The Shopping Mama

Dessert First with Miss Mop Top

by Kate on June 22nd, 2010 | 5 Comments | Ten Dollar Tuesday

For this week’s $10 Tuesday pick, I went in search of the ultimate summer-inspired hair clippie, and looked no further than the Dessert First Chocolate Ice Cream Bar Clip from Miss Mop Top. At $5 each, this clippie is perfect for summer parties, picnics, or a day at the beach. Any little girl would get a kick out of wearing something so scrumptious!

Top summer-inspired picks by Miss Mop Top

Inside scoop: Having a summer party? These make sweet party favors that the girls will enjoy wearing over and over again. Even sweeter is Miss Mop Top’s promo going on now through July 2nd: buy 4 clippies or ponytail holders, get the 5th free!

Shop! Head over to Miss Mop Top to purchase any of these deliciously adorable clippies, and be sure to enter “HAIR BRAINED EVENT” in the notes to seller section at checkout to qualify for the promo. Refunds for the clip or ponytail holder of equal/lesser value will be given promptly via PayPal.

little twig Sunscreen Review + $50 Gift Certificate Giveaway

by Kate on June 22nd, 2010 | 5 Comments | Baby, Giveaways, Reviews, Toddler

little twig is a Manhattan Beach, California based company with the goal of nurturing families organically. Given the search for the best sunscreen for my children I was excited to receive a sample of little twig SPF 30+ Mineral Sunscreen.

little twig Mineral Sunscreen

I lather my kids with sunscreen daily so we’ve had plenty of opportunities to test the sunscreen and I really like it. It’s smooth, easy to apply – not at all like I imagined a “mineral sunscreen” would be. It does take a good amount of rubbing in to get rid of the tell-tale white streaks, but it leaves skin feeling soft and grease-free. I should know because I’ve worn it, too. The scent is pleasant, plain and identified as unscented – no fake coconut scent in that bottle. After hours upon hours in the Florida sun playing in pools and the ocean, my kids and I have not burned, and I admit to not reapplying as often as I know I should.

But, is it Safe? little twig & EWG Study

In the wake of the Envionmental Working Group’s report on sunscreens where they found many unsatisfactory, lots of parents are searching for new products to use to protect young skin. I was anxious to get a reaction from little twig about the EWG report since the sunscreen was not evaluated. little twig classifies describes itself as a “non chemical sunscreen (no nano particles), broad spectrum protection, water resistant, PABA and paraben free” mineral sunscreen. A company representative said, “Based on our competitor’s rankings I would say we would have a 1 for our rating. We have organic ingredients with mineral based susncreens (titanium and zinc).” As indicated, the active ingredients are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide - definitely in line with other products recommended by the EWG. The product is certified organic and particular ingredients dubbed unsafe by the EWG are not in the product.

About little twig

Children mean the world to us, and the world means everything to our children. That is why little twig products are developed with the advice of pediatricians and real-life parents. At little twig we want to provide families with a safe and natural bath time alternative. We utilize the most effective organic and botanical ingredients in our simple recipe for pure and gentle personal care. Each product is an example of our commitment to quality, and that is why we completely guarantee each product.

little twig Bath & Body

Sunscreen is just one of the organic body care products by little twig. Shampoo, body wash and bubble bath are available in fresh scents like Calming Lavender, Happy Tangerine and Extra Mild Unscented for the most sensitive skin.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… The little twig SPF 30+ Sunscreen is very effective, pleasant to wear and best of all it’s certified organic. The mineral based sunscreen is the type recommended by the EWG study.

Or Not to Buy… The sunscreen is more expensive than many other brands, but the price point is very similar to some other mineral sunscreens those recommended by the EWG.

Shop! little twig organic SPF 30+ Mineral Sunscreen is available for $20.99 in a 2.9 ounce bottle. It’s available for purchase on www.littletwig.com, Amazon or you can search local stores and online retailers.

Win! A $50 Gift Certificate to little twig!

How to Enter: Visit little twig, check out the organic bath and body products for wee ones and leave a comment with something you’d like to try.

Bonus Entries - Valid only after completing first mandatory entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

Follow little twig on Twitter
If you Like little twig on Facebook, leave another comment
Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter and tweet this giveaway. You may do this every day, just leave the link when you do.
Check out little twig organic bath and body products for kids and win a $50 gift certificate to @TheShoppingMama http://bit.ly/aIs6Gm
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Leave a *new* comment on any non-giveaway post and let me know you did.

Disclosure: Giveaway ends July 7. Open to US mailing addresses only. Thanks to little twig for providing the giveaway prize and product for review. Opinions here are my own.

