The Shopping Mama

Mother’s Day Shopping Guide 2012 {$100 Giveaway}

by Kate on April 29th, 2012 | 5 Comments | Giveaways, Shopping

We’re excited to unveil our 2012 Mother’s Day Shopping Guide. We have curated an awesome collection of great gifts for moms that we would be proud to give and delighted to receive.

From jewelry to books to candy to trees, we have something for everyone. And with prices ranging from free to more than $250, we’ve got ideas in your budget.

We know the realities of Mother’s Day so we want to guarantee that one of our favorite people (that’s you: our readers) gets something on her Mother’s Day wish list. To make that happen, we’re giving away some cash!

Win! $100 to Shop for Yourself for Mother’s Day!

How to Enter: Visit the Mother’s Day Shopping Guide and tell us your favorite find.

Earn Extra Entries - Valid only after checking out the Shopping Guide. Leave a comment for each you do.

Share the Mother’s Day Shopping Guide on Facebook or Twitter. You may do this every day. Tag us and a link to let us know you did.
Looking for Mother’s Day gift ideas? Check out The Shopping Mama’s Mother’s Day Shopping Guide: http://bit.ly/MamasShoppingGuide
Pin your favorite gift idea from the Shopping Guide on Pinterest. You may share as many gifts from the 2012 Guide as you like (linking to the Guide, not the product site). Leave your Pin link to let us know what you think is Pin-worthy.

Giveaway ends May 13. Open worldwide.

{handmade} Valentine’s Day

by Amy on January 18th, 2012 | 5 Comments | Shopping

Love is in the air! Here are some of my favorite picks for Valentine’s Day 2012…

Printable Valentines by Jackpot Designs

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LOVE shirt by KIDDY UP

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Mini Candy Bar Wrapper Printables by Love the Day

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Personalized Hoop Art by Anna Hailey

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Valentine’s Day Onesies by Antsy Pants

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Edible Cupcake Minis by Sweet Lavender Bake Shoppe

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Spread the love.
Happy {handmade} Valentine’s Day!!

Lille Hooded Towel and Everyday Luxury Blanket {Review}

by Malia on January 12th, 2012 | 5 Comments | Baby, Reviews

A few months ago Kate shared how much we love the new Lille line from the awesome Bebe au Lait (known for their gorgeous breastfeeding covers) and the Quib with our ABC Kids Expo Kitchen Finds post. With the birth of Baby Kate, I’ve had the opportunity to check out the the Lille Hooded Towel and Everyday Luxury Blanket and they are great! The Lille prints are so cute but not cutesy. I love that. I now have two more go to baby shower gifts.

Lille Hooded Towel

The Lille Hooded Towel is the perfect size to snuggle up little girl after her bath and she loves the soft 100% cotton terry (I know this because she screams when I unwrap her). I love that the towel is large enough to really wrap her up and will still be big enough when she’s a toddler, but it’s not as big and bulky as an adult sized towel. The Fishies Girl print adds a girly touch to the trim and hood and I have to say baby Kate looks pretty darn adorable.

Lille Everyday Luxury Blanket

The Lille Everyday Luxury Blanket is a super soft velour with 100% cotton trim (here in Cityscape Girl). We really do use it everyday, or every day we leave the house anyway. We never head out the door without this soft blanket tucked around baby Kate and it makes a great spot to practice tummy time or snuggle with big brother (above). The blanket is 28″ by 36″ so it’s big enough to snuggle up with, but doesn’t take up too much space. I imagine it will be the perfect size to drag around the house as her favorite lovey in a year or two.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… All the Lille products are beautiful and of high quality. They make great gifts or beautiful purchases for your child. I could see decorating a child’s bathroom to coordinate with a set of hooded towels.

Or Not to Buy… The Lille line is not bargain bin priced, but you get what you pay for and the quality is outstanding.

Shop! The Lille Hooded Towel is available for $40 and the Lille Everyday Luxury Blanket is $45. Both are available in one of six vivid prints.

Thanks to Bebe au Lait for the sample products. Opinions are my own.

Holiday Gifts for the Stylish Mom

by Kate on December 13th, 2011 | 5 Comments | Blog, Fashion & Beauty, Shopping

I’ve done some serious research (i.e. consulted my holiday wish list) to compile a great assortment of gifts for the wanna-be stylish mom like me. Actually, you don’t have to be a mom to appreciate any of these finds, and they are all guaranteed to make the recipient smile. You may notice these are all accessories that even a giant pregnant woman can enjoy which means you don’t need to know any particular size for ordering.

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Fresh Sugar Duo ($22.50): I’ve been obsessed with my Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Plum and need a restock. This duo package is a great deal for fancy chap sticks. The Lip Treatment feels great and the color is subtle so it compliments every skin tone.

Fabric Rosette Necklace ($18): Take a tee and jeans from drab to fab with the simple addition of a fabric rosette necklace. We love this look because it’s handmade but preppy and a simple way to add color to an outfit. We like the necklaces from Jillian Audrey Designs.

Cha Cha Cha Bracelet from lia sophia ($130): I may or may not be sharing this because I’m obsessed with it and I’m hoping my husband is taking note. (Did you get that, dear?) It’s bold, makes a statement and goes with anything. Wear it to dress up denim or with a dress for an evening on the town.

Infinity Scarf ($58): Day to day life of a mom requires simple style and a scarf can add a lot to an outfit with very little effort, especially an infinity scarf that you don’t have to tie. We love this Stripe Knit Scarf from Splendid.

Bowtied Leather Gloves ($98): Love these practical and girly leather gloves from Anthropologie. The little bow tie adds just the right amount of unique flair to make the gloves something special. The gloves are lined with wool so they’ll keep your hands warm and cozy.

timi & leslie Charlie Diaper Bag ($160): It’s just so… pretty. No one will know you’re carrying everything but the kitchen sink when you’re out and about with the kids. The convertible collection from timi & leslie features faux leather, lots of pockets for organizing and the stylish look that defies diaper bag-dom.

Kate Spade Thermos ($35): A morning fix of java may not be the most inherently stylish thing thing you do all day, so dress it up with some Kate Spade. We love this Thermos brand travel mug. And, hey, it’s an affordable way to give a very chic designer.

Happy Shopping!

Holiday Gift Ideas for “That” Mom

by Shannon on December 12th, 2011 | 5 Comments | Holiday, Shopping

I know that it is hard for others to buy for me, because I’m “that” mom. I’m the mom that will shop four different grocery stores to gather enough organic produce, meat without antibiotics and tomatoes in Tetra-paks to make a week’s worth of meals. I’m the mom that dresses her children in regular knits for bed because most children’s sleepwear is treated with flame-retardant chemicals. I’m the mom who avoids plastic.

Are you shopping for “that” mom? Stumped? Don’t be. The following are some awesome gifts for “that” mom.

To help avoid chemicals leaching into food at high temperatures, many are making the switch to Glass Food Storage Containers. These are available in your local retailers or online and come in a variety of styles and price ranges. Be careful to read the label when making a purchase – not all glass is created the same. Some glass is fine for the freezer, some is not. Make sure the glass you purchase suits how the recipient will use it.

Because glass, stainless steel and ceramic coated materials are the most chemically stable for cooking, cookware from these materials is a great gift. Again, lots of options in lots of stores, but how about this oh-so-adorable Ceramic Muffin Tin from Anthropologie?

As mentioned above, most children’s sleepwear is chemically treated with flame-retardants to meet government standards for flammability. As such, moms across the nation are seeking organic sleepwear or using daytime wear for pajamas. That’s all well and good until your preschool girl REALLY wants a beautiful night gown. So, I was thrilled almost to tears when I found Garnet Hill’s new Children’s Flannel Sleepwear. A Garnet Hill exclusive, this sleepwear is inherently flame-resistant and meets government requirements for sleepwear without chemical treatments.

All moms struggle to keep their floors clean. Moms of crawling babies worry about germs. “That” mom worries about yucky pesticides tracking into the home. So, how about a Shoes Off Sign & Bench for your entryway? The sign reminds family and lets visitors know to please remove their shoes. The bench provides a convenient place for doing so. Want extra brownie points? Get a bucket of “flip-flops” to place nearby for visitors who don’t want to go barefoot. Signs can be found on various internet sources, including Etsy.

Like many people, “that” mom is thinking of starting her own garden so that she has more control over her family’s food supply. Gardening Supplies are a great gift and will make her wish for spring. Consider garden hoses and reels, tools, and organic and heirloom seeds. We like the finds from Alice Supply Co and the Boston Warehouse watering can.

Did your her garden thrive? No. Well then, how about some supplies to aid shopping the local Farmer’s Market? Reusable Bags like this awesome Reisenthel Mother Child Tote will help her shop with the little one(s) in tow.

Reusable Produce Bags and Containers are also a great option. We like this set of five bags from flip + tumble.

See? Shopping for “that” mom is not hard.

SwaddleDesigns Features Angry Birds

by Malia on August 24th, 2011 | 5 Comments | Shopping

You are probably familiar with the incredibly popular smart phone app Angry Birds, but did you know your baby could be surrounded by adorable images from this insanely addictive game from birth? SwaddleDesigns, the company that first introduced the large square swaddling blanket to the US, recently announced their exclusive Angry Birds collection. The collection includes receiving blankets, swaddle wraps, sleep sacks and more.

