Stylish, unique, and different

Written by guest editor Shannon

I am always looking for clothing that is “different” for my girls. Designs and fashions that are comfortable, stylish, unique and really make any girl standout in the crowd. I got exactly what I was looking for with Denise DeMarchis's Matilda Jane clothing line!

Denise basically started "designing" clothing as a young, adventurous fifth grader. To this day Denise still loves what she does and is committed to the unique clothing combinations she envisions and creates with the support of her children and husband.

What makes Matilda Jane unique is their use of colorful fabrics and trendy styles. Each item my youngest daughter wore was truly eye-popping. The different patterns and colors used to make the clothing help to create an almost mosaic-like garment. The small details, like flower shaped buttons, add to the uniqueness of the line.

The fabrics are remarkably soft and durable. One of the outfits my 2 year old wore survived a full morning of park activities with no complaints. Each item is sized perfectly too. There were no droops, sags, nor the ever-dreaded peeking belly from a top that continues to rise in the front.

This stylish line is great for any mom who likes for her children to be a little different; and it's not only for the girls! Matilda Jane also has a limited time boys selection; Mighty Acorns! AND, a women's collection as well! I cannot wait to see more from Matilda Jane!

You could be a winner of a piece of Matilda Jane's women's collection in our Mother's Day giveaway!

Style on the go {for kids}!

KidLuxe Edition

After having been on many {many} a weekend jaunt, day trips, and morning of errands with both kids in the past several months, I was desperately searching for the perfect, easy-access solution to all of those "But Mommy, can I bring just three toys?" instances. Fortunately, just in time for our recent road trip to NY, my dilemma was solved; with an Ellie Bellie Kids Mini-Messenger bag of course!

The EBK Mini-Messenger bags are a stylish & practical accessory for children ages 3 and up, to carry all of their prized possessions and necessities. Colin loves to tote around his 3 favorite "shake and go" cars practically everywhere we go. For times that we need quiet entertainment, he packs up his bag with paper, crayons & his favorite stamps. And of course, we can't go anywhere without packing him some fruit snacks & a drink. All of this and more, fit perfectly inside his Mini-Messenger.Other products under the EBK label: the Cape & the Tutu. We also have a personalized cape in our house, which is a welcome alternative to the party-store plastic capes only available during Halloween season; perfect for your little super hero! Sadly, we may never have the chance at a Tutu in our house, but knowing the attention to detail and quality that I see in the Cape and Mini-Messenger, I can only imagine that the Tutu's are nothing short of fabulous!


Speaking of fabulous, if not for anything else, I suggest you head on over to Ellie Bellie Kids, just to witness their gorgeous new web site! You will surely be blown away by the imagery on the site, and some of you may even recognize the soda shop where the home page was filmed.

Ellie Bellie Kids is one very special company dedicated to enriching the lives of children with classic play products that spark creativity, individualism & a whole lot of fun. Mom & founder of EBK, Jennifer Cooper, is also dedicated to supporting several wonderful causes. Therefore, a portion of their sales are donated to Autism Service Dogs of America.

So if you are in the mood to give your child or a child you care about, the chance to enjoy these wonderful classics, definitely head over to the Ellie Bellie Kids site where you can take 20% off all orders between now and May 15th with the coupon code luxe20.

Give baby a "Green" lifestyle {Giveaway}

As “D Day” approaches for baby boy #3, I find myself searching for ways to cut our budget but still find great products and services that were not available or I didn’t know about with the older boys. So of course, making my own baby food fits under cutting the budget and a new idea that I have not tried before. {Well, with Connor I mashed up some bananas and I think crushed some apples in the blender a few times, does that count?}I’m sure some of you have already tried this concept, but for the ones like me who have no clue {or think you don’t have the time} or even for you veteran baby food making mamas, I have a great find for you all! Fresh Baby website, newsletter, and products make this process so unbelievable simple! This one site contains all you need to start as soon as baby is old enough, answers all your questions, and provide continuous tips for healthy “eating & feeding” for you and baby. Did you know it should really only take you less than 30 minutes a week to make your baby food? Can you believe it! I’m so excited to get started!

The So Easy Baby Food Kit has taught me a ton already! The So Easy Baby Food Cookbook is full of some extremely important information, from safety basics when making your own baby food, to managing your time correctly so you truly can stay within 30 minutes a week, and of course plenty of recipes {starting with how to shop for the best food product, how to prep and cook it, what variations to serve with it, and storing tips}. This kit also comes with 2 freezer trays, a How-To DVD, and a fabulous little nutrition card. Everything you need to get started OR to make things easier than what you are already doing.

