Okay, so I realize I’m a day late (or am I six days early??), but I really wanted to share this awesome and affordable find. Allie of No Time for Flash Cards – who graciously wrote a post here in January with 5 easy crafts to do with kids – just published an eBook!

Alphabet Crafts has an easy craft for every letter of the alphabet and includes 5 exclusive crafts. Like on her blog, Allie gives easy to follow step by step instructions, pictures and tips for a successful (and fun!) experience with your child. The book also has suggested materials and alphabet book suggestions.

All that alphabet learning for only $8. Yay!

Happy shopping.

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 have to admit that I sometimes feel like a bit of a loser mom when it comes to holidays and the classroom. I am in awe of those moms that manage to put together thoughtful little gifts, beautifully presented for each child in the class. Sigh. I try, I do! And this year Preschool Boy is handing out the cutest little valentine cards, so I’ve got that much going for me.

Anyway, if you are like me you can imagine big things. It’s putting my thoughts to action and creating cute things that present the problem. That’s when I turn to Etsy! Here are some cute ideas for affordable little gifts.

I love these stickers from Simply Sweetness. For $5.25 (or $5.50, depending on the style) you get 24 2″ round stickers. These are ideal for little goodie bags and they are available in a bunch of adorable designs.

If you can’t give out food at school, I love the idea of these crayons. Lil Boo and Co’s trademarked Lil Scribblers in the shape of a heart are a crafty alternative to Valentine sweets. A set of 9 is $9.95.

And, don’t leave your little one out of the fun. Could you die for the LOVE heart-shaped 4 crayon puzzle ($6.95).

If you’re busy, busy and craft challenged (::I’m raising my hand::), then check out the lollipop cards from Silly Little Goose Designs. All you have to do is insert the lollipop! A set of 6 “I’m a Sucker for You” Valentines are $6 – less than you’d spend to invest in all the supplies to make such sweetness.

The Hugs and Kisses Valentine is $9 for a set of 12.

Happy shopping!

What Valentines will your child deliver this Valentine’s Day?

My 3 year old knows his way around an iPhone so I’m eager to find apps and lots to keep him busy with when we’re on the go. PicPocket Books are storybook apps that tell a story – a great alternative to lugging around books or playing a video game.

About PicPocket Books

PicPocket Books offer a unique and new experience, combining the beauty of quality picture books with audio recordings and interactive visual text. This combination enables independent enjoyment for children regardless of reading level, subtle support for early readers, and nostalgic fun for adults.

Our Experience

We downloaded I Can Do It, Too! and Round is a Mooncake and have thoroughly enjoyed both. The apps are very true to the original books, featuring the same artwork and text. Some of the books feature subtle animation to entertain kids but don’t detract from the story itself. Unlike some of the other apps we have for Preschool Boy, PicPocket Books are definitely less game and more book, which I appreciate. Preschool Boy doesn’t have to do anything but watch the story as its read to him.

Preschool Boy has really enjoyed “reading” his books.I’ve enjoyed having a good distraction for him when we’re out and about. And, I love that I have 2 “books” for him at any given time without actually lugging around books.

Great Selection

There are nearly 20 different PicPocket Book apps to add to your digital library – everything from Sleeping Beauty to Big Stuff: Dinosaurs to What a Pest! You can definitely find something to interest your little reader!

Shop! Prices for each storybook app at PicPocket Books range from $0.99 to $2.99.

Disclosure: Thanks to PicPocket Books for providing codes to download the apps. The opinions in this post are my own and uninfluenced by receipt of product.

Now that the family is going back to Disney World, let the mouse ears gear shopping commence! My first stop? Etsy, of course. Here are some of my favorite finds for girls – from head to toe – for under $10.

It might be the cold weather talking, but this Crochet Minnie Ears Beanie is just about the cutest thing I’ve seen in a long time. Only $10 for the baby size!

We’ve got the little head covered, and now for the tooties. KPCreations’ Ribbon Ruffle sock with Mickey embellishment is the perfect little accessory for your Disney fan.

If you can use an iron, you can handle the rhinestone transfers at Custom Bling Apparel. With a large assortment of Disney styles and customization options you can definitely find something for your little one. With prices starting at only $5.95, the hard part will be picking your favorite design.

Happy shopping!

Okay, so I admit right off the bat that these are Gymboree OUTLET clothes and not from THE Gymboree. (More on the Gymbo vs. Gymbo outlet in a minute.) Nonetheless, I got some freaking steals shopping after Christmas sales and I’m going to share.

I have a love-hate relationship with Gymboree. Actually, love-kinda dislike is probably more accurate.

Here’s what I love:

• Most of the clothes are pretty freaking cute
• The fact fact that the clothes are sold in lines of tons of coordinating pieces makes it really easy to buy a several pieces and mix and match for infinitely more outfits
• It can be surprisingly affordable

Here’s what I don’t so much love:

• It’s not uncommon for Preschool Boy to show up to school to find two other boys wearing the same shirt
• What’s with all the dogs? It seems Gymboree can not going a single season without producing at least one line centered around a freaking pooch. Weird. (Case in point? This boys collection.)

I recently wrote a post on the ShopAtHome.com blog about finding good deals at Gymboree. It took me a while to get the Gymboree shopping method down (Gymbucks, coupons, etc), but once you figure it out it can be a very affordable place to get quality, cute clothes.

Gymboree Outlet vs. Gymboree

Now that a Gymboree Outlet has found its way to my area I’m determined to figure out the best way to work it into my Gymboree shopping scheme. Here’s what I’ve figured out so far. The Outlet doesn’t sell “overstock” pieces from the original Gymboree. The Outlet clothing lines are very similar to popular lines from the original Gymboree store. For example, the purple elephant-y outfit I bought for Toddler Girl is essentially the same as pieces from a line offered in Gymboree stores last year. The original price point at the Outlet is lower than at the regular store. As a result, I’ve found the clothing at the Outlet is slightly lower quality with the finishes and details not as refined as Gymboree.

My Finds

So, finally, the point of this post? Check out what I bought!

Like I said, I am on a mission to find out the best way to get deals at Gymboree and how to incorporate my new Gymboree Outlet into the mix. I hope to have a complete and thorough post soon on how to make the most of your money at Gymboree. But first I must do some shopping research.