Oilebollen

In a word: FABULOUS! I just love the clothing and unique toys on this site. Amongst my favs are these great products:

Peace Baby Block Set - $28.00

Mini Frong Prewalker Slip-on - $24.95

Fussenegger Circus Nikki Crib (or stroller) blanker - $52.00

Shop www.oilebollen.com

Featured Charities

Well, I admit it. I have been too busy blogging, shopping, working, and just plain living to get around to putting a paypal button up here and figuring out how to do those monthly drawings I promised. I will get to it...eventually! But true to my word, we made donations recently to 3 of the charities listed on the right. Global Orphan Team which is a small, but remarkable charity started and run by 3 adoptive moms. Their mission is to help the poor orphaned children of Guatamala. They go there twice a year, bringing food, clothing, toys, supplies, and much faith.

The second charity we gave to in October is the SET Foundation. It is a wonderful organization that helps children in Thailand get an education. We are adopting a little girl from Thailand so this is a charity near and dear to our hearts. We love the Thai people, and every child should be able to get an education. It cost so little to give them so much. 

Last, but not least is Safe Haven Orphanage, also in Thailand. A wonderful lady named Tassanee opened up her doors and her heart to a few refugee children from Burma. Years later it has become a full fledged orphanage. Although they have only 2 real rooms, they house MANY children. Still, they do the best they can to make sure the children are fed, clothed, and get an education. The children there are not adoptable, being refugees from one country and yet living in another. They exist only on donations and the sheer will and dedication of this wonderful woman and her staff.

So during this time of readying ourselves for the holidays and shopping for the perfect gifts, let's remember those who need a gift the most. I strongly urge you to consider helping those in need this season. Yes, this isn't my typical post on here, but it is my smartest and most fashionable. Didn't you know? The heart is our BEST accessory!

Sustainable Yet "Fun" Kids Furniture

At one of my favorite stores, Beyond The Stork, I happened upon this great furniture line: Funnable. There are a lot of kids tables out there, but this one grabbed my attention for two reasons. One is the great size of it. Much better than a small square table, this one has room for multiple coloring, painting, craft, or Science Fair projects thanks to a little extra length. However the second reason is even cooler. Each piece is handcrafted from rapidly-renewable bamboo and FSC-certified poplar. It has a non toxic milk paint coating and comes in a bunch of nice finishes. Beautiful, well made, and very GREEN. Priced at $999.99, but worth it. A quality piece of furniture, sure to get a lot of use from multiple children. You can purchase Funnables at the Beyond the Stork store in Peddlers Village, Lahaska, PA, or online at www.mommysluxuries.com. They make other furniture and kids pieces, too. So take a look and happy shopping!

The Diaper Review!

After deciding to cloth diaper our baby, I researched for MONTHS to find the perfect diaper. What I found was there are as many different styles and approaches as there are babies! Okay, maybe not THAT many, but there are far more varieties than I ever would have imagined. Of course, you could go with old fashioned prefolds that are the most cost effective. Maybe in another lifetime I will be that practical, but for now...there are just WAY too many adorable alternatives! Take a look..

Green Acre Designs (known as GADS - shown above) are like home made diapers at their very best. Started by a mom of 2, these can either be bought at retail at shops like the ones below or can be custom made by Shannon of GAD herself! You can pick the color, fabric, snap color, and even embroidery of your baby's pocket diaper. Very clever. And word in the mommy's circles is they are the cloth diapering world's best kept secret. As dependable as they are cute with top notch service. Priced around $15.95 each. 

Happy Heiney's Pocket diaper is not only cute, but also award winning. Tested overnight, it is said to "hold" for 12 hours. It also says better for daytime so I think I am curious to test this out for myself. Pocket diapers are great if you have a heavy wetter, you can always double-stuff the pocket at night. The ones shown here are one size fits all. Thanks to the velcro tabs and adjustable snaps, these grow with your child, from 8 lbs all the way up to 35 lbs! $15-$19 each.

Fuzzi Bunz were the first cloth diapers I bought. After reading TONS of reviews, I just kept hearing again and again how great these diapers are. Considered the "workhorse" of cloth diapers, they are as efficient at holding in a blow-out as they are fuzzy (inside) and cute. Even great for overnight, although many moms say an extra hemp insert was the best way to go for bed time. Soft, adorable, dependable. What more could you want from a cloth diaper? $14 to $19 each.

Thirsties AIO's are another one of those diapers I heard so many good things about. I know I loved the bright, bold colors, and adorable look of these right off the bat. (They have pastels, too). Then I read about their signature leg gussets that hold messes in and how efficient they are. Thirsties is a very green company, too. Their policy is to recycle, reduce, and reuse as much as possible. Gotta love that. Around $17 each.

These diapers are said to be, well,  Genius. I don't know firsthand yet, but I do know they are super-cute and silky-soft. The ones shown are the All-In-Ones and look very easy to use. Rated #1 by many a consumer and got an iParenting Media Award, too. Created by a mom, these AIO's are especially great for Dads, babysitters, and day care staff because they are a one-step diaper like a disposable. Can't wait to try the Bum Genius and see what all the fuss is about. Priced around $15-18 per diaper, but many diapers get sold in bundles which offer great savings. Check out the Bum Genius 3-pack for $53.10 at  Cotton Babies.

Jamtots presents the hippest looking, softest, fuzziest, tushies in town. I'm not sure how they will hold up to an overnight, but for day time they are super cute and a must have. Check out the Berry Plush All-In-One Diapers. At $20.85, these sure aren't your cloth diapers of yester-year. This girl surely can't resist buying at least one of these darling little diapies!

Pricing can vary from site to site. Sales, resales, package deals all come in to play so do search around and compare. If you have tried any of these diapers out or found one you like even better, please share! I welcome all comments. Here are a few retail sites for cloth diaper shopping:

www.cottonbabies.com

www.homegrownbabystore.com

www.jilliansdrawers.com

www.motherofeden.com

www.jamtots.com

www.diaperco.com

www.pamperedbuns.com

Keep in mind that while these may seem a bit pricey at first, you will be reusing them over and over and save far more than you would on disposables. You can also use them for multiple children as they will (with proper care) last a good few years. Another interesting fact is these diapers actual have RESELL VALUE. That's right! There are actually sites out there like www.diaperswappers.com where  you can buy and sell new and used diapers. Found them on Ebay, too! Who would have thought it? Just another good reason to keep your baby fashionably dry and rash free while saving the environment. Happy Shopping!

Diva in Pink

I don't know if I love the coat more or the darling little Diva in it with the big Hollywood looking shades. I'm not sure how I would even feel about it exactly if MY little darling became a diva and started prancing around this way. (Knowing me, I'd probably love it). But still, I have to admit both the coat and the look are pretty darn cute. Oh-so-modern princess! Found all the following pink wear on a C-UTE website for clothes called Tutti Bella.  Just gorgeous kids clothing!

Egg & Avocado Trenchcoat - $74.95

Egg & Avocado Sadie Dress - $54.95

Egg & Avocado Jumper - $54.95

Little Ella Fuschia Bianca Dress - $66.95

Think pink for all your little fashion diva's & happy shopping!

Fashion for Good

Take a look at these hot Hollywood-designed tees! So cute and for a great cause. 5% is donated to the Breast Cancer Network of Strength. There are 6 styles, but I like these 3 the best. You can find them all at Shopbop, along with many other great items benefitting the same cause. Fashion that does good. Now that just makes sense.

Asian Art & Funky Finds

I have a great appreciation for Asian style, art, food, well, you name it. I also love to find unique things. This online store was started by a Mom that adopted a beautiful little girl from China. What better inspiration for collecting pretty little things and sharing with others? Besides, they have the most darling things! Check out www.myfortunatecookie.com and see not only beautiful art, but also dolls (like the beautiful one shown here), adorable children's clothing, tees, jewelry, books and even great stationary! Great holiday gift ideas. Love these cute boxed card sets below.

Lunar Babies Year of the Dog - $12.95 (They come in every animal in Chinese Zodiac)

Jelly Beanz Lucky Children - $12.95 (Other cute styles available, too)

And oh so cute Lady Bug backpack - a super bargain at $14.95 on sale! (Click HERE!) Can you tell I just love Lady Bugs? It's just so cute on kid stuff!

Happy Shopping!!

Cutest Ride In Town

After picking up one of these adorable little rides for our pumpkin, I just had to blog about it. Cute, innovative, well made, and fun. Sure to outlast those plastic get-around toys. Made by Prince Lion Heart Toys out of Australia, these go for around $55-60 for the small one. And a larger version that goes up to $75. Best price I found was $54.55 on Happy Mother's site. For quick shipping and 1 click ordering you can also go to Amazon. 

The Wheel Bug 

The Wheely Bee 

The Wheely Cow

Happy Shopping!!

Have You Heard About Etsy?