Tots Travel Too at Marriott + Giveaway

by Kate on June 21st, 2010 | 5 Comments | Giveaways

Before I had kids, I used to love staying in hotels. There’s just something about the big, comfy beds (and knowing I don’t have to make it) and the feeling of “getting away” that is so relaxing and enjoyable about a hotel. However, I quickly learned that traveling with kids changes everything – and the hotel stay is no longer a carefree night away. In fact, it can be a big ol’ pain in the rear. But, Marriott is taking huge strides in making the littlest travelers feel welcome – and their parents more relaxed – with the Tots Travel Too program.

About Tots Travel Too

The complimentary Tots Travel Too program provides guests, upon request, with a travel crib and laundered COVERPLAY® removable crib slipcover to ensure their “traveler-in-training” can rest comfortably. For a bit of bath time fun, a complimentary gift comes with the COVERPLAY, an animal squirtie toy. In addition, parents who have forgotten to pack their tot’s essentials can contact the front desk for complimentary items, including outlet covers, nightlights, baby shampoo, and baby lotion, plus disposable bibs will be available in the breakfast areas.

More than anything, as a mom, I appreciate the sentiment behind the Tots Travel Too program. Providing extra comforts to families goes a long way in making everyone feel more comfortable. The complimentary bath squirtie toy and baby shampoo make wee ones feel at home and the outlet covers and nightlights help to kidproof a hotel room so parents can enjoy vacation, too.

COVERPLAY

One of the highlights of the Tots Travel Too program is the COVERPLAY travel crib slipcover. I love this idea because, let’s be honest, travel playards are convenient but they are not always good looking. They can be gender neutral or gender specific to a fault – boring or extra pink. The COVERPLAY crib slipcover (and optional matching crib sheet) can change the look of a travel crib or playard instantly.

The stylish women behind COVERPLAY have partnered with Marriott and designed an exclusive slipcover your tots can enjoy while staying at the Marriott family hotels. (The Play Yard Slip Cover is also available for purchase at Shop Marriott.)

You can follow the journey of COVERPLAY designers as they tackle the challenges of running a small business on the Tots Travel Too YouTube channel.

Tots Travel Too Resources

The Tots Travel Too travel program is available at Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Springhill Suites, Residence Inn and TownPlay Suites hotels in the continental United States and Canada. Check out the Tots Travel Too page at Marriott for more information about traveling with kids. For the latest on all things Marriott, follow Marriott on Twitter. And speaking of Twitter, there will be a Twitter party July 1 from (9PM to 10PM Eastern) to discuss the program and travel tips. Over $2000 in prizes will be given out, so make sure to use the hashtag #totstravel2.

Travel! Book your family-friendly vacation at the Marriott family of hotels at Marriott.com. (Cash back tip: Earn 3% cash back when you click through ShopAtHome.com to book your hotel.) You can purchase the Tots Travel Too Collection at ShopMarriott.com.

Win! A Tots Travel Too Gift Pack, including COVERPLAY Travel Crib Slip Cover & Sheet!

Prize details: Total value approximately $78, includes COVERPLAY Slipcover ($50), COVERPLAY Fitted Sheet ($10), Bibs to Go by DwellStudio, Tots Travel Too tee, night light and outlet covers, and travel bath supplies for kids.

How to Enter: Leave a comment with your best tip for traveling with kids.

Giveaway details: Giveaway ends June 27. Traveling tips will be shared on TheMotherhood.com.

Disclosure: I am working in partnership with Marriott and Global Influence – a Resourceful Mommy Media network – to cover the Marriott Tots Travel Too program and have received a stipend.

All Things Birthday: We Want YOU!

by Kate on June 20th, 2010 | 5 Comments | All Things Birthday, Blogging

We are working, working, working to organize an All Things Birthday series of posts to start early next month. The whole thing started while brainstorming and organizing a Birthday Present Shopping Guide, but the event is growing and will include the best of the best in all things related to children’s birthday parties – from planning to presents. We’ll have tips from party planning experts, reviews and, of course, giveaways.

One idea we’re very excited about is posts to share and show off children’s birthday parties. And that’s where you come in…

We want to feature YOUR birthday party. We love to see other people’s parties and know you all have some great ones to share. Here’s how you can get in on the fun:

Collect several pictures from the children’s birthday party you want to feature
Make a list of websites and resources you used to plan the party (inspiration, things you purchased, crafty projects, etc)
Email your photos and websites to theshoppingmama@gmail.com

To get an idea of what we’re looking for, check out this post about my daughter’s pig-themed first birthday party. It’s so simple, will only take you a couple minutes to gather the info and you get to reminisce and look through party pictures.

