Do you have any of these yet? If not, get some. They are great, compact, and light to carry. I love my Chico Bags but until recently they were doing me no good because I always forgot to take them to the store with me. Duh! Yeah, I know.
Now I just keep them in the car so I can actually use them. Once I unload all the groceries from the sacks, I stuff them into my HEB bag and throw them back in the car.
They make great gifts too. Get yourself and a loved one some at Reusable Bags.com.
Want the hippest birthday party invitations your guests have ever seen? Featuring Pink Tori Birthday Party Invitations by Tea Collection, Tiny Prints has a style for every taste. With options to customize the photo layout, type style, or even ink colors, your invitations will be as charming and unique as your little darling.
If you are as tired of Dora and SpongeBob "stationery" as I am, get on over to Tiny Prints today to create your uniquely fabulous party invites. Save 5% with coupon code "NEW8" until March 31, 2008.
Check out this cu-ute mama bag at Dimples and Dandelions!
There's no reason your diaper bag shouldn't fit in with this season's latest trends in handbags. The Fleurville Lexie Tote can be worn on the shoulder, the stroller, or slung messenger style and comes both in a sweet Botanical Coral and this tres chic Geo Black and White print. Not only does it have a water-proof lining and pockets galore, but it's also PVC-free (PVC is a plastic containing chlorine - yuk!) and elegant enough to take you and all your stuff from diapers to dinner! Check out the newest line of Fleurville totes at Dimples and Dandelions, all with free shipping!
Want to take your style to another level? Pair your tote with this Crown Bling Metrowrap or this fun Domestic Diva Black T with Rhinestones also at Dimples.
I guarantee you'll be the most fabulous mama at play group!
My daughter has had the same Easter basket for the past 3 years and it's one she uses every day. As an alternative to a store-bought Easter basket that just gets tossed the next day, consider buying one of these bolga baskets from A Toy Garden lined with green wool roving for grass.
Ok, so maybe it's not really mess free but it IS way cute, and about as neat as you can get with your 3 year old Picasso. I'll be putting these in Zoë's Birthday Gift Registry.
If you have this:
I researched for weeks before deciding on what car seat to buy once my baby girl was not such a baby any more. Once I decided on the Britax Boulevard, the hunt was on to find the best possible price. If you know Britax, you know they can be pricey. But once you look into the construction of the seats and factor in the high weight limits, you know the price is worth it.
Lucky for you that Posh Tots has all Britax car seats discounted up to 25% until Monday. And get this, they also have FREE shipping! That's an amazing deal so hurry before the sale ends!
The Problem: In Sri Lanka, where agriculture is the dominant form of land use, elephants are being killed because they destroy the crops.
The Solution: Create a way to use elephants as a sustainable economic resource.
So, yeah, I've been sick alot over the past 3 weeks. The bug totally zapped me of any desire to blog. But with a little rest, chicken soup, and herb tea in me, I've managed to almost complete my shopping for my daughter's upcoming 3rd birthday. Early. Her birthday is in April but I can hardly contain myself when this time of year rolls around! I love spring and I love to find adorable, unique goodies to surprise her with on her big day. My preference is usually for handmade, natural, organic, and open-ended, sprinkled with a little hip, indie, or gently used. Boy, did I hit the jackpot!
Take a look at this great assortment of handmade wool felt goodies I found by Becky on Etsy.
I'm trying to plan a romantic getaway for my hubby for Valentine's. Heaven knows we need it. In the meantime though and to de-stress my brain from all the romantic thinking and planning I haven't done since we were dating years ago, I've been browsing some online coupons and I thought it would be fun to make a little list of all the neat things I'm sure he'd like me to buy him and that he really does deserve. Call it window shopping. Call it therapy...
My bra squeaks. That was my hubby's observation the other day. I don't know if it just started doing that or if it's been that way all along. I know I didn't really notice it until he said something, and now that's all ever hear. Every time I reach for something, squeak. Ugh, annoying. So I think it's time for a new bra. Besides the squeaking, part of the underwire is starting to come out and the stuffing is showing.
