I admit it, I’m freaked out by shopping cart germs. It’s true, I wince when I grab the handle of the cart wondering if the last person who touched this washed their hands recently. It’s also not a pleasant place to stick your darling little child if you’re worried about those germs…if you aren’t the type who’s concerned you might be surprised to hear that shopping carts are the #5 most germ covered places in america. eww!

Recently, Just Peachy Baby entered my life and eased my mind when shopping with my little guy. Noah loves the whole shopping scene, it’s a feast for the eyes and he being 3 loves to touch everything. I worry no longer with the gorgeous CAMO style shopping cart cover from Just Peachy Baby. This amazing contraption is the coolest and most well constructed shopping cart cover I’ve seen. Meticulous stitching and loads of great features make this a real must have for any Mom and her young brood. The first thing you’ll love about Just Peachy Baby (besides their cute name) are the fabric choices available. Just Peachy Baby offers a beautiful collection of modern looking covers to suit the most discriminating mom and tot – I adore their fabrics such as: Cha Cha Stripes, Pink In Bloom, Mocha in Bloom, Retro Rocket, Animal Zoo, Bright Dot, Imagination Bubble, and of course Cool Camo.

The covers are easy to install, and once you try it you’ll never want to shop without them again. They include two toy loops to attach baby’s favorite toy and keep them entertained, as well as an attached seat belt system to keep baby safe and secure in the cart. The G-Free Bacteria Resistant Padding is an added bonus of protection. With antibacterial properties, the inner layer resists microbial growth of bacteria, mold & mildew.

Moms and Dads alike will love the versatility of the Just Peachy Baby Covers, they can even be used on restaurant high chairs. They come with a special carrying bag and right now Just Peachy Baby is offering Free Shipping! Time to stock up. Finally, when asked “how was your trip to the market?” you’re answer will be “Just Peachy!!”. – Daria

**Promotion – In addition to their current FREE SHIPPING Deal, Just Peachy Baby is offering our Boutique Cafe readers a special 10% discount code “BOUTIQUECAFE” (exp. 12/31/07)

This week we bring you a special treat – a show from The Savvy Organizer podcast which is hosted by our Organizing Expert Maja and Produced by Daria. We hope you enjoy!
The Holidays are fast approaching and The Savvy Organizer is here to walk you through what a stress-free and organized holiday can be like.

In this weeks show Maja shares her holiday plan for you including:
- setting up your own Savvy Holiday Notebook
- when to wrap
- how to shop in crowds while still liking people…And much much more!
This show is a great audio handbook for making the most out of the Christmas season and being able to give yourself fully to your family and friends. Enjoy the first of our Christmas shows, please leave your comments or questions – we want to assist you in making this a wonderful time of year. You deserve it, and YOU CAN DO IT!

Click to Join The Savvy Organizer Mailing List »

My FIND today is one I just couldn’t help but share. I discovered these adorable, shabby chic ornaments on Etsy. I can think of so many of my friends that would LOVE to own these. Use them for home decor or hang them on your tree. They are hand-painted, rusted tin ornaments that would be ideal for your special Christmas tree this year! These are by Etsy designer NestaUsa.

Snag these on Etsy right away, they’re in high demand »

The above sold in seconds, so she’s relisted another set »

I love it when I find a product that becomes indispensable, and this one did just that literally overnight! BTVco’s AirCrib travel crib made our trip to southern Utah over the Thanksgiving holiday a heck of a lot easier. I can almost guarantee you’re going to want to add the AirCrib to your travel gear after this review.

Here are my favorite things about the AirCrib by BTVco:

* Weighs only six pounds
* Stores in its accompanying stuff sack, which is only 11″ by 11″
* Opens to 40″ by 32″ by 17″, a size which fits just about anywhere including a condo’s walk-in closet (hey, it’s quiet and dark–don’t knock it ’til you try it!)
* Sets up in under five minutes (site says one but that’s only if you’re really trying to burn calories while setting it up)
* Comes with easy-to-use hand pump, fitted sheet, and a 1.25″ mattress with cushy foam core that actually self inflates

I had this thing set up in the stated five minutes and I didn’t even have the instructions with me. It took just a couple pushes of the hand pump to inflate each of the five chambers and then just a minute or so for the mattress to self inflate. I threw on the sheet (after washing it of course) and the AirCrib was ready for some serious sleeping.

