper!). KODAK Gallery now offers a selection of Free Birth Announcements. You can get up to 2 sets of 10 announcements and all you have to pay for is shipping. The free designs are quite cute – some modern, some classic. And, of course, they all include photos of your wee one. I personalized my favorite design with a picture of my daughter when she was a few weeks old. Isn’t it cute?
The process is simple and you really can’t argue with adorable and free.
To celebrate the launch of FREE Kodak Birth Announcements, Kodak is hosting a KODAK Moment of the Month: Baby Photo Contest. The first place winner will receive $10,000 (hello, college fund!), a professional family/baby photo shoot, and a KODAK prize package including a KODAK EASYSHARE camera, KODAK PULSE digital frame, KODAK Zi8 pocket video camera and a $250 KODAK Gallery gift card.
Two runner up winners will also receive generous KODAK prize packages.
Ready to enter for your chance at those fabulous prizes?! Here’s what you do: Visit the KODAK Gallery and enter your photo in the Baby Photo Contest. To be valid, you must confirm the child was under two years old at the time the picture was taken. Entries are accepted through May 28 and will be judged on adherence to theme, creativity, composition, lighting and focus. [Edited to add the Contest is now closed.]
So, you don’t have the perfect baby photo to submit to the KODAK MOMENT of the Month contest yet? Amy Postle, a KODAK Professional Photographer has tips about how to photograph a baby. Some of the great tips include:
For loads more valuable advice, check out Amy Postle’s tip on photographing babies.
We all know you have the cutest little subject to photograph, but you need a great camera. KODAK wants to help and is giving one lucky reader of The Shopping Mama a KODAK EASYSHARE M580 Digital Camera. 
Featuring the new “SHARE” button, it’s never been easier to share photos. Using the one touch upload button, you can tag photos to Facebook, Flickr, YouTube, email and the KODAK Gallery and as soon as you connect to your computer the pictures are off to friends.
KODAK EASYSHARE M580 Digital Camera Features
Shop! The KODAK EASYSHARE M580 Digital Camera is $199.95 and can be purchased at KODAK.com. Create online photo albums, order birth announcements, and make photo books and gifts at the KODAK Gallery.
How to Enter: Visit the KODAK Gallery and tell me a product you’d love to personalize with a photo of your favorite baby.
Bonus Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.
* Spring into Spring! Enter the Mead OrganizeHer & Target giveaway at Baby Loving Mama and let me know you did.
* Share the KODAK Babies Slideshow on your Facebook and / or Twitter. (Leave a comment with your your FB name or initials and / or your Tweet link.) You can simply copy and paste this: Kodak loves BABIES – check out the adorable Babies Movie Slideshow http://www.kodakgallery.com/slideshow/babies-the-movie/cb
* Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter and tweet this giveaway. You may do this every day, just leave the link when you do.
Win a KODAK Easyshare Digital Camera & Kodak Gallery Gift Card ($220 value!) @TheShoppingMama http://bit.ly/bT1dCM
* Fan / Like 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 – leave 5 comments with your link
* Do you have the Spring into Spring button on your blog? Leave a comment.
Congratulations to Cynthia!
I hate to admit it, but I pretty much dread packing my son’s lunch box. And this summer, when my daughter starts mom’s day out I will be packing two lunches a couple times a week. Ugh. Now that I have a yubo lunchbox for her, I can honestly say packing my daughter’s lunch this summer will be way more fun than my son’s. Not to mention better looking.
In 2007, while making lunches for our two daughters, we became frustrated with the amount of plastic baggies used every day. The typical store bought lunchboxes we owned were impossible to clean, they collected crumbs and foul old-food odors. Worst of all, our kids were over the novelty of their lunchboxes less than a week after buying them! That was the start of our journey to re-invent the lunchbox. We knew there had to be a better way. We set out to balance our passion for the environment with our kids’ passion for having fun.
The yubo is pretty much brilliance in a box. The lunchbox is rectangular shape like traditional old lunchboxes, but that’s where the similarities end. The Deluxe yubo Lunchbox comes with three containers - one square for a sandwich, 2 small round for snacks. You can purchase an optional rectangular shape to use in place of the round snack containers. The containers are BPA free, dishwasher safe and antimicrobial (which means even if you forget to unpack it for a day, the containers won’t smell funky and they won’t carry germs or bateria). The lunchbox set also comes with an ice pack custom built to keep the yubo containers cool. The rubber handle can be adjusted to carry the box sideways or vertical.
Now that we’ve covered the practical side of the yubo, it’s time to talk the fun part. The whole appearance of the lunchbox can be switched around with the interchangeable faceplates. The faceplates come in sets of two – one for the front and one for the back – and are waterproof so you can wipe them off if they get dirty. The faceplates are awesome, can be personalized with your child’s name or you can upload two pictures to make your own photo faceplates.
I think the faceplates are so cool that I ordered a personalized one with my daughter’s name to match her pink yubo as soon as it arrived.
Part of the struggle with my son’s lunch is finding and arranging little tupperware containers because I do not want to use baggies. I think it’s a total waste. Not to mention sandwiches are vulnerable to getting smooshed and misshapen in baggies. So with the yubo, I’m all set and have all the containers I need for my little one’s lunch.
The lunchbox is a tad on the heavy side because of the ice pack. I think if it’s not necessary I probably won’t use it. Another potential problem is that there’s no where to put a cup. yubo does sell a Drink Holder that attaches to the side of the lunchbox. (The Drink Holder is $6, but shipping it is $11! Ugh!)
To Buy… I love the look of the yubo – with one lunch box in either pink, orange or blue and the wide assortment of fun, colorful and whimsical faceplates – it’s pure fun.
Or Not to Buy… The lunchbox is a tad on the heavy side with the ice pack inside. But, I don’t think it will be necessary with every lunch so I won’t use it when it’s not needed to lighten the load a bit. My other complaint is really that there is no place to hold a drink and that the shipping on the optional Drink Holder is so expensive.
Shop! The Deluxe Lunchbox from yubo includes the lunchbox, choice of free faceplate, 1 sandwich size container, 2 small round containers and an ice pack for $29.95. Standard faceplate sets are $6.95, personalized faceplates are $9.95 and a set of custom photo faceplates is $12.95. All yubo lunchboxes and accessories can be purchased at www.getyubo.com.
How to Enter: Visit yubo, check out the lunchboxes and the adorable faceplates. Leave a comment here with your favorite faceplate.
Bonus Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.
* Spring into Spring! Enter the Bravado! Designs giveaway at Baby Loving Mama and let me know you did.
* Follow yubo on Twitter
* Like yubo on Facebook
* Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter and tweet this giveaway. You may do this every day, just leave the link when you do.
yubo makes packing and carrying a lunchbox fun! Win a yubo lunchbox system @TheShoppingMama http://bit.ly/aBoepr
* Fan / Like 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 – leave 5 comments with your link
* Do you have the Spring into Spring button on your blog? Leave a comment.
Moms: find a pre-screened day care center near you.
Want to find creative Halloween costumes? Visit our friends at FancyDressBall.
If you are looking for information about partnering with The Shopping Mama™ blog, please email for a current Media Kit. The Shopping Mama™ was founded by Kate Marsh Lord in January of 2009 to share the latest and greatest in gear, clothes and toys for kids. After graduating law school and moving around the world with her Air Force husband, Kate settled down and had two beautiful little ones. The children changed her online motivation from researching legal issues to tracking down the
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