Bra shopping is not my favorite shopping. Let's just say that after years of going to department stores that never carry my size (I'm a D), I'm a little jaded. Specialty shops around town are hard to come by and I usually have to drive way out of my way to find one. And man, are those things ugly! They're so orthopedic. Then forget trying to find a swimsuit that fits both my ample top and my narrower bottom.
I am so happy to find BiggerBras.com where mamas of large endowment can find bras and full busted swimwear to accommodate all they have to offer while maintaining a chic sense of style. These aren't your mama's minimizers! Not only do they carry one of the widest selections of sizes, they also have sexy undies, trimmers and shapers, camis, bikinis of all styles, one-pieces, nursing bras, bridal lingerie, and sports bras.
So, I think I'll be able to solve my squeaking problem tonight. I like the smoothness and simplicity of t-shirt bras and they have one in chocolate with a 4 1/2 star customer rating. And now that I know they have such cute swimsuits, I don't have to dread our summertime pool days that will be here before you know it. They sell tops and bottoms separately so you get a perfect fit.
With coupon code "poipu" you can get 20% off your order till January 20th. There are tons of items on sale right now and they also have free shipping for orders over $75. That is a definite plus considering how pricey quality bras can be. (If you've ever tried to squeeze your voluptuous-ness into a Tarjay bra, then you know what I'm talking about.) You get what you pay for.
I like to think I am, but if you look at me, that's probably not the first thing you think of. Perhaps, instead, you'd think... conscientious, reserved, or down-to-earth. And you'd be correct. I am all of those things and proud of it. But do you ever long to step outside yourself for a while and be someone else? I do. I've felt that way off and on throughout my life, and more often since the birth of my daughter.
Maybe that's why I'm a Kimora Lee Simmons fan (re: my post from yesterday), because she is so very fabulous. I look at her and my inner vixen screams to be released from its ordinary cell. For half an hour I watch her show and am convinced I can be like her with just a bit of effort. Ok, maybe a little more effort than that. I married an entrepreneur. Check. Together we had a beautiful daughter we adore. Check. I'm a partner in the business. Check. I'm a gorgeous amazon of a woman. Um, no check.
Well, she does have a great clothing line that reeks with promise for a sub-urban mama like myself. I think if I get a pair of baby phat boots like these, my inner vixen would explode with joy at having finally been set free. And my husband would likely scream as well. We can't talk about that on this blog though.
How many other moms are out there, wanting with all their hearts to be fabulous too? I know I'm not alone. (And think of all the dads, wishing for the same thing.) I know my happiness is not tied to any material thing, but I do know the power of clothing and its ability to transform you, if only for a short time.
Honey, if you're reading this, I promise if you let me get these fabulous baby phat boots, though spendy, they will be worth each and every penny benjamin.
(Feel free to check the urban dictionary located in my sidebar for pertinent reference information.)
I've been on a spending diet for a while now, mostly because we haven't had the extra money to spend. It's good for me though, because I was slowly spiraling into a materialistic place that I wasn't quite happy with. That's one reason I like having Punkin Pockets and being able to show all of you the cool stuff out there I'd be buying if I could. It satisfies that window shopping need while keeping my bank account in the black.
Another good thing about spending less is that I am able to sift and sort through all the things my covetous heart desires, sift all the way down until I get to the things I really, truly feel I can't do without. If I just give myself a month, usually I forget about those cute shoes that perfectly match that empire waist dress that would send me into wardrobe nirvana. This way, I am able to take a step back and realize one of two things: (1) that I was making the (insert coveted item here) way more important than it really was, or (2) that it actually is something I need and wouldn't end up in the pile in the corner.
So, consider this blog my therapy of sorts. Here, I can fantasize about all the fabulous things I think I want and come back later to see if they still make my heart quiver. Don't get me wrong, I think shopping is fine and wonderful, it's what makes the world go 'round. But for me, it's all about perspective and for a while, I was losing mine. Anyway, here's to more blog therapy for many moons to come.
