Pacifier Pod

I don’t know how some of you super moms always have a pacifier on hand. I can’t even take a walk around my neighborhood with Little AG without losing at least one, and sometimes two. With that being said, I just saw these very smart JJ Cole Pacifier Pods and am planning on ordering two of them immediately. I currently have a stock of 7 pacifiers, thanks to my recent order of the Natursutten Pacifiers from Freckle Face, so this will be perfect. I can start keeping track of them right away, which is a nice thing since these new BPA free paci’s are hard to come by in a pinch.

The specs on these holders say they are machine washable and dishwasher safe. Am I the only one who finds that part funny? Anyway, I think they are cute, stylish, and it says that you can hook them anywhere, on your belt loop (but, the fashionista in me feels the need to say: please don’t), on the stroller, car seat, or diaper bag. Yes please! Pick up one of these Pacifier Pods in all sorts of cute patterns at Bloom Maternity for $7.95.

Embroidered Elegance

Ok, I admit it. I’m kinda creative and crafty. I can actually make pseudo-attractive scrapbook pages, and I enjoy having tons of ribbon, paper scraps, stickers, and glue sticks covering my kitchen table (though hubby grits his teeth at it). For Little AG’s first birthday party, I made a scrapbook of her 12 month journey and laid it out on the table for everyone to look through and sign. I only wish that before I had done so, I had seen these awesome customized embroidered scrapbooks from Pulp.

You can choose from 9 fabric and thread color combinations, and one of four fonts. There is a die-cut window on the front to display your favorite photo, and it comes with 10 pre-loaded scrapbook pages (refills are available). I think these are totally chic and elegant, and though the price tag may seem high, remember that you can continue to add refills to hold as many photo’s as you’d like. I’m thinking I’ll order one for each year so that they can all get shelved in a pretty little line, so really the $45 price tag isn’t bad if it’s the only photo album I buy all year.

Smashing Smocks

First off, let me tell you that I really enjoy the word “smock”. I don’t know why, I just do. Smock. See? It’s fun to say! Ok, now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, let me introduce you to this fabulous product that just happens to be, you guessed it, a smock.

Oh no, this isn’t any ole smock. This is a fully laminated (and I mean even the inside of the pockets are laminated) play smock — perfect for outside, inside, chalk, dirt, you name it, they can get into it now! The two giant pockets on the front are perfect for holding all of that dirt for that mud pie they are pretending to make “mommy for dinner”. Or maybe you just want to use it as a giant bib. I’m contemplating it myself.

They come in a bunch of different designs and patterns for both boys and girls — I especially enjoy the Ivy Leaguer, Wonder Boy, and Little Diva patterns, though my absolute favorite is Wild Child (shown here). You can pick one up at Bella Tunno for $30! .

Born Free Drinking Cups

I’m very excited because Little AG’s new, BPA free sippy cups arrived on our doorstep yesterday. When the definitive news stories on BPA started popping up everywhere, I promptly tossed all of her sippy cups and have had her drinking out of a straw while we waited for these. We bought her the drinking cups and not the trainer cups, because the drinking cups have a harder spout (but I was pleasantly surprised to see that it is still somewhat soft, making it teether friendly). They hold up to 290 ml of liquid (I don’t do the metric system very well, but it looks to be about 9 to 10 oz of liquid), and come in 4 different colors. I ordered them off of Amazon.com, and agreed to take whatever colors they had available, but I was pleased to discover one of each color when I opened the box.

The Born Free drinking cups have a low vacuum valve, so the liquid flows freely (read: it’s not a spill-proof cup, as I’ve already discovered) but that is a good thing, because the cups that force your baby to suck really hard puts them at more risk for ear infections. Plus, if you’ve ever sucked on any random sample of sippy cups out there (I have) you know that some of them are virtually impossible to get any liquid out of without feeling like your cheeks will implode.

The cups also all come with handles that can be removed if you wish, so that is a nice bonus.

The best part is that it’s completely BPA free, so you can feel good giving it to your child knowing that they aren’t drinking in any toxic chemicals. They are somewhat pricey, but even hubby didn’t complain when I ordered them. You can buy a pack of 4 Born Free Drinking Cups on Amazon for $38.99. Or, you can buy just one Born Free Drinking Cup for $9.89.

Looking for BPA free bottles instead? Check out my previous post on Wee Go Baby Bottles.

Posh Pinboards

When I was a college student I was a nanny for a family who’s house was something straight out of a Pottery Barn Catalog. Seriously, every day there were new items showing up — anything from giant pieces of furniture to rugs to shelves and organizational baskets. I loved the look and style, and always thought that when I had my own house I would decorate just like them.

Fast forward to the “having my own house part”. Right. Did I not realize that it costs a fortune to deck out my entire house in Pottery Barn? So, my entire house is not a Pottery Barn showcase, but I still do manage to pick and choose some favorite items here and there. Like these adorable Pinboards for Little AG’s playroom. You buy the insert for $39 (though I could have sworn it was $29 in the catalog) and then you choose different color covers for $20 to go over them. Strategically placed, they are decorative and practical. You can even have the cover personalized. These are great for hanging pictures, lists, and other things that have no “real” place in your house, except for here. Check them out at PBK.

Creature Cover

I’m always looking for adorable little things to brighten my day, and I think this little Creature Cover may have done just that! This little fleece cover is meant to protect your cell phone, camera, iPod, or any other piece of small electronics that you have. It’s adorable and inexpensive — I think it would make a great add-on to any gift that you are giving. You can find them in a bunch of different colors at the Etsy storefront of Amy Jo’s Handmade, for $5 each.

