The Shopping Mama

Holiday Gift Ideas for the New Mom

by Malia on December 20th, 2011 | 5 Comments | For Mama, Holiday, Shopping

As the sleep deprived mother of a two week old baby and a 22 month old toddler, I am going to declare myself very qualified to write about ~~what I want~~ what new moms really want for Christmas. (Hint, it’s not gifts for baby with mama’s name on it. Don’t get me wrong, we love nice things for baby, but don’t pretend they are for us. Baby is already the boss of EVERYTHING right now, she shouldn’t get to take our Christmas gifts too.)

A Pedicure ($30 plus): I don’t care if it’s so cold where you live that anything less than wool socks and boots results in frostbite, after several months of not being able to reach her toes, every new mom needs a pedicure (or at least a few hours to herself to trim, buff and polish). High budget: get her the full spa treatment with hot rock massage, parfin wax treatment, and salt scrub. Tight budget: pick up a hip color and keep the kids out of her hair for an hour or two. (photo: dailyglow.com)

Origins Gloomaway Grapefruit Body-Buffing Cleanser ($22): A good body scrub is about the most wonderful thing after returning to a (relatively) normal body. I love the bright citrus scent of the Origins Gloomaway Scrub and it always gives me a mental boost, but pick a scent your New Mama loves.

Diamond Locket ($295): A new mom totally needs something like this diamond locket to keep a photo of her new baby close to her heart.

Clarisonic Mia ($119): There’s nothing like sleep deprivation to remind a woman that she isn’t 15 anymore. The Clarisonic face cleansing system removes the dulling layer of surface skin cells, making skin look younger, healthier and reducing appearance of pore size and acne. It may not be as good as eight hours of sleep, but it will help mama look and feel younger.

A House Cleaning (varies): Any help around the house after a new baby is awesome. Take a few minutes to empty the dishwasher or fold a few (hundred) loads of laundry. Heck, even make out one of those ~~cheesy~~ classic homemade “coupons” for a house cleaning. Or go all out and hire a professional to scrub her house, steam clean the carpets, and empty that dang dishwasher.

Happy Shopping!

Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas: Favorite Children’s Books of 2011

by Kate on December 19th, 2011 | 5 Comments | Shopping

If, like us, you’re still shopping for Christmas we have some very affordable and last minute gift ideas for you: great children’s books! These are a few of our favorites from 2011. Make sure you’re registered for Amazon Mom so you can get 2-day shipping for free or hit your local book store.

A Zeal of Zebras by Woop Studios ($12.23). From a creative studio who worked on the Harry Potter movies, A Zeal of Zebras is an alphabet book that highlights the noun for a group of animals. I certainly learned a new work – or 26 – while reading this design-inspired animal book.

The Crown on Your Head by Nancy Tillman ($8.49). Tillman is one of our favorite children’s author so we have high expectations for new books. The Crown on Your Head exceeded our expectations. It’s a visually attractive book, but the message is even more beautiful. The idea is that every child is born with a crown on her head, representing what makes her unique and special.

Razzle-Dazzle Ruby by Masha D’yans ($12.23). Taking pop-up books to a new level, Razzle-Dazzle Ruby will delight and dazzle even discerning little readers. Read Shannon’s Razzle-Dazzle Ruby review for more details.

Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site by Sherri Dunskey Rinker ($10.19). What fun for truck-loving kids! As night falls, we say goodnight to trucks, mixers and other working rigs on the construction site. This is a sweet book to read aloud with rhymes and rhythm, perfect for settling down to say good night.

The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse by Eric Carle ($10.79). New book by Eric Carle. Enough said.

Shop! All of these books are available in The Shopping Mama’s Books We Love Right Now store – along with more than 30 other recommendations. Shop now to receive in time for Christmas.

Ice.com Makes a Great Jewelry Collection Possible {Discount Code}

by Laura on December 14th, 2011 | 5 Comments | Shopping

My jewelry tastes range from the classic and staid style of a string of pearls to the bold fashion of statement necklaces. But myfavorite pieces are the ones that are feminine with a bit of edge. There’s a toughness within my jewelry collection, but the traditional aspects of each piece help it stay timeless. One item that I have been coveting ever since it made a comeback on one of my favorite NYC shows of all time is the name necklace.

