Congrats to Sarah G, the winner of the Zoolu! $100 Shopping Spree!

To thank The Shopping Mama readers for the awesome support and giveaway response, Zoolu! is offering an exclusive discount! Use the code TSM2010 for 10% off your entire purchase. But, hurry, the code expires Sunday, March 14. So, head over to www.ShopZoolu.com and get shopping.

A girl can never have too many tutus, but not all are created equal. When shopping for the ultimate in girlyness (tutus), I look sweet colors, nice details and finishing and lots of fluff. Whirly Girlz Tutus is everything you’d expect and more, with designs featuring unique details and embellishments on beautiful handmade tutus.

About Whirly Girlz, from the Designer, Allison

My philosophy is that every girl should whirl, twirl and laugh their way through life so why not in a Whirly Girlz Tutu?

All of our tutus are handmade and use approximately seventy five yards of high quality, made in the USA tulle. The tulle is tightly hand tied around a durable elastic band. Most of our products include unique embellishments such as flowers, korker ribbons, rhinestones, bows and other interesting embellishments. We pride ourselves on using quality materials and creating lasting tutus that are truly unique and upscale.

Whirly Girlz Designs

The main difference I see between Whirly Girlz Tutus and the average tutu is the fun, whimsical details and embellishments. For example, the Pretty as a Princess Tutu has a ribbon and flower at the waistband to add some flair to the shades of pink tulle. I really like the way the varying shades are tulle add depth and interest to the body of the tutu. And, there’s lots of body with 70 yards of tulle in each tutu!

I think my favorite Whirly Girlz tutu is the Cowgirl Kate Tutu (and not just because it share’s my name). I love the brown and blue color combination because the colors look great together but also because its not the colors you expect to see in a girl’s tutu. But, don’t worry, this this brown tutu is still full of girlyness. The chocolate brown Gerber daisy and aqua blue korker ribbons definitely add Whirly Girlz “oomph and flair.”

The much anticipated 4moms mamaRoo is now available for pre-order! And, to celebrate 4moms is giving away 60 mamaRoos – one every single day until they ship and are available nationwide on April 30. You can enter every day for your chance to win a mamaRoo (a $200 value) just by signing up to be a 4moms Insider.

About the mamaRoo

The mamaRoo is designed to mimic the motions parents actually make when comforting babies. You know, that mama bounce that involves swaying from side to side while bouncing up and down. We’ve all done it (for hours upon hours) and now the mamaRoo is here to help.

The mamaRoo has 5 unique motions (Car Ride, Kangaroo, Tree Swing, Rock-a-Bye and Ocean Wave) and can move at 5 different speeds. It plays nature sounds and you can even hook up your iPod to provide your own soothing music or fun jam.

Thinking Behind the mamaRoo

Shop! The mamaRoo is offered in six colors and is now available for pre-order. Find a local retailer or order online.

In case you’re wondering and / or cynical, I was not paid for this post. I just think it’s freaking cool and worth sharing. The Amazon link is an affiliate – shopping affiliates is a great way to support your favorite blogger’s shopping habit.

I had this encounter the other day that was somewhat shocking to me as a seasoned online shopper. Apparently, in 2010, some people do not shop online. The conversation I had went something like this:

Other Mom at Preschool: I love your son’s shoes! Where did you get them?

Me: They’re Dinosoles. I got them online -

Other Mom (rolling her eyes): I knew you were going to say that. Ugh. I don’t do that.

Me: Um, errr, it’s just dinosoles.com.

All the while thinking to myself: Of course I bought them online. Is there any other way?

So, her reaction, while not rude or anything was surprising. Do people really NOT shop online? Even my 85 year old grandmother does a lot of her Christmas shopping online. And, when she needs help, she pays my mom to order things for her. Online.

Seriously, the internet is the first place I look when I’m shopping for something. In part because we live in the middle of almost nowhere and there aren’t many original options around here. In part because its always open and a hell of a lot more convenient to pop on the computer than to pack up the two kids and drag them around the mall or stores in the stroller. And, in part, because I love shopping on the internet and it makes me happy.

Obviously you are a somewhat computer savvy person. You are, after all, reading this blog. But, I’m curious. Do YOU buy things online? Do you do “window shop” online and check things out then buy in person?

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Photo credit: Elliott Nevills

I am so excited to share with you my new favorite go-to website: Zoolu! Founded by a mother-daughter team, Zoolu! is where Babies ‘R Us meets your favorite local boutique. The goal of Zoolu! is to provide a website that will SAVE parents TIME and MONEY by offering a wide range of baby products and necessities as well as  fun gifts and goodies for mamas. Quality products plus competitive pricing and affordable shipping rates means Zoolu! makes mamas happy.

Military Friendly Shopping

I have to tell you part of reason I am so excited about Zoolu! is that the website is 100% military friendly and ships to families stationed overseas. A few years ago, while living in Germany living and shopping for my growing family online was often frustrating because many stores simply don’t ship to APO and FPO boxes. (APO/FPO = the on-base mailboxes your life pretty much revolves around when you are stationed overseas). And, in the spirit of full disclosure, I shared my shopping woes with Megan (the daughter in the mother-daughter team behind Zoolu!) who was also living in Germany because our husbands worked together. Megan and her mom wanted to find a way to provide the highest quality baby and mom products to shoppers stateside and overseas so they created Zoolu!

Familiar Must-Have Products

We all have our favorite, must have baby products, and Zoolu! stocks many of them at competitive prices. For me, a must have for any nursing mama is a Bebe au Lait nursing cover and Zoolu! has them. Other familiar brands with vital baby and toddler products carried at Zoolu! are Baby Bjorn, Gerber, Nuk, SwaddleDesigns and Sassy. Trust me, if you have something in mind, Zoolu! probably carries it. And, if they don’t, let them know what you’re looking for!

Personalized Gifts

While Zoolu! does offer the necessities and products you need day to day as a family, it also sells personalized products and gifts. Megan says, “Our shoppers have the added convenience of being able to order personalized gifts while shopping for the necessities… Our Specialty Gifts also bring in a variety of brands that are fun and unique and that aren’t typically found in the big box stores.” I love the Personalized Minky Blankets and Noteworthy Collections stamps.

It’s hard to find a store – online or in person – where you can buy a Bumble Collection diaper bag, a Baby Bjorn, Gerber pacifiers AND embroidered onesies for baby AND personalized note cards for mom.

Great Shipping Rates

Zoolu! truly tries to make mama’s lives easier – and affordable. They offer flat rate shipping on all orders. If you spend over $25, shipping to anywhere in the US and APO/FPO addresses is only $4.95. Spend over $75 and shipping is FREE.

Shop! Zoolu! makes shopping easy with many ways to browse the extensive product selection. You can search by category, age, price or brand. Zoolu! prices are very competitive and, of course, it’s fabulous to shop a military-friendly company.

Win! A $100 Shopping Spree at Zoolu!

How to Enter: Visit www.shopzoolu.com, take a look around and leave a comment telling me what you’d buy if you win.

Bonus Entries – please leave a separate comment for each you do:

* Fan Zoolu! on Facebook
* Follow Zoolu! on Twitter
* Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter and Tweet – you may do this everyday, just leave a separate comment with your link.
$100 Shopping Spree to Zoolu! fun, useful and unique products for mom and baby @TheShoppingMama http://bit.ly/aZj21T
* Blog about this giveaway including a link to this post and www.shopzoolu.com – leave 5 comments with your link
* Fan The Shopping Mama on Facebook
* Be a Shopping Buddy, aka, follow in Google Friends Connect
* Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or a RSS
* Comment on any non-giveaway post on The Shopping Mama

The Fine Print: Giveaway ends March 10. Open to US  mailing addresses, including APO & FPO boxes. Thanks to Zoolu! for providing a giveaway prize. The opinions are my own and uninfluenced by receipt of product. Others may have a different experience.

Reusable shopping totes are a must have. Between the obvious benefit of using less plastic bags, these totes are so practical that they’re worth their weight in gold. I leave one in a stroller, one in my diaper bag and several in the pantry ready to grocery shop. But, there are lots of reusable shopping bags out there and they are not created equal. Here are the pros and cons of some bags I use. And, of course, each costs less than $10.

Reisenthel Maxi Shopper

The Mini Maxi Shopper is from the amazing German company Reisenthel, makers of the fabulous Carry Bag – a Collapsible Bag or Market Basket.

To Buy… Reisenthel is an established company that has great products to make shopping easier and more comfortable. The Mini Maxi Shopper is large (with room for up to 5 gallons of groceries) and sturdy (can support 24 pounds). Love the clip so you can find it easily and the long straps.

Or Not to Buy… The Mini Maxi comes with a small bag for storage, but it is separate from the actual bag, and it doesn’t fold quite as small as some others. At $9.50, it’s a tad more expensive than the others.

Envirosax

The Envirosax Shopping Tote is the original designer reusable bag. Available in hundreds of fashionable and colorful fabrics, Envirosax are available to buy in sets of 5 or individually.

To Buy… Envirosax are the only bag I’ve used that have an integrated storage option; they fold up quite compact and clip shut with attached snap. The styles are awesome and quite varied – there are even designs for kids. Most cost-effective if purchased in set of 5 coordinating totes with matching pouch, Envirosax can be an affordable and good-looking option.

Or Not to Buy… The straps are shorter on the Envirosax than the other bags.

Baggu Bags

Perfect for urban living, Baggu bags are available in multiple sizes to meet all your shopping needs. Made of super lightweight but durable material, the standard size Baggu can hold the equivalent of 2-3 plastic bags.

To Buy… Baggu bags are the most affordable at $8 a pop. The basic patterns and colors are very gender-neutral, if a tad boring. Love the different size bags, too, so you can carry one perfect for a quick trip to the convenient store or big trips to stock up at the grocery.

Or Not to Buy… Baggus fold up quite small, but I don’t like that the bag to contain them is separate and not attached to the bag.

Disclosure: Thanks to Reisenthel, Envirosax and Baggu for providing samples for review. This post contains affiliate links – shopping affiliates and sponsors is a great way to support The Shopping Mama.

I’ve said on many an occasion to anyone who will listen that I am done having kids. I’m perfectly content with my two little munchkins and feel quite blessed to have a healthy little boy and girl. However, there are certain brands and products that make me question my decision. bloom is one of those brands; the bloom alma crib is reason enough to have a baby, right?

About bloom

bloom was founded by four dads wanting to bring meaningful innovation and contemporary design to a range of baby products that has traditionally been functional but not in tune with the sense of style of parents today.

as four dads, safety and environmental sustainability have always been priorities in the bloom creative process.

alma Crib

NO TOOLS ASSEMBLY: bloom also has spared parents the trouble of assembly. You simply take the folded alma out of the box and open.

FITS IN SMALL SPACES, NEXT TO YOUR BED FOR CO-SLEEPING, AND GREAT FOR SECOND HOME: the alma crib measures just 37×20x33. I would love to have this crib in my bedroom for those first months and its ideal for small spaces like city apartments.

5 BEAUTIFUL COLORS AVAILABLE : cappuccino, coconut white, frost grey, gala green, and harvest orange. I love the bright and modern colors like green and orange, and the safe classics like cappuccino and white.

AFFORDABLE: $400

You have to check out the bloom website to see how easily the alma crib folds and unfolds. It’s so practical you’ll wonder why every crib isn’t designed the same way.

Shop! bloom products, including the alma crib are available at retailers nationwide and online at giggle.com. The alma retails for $399.

If you’re looking for affordable, fun and funky jewelry, look no further than Spoiled Royal Girls. Jessica, the owner and designer, creates top notch jewelry and accessories for mamas and girls. The Etsy shop is filled to the brim with pendants. Seriously, there is something for every taste and every age.

