Little Tikes Secret Garden Playhouse Review + Giveaway

by Kate on April 19th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaways, Reviews, Spring Into Spring, Toys

Little Tikes has been bringing smiles to the faces of children for more than 40 years. From the iconic Cozy Coupe Car to the Neighborhood Market and Spray and Rescue Fire Truck (and more!), Little Tikes has lots of great toys to keep little ones busy outdoors. New for spring 2011, the Secret Garden Playhouse is an affordable outdoor playhouse that will guarantee hours of fun.

Secret Garden Playhouse Details

This charming playhouse will provide hours of fun for boys and girls – both inside and outside!

  • No Hardware required for assembly, unit snaps together in about 20 minutes!
  • Traditionally styled playhouse with built-in role play features
  • Includes play sink with faucet
  • Built-in table with stool
  • Awning over the table provides shade
  • Working Dutch door and doorbell
  • Requires 2 “AA” alkaline batteries (not included)

Outdoor Playhouse

The description of the Secret Garden Playhouse boasts an easy assembly in about 20 minutes with no hardware required. My husband, who is not a fan of instructions, put the Playhouse together with the “assistance” of our four year old in about a half an hour. He reported it was short and truly easy to assemble. In less than one nap time, our kids were playing in their little house.

The Secret Garden Playhouse has lots of fun points of play. There’s a window with a table and stool that is a great place to sit down and “order” food made to order in the kitchen with sink and faucet. The front door has a working door bell, which my children find hysterical. On the side opposite the table and stool there’s a shorter arch and “walkway” which leads to the center of the house. My kids enjoy crawling back and forth in this area that seems reminiscent of a doggie door (but don’t tell my kids that!). There’s even a mail slot on the front door – the Playhouse really does have a lot packed into a small house.

The Playhouse measures 7 feet long, 3 feet wide and 5 feet, 5 inches at its tallest point, which might sound big but my initial concern was that my kids would quickly outgrow the Playhouse. My four year old and two year old fit in the structure but don’t have much room to spare. Or so I thought. Because recently, they were joined by two older friends and the four of them played house, cooked and were quite happy all together.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… The Secret Garden Playhouse is a great value – great quality, lots of fun details and hours of guaranteed fun for $130. Yes, $130. My kids really enjoy playing inside and “cooking” for one another, ringing the door bell and it’s the first toy they run to when we head outside to enjoy the weather. My two year old daughter seems particularly drawn to the Playhouse and she’s the perfect size for it.

Or Not to Buy… My only concern with the Playhouse is the smallish size. It’s best suited for toddlers, but I fear older preschoolers might outgrow it. The short arched door and entry don’t offer as much play value but certainly look cute.

Shop! The Secret Garden Playhouse is available directly from Little Tikes for $129.99. Make sure to check out What’s New at Little Tikes for the latest toys and outdoor play structures for summer fun.

Win! A Little Tikes Secret Garden Playhouse!

How to Enter: Visit Little Tikes and check out the toys. Leave a comment here with another great toy your kids would enjoy this summer.

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

[table id=51 /]

Giveaway ends May 3. Open to US residents only.

Thanks to Little Tikes for providing a sample and the giveaway prize.

Earth Month Books to Read with Kids

by Kate on April 18th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Shopping

Earth Day is April 22! Are you and your children ready?

Like most households, we’re trying to live a little greener. We do the basics: recycle, turn off lights and water, and reuse everything we can. However, there are times when I need inspiration for how I can do more. And there are even more times when I need help explaining to my preschool girl why we’re doing these things. Since April is Earth Month and April 22 is Earth Day, I looked for some books to provide assistance and thought I’d share my results with you. Of course, these titles are available at the usual outlets (Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com), but in honor of Earth Month, perhaps you’ll check your local library first?

Olivia’s Birds: Saving the Gulf - Written by an 11-yr-old girl who raised $150,000 to aid oil spill recovery in the Gulf of Mexico, the book features a unique introduction to backyard and endangered birds with hand-drawn illustrations, bird facts and full-color photos.

S is for Save the Planet: A How-To-Be Green Alphabet – If you haven’t seen the unique alphabet books published by Sleeping Bear Press, you’re missing thoughtfully written books on a number of subjects including music, countries, states, and more. This one, by Brad Herzog and Linda Holt Ayriss, details the many environmental issues we face and gives suggestions for easy-to-take actions that anyone can do.