With the “Green”, organic society we live in today, start teaching your children the earth friendly way of eating, before they even talk, with this “so much easier than I thought, money saving, waste cutting, HEALTHY” lifestyle!

Fresh Baby has been extremely generous to not only donate 3 So Easy Baby Food Kits to our Mother’s Day giveaway but to also include 1 So Easy Baby Food Kit giveaway with this feature! Please leave us a comment with at least 2 “Green Facts” for the environment and/or baby when making your own baby food. {Hint: see the “It’s SO EASY being Green” section of the Fresh Baby home page}. Good luck to all!

Posted By Dana

Congrats to Melissa, our Fresh Baby winner!! Check your email Melissa! And thank you to everyone, keep reading for more exciting giveaways!

Handmade and customized just for you!

Mamaluxe Edition

When you are looking for a gift to give or a little splurge on yourself, jewelry should always be at the top of the list. And better yet, custom design jewelry made just for the recipient is a gift any woman would love and cherish! So as Mother’s Day approaches and you continue to look for the perfect gift {for yourself, and as you leave those little hints around the house for your kids and husband to pick up on}, look no further than the Swedish designs of Zandra Faulkner.
I received my very own handmade Bellazandra birthstone bracelet, with Mother charm, recently and have not stopped raving about it! Knowing that it was made just for me, and looks so fabulous and stylish, makes this one of the most prized pieces of jewelry I own.

Whether you’re looking for an actual Mother’s bracelet, with children’s names and birthstones, personalized awareness bracelets such as Breast Cancer, or even adorable children bracelets (great First Communion gift as that time approaches), Bellazandra has a wide selection for that perfect gift. From birthstones, to specific clasps, to charms, and sterling silver, take your time browsing and choosing the most exceptional design for yourself or your loved one.

Even more exciting, Bellazandra is offering Babyluxe readers 10% off with the promo code BABYLUXE {valid thru May 31^st}. AND, Bellazandra is also one of our sponsors with a fabulous gift certificate in our Mother’s Day giveaway!

Posted by Dana

Making childbirth stress free and entertaining! {Giveaway}

Written by guest {pregnant with twins} editor Lisa

During my prerequisite hospital tour to orient myself with the maternity ward, I was excited to sign up for some of the classes the hospital offered. As I approached each table, I was disappointed to find that I needed to sign up for the classes the day I first saw that 2^nd pink line! All of the classes were full well past my due date!

If you already have children, hearken back to the days before delivery: there were some things that were slightly uncomfortable to discuss, things that you may have felt silly asking. I’ve heard that all of that modesty flies out the window after giving birth, but not having navigated that path yet, there were those things that even when asking my closest friends I preface it with “ok, I have a labor question”. Even after reading a half a dozen books, I still had some questions. Thank goodness for the Laugh and Learn series! Sheri Bayles makes the answers to all of those questions feel like the most natural thing in the world. She ties in humor with direct factual information. Sheri truly is an expert childbirth coach!

The first video I watched was Laugh and Learn About Childbirth which covered signs of labor, labor & comfort measures, delivery, medications, inductions, Cesarean Delivery and postpartum. This was a welcome change from getting caught up on the internet every time a Braxton Hicks contraction hit me {“am in labor? How long did that last? Was that a cramp or something I ate?”} Sheri’s many credentials prepared her to answer all of the questions you either forgot to ask your doctor during your last appointment {placenta brain?} or just felt ridiculous asking. What I found most helpful was that this video answered all of the “what ifs?” Even though every woman may not have a forceps or vacuum delivery, understanding what they are and the risks and safety surrounding them would put any expectant mom at ease.

The next video I tackled was Laugh and Learn About Breastfeeding. This covered the typical stuff: feeding positions, burping, breastfeeding twins {of special interest to me}, as well as overcoming obstacles & pumping. If you are entertaining breastfeeding your baby, you probably have a certain comfort level with the whole concept of it, but again there are some things that you may not think of until you encounter them or just don’t want to ask. Sheri’s experience as a lactation consultant made her able to describe the process in a pragmatic way, while still making me laugh. After all, if you can’t laugh about a lot of this stuff, how can you possibly make it through? Also, having some visual examples of the “how to’s” is much more helpful than reading about it. While all women can grasp the concept of latching on {for better or worse}, actually seeing it and having it described simultaneously makes it a little less daunting.

