Swanky Moms where hip moms hang out!

Valentine's Date for the Family

2011-02-09T13:50:00.000-08:00

Looking for something to do as a family this weekend for Valentine's Day? How about an action packed, smiled filled evening at Monster Jam. Go online now and get $5 off per ticket for this Saturday, February 12th's Monster Jam at Angel Stadium or next Saturday, February 19th at Dodger Stadium. Tickets must be purchased online for the discount. Go to www.ticketmaster.com and enter the code word MOMMY for $5 off each $32 and $22 seats. Discount is not valid on the day of the show.

Spring, Here We Come!

2011-02-08T11:54:00.001-08:00

Are you ready for Spring? I know I am!

Kangacoo Designs has posted some darling designs for Spring. This unique clothing line was developed by a "stay at home" mom turned designer/businesswoman. If you are looking for something for your child to stand out in the crowd visit her shop at www.kangacoo.etsy.com.

Clothing sizes range from 3 months to 6 years.

Visit www.kangacoo.etsy.com now and take advantage for their end of winter sale. Enter code BYEBYEWINTER and get 30% off all girls minky and velour clothing!

Become a fan of Kanggacoo Designs on Facebook!

A Dream of Luxury

2011-02-06T10:05:00.000-08:00

Special Olympics of Southern California announced its 2011 Dream House Raffle. For only $150 you have the chance to own a 2.2 million dollar home in Studio City, California or a cash payout of $1.5 million. The Dream house was built in 2006 and boasts a 4,500 square-foot beautiful Mediterranean-style design. Your possible dream home has five bedrooms, six baths, gourmet kitchen, Viking appliances, marble countertops and a breakfast rotunda. You'll be welcomed into this 3 wood-burning fireplace home by a grand circular staircase, crown molding, wood-beamed ceilings, and Dark Alder wood floors throughout!

Last year the Dream House Raffle netted more than $700,000 for the Special Olympics Southern California. This funding allowed the SOSC to reinstate the Fall games after several years of being on hiatus due to the lack of funding.

The Dream House Raffle will allow thousands of individuals with intellectual disabilities to continue to participate in activities that will "change lives through the power of sport," said Bill Shumard, special Olympics Southern California President & CEO. This Dream House was generously donated by an anonymous supporter.

Purchase your ticket before the "early-bird" deadline and become eligible to win prizes leading up to the grand-prize drawing. February through May there will be monthly drawing for additional cash prizes from $1,000 to $25,000. Not only does your $150 raffle ticket put you in the running for the grand-prize, but also a 2011 Toyota Prius, Luxury vacations and more!

There is also a "refer-a-friend" drawing! Those who generate entries through a referral is entered for a chance to win $15,000 or one year's rent at Gallery421, a Lyon Communities Development.

The deadline to purchase your tickets to qualify for the "early-bird"drawing is February 18, 2011, and the final raffle entry deadline is May 13, 2001. For a complete list of "early-bird" drawing dates and prizes go to www.socalraffle.com/

THE GRAND PRIZE DRAWING WILL BE HELD ON MAY 28, 2011!

To purchase raffle tickets, view all of the contest rules and regulations, and additional photos of the Dream House go to www.socalraffle.com/. Or if you prefer to purchase your tickets over the phone, call (800) 816-6108.

To learn more about Special Olympics Southern California and how they have been changing lives for more than 40 years through sports visit www.sosc.org.

Monstrous Fun!

2011-01-31T10:37:00.000-08:00

If you're ready for some BIG fun then the Advanced Auto Parts Monster Jam is the place to be! Monster Jam is making it's way around the United States and is here in Southern California once again.

Monster Jam is crushing it's way into town. Catch the action on Feb. 12th at Angel Stadium, or for the first time ever at Dodger Stadium on Feb. 19th! Enter the codeword MOMMY and save $5 off of $32 and $22 seats. However, you must purchase your tickets, online prior to the day of theshow to get the discount. You can purchase your ticket through Ticketmaster.com.

Don't forget to pick up your pit passes to check out the larger than life Monster Trucks before the show!

Visit MonsterJam.com for more details on Southern California dates, or for information when they will be near you!

Gentlemen, Start Your Engines! Monster Jam is Here!

2011-01-30T11:18:00.001-08:00

Monster Jam is on tour, making it's next stop right here in Southern California. If you're looking for a family Valentine's Day date, look no further. Take the kids to the Anaheim Stadium Valentine's weekend for a show they'll never forget. Monster Jam will be in Anaheim on Saturday, February 12th. Youth tickets (ages 2-12) are just $10 and adults can save $5 using the discount code MOMMY.

If you've already got plans on the 12th, don't worry, Monster Jam is coming to Los Angeles on February 19th with the same discounts.

Tickets & Pit Passes can be obtained through Ticketmaster.

Show Info for Both Nights
Show Time 7:00 pm
Total Access Pass 2:00-3:00
Pit Party 3:00-5:30 (pit pass required)

Not a Southern California resident? Check out the US Tour, Monster Jam is coming to a city near you too!

See www.monsterjam.com for more details!

On a side note, my family attended Monster Jam last year for the first time. I didn't really think I was a "Monster Jam" type of girl, but guess what? It was a blast! Definitely worth checking out. A fun family night.

Great Gift Alert: Personalized Superstructs

2010-12-02T09:15:00.000-08:00

If Santa is looking for ideas, tell him to look no further. I've got a GREAT idea for him that your kids are sure to love. Superstructs are award winning construction toys that are designed for children ages 3 and up. Several different building kits are available, everything from vehicles to fairy gardens, you little ones can create architectural masterpieces by following the step by step directions or let their minds run free by letting their imaginations do the creating.

Now, I know Santa likes to get personal gifts, so check out this great idea. Superstructs has a custom kit that they personalize for the holidays. Ordering is very easy and incredibly fast. You simply follow the instructions on the site, choose three sets, choose the box cover that you like and it can be personalized with your child's name along with images of the three chosen kits for no additional cost. Orders are generally shipped within 24 hours, so door to door you're looking at just a few days! We chose the Jet, Forklift and Dune Buggy for our personalized kit and all three are awesome. The instructions are easy to follow, the pieces are sturdy, and the personalized storage box is a great way to keep everything together.

Through January 31, 2011, Superstructs is offering an amazing deal: 40% off of their Big Builder set which is normally $41.95. This makes it just over $25, which is a steal for what you get. The Big Builder set includes 126 pieces and instructions on how to make a working fork lift, dump truck, crane, or utility truck. Pulleys, wheels, and characters are also included, so the possibilities are endless! Everything comes in a self contained cylinder, so no need to worry about storage. Really I don't know where you could find a better gift for under $25.

Visit the Superstructs site today and pick up a Big Builder for all of the little ones on your list. Use the coupon code KQPPB5PB for 40% off (code valid on Big Builder set only).

***OH and another great thing about Superstructs? If an important piece ever goes missing, the company will replace it. For FREE! Gotta love that kind of customer service.

Must See: Disney's Tangled Hits Theaters Tomorrow!

2010-11-23T17:07:00.000-08:00

When I first saw the previews for Disney’s 50^th Animated Movie, Tangled, I knew immediately that I had to see it. Neither my husband nor my boys ages 6.5 & 9 were as excited as I was. A princess movie…. Ugh! So, when we were invited to a sneak preview of the film at AMC’s Downtown Disney, everyone went along wishing they were seeing a sneak peek of Disney’s Tron instead. That is until the film started. I can always tell if my boys love a film by the amount of talking during the movie that they do. If they ask me a bunch of random questions about the movie or the age old “Is it almost over?” I know they are not into it. Guess what? Not a word was said by either of them. Just lots of smiles and laughs.

What I really loved about the film was that it was the classic Rapunzel story with a twist. It was not too “princessey” and there was a character for everyone to love. Rapunzel’s spunk was adorable and she was so darn cute to look at. Disney did a great job creating the perfect side kick for Rapunzel too. Pascal the chameleon didn’t talk, but he didn’t need to, his actions spoke louder than words and he was really hilarious. Mother Gothel, Rapunzel’s evil “mother” was a great villain, not too scary, just the right amount of creepy. Flynn Rider is a classic “bad boy” but don’t you worry, Rapunzel straightens him out. Without running anything I will say that the “Snuggly Duckling” pub scene was my favorite part of the movie. I absolutely loved the pub thugs. And to top it off, wait till you meet Maximus the horse. Loved him too.

Honestly, I do think that this is one of best movies Disney has put out alone (in other words, not counting Pixar collaborations) over the past several years. The music is great, the characters are fantastic, and the story is uplifting without too much fluff. It’s a great watch for anyone, so gather the family and forget the Black Friday shopping. Go see Tangled instead!

Disney on Ice: Let's Celebrate!

2010-11-07T18:31:00.000-08:00

Just in time for the holidays, Disney on Ice is coming to Southern California and we've got a special discount for our readers! Just $48 for a family 4 pack on select showings of "Let's Celebrate."

"Let's Celebrate" is one colossal party on ice with all of your favorite Disney friends. Join Mickey and Minnie as they celebrate a Very Merry Unbirthday Party with Alice and the Mad Hatter, a royal Valentine's Day ball with the Disney Princesses, a Hawaiian Luau with Lilo and Stitch, a winter wonderland with Woody and Buzz, a Halloween Haunt with the Disney villains, and much much more! Bring the whole family to enjoy holidays, celebrations, and festivals from around the world, Disney style!

All you have to do is use the special discount code "MOM." It's really that easy. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com or via phone at 1.800745.3000.

Don't live in California? Visit the Disney on Ice site and find a show near you!

Coming Soon: Disney's Tangled

2010-11-03T09:19:00.000-07:00

Who's excited for Disney's 50th animated film, Tangled? Debuting on November 24, 2010, my family can't wait! To celebrate, we've got a fun little giveaway for you. Visit the Tangled site and e-mail heather@swankymoms with the name of the character you're most excited to meet. I can't wait to meet Pascal the chameleon!

The 10th person will receive a prize package from Disney consisting on 3 Different Tangled t-shirts and some Tangled Silly Bands, fun!

For Tangled coloring sheets, activities and facts, click here.
Check out the movie's preview here.
Become a fan of Tangled on Facebook here.

RAPUNZEL may have lived her entire life locked inside a hidden tower, but Rapunzel is no damsel in distress. The girl with the 70 feet of golden hair is an energetic, inquisitive teenager who fills her days with art, books, and imagination. Rapunzel is full of curiosity about the outside world, and she can’t help but feel that her true destiny lies outside of the lonely tower walls. Rapunzel has always obeyed Mother Gothel by staying hidden away and keeping her magical hair a secret… but with her 18^th birthday just a day away, she is fed up with her sheltered life and ready for adventure. When a charming thief seeks refuge in her tower, Rapunzel defies Gothel and seizes the opportunity to answer the call of the kingdom. With the unwilling Flynn Rider along for the journey, Rapunzel leaves the tower for the first time, and begins a hilarious, hair-raising journey that will untangle many secrets along the way.

Mickey's Magic Show

2010-09-28T11:27:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday my family was treated to a performance of Mickey's Magic Show which is currently touring the US! We went to a matinee performance in the late afternoon which was great because it didn't keep us out too late and we still had time to grab some dinner afterward!

The show itself has a little something for everyone. All of the Disney favorites participate in the show, you've got Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald as well as favorite princesses like Snow White, Cinderella, Jasmine, Belle and even Alice in Wonderland was there with some fun friends! What we really enjoyed was that each magic trick focused on a different character. I have to say, Jasmine's was the coolest, but I am not going to ruin it for you! My boys really enjoyed seeing the "saw someone in half" act as well as the "shooting out of a cannon" piece. The show was about 90 minutes long with a 20 minute intermission, so little ones could get up and stretch halfway through.

For more information on when Mickey's Magic Show will be touring near you, visit their official site! Tickets to this event would make a great gift for the Disney fan in your life. The tour goes through April 2011, so check it out.

Disney Live! Mickey's Magic Show

2010-08-30T17:20:00.003-07:00

Looking for a fun event to take the family to? Disney Live! presents Mickey’s Magic Show is on tour making stops all over the US. Swanky Moms has a special offer for you that can save your family $3 on each ticket purchased using the discount code "MOM" at Ticketmaster.com, retail locations, theater box offices, or by phone at 1.800.745.3000. Tickets start at just $20, so with the MOM discount, it's just $17 a person. This would make a great birthday, holiday, or "just because" gift for the Disney fans in your life. Visit the Disney Live! Mickey's Magic Show site today to find out when the tour is in your area.

If you live in Southern California, act quick, the shows are just around the corner.

THOUSAND OAKS
Fred Kavli Theatre at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza (2100 E. Thousand Oaks, 91362)
Friday, September 24 – 3:00pm & 6:00pm

LONG BEACH
Long Beach Terrace Theater (300 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802-4825)
Saturday, September 25 – 3:30pm & 6:30pm
Sunday, September 26 – 12:30pm

EcoAquarium from Wild Creations: Pets WITHOUT Mess!

2010-08-17T16:12:00.007-07:00

We've all heard it before, "Mommy, Can I have a (fill in the blank) for a pet?" Whether you gave in with a yes, or denied your precious little one their own baby goat, pony, piglet or elephant. Here is a pet you can say YES to!

Wild Creations has come up with the EcoAquarium, a self contained mini aquarium with all you need to house the two miniature African Dwarf Frogs that it comes with. The best part about it (other than the cuteness of the teeny tiny frogs)? NO MESS and very little (seriously almost none) maintenance.

Now, you might be wondering how the frogs arrive. I was wondering that myself. You do need to make sure you are around close to delivery time, but really, this is the hardest part of the whole process. If you know it's not an option to be home during mail delivery, have it shipped to Grandma's house, a friend who you know is home during the day or even to your work! The frogs come in a box with all of the other supplies, but they are in air filled bags with water. So, it is crucial that they are let out as soon as possible. A few hours doesn't hurt them, I think mine were on the front porch for about 2 or so hours. AND due to the summer heat, there are cooling packs in the box, so they won't overheat.