What’s in it for you? At this point, just simple fun – oh, and you get to show off your cute kids, creativity and baking prowess. Want more? Oh, okay, here you go…

If you submit your party, you get FIVE bonus entries in the All Things Birthday giveaways!
If you’re a blogger or shop owner, you get a link back to your site.
If we get a good response, we’ll organize a voting competition with a (super cool) prize for the favorite party.

We’re really excited about this and think it will be a lot of fun. We hope you’ll get on board and submit your child’s favorite party. Feel free to email or leave comments if you have any questions! Happy {All Things} Birthday!

All party posts submitted will be shared and published on The Shopping Mama unless deemed inappropriate or offensive. You must own rights to the photograph and be willing to share them. Feel free to watermark your photos. If there is a favorite party contest, detailed rules will follow in a separate post.

He Said WHAT? Stuff My Kid Says

by Kate on June 20th, 2010 | 5 Comments | Life, Parenting

It’s been a while since I’ve posted about the crazy things my 3 year old says. But, lately? The little nuggets of goodness that come from his brain have been too good to ignore. Enjoy!

Drawing on the Wall

So even when my son refuses to nap I try to make encourage him to take quiet time in his room to read books to his little stuffed friends or lay on his bed and chill out. Some days it turns into a real nap and others it’s a colossal failure. Case in point: this past Wednesday.

After nearly 30 minutes of silence coming from the bedroom, I was convinced Preschool Boy had fallen asleep. I was wrong. He walked out, talked me into sharing a bite of my Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup and then the following conversation occurred.

Boy: Um, mom. I did something bad in my room.

Me: What did you do?

Boy (in the sweetest sing songy voice ever): I drew all over my waaaalllll. And my windowsiiiiillllll. I’m sorry I did dat. I made a lot of mistakes in my room.

Luckily, he drew all over the wall and windowsill with pencil so it was easy to wash off. He couldn’t resist buttering me up (probably after more Peanut Butter Cup, the little sneak) by being sweet while we cleaned the wall.

Boy: Mom, we make a good team.

Me: We make a better team doing crafts at the table where you’re supposed to draw.

And, then, as I was packing up the cleaning gear to leave the room he said: Um, mom. There’s more down dere.

Mom Jeans

Like lots of other little folks, my son wants to dress himself nearly every day. Sometimes I let him. Lately? He wants to put on jeans. In the middle of summer in Florida. But, when we’re in the house, I let him. The funny part? He calls his jeans “MOM JEANS.” HA! So the other day he put on “Mom Jeans” in the middle of the afternoon and then insisted I call him “Mama Lara.” (Mama’s Note: The mom of one of his best friend’s is named Lara.) He went on to be extremely endearing as he played mom to his little sister.

Trip to Outer Space

Boy: Mom, I really want to plan ahead and go on a baycaytion. (Mama’s Note: He says “plan ahead” because he keeps asking to go to Disney World and I explain that’s a special vacation that requires planning ahead.)

Me: Where do you want to go on vacation?

Boy: Well, I want to go to outer space on baycation. I think we should take a break from da Earse and go on baycaytion in da sky.

Me: Huh. That’s a good idea. But, how will we get to outer space? We need a spaceship.

Boy: We can take an airplane. I’ll ask dada to borrow and airplane from da Air Forse to go to outer space. What’s da best airplane to go to outer space, Mom?

Me: I really don’t know. You’ll have to ask your dad which plane is the best for getting to outer space.

And, believe you me, as soon as his dad got home from work that day, my son grilled him about the best airplane to get to outerspace.

Petunia Pickle Bottom Baby Carrier Review + Giveaway

by Kate on June 20th, 2010 | 5 Comments | Baby, Carriers, Giveaways, Reviews

Mention Petunia Pickle Bottom to most moms and they will respond, “Oh, I LOVE their diaper bags.” And, for good reason. When I found out I was having a girl, the first website I visited was the Petunia site to “Ooh and ahhh” over the diaper bags. I was so excited to see that Petunia added baby carriers to their line, bringing the beautiful fabrics of the bags to the practicality of babywearing, and even more thrilled to test one out.

About the Sightseer

The Sightseer Carrier is created for the fashion-savvy mommy and Mother Nature alike, the Sightseer is made of certified organic cotton and is machine washable. It slips on like a t-shirt, and buckles securely into place. It is unmatched in comfort, support and overall ease-of-use. Simple easy-to-use buckle system ensures baby is secure and comfortable for effortless, worry-free outings.