My other favorite item from Amy Jo is this way cool, way creative “Tooth Fairy”. It comes with it’s own special pouch to protect those little teeth under a pillow so that the Tooth Fairy can come to get them in the night. It is machine washable, and would make a great baby shower gift, don’t you think? Plus, it’s really so creative and original, you know everyone will just have to know where you got it. You can find a Tooth Fairy Pillow here for $12 or you can just have a look around Amy Jo’s store.

Heavenly Hostess

So, a few things I am good at: choosing the perfect birthday gift, planning trips to anywhere and everywhere for a reasonable amount of money, speaking French and teaching others, applying amazing eye makeup.

A few things I am not-so-good-at: cleaning and cooking.

Knowing the latter, is it terrible that I am dying to have one of these adorable aprons for myself? I mean, I do cook, just not frequently. And when I do, I usually just open boxes of stuff and dump them together. Ok, I can make a decent lasagna and a fabulous Hummingbird Cake, but honestly, it’s not like I made those recipes up myself. I stole them.

And it doesn’t just end there. Oh no, it’s not that easy. I want a matching one for Little AG. But, she doesn’t walk yet, you’re thinking. I don’t care. She will look just as cute crawling around in this. Then we can not cook together, and look amazing doing it!

Well, if you cook, or hey, if you don’t — check out these halter top, extremely adorable and fashionable aprons out at Heavenly Hostess. You can get them in mommy-sizes, or kid sizes. The kid ones are $62 and the mommy ones are $78.

I want both.

Baby Scrubs

Know any moms who insist (before ever even meeting their children) that their kids will be a doctor? Or perhaps you have a little one who is fascinated with the medical profession? How about these adorable baby scrubs? I almost laughed out loud when I saw these because I think they are fabulous! They come personalized with the child’s last name in Embroidery, and the addition of Dr. in front, or RN or M.D. behind the name. I just can’t resist! Pick up a set of these baby scrubs for $35 (that includes personalization) at Baby Box! Sizes are newborn through a 6.

Sew Baby (Clothes)

I have 2 gigantic Rubbermaid tubs of baby clothes that Little AG has outgrown just hanging out in the attic, so when I came across this I thought it was a fabulous idea! It is a Baby Clothes Quilt Kit from The Red Balloon Co. It’s everything you need to turn some of those fabulous and adorable pieces of clothing into a quilt! You get 13 soft white chenille squares, natural batting and backing, assorted pins, cutting template, directions for assembly, and fabric hoops for hanging the quilt when it’s done. I did learn very recently to use a sewing machine, however, if things started looking like they may become disastrous, then I have the option of mailing my squares in to the manufacturer and she will sew them for me! For a fee of course, but what a fabulous way to preserve all those memories. I’m ordering one right now! $30 each kit at the Red Balloon Company.

Smart Stroller Clips

I think this is such a cool invention! Am I the last mommy on earth who hasn’t seen these way cool stroller clips? This way I don’t have to carry the diaper bag and push the stroller (or the alternative — mashing the diaper bag into an unrecognizable shape to shove underneath in the basket).

Made by Ju-Ju-Be, they are custom designed to fit on a stroller. Their website says they have “Custom designed cam locks” (ok, I’ll admit that I have no clue what that is, but I’m glad they did it anyway), and that they are curved so that they will clamp to a stroller. They have some extra grippy stuff on the undersides to prevent it from slipping and makes a snapping noise to let you know they have successfully locked into place. I just can’t get over how cool these are — they will be a must-have before our trip abroad this summer. If this cool product also solves all your problems, click on over to Little Dudes and Divas and buy yourself or a friend a set for $17.94.

Zipidee Zutano!

One of the biggest challenges of having a new baby at home was, for me, (the shopping queen) finding items for Little AG that had personality! I didn’t want her running around in the same onesie or bib as everyone else (because, really, there can only be so many “Mommy’s Angels” out there). That’s why I love these adorable bibs by Zutano! For the little aviator, there is the helicopter and plane bib, and for your little zoologist, there is this adorable fushia farmyard bib! I really like the bold prints and fun, personal designs. Zutano has a ton of cool prints, these are just two of my favorite in bib form. You can check them out at www.zutano.com, but they don’t sell their products on their own website, so to purchase you can go here, to Bugs and Blossoms, and pick up one of these adorable bibs for $9.95!

Time for Taxes

So, I know what you’re thinking – hello! Tax season is sooo ovah! Ok, so you may be right, but before you know it you’ll be throwing papers all over your kitchen and laundry room, looking for that one form that you need to do your taxes that you just know you had only 5 months before and could have sworn that you put it right in that drawer. (Or, uh, really, is that just me?)

Ahem, well, either way — here is a cool and easy way to keep all of your stuff together, in one place, clearly labeled (important for me, since I am excellent at filing things away and never finding them again) so when you go to do your taxes next year, you will have everything right there at your fingertips. This “Tax.Filer” made by “Buttoned Up” (a totally cool company if you have yet to see their website) will do all the dirty work for you — all you have to do is insert the correct papers in the correct places and keep it in a designated spot for 2009. Easy enough? Pop on over to Buttoned Up to pick one up for only $20. A small price to pay for sanity, no?

Kai’s Kool Kicks

I have so many favorite styles of shoes over at See Kai Run that I can’t even pick one! These handcrafted shoes are sturdy enough for outdoor play, but flexible enough for developing feet (and feet of those 15 month olds who have yet to walk, ahem, like Little AG). I can’t help but love these little boots — I love “adult” items in smaller sizes! They look so adorable on little feet! These boots are called “Lillian Grace” and I can’t wait until it cools down again (so, like, in January here in Louisiana, and then it will only last for 3 weeks) to buy her some of these! Boots are $42 at See Kai Run, many other styles start as low as $26 (like these adorable “Gretchen” shoes).

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