As soon as we got home and saw the box on the front porch, I knew what it was, so we immediately cracked everything open and built a cute little home for our new friends, Hoppy and Jumpy (I know, very unoriginal, but it's what my boys chose). The instructions are more than easy to follow, layer the rocks, add the bamboo and "crystal" and fill with spring water (bottled water). Once it's all set up, introduce the slimy cuties to their new abode. The kit comes with a year's supply of feeding pellets. Each frog gets two pellets two times a week.

Here's the kicker though. Cleaning the aquarium is only necessary every 3 months! Moms, that's just 4 times a year. Because Wild Creations has conditioned their "living gravel" the aquarium cleans itself. The gravel acts as a natural biological filter turning excess food and waste into nutrients that are used by the bamboo plant. The plant in turn provides the oxygen for the frogs. The living gravel also removes ammonia so that the water doesn't become dirty and toxic. Oh harmonious nature!!!!

We have had our froggies for a few weeks now and both are doing great. The aquarium looks just as clean as the day we put it together, and it sits in our kitchen for everyone to see. The EcoAquarium would make the perfect gift for anyone on your shopping list. I think it's a really fun "grown up" gift too, perfect for an office desk. Or, if you are a family "on the go" and don't really have time for pets, this is the perfect solution. The kids will be proud pet owners and parents don't have to worry about pet sitters or daily maintenance.

Visit the Wild Creations site today and have your froggies in the next few days. What a fun family surprise this would be!

Let the Funundrum Begin!

2010-07-20T15:27:00.006-07:00

The Greatest Show on Earth is coming to Orange County, California! Come to the Honda Center between July 28th -Aug. 8th and soak in the fun of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus: Barnum's Funundrum. There is a show time to fit any schedule with many day and evening shows available.

This will be an unforgettable family experience! I attended the circus last year with my family and can't wait to return for some more fun. Don't miss out, it only comes once a year!

Use the code word "MOM" by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or online at Ticketmaster.com and get an additional savings of $4 off each ticket price (excluding Circus Celebrity, Front Row, and VIP seats.)

Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Celebrate Summer with FUNundrum

2010-06-22T10:47:00.004-07:00

Attention Southern California Families, this summer marks the 200th anniversary of the great showman P.T. Barnum. The circus is coming to town and Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey are celebrating by offering a special "MOM" discount to all of our readers. You can choose from a few different discounts. Select dates offer packages for $48 for a family of 4 (ask for the Family Four Pack Offer) or you can get $4 off individual tickets on select shows. Tickets can be purchased directly through Ticketmaster or by calling 1.800.745.3000.

To redeem, use the discount code "MOM"

Don't live in Southern California? Visit the Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey site to see when the circus will be in your area.

SWANKY SALE ALERT: Vincent Shoes

2010-06-15T15:42:00.003-07:00

Vincent Shoes have been a Swanky Moms favorite for years now. They're cute, stylish, on sale! Visit Vincent's Summer Sale and save up to 75% off on certain styles. I've been eyeing these cute "Betty" shoes, too bad I have two boys.... Shop now, styles and sizes are limited.

Father's Day Fun with "Handy Dad"

2010-06-10T18:31:00.003-07:00

Looking for a fun little gift for Dad from the kids this Father's Day? Check out Handy Dad by Todd Davis, host of HGTV's show Over Your Head. This super fun book is filled with projects that dad and his "helpers" can make together. There are 25 projects in the book that range from the super easy to the super complex.

I love that each project has its own difficulty level and tells you how much time will be involved. Detailed supply lists are included and the illustrations are fabulous. There are 4 "easy" projects: lava lamp, paper airplane, water pressurized rocket & a good ol' fashioned slip and slide. The "afternoon projects" are a little more complex. These range from a rope swing to tie dying and a water balloon launcher. And then there are the awesome "weekend projects" which look to be pretty serious, but also completely do-able. My boys really want to make the zip line and the bike jump!

Since we are holding onto this book for Father's Day, my boys and I have been secretly checking out all of the cool projects. They've been asking me daily if they can give it to Dad early so they can get started on their slingshots! I know this book will be a hit and can't wait to see what projects they'll dive into.

Got girls? Don't you worry, there are plenty of projects for everyone. There is a great dollhouse project as well as a pattern for some really cute angel wings. I do have to say though, that most of these projects are very unisex and perfect for the whole family to be involved in.

Visit Amazon today and order your copy in time for Father's Day.

Know a Mini Philanthropist? Check Out The Barnum Award

2010-06-07T21:03:00.008-07:00

Live in Southern, California? The circus is coming to town and nominations are currently being accepted for “The Barnum Award.” The Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey circus is on a Southland search to honor three stand-out kids who are making a difference in our community. Nominate a child between the ages of 8-14 who is demonstrating the entrepreneurial and philanthropic spirit of P.T. Barnum. Nominating is easy, by answering a few brief questions on the online application at www.thebarnumaward.com. First, second, and third place winners will receive cash prizes to continue their service. The award ceremony will be on opening night at the Honda Center, July 28^th.

Keep an eye on the Swanky Moms Blog! We will be putting up some special ticket discount information next week!

Turn Those Mole Hill Math Skills into Mountainous Ones!

2010-06-02T22:04:00.011-07:00

From the minute I saw it's name, I was intrigued by the Zillio math system. The teacher in me went straight to the website for more information and the mom in me cheered when I realized that it's not just for the classroom. We received two products for review, the Zillio Mini Mountain and the 2D Playground. Both items went above and beyond my expectations. What surprised me most though, was that fact that as soon as I took it out of the box, before I read any directions, my six year old was spitting out multiplication facts. "Mommy, look, four threes is twelve, five threes is fifteen." And he just kept spinning the mountain while spitting out math facts. All the while understanding the concept of multiplication, not just memorizing the facts. This went on for at least 30 minutes straight and during this time I really saw a "light bulb" moment. My little kindergartner knew how to multiply and understood that it was the "opposite" of division; and this was all on the first day.

It wasn't until a few days later that I had a chance to read the manual and learn about the different games and activities that could be played with the Mini Mountain and the 2D Playground. I was really amazed by how many different concepts are covered: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, number lines, fractions, and ratios. Some games are simple, some much more complex, but the great thing about the games is the fact that you can choose the one that best fits the needs of your child. Some games are individual some are collaborative, some games can be modified for different ability levels and some should be played with players of similar mathematical abilities. The Zillio website has a great page explaining the games by age.

Unfortunately, most children experience the "summer slide" and lose much of what they learned during the school year. Teachers often spend up to 2 months reteaching students skills that were learned the previous school year. With Zillo products, parents can help their children (and their teachers) keep up to par in math while having fun in the process.

Good news for moms! Zillio has lowered their prices just in time for summer. The Mini Mountain is on sale for $69.95 and the 2D Playground is just $24.95. I do have to say that my household preferred the Mountain over the Playground, it's much more tactile and interesting for little ones. Zillio products are recommended for ages 4 to 94, so there's something for everyone. Grab Grandma and brush up on those math skills!

SWANKY GIVEAWAY!
Visit www.zilliogames.com and be the 20th person to e-mail heather@swankymoms.com with the name of one of the games you can play with Zillio. The winner will get to choose a Mini Mountain or 2D Playground!!!! Winner must have a US shipping address.

Become a fan of Zillio on Facebook, I did!

Parenting Advice To Combat the Terrible Twos (and Threes) | Hybrid Mom

2010-05-23T23:04:00.000-07:00

Parenting Advice To Combat the Terrible Twos (and Threes) | Hybrid Mom

I am a working single mother; my son is three years old. He's in a half-day Pre-Nursery program in the morning, and my mother takes care of him until I return from work in the evening. He is a hyeractive boy, and sometimes he behaves so badly: using bad words, throwing toys at the other children, etc. I give him my full attention when I'm home. How should I address his behavior--to make it stop for good? --Shehla

Hello Shehla,

They say it's terrible twos but most often three years old can be the most difficult time, as your son is testing you. My daughter tried every ounce of my patience at that time as well, I just had to keep reminding myself that four is glorious.

Marva Collins has a couple of books that are amazing parenting resources. Values: Lighting The Candle Within, A Practical Guide For The Family, has been so helpful for me and for my husband. Marva's approach is using positive psychology even for punishments! She gives practical advice and examples that can be immediately applied in your life. We have it on audio and listen to it in the car. My daughter now knows that she is too wonderful and bright to be naughty. (And I do have to remind her all the time.)

It takes practice everyday to break the cycle. There are always trying moments when you or he are sick, tired, hungry, or lonely. Everybody has the potential to be patient and loving, including your child. It takes a child one million times of hearing something for it to take permanent effect in their behavior.

Think about how many times a day you are asking your child to chew with their mouth closed or put a napkin on their lap, say please, thank you, brush your teeth, etc. For your child every day is a new opportunity for you to be the best parent, they don't hold on to yesterday, don't bring it up. All you have to do is be the best person that you can be in every moment.

Tips:

1. Take a break--even if you put yourself on a time out when you lose it--your child will appreciate the break, too.
2. Make a list of 3-5 house rules--talk about them in weekly family meetings.
3. Listen to calming music.
4. Take a walk--when your little one is physically tired, they will be more relaxed--same goes for you.
5. Listen to Marva Collins she is AMAZING!

Celebrate The Great American Movie Night with Epson

2010-05-06T09:55:00.004-07:00

I have been in love with our Epson MovieMate for a few years now. We use it constantly, especially in the summer, which unbelievably is right around the corner. Outdoor movie nights at our house are something that our friends and family look forward to and even put in requests for. It's simple, have everyone bring blankets and/or chairs, pop some popcorn, and plug in the MovieMate. Really, that's it.

You may be thinking, no, that's not it. Home theatre systems are expensive. Well, guess what? The MovieMate is actually quite affordable and because it is a self contained unit the DVD player and speakers are built in, so really you need to buy just the one piece. Want one for free? From May 17-23 Epson is celebrating The Great American Movie Night by giving away a projector a day. They are also holding a Makeover Your Backyard Sweepstakes where you can win $2500 to put towards a backyard theater makeover. To enter to win and to find out more information about The Great American Movie Night Sweepstakes, please visit their official site. There are also fun t heme ideas for movie nights.

Personally, my family has done several themes where our food and decor have matched the movie. We've done Star Wars, The Goonies, Monster's Inc., every Halloween we do The Nightmare Before Christmas and for Christmas we celebrate with Elf and How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Fun times!

Side Note: As far as a screen goes there are many options. If you have a white wall outdoors you can use it, or a garage door, or even hang a sheet. We actually bought a pull down screen that we hang on the backside of our house.

Re-Usies

2010-04-19T09:29:00.006-07:00

ReUsies, made by Seattle green moms Karen and Becky, are reusable sandwich and snack bags which have been floating around our house for the last year. Still in great condition, we use them every day to pack Sara's lunch and take in the car for snacks. Now you can save money and the environment by ReUsing your ReUsies. Love your Mother, Earth. Get your sweet and sassy ReUsies here.

Pamper Yourself with a Pedi-tote

2010-02-17T15:39:00.014-08:00

I am a woman who loves to get manicures and pedicures, but lately with all the news reports, hygiene has become a big concern for me. News reports were talking about how tools were not being cleaned properly and nail fungus and other diseases were being spread. While I trusted my nail salon, I was just never sure enough.

Belle Sorelle Inc. has resolved my worries in style, the Pedi-tote! The Pedi-tote is a fashionable bag with everything you need for a visit to the nail salon. In attempt to meet nail salon hygiene standards many of the items I liked being used in my pedicures have been eliminated and replaced with disposable items that just don't work as well. The Pedi-tote has replaced my ziplock bag of a few personal items that I took with me, and made me the envy of the other ladies in the salon.

The Pedi-tote comes complete with a true long lasting pumice stone, top quality stainless steal tools in a separate carry case, fashionable flip flops, while all being in a perfectly sized carrying drawstring tote. They have even included a key ring clip so you don't have to dig and mess up your manicure looking for your keys! Since bring my Pedi-tote with me to the salon, I have had the best manicures and pedicures I have had in a long time. I attribute them to the quality stainless steal tools and pumice stone. I always had tiny little hangnails after all of my manicures and I thought this was just, my horrible hands, but it was because of the quality of the tools being used by the salon. The stainless steal tools are sharper and of a higher quality than that of what the salon was using. Since bring the Pedi-tote with me, I no longer am having an issue of with hangnails or worry about hygiene!

Belle Sorelle means "beautiful sisters" in Italian. Co-founders Jen and Stacy have been long time friends and believe "a true friendship among women transcends into sisterhood". What a better way to spend time with friends than to get a manicure and pedicure together and bring along your Pedi-tote.

Visit bellesorelleinc.com and be the envy in your nail salon with your own Pedi-tote. As a special offer to our readers enter the word "polish" in the "special instructions to

merchant" and they will include a free bottle of nail polish.

New Yorkers: Whine=No Thanks... Wine=Yes Please!

2010-02-02T15:18:00.002-08:00

The 3^rd Annual New York Wine Expo, February 26^th - 28^th (28^th for trade only), is an opportunity to swirl and sip wines from around the globe. French wineries and vineyards will have a significant showing this year, and as always, attendees can continue to look forward to Italian, German, Australian, and South American favorites. Not to be missed of course, local New York, Oregon and California wines. In all, the Grand Tasting offers attendees a chance to sample more than 600 wines from over 170 winemakers from around the world. Attend the Expo not just for the sampling, but for the learning experience as well. To date, seminar presenters include Gloria Maroti Frazee and Leslie Sbrocco. The event is being held at the Javits Convention Center in New York.

- Friday, February 26, 2010, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Saturday, February 27, 2010, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Save $10 on tickets purchased before February 19, AND save an additional $10 when you use the code SWANKY at check out.

Friday admission: $75 in advance; Saturday admission: $85 in advance

Tickets can be purchased from the Web site: http://www.wine-expos.com/Wine/NY/

Loveable Madeline

2010-01-31T09:45:00.004-08:00

Its time to introduce your daughter to the wonderful world of Madeline. Madeline's picture books are enjoyed by all ages for the cheerful humor and rhythmic story telling. The Caldecott Award winning books are tales that your child will enjoy reading over and over. Through Madeline's adventures they will travel all around France and learn about historic landmarks and the French culture.

The Talking Madeline Doll is the perfect partner for your daughter to take along on these adventures. Squeeze Madeline's right hand and listen to 4 different sayings in English. Your child can also learn a few sayings in French just by squeezing her left hand. This cuddly doll can become your child's dearest friend.

