Shhhhh! It's a Secret

Don't you just love secrets and specials (and sales and savings!) Well if so, head on over to http://www.snanimals.com/ Sister store at http://www.jlperillo.etsy.com/ (our etsy store!) We list shoes here, sometimes at discounts and specials that we can't always do at Snanimals. Start checking our our samples section, we're going to be posting sets of shoes in different sizes at deep discounts!

Here are some posted today:

Polka dots and halloween sneakers, size 5, for just $18 (that's for both pair!)

Boy's frogs and trucks in size 6 for just $20 for both! More to come, check it out often!

Halloween Fun

Here's some spooky fun for your little ghosts and goblins! How about a fun, make your own popcorn ball decorating kit? Great for parties or a fun afternoon activity. Makes those rainy special.

$19.99 for 12 so invite some friends or have a Halloween party. Draw on some pumpkins, do some popcorn balls, bob for apples and have a great day! Available at http://www.thepopcornfactory.com/

Savings fun at overstock.com

Do you check out the deals on http://www.overstock.com/? I do regularly and was so pleasantly surprised to find boutique clothes at up to 60% off (plus, overstock.com gives a percentage to your upromise.com account if you shop through their link!)

How about this adorable Petit Ami Toddler Dress for $30.39 (that's 29% off!)

Or this pink and black plaid Good Lad dress for the Holidays! It is $28.49 (25% off)

Dora The Explorer

Coming September 30 on DVD is the new Dora the Explorer saves the Snow Princess. Anna loves Dora and John still likes her (more into Diego now.) Was totally into Dora last spring. Pick it up on Tuesday! Available at Amazon.com!

Thomas the Tank Engine toothbrush!

Anna and John love to brush their teeth these days and it's all because of the Thomas toothbrush pictured here that plays the Thomas song!

Thomas & Friends Musical Toothbrush plays for 2 minutes. Just push on the image of Thomas and the music begins. Plenty of time for them to brush their teeth to the music!

This toothbrush can be found at http://www.thomasstation.com/ or at your local Walmart (which is where I found ours.)

Piggy banks and more!

My kids love their banks and I've now learned what a great gift unique banks can make. Whether they're older and like the dinosaur banks I've blogged on before (http://snanimals.blogspot.com/2008/06/hand-crafted-childrens-banks.html) or younger and likethese unique banks at http://www.piggybankshop.com/, either make perfect present.

After just having a tractor party for John, this pewtor tractor bank caught my eye. It's $28.95 and customizable which makes it a great shower gift too.

Also be sure to look at their entire line of banks including musical, wooden, pewter and engravable banks!

Cute Cow dress at Chick Pea Hollow

Check out http://www.chickpeahollow.etsy.com/ and all the adorable hand made outfits in her shop. Pictured here is her precious cow outfit for just $30:

And look how well it goes with our own pink cow sneaker (http://www.snanimals.com/):

She also has a cow jumper outfit and makes lots of custom styles and colors. Great gift ideas too!

Beautiful borders at etsy!

Check out these adorable boarders from a new shop over at http://www.creativeborders.etsy.com/. She is showing 6 now but does custom work and they're all beautiful. Here is one of the halloween borders (comes with the frame) for $30:

And here is a double border for $45:

Chalk Shirts and Bags for Halloween

Fresh from Etsy, another great idea! Shirts, bags, aprons and more with a custom chalk board! here's what they have to say:

Introducing (drumroll please,) the Chalkydoodles Chalkboard Top™ featuring our signature Chalk Block™! Now you can personalize or doodle right on your custom shirt, erase it and do it all over again!Use our Chalk Marker to write your kiddo's name or special message and it'll stay put until you're ready for a change! (Chalk markers are also available in our Etsy store).

Definitely check them out at www.chalkdoodles.etsy.com

Custom Political Baby Plate from babybox.com

This 3 section political baby plate is a great way to carry on the family's political tradition. Featuring red, white and blue colors, your child's name and a handpainted elephant, this 'republican' or 'democrat' plate is a sure conversation starter. It will bring many smiles and lots to talk about over the dinner table for years to come.

