The Daily Grind of a Work @ Home Mom...

MiaCarina is Tops for Girly-Girls.

Do you have a girly-girl?  If so, then check out MiaCarina, an adorable website featuring chic designs for tots.  But these arenot just your run-of-the-mill clothes, these clothes are hand-sewn to perfection, and as cute as can be.

We tested out a sweet little flowery halter set, and I have to say, the craftsmanship was incredible.  In my next life, I hope I can sew like this.  The cute factor was just as great as the quality, and my toddler enjoyed showing off her new outfit - headband 'n all! - for her whole family.  Really, too cute.

What first caught my eye at this boutique, was Desiree's (the wonderful owner), choice of designs.  What little girl doesn't look adorable in cherries?  And then I saw the zebra design and was sold.  I mean, really - how delicious is this:

 

But if you're living somewhere where summer is winding down, good chance you're already migrating to the fall/winter section of most stores.  Desiree has designed some outfits for cold weather too, just visit her site and see for yourself. 

MiaCarina is not cheap, but her outfits are meant for a special little girl, or a special occasion.  And the quality makes it worth every penny.  Also, they offer FREE shipping on orders over $100 and charge just $4.80 on orders under $100.  Pretty reasonable, I'd say.  

Happy shopping! 

Nomie Baby Keeps Car Seats Clean

Dear Readers,

I start out this week with a dare for you.  It's a simple one.  Go outside, and check out your child's car seat.  You heard me, go outside and take a look at the car seat.  Is it clean? Dirty?  Covered in bits of last week's crackers, maybe sticky from the juice box that overflowed the minute your little cutie got her hands on it?  If your kids are anything like mine, they loooove to snack in the car.  And those car seats pay the price. 

So how's this for an idea - shield your kid's car seat with a cover which is not just cute, but a lifesaver as well (for you, that is...)!  This is almost one of those "why didn't I think of that first?" ideas, but alas you did not so chances are you need one of these things. 

Invented by mom of three, Katie Danziger, nomie baby car seat covers are made with waterproof material and fit most standard infant seats and most convertible/toddler car seats such as Graco and Britax.  They are edged with elastic for easy on/off so you don't have any extra aggravation when those spills occur.  This would've come in handy for us the first weekend we had my daughter's toddler car seat.  No sooner did we have it installed and get her installed in it did she vominate (her word) all over it.  Yes, this is true.  Day 1, brand new car seat.  nomie baby, I would've bowed to you that day.  Imagine the enery I'd have saved for just $34.

So now we don't take chances.  When there's dirt, we simply remove the cover and wash it.  And you can too.  Win IT! One lucky reader will receive a nomie baby car seat cover of their choice.  Simply visit the nomie baby website and let us know which style and color appeals to you.  For a second entry, subscribe to this blog's feed or let us know that you already do.  For a third chance, tweet or blog this contest - leave a link!  Contest ends Wednesday, July 15th at midnight.  Only open to US residents.

 

Swaddle Me This, Swaddle Me That

Anyone who knows me IRL ("in real life") knows that if you ask me for my one best piece of parenting advice after having a baby, it's swaddle early and swaddle often. 

"But my baby hates it!" is a common complaint.

Your baby does not hate being swaddled, your baby hates being maneuvered into a straight-jacket-like position by you.  But once he's in it, he'll love it, and he'll sleep more soundly.  Promise.

"But my baby breaks free from it!" is another.

If your baby breaks out of your swaddle, you're simply not swaddling tight enough.  Suffice to say that my own mother used to worry that I was torturing my babies when I swaddled them, it was that tight.  Studies actually prove that swaddled babies sleep longer and are less likely to wake up spontaneously.  Additionally, swaddling may reduce the risk of SIDS.  What more does a new parent need to be convinced that swaddling is best?

Nothing.  All that's left is getting the proper swaddle blanket and this, my friends, is no easy task for a rookie swaddler.  But be assured, a proper swaddle blanket is not that tiny flannel blanket you got at the hospital.  Well, maybe it is for the first week of baby's life until baby starts growing fast and furiously.  A real swaddle blanket is a large piece of material that has a little bit of stretch to it, is durable and will not over-heat your baby. 

Look no further - the perfect swaddle blanket is like the muslin wraps fabricated by Australian moms, Eden & Anais.

