The Shopping Mama » 2011 » February

Oscar Night – Family Style!

by Kate on February 28th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Life

Thanks to redbox, our family experienced the red carpet and the Oscars this year. Since I can’t imagine packing up the kids, flying to LA and, most of all, wearing insanely high heels for an entire evening, I’m eternally grateful for the redbox Oscar Party in a Box we received to prepare us for Oscar Night. It allowed us to do the Oscars “family style” and we had a blast. Our box contained:

1. Decorations included a movie camera pinata, “Hollywood” sign, red carpet and movie director’s chalkboard. My guests were surprised to see the actual red carpet extended along my front walk and really “worked” the carpet. We even had paparazzi!

2. My guests and I made great use of the 10 FREE Oscar-nominated movies redbox provided. I loaned out the movies in advance of the party and, even though I had guests who didn’t know one another all that well, everyone had something to talk about. At one point, they made their own list of “Best Pictures” from memory and were debating them at the table.

3. I attached the 10 FREE redbox rental coupons to boxes of classic movie candies and sent each guest home with one. I also looked up the location of the nearest redbox rental locations and made sure they knew where they could redeem their coupons.

4. And, of course, I popped the microwave popcorn to serve guests during the party. Because there was a scoop in it, my daughter was the self-appointed popcorn server. I just noticed she’s not even using the scoop. Not to worry, our Lab cleaned up all the spills.

The party was fun and we hated to see it end.

Congrats to the redbox Oscar Movie Package winner: Tami!

redbox provided an Oscar night party package and sponsored a giveaway.

The Land of Nod Giveaway

by Kate on February 28th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Childrens Decor, Giveaways

We’ve had a great time this month looking at the best decor and design ideas for children’s rooms. We are so grateful to the readers who shared their spaces with us in a series sponsored by The Land of Nod. And, now for all of our readers we have a chance to win a shopping spree to add little Nod to your home.

About The Land of Nod

I always like to include a little blurb about a company to help you get to know them. And, if you don’t know The Land of Nod, you really should get to know them. One great way is to like The Land of Nod on Facebook where you’ll find clever little Nod’isms, like their Company Overview.

The Land of Nod, not unlike your Facebook page, started with friends. In the beginning, we were just your typical founder-and-childhood-buddy-start-a-children’s-furnishings-company-out-of-his-basement kinda story. But from our humble beginnings, we continued to grow. Then came 2000, when we received a friend request from none other than Crate and Barrel. Naturally, we accepted. And since that time we’ve proudly had our status set as “in a partnership.” Now our exclusive selection of kids and baby furnishings has expanded to include toys, room décor, storage and baby gear. Basically, everything for before, during and after naptime.

Why We Love The Land of Nod

There are so many reasons to love and shop The Land of Nod. Toys and gifts, strollers and baby gear, and of course nursery and kid’s decor and furniture. Since a post can only be so long before you just want to get to the good stuff that is the giveaway, we’ll focus on the decor and furniture since it’s been our focus all month.

Always adding to their brilliant collection, The Land of Nod has some new bedding that is to.die.for. The How Does Your Garden Grow? Baby Bedding is just beautiful. And bright. And darling.

The Tea Time Bedding will easily grow with a girl from first big girl bed to much bigger girl bed. And, don’t you love the coordinating throw pillows?

The colors and robots of the Robo-Bedding will charm the pjs on the finicky-est of boys.

Once you have the colorful bedding all set, time for some more decor. I love this take on the letter trend. The Fantabulous Fabric Letters feature striped or dotted fabric. So cute.

I would like a 1-Cube Bench for each of my children, please. Seriously, what a great place to store book bags and sit down to get shoes and coats on and off every day.

Want More Nod?

Check out some more of our The Land of Nod favorites from the 28 Days of Design: Children’s Activity Table, Bassinet, Beaded Chandelier, Rocket Nightlight, and Storage Bins.

You can also see The Land of Nod in action in Shannon’s daughter’s room before and after and Vana Chupp’s son’s room.