The Talking Madeline Doll and books can be found online at amazon.com.

Lunchbox Love for Kids

2010-01-28T10:21:00.000-08:00

Put a smile on your child’s face with Lunchbox Love note cards by Say Please. I think these are a fabulous idea. My boys love receiving their love notes from me. We too often go through each day without telling our kids how proud of them we are and how much we love them. Your child will appreciate and look forward to their Lunchbox Love note card each day. The notes also has interesting facts on the back of each note, so they are educational as well!

Lunchbox Love note cards are now available at Michaels Stores and can be purchased in Volumes 1-8 with 10 notes in each set. Say Please also just released Lunchbox Love for Teens & Tweens, Birthday Boys, Birthday Girls, Girlfriends, People You Work With and Those You Appreciate! Start spreading the love!!

To find out more visit www.sayplease.com

Orglamix

2010-01-28T10:09:00.000-08:00

Wow! If you haven’t heard of Orglamix, you HAVE to try it!! I LOVE it!! It is made from 100% pure minerals and it is AMAZING! It is so light and fluffy and easy to apply. You will feel so glamorous with Orglamix! So many great predesigned color combinations, the hardest decision is which ones to buy!! It is affordable and completely fabulous!! Orglamix is so confident in their products, they have 100% satisfaction guarantee. You will not be disappointed I can assure you!

Orglamix definitely receives the "So Swanky" seal of approval!

Visit www.etsy.com/shop/orglamix

Eco-Me

2010-01-28T09:49:00.001-08:00

If you plan on going green in 2010, Eco-Me has a wonderful starter kit to get you going. It has everything you need to start going green now! For only $55, here is the what is included:

Bill – All Purpose Cleaner

Kate – Wood Polish

Emily – Scrub Cleanser

Suzy – Dish Soap

Emma – Laundry Soap

Matt – Carpet Deoderizer

This family of green products is safe for the environment as they are made with simple household ingredients and pure plant oils. Also, check out the DIY Home Kit, it is currently only $13 and has all the things you need to make your own chemical- free cleaning products!! Eco-Me also has a Skincare, Baby and Pet line!!

Visit www.eco-me.com

EcoBuddies

2010-01-28T09:25:00.000-08:00

My 7 year old son loves EcoBuddies! He sees me on Facebook playing all sorts of games and always wants to play but it’s really not meant for children. EcoBuddies is the perfect online solution for him. He plays games, buys costumes and decorates his house with his own little avatar. He can chat with other members as he explores this adorable virtual world. I love the fact that this website was created for children, it is a safe virtual world for kids to play on. Ecobuddies has live monitoring and has several chat options for safety. Ecobuddies’ goal is to teach today’s children about eco friendly concepts. It also has coloring pages and information sheets about endangered animals. Come join the fun and create your own special character!! You can play free or upgrade to a more interactive membership.

Visit www.ecobuddies.com

Dear Lillie: Tutus to Write Home About

2010-01-21T21:08:00.032-08:00

So my almost 4 year old daughter has really gotten into ballet, fairies and dress up; all three of which incorporate the tutu. And we have several versions in our house; some she uses for ballet and some are for dress up and play. But there is one special one that she is going to be wearing for her birthday (which is her favorite day), and it's by Dear Lillie.

I stumbled upon Dear Lillie a few weeks ago and fell in love with their gorgeous tutus because they looked so beautiful on the website. But the real love affair began when I actually received my Dear Lillie tutu. It was so beautiful, hand-made with so much care and attention. My daughter loved it too, and I knew we had found something very special. All the tutus by Dear Lillie are hand-made using the softest tulle and are accented with gorgeous satin ribbon, feathers, hand-made flowers, pearls and lace. They come in an array of magnificent colors from soft pastels to bolder brights. They are exquisite pieces that make even dress up and play time for girls the most special of occasions.

Dear Lillie was created by Jennifer Holmes with help from her mother Heidi Crotty, and sisters Jamie Druke and Dana Crotty. The four women have always loved designing anything and everything including artwork, stationary, invitations, florals, clothing, accessories, wedding items, and items for the home. In August 2009, the first Dear Lillie item was sold on Etsy and interest in the products grew at a shocking pace. Dear Lillie sold more in the first month and a half than they had anticipated to sell in a whole year. To meet the demand for their amazing line, the ladies of Dear Lillie launched www.dearlillie.com and also began selling their items in boutiques nationwide. In addition to making beautiful, high-quality items, the ladies at Dear Lillie are some of THE NICEST, polite and sincere women I have ever worked with. Just goes to show that manners and talent are an amazing combination.

Every exquisite Dear Lillie tutu is hand-made by Heidi Crotty. As a mother, Heidi's love of arts and crafts and reading to her children helped them develop their imaginations and their love of all things fanciful. In doing so, she helped create the foundation from which Dear Lillie was born. Her love of children inspires her to design and create whimsical tutus for infants and toddlers.

And even though I am raving about the tutus specifically, Dear Lillie does make other amazing items (for baby, toddler, girls and women!) such as headwear, t-shirts, tanks and flower clips and pins. It's whimsical girl heaven with a vintage twist! I guarantee that any Dear Lillie piece that you get will be treasured and adored for years to come.

For all of our lucky Swanky Moms: Dear Lillie is offering 15% off your order from their site(www.dearlillie.com)! Just use the code swanky15 to redeem the discount. I suggest buying two...of EVERYTHING they have. Check out www.dearlillie.com

Is Mommy Looking to Catch Some Extra ZZZZZ's?

2010-01-13T23:06:00.003-08:00

So, my boys are 5 & 8 and their sleep patterns have greatly improved over the past few years, the fact that they know how to turn on the TV and find the correct channel also helps me sleep a little longer some mornings. However, I SO wish I had this product starting about 5 years ago. Meet the Stoplight Sleep Enhancing Clock by Custom Quest. This little beauty trains little ones to stay in bed (or in their rooms) until a decent time set by their parents. It's obvious this is a "mom invented" product. It's easy to set up, easy to understand, AND it works. The set up instructions are crystal clear. Once you set the alarm, the red "don't you dare get up" light comes on and your little one knows it's not time to wander into your room and stare at you until your eyes open leaving you feel as though you have a stalker. The green "feel free to open your door and present yourself" light comes on at mommy or daddy's chosen time. Really, it's brilliant.

When your big kids grow out of needing the red and green light situation, the fantasticness can simply stay in the room as a clock and/or alarm to get your big kid up in the morning. So, we know red means no and green means yes. At this point, you may be wondering what yellow is for. It's a nightlight! Just press the "Light" button and you're good to go. This feature is great for my 5 year old, as he still likes to use a night light. He's also obsessed with time, so it's a perfect package. Available in 4 different styles, with uses for kids of all ages, you're sure to find the right one for your early riser or deep sleeper!

The Stoplight Sleep Enhancing Clock is available online at Amazon, Lilian Vernon, and One Step Ahead. To save you Swanky Moms the research time, Amazon has the best selection and free shipping.

Fantastic Family Fun with the Epson PictureMate Show

2010-01-13T10:43:00.007-08:00

Looking for a sure fire hit at your next party? Send everyone home with photos that very instant! Epson has done it again. Continuing to wow me with their fun "grown up" toys, they have recently released their PictureMate Show. The PictureMate Show is a combination photo printer/digital frame. Other than the ease of use feature, I really love how portable it is. When the box arrived, I was quite surprised by how small it was. Its look is very sleek, and although I do recommend the carrying case for protection, it has a handle for easy transporting.

The PictureMate Show has been such a blast this holiday season. Our first use was at the family Christmas party. We have such a big family that we actually rent a community center out for the night. Literally, there are over 40 kids at this shindig every year. Anyhow, I thought why not set up a craft area where the kids can take photos with siblings, cousins, aunties, uncles, grandparents, or whomever they want! So, I brought the digital camera and the PictureMate Show, snapped a bunch of pics and voila! Instant hit. The kids, and I'm not going to lie, adults too, thought it was fantastic. They loved the instant gratification of a photo printing right out. I also brought craft supplies and cheap frames for the kids to decorate. The cost on this was less than a dollar a kid, and the outcome was priceless. Plus, while not in use, it displayed all of the pics from that evening.

I'm thinking that the PictureMate Show would be a welcome accessory at any party. How fun would it be at a birthday party? Take a pic with the birthday boy or girl, print it out, decorate frames, and there's your party activity and favor all in one! Honestly, even at "grown up" birthday parties it would be fun, I don't know that I'd have grown ups decorate frames, but hey, you never know...

With the Epson PictureMate Show, the possibilities are truly endless. Some of its features include a 7" tilt screen, several slide show options, a remote control, and 270 MB of internal storage. Photos can be printed in color, black and white or sepia from USB thumb drives and all popular memory cards via the built in memory card slots. Prints come out in about 30 seconds and dry instantly. They are smudge, scratch, water, and fade resistant. You can print 4 x 6 photos as well as wallets. Whether glossy or matte, your photos will come out vibrant and beautiful. The PictureMate Show is a complete photo printing lab and no computer is needed. Be sure to visit the Epson official PictureMate Show page for even more details.

The PictureMate Show is available directly from Epson with free shipping. Definitely worth the investment, you will not be disappointed. Everyday I think of new uses for it and I know you will too. In fact, right now, I just had an idea... to bring it into my boys' classrooms to make Valentines for the students' parents. See, endless possibilities in action!

Hollywood 48 Hour Miracle Diet

2010-01-07T08:12:00.002-08:00

I was skeptical at first but am extremely happy to report….I lost 8 pounds!! The Hollywood 48 Hour Miracle Diet is a concentrated juice that you mix with water and sip throughout the day for 2 days. To achieve the best results, make sure you drink 8 glasses of water as well. The juice tastes great is and filled with natural juices and botanical extracts. This is a fasting program so it is challenging to neglect food for two days, while everyone around you is chowing down, but definitely worth it for the results!! If you need to get a jump start to your weight loss or need to lose a few pounds after the holidays, this is the perfect solution.

To find out more, visit hollywooddietstore.com

Worlds of Fantasy

2009-12-23T15:07:00.007-08:00

I had the great pleasure of attending Disney on Ice's, Worlds of Fantasy. This was truly a fantastic show! My children sat and watched in amazement as the Cars' beloved characters of Lighting McQueen, Sally, Matter, Ramone and Flow drove all around the ice with grace. The whole time I was wondering how they did that, while my children smiled with delight.

After Cars, the graceful beauty of the Little Mermaid took the ice. The love story of The Little Mermaid was beautifully retold through music and skating. The characters gracefully moved across the ice. Ursala looked as if she was gliding on the ice. The costumes really made it feel as if you were watching the movie.

The Lion King retold the story through all it's classic songs. The creativity of the costumes were unbelievable. Pumba was just like in the movie, and the buffalo stampede was creatively executed.

At last Tinkerbell took the ice. The colors and the scenery were beautiful! With Fairies and pixie dust flying, it was a delight for all to watch. Tinkerbell's story left you with a message to be proud of yourself for your uniqueness and that everyone is important no matter how small you feel your roll may be.

Catch Disney on Ice's Worlds of Fantasy when it come to your area, you will not regret it! Tickets start as low as $16! It is currently in Southern California at the Honda Center, Anaheim from December 22- 27; Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario from December 30 - January 3; and the Long Beach Arena, January 6-10, 2010.

Visit www.disneyonice.com to see when they will be coming to your area!

Merry Christmas from Glasses USA

2009-12-21T14:58:00.003-08:00

GlassesUSA.com is having a three great one-day-only sales!!

December 23: Take $25 off any order totaling over $80! Use code: almostxmas

December 24: Take $18 off any order totaling over $65! Use code: silentnight

December 25: Take 25% off any order of eyeglasses! Use code: merryxmas

http://www.glassesusa.com

Personalized Call from Santa!

2009-12-15T21:06:00.007-08:00

Experience the latest, most exciting, and most BELIEVABLE way to visit with Santa Claus - over the telephone!

No more standing in long lines at busy malls to see Santa Claus! SantaSpeaking.com offers you live personalized phone calls from the REAL Santa Claus, in the comfort of your own home (or wherever you are traveling!). When Santa calls personally, Santa will know everything Santa Claus SHOULD know.....friends names, pets names, how they are doing in school, their favorite toys, and most certainly whether they made the Naughty or Nice list... right down to the details!

A live phone call from Santa Claus from SantaSpeaking.com offers the most exciting and memorable way to talk to Santa! Completely personalized, completely fun, and totally believable!! So make your list (and check it twice!), schedule your personal phone call from Santa for the 2009 Christmas Season today and witness the awe on your child's face when they talk to Santa. It's fun for the entire family!

AND to capture this memory of a lifetime SantaSpeaking.com will record the entire conversation between your child and Santa Claus and send you a (very cute) keepsake CD in the mail, OR we can send the MP3 to you by email so you can quickly send to all of your friends or family to hear! Don't forget to order your recording...you'll be so happy you did!

Elf Annie contacted me and she would like to offer Swanky Moms' readers a gift code! If you enter FRIENDOFSANTA you will receive $5 off your order. My boys look forward to receiving their call from "the big guy" every Christmas!! It's such a joy to see the amazement in their eyes as they talk to Santa, they are always so surprised at how much he knows about their life. The appreciate that he takes time out of his busy schedule to say 'hi' to them!! Thanks Santa!! Talk to you soon!

Visit www.SantaSpeaking.com

Swanky Giveaway: Cocotier Kids

2009-12-08T18:12:00.002-08:00

Cocotier Kids would like to offer one of our lucky readers a $30 Gift Certificate to their boutique!!

Contest open to US and Canadian residents ONLY. Contest will end at 11:59pm December 31st. If winner does not respond within 72 hours, another winner will be randomly selected.

Enter here!

Swanky Giveaway: Baby Bling Couture

2009-12-08T18:09:00.002-08:00

How very swanky!!!
Win a couture wipes case from Baby Bling Couture!!!

Contest open to US and Canadian residents ONLY. Contest will end at 11:59pm December 31st. If winner does not respond within 72 hours, another winner will be randomly selected.

Enter here!

Swanky Giveaway: Dizzy Daizy Creations

2009-12-08T18:06:00.003-08:00

Win this beautiful necklace from Dizzy Daisy Creations!!! Absolutely gorgeous!!

Contest open to US and Canadian residents ONLY. Contest will end at 11:59pm December 31st. If winner does not respond within 72 hours, another winner will be randomly selected.

Enter here!

Automated Man

2009-12-08T08:14:00.000-08:00

Automated Man is a revolutionary idea that will make every mom's job easier. If you have a son in college, a husband who commutes to another state for work, or even a fireman or policeman in the family who has a locker filled with his essentials, Automated Man is your answer. With Automated Man, the men in your life receive all of their toiletry needs, delivered, once a month for up to 65% off of the cost of the drug store. If you have a kid in college, but don't want to give him a credit card, sign him up for Automated Man. Through the holidays, sign your boy or man up and enter the code "BestMom" and you will get another 15% off. Automated Man takes the work and worry out of being a mom. Save time, save money, and keep control.

Visit http://www.automatedman.com

Removeez - Get Stuff Off Your Skin!

2009-12-07T22:55:00.011-08:00

Get ready all you moms (and non-moms as well) out there! I have just found a super efficient and useful product that I think everyone should have. It's called Removeez and it is fantastic.

Removeez gets stuff off of your skin naturally. Made with a blend of soothing citrus oils and plant extracts, Removeez was created to get all the hard-to-remove stuff off of your skin without using harsh cleaners or scrubbing your hands raw. It leaves your hands soft and pleasant-smelling as well (which is a BIG bonus).

I have to say, I was a bit skeptical when I first received my Removeez kit that contained a few sample bottles of the product and a bunch of testing items such as bandaids, permanent marker, temporary tattoos, tar (yes TAR....in a little plastic container), etc. All I can say is, when a company sends you items in a test kit, they better be certain their product holds up. Removeez held up and then some. Not only did Removeez remove everything in the test kit that the product claimed it could remove, it also removed something from my hands it didn't claim to remove: superglue. Just so happen that I chipped a Christmas decoration that needed to be super-glued, but then got distracted when the phone rang and ended up getting super glue on my fingers. I tried scrubbing it off with soap and water, but that didn't work. Then I remembered I had my Removeez and decided to give it a shot. It took a couple of drops of the Removeez and some coaxing, but the super glue did come off my fingers and my skin was quite thankful.

I highly recommend Removeez to one and all. It's non-toxic, free of parabens, phthalates and PPG's and is dermatologist-tested. It was created by parents (and the best children's items usually are created by parents), it actually works, smells great and a little goes a long way. Removeez makes for a great stocking stuffer and is a perfect gift for any parent, teacher or human being really on the planet. Seriously, this stuff works!

Check out Removeez at http://www.removeez.com/ to purchase Removeez or get more information about the product. Removeez is also available at Amazon.com and Fred Segal, and other select boutiques across the country.

Want to win some Removeez for yourself ('cause when you get it, you'll want to keep it for yourself and not give it away as a gift)? Post a comment why you would love to get some Removeez and we will choose a couple of random winners who will receive a FREE Removeez! Contest ends on December 18th. Winners will be notified via email. Please be sure and include your email in your response/comment!

Have the Kids Been Naughty or Nice?

2009-12-07T19:05:00.002-08:00

You know almost everyone uses Santa as a good behavior motivator at this time of year. I have found someone to give you a little extra help. Elf on the Shelf is a clever little book and elf doll set that gives them a constant reminder to behave nicely.

This darling read aloud book explains to the children that this little elf has been sent to your home to watch and report back to Santa. Every night while the children are asleep, this magic little elf flies to the North Pole to tell Santa just how naughty or nice the children have been. And when he returns he finds a new look out point to observe from.

You may wonder how you might answer the questions that you know your little ones will ask, well you don't have to. This book has covered almost all the questions your children can come up with. The book explains that the elf cannot move or talk to the children because Santa gave him rules that he has to follow, and breaking the rules would be naughty. He also cannot be touched too much or he will lose his magic and not be able to report back to Santa. However, the children can talk to the elf and tell him what they want Santa to bring them for Christmas.

My children, 6 and 4, bought into it! They are convinced that this elf has been leaving every night to tell Santa all about their behavior. Each morning they are excited to see where the elf has moved to. One morning they got a little worried because they couldn't find him right away. My daughter asked if he was maybe giving a naughty report to Santa and is why he hasn't returned yet. This little elf is certainly keeping them on their toes!

Get yourself some extra help with Elf on the Shelf! You can buy at Barnes and Noble in store or online at www.barnesandnoble.com. This book set can also be purchased at www.amazon.com.

A Xmas Gift to Treasure Forever!

2009-12-07T18:17:00.004-08:00

Every child needs something special to cherish from their childhood. An Adorable Kinders Rag Doll is the perfect present for you to give a child. These unique dolls are sure to delight all.

The beautifully crafted rag dolls started as a mother's dream and are now a son's legacy. Aranza made her first doll for her baby sister when she was 16 years old. She loved to create and design. She now has 3 children of her own. When her oldest son graduated High School he was determined to help his mother make these adorable dolls a success. Just when everything seemed like it was coming together, her son, Ivan passed away from an undetected heart condition. Her dream stopped there until a friend became a partner to make a dream come true and a legacy for her son.

Each Adorable Kinders Rag Doll is 100% soft and are 18 inches tall. The dolls and clothing are washable. There are 26 different, darling characters to choose from with names from A to Z. All the dolls are made in the USA.

My daughter loves her Adorable Kinders Rag Doll. She has been taking her to bed with her since her arrival. The doll is so well made. The clothes and shoes are easy for my daughter to remove and redress. Each doll has yarn for hair, and I love it! Unlike a Barbie doll, Adorable Kinders Rag Doll hair does not get knotted and ratty. The hair is so easy to care for. All you have to do is run your fingers through it and it falls back into place.

Whether you have a son or a daughter, Adorable Kinders Rag Dolls are the perfect gift. Visit www.AdorableKinders.com for a local retailer near you or to purchase one online.

Say Hello to Your New Favorite Item in the Medicine Cabinet!

2009-12-03T22:38:00.009-08:00

Flu season is here. And it has recently gone though our house like wildfire. Fortunately I was spared, but my poor boys and husband were hit hard. I did however have a new tool that helped make things just a bit easier. The Thermofocus Family Thermometer is truly the best on the market. I have both a temporal and digital ear thermometer. Neither have been as accurate or less intrusive. Using the Thermofocus is a breeze, simply press the "happy face button" aim the red light at the forehead until the two dots align and voila the temperature has been taken without even a touch!

Thermofocus also takes the temperature of household items, aim it at the bath water to make sure it's not too hot, check baby's bottle, heated food, or even just the room temperature. We played around with the Thermofocus quite a bit before actually needing it for medical reasons, but when those fevers showed up, we were prepared.

Made in Italy, the Thermofocus is FDA approved. It uses harmless infrared technology and measures in both Fahrenheit and Celsius. The unit comes with an excellent instructional DVD and also has a 2 year warranty. For more details be sure to visit the BV Medical site.

I simply can not stress how much I am loving this thermometer. It's as easy as aim and press, there are no pricey probe covers to buy and you won't have to poke, prod, or irritate an already irritated kid to get an accurate temperature.

The Thermofocus is available on Amazon.com and qualifies for free super saver shipping. Trust me when I say this is something you'll want to keep in the medicine cabinet, always and forever!

No Soup for You! Holiday Fun for the Grown Ups

2009-12-03T21:35:00.002-08:00

Looking for a great gift to take to a party this holiday season? Or how about something fun for the hubby? Pressman's Seinfeld Trivia Game would be an excellent choice. I mean who isn't a fan of Seinfeld, right? What I love about this game is that you don't have to be a complete expert to play the game and have fun. Join Elaine, Kramer, Jerry & George as they move around the board while you answer fun trivia questions that will bring you right back to those glorious Seinfeld years of hilarity. Each trivia card has two questions on it, an easy one for the average fan and a hard one for all of you expert Seinfeld maniacs! This means everyone can play at their own levels... it's genius. Get the soup from you know who, and well, you know how it goes!

Available on Amazon.com for only $14.99, you can't go wrong! Buy two and you'll get free super saver shipping. Don't wait until The Jerk Store calls to let you know they're out of you, get your fingers on that keyboard and order up!

Kangacoo Thanksgiving Sale

2009-11-27T20:01:00.003-08:00

Kangacoo is offering 25% off on all their designs now through Sunday, November 29th. Check out all their darling new winter clothing. Visit www.kangacoo.etsy.com.

Kangacoo is also now offering a boy's clothing line as well as sizes up to 5T to meet the requests of all her clients.

Get your little one something original this holiday, and they'll really stand out in the crowd!

Disney On Ice Presents Worlds of Fantasy

2009-11-27T19:09:00.007-08:00

This Holiday season catch the new ice spectacular Worlds of Fantasy presented by Disney On Ice. Come and see the action packed show with all your beloved characters from Cars, Tinker Bell, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid.

Get there early and experience the Disney Princess Pre-show free with the purchase of a ticket! You will be able to see enchanting ball gowns and mementos from the Disney Princess stories as well as a special appearance by a Disney Princess.

Disney On Ice will be in Southern California this Holiday season. Get your tickets for Los Angeles - Staples Center: December 17-20, 2009; Orange County - Honda Center: December 22-27, 2009; Inland Empire - Citizens Bank Arena: December 30 - January 3, 2010; and Long Beach - Long Beach Arena: January 6-10, 2010. All venues have both matinee and evening showings.

There is a special offer for all of our readers! Purchase a 4-pack of tickets for only $44 for a Monday through Friday matinee show, or receive $4 off all weekend shows (4 tickets must be purchased to receive the discount) by logging onto www.ticketmaster.com and entering the coupon code MOM. This offer is not valid on rinkside or VIP seating.

Treat your family to something extra special this holiday see Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy.

Layla Grace Update

2009-11-25T09:10:00.000-08:00

On November 16th, Layla Grace began a 6 week hospital stay to undergo a High Dose Chemotherapy with Autologus Stem Cell Rescue, more commonly known as a Bone Marrow Transplant. This is the 2nd phase in Layla's treatment plan as she fights Neuroblastoma - an aggressive form of childhood cancer. Layla's story has touched so many lives and the response has been overwhelming. We have received several emails from people wanting to help, but not sure how.

Mom takes care of Layla at the hospital while Dad holds down the fort with Layla's two sisters. The easiest and most convenient way to help the entire family is by giving Visa Gift cards. These can be used at home or the hospital for various necessities (meals, gas, groceries, parking, etc). If you would like to donate, please send gift cards to Layla's PO Box at:

LAYLA GRACE MARSH

12320 BARKER CYPRESS RD, SUITE 600 #264
CYPRESS, TX 77429

You can also make monetary donations directly through PayPal at:

http://tinyurl.com/kvee97

Layla will turn 2 on Thanksgiving Day. She loves to receive cards. If you would like to send her birthday wishes, Texas Children's Hospital has a FREE card delivery service through their website.

Go to http://www.texaschildrens.org/parents/patientgreeting/default.aspx

and simply fill out a card and it will be delivered directly to her room on her birthday. Be sure to include her full name, Layla Marsh, on the form. If you would like to send her balloons, they can be sent to room 847. Please make sure they are mylar - her floor prohibits latex. **Please do not send stuffed animals or flowers - she is not allowed to have them in her room.

Go to www.laylagrace.org to follow Layla on her journey. Please feel free to spread the word and forward this email onto your family and friends. Awareness is key to finding a cure!!

Thank you so much for your prayers and support!

Layla's Angels

Layla's Prayer Team
www.laylagrace.org
http://www.twitter.com/laylagrace

Great Gift Alert: SkyBelts, The Tweens in Your Life Will LOVE Them!

2009-11-24T22:05:00.010-08:00

Looking for a great gift for those hard to buy for tweens in your life? Look no more, I've found the solution for those picky little people! SkyBelts are the ultimate accessory, available in 22 colors, the interchangeable wonder makes the perfect addition to any wardrobe. Easy to "operate" and comfy too, SkyBelts are available in two sizes (S/M which fits up to 32" and M/L which fits up to 42"). All belts fit the SkyBelt buckle, so once you have purchased your first belt, you can add other colors for only $12.95. After choosing your colors, be sure to pick out some SkyClips to add some personality to your gift! Made to collect/trade, SkyClips are a fun way to show your personal style. The enameled clips simply slide on and off the belt making it easy to change your SkyBelt's mood.

Looking for something with a little more pizazz? Check out the SkyBelts with bling! You can even have them customized with an initial.

Visit the SkyBelts site today and cross those tweens off of the shopping list. One stop shopping for boys, girls, and if I were you, I'd pick up a little something for myself too!

Info You Need to Know by The Toy Industry Association

2009-11-24T21:39:00.008-08:00

With the concerns we all have with toy safety, the new testing laws, and wanting to be sure that the toys we buy for our families during this holiday season will be not only safe but loved and used by our children, I'm excited to share some new resources with you.

The Toy Industry Association (TIA) is our industry's trade organization: the one that hosts Toy Fair in February in New York, and the one who has led American toy makers through the new toy safety testing laws and standards they must meet. And now, the TIA is reaching out to moms like us to help us understand how to buy safe, and great, toys. They created two websites for consumers. One is www.toyinfo.org. There's a neat video here that provides tips for shopping for safe toys and how to keep your children safe with their toys after they're home.

The site will be an ongoing source of news for parents, with regular updates. Check the home page often for new videos, to sign up for recall alerts, to learn about new safety initiatives and more!

'Tis the season to buy toys for the youngsters in your life, and TIA has another great new resource to help! A second website, found here, showcases the top toys in 11 product categories that have been nominated for the 2010 Toy of the Year Awards (TOTY). Well-recognized as the “Oscars®” of the toy industry, the coveted awards program is celebrating its 10th anniversary. To celebrate, TIA is sharing for the first time its list of finalists with you and your readers.You may want to consider using their holiday shopping list when you begin your hunt for great toys for kids this year.

The Perfect Gift for Your Young Scientist!

2009-11-21T19:49:00.003-08:00

Have you got a young scientist on your hands? The Young Scientists Club has what you need. The Young Scientists Club has multiple award-winning science kit for your kids. These kits are geared for children 5 and over and allows them to see science happen right before their eyes.