Made from soft, breathable cotton muslin, Eden & Anais wraps are the just the right size,  just the right texture, and just the right cuteness to be considered the "perfect" swaddle.  They have single-layer styles, perfect for the warm nights of summer, as well as double-layer wraps for colder days.  And with more than 20 adorable designs to choose from, there's bound to be one to suit your baby's little personality.

SALE!  Eden & Anais is offering customers a chance to stock up on their delicious Winter Warmth Swaddles, normally $49.95, for just $29.95.  And their Dream Blankets are on sale for $39.95, down from $59.95.  To take advantage of this discount, simply visit www.edenandanais.com and enter promo code “wintersale” at checkout.

Win it!  A lucky reader will win one Winter Warmth wrap from Eden & Anais.  Just visit their site and let us know which is your favorite iem and design.  A winner will be chosen on Friday, April 24th.  Only one entry per person, open to US residents only.

 

Are You Afraid of Monsters?

If you are, you haven't seen the adorable stuffed do-it-yourself Monsters coming from CurlyQCuties!  I have to say, as a mom of two young girls and the owner of a children's store, I see a lot of "new" products hitting the stores but these Monsters take the cake! 

Kids can create their own monsters using the simple "Monster-maker" and a little imagination.  They choose their new friend's body shape, eye shape and color, mouth details, body color and more.  There are literally over 150 million possibilities!  And they are SO CUTE!  My daughter put an A on her monster's tummy (for Alex) and an adorable crooked smile.  It arrived just days later and "Monster" (we're lacking in originality around here!) quickly became her new favorite stuffie!  (and subsequentlyy, monsters are no longer feared in our house.)

Started as an Etsy store in 2008 by mom Stephanie Estrin, Monsters have quickly become popular among the sandbox crowd.  And the coolest part?  They are just $25!  The perfect birthday present amount!  And you can easily give a gift-certificate so that the recipient can create his/her own monster to their own specifications.  I assure you, this is the gift that will stand-out from the others.

Win it!  The clever folks over at CurlyQCuties are giving away a gift certificate for one monster including shipping to one lucky reader.  Just visit their website and create your very own Monster - you can even save it in case you win or want to buy it later.  Come back here and tell us what features your Monster has and you'll be entered.  For a second entry, subscribe to this blog's feed (or let us know that you do).  For a third, Tweet it!  A winner will be chosen on Friday, April 17th at midnight.  Open to US residents only.

What? You haven't Heard About Lollydoodle?

Then you don't know what you're missing. 

I'm always inspired by artists in the sense that they make me want to create (though art is just not my forte) so in lieu of my own art, I enjoy surrounding myself with other people's creations.  My kids rooms are no different - we have made their spaces their own by decorating them with personal, vibrant art that speaks to their personality.  But the perfect piece isn't always easy to find.

Nor is it always affordable.

Then I found Lollydoodle, a mom-owned company that offers "designer decor for your little one."  Ok, seriously, I. am. in. love.  The artist, Ellen Smiler, captures the essence of being a child so perfectly.  Using simple yet colorful designs, one of her adorable paintings would not only brighten up your child's space, but you can easily choose a design that would grow with them.  Not just baby designs (though those are delicious as well), Smiler recognizes that little girls have an affinity for purses pretty early on, and offers a fun creation in a purse theme.  She knows that it won't be long before your mini-man is vrooming around the firetrucks, so she offers you the chance to decorate his space in a fireman theme.  Animals, numbers, the alphabet and the four seasons are only some of the unique designs she offers, and all are vibrant and sure to please any child.

Best part?  Her prices are TOTALLY reasonable (from about $38) and no framing is necessary because they are made with a canvas that is stretched and mounted over a 7.5" deep frame, and the design continues over the sides.  

Through March, you can save 20% off your entire order, simply enter the coupon code STMLS1 at checkout.  Or, win it!  One lucky reader will win a $50 gift certificate to Lollydoodle.  Visit their site, and let us know your favorite design.  For an extra entry, subscribe to this blog's feed (already do?  Just let us know!).  For a third entry, give this giveaway a shout-out on your blog.  One entry per person, open to US residents only.  Contest winner will be chosen at random on Sunday, March 22nd at midnight.

Lollipop Papers Offers Sweet and Solid Stuff!

Even as we get deeper into the digital age, I'm still a fan of the printed word.  Maybe it's the writer in me, but I still write on a wall calendar, I still jot appointments in an actual book, I make lists using a pen and paper, and I write notes that need to be mailed off to friends using a stamp as opposed to the "Send" button.  And thankfully, there's no shortage of fun and useful paper products to make my strange habit interesting to others.