Shop! The Land of Nod is truly an amazing resource for new moms, seasoned moms, grandmoms and non-moms alike. Basically, if you shop for a baby or child you must check out the wide array of products at The Land of Nod. Even if just to check out the hysterically clever product descriptions.

Win! $75 Shopping Spree to The Land of Nod!

How to Enter: Visit The Land of Nod and leave a comment with your very favorite thing. Or two. Because it’s hard to pick just one.

Bonus Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

Giveaway ends March 18. Open to US residents only.

Thanks to The Land of Nod for providing the giveaway prize and being a sponsor.  As always, opinions are my own.

Children’s Activity Table

by Kate on February 28th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  28 Days of Design


Design: Adjustable Wooden Activity Table

Why We Want it in Our House: The Activity Table that grows with your child – the Low Table is perfect for a train table and little ones doodling on the attached paper roll. The Medium Legs transform the Table into chair height for games. And, finally, the Tall Legs make the Table a desk or table for big kids, teens or grown ups. There are a number of accessories that make this into the only table you’ll ever need: matching rolling storage bins, paper roller and tot chairs.

Shop! Adjustable Wooden Activity Table is available at The Land of Nod. The Low Table solo is $189 or get the whole enchilada – Low Table with two bins, medium legs, high legs and paper roller for $449. Available in Espresso, Lt Honey and White.

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Check out all our Children’s Décor picks.

Tips for Organizing Children’s Space

by Kate on February 27th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Childrens Decor

If you looked in my house, you would know I have NO BUSINESS sharing tips for organizing children’s space. I try, really try, but it seems that toys and puzzles and books are everywhere. I’ve turned to the experts at HGTV.com and have some of their top tips for keeping kid’s clutter under control. I’d also LOVE to hear your best advice – chime in below in the comments!

Kid-Friendly Display: Invest in a quality bookshelf to store and show off your child’s treasures. Pick a piece that’s timeless, made of materials that will last and in a basic and versatile color.

Label, Label, Label: Use a collection of coordinated boxes (example at right) and label them. Of course, you have to use the label and put things in their place.

Portable Storage for Toys: Even if you have a playroom, keep some toys in portable storage containers so you can bring the entire collection around the house or keep them temporarily in another space.

Older Kids Need Storage, Too: Create a bedside storage area for books or handheld storage game devices to be within reach.

What are your organization tips? How do you tame toys?

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This post is one in a a series sponsored by Sugar and Spice Decor – a great source for kids storage and shelving.

Sugar and Spice Decor has a great selection of storage options from wooden toy boxes to stylish shelving to the affordable, portable and adorable DwellStudio Storage Bins.

Top Red Carpet Smiles

by Kate on February 27th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Life

What do cosmetic dentists do for fun? Apparently they get together and rate celebrities smiles. Just for fun we have the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry’s top picks for most kissable celebs and not-so-hot smiles. What do you think, are they right on?

Top Oscar Nominee (Best Actor/Actress) Smile

#1 Natalie Portman


#2 James Franco

#3 Nicole Kidman

#4 Annette Bening

#5 Colin Firth

#6 Christian Bale


Most Kissable Hollywood Mouth

AACD member dentists say Angelina Jolie wins hands-down for having the perfect pout for smooching. Natalie Portman comes in second followed by a close third-place tie for Halle Berry and Julia Roberts.

As for the most kissable men, Golden Globe nominee Jake Gyllenhaal beat out perennial favorites such as Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Denzel Washington.

From Cruise to Clinton: Famous Smiles that Need Work


Tom Cruise tops the list with the most cosmetic dentists writing in that they would  love to see a total cosmetic re-do using the latest orthodontic and veneer technologies.

Also on the list was NFL commentator Michael Strahan for a noticeable front tooth gap. (I have no idea who this is, but hey, it worked for Lauren Hutton, right?)

President George W. Bush makes the list needing a whole slew of re-working including whitening, splint therapy (bite correction, usually for jaw joint/TMJ problems) bonding and veneers.

Two famous females tied for first place for smile makeovers. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric could both use specific cosmetic work to enhance their looks for TV and personal appearances.