Standout Features

Lightweight and Earth-friendly
Made from Certified Organic Cotton that is machine washable (see baby girl’s drool, washing will be frequent for us!)
Slips on like a t-shirt and buckles simply and securely into place.
Secure and versatile design allows your little co-traveler to face snugly inward, or outward with a view on the world.
Exclusive fashion-print exterior and signature Petunia stitch detailing.
Color-coordinating custom hardware, time and fittings are seamlessly integrated

My Experience

I received the beautiful Sightseer Baby Carrier in the Voyage to the Amalfi Coast fabric. Oh, how I love this! I have to admit I am not a big fan of carriers, I always feel so restricted in my movement, and have yet to find the perfect one. But, I am realizing that having a toddler and an infant, the carrier becomes much more essential! Plus, the front carrier that I do have I always find to be a bit cumbersome to put on. By the time I get it all situated it just doesn’t seem worth it to get all geared up. (Not to mention getting baby into it always upsets her.)

However, with the Sightseer, I didn’t have any of these issues. Other than the fact that it is by far the prettiest carrier I have ever seen, it is so easy to wear. The carrier is all one piece and really does just slip right over your head – put baby in and you are on your way. The only trouble I had was undoing the side leg buttons that must be secured for babies up to 11 pounds. However, I have trouble with all buttons and snaps (onesies take me forever!), so I am not surprised this was a little hard for me.

The diamond shape fabric piece on the back is adjustable to make a custom, secured fit for any mama (or dada!). I found it really easy to adjust, and found my perfect fit immediately. The best testimony I can give is that I was able to get my son’s lunch together while baby girl was hanging out in the carrier, happy as can be. I have started to make this a part of our day, as I get his meals or other tasks that require two hands, I carry her in the Sightseer, and everyone is taken care of by mama at one time!

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… If you love a front baby carrier, and prefer to be a bit more stylish while wearing baby then this carrier is for you. Every single time I have used it, I have been asked where I got it because it is just so gorgeous. Not to mention, the way that it slips on over your head and is all one piece. Other than the aesthetics of this carrier, that is by far my favorite feature.

Or Not to Buy… I think this is just because I have a small baby, but she seems to sit a bit lower than the baby in the instruction booklet when facing forward. I am sure this will change as she grows (baby has just gotten into double digits on the scale, and is 4 months old). It bothers me more than baby girl, as she is happy as a clam in this carrier!

Shop! Petunia Pickle Bottom baby carriers are available at www.petunia.com. The Sightseer retails for $110 and is available in 5 beautiful prints. The TourGuide Baby Carrier is available in 2 patterns with a suggested retail price of $99.

Win! A TourGuide Carrier from Petunia Pickle Bottom!

Petunia Pickle Bottom presents an Original Collection Baby Carrier, the Tour Guide. The only carrier of its kind, the machine washable Tour Guide is made from recycled materials, including a recycled polyester shell (PET), and a recycled nylon liner.

How to Enter: Visit Petunia Pickle Bottom and leave a comment here with your favorite Petunia Carrier style and print.

Bonus Entries - Valid only after completing first mandatory entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

Follow Petunia on Twitter
If you Like Petunia Pickle Bottom on Facebook, leave another comment
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 Petunia Pickle Bottom TourGuide Carrier ($100 value) @TheShoppingMama http://bit.ly/aPXHis
“Like” The Shopping Mama on Facebook? Another comment!
Share this post on Facebook. Click the blue “Share” button below.
Be a Shopping Buddy, aka, follow in Google Friends Connect
Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or RSS
Leave a *new* comment on any non-giveaway post and let me know you did.

Disclosure: Giveaway ends July 7. Open to US mailing addresses only. Thanks to Petunia Pickle Bottom for providing the giveaway prize and product for review. Opinions here are my own.

Away We Go! Summer Travel Tips for Families

by Kate on June 19th, 2010 | 5 Comments | Parenting

With summer upon us, travel season is kicking in to high gear! Summer gives us the perfect opportunity to pack up and hit the road (or the skies) in search of a family adventure where we can leave our crazy, hectic lives behind and focus on simply having a good time together as a family. However, for those of us that have traveled with young children before, we know too well that traveling with kids is not the kick-your-feet-up-and-relax getaway that it used to be!

Here are a few tried-and-true tips to make this summer’s travels run a little more smoothly – providing you with a stress-free, affordable and FUN vacation for the whole family! Bon Voyage!