As a former elementary school teacher with a sub credential in science, I found the Magic School Bus Going Green kit very impressive! Not only is the kit fun, but it helps children learn the scientific process and the terminology. These kits include everything you need for each experiment that is not typically found in a household. With multiple guided experiments your child is sure to learn and discover amazing things. Each experiment guides the child through the process and encourages them to record their results and draw conclusions about their discoveries. In the back of the experiment booklet there expected results and conclusions for your child to compare.

Visit The Young Scientists Club at www.kidsciencekits.com and explore. With The Magic School Bus Series, Nature Series, Let's go Science Series, The Young Scientist Series, and Adventure Science Series you are bound to find more than you can imagine for your little scientist.

Be the 3rd reader to email me at lynne@swankymoms.com and receive a free Young Scientist Kit.

HABA for the Holidays!

2009-11-16T16:38:00.005-08:00

Ever heard of HABA? I have, and until recently I thought they were just a toy manufacturer! I had no idea they made high quality fantastically fun games as well. HABA is an amazing German company that has not sold out to cheap plastic parts and easily broken pieces. Their unique games prove to withstand the beatings of repeat play without a scratch.

We're big on games around here. In fact our game closet is a little ridiculous. We have tons and tons of games. We play tons and tons of games. My favorites are ones that involve cooperation and teamwork. Ones where my boys actually have to work together instead of "trying to win." There aren't too many of those around, so Castle Knights was really a refreshing discovery. Made for 2-4 players, ages 5-99 (I love that it goes to 99!), players use a special construction tool to build the castle towers. Really fun, really unique! Also, on sale, which makes it even better!

I recently spent some time browsing a great site that features an extensive HABA collection. Maukilo.com features only the finest European toys and has fantastic prices to boot! Their site is very easy to navigate and I love their "daily steal" which changes from day to day and features a great item with a significant discount.

You may want to alert Santa that www.maukilo.com would be a GREAT place to get some unique ideas!

Play This Way Every Day

2009-11-06T15:27:00.000-08:00

Developed by a Doctor and mommy of twins, this "U" shaped interactive floor mat is used to encourage children and their caregivers to play a variety of exercises with theme based cards. The card decks come in subjects such as: Animals, Foods, Dress, Outside, Play, Fruits & Vegetables, Go and Home.

This educational game can be used for fun at home or professional use for teachers, speech therapists, and moms who homeschool their children. The "U" shaped mat was developed for convenience, so the child wouldn't be knealing or stepping on the cards and the clear pockets makes it easy to slip the cards in and out and protect them from getting damaged. A great way to play in an education way!

To find out more, visit www.playthisway.com

Baby Bunch

2009-11-06T15:26:00.002-08:00

Pretty and Practical!! What an awesome gift for a new mommy! Everything baby needs when he/she arrives home from the hospital, all in one beautiful bouquet, so pretty you wont want to take it apart! Each Baby Bunch includes, one bib, one hat, one pair of mittens, two pairs of socks, one long sleeve onesie, and one long sleeve romper suit. Each item is carefully wrapped like a beautiful bud and surrounded by pretty fabric and wooden flowers and presented in a clear top, sturdy box ready for delivery. Baby Bunch will even ship and deliver your beautiful bouquet to your gift recipient along with a personal note. The Baby Bunch would also make a spectacular centerpiece for a baby shower!!

Visit www.babybunch.com

GreenSmart

2009-11-06T15:26:00.001-08:00

I received the GreenSmart Neogreene water bottle kozy and laptop sleeve and both items are fabulous! My son uses the bottle kozy for school, it has a clip so can be easily attached to his backpack so he wont lose it. It also keeps his water nice and cool! I use the laptop sleeve, it is a great way to pack your laptop and keep it safe from damage.

GreenSmart products are made with Neogreene which is made with toxic free materials and uses 25% less electricity and 25% less petroleum to produce and the best part….it doesn’t have that awful chemical smell. Neogreene is also lightweight and waterproof!

To find out more visit www.greensmart.biz

Sponsor: LoLo's Garden Jewelry

2009-11-04T21:29:00.001-08:00

LoLo's Garden Jewelry offering beautifully handmade jewelry. Perfect for giving as a holiday gift or a gift for yourself!

Visit www.etsy.com/shop/lologarden

Teleflora Migi Bouquet

2009-10-27T11:20:00.003-07:00

If you know someone that just delivered a beautiful baby boy or girl, check out Teleflora’s Migi bouquets!! Great bouquets for new moms!! They are so adorable, and also come with something you can use after the flowers are gone! Teleflora kindly sent me the Migi's Baby Elephant Bouquet by Teleflora and it was absolutely gorgeous!!

Teleflora has flowers for EVERY occasion and even "just because"!! Check out this amazing Halloween bouquet. Let your loved ones know you are thinking about them with a beautiful arrangement from Teleflora.

Teleflora would like to offer a 10% discount. The coupon code is: SWMIGI and is good through to the end of the year.

To find out more, visit www.teleflora.com

Pressman Game Feature: Family Fun for Everyone!

2009-10-21T13:37:00.011-07:00

Looking for some super fun new games for the game cupboard? Let me introduce you to two that should definitely be on the shelves! Pressman has come out with two new games that will have everyone in the family doing something silly and something smart.

Let's start with the silly! When I first saw Ring Aro und the Nosy, my immediate reaction was, "Oh, I hope those masks fit on adults..." Well guess what? They do! This game is a hysterical blast and everyone we've played it with has had a ton of fun. Ring Around the Nosy can accommodate up to 4 players. Each player dons a lovely elephant mask, trunk and all. The game board is a square piece of cardboard where you lay your colored rings. Each "elephant" must use only their trunk (pretty tricky and a guaranteed laugh) to pick up their matching colored rings. The first player to pick up all 3 rings is the winner! The game is labeled for ages 5 and up, but we played with some three year olds and just modified the rules, they were able to use 2 fingers to help get the ring on and it worked just fine. The kids don't know it, but I think I might have to bring this game to the next "grown up" party we attend. I can only imagine the hilarity of it after the adults have had a few drinks...

Now for the smart! Rummikub was (and still is) one of my most all time favorite games. I remember playing it with my grandparents, parents, and friends too! Sometimes we'd play game after game for hours. I haven't played in a while, so when I saw Pressman's Rummikub for Kids I got super excited to share it with my boys, ages 5 & 8. This clever edition uses shapes, numbers & colors to help players learn sequencing which will prep them for the "grown up" version of Rummikub. There are 3 levels of play, so you can modify it to fit the needs of your children. This is a great option as my 8 year old needs more of a challenge than my 5 year old. However, if we are all playing together, we can play the "middle" version. Rummikub for Kids can be played with 2-4 players and is labeled ages 4 and up. If you are a Rummikub fan, this is a must have for your family. I love that it's a "thinking" game and really gets the brain going.

Visit the links below to purchase either of these terrific games! OH, and you might want to give Santa a heads up that either of these games would make great holiday gifts.

To purchase Ring Around the Nosy, click HERE.
To purchase Rummikumb for Kids, click HERE.

EcoBuddies

2009-10-13T11:12:00.004-07:00

Check out EcoBuddies (www.ecobuddies.com), a wonderful eco-inspired virtual world for children 5 to 13 years of age. Kids can play mini-games, chat safely with friends, and collect all kinds of fun items for their lovable online character while also learning about the environment and endangered animals. Inside the virtual world, children and parents can visit huts based on the EcoBuddies Eco-Explorers Club, as well as the animal welfare organizations Pandas International and Kids Saving the Rainforest. These huts have tons of downloads for kids ranging from going green coloring sheets to fact sheets about the amazing work that is done by Pandas International and Kids Saving the Rainforest.

EcoBuddies is moderated for safety and has safe chat features that enable parents to only let their children see and say pre-approved phrases while playing on the website. It is free for all players, but there are great benefits for users who decide to buy a membership, such as the ability to collect extra rewards, purchase special items in the game for their online character (such as a candy-apple colored electric convertible), and gain access to our top secret EcoBuddies Members Only Newsletter.
Memberships are $6.25 for one month, $28.75 for 6 months, and $44.75 for a year. To visit EcoBuddies click here: www.ecobuddies.com

The Inconvenient Bag: SUPER SALE

2009-10-08T20:26:00.003-07:00

My favorite shopping bags are on sale, pick some up before they are sold out! Normally $11.00, The Inconvenient Bag is offering prices as low as $5.00! I met the owner Marc Sahara a few years back and placed an order with him. My bags are still in perfect condition, and I continue to get compliments every single time I use them. Think holiday shopping, a set of these would make a fantastic gift to anyone on your shopping list!

For more info, visit:
The Inconvenient Bag

Swanky Prize: KN Pink Ribbon Signature PJs

2009-10-08T17:32:00.000-07:00

In Honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Win a set of the KN Pink Ribbon Signature PJs!

1st Entry (mandatory) Visit www.karenneuburger.com and tell us what your favorite gift set is and add it to the comments (must register to leave comments) below.

Additional Entries

1 Entry per day- tweet the following:

I just entered to win a set of KN PJ's @swankymom http://bit.ly/G44HZ

1 Entry-Subscribe to Swanky Moms' newsletter - send us your username and/or email and we'll add you

2 Entries-Blog about this giveaway and send us the link.

3 Entries-Grab a Swanky Moms button and put it on your blog and send us the link!

Contest open to US and Canadian residents ONLY. Contest will end at 11:59pm November 2nd. If winner does not respond within 72 hours, another winner will be randomly selected.

Kangacoo Baby Designs

2009-10-08T14:45:00.003-07:00

Looking for an original Halloween costume? Check out the latest costumes by Kangacoo Baby Designs. Kangacoo offers darling costumes from 0-3 months to 3T.

My daughter likes to have unique costumes. The fairy costume was right up her alley. The brightly colored, adjustable tutu and bright pink, fuzzy fairy wings were absolutely darling. The wings were also adjustable and able to be fitted so that they never slipped off her shoulders. The costume easily fits over any outfit. I found this very helpful since you never know what the weather will be like on Halloween.

Not only does Kangacoo make darling costumes, they also make the most stylish blankets and outerwear for toddlers. Kangacoo was founded by a mother after she was laid off while she was 3 months pregnant. All products are personally sewn by the designer, Katie Nquyen, in Orange County, California to ensure the quality and integrity of each item.

Visit kangacoo.etsy.com to see all the stylish costumes, blankets, and outerwear! Katie is also happy to take custom orders. Feel free to send your custom orders to Kangacoo@hotmail.com.

JoJo

2009-10-01T16:25:00.001-07:00

Get your bling on with JoJo’s Swarovski crystal earrings! So big and glamorous! Makes you feel like a princess! So many beautiful crystal colors, it’s hard to choose just one! All JoJo’s jewelry is handmade by JoJo herself in Boston, MA. Make yourself swanky and sparkly with fashionable jewelry by JoJo.

Visit www.JoJoLovesYou.com

Glasses USA

2009-10-01T15:51:00.000-07:00

I received a chic new pair of eye glasses from GlassesUSA. They are fabulous! I don’t usually wear eyeglasses and stick to my contact lenses because I don’t really like how I look in glasses but I love my new glasses from GlassesUSA! I actually wear them quite a bit and feel great in them! I will definitely be ordering another pair! And probably the best part, they are extremely affordable! The best price for prescription eyeglasses I have EVER seen!!

GlassesUSA has lots of different eyeglass frames to choose from starting at only $18/pair which includes lenses and prescription!!! Your glasses will also come with a hard shell case and cleaning cloth. Stock up today!! Glasses USA also has optional upgrades you can add like: thinner lenses, anti-reflective, anti-scratch, transitional and polarized lenses! GlassesUSA has a 100% satisfaction guarantee so if you arent’ fully satisfied, return them for a full refund or a new pair of glasses. So what are you waiting for??!

Also, receive FREE shipping on orders over $99 and use coupon code “Mommy5” and get an additional 5% off!!

Visit www.glassesUSA.com

Move Over Nerf, Here's Something Tastier!

2009-09-30T11:21:00.008-07:00

Little boys love to play with toy guns, and The Marshmallow Shooter is the best by far! The Marshmallow Fun Company has created and extremely safe shooter. This Marshmallow Shooter can shoot 30 feet and hold up to 25 rounds of the yummiest and softest ammo ever.

The Marshmallow Fun Company was founded by a few parents after a riotous fun little boys birthday party. They discovered what a truly great product they had come up with and put attention to the littlest details.

Safety was their biggest concern. The Marshmallow shooter inflicts NO PAIN and causes NO MESS! This shooter will only shoot objects that can be compressed and regain shape. It WILL NOT shoot rocks, sticks, or even stale marshmallows! A target can be shot from close range with out any pain. I know this because my son sneaked up on me while I was doing dishes and shot me in the back from only a couple feet away.

This extremely safe Marshmallow Shooter is virtually mess free! While other shooters use lung power, this one uses compressed air. We had another marshmallow gun that fired the marshmallows by the shooter blowing hard into a pipe. Not only did it not go far, but the tube became sticky and would get clogged quickly due to the moisture in your breath. We've all seen a child blow out birthday candles and can see how much moisture comes out with each blow! The compressed air allows for mess free, rapid fire without becoming light headed. Should your shooter become dirty or sticky all parts that come in contact with the marshmallows can be disassembled and washed on the top rack or the dishwasher or hand washed in hot water.

This Marshmallow Shooter is so safe and easy to use even my 4 year old daughter got into the action! We had a blast running around our backyard having our own little marshmallow war.

Visit marshmallowville.com and check out all of their affordable and fun Marshmallow Shooters. While the Blue and Red Shooter is their Classic they have also come out with: a Cheetah Shooter, Daisy Shooter, Skull & Crossbone Shooter, Peace Shooter, Zebra Shooter, and Camo Shooter. There is a shooter for everyone. They have even come up with a Bow & Mallow Shooter and a Mazooka that shoots the larger marshmallows.

The Marshmallow Shooter can be found online at marshmallowville.com or Hammacher Schlemmer, Toys R Us, Drugstore.com and on Amazon.com.

A Magical Journey for Tiny Daners

2009-09-30T09:35:00.006-07:00

Prima Princess has come out with a new DVD just in time for the holiday season! You will fall in love with the new "Prima Princessa presents The Nutcracker" DVD.