Honorable mentions included performer Miley Cyrus and author and lawyer Caroline Kennedy (crown lengthening), former U.S Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and actress Jennifer Garner (veneers) and singer-songwriter Jewel (orthodontics and whitening).

Thanks for the fun Cosmetic Dentists. For a complete listing of AACD cosmetic dentists, go to www.aacd.com.

Kind of makes me wonder what cosmetic surgeons are talking about…

All Photos Courtesy of People.com.

My Daughter’s Room Before + After

by Shannon on February 27th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Nurseries, Bedrooms & Playrooms

I Fear Design…
Psychologists often maintain that fear feeds dreams.  I agree.  I fear design, therefore my dream is for a professional to design my home and all its rooms for me.  So, when The Shopping Mama herself asked all contributors to submit pictures of their children’s rooms for the children’s decor features, I was quaking in my boots.

The story goes deeper.  We rent our house, so I’m not able to paint walls.  In addition, I disassembled my daughter’s room this past fall in anticipation of purchasing a bed and bookshelves from a local furniture store.  After 15 weeks of waiting, I canceled the order and planned to make a purchase elsewhere.  Then, military orders came for us to move to Georgia.  It hardly seemed prudent to order furniture only to move it and risk damage in less than nine months.

Which begs my question:  How do you design a room when you fear the project, can’t paint the walls or purchase furniture, and plan to move in six months?

Before

Here’s the scene before reorganization:


Preschool girl’s room before I reorganized.  Her bed is a simple mattress and box springs on rails and the wall hangings are positioned for a prior furniture arrangement.

The Update

I started by pulling together all the things that had been in her room, hoping to arrange them in a cohesive design.  We had purchased new bedding for the bed that never arrived.  I love the pink madras from Pottery Barn Kids and, of course, other elements of the room followed the color scheme.  I also put my crafting had on and FINALLY made two things I’d been putting off forever – a mobile to hang above her bed and a French memo board to hang her artwork from preschool.


Two handmade items for preschool girl’s room:  1) a mobile featuring family and friends to hang over her bed among fluttering butterflies and tissue paper flowers, and 2) a memo board for her artwork.  Rather than buttons or tufting, I simply stretched ribbons across a fabric-covered canvas.  Artwork will be attached with butterfly and flower-adorned clothes pins from World Market.

After

After making the mobile and memo board, I hung artwork and rearranged accessories.  Preschool girl likes having her IKEA table and chairs next to her bed for books and milk, so I made them tidy and her room looks much better.


Preschool girl’s finished room.  The hanging letters are from Land of Nod and the wall also features items from The Picture People and Piggies and Paws.  On the opposite wall, I streamlined the accessories on top of her armoire and hung a metal garden angel on the wall with a few other wall decorations.

We like it!

Butterfly Mirrors

by Kate on February 27th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  28 Days of Design

Design: Butterfly Mirrors

Why We Want it in Our House: Really, the only word to describe these Butterfly Mirrors is pretty. They are just pretty. And they would look lovely in a little girl’s nursery as well as an older girl’s room. The mirrors are sold individually in slightly different shapes and feature sweet etched detail.

Shop! The Butterfly Mirrors from Pottery Barn Kids are $59 each.

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Check out all our Children’s Décor picks and purchase many in The Shopping Mama’s Amazon store.

Sheep Mobile

by Kate on February 26th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  28 Days of Design

Design: Sheep Mobile

Why We Want it in Our House: Sheep make babies sleep, right? No, you say? Even if this isn’t a magic sleep mobile it is a perfectly modern and simple mobile that will delight babies. This Flenstead Sheep Mobile was originally designed for the Museum of Modern Art and is made in Denmark. It has four white sheep and one lone black sheep made of lightweight plastic.

Shop! The simple and sweet Sheep Mobile is available at giggle for $32. giggle also offers Flensted mobiles featuring bunnies and penguins.

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Check out all our Children’s Décor picks and purchase many in The Shopping Mama’s Amazon store.

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