The best thing about the AirCrib? No thousand-pound portable crib to lug around and try to fit in our already over-packed minivan. That is probably the biggest selling point of this baby. You can take the AirCrib anywhere–camping, the park, the beach, Grandma’s house, and even across country. Think about how much easier (and less expensive) it will be to take the AirCrib on your next flight versus that behemoth of a portable crib we all currently own! Read the rest of this entry »

This holiday when your children are surrounded by mounds of action figures, dolls and video games, don’t miss out on the opportunity to give them something educational and fun to enhance the holiday season. “Educational and Fun” you say “How can that be”? My answer is simple..School Zone.

It’s no secret that School Zone is one of my all time favorite companies, their products are high quality with reasonable pricing. They feature great graphics, engaging activity, and my children love doing them with me. A big factor with educational products is that you enhance learning by playing “with” your children. They love it and pick up things so much faster when you take a little time to play along and guide them.

I was sent some fun new School Zone activities to test with my kids. When I saw the 3D Think & Blink Alphabet Flash Cards I knew that Noah and Brigs would be hooked. These aren’t your Grandma’s flash cards, they are 3D lenticular cards so that when you tilt the card at an angle you can see not only the letter but a corresponding picture of an object. They come packaged in a sturdy tote box and have been a hit with my two youngest children ages 3 and 5. For $7.99 these are a winner and would make a great stocking stuffer.

Next came the Little Hand Helper Work book, and the Wonder Words Combo book with Software. School Zone has such a wide range of activity books and they are so well designed. My son Joshua loved the Little Hand Helper Work Book so much that once he tried it, that he took it and hid it in our house so the other kids couldn’t write in it! He takes it out, traces the trails and then puts it back in a secret holding cell where it’s safe.

The Wonder Words Combo is an activity system with book and software for learning beginning sight words and picture words. It takes you through alphabet order, beginning sounds, reasoning and more. My kids gained alot of confidence in doing this book with me. They loved the included software as well, it was fun and gave good directions. The workbook even gives Mom and answer key in the back just in case it’s been a few years since we were in school.

Check out School Zone’s website for toys, games, activities and more to enhance your child’s development at any age and give you some fun bonding time with them. You’re kids will always make the grade with School Zone! – Daria

** Giveaway – We’ve teamed up with School Zone to offer a gift pack with all three of the products mentioned in this review. Flash Cards, Little Hand Helper Workbook and the Wonder Words COMBO with CD! To enter please leave a comment below with valid email address. We’ll draw the winner on this Saturday. Good luck everyone – get in the Zone!

**UPDATE!! WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!!!! Congratulations to Andrea, you have won the School Zone Gift Pack. I’ll be in touch via email shortly to instruct you on how to claim this great prize!
Thank you so much everyone for your participation and interest in this giveaway and Boutique Cafe! Loads more Giveaways coming up so be sure to visit often.

…and I’m not talking about those extra ones that come with your new shirt or jacket. If you want to give a gift this season that is not only beautiful but empowering as well, then you need to check out SWCreations Jewelry’s collection of vintage button pendants and necklaces.

My BeadLoved Buttons speaks a great truth: “If you own your own button, then it can not be pushed!” Stephanie, the woman behind this fabulous concept, found there was always someone you encounter in life that enjoys confrontation. After dealing with just this type of person one day, she decided her “buttons” belonged to her and they could only be pushed if she allowed it. From that experience came the beautiful collection of necklaces created as as a symbol to “own your own button” and remind us all it is our choice not to respond. With that in mind, how can owning your own button not be top on your wish list this season?

I received her classic Vitrail Jade Gemstone Vintage Button necklace. Created with jade and fancy jasper gemstones, Czech glass beads, Swarovski Austrian crystals, dark green iris seed beads, and sterling silver, this piece is breathtaking! The vintage button, which hangs on a silver-plated backing, blends beautifully with the necklace. Who knew a simple button could be turned into such an exquisite work of art–and a piece that empowers all women to take ownership of their own button?