Check them out at http://www.babybox.com/

Hand Knit Sweaters for boys and girls

Beautiful boys and girls heirloom sweaters available at http://www.marikahahn.com/. Many styles and colors available but here are a few of my favorites:
The boy's football dog sweater for $48.

Girl's cat design also for $48.

Original MARIKA HAHN DESIGN famous Heirloom Hand Knit Sweaters. Knit with superb 100% cotton tanguis yarn in comfy fall weights. All knitting and detailing are done by hand using the expert "intarsia" method. Each color yarn is hand knotted in the back to prevent little fingers from getting snagged. Original MARIKA HAHN DESIGN handmade sweaters will last and last.

One World Project Hats

These fun lion, elephant and zebra kid's hats are knit by Kenana Knitters. Kenana Knitters was started in 1998 to help rural women find a much needed form of income. They work on Kenana Farm and live nearby in the town of Njoro, a couple hours outside of Nairobi, Kenya. In addition to earning an income based on fair wages, the knitters have access to free HIV/AIDS testing once a month, and can obtain basic medicine from a mobile clinic that regularly visits the farm.

At just $18, these are beautiful as gifts or for your little one this winter. Order yours at http://www.oneworldprojects.com/products/hats.shtml

Story books at Snapfish

Have you seen these storybooks from Snapfish yet? They are definitely fun and sweet and I know kids will love them. They're just $16.99 and you upload a picture of your little one and the book becomes personalized for them!
They have a few to choose from and with this price they're worth it! Want to save some more??? Go through your Upromise account and get 9% back towards college savings! See the books at www.snapfish.com

Leg Warmers

We're back with more of those adorable leg warmers! Here's 2 of my favorites for the upcoming season. Both are just $8.99 so you can buy more than 1! This orange and black striped pair is perfect for Halloween:

Or, if you're already shopping for Christmas (like me!) then definitely add these candy cane warmers to your list:

Buy these and more at www.alexisprincesswear.etsy.com

And more shoe fun from Snanimals!

As I posted over on http://poshtidbits.blogspot.com/, more of our popular shoes for Halloween are available now! Don't wait until the last minute! Your little one dressing as a ladybug or bumblebee? Then definitely add our shoes (each are available in either a maryjane or sneaker)

But don't stop there, have a monkey on board or a bear, how about a frog? We've got that too. Dress 'em down to the toes with www.snanimals.com!! Use coupon: Costume for 15% off your order!

Speaking of candy corn...

Earlier this month I did a post on sararosetutus (http://www.sararosetutus.etsy.com/) and her adorable candy corn tutu/costume for halloween. I mentioned that I could make a pair of candy corn maryjanes to go with it (done! See here and buy at http://www.snanimals.com/ )
Well, after posting these today I came upon this! An adorable hand made candy corn wristlet at www.pinkkrystals.etsy.com for just $14! Can't beat it!!

Baby Boutique Custom Costumes

Definitely go over to http://www.mytreasuredheirlooms.etsy.com/ to check out some decadent, upscale, completely over the top custom costumes for your little one. Willing to spend $120? Then take a look at this hand made Cinderella dress, simply devine!

How about this hand crocheted bunny costume for newborn to 18 months (just $150!):

This baby boutique is unique, creative and fun!

Lil Bahbee Bottle/Cup Holder

I have these straps for Anna and I LOVE them! They're perfect for holding her sippy cups (so she doesn't throw them again!) they hold her dolls or toys or whatever we need to keep with her! I have one for her high chair, one for her stroller, one on her car seat and a few extra. I wouldn't be able to live without these now. Wish I had them when she was a baby!!

Available at http://lilbahbee.com/shop/

52 Activities

I was just perusing the posh mama site (where I also post on the blog http://poshtidbits.blogspot.com/) and saw where they wrote a short article on this:

These illustrated cards offer 52 fun ways for parents and their toddlers to spend quality time together. Full of interactive, developmental activities that stimulate and enhance a toddler's perception and awareness, the 52 Activities for You and Your Toddler will provide hours of entertainment. From low-key reading to active music- making, there's an activity to suit any toddler's mood. See the article at: http://www.poshmama.com/ and check out the cards at http://www.bunnyburybaby.com/

Baby Bjorn Tote

I love this baby bjorn prince tote! And would have loved it when John was a baby! How sweet! (Hmm, he's still my little prince, maybe I can still use it???) Well, if you know someone with a baby boy, definitely consider this as a gift!

These festive totes brighten up any stroller excursion. Clips on the back of the bag attach to stroller handles, or nylon strap can be extended to hang over carriage handles or shortened for over shoulder carrying. Bag is durable nylon with zip closure at top. Numerous interior pockets & cell pocket. Changing pad included. http://www.pamperedtot.com

Let's Go Strolling!

How's this for fantastic! Know anyone having boy/girl twins? Know anyone with them! What a great idea this is.

This is a limited edition boy meets girl pink & blue valco twin trimode. The Valco Twin Trimode is easy to push and maneuver even with two heavy kids in it. It has comfortable cushioning for newborn to preschooler and is made with high quality durable materials. The seats recline individually via an easy-to-use one handed level release button and can be fully reclined for newborns or completely upright for the toddler who wants to see everything around them. This Valco Tri-Mode double stroller also has two matching easily removable bumper bars which kids love to hang on to or prop their feet on when they are reclining. With 2 in the limited edition (versus one single bar) - parents can even customize the ride further allowing one child to keep theirs on for toys and snack trays and removing it for another child if they jump in and out a lot or have a car seat on one side. The Valco Trimode Runabout double jogger also has a super slim style, at only 29", it will fit through any standard 30" doorway.

http://www.letsgostrolling.com/index.shtml

Fun toys and accessories at twilitemoon.com

I love browsing for great gifts and ideas and love it even more when one website has so much to offer! I was looking over at http://twilitemoon.com/ and found these adorable finger puppets:

And then went on to find this wonderful and unique whale mobile:

Go see what you can find!

Jumpy Jack & Googily

A fun book for the season! Jumpy Jack & Googly available at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/.

Meet Jumpy Jack, a very nervous snail who’s afraid of monsters, and Googily, who is a—well, who is a very good friend, indeed. Wherever they go, Googily kindly checks high and low just to make sure there are no scary monsters about. But as every child knows, monsters come in many shapes and sizes. Some are even blue with hairy eyebrows and pointy teeth.

The Best Macaroni & Cheese Ever!

Ann Hodgman from www.wondertime.com thinks she has the best macaroni and cheese recipe ever and she's challenging you to make better! If you think your recipe is better than her than email it to wondertime.editors@disney.com with beat this in the subject line with your recipe for a chance to win a Cuisinart stand mixer.

Here's her recipe:
Serves 8

10 oz extra sharp cheddar, grated 4 oz monterey jack grated

4 oz velveeta cubed 4 oz cream cheese 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk

1 teaspoon dijon mustard 6 slices extra-thick bacon, cooked crisp & crumbled

12 oz elbow macaroni, cooked & drained 2 oz parmesan, grated

salt & pepper to taste 1/2 cup plain dried bread crumbs

Heat oven to 350.

Put cheese (except parmesan) in hte top of a double boiler & melt over simmering water, stirring frequently. Gradually add milk, whisking until completely smooth. Whisk in mustard, bacon, salt & pepper.
Pour into 9x9 baking dish, add macaroni and toss to coat.
In small bowl, combine bread crumbs & parmesan; sprinkle over the top. Bake until crumbs are browned & cheese is bubbling (25-30 minutes.)

Share your recipes here too! We'd love to try them all!

Boo! Haunted Houses by Matchbox

What fun this time of year can be. Candy, toys, trick or treating, did I say Candy? Well, here are some mighty scary but fun toys by matchbox available at Amazon.com:This is the 360 degree haunted house by matchbox. Watch out for a flying ghost, an axe-wielding knight, a giant spider and a spring-to-life skeleton. There's fun and fright at every turn, just be sure not to awaken the vampire!

This is the Matchbox Hero City Haunted House. The haunted house features various secret traps and tricks such as a skeleton that launches cars with a good shove, a "Bones and Moans Bridge" full of scary sounds, and various other classic spooky bits.

See them all at www.amazon.com

Outlet Shopping at JCPenney Online

I love looking for bargains this time of year. Stocking up for Christmas or birthdays or whatever you might need a toy or two (or twenty) for! Just remember 2 things when doing your online shopping at major retailers: 1: Go through your upromise online shopping to get a % back on everything you buy!!! 2: Always check out their outlet/clearance page for deals.

Here's one I love. An adorable farm playset for just $9.99! Can't beat that. A fun toy that can spur their imagination and keep them happy for hours for 9.99. Check out all of JCPenneys outlet at http://www2.jcpenney.com/jcp/default.aspx

Don't forget to visit my favorite shops: http://www.snanimals.com/ (of course!) http://www.threelittlegoblins.etsy.com/ (great stuff!) http://www.onebravechick.com/ and www.waggies.org

Sara Rose Tutus

Wow! Another adorable find. I love these tutus! They are so original. And what a great thing to match up with our http://www.snanimals.com/ shoes!

How about this idea! This sweeter than sweet candy corn tutu added to a pair of our white maryjanes with painted candy corn! (This would be a custom shoe order that we could put on our http://www.jlperillo.etsy.com/ site!)

And here is a yummy pumpkin tutu that she also makes as a costume! We can also pair this up with a pair of sneakers or maryjanes with pumpkins too!

Visit her blog at http://sararosetutus.blogspot.com/ or visit her etsy store at www.sararosetutus.etsy.com and don't forget to match them up with our shoes for a great costume!

Three Little Goblins

I want to post about my friend's new shop on Etsy.com, it's http://www.threelittlegoblins.etsy.com/. Pam makes wonderful gifts (I gave the Thomas the Tank Engine bag to my nephew and last year gave a similar Cars bag to my other nephew!) This year the gift we're giving to the kids' party guests are custom super hero capes! Pam has made them and here are a few pictures:

We're having a John Deere Tractor party for John and a Princess party for Anna. So, she made capes for each of their friends. They are double sided and have the child's initial on the back. They are so adorable and will be such a big hit with everyone! We can't wait! She sells custom capes at $15.00 each but discounts for large orders (such as a party!)

Pam also makes custom bears, jointed and non-jointed, out of favorite fabrics or even memory bears out of someone's favorite clothes (like a shirt, etc.) She has a fabulous teacher's bear that all the students can sign and give as a gift. They are all custom, so whatever you think you want (a princess bear, hannah montana, philadelphia eagles, star wars) she can do it!

This is my personal memory bear in memory of my precious daughter Emma.

Definitely check out her site!!

As for the winner of our sneakers, Leslie will be receiving a size 7 pair of pink cows! Leslie, I'll email you for an address!

Card Table Playhouse

Wow, what a find! I love it when I find such creative and fun toys! This is a unique idea, a hand made card table playhouse for hours of imaginative play. You can pick the colors and add a name and address at no additional charge (the one shown is just $75!!) How can you beat this? Great idea, expect to see one at my house soon! See all the wonderful choices at www.missprettypretty.etsy.com!

And coming soon, a great review of my friend's etsy site at www.threelittlegoblins.etsy.com. Think hand made, custom superhero capes (like the ones she made for my 2!) Custom hand sewn bears, memory bears, jointed bears, etc. Anything you like! Take a sneak peak at her new site!

Halloween Kitty front and back jumper

Get them while they last! Halloween Kity front and back jumper (size 6 or 6x only) or the same design in a popover set in 9 - 24 mos! Less than half price at http://www.oneofakindkid.com/musf7062010.html

Today is your last chance to win a pair of our cow sneakers. Post a comment on this post (with your name, email address, and size choice 1 - 10) or on the original post from August 27th! A winner will be chosen tomorrow!

Thank you!

Adorable Jodhpurs at Baby Gap!

I was at Baby Gap today browsing for some cute clothes for Anna and came across these new jodhpurs! So cute! And through today they have a buy one/get one 50% off on jeans! Get the latest styles and save a little in the process! http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=6427&pid=582797