A Contest for Free Stuff!

Okay, here's a treat that's not scary at all!! Over at http://tutucutedesigns.blogspot.com/ they're giving away $50 worth of free merchandise!! Yep, all you have to do is post a comment on the post and you're entered! She has so many many cute things, you'll definitely have to go look for yourself. And why wait? Order something now and get a bonus for free if you win!

Personalized original baby gift baskets

Know someone having a baby soon? Having one yourself? If so, then take a look at these beautiful, original baby gift baskets. There are many to choose from but I found these to be simply adorable. Available at www.babyshowerstuff.com

PERSONALIZED GIRL MAGNIFICENT BABY GIFT BASKET - $149.95

Includes all of the following - WOW:

* A Pink Polka Dotted Moses Basket (baby carrier)

* Our Original Plush Big Baby Rattle

* Personalized Pink Infant Cap – 100% cotton

* Personalized White Bib - 100% cotton

* Personalized White Long Sleeve T-shirt -100% cotton

* White Personalized Onesie - 100% cotton

* Pink Personalized Onesie - 100% cotton* Pink Personalized T-shirt - 100% cotton

* Adorable Pink Knit Infant Socks

* Our Original Plush Little Baby Rattle

* Handprint/Footprint Plaster Kit

* 56 Diapers (1 bag size 1 disposable diapers)

* 5 Baby Wash Cloths

* Water Filled Teether

* Plastic Rattle

* Teething Keys

(SIZE: 25" long x 15" wide x 16 " tall ~ this is BIG!!)

Dining Out Travel Bib

I love this idea, it's cute, handmade and quite practical (and at $20, affordable.) Head over to www.handmadefusion.com/stores/odannysgirl to see the selection of colors. The Dining Out Travel Bib™Toddler/Baby bib complete with travel wipes and utensil set, folds up nicely for travel.

U-Roll

Well, if you ever decided to take a visit over our house you might think we have a dozen kids or that we run a daycare. Probably the latter since I've had a few people knock on my door to find out more about our facilities! Could be from all the bikes and cars and toys outside. Looks like I may add another soon. This U-Roll car from http://www.giggles.com/ looks awesome!

This sleek toy car is ready to roll! Made of molded plywood, it's strong enough for kids and grownups alike. It has a cool, contemporary style that's equally appealing to boys and girls. And it's able to maneuver tight corners, making it easy to enjoy even in small spaces. $175.00

Beautiful Kimino Dresses

I love these kimino dresses, handmade by http://www.bayanhippo.etsy.com/. They are simply beautiful and perfect for little girls.
No zipper! No button! Nothing to make your skin uncomfortable. The ribbon made from the same fabric goes from inside to out to be tied at the back for easy dressing. The colors are matching and made with rich quality fabric. These are just a few options for you to choose this beautiful dress.The dress made from light-weight high quality corduroy and cotton corduroy used for the birds applique. Just $26!

Dripstiks & Cookware from Hearthsong

Boy, I wish I had these this summer, they sure do look like they would have come in handy. I think I'll go ahead and order them anyway, just in case. Invented by a mother of five ice-cream-loving kids, these handy holders catch sticky drips before they can hit floors, car seats, and clothes. The soft-plastic stiks have a Popsicle®-stick holder in one end and a cone holder in the other, each surrounded by large drip-catching cups.Also love this "green" cookware & dining set. All 27 pieces are made from milk jugs recycled into one of the safest, sturdiest, most nontoxic materials around. The unbreakable set includes a stockpot with lid, skillet, and 4 plates, bowls, cups, forks, knives, and spoons, all designed with crisp, clean lines and packed in a reusable recycled cardboard box.

Available at www.hearthsong.com

Trunki Ride Along Case for Kids

I absolutely love this travel case for kid, truly ingeniuos.

Trunki, the award-winning luggage for kids that travel. A fun eye catching design that will have parents and kids green with luggage envy! Great for airport travel. Children can ride on Trunki when tired or be pulled by parents! Great for keeping away travel boredom! When not in use can be shoulder carried.

Find it in pink or blue at http://www.kidstravelzone.com/! ($40.00)

More Toy Deals at Lakeside

As promised, here are a few more deals from http://www.lakeside.com/ and this time they're for boys:

Really love this horse trailer for $18.95 (your choice.) Have seen similar for $30 and more!and what boy doesn't like tools! Here's a black and decker set for under $30...happy shopping!

