1-2-3 Shoe Buddies

123_shoe_buddies

We were sent a set of Shoe Buddies to check out right before the 6 year old started kindergarten.  It just so happens that a family member gifted our little school girl with a brand new pair of Skechers Twinkle Toes.  The lace-up kind.  Oof!  Ok, I thought.  Now is as good a time as any to teach her how to tie her shoelaces.

It was a great thought.  It really was.

I just didn’t realize how time-consuming it would be in the mornings and how difficult a time she would have during the day at school after taking them off and putting them back on.  Sure, kids learn how to tie shoelaces and that’s great.  I encourage it. However, I don’t find anything wrong with having a little help when they’re just starting out.

Cue 1-2-3 Shoe Buddies.  Once I “installed” the system onto her laced sneakers, I was able to finish packing her lunch while she got her shoes on just in time to make it to the bus stop.  It’s quick and easy for her, all she has to do is loosen the Shoe Buddy, slip her foot into her shoe, pull her laces tight again and slide the Shoe Buddy up into place.  She feels pretty cool being able to do that all by herself.

Shoe Buddies are available in ten or so different styles.  They would make a great stocking stuffer for a toddler, as their price point is around $6.  A suggestion for the company…offer customization!  Customized Shoe Buddies would rock.  Just sayin’.

 

Amy Michelle go Totes

I have been sporting my Amy Michelle Madison Avenue Tote for the past couple of years.  It is my favorite tote bag.  I still use it, even though I don’t have a mass of baby items to bring with me.  It most definitely has a multifunctional look and feel to it.  I sometimes put my laptop in it and quite often, it is used as an overnight bag for my girls when they visit their grandparents.

I was able to get a first-hand look at the newest Amy Michelle styles (available soon!) last week at the ABC Kids Expo in Louisville, KY.  Here is a sneak peek, just for you!

I highly recommend Amy Michelle totes. Great quality and very fashionable.

Gift ideas for Father’s Day

With a little help from my friends and the internet, I conjured up some cool gift ideas for the guys.  Check ‘em out.

the_vintage_pearl_cuff

Wide leather cuff from The Vintage Pearl – $35 (They also have non-personalized items in stock, for last minute gift ideas)

hatchcraft_boo_box

Boo Box from hatchcraft – $19-$29 + (Two sizes: 4″ prints and 7″ prints. Excellent for photos taken or edited with the instagram or hipstamatic apps, among others.)

Kata-R-102

R-102 Digital Rucksack from Kata – $100 + Excellent storage for the DSLR shutterbug daddies.

3M-TEKK-Safety-Eyewear

Fuel™ X2P High Performance and Forceflex™ Safety Eyewear from 3M (with TEKK Protection) for the outdoorsy/handyman daddies.

Barefoot-Trail-Glove

Barefoot Trail Glove from Merrell – $110  for the outdoorsy/runner daddies.

gorillamobile_joby

Is your man an iFreak?  GorillaMobile products from Joby are a must-must-must-have.  Totally affordable, totally cool.

GorillaMobile for 3G/3GS / GorillaMobile for iPhone 4 / GorillaMobile for iPod touch

GorillaMobile Ori for iPad 2 & GorillaMobile Yogi for iPad 2

zhip

The Zhip is a hands-free retractable zip cord and stand for your iPhone/iTouch, Android or other smartphone.  We have one, it’s awesome. It comes in very handy for watching mobile-sized videos…anywhere.  Extremely affordable, get a couple of them.

Crosley_isolo_ipod_dock

Crosley iSolo Universal iPod® Dock available at Target.  Beautiful!  I want it for myself.  It’s affordable as well, with an MSRP of $89.99

 

 

Giveaway: Timex Dress Crystals watch

Timex Dress Crystals watch

*Congratulations to our Timex watch winner, commenter #39 – Allison S.!  Allison has been notified via email.

Pretty watch, isn’t it? Want one? If you said yes then, you’re in luck because we’re giving one away.

The jewelry inspired Timex Dress Crystals features genuine Swarovski crystals and offers a gorgeous blend of grace and fluidity. These timepieces are the perfect accessory for every outfit, from evening gowns to jeans. Why not indulge in some everyday luxury?

This watch features:

    52 Genuine Swarovski Crystals
    Stainless Steel Case
    Genuine Leather Strap
    Mineral Glass Crystal
    Polished Finish

MSRP $90. Watches from the Timex Women’s Crystal Collection are available on Timex.com.

To enter, Click over and “Like” the Timex StyleWatch Facebook Page. Come back to this post and leave your entry comment. Just let us know that you’ve earned your entry by Liking Timex StyleWatch on Facebook.

A winner will be chosen from the comment section of this post at random on Monday, April, 11, 2011. Giveaway open to residents of the continental US.

Disclosure: I was not given a Timex Style Watch to review, however, we are happily hosting this giveaway to help promote Amy Goodman’s new book, “Wear This, Toss That” published by Simon and Schuster. We like Simon and Schuster!

Closet Staples- TP from Timex Style on Vimeo.

If you’re feeling like a challenge, you can also take this Wear This, Toss That wardrobe knowledge quiz (optional, not required to enter giveaway).

Paint Easter Eggs on Your Fingernails

piggy paint

I have been eying up this so-called “Piggy Paint” for quite some time now.  I remember hearing about it a while ago from Audrey at Mom Generations.  I tend to trust her judgement when it comes to fashion and accessories.

I have a five year old glamour girl, who has her very own rock star closet dressing room and I need to get serious about stocking it with all things girly that are safer and and more natural.

We got our fingernails on some Piggy Paint, Forever Fancy, to be more specific.

piggy paint

The preschooler and I have both painted our nails with the Piggy Paint.  It was kind of nice not to smell that strong nail polish odor that emanates from my polishes.  I’m also hesitant to use my nail polishes on her nails (she’s a recovering thumb sucker).  I feel more confident letting her paint her nails with Piggy Paint due to the fact that it’s odorless.  Same goes for the Piggy Paint Nail Polish Remover.  It does not contain acetone and it’s true, there is very low odor and no stinging!

Piggy Paint has a price point of around $8.99 US dollars, which for some may be kind of steep.  In my opinion, if it’s for my young daughters, I’d much rather spend the money on something I believe is safer for them.

That brings me to my next point.  Piggy Paint and the Project Earth line for tweens would make a snappy Easter Basket stuffer.  Do you do that?  Stuff Easter baskets?  Well, if you do, consider getting a Piggy Paint Gift Set for that special little lady in your life.  She’ll swoon, I’m almost willing to bet on it.  In fact, there is a perfect set of pastels ideal for Spring.  Also, mama, there is Piggy Paint Refined for us.  #WIN!

Gift ideas – for her and him

gift ideas for her and him

Here are some gift ideas for the ladies and the men – in my opinion, the more difficult family members to shop for.  Hope the things we like help you with your shopping!

Jump to:

Gift ideas for the lovely ladies
Gift ideas for the guys

GIFT IDEAS FOR THE LADIES

Ever since I made his acquaintance at Kidzapalooza this past summer, I have been a fan of Romero Britto’s pop art style and have very much been looking forward to including his work in my 2010 gift idea guide.  Here are a few of my favorites:

romero britto tea set

(Left) Romero Britto Cream and Sugar Set – $32
(Middle) Romero Britto Apple Tea Bag Holder – $8
(Right) Romero Britto Mug – $20

If you’re geeky and you know it, clap your hands (hear me clapping?)  These items will keep you charged, covered and ready to view at any given time:

igo charge anywhere iphone cassette tape case epson picturemate show

(Left) iGo Charge Anywhere – $40
(Middle) Cassette Tape iPhone Cozy – $23
(Right) Epson PictureMate Show All-in-one Printer and Digital Frame – $200 (approx.)

Keep the lady comfy with this fabulous travel pillow and sleep mask and feeling special with this jewelry for mom and baby:

little honey pillow sleep mask and bebe au lait family ties bracelets

(Left) Little Honey Travel Pillow – $15
(Middle) Little Honey Sleep Mask – $12
(Right) Bebe AuLait Family Ties Star Bracelet Set – $75

If there is a “fancy” lady in your life, you might want to consider one or more of these fabulous items:

peoria emporium scarf

(Left) Ruffle-front cardigan (Peoria Emporium)- $79
(Middle) Satin-like boa with fringe (an Oprah “best pick”) (Peoria Emporium) – $39
(Right) Purple Cracked Agate & Yellow Opal Necklace – $27

Finally, for the hip, on-the-go lady.  Beautiful leather gloves, motherboard business card holders and a fish net wine bottle carrier.  Nice.

gloves business card holders wine tote

(Left) Lots of Luxe Gloves – $65
(Middle) Motherboard Business Card Case – $29
(Right) Fishnet Wine Tote by Built – $15

GIFT IDEAS FOR THE GUYS

Now, I got a man who is way into whiskey and anything hip pertaining to hosting with alcoholic beverages, so you will see that reflected in my gift ideas for guys.  Here goes:

stranahan co whiskey on the rocks leatherman multi-tool

(Left) Stranahans Colorado Whiskey – $60
(Middle) On the Rocks Set – $30
(Right) Leatherman New Wave Multi-tool – $60 +

I love my Built Laptop Sleeve, so it’s easy to recommend this messenger bag.  If your guy is kind of outdoorsy, techie-geeky, he might totally love these upcycled wool arm warmers and the Gorillamobile for the iPhone4:

built messenger bag wool arm warmers joby gorilla mobile pod

(Left) Built Neoprene Soho Laptop Messenger Bag – $80
(Middle) Upcycled Wool Arm Warmers – $32
(Right) Joby Gorillamobile for iPhone 4 – $37

Is your man a little “green”? Then, check these out:

belkin charging station bamboo water bottle koostik

(Left) Belkin Conserve Valet (charging station) – $40
(Middle) The Bamboo Original (water bottle) – $25
(Right) Koostik – $85 +

Time-teller/music-listener?  Burger flipper?  Beer drinker?  Well then, here ya go:

HEX watch iPod nano adjustable burger press beer savers

(Left) HEX Watch Band for iPod Nano Gen 6 – $30
(Middle) Adjustable Burger Press from Williams-Sonoma – $36
(Right) Beer Savers – $7

nail bottle opener beer can book recycled bike tube card case

(Left) Areaware Wooden Bottle Opener – $20
(Middle) Beer: A Genuine Collection of Cans – $14
(Right) Recycled Bike Tube Belltown Card Case – $25

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B002P7H1MQ?ie=UTF8&tag=mum-20&linkCode=am2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002P7H1MQ

Still a sucker for those adorable boutique fashions

emma

I was gallivanting around Facebook in the wee hours of the morning (so, what’s new?) when in my friend feed appeared this adorable little girl, wearing this adorable personalized tee.  You know me…I was all sorts of, “Whaaa?”  “Who?”  “Where?”  “I want!”

The little girl happens to be the daughter of my almost IRL friend, Lindsey (we were this { } close to hanging out over the summer!) and the super cute tee she’s wearing comes from Sassy J Boutique.

Aside from all of the fun personalized goodies, boutique owner Jackie Parker, has got Pillowcase Dresses (I’m sort of in love with these things).

The holidays are fast approaching and first up is my personal favorite, Halloween.

Sassy J Boutique

The Pumpkin Ensemble $40

Super. Reasonably. Priced.  I’m just sayin’.

In case you’re in the market for a new Christmas Tree Skirt, you can consider getting one personalized.  There are a lot of other fancy, personalized holiday gift items at Sassy J Boutique.  You can browse the holiday section here.

You can also Like ‘em on Facebook.