Made using real Scrabble tiles and poker chips, the pendants are covered with a graphic photo or image, sealed with a glossy finish and topped with a silver plated bail. Jessica sent me several pendants and they are great quality. I’m not sure how the sealing process works but it looks perfectly crafted.

Custom Photo Pendants

I was excited to send Jessica a couple photos of my kids so she could create custom photo pendants for me. I sent a photo of each child and left the editing and cropping all that up to her. After cropping and perfecting the photo, Jessica sent me an email with an image of what the pendant would look like. The emails were like a tease because they looked so cute! The pendants arrived mounted on a card. The presentation is really cute!

Both photo pendants are very sweet. It would be a great Valentine gift for any mama or grandmama. And, I think I know a friend or two who would love a photo pendant of a beloved pet.

Poker Chip & Scrabble Tile Pendants

I also received a graphic Poker Chip pendant and Scrabble Tile pendant. Just like the custom photo pendants, the quality is top notch. What amazes me the most about Spoiled Royal Girls pendants is the amazing selection. Seriously, there are hundreds in the Etsy shop. The Scrabble tile is the perfect size for a girl’s first necklace – and at a price that you can feel good about spending and handing off to a child.

Spoiled Royal Girls pendants are a great affordable option for Valentine’s Day and beyond! For a young girl, check out the animal designs (there’s also Hello Kitty and Disney) . Tweens might like the graphic floral designs, and for mamas go with the custom photo, initial or words and symbols.

Shop! Spoiled Royal Girls Scrabble Tile custom photo pendants are $11.95 and Poker Chip custom photo pendants are $14.95. Scrabble tile graphic pendants are $5.95 and $7.95 with personalization.

SALES! Shop through the end of February and get these awesome deals. Buy 3 Standard Pendants, Get 1 FREE Standard Pendant + 1 FREE Chain Necklace (does not apply to custom photo necklaces). Buy 3 rings, get 1 FREE. AND, receive a FREE Chain with every Custom Photo piece of jewelry.

Thank you to Spoiled Royal Girls for providing sample products for the purpose of this post. Opinions are my own and uninfluenced by receipt of product. Others may have a different experience.

As you know, I like to shop. (Duh!) Well, imagine my excitement when introduced to MarketMommies.com – a website with an extensive directory of mom owned businesses and adorable shops.

Mommy Biz Listings

Welcome to MarketMommies.com! We link moms in business with moms who need their products or services. The idea is that if you need a product or service, why not support a mom owned business with your dollars? Over 10 million women in the United States own a business. Whether its out of your house, on the web or at a store, moms are making a difference in the products we use and in the bottom line for their families. So support them by buying from a Mom!

At MarketMommies.com, mom owned businesses are broken down by category: Home & Garden, For Kids, For Mamas, Services and more. You know the first place I browsed was the list of businesses with products for kids. Each shop is cuter than the next and there are A LOT listed!

Shop Mom Owned!

One of my favorite listings is an online boutique called Cutie and Patootie. Stocked with hip (and unique) baby clothes, great baby gifts and luxury toys, Cutie and Patootie is just too much fun. And, of course, I love knowing it’s owned and operated by a fellow hard-working mama.

Another adorable mom-owned business listed at MarketMommies is My Baby Pajamas. Who knew there were so many freaking cute pajamas for kids out there? And with such a great selection all in one place? Shopping for pjs have never been so easy. My Baby Pajamas even has Valentine’s and matching family pajamas. (And if you’re wondering what dorky family wears matching pajamas… that would be my family! I made all four of us wear matching pjs at Christmas last year.)

Connect! Keep up with MarketMommies on Facebook and Twitter.

Get Listed! Mompreneurs, visit MarketMommies, register as a business owner and get listed for FREE. MarketMommies.com also has free mom blog listings and a giveaway linky on Mondays.

Disclosure: MarketMommies.com is a paid advertiser on The Shopping Mama. However, the opinions in this post are my own and I was not compensated for this post.