Here's another great deal you can't stand to miss. Save up to 40% on children's clothing and accessories at DuckDuckGoose. No coupon code is needed; all discounts have already been taken off. Hurry because this only lasts for as long as the goods are there!
Oh, and the best part! All orders over $100 will receive free shipping (if shipped within the US).
It's time for Tea! Tea Collection's semi-annual sale is here! I live for these sales and after you see what they've got for up to 65% off, you will too. Whether you are looking for basics to stretch your little one's wardrobe or want something fancy at not-so-fancy prices, this sale will not disappoint.
For even more savings, enter coupon code "TEASALE20" for 20% off orders of $100 or more. Coupon good until 2/14.
Mom 4 Life is currently running a great promotion on one of my favorite products - BabyLegs!
If you spend $50 or more at Mom4Life.com, you will receive one free pair of a holiday style BabyLegs with your order while supplies last. Enter "Free BabyLegs please" in the customer comments during checkout to receive a free pair. Sorry, you can't choose the style of BabyLegs, but you won't be disappointed because BabyLegs are adorable!
Hurry though, they're only giving them to the first 100 orders! Also sign up for their newsletter to get 5% off your order!
Starting a non-profit organization has always been on my lifelong to do list. Two years ago when I founded Houston Baby Wearers, I did not realize that I was taking the baby steps to finally realize that goal. Although I feel reasonably competent in many areas, fundraising is not one of them. I posted on that a while back. Apparently, alot of people feel the same way I do about traditional fundraising mechanisms. Hitting up my coworkers (if I had any) to buy cheaply made junk they don't need and may never use is not in my blood. I just can't do it. I am not able to sell something I would never buy myself.
To date our group account is basically zero and we have a few bills coming that need to be paid. That's why when I found ShoutBack.com, I signed up right away. One really cool feature is their Auctions listing. It allows members of your ShoutBack group to put items up for auction to benefit your group. For example, I have a some sling still in stock that I am trying to liquidate. So, for the sake of my beloved group, I am putting a couple slings and some other stuff up for auction and the proceeds will benefit Houston Baby Wearers. The other really neat thing is you can use ShoutBack.com to shop. Hello!!! That is so right up my ally. Like I said, I signed up right away and it was so easy and so free. ShoutBack is a great way for groups like mine as well as the local La Leche League, my Attachment Parenting Group, and the list goes on! It's about time the fundraising world caught up with the ubergeeks and made online shopping something to be proud of. Way to go!
I'm always working toward making my home healthier, both for my family and for my planet. A few green goals I was able to accomplish last year were using more natural cleaning solutions, shopping with reusable bags, and recycling. I have recycled everything my nearby center would take and have managed to stick with it. Yeah, it piles up sometimes, but at least it's not going into the landfill. It's pretty disgusting to dig up the recyclables that end up in the trashcan, but you gotta do what you gotta do. This year, my hubby plans to build me a full-fledged "recycling center."
Some of my other 2008 goals are carry-overs from 07 so I already had a beginning idea of what I wanted and where to go. For others, I consulted The Green Guide when I didn't know where to turn. You can use their search feature to look up the specific topics you need.
Did you see the look on the designers' faces when those ladies walked out on the catwalk? Hilarious. I think it's cool Christian won even though he was the main one griping and complaining about working with "regular" women. Hello! We need hip clothes too! Hi
This is a sponsored post.
I keep touting the benefits of shopping online during the holidays, mostly because I am a lazy shopper (unlike during my teen years), but there are also many safety benefits as well. Every year around this time, you can see reports on your local news channel about unsuspecting men and women being robbed of their Christmas wishes in some mall parking lot. Of course you go down the checklist of all the Christmas shopping dos and don'ts because, alas, you still have some major shopping to do. Here are some common tips for safe shopping:
My birthday's a few days away so I'm making a list, and checking it twice. Mostly, this post is for my husband. Blogging it makes it easily accessible to him all year long, not just on my birthday. That way, he has 363 more chances to make up for it (birthday and Christmas excluded).
So, here are a few things I wouldn't mind getting:
