Gimme a Boost, Mom! (Giveaway CLOSED)

Little AG has officially been two years old for less than a week but I’ve been noticing her gradually develop a stronger sense of independence for about two months now.  (Some call it stubborn, pig-headed, and relentless–but me?  Nah, I’ll stick with independent.)  One of her new favorite phrases is “Help please!” (which really sounds something more like “haaaeep peesz!  haaaeep peeessz!  haaep!  haaaep!” so now I get why I could never understand other people’s children when they were this age!) when she is asking if she can help you do something like put on her shirt, take the dishes out of the dishwasher (yes, I cringe each time), or help mommy to cook.

Most of these things are ones that she can try to help with, but when it comes to things in the kitchen, obviously the height of the countertop is an issue and serves as a barrier for how much she can help with.  A chair would be too dangerous to stand on, and she can’t sit on the countertop itself, so our options are limited.  The creators of The Learning Tower had the same exact thought about toddlers who are Little AG’s age, and they developed a product that safely brings toddlers aged 18 months and up to countertop height.  The tower is available in 9 non-toxic colors to match your home, is simple to clean, and has an adjustable height platform so that as your child grows, so can the tower. Plus, throw a blanket over it and Voila! — instant playhouse.

To celebrate Love of Learning Month, the folks at Little Partners Inc. have teamed up with 20 awesome bloggers who will be giving away one Learning Tower each!  I’m proud to be kicking off the beginning of these giveaways here on Chic Shopper Chick by giving you a chance to win a Learning Tower of your very own.  The rules are below, but remember, if you don’t win here you still have 19 other chances to win – so be sure to enter them all!

Win it! For your initial entry, leave a comment here telling me why you’d like to have a learning tower.  After that, every other (pertinent) comment left on this site on other posts from now through February 17th will count as an extra entry each.  You don’t need to come back to this post and tell me you commented on another post, I can stalk track you via your email/ip address.   As usual, extra entries are also available for stumbling Chic Shopper Chick (leave your stumble name), subscribing to my site, following me on Twitter, and blogging about this giveaway with a link back here.  That’s it, so good luck!

US entries only, winner will be chosen via random.org at the end of the contest. Winners are posted here, please leave a valid email address or blog address if you’d like to be contacted should you win. Winner has 72 hours to claim their prize. This contest ends at 11:59 pm CST on February 17th, 2009.

You Can Never Have Too Much Flair! (Giveaway CLOSED)

Take a look around here really quickly.  Yup, that’s right — look around.  Any guess as to my favorite color?  Hmm, if you’re thinking it’s blue you get a big red x, my friend.  So, let’s see, what could it be…do do do…um, oh yes!  Pink!  I love pink, and my tendency to purchase clothing in all shades of pink actually earned me the nickname “Pinky” in college.  As Elle from Legally Blonde would say “It’s my signature color!”

In case you’re wondering why I’m suddenly talking about my favorite color, I’ll just go ahead and explain where this is going.  Last week I got an email from one of my favorite companies, Boon Inc. detailing all of their newest products.  (If you haven’t already noticed my love for Boon, you can read my reviews of the Frog Pod, Animal Bag, Snack Ball and Flo, and their new Bug Pod and Flo in Pink) So, I’m scanning this email and suddenly I notice that the super-modern, super-cool Flair High Chair is now being offered in Pink!  I swooned, and immediately emailed the folks at Boon to tell them that I am “utterly in love” with the newly-tinted Flair.  Little girls everywhere will be able to rock the Flair in Pink just in time for Valentine’s Day!

The Flair is truly the crème de la crème of highchairs and, as with all Boon products, proves that you don’t have to sacrifice style for functionality. A pedestal highchair, the Flair has a pneumatic lift that makes adjusting the height virtually effortless. The seat is seamless, which is fantastic for clean-up because I SO hate cleaning in all of those little crevices (well, I so hate cleaning in general, but that’s a whole ‘nother post…).  The Flair has a chemical-resistant, waterproof pad that can be easily removed for cleaning, a five-point harness, and an adjustable tray.  The pedestal base slides smoothly in any direction on six urethane casters that will not scratch your floors, and has a hands-free braking system that quickly and simply locks the chair in place.  It’s also non-toxic…the Flair is BPA-free, PVC-free, and Phthalate-free.