Woman-owned and operated, Lollipop Papers is the web-store to hit if you're like me.  Offering a wide selection of adorable invitations, cute stationery, and gifts including personalized totes, tees, lunch boxes, melamine plates, and place mats, Lollipop Papers is a one-stop shop for party-planners and  gift-givers alike.  With its simple to maneuver (and adorable!) layout, you won't get lost before finding what you're looking for.

We road-tested the From the Mother of... Notepad along with a couple of lunchboxes and we were duly impressed.  The lunchboxes are made in a retro-ish metal and designed in your choice of design, so be sure to pick one that best represents your child.  And I LOVE my notepad!   After sending owner Amanda the ages and descriptions of my children from her standard choices, she made up a notepad that is truly representative of what I sent her.  Personalized, pretty, and functional (and only $12!!), this pad is useful and I wouldn't hesitate to send it as a gift, or any of her other beautiful writing blocks!  Think teacher's gift, thank you gift, hostess gift...

To buy your own, head to Lollipop Papers and pick your pleasure.  Or, win it!  Two lucky readers will receive a From the Mother of... Notepad personalized for them (or any notepad of equal value).  Simply visit Lollipop Papers and tell us your favorite item - for an extra entry subscribe to this blog's feed (let us know if you already do).  Only one entry per person, US residents only.  Contest winners will be drawn at midnight on Friday,  March 20th. 

Mabel's Labels

  We lose alot of stuff in our house.  I'm talking sweatshirts that end up in other kids' closets.  Snow boots that are mistakenly put on the kid who occupies the neighboring cubby.  Books that somehow escape backpacks never to be seen again (in our house at least).  It was time to find some solution to this unending problem and fast.  So I decided to find some kind of cute way to label my kids things.  And this is when I was introduced to Mabel's Labels.

Created by a group of four moms who were tired of their kids' stuff constantly disappearing, this Canadian company offers all different types of labels meant to simplify your labeling experience.  Sound funny?  Check out their website.  These ladies have thought of everything.  From plain old sticky labels that adhere to basically anything, to clothing labels that include iron-ons, tag-mates (they stick to clothing labels - how easy!), shoe labels and bag tags, you can be sure that nothing will go missing for long ever again.  After receiving mine, I went on a labeling frenzy, sticking my daughter's name on everything from her backpack to her lunch bag, even the backs of her snow boots (and they stayed put)!

Even more awesome is that these moms know that other moms constantly strive for organization in their lives (I do, for sure), so they developed a line for home.  You know those pesky eclectic cords that constantly clutter  your rooms?  Label them with cord controls and easily identify which is which.  Label spice jars, even your recycling and garbage bins!   Seriously, this doesn't get any smarter.

Start organizing your family's life today - head over to Mabel's Labels and pick your style.  Feeling lucky?  Simply visit their site, and choose your favorite labels.  Come back here and tell us what you choose, and be entered to win a pack of Sticky Labels.  For an additional entry, subscribe to this blog.  Only one entry per person, CANADIAN ENTRIES WELCOME!  (US as well, of course...)  A winner will be chosen on Friday, February 27th.

Got Kids? Then Boogie Wipes are for YOU!

  We just returned from vacation.  As is typical, everyone got sick while we were away with colds, coughs, sneezes - the works.  Seems this happens every time we travel, however this time was a bit different.  Before we left, I had received a little shipment of Boogie Wipes, towelettes meant to wipe runny noses, and I had tossed a bunch into my diaper bag figuring they might come in handy while in Florida.

I was right.  Ok, so the name might make you think these mucus wipes are gimmicky, but the truth is, they're terribly handy and incredibly useful.  The wipe itself is a very good-size, not some dinky little wet-nap, and they are moistened with saline in order to help dissolve mucus.  They won't leave your child's nose red and chapped, since Boogie Wipes are formulated with vitamin E, aloe and chamomile and are even lightly scented.  Choose from Fresh Scent, Magic Menthol, or Grape (my personal fave!). 

The truth is I whipped out the Boogie Wipes even before the colds came on.  A pre-flight meal left my toddler's face a mess, and I actually cleaned it with a grape-scented wipe.  Bottom line - this is a great product and it's fun to say.  Obviously, it's mom-invented.  :)

Want to win some?  One lucky reader will receive a package of the Fresh Scent and a package of the Grape, along with a Boogie Mom and Boogie Kid t-shirt.  Simply visit their website and tell us what about this product catches your eye.  For an extra entry, subscribe to The Daily Grind.  A winner will be chosen at midnight on Saturday, February 21st.  Only open to US residents, one entry per person please!