The last video I watched was Laugh and Learn About Newborn Baby Care. This short video covered bathing, changing & swaddling. Again, watching all of those things done, while Sheri talks through each step, made me feel that each was a feasible task. When watching friends or relatives take care of their children, I find myself often in awe at how easily they handle it & then I immediately think “how am I going to get a onesie off of a teeny baby?” {After putting my nephew’s diaper on backwards, I had lost all confidence}. However, Sheri’s step by step guide and clear comfort with the babies made it seem definitely do-able!

The added bonus to all of this is that I was able to convince my husband to watch them. I think that alone speaks volumes of this series. After all, expectant moms are voracious for knowledge & dads kind of sit back, figuring either that we have it covered or that somehow this knowledge will appear in their brains. Read a book? Come on! The Laugh and Learn Series both held his attention & even prompted a few questions!

I can understand why so many people rave about Sheri’s videos. They truly are a find!

Win your own Laugh and Learn DVD set here at Babyluxe! When visiting the Laugh and Learn site, which of Sheri's DVDs in the series would help you out the most and why? Please leave your comment by May 2nd! Good luck! ALSO, these great DVD sets were generously donated to our Mother's Day contest as well! So if you don't win now, you may just win later!

Congrats to our Laugh and Learn winner Jordan! Check your email Jordan! Thanks to all!

Few hours left in Bling Baby giveaway AND {website issues}

You have til midnight to get your comment in for the Bling Baby giveaway! Good luck! {See the April 16th post for details}
And, a quick comment from Sarah and I on a couple issues with the site lately that we hope the new site {less than 2 weeks left til launch} will correct. I'm sure you all have noticed a strange log in pop up when you first visit our site, please just cancel this and hold tight. This will go away once we switch over to the new site, we're not sure where it came from or how to get rid of it at this point. Also, we are working out some issues with the "morning" email {I'm sure you've noticed that some of our emails are not coming in the morning as they should be OR they come 2 or 3 times a day}. Again, so sorry, this should be corrected shortly as well to a once a day email feature.
Sorry for any inconvenience these issues may have caused you! Thank you for your support!

One small creation goes a long way!

Kidluxe Edition

Every once in a while you’ll come across that one product that makes you think, “Why didn’t I think of that”? I had been pulling my hair out for years, scrubbing the carpets, mopping the floors, trying to get rid of the juice stains from those overfilled juice boxes that my kids just have to have! Not anymore! The juice never reaches the floor now!

“Careful, don’t squeeze it, DON’T SQUEEZE IT”! How many times have you said that in reference too a child grabbing hold of a juice box and squeezing it before it reaches their mouths? That is exactly what Yvonne, founder of My Dwink Box, had said to her kids over and over again until she created this ingenious product!

Dwink holds most juice pouches and boxes including soy milk and those extra small boxes. It’s dishwasher safe; and its cute little design {with perfect sized handles} is great for any age {young toddlers just starting out up to the elementary kids who just don’t pay attention}. It’s just one of those must have products that you’ll wonder how you lived so long without! And, your house and your children’s shirts will stay a bit cleaner!

With 4 bright colors to choose from and an amazing price, stock up on you’re My Dwink Boxes now…you’ll need one for home, the car, grandma’s house, daycare, lunchboxes, etc…

Posted by Dana

Few hours left in K'NEX giveaway!

K'NEX contest ends Wednesday night at midnight so get your comment and answer to us soon to win the Dueling Racers! {See April 15th post for details}
Good luck to all!

The one-hand-reaches-all, new parent necessity!

Just as every expecting mom does, with each of my pregnancies, I spent countless hours preparing for the baby's arrival. When I was pregnant with Alex however, I tried to think about all the things that I could re-use, before deciding what new gadgets and gear would become my practical necessities. After all, I am practical by nature...

One such practical necessity that I definitely should have considered, but didn't, was the SaraBear diaper caddy. When our first baby Colin was a newborn, we lived in a quaint & cozy ranch, with all rooms within ear-shot & quick walking distance. So naturally, Colin's nursery was the main "changing" hub. It was just as quick to get to his room, as it was to go anywhere else in the house. However, by the time Alex came along, we had moved in to a larger, two story home. Why I never even considered the thought of just how many times I would go up and down the stairs each day, in those early months, just to change a diaper, grab a burp cloth, pacifier, etc; looking back, I chalk it all up to momnesia.