Sesame Street Let’s Help the Earth – A helpful pop-up guide for younger children. Currently available at Barnes & Noble, and a board book version at Amazon.

Little Green Books - Published by Simon and Schuster, Little Green Books are a series of books about the earth and our impact. Titles include: Santa Claus is Green!, Don’t Throw That Away!, The Adventures of an Aluminum Can, My First Garden and many more. The Little Green Books website features a glossary, green tips, blog and downloadable items to help your family achieve greener living.

Michael Recycle - Penned by Ellie Bethel, the original Michael Recycle has turned into a series of books including Michael Recycle Meets Litterbug Doug and Michael Recycle Saves Christmas. Michael Recycle is a superhero who spreads the message of recycling and keeping our planet green.

The Lorax – First published in 1971, the year after the first Earth Day celebration, Dr. Seuss’ classic book stands the test of time.

Mother’s Day Gifts for the “Martha Mom”

by Kate on April 18th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Shopping

I am a self-professed lover of Martha’s talents (Martha Stewart to those who might not catch the reference). I aspire to have her talents at cooking, baking, crafting, gardening and cleaning. In an effort to cook like her and prepare a new recipe correctly, I purchased a Le Creuset dutch oven and stammered a little bit as I justified my actions to my husband. He’s halfway around the world for a year and I feel guilty indulging in “luxury” items when he is sacrificing so much for our family. His wonderful sense of humor once again saved the day when he responded, “Honey, take a look in the garage. I understand the need for the right tools to do a job.” I love him so much.

So, if you have someone who loves to cook, bake, craft, garden and/or clean, here are some wonderful “tools” to consider getting for Mother’s Day:

COOKING

The Beaba Babycook 4-in-1 Food Prep Blender – This is a perfect gift for a mother-to-be, or one soon to face the challenge of preparing solid foods for a little one. This countertop appliance serves as a steamer, blender, warmer and defroster for efficient baby food preparation. Not only is the container BPA-free, recipes are included. You may purchase the Beaba Babycook at Williams-Sonoma.com, Amazon.com, diapers.com and other outlets and it retails for $149.95.

Le Creuset cookware - I know it is a tremendous splurge, but Le Creuset cookware will make any cook better. I was amazed at how differently this enameled cast iron cookware performed. And with the addition of “Caribbean” blue to my kitchen, I smile every time I face the stove. While there is a huge line of products from which to choose, I recommend starting your collection with the 5.5 qt dutch oven or the 5 qt buffet casserole. The hard part is not deciding upon which item to buy, it’s deciding which color. If you plan to add to your collection in phases, the company’s original orange and popular red are sure to be available indefinitely. Other colors, like my beloved caribbean blue, will be phased in and out over time.

To learn more about Le Creuset, you may visit their website. To purchase, there are a variety of online vendors (including the Le Creuset Amazon Store), many offering free shipping (important for this heavy item!). There are also retail and outlet stores throughout the United States. I have an outlet near me and find good sales quite often.

Glass and ceramic pie dishes - While a metal pie plate is as commonplace as a stove in most kitchens, it just lacks when it comes to preparing good pie. Not only can a metal plate leach a metallic taste (and actual metal to be consumed), it doesn’t bake as evenly as a glass or ceramic pie plate. Prices for pie plates start as low as $3.00 and go up from there. To make it an extra special Mother’s Day gift, why not bake the first pie yourself!

Progressive International Set of 5 Stainless-Steel Magnetic Measuring Spoons - I know, I know. Mom already has measuring spoons. Not like these, she doesn’t! I don’t know how many times I’ve used my tablespoon measure for vanilla extract and then needed it for flour. With this set, each unit of measure has two bowls, one at each end, one round, one long. Not only will you have a bowl for wet and dry ingredients, you will have a spoon to fit any size spice jar. And when you’re done, these magnetic spoons cling to one another and the fridge so they are always at the ready. These unique measuring spoons are available at Amazon.com for $11.63 plus shipping.

CRAFTING

Martha Stewart’s Encyclopedia of Crafts or Sewing and Fabric Crafts - There are lots of accomplished chefs and gardeners with cookbooks and television shows. But let’s face it, when it comes to crafting, Martha really does do it best. From paper to fabric and everything in between, your crafting mom can draw inspiration and instructions for just about any craft from one of Martha’s encyclopedias. Available at most retail bookstores and retail for $35.00 each. Amazon.com has them available starting at just over $21.00.

