Skip the malls, relax with a cool beverage, and get your deals online. Check out these bargains on your favorite diaper bags, laptop cases, purses, and more: Independence Day Special - 20% Off at eBags.com from July 4th through July 6th
Congrats to Storm in Washington who won the Jazzy Toes Contest.
If you didn't win, take advantage of our exclusive coupon! You can buy Jazzy Toes online in sizes 0-12 months and 12-24 months at www.jazzytoes.com. A 6 pack of socks sells for $25, but you also can buy a variety pack of all 6 designs for just $29. Mamanista readers get 10% off using coupon code: Mamanista10.
Congrats to Tanya from Washington who won the Prestone Get Road Ready contest!
Don't be bummed if you didn't win. You can still enter one of our other fabulous contests.
When you have children, you make certain sacrifices. And of course when you look into those smiling faces, it is all worthwhile. But when you watch others sipping cosmos at a cocktail party or mint julips on Derby Day, perhaps you feel the slightest bit jealous? And very thirsty...parched even?
When I was pregnant with my first, a couple of other expecting friends and I downed sparkling cider and wished there was a fun recipe book of mocktails for those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or just don't want to overdo the alcohol.
Margarita Mama: Mocktails for Moms-to-Be gives you plenty of options for staying hydrated (very important while pregnant or breastfeeding) even during the hot summer months.
Even better, this book provides a clear answer to the question, "What can I do for you?" Men especially seem to be at a loss as to how to help out their pregnant wives. Here's something straightforward and concrete that he can do to make you feel special and instantly ease the less pleasant pregnancy symptoms: place you in a comfortable chair, put your feet up, and mix you any of these delicious mocktails.
My husband purchased a few simple ingredients and then disappeared into the kitchen, emerging first with The Stroller: a refreshing and sophisticated mix of limeade and basil. He also made a Rock-a-Bye Bellini that was so good, it left me feeling a little tipsy.
Whether you are craving something warm during the winter months, a blended tropical drink for the summer, or something with sweet, sour, or minty, Margarita Mama has a recipe for you. Recipes include twists on old favorites such as Mudslides, Mojitos, Cosmopolitans, and Mimosas, plus yummy new libations like the Materni-Tini, the Raging Hormone, and the Chocolate Crave. So relax, stay cool, and indulge with these alcohol-free treats.
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WIN IT: We have two copies of Margarita Mama: Mocktails for Moms-to-Be (ARV $12.95) for our readers (US Shipping only). To enter, leave a comment by 11:59, July 18. letting us know your favorite virgin (non-alcoholic) drink or pregnancy craving.
Baby Mwah loves his blanket from Fill in the Blankie, and now you have a chance to win one too! (Want to know more about these ultra personalized blankets? Check out our full review.)
For a chance to win, leave a comment on this post by July 11, 2008 letting us know which blanket style at www.fillintheblankie.com is your favorite and your most creative personalization idea.
Fill In the Blankie lets you customize your blanket with up to 200 characters rather than the typical 20-30 characters. This blanket is so much more than a name, weight and birth date. What would you write if you had 50 characters per side?
Want One Now? Get 10% off your order today with Mamanista's exclusive coupon code: NISTA.
While Baby Mwah sleeps peacefully a night, he is not a good napper. It's like he senses that something fun might be happening. So at the slightest sound, he'll wake up from his nap, start cooing and want to play. As irresistible as his coos are, I know that he gets really cranky in the evening if he skips his afternoon nap.
I'd received a review copy of harpist Merry Miller's Dream Baby CD a few weeks ago. This CD (peaceful lullabies with sound effects like flowing streams, singing crickets and chirping birds) is popular with celebrity moms like Kelly Ripa, Jessica Alba and even the Bachelorette Trista Ryan.
The Press Release for Dream Baby claims that music notes played on the harp lower the level of the stress hormone cortisol and raise melatonin levels, promoting sleep and relaxation. While I can appreciate that the Dream Baby CD is relaxing, I'm not sure I really buy the claim that the harp is better at reducing cortisol than other instruments like the piano or the flute.
However, I will say that Baby Mwah enjoyed the CD. I started playing it daily at naptime, and I've found that he no longer awakens at the slightest noise or when the doorbell rings or mommy takes a telephone call.
You can try it for yourself at www.babymusictogo.com, where you can download Itsy Bitsy Spider from Dream Baby for free. If you like the song, the entire CD is only $12. In addition, a portion of each sell goes to the Save The Music Foundation, which helps children learn to play instruments.
One of the biggest challenges in traveling with children is keeping them occupied between stops. Time will fly by for your little artist with The Car Valet by Alex ($28 at Little Jet Set) and he can keep an illustrated journal to have a fun, personal record of the trip, too.