Eventually, I did set up a changing station downstairs, but let me tell you, it was anything but attractive. A pile of diapers, a wipes case, some ointment, and other basic necessities, all thrown together in an old, dingy white plastic coated wire organizer bin. It actually came from our college apartment, 10 years ago... Ick!

So that being said, should I ever travel down that path again; the path of preparing for yet another baby, I will for certain be using a SaraBear diaper caddy!

Each SaraBear diaper caddy is made with 100% cotton fabric liner, in a shaker style wood basket. There are 4 cubbies, perfect for a full size wipes container, diapers, burp cloths & bibs, and four additional pockets; one shallow one for smaller items. With the beautiful fabric choices they offer, you are sure to find a caddy that suits your home decor perfectly!

SaraBear diaper caddies are available for retail at one of BabyLuxe's favorite online boutiques, The Polkadot Platypus. You can take 15% off your entire order with the code "polkadot"!

Or maybe you would like to wait and try your luck at the Mother's Day contest... BabyLuxe will be giving away one SaraBear diaper caddy, generously donated by The Polkadot Platypus, as part of one of our amazing giveaway gift sets!

Proud to Mom!

Mamaluxe Edition

There has been one amazing little maternity tee circling our group of friends as we pass along our maternity clothes from one pregnant lady to the next. {Seriously, I think these clothes have gone through well over 10 pregnancies and counting}. This one tee stands out, we’ve all worn it, and it still looks as cute as it did with the first mama!

Preggers n' Proud slogan tees and tanks are so perfect for Mommies and Daddies who want to make a statement! My girlfriends and I made our first “prego” statements with the “Lovin’ My Budda Belly” maternity tee. Now we can add the “Happy Mother’s Day to Me” tee to the pack! What a great design from Preggers n' Proud for the up coming holiday! I’m sure you all agree that Mother’s Day is our day to shine {and relax, and be pampered, and be spoiled, and so on} so make that statement, pregnant or not, that you are MOM and you are proud!

Get free shipping on your Preggers n' Proud purchases with the code BABYLUXE (not to be combined with any other offers). Stock up for Mother’s and Father’s Day, and don’t forget to check out the baby tees and nursing necklaces!

Preggers n' Proud is also one of our many sponsors for the Mother’s Day giveaway! And stayed tuned for another feature from Preggers n' Proud next month for those Daddies on your list for Father’s Day!

Posted by Dana

Few hours left for Dino 5 giveaway!

Tomorrow morning we'll pick 3 lucky Babyluxe winners to receive the Dino 5 CD/sticker sets. See the April 10th feature for details! Hurry and good luck!
{See April 10th post for winners!}

For your sparkly little princess {GIVEAWAY}!

It's review opportunities like this that really make me wish I had a little girl... Of course you know I am kidding, and that I would never wish for anything but the sweet boys that I have! Even so, I can dream. With these sweet little shoes, I picture "my imaginary little princess", frolicking around in her tu-tu & leotard. Or maybe just a pretty little pink dress.


Perfect for that newborn princess photo-op, check out these adorable shoes, by Bling Baby! A sweet little ballet slipper, with satin tie-bow, these shoes are adorned with perfect little bling princess crowns. Bling-Baby uses only the finest quality swarovski crystals on all of their products, to ensure the ultimate in sparkle.

BabyLuxe is excited to have the opportunity to give away one set of these sweet little bling shoes, to one lucky princess "newborn"! To enter the contest, simply check out the Bling Baby site, and let us know the name of the little baby girl that inspired Bling Baby to become what it is! Make sure you leave your comment by April 23rd, and be sure to leave your email address, so that we can contact you if you win!

And for those of you in the market for some other great bling, take 20% off your order, just by following up your order with an email to Jen, at Bling Baby. Tell her about BabyLuxe, and she will refund your purchase by 20%!

Congratulations to Sara on winning these precious slippers! Sara, please check your email!

Happy Building!

Kidluxe Edition

There are not many ways to keep a young elementary age child quiet, still, and occupied for an extended period of time, except of course with some type of stimulating building toy. Something to keep their little fingers and minds going!

A favorite brand among young builders everywhere, K’NEX has a new Spring line that includes Cool Construction, Rescue Assortment, and Dueling Racers! My 6 year recently got a couple new sets to construct with; and construct he did! With the easy to follow direction books that came with each set, he was on his way to an imaginative afternoon. It’s an amazing sight to watch a child play so intently and so focused on the task of building their creation just right. K’NEX are truly not just toys; but innovated, educational products as well.