Did I mention that it’s fantastic to look at?  Seriously, where highchairs are concerned, this one rocks!

The new Pink Flair is being released soon and will start shipping from Boon’s website and Amazon starting in the middle of this month!

So, are you feelin’ the pink Flair?  Boon has generously offered to giveaway one of their new Pink Flair Highchairs to a very  lucky Chic Shopper Chick reader!

For your initial entry, visit the Boon website and tell me what other product, besides the Flair, do you like?  After that, every other (pertinent) comment left on this site on other posts from now through February 15th will count as an extra entry each.  In other words, if you really want the Flair you’ve got great odds!  As usual, extra entries are also available for stumbling Chic Shopper Chick (leave your stumble name), subscribing to my site, following me on Twitter, and blogging about this giveaway with a link back here.  Please put all extra entries in separate comments and leave those comments on this post.  Good luck, and get commenting!

US entries only, winner will be chosen via random.org at the end of the contest. Winners are posted here, please leave a valid email address or blog address if you’d like to be contacted should you win. Winner has 72 hours to claim their prize. This contest ends at 11:59 pm CST on February 15th, 2009.

A Pink Boom…er, I mean Boon!

We LOVE our Boon Frog Pod (and it has been the subject of a previous bathtime post) – I received it at my baby shower and I can honestly say that it gets good use every night.  Between that and our Flo Faucet Cover, Little AG’s bathtub is fun and functional thanks to these very modern and innovative products from Boon.  However, though I love our little frog and our green and white flo, I’m a pink girl, all the way (let’s see, ummm, had you already guessed?)  Naturally I got this announcement in my email, I was “pink” with excitement!

Woo hoo!  They have a Pink Bug Pod and a Pink Flo now!  Both are available exclusively at Babies R Us!  Squeeee!  Do you think hubby would complain if I replaced our perfectly functioning Boon Products with these? 

My Little Pony RC Scootaloo (A Giveaway!)

I grew up with a father who loved cars — working on them, driving them, even watching them race around a track.  I suppose it was inevitable that I would develop a love of things that “go”, but as a girl, it was oftentimes hard to find toys that would do so and ones that were simultaneously “girly” enough.  When I saw the My Little Pony Scootaloo RC On The Go (included in my 2008 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids) I immediately started gushing about how I would have loved to have something like that when I was a little girl.  Little AG will have her turn with the RC Scootaloo this Christmas, and thanks to Hasbro, your little girl will have her turn too!

Hasbro Toys has generously offered one lucky Chic Shopper Chick reader the chance to win a RC Scootaloo on the Go of their very own, or to give as a gift!  To enter, follow the easy-peasy rules below!

• Tell me what toy you always wanted as a child.  Also, tell me who this would be for!  (Must have both to qualify!)
  
• Earn extra credit! You may do these for extra entries.
• • Blog about this giveaway and link back here. Tell me about it in a separate comment.
  • Follow me on Twitter.  Tell me about it in a separate comment.
  • Subscribe to my RSS feed via email or in a reader and tell me about it in a separate comment.
  • Stumble my main webpage (www.chicshopperchick.com) and leave me your Stumble Upon name in a separate comment.

That’s it! Good luck! Oh, and the official rules and legal jargon are below.

US entries only, winner will be chosen via random.org at the end of the contest. Winners are posted here and on Prizey Fetch, please leave a valid email address or blog address if you’d like to be contacted should you win. Winner has 72 hours to claim their prize. This contest ends at 11:59 pm CST on December 22nd, 2008.

Suri’s Little Ladybug Shoes on Oprah today!

If you get a chance, check out the episode of Oprah that is going to air today — it will be featuring a very special pair of ladybug shoes worn by Suri Cruise, and Tom mentions that she really “likes the Ladybugs”.  I just happen to know the story behind those adorable ladybug shoes, and I’d like to share it with you here, as well as a chance to win a pair!

The famous Ladybug shoes are Monkey-Toes Little Ladies Mary Janes, created by Jenny Ford, the owner of Monkey Toes.  She is a work at home mom who developed her “great idea” into a successful business.  Her story should serve as an inspiring example that with hard work and believing in yourself incredible things are possible, especially for other mompreneurs out there!  The other inspiring story from this moment on Oprah is the story of the person who gifted Suri Cruise with her Ladybug Shoes, Katja Presnal.  Presnal is a PR consultant and also a mompreneur in her own right who, with her incredible marketing instincts, managed to land those Ladybug shoes on Oprah in the first place and have them endorsed by Tom Cruise.