Favorite DVDs

Well, by now you'd think we'd own stock in Amazon.com considering all the DVD's we've ordered from them! Original DVDs, replacement DVDs (since we play them too much and they get scratched), trial DVDs. You name it.

Anna loves watching shows or movies that have real people (not cartoons) especially when they sing and dance. No wonder then that these are among her favs! Consider these for DVDs when you need new ones!

Barney Barney Barney, she still loves all things Barney!

One of her all time favs is Toot Toot Chugga Chugga. She is soooooo back into the Wiggles again. Mainly their DVDs or CDs (not the show necessarily.) This is a classic and loads of fun for all to dance to (they don't call it wigglecise for nothing!)

And her newest favorite is Shirley Temple! We watch the colorized versions and I'm surprised at how much she loves these movies! Try them out. www.amazon.com

Holidays are Coming!

Here's a sneak preview from www.snanimals.com!

Our Jingles the Reindeer Sneaker ($27)

Our Candy Cane Layette Set ($22)

And our newest winter shoe-our Winter Penguin ($27)

Don't forget to use the coupon code "posh20" to get 20% off your order!

Great Deals at Lakeside Collection

Are you looking for deals this holiday season? Well, frankly, who isn't? We all need to carefully spend this year as we wait to see how the economy turns. Lucky for us, Lakeside Collection (http://www.lakeside.com/) offers great prices year round. Check out these toys for girls


A set of 6 princess dolls for $13And something hopefully Santa will bring Anna this year, triplet magnet dolls for $9.95! Go online and request your catalog today! Or, check back here as we bring more deals to you!

Cupcake toppers

Having a birthday party? If so, head on over to http://www.cheekymoppet.etsy.com/ for some cool party ideas. We just had Anna and John's birthday party last month and I did both a cake (John Deere) and cupcakes (princess.) Well I certainly would have loved to have cupcake toppers like these! She offers these custom toppers in a few different themes. I'm showing the cars theme just because I think it's so cute! This set ($7.00) comes with 12 toppers:

She also does custom matching invitations:

Cute as a Button Baby Cake!

Looks what's new from http://www.giftthebambino.etsy.com/, fun and fresh diaper cake! Here's what you get for $29:



This adorable new addition to our baby cakes line is just cute as a button. Topped with matching spoon candles and wrapped in polka dot ribbon this cake is a funky and fun. The front of this cake features large buttons with cool contemporary designs. You choose diaper size up to size 3. Made when you order, shipped within 24 hours of payment.


One-tier includes:


* 18 Diapers

* 3 Spoons

* 2 Washcloths

* 1 Onesie

* 1 Receiving blanket

Recipe for Witches Hats

BettyCrocker.com has some cute ideas for Halloween that are simple and easy and fun to do with the kids. Here's one for these Witches Hats:

Make this "spook-tacularly" easy cookie for Halloween parties or treats!
Prep Time:15 min
Start to Finish:15 min
Makes:32 cookies

32Hershey®'s Kisses® milk chocolates, unwrapped

1 package (11 1/2 ounces) fudge-striped shortbread cookies (32)

1 tube (4.25 ounces) orange or red decorating icing

1. Attach 1 chocolate candy to chocolate bottom of each cookie, using decorating icing.

2. Pipe decorating icing around base of milk chocolate candy.

Inexpensive Artwork for Kid's

I love having the kids' rooms decorated nicely and I like doing themes. John's room was recently done in a John Deere Tractor motiff and he loves it! I was recently browsing for some artwork for his walls and came across http://www.fulcrumgallery.com/ and saw many great prints for very low prices ($6.99!) They're also having a sale for 20% off (hurry!) You can buy them unframed or add a frame for an additional charge.
The sizes are pretty standard for these prints (10 x 10) so I think it would be quite easy to frame it yourself. Check them out!

Breast Cancer Awareness - Towel & Blanket Set

Just one look at this sumptuous personalized hooded towel and blanket set is enough to order it on the spot. Knowing that the seller will donate 25% to breast cancer awareness is more than enough to know you should! This set is just $40!! Visit http://www.lillybugblankets.etsy.com/ to see more!

For the ultimate gift for your little one or a friend!! This set features a personalized hooded towel and a one-of-a kind Cuddle-Me Blanket.The featured towel is chocolate brown and is trimmed with pink and brown polka dot fabric. On the back the towel, it is personalized with a letter of choice with coordinating fabric. The towel is a full size bath towel and a hood from a hand towel, so it will grow with you child for years to come or it makes a wonderful gift. The towel can also be great for a beach towel.