When I was a kid, I envied the girls who had these necklaces. They were always the ones who didn’t take any guff from anyone and always looked effortlessly pretty. I was excited to find a mature, high quality version of the name plate necklace at Ice.com. Paired with Ice’s peridot studs, it makes a girly statement while still hanging tough.

Shop! For a limited time, Ice.com is offering a special deal to our readers. Use the code FBBOC at check-out to get 20% off!

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!

Personalized Christmas Gifts: It’s Not Too Late!

by Kate on December 12th, 2011 | 5 Comments | Shopping

Personalized gifts for the holidays are amazing and we love to give them as much as we love to receive them. The only problem can be that customization and personalization often takes more time – and we’re running against the clock when it comes to holiday shopping. Never fear, personalizers! We have a quick rundown of some gifts that can still be ordered and received in time for Christmas.

Personalized Gift for Babies & Kids

One of our favorite shops, Sarah + Abraham, has a variety of gifts that can be personalized in time for Christmas. We love the Magnets and Mirrors for stocking stuffers and the placemats make mealtime fun. The deadline to order for guaranteed Christmas delivery is December 16.

Frecklebox has literally hundreds of great personalized gifts for kids that are very affordable. The ordering deadline for ground shipping is December 12 and order by December 16 to ship 2-day in time for Christmas. We love the Lunch Boxes, Coin Banks, and Coloring Books.

Little Alouette specializes in organic wooden teethers and toys and has recently added a personalization option to many of their teethers ($19). Another great option is the ABC Typography teethers ($20)- perfect for baby or for nursery decor. Personalized gifts must be ordered by December 16.

For Her

We love jewelry and you can’t go wrong with the simple pieces from Untie. Prices are very affordable for personalized jewelry and there are many pretty things to pick from and personalized. There are a few options that make for a sweet mother’s necklace, too, when you customize the birthstone or include multiple initial discs.Order by December 15 and pay just $2.50 shipping and order by December 18 and pay an extra $3 for priority mail to receive in time for Christmas giving.

For Anyone On Your List

Want to give a personalized gift AND make a difference? Consider making a donation to a charity in your gift recipient’s name. Think of a charity that may have special meaning, make a donation and most charities will send a gift notification letting your friend know they’ve been honored with a donation. Stumped for a worthy cause? Check out some of our favorite charities.

Gifts from the Family – or the North Pole

The English Pea has fabulously festive gift bags perfect for delivering small treats to friends and neighbors. We love the on trend Chevron bag (8 for $24). The turnaround time is 2 to 4 days after payment and Christmas order deadline is December 18.

New this year, Frecklebox introduced Custom Wrapping Paper. Your paper can say “Merry Christmas from the Williams Family” or “To Sarah Love Santa” or, well, anything you like. Go crazy.

Happy shopping!

Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Trike {Holiday Toy Review}

by Monica on December 12th, 2011 | 5 Comments | Reviews, Toddler, Toys

Radio Flyer is a trusted name in children’s wagons, push toys, and bikes. Our little princess was feeling a little left out on walks just sitting in the stroller as her big brother pedaled around the neigborhood on his Radio Flyer big flyer he got last spring. So she was super excited to see this box delivered!

About Radio Flyer

When our grandfather Antonio Pasin started Radio Flyer in 1917, his dream was to “bring joy to every boy and every girl”. Today, the Radio Flyer family continues that tradition by building safe, quality toys that spark imagination and inspire active play. From the original little red wagon to our current wagons, tricycles, scooters, and other ride-ons, our toys bring smiles to children and families around the world and create warm memories that last a lifetime.

Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Overview and Highlights

Removable wrap around tray with cup holder to protect your child
Secure 3-point harness (removable)
Adult steer & stroll height adjustable push handle (removable)
Switches from pedals to foot rests
Comfortable headrest provides neck support (removable)
Adjustable grow-with-me seat
Unique stroller-style canopy with UV protection (removable)
Covered bin for parent or child storage
Quiet ride tires
Sturdy steel frame
Functional fro 9 months to 5 years old!

To see a great video of this products versatility, click here.