Last time this Oprah segment aired Google was exausted with searches for Suri’s Ladybug Shoes.  Presnal became an overnight marketing sensation, and people everywhere were reaching out to her, asking her how she got those adorable ladybug shoes on Oprah in the first place!  She in turn has done her part to “pay it forward” – focusing on helping mommy bloggers and others with great ideas and great products to move their projects forward and fufilling their potential.

Check out Katja Presnal’s online store – Skimbaco – where you can get these adorable Ladybug shoes on sale for $29.  You should also check out her sale section, where children’s designer clothes are on sale for as much as 75% off!

Win it! You can win a pair of these adorable Little Ladybug Shoes from Skimbaco and Monkey Toes!  To enter, follow the easy-peasy rules below.

• Check out the Ladybug Shoes and let me know what your other favorite item from her store is.
  
• Earn extra credit! You may do these for extra entries.
• • Blog about this giveaway and link back here and to Skimbaco Lifestyle (Katja’s blog). Tell me about it in a separate comment.
  • Follow me on Twitter and Follow Katja on Twitter.  Tell me about it in a separate comment.
  • Subscribe to my RSS feed via email or in a reader and tell me about it in a separate comment.
  • Stumble my main webpage (www.chicshopperchick.com) and leave me your Stumble Upon name in a separate comment.

That’s it! Good luck! Oh, and the official rules and legal jargon are below.

US entries only, winner will be chosen via random.org at the end of the contest. Winners are posted here and on Prizey Fetch, please leave a valid email address or blog address if you’d like to be contacted should you win. Winner has 72 hours to claim their prize. This contest ends at 11:59 pm CST on December 18th, 2008.

Smart-e-Bear makes me Smil-e! (A giveaway!)

When Little AG was little we had one of those stuffed animals that responded when you pushed on its paws, etc.  It was cool for our purposes at the time (to stop the screaming and crying) but as she got older she quickly lost interest because it was very limited in the activities it could do and songs it sang.  We all got sick of the ABC’s.  My other complaint was that it was very hard because of the battery pack and operating mechanisms, which isn’t the best for a toddler or baby.  That toy got a new home a while back, but we recently had the opportunity to review the Smart-e-Bear (ok, we actually have the Smart-e-Dog) which is similar in style to the aforementioned toy, but way cooler for older kids.

First of all, when we took it out of the box I was all but doing a happy dance at how soft our Smart-e-Dog was!  No hard battery packs, and I actually had to squeeze the thing a few times to really understand it.  I couldn’t believe the level of interaction that our Smart-E-Dog was capable of all the while still being so very squishy.  Little AG immediately took it in her arms and fell onto the ground to give it a big Bear (Dog?) hug and started barking at him (yes, we just make animal noises in our house).  Then, she discovered he could actually “play” with her.  We played a few rounds of Simon Says, right out of the box, before we were able to even attempt to personalize it any further.  Yes, you read that right — you can personalize your Smart-e-Bear to fit your child.  That means, if you are all IF I HEAR ONE MORE ROUND OF ABCs I MIGHT JUST JUMP OUT THE WINDOW like I was then you can simply CHANGE it and add something different!  Do you hear angels singing?  I know I did.

Our Smart-E-Dog came with his very own USB cable so that we could plug him into our computer to personalize him.  I kinda felt like I was setting up a really, really puffy iPod.  We did have to register and download the software, but it was free, and very very simple (read: easy to do at 2 am Christmas morning!).  Now our Smart-E-Dog actually says Little AG’s name, which she basically thinks is hilarious.  Every time he says it, she looks at us like “Did you hear this guy?  He totally just said my name!”  We like that.  The Smart-E-Bear software works kinda like iTunes — there are lots of great options.  However, some options come with the bear, others you can purchase for 99 cents – which really is a steal in my opinion — because it means that it will be quite a while before Little AG outgrows this guy.  In some ways, the toy can always be  new!

