Hooray for no sugar added!

Easter is right around the corner, and if you are anything like me, you are trying to come up with something simple, sweet, soft & springy for your little one’s basket. Anything but more chocolate, right?

So in my quest for just the right basket fillings, I eventually wound up where many of us are ending up these days, on Etsy. As I was scrolling through the various handmade toys, it quickly became apparent that maybe this wasn’t the best place to shop for my boys... Regardless, my quest continued, and I stumbled upon what I think must be one of the cutest play food sets ever!

Etsy designer Creativetouches1 makes and sells these precious little fabric cupcakes, for use with tea parties & other play food activities. So although my boys don't bake and they don't serve tea, I thought maybe your kids might, so I wanted to share! I just think they are so cute, that I would almost get some to display in my shabby chic guest room!

Check them out, and pick them up for a sweet {non-sugary} addition to the Easter basket! While you are on the site, also be sure to check out the adorable felt sugar cookies that are decorated for Easter, and the creative felt teabags!

Edited to add: As I posted this review, Colin just came up to me and asked, "Mama, can I have one of those cupcakes with Alex? Can I Mama?" Deceiving, aren't they?

Wishing for a girl... {GIVEAWAY}

... because these adorable hair clips are sooo "me" and I would love to use them on some baby fine girly hair...

I always find myself truly mesmerized while perusing the grosgrain ribbon section in my local craft shop. Always wishing for a reason to use the ribbons. I actually even considered scooping up a few spools for use on my customized stationery designs... As if I need another distraction!

But my personal issues aside, let me just share these adorable hair clips with you. Ribbies Clippies were created by two sisters {and moms of girls} when they, like me, spotted an adorable selection of grosgrain in a local craft store. Also like myself, these women weren't into frilly hair bows, yet wanted something cool & cute to keep the hair out of their little ones' precious faces. While the ribbons are beautiful, what makes these clips even more special is the underlying "trick" for keeping them in baby fine hair all day long. Each clip has a color-coordinated foam grip in between the two prongs which holds the clip right where you put it, for hours of enjoyment. They are so comfortable, your little one won't even know it's there!

Ribbies Clippies are available in a ton of colors, families and patterns, and they are reasonably priced at just $6 per pair or $14 for a gift set. And what I love most about this company is their outreach program. Inspired by the brave young girls battling cancer, and the symbolism of hair regrowth, Ribbies Clippies donates 25 pairs of clips each month to children's cancer treatment centers around the country.

BabyLuxe is excited to be giving away a super cute gift set to one special reader! All you need to do to win is leave a comment telling me what your favorite Ribbies "family" is. You can find all the families on the Ribbies Clippies web site. Be sure to leave your first name, last initial or email address in the comment so that I can distinguish you if you win! I will take comments for one week, so be sure to check back for the winners name, which I will announce next Tuesday!

Please note that your selection might not be the one that we have as a giveaway, but all entries are eligible to win.

And as a special gift to the rest of you, take 10% off with coupon code "babyluxe" at checkout!

Baby lounge wear!

Seriously people, who doesn't love lounge wear? So why should your baby be denied such comfort? Check out this adorable etsy shop, Mountain Aven Baby, for super cute lounge sets for babies and tots! I am loving the Koto Japanese set {pictured above}, and Alex just loves his Chocolate Bamboo set! He wore it several days ago; after pajamas, before outfit. It is the perfect in between clothing for his breakfast, morning playtime and morning nap. I mean, would you want to nap in your jeans? I didn't think so.

All of their designs are available in the size of your choice, with long or short sleeves. Each appliqué piece is individually stitched for quality and detail, while matching pants are trimmed in grosgrain ribbon and seams are professionally finished.

Mountain Aven Baby also sells individual t-shirts and onesies, and adorable bibs {in your choice of over 4 dozen fabrics}!

They are generously offering 15% off to BabyLuxe readers. Just mention BabyLuxe15 in the comments section, and 15% will be refunded after the transaction goes through. So, are you thinking what I am thinking? Easter!

Oh my gosh, look at this one! Too stinkin' cute!

15% off all Britax carseats at Babystyle for ONE WEEK only! No code necessary.

Revisiting an old favorite!

I am not exactly sure what draws me to this designer so much. Maybe it is her beautifully simple textiles. Maybe it is because she is based out of a locale dear to my heart. It could possibly be that she was one of the first designers I featured on BabyLuxe, and the first Etsy designer I ever did business with. Maybe it is because we have two little boys in common... Or maybe I feel that she deserves a ton of recognition from me, because when I featured her the last time, and she posted about the review on her blog, my site traffic multiplied exponentially {ok, maybe not that much, but a ton}!