What Shall We Do Today? - If the mom in your life likes to craft, chances are she likes to craft with her children. This book by Catherine Woram features 60 creative crafts to be completed with/by kids. Available on Amazon for $13.54 plus shipping.

Michael’s gift card - The crafty mom needs tools and materials to complete her creative genius. Why not get her one of the aforementioned books and tuck in a Michael’s gift card as the bookmark? Available in any denomination in stores or online.

GARDENING

Heirloom seeds – As consumers think more about the purity of food, heirloom seeds have regained popularity. Heirloom seeds are those of plants that have been grown in the past, but are not used in large-scale agriculture. By choosing heirloom seeds for your garden, you are ensuring a greater variety of say, tomato plants, from which to choose and avoiding GMOs (genetically modified plants). Because heirlooms have adapted over time to whatever climate and soil they have grown in, they are often resistant to local pests, diseases and extremes of weather, making them ideal for organic gardening. To learn more about heirloom seeds, visit Seed Savers Exchange. There are a large number of online vendors from which to purchase heirloom plant, vegetable and flower seeds. Each vendor offers a different selection, so where you purchase will be determined by what you wish to purchase. Simply google “heirloom seeds” and have fun shopping the many sources.

Gardman 4-Tier Mini Greenhouse – No matter which gardening zone you live in, there are plants and seeds that are best started indoors or in a greenhouse. Since the inside of my house is cluttered enough, this portable greenhouse is perfect. Just the right size to tuck neatly on the south side of a house and shelter all the seeds a novice gardener would need, this mini greenhouse is also very affordable. It is available for purchase on Amazon.com for only $42.99 plus shipping.

Rain Chain - A decorative alternative to downspouts, rain chains direct rainwater from roofs and other flat surfaces to an area below. They can feed a rain barrel for water storage, or a garden area and, depending upon the chain you select, can create a very soothing sound as water travels down the length of the chain. A personal favorite, rain chains are available online in a number of styles and materials.

CLEANING

Do I really have to tell you NOT to buy the mother in your life cleaning supplies?

***

Want more gift ideas for mom? Check out our 2010 Mother’s Day Shopping Guide.

It's a Pillow, It's a Pet! My Pillow Pets Review + Giveaway

by Kate on April 15th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaways, Reviews, Spring Into Spring

Okay, confession time. I’ve been familiar with My Pillow Pets for some time, but never got them for my children (despite them asking) because I just really didn’t.get.it. I mean, neither of my kids is really into stuffed animals so I didn’t think they’d be all that into the Pillow Pets. Well, despite the fact that I may not “get it” – it because immediately obvious that my children do. They were beyond thrilled when we surprised them with Snuggly Puppy and Silly Monkey.

We set the soft and comfy animals folded into their pet persona and told the kids to come in the room.

And then this happened…

What are Pillow Pets?

Okay, in case you’ve been living under a rock, let’s go over the basics of My Pillow Pets?

A super-soft chenille plush folding stuffed animal. So cuddly you’ll never want to put it down! Starts out as your pal, then un-velcro its belly, and it quickly becomes your pillow.

While I may have been hesitant to hop on the Pillow Pet parade, I have to tell you they are undeniably soft and cuddly. They are easily the softest stuffed animal my kids own and because they lay a little flat they are easy to snuggle up with. I really appreciate the little detail on the velcro so that when it’s not in use, it can be covered by a soft piece of fabric.

For the first couple days, the kids brought their Pillow Pets all around the house, but lately they’ve stayed in their beds. See?

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… For the very reasonable price, Pillow Pets are a great cuddly little friends who serve double duty as a stuffed animal friend or sleepytime cuddle pal. My kids have really enjoyed them and my son is already begging for the brand new Dinosaur Pillow Pet.

Or Not to Buy… Your child might develop a slight addiction to My Pillow Pets and with new designs introduced often, you’ll be tempted to, well, start a collection. I am guilty of this as my kids might be getting new Pets for Easter.

Shop! My Pillow Pets is always introducing new sweet animals so check the website for new friends. The Pillow Pets are currently on sale for $5 off! The 11 inch Pee Wee Pets are currently $15.99 and the 18 inch Original Pets are $19.99.


Win! Two (2) My Pillow Pets!

Prize details: Winner may chose from 8 Pets including: Ms. Lady Bug, Comfy Panda, Playful Penguin, Buzzing Bumble Bee, Squeaky Dolphin, Silly Monkey or Snuggly Puppy.

How to Enter: Visit My Pillow Pets and leave a comment with something you like about the new and improved website.