This wonderful DVD introduces your little dancers to the beauty of The Nutcracker. With excerpts from the San Francisco Ballet performing the Nutcracker, your ballerinas are told the story as it is being preformed. The DVD is full of all the Christmas wonder. They will learn to understand how a story can be told through dance while being delighted with snow fairies, toy soldiers, ballerinas, and a sweet Sugar Plum Fairy!

The story of the Nutcracker is broken up into acts with breaks for your little ones to learn a few of the movements and practice themselves. They will learn the names for movements such as: passe, glissade, saute, and arabesque. The breaks are placed perfectly so that your little dancers can get their wiggles out and dance along as they enjoy the story of The Nutcracker.

My 4 year old daughter has fallen in love with this newest DVD. I see her practicing the ballet movements and using the correct words to describe her dance. She loves ballet and I have the Prima Princessa DVDs to thank for that.

My daughter wants to see the ballet live, and I couldn't of thought of a better way to introduce her to the fine arts during this holiday season. The "Prima Princessa presents The Nutcracker" has given my young daughter the understanding she needs to be able to enjoy and understand The Nutcracker live and in person.

If you have a little ballerina in your household you need to visit PrimaPrincessa.com. The DVD can be ordered from their website or at amazon.com.

Swanky Prize: $150 GC from Zutano

2009-09-23T08:52:00.000-07:00

A gift card for a full layette ($150) at the Zutano Itzy Bitzy boutique
at zutano.com Itzy Bitzy is newborn sizes only.

1st Entry (mandatory) Visit zutano.com and tell us what your favorite gift set is and add it to the comments (must register to leave comments) below.

Additional Entries

1 Entry per day-Follow @zutano on Twitter and tweet the following:

I just entered to win a $150 Zutano GC @swankymom http://bit.ly/G44HZ

1 Entry-Subscribe to Swanky Moms' newsletter - send us your username and/or email and we'll add you

2 Entries-Blog about this giveaway and send us the link.

3 Entries-Grab a Swanky Moms button and put it on your blog and send us the link!

Contest open to US and Canadian residents ONLY. Contest will end at 11:59pm September 30th. If winner does not respond within 72 hours, another winner will be randomly selected.

Swanky Prize: FurBuster

2009-09-23T08:51:00.000-07:00

Bamboo pet products helps moms control this hairy situation with the FurBuster grooming tool, an affordable and professional grade quality tool that incorporates interchangeable blades so you can quickly groom pets of all sizes.

The reasons why we feel this product is so unique and useful to your readers is twofold:

Versatility: with the interchangeable blades, pet owners can groom their cats and dogs – no matter what size – thus eliminating the need to purchase multiple tools.

Savings: FurBuster is one of the most affordable professional-grade grooming tools available on the market. Plus, pet owners can save up to $300 dollars a year with routine grooming at home.

To help your readers keep their homes clean, we’d love to offer the opportunity for one of them to win the FurBuster kit with interchangeable blades.

1st Entry (mandatory) Visit Bamboo and tell us what your favorite product is and add it to the comments (must register to leave comments) below.

Additional Entries

1 Entry per day-Follow Bamboo on Twitter and tweet the following:

I just entered to win a Furbuster @swankymom http://bit.ly/G44HZ

1 Entry-Subscribe to Swanky Moms' newsletter - send us your username and/or email and we'll add you

2 Entries-Blog about this giveaway and send us the link.

3 Entries-Grab a Swanky Moms button and put it on your blog and send us the link!

Contest open to US and Canadian residents ONLY. Contest will end at 11:59pm September 30th. If winner does not respond within 72 hours, another winner will be randomly selected.

Swanky Moms Please Help Layla Grace

2009-09-23T08:12:00.003-07:00

Layla Grace Marsh is almost 2 years old. Six months ago she was a happy, healthy 15-month-old girl living with her parents in Cypress, Tx. Now Layla is in a fight for her life, battling an extremely aggressive form of cancer.

At 16 months old, her sleeping habits and appetite changed, and she started to become more irritable. In May, when Layla woke up with a swollen eye and her parents took her to the doctor, they were told she had an ear infection. But her parents knew something else was wrong. They noticed her belly was hard and swollen, and she was not having bowel movements. Then Layla stopped eating. Still without a dirty diaper, the little girl became lethargic. The family was referred to a GI specialist and that’s when they got the news that no parents ever want to hear: Layla was suffering from Stage 4 Neuroblastoma.

Layla has a massive cancerous tumor extending from above her left kidney, around her side, over her belly and wrapping around her aorta. The cancer has also attacked Layla’s bone marrow and bones. Six surgeries, five rounds of chemo, eight days on a ventilator, multiple blood transfusions and many lengthy hospital stays later, Layla is still fighting. She still has to undergo extensive radiation, a bone marrow transplant and six more months of chemo. She will also receive six experimental immunotherapy injections. These six injections are crucial to her treatment, and raise her survival rate from 30% to 40%. Because they are in the experimental phase, they are not covered by insurance and are $18,000 each.

You can show your support by purchasing a Layla Grace t-shirt for only $10. 100% of all t-shirt sales will go towards Layla's medical bills. Please email your order to fightforlayla@gmail.com and send payment via PayPal http://tinyurl.com/kvee97 by October 1st. If you have any questions, please email fightforlayla@gmail.com. You can follow Layla's progress at www.laylagrace.org and http://twitter.com/LaylaGrace. Thank you for your support and prayers!

Sponsor: Tano Headands

2009-09-22T17:33:00.002-07:00

2010 fashion styles and color are being revealed in runways around the world. Celebrities are driving accessory styles at the hottest hollywood events. Some of the latest celebrity fashions can be seen on your favorite TV shows. The celebrity accessory we continue to love is our favorite hair accessory - the fabulous headband!

Headbands continue to be seen on your favorite celebrities. Some of the most popular headband styles of 2010 are bound to be double headbands and cloth headbands that don't hurt your head. You can find headbands that are fashionable and that don't put pressure on your head at Tano Jewelry

The 3 Sisters: Let the Domino Effect Begin!

2009-09-18T00:08:00.013-07:00

Ready to spoil yourself with some super cool, super fun, super unique jewelry? Look no further, I’ve found an amazing line of fantasticness that will be sure to put a smile on your face. Meet The 3 Sisters and their Domino Effect line! The 3 Sisters company makes their pieces out of dominoes, yes, dominoes. They work with three different sized dominoes. Each piece is hand stamped with a funky design then painted to give it some extra pizazz. Each piece is finished with silver leafing around the edge and sealed with acrylic varnish to seal in the art.

What I truly adore about The 3 Sisters is the designs they choose to put on their pieces. It’s not your average day to day imagery. We’re talking everything from Kewpie Dolls, Frog Princes, and Hula Girls, to Martinis, Bugs, and Cows. They even have some limited edition pieces like the “Yellow Brick Road” and “Looking Glass” series, which are two of my favorites. Pieces can be purchased as bracelets, pendants, or earrings and are made with high quality findings. I’ve been donning my Kewpie set and it’s created lots of buzz. After all, who doesn’t love a sweet Kewpie Doll face? I also love that I can flip it over and show the domino side. Sometimes you feel like a Kewpie….sometimes you don’t!

Looking for a great girlfriend gift? Check out their charmed pendants. Images are paired with complementing charms that make them just adorable. I love the cow domino paired with the silver milk carton and the eye domino paired with the piece of candy is pretty clever.

Visit The 3 Sisters site today and treat someone you love to a little eye candy of their own. While you’re there, be sure to pick up something for yourself as well. With all of their unique styles, you’ll be sure to find something that suits your inner mermaid, monkey, or monster! There’s even a frog named Jeremiah…

**Mention "Swanky Moms" in the comment section for free shipping! The 3 Sisters will credit your invoice for shipping after the order is placed.**

Star Wars in Concert

2009-09-07T23:37:00.003-07:00

Got a Star Wars fan in your family? Starting October 1st, Star Wars: In Concert will be touring the US. A live orchestra combined with high definition screens playing clips from the Star Wars movies will allow your family to relive the saga like never before! No doubt this show will be amazing. My family will be there! Will yours?

Visit the Star Wars: In Concert to find tickets in a city near you.

Can't make it to the show? Check out the cool merchandise, and pick up some great gifts for the Star Wars lover in your life!

Slimware

2009-09-03T15:09:00.000-07:00

If you are trying to watch your weight, as most mommies are, Slimware is a new, hip line of melamine, portion conscious dinnerware. Basically, the theory is, if you eat less, you’ll weigh less! The largest area on the plate is for your vegetables, the medium area is for your carbs or side dish and the smallest area is for your proteins or entrée. It is a simple, visible reminder to help become aware of portion control. No more counting calories or points, just use Slimware!! No one will even know you are “dieting” as they are fabulously stylish as well! And dishwasher safe! Slimware even has Celebrity fans such as Jennie Garth, Rene Russo and Faith Hill!

Visit www.slimware.com

Lansinoh Diaper Rash Ointment

2009-09-03T15:08:00.003-07:00

Lansinoh has been well known for years for their breastfeeding products. They now have a diaper rash ointment that you and your baby will be sure to love! It goes on white but rubs in clear, so no mess on you or your baby’s clothing. Made with lanolin, zinc oxide and dimethicone, this triple protection ointment soothes and protects your baby’s sensitive bottom. Lansinoh is hypoallergenic, fragrance free and preservative free!

Visit www.lasinoh.com

Sprout Shell

2009-09-03T15:08:00.002-07:00

Looking for a nursing cover... infant carseat cover or maybe a shopping cart or highchair cover?? Well, great news… I have one product that can serve all these functions!! Crazy hey?! The Sprout Shell is definitely not your average one purpose product, it is truly an impressive mom invented product! The Sprout Shell should be a “must have” for any new mom! If you have an upcoming baby shower or know a new mom that would love something stylish and functional, this is it! Get your sprout on with Sprout Shell!

Visit www.sproutshell.com

GoPicnic

2009-09-03T15:04:00.000-07:00

Have ready made meals that require no refrigeration or preparation with you at all times! Put them in your cupboard for those days you don’t feel like cooking, take them to work or school for lunch or put them in your vehicle for a quick meal for the kidlets while out and about! My boys love GoPicnic meals! GoPicnic’s customers already include: United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Virgin America and Amtrak. They are also used by a variety of markets including hotels, military, camps, corporate events, health clubs, university bookstores and school fundraising programs. All GoPicnic meals contain no trans fats, high fructose corn syrup or MSG, and are free of artificial colors and flavors! A fantastic solution for a quick, healthy, snack or meal! With over 29 ready to eat meals, there is something for everyone including kids, vegetarians, and individuals who eat gluten-free and kosher meals! Also, GoPicnic is currently having some fabulous sales, so pop by and check them out!

Visit www.GoPicnic.com

Hell is Other Parents: A Book I Can Totally Relate To!

2009-08-20T23:19:00.006-07:00

I'm asked to read lots of books for review, and although I'd love to read every single one, there will never be enough time in my world to get through even half of them. However when this pitch came through, something drew me to it. Not sure what exactly led me to the light, maybe the title, maybe the cover (way to bring back the "Baby on Board" type sign, I actually wish I could get the "Hell is Other Parents" one, I'd proudly display it on my car), or maybe it was the fact that the book is composed of essays instead of a long drawn out biography. Regardless of what drew me to what I consider a mommy masterpiece, I love Deborah Copaken Kogan and think that we should be friends...

With swim school in session, I have exactly 45 minutes a day to myself. I sit by the side of the pool and pretend to watch my boys, "Mom, did you see that? Watch this? Mom, look what I can do." I look up, "Uh huh, awesome." Not even knowing what just happened because I'm too busy reading, escaping the chaos, and trying to look like I don't want to talk to the other mothers sitting around me. This is my time damn it! Wait, maybe I shouldn't admit that. I hope the swim school moms don't read this blog. And I do watch sometimes, I mean after all, my kids can swim, they're just perfecting at this point. I will say I never miss the dives through the hoop at the end... My point is, I will never finish a book unless we have swim school, so this is my time, and during my time this past week I was thoroughly engulfed in Kogan's book.

Kogan's new book, Hell is Other Parents, is comprised of various essays covering significant events in her life. Her style of writing allows you to read with ease and laugh the whole way through. One of my favorite moments is when Deborah is at a park with her daughter, her daughter is climbing a large rock. A "concerned" stranger warns her many times that what her daughter is doing is "unsafe." She basically tells the stranger that she's got it under control, but the stranger won't leave it alone. I won't ruin what happens, read it for yourself and learn about this bad ass little toddler that proves the stranger wrong.

While reading this book, I felt as though Deborah was telling some of my life stories. As a mom of two premature boys, one with cerebral palsy and one with speech issues, I get other people throwing in their two cents all over the place. Just last week a woman (at swim school of course) asked me where my son's accent was from and told me that it was odd I didn't have one. Ummmm, duh, that's because he doesn't have an accent, he has a speech problem, and don't worry about it lady, he's in speech lessons, I've got it under control. See, Hell is Other Parents.

Read Deborah's book. Worth even my precious swim school time!

Check out a trailer for the book HERE!

Back to School with Epson

2009-08-12T23:03:00.003-07:00

This week Epson announced it is offering an instant rebate on two of its popular, affordable all-in-ones – the Epson Stylus^® NX415 and Epson Stylus NX515 - to meet the needs of parents, teachers and students during the back-to-school shopping timeframe. The $40 discount will be given instantly at checkout through the end of August, and further increases the value of these all-in-ones to accommodate any budget.

The Epson Stylus NX415 and NX515 are the perfect solutions for school projects and homework assignments, delivering fast print and copy speeds, amazing print quality, 2.5-inch color LCD screens and memory card slots, one-touch copy functions, manual two-sided printing, and instant-drying DURABrite^® Ultra inks. In addition, the Epson Stylus NX515 allows users to scan directly to e-mail with one touch, and offers built-in Wi-Fi and networking capabilities, making it ideal for college dorms or households with multiple users.

The $40 discount at POS on the Epson Stylus NX415 and NX515, regularly priced at $99.99* and $149.99* respectively, make the all-in-ones extremely smart choices for back-to-school. The Epson Stylus NX415 and NX515 are currently available through major computer, office and electronic superstores, a variety of retail stores nationwide, mail order, PC manufacturers, the Internet, and Epson’s own retail site, www.epsonstore.com.