Let me comment on a great feature with the New Dueling Racers we received. Once the construction is complete, these cars turn into battery operated, motorized racers! So the fun continues on! The components on the Spring K’NEX product line are of course compatible with all other K’NEX parts, and also compatible with other leading building systems too! You can see why this brand is “the world’s most innovative construction toy company”; they make and sell age appropriate, mind building, imaginative fun!

Babyluxe has a Dueling Racers set to giveaway to one lucky child! As you are browsing through all the great offers and sections of the K'NEX site, can you comment back to us what simple drinking product started it all? {Hint: About Us, K'NEX history} Good luck!

And the winner is: Bunny B! Congrats! Check your email Bunny B! Thanks everyone!

Make the announcement special for all!

It’s so hard to find just the right way to tell your child or children that your family will be expanding soon! And even harder to prepare them over the next few months for what to expect when the new baby arrives but still make them feel special and loved through the entire process. The best product to accomplish ALL of the above arrived on my doorstep last week!

My 2 year old has been thrilled with his Big Brother Keepsake Album from Budding Family. With so many pages to personalize with his name and picture, and plenty of details to read him on what will happen with Mommy and Daddy and new baby before and after the hospital stay, this album is one to cherish! My son adores all the pictures of himself and the “story” of our family as we all prepare for the new little baby to join us. What a life saver this has been in explaining the changes both my children will experience over the next couple months.

With such a creative design and durable quality, Big Brother {or Big Sister} Keepsake Albums will last through the most curious child. Budding Family also has the cutest “Look who’s going to be a Big Brother/Sister” announcement cards! What an amazing way to spread the joy to friends and family while still including the older sibling! And this personalized card does not get thrown in the trash; it’s the perfect size to be placed in a 5 x 7 frame for viewing years to come!

This “gift” to our son was a noticeable reassurance to him that even though Mommy is changing and the house is changing with all the new “little” stuff and “baby” items, he’s still loved and the times to come with the new baby are going to be exciting and fun for him, plus he’ll have a new role, Big Brother! Yes, surprisingly, with an album like this, even a 2 year old starts to understand the concept!

Share and cherish one of your own {also check out the “Look who’s moving to a New Home” Keepsake Album}. Enjoy free shipping on your purchase with the promo code BLUXE for all Babyluxe readers.

Posted by Dana

Last day for L'ovedbaby Giveaway!

You have about 24 hours left to enter your answer for the L'ovedbaby 4-in-1 Nursing Shawl giveaway!
What a fabulous prize to win! Get your entry in now!
Good luck to all!
{See the April 7th feature for details}

We're celebrating YOU {with fabulous prizes}!

BabyLuxe {daily} is celebrating the season, and we've got one HOT contest for our readers! Details below.

As we've been hinting at over the past few weeks, big changes are in store for BabyLuxe over the next few weeks. Changes will include a brand new web site {though we're keeping the original "look & feel" you've come to know and love}, a LuxeSHOP directory & more giveaways & discount codes than we've ever had before! These changes would not be possible without our readers' & sponsors' support which has continued to grow with each passing month.

So because of all you have given, read, supported & shared, we wanted to say "thank you" with a fabulous Mother's Day contest, especially for YOU!

We've got lots of great "mommy" stuff to give away, so we'll be doing three grand contest prizes, rather than just one. Prizes will include, but not be limited to, brands you've come to know and love, along with some great new up-and-coming brands. Some of the brands we're including in the prizes are: Mango Ink, The Baby Planners, Boon Inc, Preggers 'n Proud, SmartMom, Preppy Mommy, MomAgenda, SaraBear, Made by Angie, several designer diaper bags & my very own stationery line Paperluxe Studio. Some of the boutiques that are generously sponsoring our contest are Let's Go Strolling, The Polkadot Platypus & Tots on the Go! There are a bunch more, with brands to be announced in the coming weeks!

So needless to say, this is one contest that you should not miss out on!

How does it work? Well, we thought long and hard about how we wanted to set this contest up, and we thought, what better time than now to find out more about you. We want to know who our readers are, what your family life is like, what you're like, who you aspire to be, and more! So we've set up this fun survey, chocked full of short & sweet questions all about YOU!

All you need to do is go to this survey, answer the questions, and hit submit. We will select three names at random when the time comes to choose our winners!

When will the contest end? Here is the tricky part... It can't be that simple to walk away with all this amazing stuff, can it? Well, we're anticipating our new site will launch on/around May 1st, just before Mother's Day chaos sets in. But you know how things can get, and we could wind up launching a day or two early, or a day or two late. It's all up in the air right now. So, we're running this contest from today, until 9 pm on the official site launch date, to be determined... If you haven't taken the survey prior to that date, you're out of luck. So, your best bet is to head over there now & get your answers in!