This adorable, easy to clean carrying case and fold out desk attaches to the back of front seats and the surface is adjustable for the convenience of young riders.
Snacks and art supplies are stashed in the zippered pockets or mesh pockets to keep the back seat organized.
Once you arrive at your destination, you can even bring the fun with you--the two zippered pouches are removable. Plus the artist can add her favorite photo or drawing to the frame on the front.
The quality and the design of the Car Valet have earned it top honors in the toy industry, including the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award and the Parents' Choice Recommendation Award.
My little girl already loves drawing pictures and having her artwork displayed and I'm happy to give her imagination free reign. With this fun Car Valet from Alex, you might actually get a moment's peace during the car ride.
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WANT IT: Get The Car Valet by Alex ($28) at Little Jet Set and use coupon code MAMA10 for 10% off your order, plus free shipping on orders over $100.
Don't forget to check out the Little Jet Set Baby Travel Gift Pack Contest (ends July 10).
Want More Tips? Check out our Summer Travel Guide to find the best gear for traveling with babies and children.
Tags: Car Activities, Family Road Trips
If you are going on a long car trip with the family, you'll want to bring along Brain Quest for the Car, from Workman Publishing.
Brain Quest is a series of cards, including suggestions for games involving the cards, with questions and answers that enlighten and amuse. Brain Quest for the Car contains 1,100 Questions and 1,100 Answers "all about America."
There are two packs of cards, each joined at a corner so you do not have to worry about losing individual cards. You can keep your game as simple as quizzing an opponent or another team, or you can try one of the six fun games that draw upon the cards.
The cards are geared for ages 7-12, but I think most kindergartners could participate as a team member. Brain Quest also makes flashcard games for children as young as 2 and has games based on activities, such as bath time, bed time, reading and other themes. You can have more fun with features like Stump the Genius at www.BrainQuest.com.
With Brain Quest for the Car, you can also play games with specific states, to match your road trip route and generate excitement about your destinations. Brain Quest for the Car is the perfect compliment for a stateside vacation.
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WANT IT: Brain Quest for the Car is available for $10.95.
WANT MORE TRAVEL TIPS: Check out our Summer Travel Guide to find the best gear for traveling with babies and children.
WIN IT: Three lucky readers will win a Brain Quest for the Car travel game. To enter leave us a comment with your favorite road trip game by 11:59 EST on July 15.
Want another entry? Click here to find out how to double your chances!
Tags: Car Games, Family Road Trips
When Baby Mwah is baptized in July, he'll be wrapped in a super soft, luxurious personalized blanket from www.fillintheblankie.com. This is not your ordinary personalized baby gift. Fill In the Blankie is a Dallas-based company that specializes in ultra personalized baby blankets. Unlike its competitors, Fill In the Blankie lets you customize your blanket with up to 200 characters rather than the typical 20-30 characters.
You write the copy, and Fill in The Blankie will embroider it along all 4 satin edges of the blanket of your choice. You can pick from 32 blanket styles/colors, 27 fonts and 12 thread colors. The site offers suggestions for copy such as traditional good wishes, prayers, poems or song lyrics, but the only limit is your imagination.
All of the blankets are made of 100% cotton with 2 inches of smooth satin ribbon edging. Prices start at $39 for a simple cable-knit woven blanket and go all the way up to $109 for a 400 thread count Egyptian cotton diamond pique coverlet. Baby Mwah has the "Martha's Majesty" blanket in white with blue thread. This blanket sells for $65 and is perfect for a Christening, Baptism or Baby Dedication Ceremony.
If you're looking for something unique, you might want to order the Sheety Blanket (pictured above), which is made from luxury, high thread count sheets. This blanket is lightweight and cool to the touch-- perfect for a summer baby. Plus, we dig the fun, brightly-patterned Sheety fabrics.
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Want It:
Fully embroidered blankets start at just $39 and ship within 3-7 business days from www.fillintheblankie.com!
Vincent's Summer collection is here! Stylish quality shoes and sandals for kids of all ages.
We first featured Vincent Shoes as part of our Flexible-Soled Shoes for Toddlers Guide and readers were gaga for Vincent's playful, yet fashionable European styling. Vincent makes shoes for pre-walkers and toddlers up to children about age 8.
And check out their Summer Sale with up to 75% off on select Vincent styles! FREE shipping on all orders of $75 and up.
Most of their Spring collection is on sale, with some amazing deals on last year's fall and winter shoes, as well.
If you want runway style on a discount store budget, here's your opportunity to stock up!
Tags: Children's Shoes, Coupon Code, sale, toddler shoes, Vincent Shoes
Great Deals!