Whatever the case may be, I wanted to re-visit one of my favorite designers and let you all know just how much she has evolved in 6 short months. The first time I reviewed Quilt Baby, I featured her adorable hand appliquéd onesies. We have the elephant onesie, and I am so sad to report that it no longer fits! Last summer, Jesseca was just starting to design her modern nursery bedding and accessories, and now they are quickly becoming a household name. Specifically, her modern felt mobiles have appeared in numerous parenting publications, and I've seen her crib sets popping up here and there as well.

With a great new website to showcase her practical & modern designs, Quilt Baby is offering BabyLuxe readers a free bib with every purchase of $20 or more! Just specify your print choice when checking out. This offer is good for one week only - ending February 29th!

Any of the Quilt Baby products, paired with a matching bib, would make a super cool baby shower gift!

New arrivals at Mairzey Dotes!

So excited to share the news with you that Mairzey Dotes has just launched its brand new 2008 collection, which includes some bee-u-ti-ful fabrics & prints! Introducing their new "nursery rhyme" reversible collection in '08, you'll find prints such as this doggy one, an adorable mockingbird print, and super cute polka stripe in pink or yellow! Designed to grow with your baby, they are perfect for floor play, special outings, and just hanging out in baby's nursery.


They still have their ever popular vintage collection & the practical receiving collection, which includes a sampling of the new designs as well!

And to celebrate the new arrival, they are hosting a sale for 10% off through March 14th. Just enter the code CONGRATS at checkout!

www.mairzeydotes.com

A treasure to be read & shared!

In case you're starting to think about what to get your children for Easter or an upcoming birthday, do I have the perfect idea for you? Colin, my 3 year old, recently received the sweetest, most creative hard cover story book, personalized just for him. Now I know we've all seen lots of personalized books that use the child's name &/or birth date, but this one is much better!

Instead of just inserting your child's first name into the pages, The First Adventures of Incredible You actually goes quite a bit further, and personalizes each page of the book with many special touches, such as your child's favorite sports team, a local park, nearby beach, who he is most likely to look at stars with & listen to music with, just to name a few. There are over 20 pages of personalization, which are seamlessly incorporated into the beautifully written story, starting with the first day your child was born, through the many adventures that he or she is sure to experience in early childhood. The verse on each page rhymes wonderfully, and the illustrations are vivid & inspirational.

An award winning book, The First Adventures of Incredible You would make an absolutely wonderful treasured keepsake for any child in your life. And just so he'll always remember the special person that gave him the book, there is a dedication page at the beginning which you can have personalized.

Just in time for Easter, BabyLuxe readers take an exclusive 15% off with code "babyluxe15" through March 15th.

http://custommadeforkids.com

Something girly for this mom of boys!

So many new moms are mistakenly led to believe that if they are having a boy, they can't carry a pink diaper bag. I beg to differ. You're carrying the bag, not your son - so go ahead, and let your girly side show!

One such bag is the new Skip Hop City Chic, in Park Ave Tulip! Made for the stylish mom on the go, it is essentially two bags in one! You get a great decent size diaper tote AND a removable matching clutch that conveniently attaches to the side of the tote. They blend together so well, you wouldn't even be able to tell it was a second bag, if you didn't know better. Use the clutch for your essentials when you're out and about, and don't need the diaper bag, or use it to store just the diapering essentials {diapers & wipes}. It is the perfect size for either! Made from matte laminated cotton canvas which makes it waterproof inside and out, and luxurious leather trim, it comes with a soft cushioned changing pad & has plenty of roomy pockets for bottles & all yours & baby's accessories!

Carry the tote or clutch over your shoulder or on your wrist, or use the unique stroller clips that you'll find conveniently hidden inside the bag!

I received this stylish bag a week or so ago, and am totally torn over what to do with it. It is so adorable & SO practical, and I so wish I could use it every day. But the problem is, we are getting to the point of not really needing a diaper bag anymore, or at least not one quite so big & roomy. Logical reasoning thoughts for keeping the bag keep running through my head - I could use it for my laptop this coming fall when I am working remotely and it would really make the "perfect" air travel carry-on bag! And the pink & brown print is oh so girly, and perfect for spring and summer! Ah, I think I may have just talked myself into keeping it. What do you think?

Check out this bag & the other stylish prints at Let's Go Strolling, where you'll find the best selection of high-quality strollers, designer diaper bags, new baby gifts and all best baby and new mom products.

Always free shipping on orders over $99!
www.letsgostrolling.com

Talkin' bout manners & mother Earth...

So our older son is at that age, when its time to start teaching him more than just please, thank you & excuse me. And what better topic to start with, than table manners? He knows all about chewing with his mouth closed, not talking while he's eating & not playing with his food {not that he truly follows those rules 100% of the time}. But today we talked about keeping a napkin in our lap, while we eat. And I had this great little new company to help me with this lesson, called Fabkins!