The only other criteria to win: you must be a daily subscriber, so make sure you use the same email address when filling out the survey!

Click on the image below to be taken directly to the survey!

Teachin’, Learnin’, and Groovin’! {Giveaway}

“Once upon a time in Dinosaurland, there were Dinosaur kids, who had a band; and they played music, and it wasn’t jazz, or rock. It was Dinosaur hip-hop, and it couldn’t be stopped!” Follow the adventures and take a musical journey with 5 prehistoric pals as they teach your child through music and story, but in a “cool, hip” way!

Baby Loves Hip Hop presents The Dino 5. Some familiar and well respected hip hop voices came together and created a hip alternative to children’s albums; with an added story book touch. Dino friends MC T-Rex, Billy Brontosaurus, Tracy Triceratops, TEO Pterodactyl, and DJ Stegosaurus will take you and your children on an educational, thrilling adventure like you’ve never experienced before. This record is definitely something different and unique!

I smiled the entire time listening to this CD with my children {and I must admit, I too danced to the Dino 5 theme song!}. The Dinosaurs themselves held the attention of my oldest; the modern hip-hop sound held the attention of my youngest as they both danced around the living room for some parts AND listened closely to other parts. We all fell in love with the characters; and as a parent, I especially enjoyed the life lessons and teaching tools hidden within the entire album.

If you are a well rounded music lover and you share this passion with your children, this is your next musical adventure to share with your family!

Here’s a great giveaway: we have 3 Baby Loves Hip-Hop Dino 5 CD and sticker sets for 3 lucky Babyluxe {daily} readers! Please leave us a comment on who your favorite Dino 5 character is and why {or which one your child likes the best and why}. Check them all out @ www.dino5.com or www.babyloveshiphop.com! Good luck!!

Posted by Dana

And our winners are Rockin' Mama, Emmie, and Heather! Congrats and thanks everyone for participating! Check your emails winners so your prizes can be sent out to you! {Emmie, can you please email me @ babyluxedaily@yahoo.com so I can get your address, thank you!}

SMART accessories for mom!

If you are a mother, aunt, grandmother, nanny, any woman who holds or plays with a teething child, you have probably experienced the chewing of clothing, yanking of earrings and breaking of necklaces {to be inserted in baby’s mouth of course}, and so on. Finally, a solution, a jewelry line babies CAN actually chew on! Can you believe it!

Smart Mom jewelry is completely fabulous to say the least! I am so fascinated by the Teething Bling jewelry line; what could be more practical, a teething product disguised as stylish, modern accessories! These pendants with matching bangles look like the real thing, jade or onyx for example, but are made from a food-safe, non-toxic, dishwasher-safe silicone material. The same type of material many traditional teething rings and toys are made from. What a truly Smart, unique, ingenious idea!

Even more ingenious, a breakable clasp on every pendant necklace! Perfect for the child who pulls, tugs, and inevitably breaks your expensive, gorgeous pre-mom jewelry. Now you can look just as good, and please, occupy, and entertain your child at the same time!

The pendants come in 2 different shapes and several different “gem” types, all with matching bangles. Plus, Smart Mom also carries Teething Keychains and gift sets, and some fantastic new designs coming soon! With a large following of celebrity fans and some amazing press features, you can totally see how every mother or caregiver will want and should have one or more of these precious pieces of jewelry.

Purchase your pendant now! Smart Mom will take 20% any pendant purchase for Babyluxe readers using the promo code S-BLD. Stay tuned to see another feature of Smart Mom’s Teething Bling next month for our Mother’s Day giveaway! {Details to follow in the coming weeks}

Posted by Dana

One childhood milestone simplified!

Kidluxe weekly segment, issue 3

It has taken our family over 2 years and maybe 10 + pairs of shoes to achieve any success in “shoe tying”. I must say, I never remember it being this hard to learn when I was a child but as a parent, teaching a child to tie their shoes requires an abundance of patience! So to regain my sanity and ease my son’s frustration, I searched for some help, there had to be something out there! And the product I found was remarkable!

TieBuddies {invented by mother of 2 Wendy Welling}, who was looking for the same simplicity I was, has taken only a year on the market to revolutionize teaching our children this essential skill. I was truly amazed at how quickly my son caught on to this product and concept, extremely faster than the traditional method we had been using.