Money-Saving Travel Tips

A room with a view - If you’d like a larger room, yet don’t want to pay for an upgrade, request a corner room upon check-in. Corner rooms are typically classified as “standard” rooms, however, they are larger and usually have a great view as well!

Pack a picnic – Don’t forget to pack a collapsible cooler! Whether visiting the zoo, the beach, or simply exploring a city, setting up a picnic lunch for your family will save you nearly $25 per lunch. Over the course of a week-long vacation, this could save you over $150!

Travel Logistics

Packing Lists –Why reinvent the wheel each time you pack for a trip? Next time you are traveling, write your packing list on an index card labeled “Beaches”, “Mountains”, “Grandparents”, etc. The next time you are going on a similar trip, you can pull out the index card and start packing! When you return, add anything you forgot to pack to the card to ensure that you aren’t without it next time.

Don’t Get Caught Without It – Prior to heading off on your next adventure, scan all important travel documents (passports, tickets, driver license, itinerary, etc.) and e-mail them to yourself. In the worse-case scenario, you will simply have to find the nearest computer to print up all the documents, saving you lots of time and frustration!

Traveling by Plane

Last Call! – When traveling with young children, minimize the amount of time the kids are on the plane. Rather than pre-board as a family, send Daddy ahead with the car seats and bags and you stay behind with the kids. Let the kids run in the terminal and board the plane when they call final boarding. Your seats will already be set up and the children will be less antsy!

Stack your seats – If you are a family of four traveling by plane, avoid reserving 4 seats side-by-side (usually in the middle of the plane). Rather, reserve 2 rows of seats by the window (one in front of the other). By reserving seats by the window, the kids will be able to each have a window seat and you will have easier access to move about the plane.

Double-Duty Travel Items

Pillow cases and dryer sheets – In order to keep your dirty clothes from smelling up both your room and/or the suitcase, pack a pillow case with a dryer sheet in each suitcase. By placing the dryer sheet in the pillow case with your dirty clothes, you will be able to contain the dirty clothes (and the smell)!

Shower caps – Put the shower caps at the hotel to good use! Shower caps make a perfect shoe cover when packing shoes. Simply place the shower cap over the soles of the shoes to keep the dirt on your shoes from getting all your other clothes dirty.

The helpful travel advice is brought to you by Zoolu! A mom’s one stop shop for everything from family travel gear to personalized gifts and mommy boutique items.

We love the GoGoBabyz Kidz Travelmate. It easily attaches to your toddler’s carseat allowing you to check the stroller at the check-in counter and push your toddler through the airport in his/her car seat!

Image courtesy: dcubillas

TGIF: Coupon, Sales, Discounts & News

by Kate on June 18th, 2010 | 5 Comments | Deal & News Roundup, Weekly Features

Livie & Luca: Select shoes will be 25% off every week. This week? Save on Pink Elephants, Haru, Pink & Turquoise Fun Dots. Use code Summer3. Expires June 23. (I took advantage of last week’s sale and got the Petal shoes in Magenta. They already arrived and they are ADORABLE. Worth every penny.)

The Land of Nod: Super Duper Summer Sale! Kidirondack chairs, popsicle molds, Radio Flyer items and many more of our outdoor items are included in the sale.

Gymboree: Big Red Balloon Semi-Annual Sale! Save up to 70% off original prices.

Old Navy: Online Exclusive – save 15% with code ONSUMMER. Ends June 18. (Cash back tip: Click through ShopAtHome.com and early 5% back on your purchase.)

Gap: Save an additional 20% off Summer Sale Styles plus Free Shipping with code GAPSALE20. (Cash back tip: Click through ShopAtHome.com and early 5% back on your purchase.)

Exclusive Discounts

IncrediBundles: 15% off with code SHOPPING15. Expires July 15.
Koala Kuddles: 20% off with code shopmama. Expires June 20.
dadoo kids: 20% off with code SHOPPINGMAMA20.
The Crazy Dazy: 10% discount off your purchase with code SHOPPINGMAMA.
The Studio: For $10 off your purchase use SHOPMAMA at check out.

Private Sale Sites

* Zulily: Steve Madden dresses for mama, Baby K’Tan carriers, Learning Resources educational toys, CR Kids. Cash Back Tip – click through ShopAtHome.com for 6% rebate on your purchase.

* The Mini Social: Boy’s Week! Save big on Dexton play tents, Babysusu, Dogwood and Wonderboy clothes, and Dippy Dop bouncers.

* Totsy: Save on Agoo, Kids Preferred, and Cheeky & Swank.