Sponsor: First Impression Favors - The Perfect Thank You Gifts!

2009-08-11T11:07:00.003-07:00

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Gamewright

2009-07-30T15:49:00.002-07:00

I received a whole box of board and card games from Gamewright. I am really impressed with their games and so are my sons!! We received: Too Many Monkeys, Can You See What I See? Finders Keepers Game, Ring-o Flamingo, and Say Cheese! Wow, my boys and I were SO excited when we opened the box so we started testing and playing the games right away! We tried each of the games and our favorites were: Ring-O Flamingo, a fun ring tossing board game and Can You See What I See? Finders Keepers Game, a matching game. We keep Can You See What I See? Finders Keepers Game in our tent trailer for camping as it is a fun game for all ages. The cards are super thick and have a special coating on them so spills and greasy fingers’ don’t stand a chance! Gamewright has over 50 games to choose from and has won over 150 awards, including our “So Swanky Award”, so check them out!

Visit http://www.gamewright.com/

Cocoozy

2009-07-30T15:43:00.002-07:00

Be prepared for back to school with Cocoozy’s fantastic lunch bags! They are PVC-free, light, durable and moisture resistant. The Snazzy Lizzy Lunch Bag is a small lunch bag, just the right size for preschool or kindergarten lunches!! The Swanky Franky or Yuppy Puppy Lunch Bags are a bit larger, the perfect size for all other ages, even adults!! Just add an icepack and Cocoozy lunch bags will keep your lunch cold for hours with their safe neoprene lining. Also, Cocoozy has FREE shipping on all orders over $50!

Visit http://www.cocoozy.com/

2009-07-28T22:12:00.005-07:00

Are you a Lego fan in the D.C. Area? If so, head on over to the Smithsonian this coming weekend! If not, keep reading to find out how you can participate in some super fun Lego activities in your local area.

The Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center’s research declares that “Play” leads to invention and innovation and now, more than ever, it is vital to get parents excited about inspiring an inventive spirit in their children.

WHAT: Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation has joined forces with the LEGO Group to celebrate National Inventors Month by building an 8-foot-tall by 6-foot-wide model of Thomas Edison’s light bulb – the universal sign of a big idea! This free, two-day collaborative LEGO build will help demonstrate Lemelson Center’s research linking the importance of “play” to invention and innovation. Spark!Lab, the center’s hands-on invention space, will feature special building and engineering-related activities throughout the weekend.

WHO: Museum visitors of all ages are welcome to join the LEGO Master Builders as they endeavor to build this larger than life light bulb completely out of LEGO bricks in two days! Families not in DC can get involved by visiting their local LEGO Brand store and participating in the simultaneous building events, or simply sign up for the 3^rd Annual LEGO Click Awards for a chance to win a $5,000 savings bond.

WHEN: Build: Saturday, August 1^st 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, August 2^nd 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

WHERE: The National Museum of American History’s First Floor Plaza- 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.

NOT IN D.C.? READ ON!
Families not in DC can still get involved in a number of ways.
1. Kids age 6-13 can participate in the 3^rd Annual LEGO Essay Contest – the LEGO Click! Awards which will be launching on Saturday, August 1^st. The contest asks children to write about a time when they were inventive. 5 children will win a $5,000 savings bond.

2. LEGO Brand Stores throughout the United States will host simultaneous National Inventors Month building celebrations this weekend as well so if you are near a store, feel free to pop in!
Find a store here.

3. Parents looking to incorporate fun Invention lessons at home can tap into the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center resources by visiting www.InventionatPlay.org or http://invention.smithsonian.org/home/ to download free educational PDF’s and check out information regarding inventor fun facts, stories and activities. Now, go play, preferably with some Legos.

FANTABULOUS Swanky Prizes ~ ONLY 2 days left to enter!!

2009-07-28T17:11:00.012-07:00

Win a Womens Apron from Crooked Brook.

Win a $20 Gift Certificate from Piggy Paint.

Win a 1 year subscription to Slacker Radio Plus.

Win a bottle of Votre Vu's Cheveux Heureux Shampoo Riche.

Win a bottle of Lash Food.

Win an organic aden + anais wrap.

Win a 1 Year Gold Membership (3 to be won) from Classmates.

Sound like good prizes??!! All you have to do is leave a comment on the Swanky Giveaways Page and the WINNERS will be randomly selected on JULY 30TH!!

Summer Fun with Crayola!

2009-07-25T22:57:00.006-07:00

We're half way through summer and we've been busy, busy, busy! It's not realistic to have on the go plans all day every day, so I'm always looking for fun, simple, & easy activities to keep the kids occupied while we're at home. Luckily, Crayola is always coming up with fun new things to back me up when I need it!

My boys are super in to "decorating" the concrete around our house. Whether it's the patio, driveway or even the walkway out front, side walk chalk has always been a favorite activity. This summer we've been using some great products from Crayola. Their Color Blenders are super fun. Chunky and easy to hold, the pack comes with 3 different multi-colored "blenders" that work great on the cement. The colors are bold and the shapes make them fun to work with.

We've also been LOVING our new Sidewalk Crayons. Washable, yet bright and bold, they write super smooth and look amazing. Sidewalk Crayons add a whole new element to outdoor art. There are 15 different colors in the package which makes for a great variety. They are also the same size as Crayola's regular Sidewalk Chalk, so they work with all of Crayola's Sidewalk Chalk Tools.

When we are on the go, our new favorite "car product" is Crayola's Color Wonder Stow & Go Studio. I've been a huge fan of Color Wonder for quite some time. So when I saw a portable set, I was thrilled. Especially since my 5 year old is addicted to Color Wonder! This great set comes with a Color Wonder activity book, 4 mini Color Wonder markers, and a storage case that holds it all while acting as a surface to color on, genius! For those of you who are not familiar with Color Wonder, familiarize yourself ASAP. This amazing product allows your children to color with markers that will not color on anything but Color Wonder paper. So, no mess at all! Truly a MUST HAVE item.

Visit the Crayola site today and surprise your family with Summertime fun activities. My guess is that you'll have as much fun as them, I did!

Plan a Playdate with Mommy Calling Cards from Shutterfly

2009-07-23T22:21:00.004-07:00

Shutterfly has done it again! A new product to make keeping in touch as easy as a handshake. With Summer in full swing, we've been out and about for a month now. We've met with friends and we've met new friends! With my new Mommy Calling Cards from Shutterfly, it's been super easy to plan playdates. Keeping them in my pocket or purse I just pull one out when I want to share contact info with a friend quickly and easily. With over 40 designs, you'll be sure to find the perfect one for your family. I chose the "Bubble Red" card to the left and included my name with my boys' names underneath, my e-mail, and phone numbers. They came out so cute, I just love them! The cards are printed on high quality cardstock and come in sets of 50. Trust me when I say your mommy friends will be impressed when you come prepared for playdate planning!

Visit Shutterfly today and check out all of their great products! They also have a new baby site that can help moms with photography tips, creating the right birth announcement, and much much more!

Precious Pics Will Last Forever with the Picture Keeper

2009-07-22T22:46:00.004-07:00

Around here I am called the paparazzi. I am notorious for taking too many pictures and my kids know that they'd better not move Santa's display or their Easter Baskets before the perfect pic has been snapped. I've got TONS of pics, so many in fact that over the last three years I have gone completely digital. I don't even have them printed anymore. So, when I had the opportunity to check out the Picture Keeper, I jumped at the chance!

The Picture Keeper is a genius little device that helps photobug moms like myself keep all of those precious pics safe and sound. Don't get this baby confused with your average flash drive, it's so much more! Simply insert the Picture Keeper into your USB port, click "Start Backup" on the pop up, and watch the magic happen. The Picture Keeper automatically finds all of the photos on your computer. With a laptop and a desktop that are inundated with photos, I love the fact that the Picture Keeper has built in software. This means that you can switch it from computer to computer and it will save the photos from each. Another bonus? It keeps track of the photos stored, so when you update it, it only takes a few seconds to add just the new pics.

Depending on how trigger happy you are, the Picture Keeper comes in various sizes. Be sure to check what resolution you take your photos at. I take mine high, so I needed a larger capacity Picture Keeper. There is a link on the site to help you determine which size best suits you. The Picture Keeper's customer service has been wonderful, above and beyond with help and I love that you can sign up for monthly reminders to back up those pics. I recommend that every household have a Picture Keeper. Store it somewhere safe (like in a safe!) to ensure that your memories will be picture perfect for generations to come.

For more info, visit www.picturekeeper.com

Techie Facts for you Swanky Moms are as follows:

Specifications
Windows XP/Vista and Mac
512 MB RAM
ReadyBoost Compatible
USB 2.0 and 1.1 Compliant
Advanced Options Available

Features
1 Year Warranty
Easy to Open Packaging
Lanyard Included
30 Day US Based Support
Reminder Service

Sponsor: Tano Jewelry

2009-07-20T14:19:00.004-07:00

A bow headband is one of the most timeless hair accessories and goes with everything! Whether your attire is a solid color, prints or other designs, a bow headband can make a big improvement to your overall look. These headbands go just as well with jeans and a tee as they do with a dressy outfit for a big celebrity party. Celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Scarlett Johansson has been seen wearing bow headbands to Hollywood events. Bow headbands are a fashion essential if you want to be stylish and look your best!

Zing Zang Zoom on Over to the Circus!

2009-07-17T23:32:00.009-07:00

This week, a few of us Swanky Moms had the privilege of being guests at the 139th edition of The Greatest Show on Earth. Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey is currently featuring Zing Zang Zoom, a fun filled show where classic circus acts combine with magical illusions to create an evening your whole family will enjoy! From the minute we walked in, we were treated like royalty. An easy entrance, helpful employees, and great customer service. I had the pleasure of sitting next to my hilarious 5 year old who gave me a play by play commentary the entire night! Rather than me dishing out my favorites (I was pretty impressed with the human cannonball action), I thought I'd share his perspective. After finding our seats, we had just a few minutes to settle in and then the magic happened, literally. A disappearing elephant. From them on, my son was hooked! Enjoy the recap.

"Those are some talented dogs!" Referring to the adorable pups on stage. One even rides a scooter.

"Should I try that on your blue exercise ball mom?" On wanting to walk on a ball like the clowns.

"They're probably going to say: Don't try this at home." His thoughts on jumping through a ring of fire...

"Those elephants are probably nice, wow I never saw one that close!" Referring to the parade of elephants around the ring.

"He must be crazy." I agree with this one, anyone who wants to jump rope on a moving circular metal contraption might have a touch of crazy!

And for the grand finale, he was very concerned with the magic of "sawing someone in half." The quote of the night, "They should only put him back together if he is a nice person, if not, they should leave him sawed in half."

My whole family had a wonderful time at the show. I think though, that I had the most fun! I got to watch a great show and listen to a hilarious 5 year old commentary while doing it. From the magic to the tigers, from the elephants to the human cannonballs, we thoroughly enjoyed Zing, Zang Zoom. I highly recommend it for a fun family night out.

Zing, Zang, Zoom is currently in Southern, CA, but will be coming to a city near you! Visit the tour schedule page and enter your zip code to find out when. You won't be disappointed!

SPECIAL OFFER FOR YOU SWANKY MOMS!
Purchase a 4-pack of tickets for only $44 by logging onto
www.ticketmaster.com and entering the coupon code: MOM

Check out our "Swanky Kids" below.
Swanky Mom Lynne's on the left, mine on the right.

Play Safe This Summer!

2009-07-16T14:24:00.003-07:00

Play Safe this summer! That is easier said than done for some people, including my son, he is always falling and getting cuts and scrapes, especially during the summer months as he is outside more often. I feel so bad for the little guy but as soon as you place that Band-Aid on, it’s like instant relief for him! Thank you Band-Aid!!! I actually keep Band-Aids by my front door so I’m prepared to fix boo boos when he comes through the door! The Band-Aid Plus Antibiotic is a super product, healing wounds faster and minimizing scarring in one easy step!
Another great product is the Neosporin Neo to Go! First Aid Antiseptic/Pain Relieving Spray. I keep one in my purse, medicine cabinet, and trailer, for camping. Just a quick spray will fight infection and also alleviate some of the pain. Anytime, anywhere you will be ready with Neo to Go!

To find out more about these fabulous essentials for families on the go visit, http://www.band-aid.com/and http://www.neosporin.com/

Vincent Summer Sale: Save Even More!

2009-07-11T23:19:00.003-07:00

Just a note to let all you Swanky Moms know that Vincent Shoes has slashed prices even lower for their Summer Sale. Visit the site today and save up to 75% off on some great styles!

Vincent also has a new Facebook page, be sure to become a fan, I did!

Zing, Zang, Zoom: Bring on the Circus!

2009-07-08T14:39:00.004-07:00

The circus is coming to town and Feld Entertainment is sending us to check it out! Keep an eye out Swanky Moms, because we'll have an update soon. Meanwhile, visit the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey site to see when the circus will be in your area. While you're there, check out the special offers, like "Baby's First Circus." So fun!

This year's tour is the 139th edition of "The Greatest Show on Earth" and is called Zing Zang Zoom. It features lots of magic, which we're really excited about!

Stay Tuned!

Fantasitc Family Water Fights with the Max Liquidator

2009-06-29T22:30:00.007-07:00

Hooray! The June gloom is gone and it's sunny and beautiful. Perfect weather for a water fight! Around here a good fight is always a sign of a good toy and that is exactly what happened when we tested out the Max Liquidator this weekend.

Available from Prime Time International, the Max Liquidator is a simple and super effective water blaster. We were recently sent one to try out and I think it's inevitable that I will be purchasing about 3 more... With only one for our family of four (yes, I am including myself and my husband) there was a battle over who was going to use it first. I won. The Max Liquidator looks like a small foam "noodle" pool toy, but secretly it's the best water blaster on the market I have tried to date. We've gone through several name brand water guns/toys, all being just mediocre. Some don't hold enough water, some are hard to fill, and some last about a day before they end up in the trash totally useless. NOT the Max Liquidator. This baby is easy to load, simply dip it in your water source, pull out the end and it sucks the water right up. Smooth and slick, it does not stick. Even my 5 year old (who's not as strong as he thinks he is) did it with no problems at all. Push the end forward and the water blasts over 30 feet. The Max Liquidator comes in various colors and retails for under $15.00. Don't be fooled, there are other "look alikes" out there, make sure you get the Max Liquidator. Lots of fun for under $15, I'm sold!