Preserve your Memories with Jordan Jade

If you're looking for me, I'll be the one with the camera.  Seriously, I'm THAT Mama, the one busy snapping pics from the side of the room or pointing my RCA Small Wonder at one of my kids as she does something undoubtedly brilliant.  So I have HUNDREDS, if not THOUSANDS of pictures, and dozens of videos.  They're right here, next to me.  In a box.  Keeping warm.  Gathering dust.

In this uber-digital age, we don't need film processing shops anymore.  However, we do need help organizing our thousands of images, finding a way to house our videos in a way that will allow us to view them easily.  Jordan Jade, a Montreal-based company, does just that. 

A long-time lover of photography, mommy-owner Elan Etinson combined her passion for photos with her background in multi-media to create Jordan Jade, a company providing photo and movie preservation for families and companies. Named for her two daughters, Jordan Jade creatively turns your photos and videos into so much more - keepsakes that will never fray, tear or yellow.  You know those hundreds of pictures you took on your last vacation?  Jordan Jade will create a DVD Slideshow, turning your still images into a compelling "movie."  Set to music, customized to suit your taste, this process will leave you with the perfect souvenir.  Dig out those old pictures and Jordan Jade will transform them into a "story."  This is the perfect gift for a milestone birthday, or to show at a special event.

Have a dusty old VHS or film recording taking up space in your closet?  Enlist the creative mom and her team to transfer it to DVD so your children and grandchildren will have the chance to view it one day.  Or simply have them create a customized Photo Book of your images, bound and organized and perfect as a gift or to complement a DVD.  As an avid photo-taker/movie-maker myself, I know the value of such keepsakes - and they're priceless.

For pricing and more info, email Elan or call 514-941-6650.  Oh, and if you tell her I sent you, she'll treat you extra-nice.  :)

Save Small Businesses From the CPSIA

I'm aggravated.  I'm aggravated because there's this great little line of blingy t-shirts that I want to add to my product offering at Alex Casey Baby and I can't.  I can't because due to the new regulations set forth by the CPSIA, the work-at-home-mom who produces these adorable t-shirts will be closing her doors come February.  And she's not the only one.  Once the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) goes into effect, small businesses all over the US will be put out of business.

To quote directly from the Handmade Toy Alliance:

The issue:
In 2007, large toy manufacturers who outsource their production to China and other developing countries violated the public's trust. They were selling toys with dangerously high lead content, toys with unsafe small part, toys with improperly secured and easily swallowed small magnets, and toys made from chemicals that made kids sick.  Almost every problem toy in 2007 was made in China.

The United States Congress rightly recognized that the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) lacked the authority and staffing to prevent dangerous toys from being imported into the US. So, they passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)in August, 2008.  Among other things, the CPSIA bans lead and phthalates in toys, mandates third-party testing and certification for all toys and requires toy makers to permanently label each toy with a date and batch number. 

All of these changes will be fairly easy for large, multinational toy manufacturers to comply with. Large manufacturers who make thousands of units of each toy have very little incremental cost to pay for testing and update their molds to include batch labels. 

For small American, Canadian, and European toymakers and manufacturers of children's products, however, the costs of mandatory testing will likely drive them out of business.

• A toymaker, for example, who makes wooden cars in his garage in Maine to supplement his income cannot afford the $300 - $4,000 fee per toy that testing labs are charging to assure compliance with the CPSIA.
• A work at home mom in Minnesota who makes cloth diapers to sell online must choose either to violate the law or cease operations.
• A small toy retailer in Vermont who imports wooden toys from Europe, which has long had stringent toy safety standards, must now pay for testing on every toy they import.
• And even the handful of larger toy makers who still employ workers in the United States face increased costs to comply with the CPSIA, even though American-made toys had nothing to do with the toy safety problems of 2007.

As a mom, I'm all for safe products.  As an entrepreneur and a mom who sells handmade products, I share the same concerns as other small business owners.  This law is, in effect, too far reaching in that it doesn't distinguish between products that could potentially contain a dangerous lead level, and a product that couldn't possibly contain a dangerous lead level (like my towels for example).  That said, if you are a small-business owner or if you want to help protect the businesses that bring you beautiful handmade and mom-made products, please click the link below and save small businesses from CPSIA.