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

[table id=51 /]

Giveaway ends April 29. Open to US mailing addresses only.

Thanks to My Pillow Pets for providing samples and the giveaway prizes.

Mother's Day Treats for New Mama's and Mamas-to-Be

by Kate on April 14th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Shopping

Of course the ultimate Mother’s Day gift for a pregnant woman or a new mom would be a full night’s sleep, breakfast in bed, and complete silence for a day or so.  But hopefully, these gifts will serve as adequate substitutes.

Nursing Sleepwear Set from the Gap ($25)

Post-partum fashion is all about comfort.  And if you’re breastfeeding, it’s also about functionality.  A good nursing PJ set serves both purposes.  Bonus if it’s as cute as this one and you want to wear it for more than just sleeping.

The Snoogle ($50)

Sleeping while pregnant is difficult.  A regular body pillow makes it easier, but the Snoogle makes it almost enjoyable!  This pillow gives support at every angle.  Any pregnant woman will thank you for it after just one night’s rest.

A Massage ($75-90)

Pregnancy or post-pregnancy, a massage is always a welcome treat.  Pre-natal massages are great because they are especially designed to relieve the lower back and leg pains that come with pregnancy.  Even for the ladies who have recently given birth, a massage can be a welcome 1-hour respite that is all about relaxation.  SpaFinder allows you to buy one gift certificate that can be redeemed at thousands of spas all over the country.

A Beautiful Statement Necklace ($89)

Even after the baby is born, it takes a little while for old clothes to fit again.  A shiny new accessory can dress up any outfit and make a woman feel beautiful.  It helps if you also plan a nice dinner out to which she can wear this new accessory.

A User-Friendly HD Camera/Video Recorder ($156)

Let’s be honest, here: moms love to capture all the little moments in their kiddos’ lives.  It certainly becomes an easy task with a handheld device that can take still pictures and record hi-def video.  With the Sony Bloggie Touch, content is easily transferred to a computer and can even be instantly uploaded to social networking sites like Facebook.  A camera like this one will be appreciated by a soon-to-be-mama who is packing her hospital bag and the mama who is excited to show off her new addition to friends and family.

***

Want more gift ideas for mom? Check out our 2010 Mother’s Day Shopping Guide.

Earth-Friendly Green Town Toys Review and Giveaway

by Kate on April 14th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaways, Reviews, Spring Into Spring

I love toys that build the imagination, are eco-friendly and safe for my little guy. The great play-in and play-on toys from  Green Town Toys fit the bill perfectly and we have thoroughly enjoyed exploring the Citadel castle.

I am convinced that Green Town Toys had me in mind when they designed their Citadel. Okay, maybe they know that children big and small love castles and knights and princes and princesses. I have to admit, I’ve been spending a good amount of my days this last week day dreaming about all the fun my little guy and I are going to have over the next several years playing make believe in our Green Town Toys’ castle.

The Citadel

This incredible castle is made of corrugated cardboard and is huge! At 54.5″ x 54.5″ it is large enough for my 14 month old to crawl completely around me (several times) as I sit in the middle. It could easily fit 3 or more children. Green Town Toys recommends The Citadel for children 4 to 8 years old, but my guy has really enjoyed it at under 4 years and I, a few years over 8, also love it.


Some of my favorite features:

  • Easy to assemble. I was able to put it together in about 30 minutes with the “help” of my baby and the yellow lab (aka it would have taken half the time without help).
  • Even easier to disassemble and fold for storage.
  • Freedom to decorate. The blank slate of the cardboard finish is fully enjoyable as is, but I could see spending a rainy day (or a few) adding carpets to the tower floors, painting the walls, or whatever interests the kiddos.
  • Completely recyclable. When we’re done with this toy we can take it out to the curb to be turned into something else useful.

Having fun in the Citadel

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… The Green Town Toys Citadel is the perfect gift for any little girl or boy dreaming about knights or princesses. The castle provides the perfect backdrop for everything from tea parties to dragon hunting parties to royal coronations to epic battles. (I told you I was excited about this toy.)

Not to Buy… The Citadel is big. Like a good portion of the living room big. If you don’t have the space, the Moon Roof Funhouse and the Jolly Roger are a bit smaller.

Shop! You can buy the Citadel for $44.99 at GreenTownToys.com. For a limited time Green Town Toys is offering Free Shipping! Also, enjoy 15% off with exclusive code: theshoppingmama.

Win! A Green Town Toys Moon Roof Funhouse!