The Max Liquidator is available at retailers nationwide. The best online price I could find is here. Looking for a Max Liquidator retailer near you? Email Prime Time International and they'll be happy to help!

Baby Butter by Tracey Martin: Sumptuous Kids Clothing

2009-06-29T10:38:00.041-07:00

Tracey Martin has become one of my favorite new designers for kids clothes. Why? Because her line of kids clothing and accessories, called Baby Butter, blends superior quality with original, gorgeous design. I love every piece in the Baby Butter line, which is unusual since I am pretty hard to please.

What's so special about Baby Butter? Well, there are numerous reasons, but I am only going to touch on a few of the most important ones so that I don't write a 10 page feature on the brand (which is easy to do). First and foremost, the quality of the clothing is exceptional. EXCEPTIONAL. This is not a "buy a blank shirt and embellish it" line. Baby Butter uses high quality, super soft 100% cotton 2X1 ribs, 1X1 ribs and thermals that are made specific to Tracey Martin's stringent guidelines. The embroidered designs are all embellished with the highest quality faux furs or appliqué techniques, and highlighted with beautiful Swarovski crystals and unique nailheads. All the designs in the line are unique to Baby Butter, and frankly, better than other lines out there that make similar clothing. There is a finer attention to detail and superior craftsmanship to the Baby Butter line than any of its predecessors or competitors.

In addition to exceptional quality, all the clothes by Baby Butter are high in comfort, washability and wearability. I was a bit worried that maybe the appliques or crystal embellishments would start to come off with continued washing and drying, but I was assured by Tracey that they would not. And she was right. I have washed and dried my daughter's Baby Butter shirt over 20 times and the only thing it has done is made the shirt softer. The color has not faded at all (it's fire engine red) and no damage has occured to the applique or embellishments.

Baby Butter's sizing is true to size (not too big and not too small, just perfect) and the proportions are ideal. The sizing ranges from infant (3 Months) to little girls (size 6). The little girls line includes thermal tops, tees, tanks, lounge pants, skorts and racerback and long sleeve dresses; and the infant line includes thermal tops, tees, tanks, skorts, diaper covers, pants and onesies. The items in the line range from $38.00 - $68.00 in price.

My favorites (yes, favorites as in multiple.....it was so hard to choose only a few pieces from this line as everything is amazing) from the Baby Butter line are the Daddy's Little Girl tank, Lil' Cupcake onesie, Batter Up tank and bell bottom set, Royal Chic tee and faux fur skort set, the Super Star onesie and the I Am Who I Am Owl tee. Honestly, there isn't a bad design in the whole line. All of it is fabulous (can you tell I am fan?).

Baby Butter also has a group of tees with sayings that are designed to inspire and empower little girls. With sayings such as “Free 2B Me”, “Little Girl Big Dreams” and “The mirror doesn’t tell my whole story”, these tees are designed to let all little girls know that they are special. Some of these amazing, inspirational tees are designed by Tracey Martin's own 9 year-old daughter who suffers from Alopecia Universalis. How cool is that? Finally, the line also offers SUPER CUTE burp cloths that are packaged in sets of two. The burps come in an array of designs that match many of the onesies and tees. They are almost too cute to use (of course use them because they withstand multiple washings and use, just like the rest of the Baby Butter line).

Okay, so there are a lot of kids clothes available that look great. But a lot of them may not be able to withstand numerous washes, fit well, last long or use quality materials. Baby Butter clothing, on the other hand, looks just as good after multiple washings as it did new, has a great fit, is super comfortable and uses only high quality materials. That's a good thing too, since your kids will want to wear their Baby Butter clothing all the time, like mine do. And honestly, can you blame them? Check out Baby Butter Clothing and see for yourself.

PLEASE NOTE: The Baby Butter e-commerce site is currently undergoing an update and expansion, so online ordering is unavailable at this time (this is temporary). However, you can view the Baby Butter collection on their website and order any of the items by calling their toll-free number (1-877-311-2887). The customer service staff at Baby Butter are amazing and totally helpful, can answer any of your questions and take your order. So call them today to order some amazing Baby Butter Clothing for your little ones!

**SWANKY MOM READERS: MENTION SWANKY MOMS AND GET 20% OFF YOUR BABY BUTTER ORDER!! CALL 1-877-311-2887 TO ORDER!!**

Jack and Lily: Little Shoes For Little Soles

2009-06-24T21:47:00.015-07:00

I love shoe shopping, both for myself and my kids. But while I can get away with uncomfortable but cute shoes for myself, I can't do that for my kids. And I don't have to with Jack and Lily shoes for infants and toddlers.

All the shoes by Jack & Lily are adorable. More importantly, they have all the reasons why parents should buy any shoe for their child: the shoes are soft and flexible with a skid-resistant sole; they have an adjustable ankle; they are made from a non-toxic premium 100% cowhide leather; they are easy to put and off and actually stay on when you want them to; and the biggest bonus: they are hand or machine washable. And did I mention they are handmade? Talk about amazing!

The Jack and Lily shoe line is composed of two collections: Original and My Shoes. The Original line is primarily for indoor use and best for pre-walkers because they have a skid-resistant suede sole (not enough support for an expert walker) with an elasticized ankle. The My Shoes line can be used both indoors and outdoors and is best for walkers (although non-walkers can wear them just as easily) because they have a flexible, skid resistant and cushioned TPR sole sole and a velcro ankle. Both the Original and My Shoes line are available in sizes ranging from 0-6 months up to 3 years old. The Original collection is priced at $26.00 and the My Shoes collection is priced at $30.00.

Okay, now for the designs. Jack and Lily have some of the most adorable designs I have ever seen for infant/toddler shoes. With over 70, yes that's right 70, amazing designs, there is a Jack and Lily shoe for everyone. My favorites are the Dragonfly shoes from the My Shoes collection and the Baseball shoes from the Original collection. But really, you can't go wrong with any of their styles. And just when I thought Jack and Lily couldn't be more perfect, I discovered that they have the BEST customer service. The company offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee behind every one of their shoes. So hurry over to Jack and Lily and get a couple (it's impossible to order just one) pairs of phenomenal shoes for your little one. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!

*Right now Jack and Lily are having a great promo: Buy any 2 pairs of shoes and get Free Shipping!! Go to http://www.jackandlily.com/ to check it out!

Heelarious

2009-06-24T21:36:00.001-07:00

Ok, these are the swankiest shoes a baby could possibly have!! They are absolutely a ‘must have’ for your little diva in the making!! Heelarious are fun crib shoes for babies ages 0 - 6 months, designed to look like high heels. They are not meant for walking on, just for show! Perfect for pictures and special occasions, get your daughter her first pair of heels! These fabulous crib shoes are selling like hotcakes all around the world and even celebrity babies have been rockin’ these Heelarious heels!

Visit www.heelarious.com

Lil’ Tag Alongs

2009-06-24T21:29:00.001-07:00

As a mom, we always have lots to carry around and not enough arms, unless you are an octopus! The Lil’ Tag Along blanket is a super cozy blanket for babies and tots. It has minky fabric on one side and cotton on the other. You can attach links to the Lil' Tag Along and attach your baby’s favorite toys, teething rings and such. You can also attach the Lil' Tag Along blanket to your baby's stroller or carseat. No more falling blankets and toys with the Lil’ Tag Along!

FREE shipping from now until June 30, 2009!

Visit www.liltagalongs.com

Noko

2009-06-24T14:34:00.002-07:00

Inspired by Japanese style, the Noko line is simply adorable and ever so sophisticated looking. This line was created by two American moms living in Tokyo. The Noko line is made from authentic Japanese fabric called Tenugui. Tenugui has been made in Japan for over 1000 years and has over 1000 uses, but has never been used to make girls’ accessories and dresses until now. All the dresses’ names have Japanese meanings , such as Sora (Sky), Yama (Mountain), Niji (Rainbow). Noko dresses are made in sizes 0-6 months up to size 6.

Visit http://www.nokobaby.com/

The Little Lasso: A Must Have Summer Accessory

2009-06-22T21:56:00.005-07:00

Oh how I wish I had one of these when my boys were in strollers! Created by Swanky Mom, Angie Wagner, The Little Lasso is a GENIUS invention! Perfect for walks in the park, cruising the amusement parks, or or strolling at the mall, I'm deeming The Little Lasso the must have accessory for the summer (or maybe just the must have accessory for babies and toddlers for life). This great little item completely solves the mommy/child game of playing fetch. I don't know how may bottles and sippys that went overboard when my boys were little. I know for a fact that some fell into the abyss of life....

The Little Lasso securely holds bottles, sippys, toys, and blankets. It protects your little one's precious possessions and your sanity. Machine washable with a "bungee" type cord and an adjustable "lasso" that secures the item, The Little Lasso uses a plastic link that easily attaches to a stroller, crib, shopping cart, or baby carrier.

Little Lassos can be purchased online and are available in several adorable fabrics. We had three different mommy testers try out the Lassos and guess what? All three gave it raving reviews! Visit the site today and pick up some for yourself and all the other little bottle tossers you know. A great shower gift, a great first birthday gift, a great stress relieving item. You can't go wrong with The Little Lasso.

Yes Please to Nowa Li Moccasins

2009-06-21T23:15:00.004-07:00

We recently received a pair of Nowa Li moccasins to try out. My five year old immediately asked me what a moccasin was. As I handed over the blue striped footwear, I wasn't sure how to explain them. Well, no need... He immediately said, "Cool! Sock shoes!" Next thing I knew, the socks and tennis shoes were off and the sock shoes were on. Perfect description indeed. Warm weather and all, he wore his comfy new moccasins the next 18 hours (yes, he slept in them).

Made in Sweden, Nowa Li moccasins have been worn by children and adults for more than 50 years! They are super soft and comfy, and amazingly, they are one of the few products on the market that are still sewn by hand. When "inspecting" my son's moccasins, I noticed that the craftsmanship was impeccable. The non-skid leather of the soles is soft and pliable, yet thick enough to make them sturdy and long lasting. The upper "sock" is made of cotton and features a double elastic at the ankle to keep them from falling off. My favorite feature though? They are machine washable!

Nowa Li moccasins are available online and they come in several adorable styles. Their sizes range from 3 months to adult (I really want my own pair!) and they'd make a great gift for the favorite feet in your life! I really love the idea of getting a pair of moccasins as a gift. It's an item that you wouldn't expect to receive, most people don't have them, and guess what? Once you did have them, you'd love them!

Visit the Nowa Li site today, and pick up some moccasins for yourself and any other feet you adore! While you're there, be sure to check out the clearance section, you can get some styles for as low as $12.

Shoes Fabulous Shoes

2009-06-18T11:26:00.007-07:00

I have fallen in love! I recently had the pleasure of getting a pair of Vincent shoes for my daughter. I chose the Lilly shoe. It is about as girlie as a shoe can get. They sparkle and shine just like my little girl. She feels like a princess every time she wears them.

My daughter loves to wear shoes without socks. I was afraid to say yes because usually all fancy little girl shoes will cause blisters without tights or sock, but NOT Vincent shoes! They are made of the highest quality materials. She was able to wear her shoes all day without one complaint! The sparkles have also stood the true child test. She wears these shoes everyday and not one sequins has fallen off.

Vincent Shoes has a large varitey of shoes to choose from. They have shoes for boys and girls as well as sandles, dress shoes, tennis shoes, and rain boots to mention a few. They have shoes to fit your every need.

I am sold on Vincent shoes. Please check out their website at vincentshoestore.us. This a a very user friendly website. They have easy to follow guides to help you find the right shoe and fit for your child. Each pair of shoes has a name and little description that explains their inspiration. The description for the Lilly shoe posted fit my daughter perfectly. I knew those shoes were the ones for her. I am always hesitant to purchase shoes and clothing online, you just never know how they are going to fit. Vincent Shoes took all that worry away. On their site you will find a shoe size guide with a printable shoefitter vincentshoestore.us/shoefitter/ to take out all the guessing.

Visit vincentshoestore.us/shop/index.cfm?onsale=1 and check out their fantastic 75% off sale.

Mitetees Personalized Onesies and Tees

2009-06-18T08:30:00.017-07:00

I have always loved giving and receiving personalized gifts for kids. The problem is, they are very typical; a monogrammed shirt, an embroidered burp cloth, an alphabet initial onesie. But recently, I stumbled upon a company called Mitetees that makes super cute and totally original personalized onesies and tees. Mitetees is anything but typical.

Creator and founder Cindy Hoeppner based Mitetees on the idea of celebrating parenthood with cute, smart designs, and practical garments. The line uses high quality white American Apparel garments to custom print their original designs. Every design is available in four fabulous colors and sizes ranging from infant onesies (sizes 3 months to 18 months) to toddler tees (sizes 2T to 6T).

I have fallen in love with all of Mitetees designs (it's hard not to), but my absolute favorites are the "production" onesies and the "another year older" tees. The "production" onesies (shown above) are a clever and fun way to welcome a new baby and make for a perfect baby shower gift that is original and fun. The "another year older" tees (shown at right) are a must-have for any child, especially on their birthday. My daughter wore hers at her 3rd birthday party and loved it so much, she is already asking for a "birthday shirt" for her 4th birthday.

Mitetees even has onesies for twins, siblings and birth order. I highly recommend getting a personalized Mitetees tee for any child expecting a sibling. They are so much better than those standard, boring big sister or little brother tees that are out there. Mitetees also offers several fun, non-personalized designs as well that have quirky sayings such as "eye candy", and sports-related styles such as "born to dribble". Creator Cindy Hoeppner has truly thought of everything because Mitetees has a perfect onesie for every baby and a perfect tee for every child up to age 6. Visit the Mitetees site today to find some clever onesies and tees for your little ones. I promise, you will not be disappointed.

SWANKY MOM READERS USE THE COUPON CODE SWANK4 TO GET $4.00 OFF YOUR ORDER AT http://www.mitetees.com/!

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