Fabkins were created by two moms looking for a way to make their kids lunches as waste-free as possible. Made of 100% cotton, they are sold in sets of 5 adorable & playful designs that are small enough for little kids laps & hands. Not only do they teach important table manners, but they also make mealtime fun & teach kids about environmental awareness.

We used a couple today, and I have to say I was a bit apprehensive about my 3 year olds ability to comprehend the whole concept. Well, he proved me wrong, and used his little napkin throughout his entire dinner & wiped himself clean when he was through. I even caught him trying to teach his baby brother a lesson or two while they ate. While little bro is a bit too little for such comprehension, being the good mommy I am, I supplemented a Fabkin in lieu of the paper towel I usually use to wipe his hands and face. I just wet it with some warm water, and scrubbed him clean. And my gosh, those napkins dry fast! I always dismissed the idea of using a washcloth because I cannot stand the nasty mildew smell they acquire after only two meals, not to mention how long they take to dry. But not the Fabkins - the one I wet was dry & smelled good as new within an hour!

I can honestly say that we'll be incorporating our Fabkins into our daily mealtime routine from now on, and I'd recommend everyone else try them out too! Also check out the cool programs that they support for environmental awareness in schools!

Goin' to the hospital and you're....

Gonna have a ba-a-a-by.... {sing it with me}


It's only the most important day of your life, next to your wedding, and you plan on wearing WHAT? A grungy old used hospital gown? Ick. Why not deliver in style, in a Girlie Gown? I definitely wasn't aware of anything this great when my children made their big debut, but now all of you pregnant ladies out there have no excuse not to look pretty on your big day!

These fabulous gowns were born out of the frustration that one mom felt when she checked in to have her first baby, and was met with the ugliest gown you could imagine. Sure, she was stuck with the grungy gown that first time around, but you can bet that by the time baby #2 came around for her, Girlie Gowns were well on their way to success. Just recently launched to the public, Girlie Gowns are available in adorable designer fabrics. The gowns are just as functional, as they are fashionable. With a front opening that velcro's and ties closed at the top, and a back that is open at the top half {also closing with 3 ribbon ties}, your doctor will have all the access he or she needs, while you will be spared the slightest fraction of modesty, not to mention how fabulous you'll look!

So go ahead, get dressed up for the occasion, in a Girlie Gown! And if you're not the one having a baby, they sell adorable Girlie Gown gift baskets like this one.

BabyLuxe readers take 15% off with coupon code BLUXE15, through the end of the year!

Bumkins, Bumkins, Bumkins

Have you ever heard so much great stuff about a product, scratched your head, and said to yourself, "Hmm, sounds like I should try that product..."? But then you never do. And you go on like this for a long time, wondering about all the hype... You could say that I am this way, with a well known company, called Bumkins.

Now that I am on child #2, who is a very busy little toddler, we've been through our share of messy eater bibs. I have always just sort of grabbed whatever was available at the store at the time that I needed to stock up, and never really thought through my purchase. Well, now that I recently had the opportunity to sample the waterproof Bumkins SuperBib, I can honestly tell you that I won't ever make that spontaneous bib purchase again. We've had ours for a little over a week now, and it is way better than I could have ever imagined. So thin, so waterproof, so much "coverage" and so darn CUTE! It rinses off, and dries beautifully, so it is ready & waiting for us with each passing meal. No more mildew stenched, soaking wet & crunchy feeling bib for my little one.

Bumkins has come out with some adorable new prints for their waterproof bib line. So for all you long-time users & fans, you must check out their new designs! And for those of you just joining the messy eater scene, save yourself the headache of wasting your time with generic plastic bibs, and start fresh with the #1 toddler bib on the market, the Bumkins SuperBib!

Bumkins also carries a line of smocks, organic bibs, waterproof bags & even cloth diaper covers. All made with the same high quality & excellent value, you're sure to find something perfect for your little one at Bumkins!

Check out the entire collection, including the new urban green and urban pink, here!

The gift of sleep

With the amount of proven research on the remarkable benefits of swaddling, it still blows my mind that some new parents give up on it so quickly and easily. These are the same parents that will tell you, with dark circles under their eyes, that their 3, 6 and even 9 month old is still waking 2-3 times per night. I know I have said it before, and I will say it again, swaddling is the best thing that you can do to soothe your baby and encourage longer sleep! It is what I did with both of my boys, who both I might add, slept through the night at 9 weeks, and never looked back. I actually swaddled Alex for 6 months, and had to "wean" him from it, because we both loved it so much. Yet, I hear the same excuses time and time again - he wiggles out, she hates it, he is too big for swaddling, I can't do it right...