Chalkboard Stickers

Love these chalkboard stickers for the walls! There's all kinds, animals, squares, colors, etc. but I think these are perfect for a little boy's room (or little girl's.)

For just $16.95 at http://www.wallnutz.com/ you get:

These removable house chalkboard wall stickers are an easy and functional way to decorate kids rooms.Just peel off the backing and stick on a smooth surface. The wall stickers are repositionable, too - just remove from surface and place on original backing to protect the adhesive.

Size & Contents:(1) large plane 26¼" x 21½" (1) small plane 11¾" x 9¼" (4) clouds 9" x 4¼" to 18¾" x 9" slate gray chalk included

LeapFrog Fridge Phonics Magnetic Alphabet Set

We love this toy by leap frog. We've had it for a long time and if you check out Emma's carepages (http://www.carepages.com/ after signing in go to ouremma ) you can see where Emma was spelling words on the refrigerator when she was 2 1/2. This is the newer version than ours but both really work well. They truly helped all my kids learn the alphabet and more. Definitely worth the price.

Phonics have never been more fun with this LeapFrog Fridge Phonics Magnetic Set. With this engaging tool, children can learn letter names and sounds from the convenience of your refrigerator. Simply place a letter into the reader and press to hear its name, sound, and a delightful phonics song. Great as a speech development tool for ages two and up, the LeapFrog magnetic set delivers hour of amusement, while teaching the alphabet.

Available where leapfrog products are sold, shown here from http://www.amazon.com/

Baby Wind Chimes

The Baby's Wind Chimes Kick Toy by Tiny Love is great for baby. The soft sounds of the wind chimes encourages baby to kick and bat at the whimsical birds. This toy helps strengthen baby's leg control as well as hand eye coordination. The colors and patterns of the toy stimulate sight and the soft sounds are very soothing for baby. $9.99 at www.toysrus.com

Show your party pride!

Well, that season is upon us once again. You know, the one that so many boys and girls wait for in anticipation causing grown ups to spend so much money for one single day. Commercials, gifts, etc!! Yes, election season! Here's a way to show your party pride for your little republican or little democrat - onesies or t's with your choice of political party. Get them at http://www.emilyallyn.com/

Etsy Favs!

Okay, other than my own etsy shop (http://www.jlperillo.etsy.com/) I want to list some of my favorites (you've seen some before!)

First: Thanks to Pam, here is my next likely etsy purchase-the I wear your footprint hand stamped charm. These are beautiful and I am thinking of getting one in honor of Emma and one in honor of James. I wear a silver necklace with Emma's thumbprint stamped on a charm and 4 small charms stamped with their initials (A, E, J, J - 2 on earth & 2 in heaven) find it at http://www.birthdesigns.etsy.com/ for $82

For Halloween, I have purchased this mask from http://www.babypop.etsy.com/ for $4:

To go with the John Deer Tractor superhero cape Pam made me available at her store http://www.threelittlegoblins.etsy.com/:

Custom superhero capes from Pam are $15 (or less if you order multiples for a birthday party like I did!) John is going to be a John Deere Tractor Super hero for Halloween!!

Christmas Stockings

Okay, don't kill me but when you're thinking of Christmas you do think of Christmas stockings and no! it isn't too early to think of those!! I want to get Anna and John special Christmas stockings this year. I can't bear to put up the ones we had in the past. Last year I still put up Emma's stocking alongside of John's and Anna's. But this year I think I'll just do the two of them but don't want to use the set from before since they were all purchased together.

So here I am looking around and on http://www.tripletconnection.com/ there was a post on Christmas stockings pointing the way to http://www.landofnod.com/ and their beautiful, personalized stockings pictured here! $25 gets you any one of seven designs!

I also liked those over at potterybarnkids.com but plan to keep looking around and possibly posting on more before making a final decision. Do you know of any special ones?

Luxurious Coats

We love coats! At our house you can always find an assortment to choose from. I love wrapping the kids up in warmth and comfort when the weather turns cold. So imagine my glee when I came across http://www.babyme.cc/corky_coats.htm with their stunning line of elegant coats - Perfect for Anna! They are a bit pricey but are worth it!
This is a very rich and plush, warm faux fur coat from Corky & Company's Illumination collection. Gorgeous paisley-ish brown pattern on a turquoise background. Three buttons down front and rollback cuffs. Black microfleece inner lining. Matching roll hat is included.

Handy Pillow and Blanket Bag

A fabulous, ultra soft and cozy travel blanket and pillow set designed to be the most luxurious sleeping bag a child can have - pink, green and brown satin dot lines the outside blanket and attached pillow of the sack - attached blanket is pink chenille on the inside and dot satin on out - pulls over child like a blanket but is closed at bottom to keep toes cozy - the outside of the sack is brown chenille and rolls up into a small sack that uses pink, green and brown satin ribbon to tie closed - ribbon is attached. There are no extra parts to carry around - everything is attached! $129 at http://www.abellaboutique.com/

Baby Bloomers

I love baby bloomers (maybe that's why we hand paint some on http://www.snanimals.com/!) Anna still uses them under dresses to cover up her diapers and they really look adorable. Here's one I think I'll get for Christmas time. It's available at http://www.photobugbabyboutique.com/boutique/ for $22:

Things we love (and want!)

At our house we love blocks. All kinds and all types. Mega blocks, kid knex, duplo blocks. They're all fun and spur creativity along with helping fine motor skills develop. John can spend an evening building with any of the above and Anna is trying too. They also use these blocks in school so they get lots of practice. You can find these blocks at walmart or toysrus (or http://www.toysrus.com/) online.

But now we've seen clipo and I think these will be wonderful for Anna! I know John will like them too but I think they will be perfect (and fun!) for Anna's skill level and I think we're all hoping Santa brings them this year!!

Go Diego Go Bugs World

Does your boy (or girl) like bugs?? Mine sure does (and so do my nephews!) Personally I think it's a boy thing but then again, Anna seems to like them too.

Well, as of October 21 look no further than Go Diego Go (http://www.amazon.com/) for the new release It's a Bugs World! They're sure to get their fill!!

DIY Costumes

Fresh from the online pages of http://www.parents.com/ some really cool (and easy to make) do it yourself costumes with items you already have! Here's a cute one:

Moose
Do-It-Yourself
* White cotton gloves stuffed with batting make perfect antlers.
* Sew onto a brown cap. Fill the toes of brown baby socks with batting for ears and attach above antlers.

Looks cute and easy enough to make. Check them out, there's many more!

Happy Monster Hats

Check out http://www.happycloud.etsy.com/ where you can find this funky argle monster hat ($30)

Or go to www.herflyinghorses.etsy.com for this Red Riding Hood Cape ($22)

Yo Gabba Gabba

Oh boy, what is it about Yo Gabba Gabba? I really don't get it but apparently John and Anna do. They love watching that show. Well, Yo Gabba Gabba lovers, you'll be pleasantly surprised to hear that it's finally coming to DVD on October 14th. Pre-order yours now on http://www.amazon.com/

The Dancey Dance Bunch is the DVD launch of YO GABBA GABBA!(tm). The DVD includes four episodes: "Friends," "Eat," "Dance," and "Happy," plus special features. Hosted by DJ Lance Rock, YO GABBA GABBA!(tm) infuses retro-style and modern-day music to teach simple life lessons through a vibrant world of puppet characters who play and dance when they hear the magic words "Yo Gabba Gabba!"

Duck & Goose

Fun preschool books for your little ones. Now they're back, Duck & Goose have 3 follow ups to this original fun filled book available at www.randomehouse.com/kids.

"That egg is mine! I saw it first,” says Goose. “I touched it first. It’s mine,” declares Duck. Like James Marshall’s George and Martha, and Rosemary Wells’s Benjamin and Tulip, Duck and Goose have to work at getting along. You see, Duck doesn’t much care for Goose at first–and Goose isn’t fond of Duck–but both want the egg that each claims to be his. As the two tend to their egg, and make plans for the future, they come to appreciate one another’s strengths. And when a bluebird points out that it isn’t really an egg–it’s a polka dot ball–the two are not dismayed. After all, it is a lovely ball. . . .Filled with humor that young children will appreciate–and recognize!–and starring two unforgettable characters, Duck & Goose has all the ingredients of a classic-in-the-making.

My Girl Gourmet - cupcake maker

Oooh, this looks like fun! I think my niece would love this cupcake maker by My Girl Gourmet (available at http://www.qvc.com/qsearch/search.aspx or other stores as listed on mygirlgourmet.com)

My Girl Gourmet products bring to you the hottest trend in food...Cupcakes! Our Cupcake Maker lets you make cupcakes in 30 seconds! Then use the Cupcake Froster to create your own cupcake designs. Create and decorate your favorite cupcakes for you and your friends.

My niece Damaris would love this (who am I kidding, a cupcake in 30 seconds? I'd love it!)