Etsy.com is a wonderful site to buy all things hand made. From clothes to dolls to costumes to household items to toys. Here are a few unique finds I found in the toy category:

This is a Scandanavian Matroyoshka Art Doll. 2 examples below from Ravenhill.  Beautiful and unique doll - $34.00

Another one from Ravenhill. A Waldorf-inspired Scandanavian Matroyoshka doll with baby. So sweet.

Check out these precious felt flower hair clips here.

Eco-friendly Scottie Dogs! A great stocking stuffer for only$3.00 plus shipping. 100% organic printed cotton and bamboo filling. Cute, green, and inexpensive...what more could you ask for?

Adorable Kokeshi Wooden Rainbow Dolls from Italy. How super-cute are they? I have to have them. $14.00 + shipping. See them HERE.

Check out Etsy for loads of great finds and gift ideas! Happy Shopping!

Shoe Sale!!!

NORDSTROM. SHOE SALE. 50% OFF!!!! ONLINE ONLY. Apparel, too, but I didn't look yet. Couldn't get past the shoes! What are waiting for?? GO!

www.nordstrom.com

Good Will At Banana Republic

Well, the economy sucks right now, but at least it is causing sales to crop up all over the place! Just got an email this morning from Banana Republic about their big 30% outerwear sale. They have some beautiful pieces this year. What's even better is their drive to turn in your old coats to Good Will. My beautiful little brother is autistic and works at a Good Will. He absolutely LOVES it and they have such a good program to help give a job to the physically and mentally handicapped. Not to mention making affordable clothes and finds for everyone. So stop in Banana, grab a new coat on sale, drop off your old one, and help someone else have a warm and fashionable winter, too! Oh, and don't forget that Good Will could always use more donations of clothing, bags, shoes, and housewares!

Lilla Monster For Your Little Monster

or, uh, angel, of course! LillaMonster makes these darling little blankies for your little ones. I got one of the Lil' Silkies for my baby and it is the cutest, softest little thing. Each blanket is hand made and Lilla Monsters have a wide variety of rare, vintage, retro, and asian prints. Really unique and well made. The Lil' Silkies are meant to be something for baby to hold, like a wubby or woobie or whatever they are calling it these days. It's a comfort thing. They are 18 x 18 and are $29.00. The Monster Silkies are a bit bigger and are a beautiful 30 x 36 receiving blanket at $45.00. Minkee Puff blankets are great for the stroller and SUPER soft. 30 x 36 and $52.00. All come in a large variety of patterns and colors.

Here are a few of my favorite vintage patterns, but really, you have to check out their site. There are SO many great choices. Each can be personalized with your baby's name and initials. Don't see exactly what you are looking for? No problem! They will even customize your blanket exactly how you'd like it. Now that is one special blankie! Makes a really nice shower or baby gift, too!

 

Lovely Linens

Okay, let's drool a bit today. Shall we? These lovely Serena & Lily linens are so pretty that even though I can not buy them right now, I STILL have to oooo and ahhh over the catalog and online store from time to time. A girl can dream, can't she? Seriously, this is the most beautiful crib bedding I have ever seen. And if the bedding isn't enough, they sell a beautiful palette of matching paints to recreate the looks you see below. Stunning!

The Lucy

The Henry

The Maggie (new 100% organic line)

I am not posting the cost for these as I can not be responsible for either your heart attack or the panic attack your husband will have after you purchase them. However, you can click on the link and see all the visual delights they have dreamt up over at Serena & Lily. It's worth a peak!

Gymboree 60% Off Sale!

One of the things I just LOVE about Gymboree is they have GREAT sales. They update their inventory often and then discount the old when the new comes in. Another thing I love is their ADORABLE clothes that always have matching hats, shoes, socks, tights, hair ties, you name it. Click on the link above and start saving!

Duex par Duex

I stumbled across this fabulous European style children's clothing line this year and am totally hooked! Bright colors, trend setting styles, sparkling patterns, and playful designs are all a part of the Montreal based company's look.

This new fall collection, in particular, has me really excited! Duex by Duex is sold at many high end boutiques and shops. My favorite site for shopping Duex by Duex is A Child's Closet. It's a REALLY great online children's boutique. They not only have a wide variety of items from this brand, but also a whole lot more!

Happy Shopping!!

Coquette Hot Pink (Faux) Fur Trim Hooded Coat $79-$92

Coquette Stripe Mittens with Pom Poms - $20

Coquette socks (2 pairs) - $10

Coquette Pink Print Fur bottom Jumper w/Sap Green Tee and stripe tights - $ 99-$109

Coquette Simply Adorable Pink/Brown Stripe Sweater Dress and stripe tights - $96-$100