How to Enter: Visit Green Town Toys and tell us which product you are most interested in.

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

[table id=51 /]

Giveaway ends April 28. Open to US mailing addresses only.

Thanks to Green Town Toys for providing the sample and giveaway prize. Opinions, as always are my own.

Thursday Giveaway Linky

by Kate on April 14th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaway Linky

Thanks for coming to link up and browse some great giveaways. We’d love for you to stick around and enter some of our great contests here, including these that are ending soon:

Bare Escentuals SkinCare * Baby Animals POP! Easter Basket * Food for Thoughtful Parenting Book

Make sure you head over to Baby Loving Mama. And you simply must enter to win the Kate Spade purse.

Happy linking.

Gorgeous Mohawk Rug Review and Giveaway

by Kate on April 13th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaways, Reviews, Spring Into Spring

I love rugs. They add such a warm, finished touch to any room and are great for protecting the floor, softening hard floors for little falls and covering up less than gorgeous flooring (all too common in the renter’s world). I also love Target, enough said. When I heard that Mohawk Home was launching a new line of baby friendly carpets available exclusively on-line at Target now and in stores this July, I was interested. When I heard I’d get to try one out and give one away, I was stoked (I grew up in California so I’m allowed to say things like stoked.)

Mohawk a Flooring Company with History

The brand Mohawk sounded very familiar, but I couldn’t quite remember why, so I checked out all my current rugs and at least half of them are Mohawk brand. I’m also a recovering HGTV/TLC addict (mostly because the kid doesn’t give me time to watch any more) and I know I hear the designers talk about Mohawk all the time. Considering Mohawk has been around for over 125 years with top quality flooring products, I shouldn’t have been surprised that a non-home decorator like me knew the name.

Today, Mohawk sells floor covering and textiles for every room in the home and for every commercial application. Hardwood flooring, laminate flooring, ceramic tile flooring, stone and marble flooring and, via an exclusive distribution agreement with Congoleum, vinyl sheet flooring are among the newest Mohawk product offerings. What’s more, the company now offers woven bedspreads, tapestries, pillows, throws and window blinds. Mohawk products are found in major retailers across the country and the world. From Home Depot to Bloomingdales, from Lowe’s to Macy’s, from Target and Wal-Mart to specialty boutiques in large cities and small towns.Mohawk is making the world a more beautiful place.

From the original Shuttleworth Brothers in 1878, through the efforts of hard working, dedicated and skilled employees, Mohawk has built a reputation for value, design, service, quality and innovation-a reputation that will extend the company’s legacy into homes, offices and public spaces for many years to come.

New Rugs Perfect for Baby’s Room

These fabulous new rugs are made with new technology that makes them incredibly soft. My husband’s first comment on the rug was “wow, this is soft!” which is not especially eloquent, but is notable because at the time he was headed to the changing table to take care of a stinker. He absolutely hates this job. The fact that he was able to even notice a rug while anticipating poo is extremely noteworthy. A latex backing to the rug provides a non-skid surface for use on hard floors or helps keep the rug in place on carpet, no need for an extra non-skid pad. The 100% nylon rug is super easy to spot clean and with an 80 pound Labrador, we’ve tested this out. The smaller 40″ x 60″ rugs can even be cleaned in a front loading washing machine. Umm, hello! Mother’s dream. I’d wash the whole house in the washing machine if I could. Finally, these rugs are made in the USA so you are supporting the local economy and producing less fossil fuel waste by not shipping them around the world (something we’ve been thinking about this Earth Day month).

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… We love our rug. It is so soft and makes a great play area in little guy’s room (and nicely covers the juice stains from the previous owners) an will be great for tummy time when we have number two.

Or Not to Buy…. The rug is a great thickness for use on carpet, but I think it would need more padding to use on hard floors. A nice padded carpet pad would be a perfect addition.

Shop! You can find the Mohawk rugs in all the fabulous designs below at Target.com for $44.99-80.99 and in stores this summer.

Win! A Mohawk Rug in the Design and Size of Your Choice!

How to Enter: Visit Target.com and tell us which is your favorite Mohawk Rug Design.

“Required” Bonus Entry – valid only after completing the first required entry. Other bonus entries are only valid after completing this Bonus Entry.

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

[table id=51 /]

Giveaway ends April 27. Open to US residents only.

Thanks to Mohawk for the sample rug and giveaway prize. Opinions, as always, are my own.
« Older Entries
Newer Entries »