So I am hopeful that this product, created and sold by Luna Lullaby, will encourage more parents to stick with it and make long-term swaddling & a full-night's sleep, a reality! The Soothing Blanket, which comes in a set of three coordinating prints, with an educational DVD, is made of 100% cotton muslin, which is a soft, lightweight, breathable fabric. It is this special muslin which allows baby to regulate his or her own body temperature, without overheating, as some other swaddling blankets and alternative use blankets do. The generous 44 x 44 inch stretchy blankets are sized perfectly to grow from newborn to larger babies. The stretch factor helps to keep a snug fit so that baby can't wiggle out. The accompanying DVD will teach new parents the art of swaddling, featuring two step by step swaddle techniques, and nationally acclaimed baby expert, Corky Harvey MS, RN, CLC.

A couple of other fantastic uses for these specific blankets are a lightweight nursing cover in summer months and a sunshade for stroller rides - keeping the hot sun & nasty bugs out of baby's face.

So there should be no excuses! The Soothing Blanket is the perfect gift for new & expecting parents. It's like a whole coordinated and tidy package in one, with no need for anything else. While it may not look like the most "luxurious" gift on the outside {although still VERY cute} I guarantee that the luxury of sleep, which will stem from this product, is the best thing those new parents could ever ask for!

Check out the entire collection here!
BabyLuxe readers take 10% off with code "babyluxe10". While you are on the site, check out some of their other adorable products! I'll be reviewing the Bosom Baby pillow soon, so check back for it.

The Pink & Blue has arrived!

I'm so delighted to share with you the news that the ultimate in luxury "strolling" has arrived - the brand new exclusive limited edition “Boy Meets Girl” Pink & Blue version of the Valco Twin Trimode! On sale now at Let's Go Strolling!

While I cannot say that I own this {for obvious reasons - read, two boys}, or that I have even tried it, I can't help but point out the luxury and practicality of this stroller. Not only is it just the right colors for all of you "one of each" families, but it is also one of the highest rated, safest, most durable all-terrain double strollers on the market today. The "Boy Meets Girl" Pink & Blue Limited Edition Valco Twin Trimode comes fully loaded with matching pink and blue footmuffs, individual and easily removeable pink and blue bumper bars, zip-in UV shade, rain cover, tire pump, parent cupholder and more and is still the same Valco Twin Trimode that parents around the world adore.

Check it out here!

Let's Go Strolling offers free stroller consultations, an awesome assortment of practical gifts and accessories to go along with their complete line of strollers, excellent customer service and FREE shipping on all orders over $99!

In honor of Super Tuesday...

... and the 2008 presidential campaign, let your little ones show off who they stand for with these adorable political party t-shirts, designed by Emily Allyn.


At this great t-shirt shop for babies and kids, you can choose either the little republican or little democrat symbolic designs, among a ton of other adorable designs, and have them printed on a variety of clothing pieces, including short and long-sleeve bodysuits and tees, pants, bibs and even organic bodysuits. All pieces are 100% combed, baby rib cotton, which translates to super soft!

Emily Allyn is running their biggest sale ever right now as well! First and foremost, shipping is free on all orders over $20. Long sleeves are on sale for 17.95, baby tees are just 15.95, and all gift sets are on sale too. That is just a few of the amazing deals that are going on over there.

So head on over, and hook your sweetness {or someone else's for that matter} up with some political pride this year!

The epitomy of our existance {GIVEAWAY}!

So here is a fabulous new product that I couldn't wait to share with you! The epitomy of BabyLuxe, the Nursing Sleeve, created by The Baby Institute, is an absolute luxury! This ingenious little product serves a variety of uses, but its main purpose is to provide baby with a soft & cushy pillow while nursing {or feeding}. Simply slip it around your forearm, and rest baby's head upon it, creating a comfy blessing for both of you. Made from some of the softest & most luxurious polymicrofibers available, all Nursing Sleeves are 100% reversible, a generous 15x8 inches, with an optional ruffle trim {on the Kate and Connor prints}.

The Nursing Sleeve can also serve as a pillow for when you are changing baby on the go, a burp cloth & with prints this fashionable, a fabulous diaper bag accessory. This is one hot new accessory that would make any new mommy {and baby} happy!
An absolute must have, this is the perfect baby shower gift alone, or paired with one of The Baby Institute's sumptuous matching blankets!

For your chance to win your very own Nursing Sleeve, send me an email (babyluxedaily@gmail.com) telling me what famous fashion designer employed Michelle, the owner of The Baby Institute! Hint - this information can be found on The Baby Institute web site! Enter the fashion designer's name in the subject heading. One name will be drawn from the list of readers that email me, on Friday evening! Note, pink and blue are available.

Click here to see the entire collection!
BabyLuxe readers take 20% off for 3 days only! Use code BABYLUXE (all caps) through February 7th!

CONGRATULATIONS TO MELISSA S. IN NEW YORK ON WINNING HER VERY OWN NURSING SLEEVE!