Oh, and did I mention that the Smart-E-Dog will work with headphones?  Yes, so even if you are sick of playing Simon Says, you won’t be tempted to hide him under a bed somewhere.  I’m also thinking that this little guy will be great for longer car rides and flights.  You can try out the Smart-e-Bear, Smart-e-Dog, or Smart-e-Cat online before you buy to see what you think, and I have to tell you that it’s identical to what our dog does, so it will really give you a good feel for what you’re getting yourself into.  The perfect Christmas Gift for anyone ages 2-6 on your list! Oh, and I forgot the BIG plus for us — he will be able to speak French very soon — great for Little AG who is learning both English and French.

You can buy these awesome little guys on Amazon — the Smart-e-Dog is currently $81.43, the Smart-e-Cat is currently $73.81, but best of all, the original Smart-e-Bear is majorly on sale for $43.99!  I know it can seem pricey, but I really think that the longevity of this toy will impress you, and you will definitely get your money’s worth.  I would buy another one in a heartbeat.

Would you like to win a Smart-e-Bear, Smart-e-Dog, or Smart-e-Cat for a kiddo in your life?  Follow the easy-peasy instructions below and they just might find one under the tree!

• Visit the Smart E Bear website and then come back here tell me your favorite feature of these little guys!
  
• Earn extra credit! You may do these for extra entries.
• • Blog about this giveaway and link back here. Tell me about it in a separate comment.
  • Follow me on Twitter.  Tell me about it in a separate comment.
  • Subscribe to my RSS feed via email or in a reader and tell me about it in a separate comment.
  • Stumble my main webpage (www.chicshopperchick.com) and leave me your Stumble Upon name in a separate comment.

That’s it! Good luck! Oh, and the official rules and legal jargon are below.

US entries only, winner will be chosen via random.org at the end of the contest. Winners are posted here and on Prizey Fetch, please leave a valid email address or blog address if you’d like to be contacted should you win. Winner has 72 hours to claim their prize. This contest ends at 11:59 pm CST on December 14th, 2008.

Christmas Gift Guide 2008: For Kids & Baby

Welcome to Day 4 of the Chic Shopper Chick Gift Guide!  Today we are going to focus on Kids and Baby stuff — but don’t forget to check out the other great items we’ve discussed so far!  Day One was all about Holiday Traditions, Day Two was about Entertaining and Hostess Gifts, and Day Three was all about finding the perfect Stocking Stuffers!  Today is about one of my favorites — things for kids!  Let’s jump in to some of my new faves for this Holiday, in no particular order!

Green Toys Tea Set – I am so so so so (did I mention so?) in love with this Tea Set from Green Toys!  Made entirely of recycled milk jugs, it makes me feel good to give Little AG something fun to play with that also supports the earth.  Check out my full review on the Green Toys Tea Set – I know you will love it too!  You can buy the Green Toys Tea Set from Amazon for just under 25 bucks, or if tea isn’t your thing, check out the Green Toys Cookware and Dining Set which might be a little more gender-neutral.  Stay tuned for a giveaway of the Green Toys Tea Set coming up really soon!

2008 Holiday Barbie – I couldn’t resist adding in this timeless classic to my guide this year.  A collectors item in her own right, the 2008 Holiday™ Barbie® Doll is gorgeous!  Not to mention, this is the 20th anniversary Holiday Barbie, so she is looking especially fantastic!  I especially love her gorgeous earrings, and if they weren’t Barbie-sized, I might snatch them for wear myself!  Barbie is decked out to look like a delicate snowflake, and I know when you see her you won’t be disappointed!

Water Babies – They’re back, and I swear they feel JUST like the real thing (ok, not JUST like it, but still, wow)!  If you remember the Water Babies from long ago, you won’t be disappointed.  Even I think that they are pretty darn cool, and well, I have a real baby and have no need for a baby doll.  However, Little AG started pointing and saying “BAAAAYYY BEEEE” the minute she saw it!  They Water Babies come in two sizes, 9 inch Water Baby and the 13 inch Water Baby.  They even come with a funnel to make filling easy, as well as a teddy bear, storybook, diaper, and bottle!

Hyper Dash – New for this season from Wild Planet, I am loving this awesome game.  Designed to keep kids moving and on their feet, Hyper Dash will have your kids running all over the place (in an organized matter) in no time!  The “tagger” is hand held, and calls out voice commands to the players to “tag” the targets that have certain numbers and colors.  One of my favorite parts about Wild Planet’s Hyper Dash is that your kids can play solo or compete against their friends (or you!) to get the highest score!  If the single tagger isn’t enough — you can always go for the Hyper Dash Double Dash that includes 2 taggers!

Barbie Care N Cure Wildlife Doctor – It has Barbie in the name, but there is really no Barbie involved at all!  This stuffed animal lights up in different areas that teach the child about the animals health, and responds to feeding, touch, care, etc.  With Little AG loving animals as much as she does, this was a must-buy for Christmas this year!  It’s also a great way to teach your kids about protecting and caring for Endangered Animals.  My favorite is the “Snow Leopard” Barbie Care ‘N Cure Wildlife Doctor – but you can also choose a Koala Bear or Polar Bear.

Rhino Rampage Game – This fun but simple game has players stacking up little birds with the goal of reaching the Rhino’s back.  You’ve go to be careful though, because you never know when the Rhino will go on a rampage!  (Ok, it’s really when you roll the Rhino on the dice and the player pulls the Rhino’s tail, but that didn’t sound nearly as cool!)  This game is simple enough for everyone to play, but a whole lot of fun for kids of all ages as well!  Little AG loves pulling the Rhino’s tail in this lots-o-fun Rhino Rampage Game!

Girl Tech Stylin’ Studio – This really really cool toy from Mattel makes me wish they had such a thing when I was a little girl, because I know I would have LOVED it!  (Seriously, I was the makeup and makeover queen!)  The Girl Tech Stylin Studio however, allows girls to create a digital makeover — meaning no messy makeup and lipstick fiascoes are in your future with this nifty gadget!  The Stylin’ Studio comes equipped with a touch pad and a built-in digital camera, so it makes things easy because everything you need is in one place!  My niece is getting one of these for Christmas and I know she is just going to love it!

Scene it?  Disney Channel Edition – Our new favorite channel here at home is the Disney channel (funny how quickly things change, isn’t it?) and this fun DVD game is a gem!  It has hundreds of trivia questions that will keep you on your toes for all things Disney Channel!  You can play fun games like spotting the difference between two difference scenes, identifying theme songs from ringtones and a bunch of other cool stuff!  If your kids love the Disney Channel, they’ll love playing the Scene It? Disney Channel Edition.

Imagination Movers:  Juice Box Heroes – This show on Playhouse Disney has quickly become a favorite in my house.  I have to admit that it’s my TV show of choice, mainly because I enjoy these very talented and fun guys and their awesome music as much as Little AG does.  This is the first CD that the Imagination Movers have released in cooperation with Disney (there were others prior to the Disney partnership) and it is some of their best music, tweaked and better than ever.  I can’t wait for Santa to bring this to Little AG this year, I know she is going to love it.  This is one CD that, when she gets out of the car, I will leave playing.  You can pick up a copy of Imagination Movers: Juice Box Heroes on Amazon.

Animal Scramble – Another home run from Wild Planet, this game works in a similar manner to Hyper Dash.  The base (the giraffe) calls out an animal (four choices — a monkey, parrot, tiger and elephant) and the child scrambles around the room to “tag” that animal with the giraffe.  Then, you are given the amount of time it took you to tag all four – with the idea being that you beat your time.  It also has options for team play, and the giraffe tells you when it should be passed to the next player.  However, this is another great activity that kids can play by themselves while still being active, which I love.  Wild Planet Animal Scramble even has a hide and seek feature, which is a lot of fun!  On sale on Amazon for 19.99.

Cherry Blossom Market – A part of the Playskool Dream Town collection, the Cherry Blossom Market is a great alternative to the much bigger Rose Petal Cottage (or the Rose Petal Cottage Mega Pack that comes complete with all the accessories one could ever even dream of!) for those of us that have limited play-space in our houses.  Little AG already loves to “help” mommy at the grocery store, so this is really quite perfect for her.  Don’t forget the accompanying accessories, like the Cherry Blossom Market Produce Stand, or the Scoop ‘N Smile Ice Cream Set.  Read my complete review of the Playskool Cherry Blossom Market and while you’re there, don’t forget to enter to win one too!

My Little Pony Scootaloo RC on the Go – For girls, this is a great “girly” alternative to the Remote Controlled Car.  Even the remote is shaped like a Butterfly!  The My Little Pony theme will bring back memories for little girls and their mothers!  I personally really love this toy — it works on carpet (which is good for snow/rain days) but works even better on our hard kitchen floor.  The remote control has three big buttons which are great for little hands, and Little AG quickly figured out what each one did (including the horn!).  I’m already a fan of the My Little Pony Scootaloo RC On The Go, and so is Little AG.

Fisher Price Kid Tough DVD Player – This SAVED my life last weekend!  We traveled 5 hours for my dad’s 50th Birthday party and this made the journey so much more bearable!  Bring a few of your kiddo’s favorite DVD’s and they can take this anywhere you go.  We travel a lot, so I can already foresee that it will get TONS of use (seriously, TONS).  Plus, it really does hold up to it’s name — Kid Tough.  It is build to survive drop after drop, which is nice because you don’t have to run behind them making sure nothing happens!  It has a 3.2 inch color screen and rechargable batteries that hang in there for a full two hours!  My favorite features:  the two big handles (for little hands!), kickstand in case they want to stand it up somewhere and not hold it in their laps, and the headphone jack.  Because the whole plane full of people does not want to hear the theme song for “My Friends Tigger and Pooh” over and over again.  You have two choices — to buy the Fisher-Price Kid Tough Portable DVD Player (in Blue) or you can opt for the Fisher-Price Kid Tough Portable DVD Player (In Pink).  Don’t forget to get the Kid-Tough DVD Player On-the-Go Kit (which includes a car charger for those long car rides) and the matching DVD Player Case in Blue or DVD Player Case in Pink!

Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Smart Bounce & Spin Pony – With the exception of the really long title this is actually a really cool interactive toy for toddlers.  You set up the Pony with a wireless receiver and your toddler (12-24 months) can bounce and spin on the Pony to make actions happen on the screen.  You can choose levels of difficulty, so that the youngest of kids will learn about cause and effect (they bounce, the animal on the screen moves) and the older children can learn things like the alphabet and numbers.  The Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Bounce & Spin Pony has 5 different learning sites:  A to Z Zoo; Count & Grow Farm; Colorful Home; Shapes at Shore; and Opposites Playground.  Bonus:  the toy works without being connected to a TV.  If you choose the stand alone option the Pony still plays music and interacts with your child!

Jeep 2-in-1 Baby Carrier — Even the smallest ones on your Christmas list need a gift, and what a better gift than something that will benefit both mom and baby?  I love the Jeep 2-in-1 Baby Carrier because it holds infants from 8 – 26 lbs, and Little AG was a big girl so I needed something that could support her even as she reached the upper end of that spectrum.  One of my favorite features is the roll-up mesh front which allows the air to circulate and kept Little AG cool in the stifling Louisiana heat.  I also love how the indicator on the latches turn red when they are snapped into place correctly, because it alleviated all stress that I felt about her being secure.  It comes in a variety of colors, and the price (under $45 bucks!) is extremely reasonable , especially when you compare it to some of the other baby carriers.

European Sleep Sacks from Violet’s Peapod — Another suggestion for your little ones, check out the high-quality European style sleep sacks from Violet’s Peapod.  Little AG has slept in a sleep sack from her earliest days and still sleeps in one even as she approaches 2 years old.  It’s a great way to make sure they stay warm, and you don’t have to worry about blankets being loose in the crib, because it places babies at a higher risk for SIDS.  These sleep sacks are San Francisco-made, made of 100% natural fibers (cotton with a wool filling), and absolutely adorable and unique!

Karito Kids — I love these dolls from Karito Kids that allow your kids to give 3% of the purchase price back to the charity of their choice.  Not only are these dolls teaching kids about giving back, they are also teaching kids the importance of understanding and appreciating the differences between cultures.  You can choose a doll from Italy, Australia, the United States, Mexico, China, and Kenya.  Each doll comes with her very own story book, and you can also purchase additional clothing for them.  These full-sized dolls are pricey, but are extremely well made and will be loved for years, and passed down through the generations.

Furreal Friends Tumbles, My Rollover Pup — Little AG is facinated by “puppies” and has been for as long as I remember.  The FurReal Friends Roll Over Pup makes her squeal with delight.  It rolls over and back, while barking and making cute puppy noises.  She watches it roll over and cracks up laughing!  It’s better than your typical stuffed animal becuase it actually moves and reacts when you pet it on the tummy, and she looks surprised each and every time.  The mechanism inside of it makes it kind of hard, so it’s not an animal to take to bed at night, but it certainly serves its purpose as a really fun toy!  We love it, and it comes highly recommended!

Little Mommy Gotta Go Doll — Did you know that pretending to be an adult is crucial to a child’s early development?  This doll, meant for girls ages 3 and older, allows them to step into the “mommy” role to help the doll use the potty.  It even comes with a sink so that “mommy” can help her wash her hands afterward, and a toothbrush to brush her teeth (complete with tooth-brushing sounds!)!  My favorite part about this toy is that it doesn’t use any water to create the effect — meaning it is a mess-free toy, which goes a long way in our house!  It’s a fun toy that will interact with your child – the doll sings little songs and says fun phrases too.  The Little Mommy Gotta Go Doll is perfect for little girls who are at the potty training age.

Sing & Learn Musical Mic — This little mic is really cool.  On top of actually working to amplify your voice when you talk into it (I might know this because I played with it for 10 minutes while Little AG waited impatiently!) the Sing & Learn Musical Mic lets you choose from jazz, classical and rock ‘n roll style music.  Our favorite quality though (because remember, I have a child that is pretty obsessed with animals) is that it also features 12 animals and fun animal sounds. All you have to do is turn the ring on top of the mic to hear each sound.  Lots of fun, and a great toy for the car!

Girl Gourmet Cupcake Maker — I love the Girl Gourmet Cupcake Maker so much that I’m giving this to my niece for Christmas.  The Cupcake Maker comes with four cupcake flavor mixes and frosting. The cupcake flavors include red velvet, chocolate, yellow, and cinnamon sugar and the frosting flavors include chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and cream cheese. The mixes only require water and you can bake them in the microwave!  It comes with everything you need, including a mixing bowl, measuring spoon, spatula and water dropper.  Our favorite part was actually frosting the cupcakes with perfect little swirls.  Pick up the Girl Gourmet Cupcake Maker at Amazon where they are currently $10 off!  A great deal!

Face Off Frenzy — This really cool product for the Holiday Season is easy to put together and exceptionally quiet (with the exception of the squeals that will be coming from your kids!).  It requires no batteries, no electricity, and will work on carpet!  It’s like playing a little game of air hockey in your living room!  PowerBand Technology creates high-speed ricochet action without the need for air!  You will love it, and so will your kids! Face Off Frenzy is a great deal and is available for under $50 on Amazon!

Swaptop (Kitchen and Workbench) — These awesome, awesome toys are going to be the hit of Christmas this year!  The transformable Workbench or Kitchen also turns into a desk!  I love that it serves a dual purpose (especially when you are dealing with limited space as we are) and that kids will love playing with both.  When Little AG gets tired of the kitchen play, we quickly lower the top to create a desk and pull out one of the “drawers’ which becomes a little bench, and Voila! she is coloring quietly in no time.  It’s nice because it also has little drawers where we store her crayons and coloring books, and in the bottom are her teapots and “cookware”.   The one pictured here is the workbench swaptop, but if you click the link above you can see the kitchen too.

Zoobie Pets — A must-have for anyone traveling with a child!  A Zoobie Pet is a stuffed animal, a pillow, and a blanket all in one.  They are the most adorable things I have ever seen, and talk about mixing fun with function.  There are tons of different animals to choose from, and the detachable blankets have to be the SOFTEST things ever.  EVER.  Even I want to cuddle up with it, that is when Little AG isn’t shooting me curious looks for stealing it.  We have Tamara the Tortise in all of her full sized glory, and a Crocodile Zoobie Baby who is a smaller version, but with all of the same great perks.

Thanks for checking out my guide for Kids and Babies for Christmas 2008.  If you didn’t see what you were looking for above, please use the Amazon search box below to look around!  Don’t forget to check out From Dates to Diapers and An Ordinary Life to discover more great Christmas Gift ideas!

Something to Whistle About

We are quickly approaching something that I know that I can’t put off.  Moving to a big girl bed has my stomach in knots, mainly because I know that Little AG will be up and running around our house in the middle of the night, and I have the feeling I will be hearing shrieks of “Mooommmeeee, Dadddddeeeee” from a little person who is actually standing next to my bed.  Either that or she’ll be sipping some milk on the couch watching the Imagination Movers.

While the move to a “big girl bed” might not be fun logistically, choosing bedding for her new bed certainly is!  I have recently discovered the awesome and chic bedding sets for kids over at Whistle and Wink.  The company was born from the passion of veteran designer Bridget Kelly hand in hand with Vitamins Playwear the well-established fine infant and children’s apparel manufacturer.  With over 25 years of experience in Textiles and Fashion, including her most recent position as Creative Director for Pottery Barn Kids, Bridget Kelly, Co-creator and Vice President of Design and Merchandising understands the meaning of good design and functionality.  The patterns are fun and whimisical, but not overpowering, perfect for an understated kid’s room that will allow the personality of your child to shine through!

I had the opportunity to check out the amazing quality of the Whistle and Wink Line (We love the Butterfly Party pattern) and I can say, without hesitation, that the workmanship and quality will not dissapoint.  The pieces are well-made and look like they will hold up to years of wear and tear.  Check out Whistle and Wink to see all of the patterns and looks that you can choose from — they even have nursery bedding!

Review and Giveaway: Pony Sisters Ponchos

Last week we got something in the mail that I was so so excited about. Pony Sisters Ponchos turned my sweet Little AG into the most adorable version of little red riding hood EVER! We got this awesome red fleece poncho for Little AG to try out and we just love it (and she loves how it flies behind her when she runs!). Even though the product was developed in Seattle (brrrrr) the fleece is actually the perfect material for our relatively warm weather year-round here in Louisiana. Rare is the day when we need something other than a light jacket (it’s SO depressing, really) so this is the perfect way to keep her warm. She can’t take it off, but it also doesn’t bother her like a jacket would because it’s not bulky and doesn’t get in the way. Oh, and have I mentioned how irresistibly cute it is? I’m just sayin’.

Some cool things about Pony Sisters Ponchos that you should know: It is a mom-owned, mom-developed, and mom-run company (I love Mompreneurs!). The idea for their ponchos came about because the owner’s daughter hated to wear jackets. Her mom sewed her a fleece poncho to wear to keep her warm, and they started getting stopped everywhere they went to ask where they got it. (Because, as I have already mentioned, it is so stinkin’ cute!) It was one of those “ah ha!” moments, and the idea for Pony Sisters Ponchos was born.

Oh yeah, it even has pockets on the inside of the poncho to keep little hands warm. Even cooler, the pockets aren’t visible from the outside of the poncho, so it makes you feel all secret-agent-like. Little AG has just recently discovered the joy of pockets, so this has provided lots of entertainment for us.

The ponchos are extremely well made and look very professional. I can say with 100% certainty that I know you will love these ponchos as much as we do. When Little AG grows out of her small, we are promptly buying a Medium, and then the rest of the sizes. I can already tell that this will be one of our wardrobe staples!

Ok, gush gush gush. Gushing is complete. How about winning one? Would you like that? I thought you might. Just follow these easy-peasy rules below to enter:

• Head over to Pony Sisters Ponchos and pick out your favorite poncho. Then come back here and leave a comment on this post telling me which one you would love to have for the little poncho-wearer in your life!
  
• Earn extra credit! You may do these for extra entries.
  • Blog about this giveaway and link back here. Tell me about it in a separate post.
  • Subscribe to my RSS feed via email or in a reader and tell me about it in a separate post.
    
  • Stumble my main webpage (www.chicshopperchick.com) and leave me your Stumble Upon name in a separate post.
  • Favorite Chic Shopper Chick on Technorati (there is a “Fave this Blog” button in my right sidebar) and let me know about it in a in a separate post.
  • Add me to your blog roll. Not just my button in your sidebar, I’d love to be on your blog roll! Let me know about it in a separate post!

That’s it! Good luck! Oh, and the official rules and legal jargon are below.

Oh, and psssst — have you heard about our Pink Dyson Giveaway? There is still time to enter! You can also win a copy of the Naked Brothers Band Season 2, or a complete Holiday Card Package from Tiny Prints.

US entries only, winner will be chosen via random.org at the end of the contest. Winners are posted here and on Prizey Fetch, please leave a valid email address or blog address if you’d like to be contacted should you win. Winner has 72 hours to claim their prize. This contests ends at 11:59 pm CST on October 30th, 2008.