It’s so simple! And so cute! The little Tie Buddies {pink or blue of course} attach and stay on your child’s laces until they have completely learned the skill on their own. No more loops, “bunny ears”, extra holes, loose knots, or small fingers getting stuck! Add a little imagination and the Tie Buddy characters “come to life” to help your child along the way! It really is such a perfect little invention; your child will get such joy out of the accomplishment and independence this product will give them.

See for yourself on the TieBuddies website how easy it is to use and get started with only a few simple steps. For such a small product, it has a huge impact on making a happy childhood memory. I personally would love to see this product introduced in homes, preschools, and kindergarten classrooms everywhere!

Posted by Dana

Parents Connect Winners!

And the winners are Linda S. and K. Chang!
Congrats!
Thanks everyone for the comments and I hope you continue to enjoy Parents Connect!

{Linda, please email me at babyluxedaily@yahoo.com so I can get your info, thanks!}

One Fabulous product; many Functional uses {Giveaway}

As the time approaches when I’ll be breast feeding once again, I had to second guess the use of my old worn nursing shirts and covers {picture this, these have gone through my 2 boys PLUS a few other friends}; so imagine my relief to receive this fabulous Nursing Shawl AND to discover all it’s other functions!

I know you have seen your share of nursing cover-ups or the “items” women use for cover-ups {blankets, shirts, burp clothes, towels, NOTHING, etc…} and I’m sure “Stylish” and “Luxurious” would never be used to describe the cover-ups you have seen, until now of course! 4-in-1 Nursing Shawls by L’ovedbaby are fashionable, comfortable, and exactly what this site is always looking for, luxurious! Oh, and if you weren’t sold on just that, they are also quite multifunctional!

Use your Nursing Shawl what it’s intended for, as a discreet, stylish breast feeding shawl, BUT once you are done with that use, try one of it’s other functions {including using the bag it comes in as a diaper pouch}: a lightweight blanket, a stroller, car seat, or bassinet canopy, a breast pumping shawl, or what I have used mine for, a pregnancy poncho. Any product that can carry over from pregnancy to post pregnancy and beyond is a must have on my list!

Let me mention the feel and fabric of this product as well. It’s hard to find a material that is comfortable for mom and baby when trying to nurse in public, {when you could be anywhere from the sweltering mall food court to the chilly park bench in Fall} made from soft faux-suede, this material let’s baby breath comfortably but doesn’t overheat mommy.

Recommended for any nursing mother you know who still uses a swaddling blanket or stained burp cloth to cover up with!

Also check out L’oved Baby’s other unique items and adorable clothing!

L’ovedbaby has also been generous enough to give our readers 10% off their purchases by entering the coupon code: babyluxe AND they also have a 4-in-1 Nursing Shawl to giveaway to one lucky reader! All you have to do is post a comment with the correct answer to the following question: L'ovedbaby is a favorite brand of many celebrity moms. Which very famous mommy sent L'ovedbaby a hand-written card thanking them for her 4-in-1 Nursing Shawl? (HINT: look at their website's "press" page). A winner will be draw at random April 15^th.

Posted by Dana

And the winner is Sweetfuzzies! {Check your email sweetfuzzies!}

Thanks so much to everyone for participating!

One day left in Parents Connect Contest!

Don't forget to enter your comment to win one of the two Nickelodeon Gift Packs we have to giveaway just for visiting the Parents Connect site!
Contest ends at midnight April 7th so hurry!
{See the March 24th post for details}

Practical advice and encouragement for parents raising boys

When I found out I was having yet another baby boy, I began my search for any useful literature on how to survive the next couple decades {plus} of my life! There is plenty of information out there but only one book I found gave me the inspiration I was looking for. I finished reading it only last night and felt the need to share this discovery with all the parents of boys out there!

Dr. James Dobson has sold over 1 million copies of this essential guide, ‘Bringing Up Boys’. Many mothers had recommended this book to me for a while now and I finally got around to purchasing it, as so many others have! In so many ways it’s brilliant and honest. Dr. Dobson doesn’t hold back in his views; but on top of that he shares as many facts as possible. What I enjoyed best, what’s hard to find in other books of this nature, is how he incorporates other views and opinions of his colleagues and followers, even if he does not agree with their findings or beliefs.

Let me mention some of the chapter titles to give you an inside on what this book has to offer. Chapter 1, “The Wonderful World of Boys”, had me laughing out loud several times! Dr. Dobson captured the nature of young boys perfectly! Many of the scenarios or stories I had seen in my own home with my 2 little ones. Boys will be boys, plain and simple! Other chapter titles: “Mothers and Boys”, “Predators”, and “Disciplining Boys” to name a few. Each chapter is filled with important advice and information; I have actually taken notes in the margin and tabbed several pages for future reference. For example, in the chapter “Boys in School”, there is a section on home schooling. I had never even considered this option with my boys and never looked into the facts on it. Dr. Dobson opened my eyes to how important home schooling can be for a child, I have actually changed my view on it, and my husband and I are now researching this schooling option.

‘Bringing Up Boys’ should be considered a manual for those parents trying hard to raise the next generation of men. It’s highly inspiring, motivating, and encouraging. I’ve found all the knowledge on raising my boys that I was searching for in one must-read book. I’ll leave you with my favorite quote from this book, it applies to everyone: “Our families can’t be perfect, but they can be better-much better”.

Shop Amazon.com for a great deal on this book or you're sure to find it at any local book store.

Posted by Dana

Soothing the ears, heart, and soul of Mother and Child!

Music has always been a positive influence in my house when trying to calm the craziness of the day away or for just pure entertainment as a healthier alternative to the television. When this CD arrived at our house {weeks before its April 29, 2008 release date} and I listened to it for the first time with my children, I was in complete awe at the gorgeous and soothing voice that flowed from the nursery CD player.

‘Lullabies & Wildflowers’, the new CD by Tony-nominated Actress, Singer, and Mother, Melissa Errico, along with acclaimed producer Robert Mathes, combines lullaby classics like “Mockingbird” and “Rockabye Baby” with contemporary hits from composers Tom Petty, Judy Collins, and more; along with original songs from the Errico family. Melissa’s voice is extremely captivating; not just for me, an adult and mother who appreciates clean, pure music, but also for my children, who sat in front of the CD player and actually listened and enjoyed what they were hearing!

As a mother, Melissa Errico’s inspiration for this CD came from wanting to capture the moments of peace, gratitude, and happiness she shares with her child and husband. She has done a wonderful job, using her amazing talent, at creating a musical masterpiece to be cherished by any parent and child.

What a great gift this would make for your next baby shower, your next maternity ward visit, or just for you! My boys and I have added this to our daily routine, whether it be “quiet time” in the car with ‘Lullabies & Wildflowers’ washing the stress of school and work away, or before bed time, when calming music and mama’s touch is all a child really needs for a good nights rest! Oh, and trust me, when baby #3 decides to join us, rocking him to sleep or quiet nursing time will be much more relaxing with our new CD playing in the background.

Pre-order your copy now on Amazon.com! Check back with us soon for a great giveaway featuring the ‘Lullabies & Wildflowers’ CD!

Posted by Dana

Anamalz Contest Winner

And the winner is, lucky #8, Katie!
Congratulations Katie!
Check your email soon for a message from me and Anamalz!

Stay tuned everyone, we have lots of other great contests to come!

Kidluxe weekly segment, issue 2

Dream it. Build it. Drive it.

That is what your child will do with these amazingly "smart" toys! I'd been hearing all the rage for months and months, before I finally succumbed to the peer pressure, and got some of our own, so that I could see for myself what all the fuss was about.

Not just for boys, Automoblox will encourage your child's imagination to flow, and will keep even the fidgetiest of kids {trust me, I have one!} quiet and enthralled for hours.

With nine different vehicle models to choose from, all designed with the same high quality wood detailing & vivid colors {unique to each model}, Automoblox were created with the goal in mind to deliver benefits that are vital to the development of your child. The removable connectors allow the wooden body parts to be interchanged with other vehicles using a unique shape and color system. Not only fun, but educational as well, children build skills in shape recognition, color matching & fine motor skills.

This is a great toy that we like to bring along with us, when we know that we'll need a "quiet" distraction for our 3 year old for any length of time. It works like a charm!

Automoblox are available at many online retailers, including Fat Brain Toys & their own web site. Be sure to check out the new 2008 Limited Edition Automoblox: the S9-R sport sedan, C9-R sportscar & X9-X sport utility. With the cool new details, they are sure to soup up your existing collection!

Anamalz Giveaway Reminder

Only a few hours left in the Anamalz Giveaway! We will announce the winner tomorrow morning! Please see the March 25th post for more details and to get qualified!

{Reminder for the Parents Connect Giveaway as well! This one ends April 7th. See the March 24th post for details!}

Good luck to all!