Swaddle Designs’ Angry birds swaddling blanket is made with soft, breathable cotton and includes swaddling instructions sewn right on the edge of the blanket. It is available for pre-order in red, blue, yellow, and multi-bird style for $20 each.

Angry Birds R eceiving Blankets run $28, Angry Birds Sleep Sacks $38, Angry Birds Lovies $20 and Angry Birds Burb Cloth sets are $20. The cute onsie is coming soon.

I’ll admit, even though I’d heard of Angry Birds I’d never played it until tonight. It’s crazy addictive, but I’m not quite sure I see myself choosing it as a swaddle design for my baby. Maybe I need a bit longer to let the obsession grow. What do you think? Are Swaddle Designs’ Angry Birds for you or someone you know?

the coolest {handmade} tanks for summer

by Kate on June 13th, 2011 | 5 Comments | Shopping

We’ve had nothing but blazing heat so far this summer, and I decided to round up a collection of *the* coolest handmade tanks for the kiddos. I’ve purchased countless handmade tees and tanks for my girls over the past few years, and time and time again, American Apparel is by far a superior tee. Below are my top picks for the coolest summer tanks, made with American Apparel tanks, of course.

Create Your Own Superhero Tank by gorno couture $25

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Ways to Travel Tank by Elsa Bags $10

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Tiny Nest Tank by KLTworks $12

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Custom Inital Birthday Tank Top by Planet Pudge $22

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Spotty Heart Tank by Tadpole Creations $18
{SAVE 15% on your order w/ coupon code SSAVE15}

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This is How I Roll Tank by Rainbow Swirlz $18

Stay cool…

Fabulous Finds for Father's Day {Plus Twitter Party}

by Kate on June 10th, 2011 | 5 Comments | Shopping

We’ve teamed up with Momtrends to make shopping for Father’s Day a breeze. From practical to pure fun, we have your Father’s Day gift giving covered with an assortment of fabulous finds.

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DaddyScrubs was created upon the premise that new Dads deserve to feel special and comfortable during one of life’s most exciting – and most important – times. The popular line of “I’m The Daddy” scrubs, t-shirts and accessories was born in September 2009, and made it to our Baby Shopping Guide.

For new dads we love the exclusive Daddy Swag Gift Set that has everything an expectant new daddy will need before and after the new baby arrives. Sold in a beautiful gift box for $74.99, the gift set includes: “I’m the Daddy” medical scrubs to be worn during labor and delivery and beyond, t-shirt and hat and mug, magnet, pens, and stickers!

Save 10% with our exclusive discount code: Twitter.

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SodaStream is a home beverage carbonation system, which conveniently transforms the water you normally drink into carbonated soft drinks and sparkling water. Powered by CO2 carbonators that are themselves re-used through an exchange program, SodaStream machines are a no-electricity, no-waste way to enjoy your favorite beverages.

Check out the new Fizz machine. Soda Stream’s latest model with a chip that measures the amount of Co2 left in your carbonator and how fizzy you’ve made your drink!

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Ellen Allen Annapolis is a lifestyle brand offering an array of essentials to keep you effortlessly organized and vibrantly chic. Our bags, especially our flagship Eastport, are the sexy way to schlep everything that’s part of your active, coastal (or poolside!) lifestyle!

The classic dad will love Ellen Allen Annapolis ties. The architectural lines of the Capital (above) and the whimsy of the Sadler tie design add high style to dad’s work wardrobe.

Our exclusive discount code ELLEN30 will save an impressive 30% off all handbags, totes, wallets and ties until June 20.

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Kickboard USA brings fun on wheels with an assortment of micro kickboards and scooters designed with a mixture of a kid’s desire to be cool and a grown-up’s application of technology.

Why should kids have all the fun? Check out the the kick black Scooter. With Italian-made wheels (which create an unbelievably smooth, quiet ride, and a fast, easy glide), fold-up portability and tall stance, this scooter is designed for DAD!

Save 25% off the Kickboard Black Scooter this weekend with code GODAD.

Twitter Party!

Join @Momtrends and @TheShoppingMama for a twitter party to talk Father’s Day gifts. Of course, you’ll have a chance to win some of our top picks for dads!

When: Sunday, June 12 9 – 10 PM EST

Follow: @Momtrends @TheShoppingMama and hashtag #FabFathersDay

Make sure you’re also following our sponsors: @DaddyScrubs @KickboardUSA @EllenAllenAnnap @SodaStreamUSA

Win! Twitter Party giveaways include Black Kickboard Scooter from Kickboard USA, Daddy Swag Bag from DaddyScrubs & Fizz Machine Kit with 2 flavors, 1 carbonating bottle, and 1 60L carbonator from Soda Stream!