Our Experience

I was super excited to have to opportunity to review this product. I have purchased many Radio Flyer products for my kids over the past few years and they have never disappointed. The Radio Flyer 4-1n-1 Trike was no different! I have a almost 4 year old boy and an almost 2 year old girl, and I liked that they both fell into the target age range of 9 months (yes, 9 months! ) to 5 years. The bike has a few safetly features that allow you to use it almost as a stroller with a removable all emcompassing tray, a 3 point harness, and a sun shade. Also, the pedals have a little knob you turn in order to lock them into place for when your little one isn’t able to reach the pedals, or not able to really pedal well. There is also a removeable and adjustable parent handle that turns the wheels and steers. There is also a removeable back rest that the harness attaches to that keeps baby sitting up nice and straight. I decided to test it fo rmy almost two year old, as as soon as she say the box she said , “My bike Mommy “. And proceeded to every day that she saw the box until we put it together. Speaking of assembly…

I will preface this section by a full disclaimer, I absolutely despise putting things like this together, and am completely useless at it! So much so, that it gives me a little bit of anxiety to even think about it. I really, really don’t like it! So, as soon as I opened the box and saw all the pieces, I called reinforcements, my dad, the ultimate direction follower and assembler extraordinaire. I did supervise, and with the help of my 3 year old and his own set of tools, and they had it assembled in about 20 minutes. Watching him, I did see him get stuck on a few steps, but he quickly figured it out. I then looked at the instructions and realized it probably would have taken me about an hour with my horrible skills!

I decided to have him leave the harness on for little miss, as she isn’t really coordinated enough to pedal well, and I wanted her to sit in the bike when we go on bike rides around the neighborhood, with me holding the handle and steering for her. We have a 4 year old brother to keep up with on the bike with training wheels Santa may or may not be bringing him.

We went for a quick walk, as it is so cold, and she really seemed to like it! I will say that I wish there was a ledge or something in addition to the pedals for her feet instead of just hanging them down, or trying to get her to keep them positioned on the foot pedals, which seemed to be hard for her. I think that she will get it eventually, however. What I like about this trike at the stage I will be using it is my son can easily hop on it right now as well, he just wouldn’t need the harness buckle. The buckle is removable if an older child is going to be riding it all the time, but since I want it set up for her, it’s just as easy to leave the buckle on but not use it if he wants to take a quick ride.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… If you are looking to try to buy only one riding vehicle with pedals for your little one, this may be your best bet! It has a lot of great features making it easy for you to use as soon as baby can sit up well!

Or Not to Buy… Assembly is a bit time consuming, but most toys are. Also, I do wish there was something else for short little legs to do when they aren’t pedaling, but this could just be annoying to me, and not the kids.

Shop! The Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Trike is available for purchase at various retailers, including Radio Flyer and Amazon. It retails for $99.00.

Thanks to Radio Flyer for providing sample for review.

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.

Terri Lee Dolls {Holiday Toy Review}

by Kate on November 30th, 2011 | 5 Comments | Reviews, Toys

Terri Lee Dolls have been around for 65 years and one look at the doll you instantly see the dolls maintain a classic style and appearance. Indeed, the goal of Terri Lee Dolls is to provide a doll with age-appropriate clothes for hours of fun.

Meet Terri Lee Winter Wonderland Doll

Modeled after the classic Terri Lee Doll, Terri Lee “Winter Wonderland” comes with a purple houndstooth coat, faux fur hat, red corduroy dress and boots. She is 15″ in height and has long beautiful hair for hours of styling fun. A brush is included but ice skates are not.

Classic Doll for the Holidays

At 3 years old, my daughter is really entering the stage of playing doll and she adores being “mom” to her little friends. But, she’s not exactly the most gentle little thing so her dolls have to stand up to some serious play. Despite her darling, girly appearance, Terri Lee Winter Wonderland Doll is built for action. The doll is a plastic material isn’t the most cuddly but she’s built to last. That doesn’t stop my daughter from playing with her and enjoying her little friend. She loves combing the doll’s hair and taking her pretty coat on and off.

My favorite thing is her clothes – I can’t get over the faux fur hat and the purple coat. Too much cuteness! The doll’s face is so dainty and she is just darling.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… The Terri Lee Winter Wonderland Doll is a timeless classic that girls will love. As a mom, I appreciate the attention to detail and the age-appropriate appearance and clothes. My daughter likes her long hair and has instantly made her part of her doll family. It’s a great value for the price as I think it’s built to last.

Or Not to Buy… This doll might not be the best for younger girls who will do better with a softer doll.

Shop! A Terri Lee Doll will make a great gift for the holidays. Winter Wonderland is available in light skin and an African American skin tone for $39 directly from Terri Lee and also from our affiliate Amazon. The other dolls are just as stylish and sweet.