If you’re looking for the perfect piece of jewelry to give your mom, sister, or girlfriend then a vintage button necklace from SWCreations’ My BeadLoved Buttons collection is it. And while you’re empowering someone else be sure and take charge of your own button (i.e. buy one for yourself as well). Don’t forget to browse SWCreations bead art, earrings, men’s jewelry, watches, and Stephanie’s new line of Fruits of the Spirit key necklaces–another great collection and concept! –Emily

* Promotion! SWCreations is offering Daily Dish readers a 15% discount for first-time orders. Use code “dailydish” at checkout. Offer expires December 10, 2007.

Carrie Sommer creates a line of handmade handbags & accessories in her home studio located in Southern California. Her line includes 5 handbag styles inspired & named after the area where she is located, wonderful hostess aprons & luscious lavender-filled fabric drawer liners. She loves what she does, and Carrie gets to indulge her obsession with color and pattern everyday! There is always room for more fabric, and she rationalizes that since she is selling it, she can continue to buy it.
Eye-catching fabrics and crisp, traditional shapes have become her trademark, and the combinations of patterns add a touch of whimsy. Her products are available on her website at www.sommerdesigns.com, and you can follow her crazy craft adventures on her blog at www.sommerdesigns.typepad.com.

**GIVEAWAY – This week Boutique Cafe has teamed up with Sommer Designs to offer an outstanding Giveaway! Simply visit Sommer Designs and leave a comment here stating your FAVORITE apron from their shop. Please use a valid email address for a chance to win a gorgeous “Melrose” apron from Sommer Designs (valued at $36!). We’ll draw a winner on Friday November 30th so be sure to get your comment in. We’re super jealous, these are adorable aprons!

***UPDATE! WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations to our poster named MamaZen – you have won the Sommer Designs Apron! I will be in touch shortly to instruct you on how to claim your prize.

Thank you everyone for participating. Keep watching Boutique Cafe for more exceptional GIVEAWAYS coming this week!

Boutique Cafe is honored to be one of many contributing sponsors to a new project started by Kim of You Can Make This. It’s called Twirls for Girls and it inspires a whole new way of giving this season. As crafters, we know how fun and satisfying it is to make and give a handmade present, especially when the recipient is a child. We invite you to share in the tradition of giving handcrafted doll clothes to girls at Christmastime. Twirls for Girls is providing a free, easy patterns so that you can make a beautiful “twirl” skirt and/or a simple top to donate to your local Toys For Tots campaign. In addition, a selection of eBooks will be specially priced, and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Toys for Tots.

Warm the heart of a child this holiday…You Can Make a Difference! For full details please visit Twirls for Girls

Happy Holidays from Boutique Cafe! It’s Cyber Monday & we wanted to remind you of our 2007 Holiday Gift Guide, it’s brimming with deals, promo codes and free shipping offers to make your Christmas shopping a little more merry.

Ho Ho Ho SAVE with Boutique Cafe. Click Here to visit our Gift Guide »

Welcome to our special Thanksgiving show! Daria shares some of the Boutique News going on right now including : 7& Co Overstuffed Launch, Twirls for Girls, Flat Betty, the Boutique Cafe Holiday Gift Guide!
The Savvy Organizer joins us to share her tips for making your Thanksgiving a bit more brilliant and easy. And notice of our 12 Days of Christmas interview spots on sale now! (Full Details Here ». Podsafe Music by Christa Couture “Habitual”.

Please share in our comments or new voicemail line what you are thankful for today. Happy Thanksgiving!

Emily has taken us on a delicious journey over the past week and a half, with some spectacular diaper bag designs that are perhaps fresh & new to many of us. We encourage you to take a stroll through our past reviews, and find the diaper bag that’s perfect for you! You can do this by clicking on our Daily Dish button in the header.

*GIVEAWAY…just a reminder that you have one more day to enter our Diaper Bag Giveaway.

For Full Details, and to enter CLICK HERE » And thank you for the HUGE response to this giveaway. We love giving!

Are you the type of person that always finds the best stuff, but is never sure who to tell? Perhaps you have amazing news of your own that needs to get out there! Well SK*RT might just be the answer you’ve been looking for, plus it’s girly and fun!

Sk*rt is a social media platform of pure goodness. A plaza for the peachy. A portal to the pretty. A place to find cool things. To read smart scoop. To connect with fab ideas, exceptional people, useful information, excellent products. All of it. And more.

It’s like Digg but it’s for women and it’s spectacular! Try Sk*rt and let me know what you think.

HO HO HO! It’s our favorite time of the year, and Boutique Cafe’s 12 Days of Christmas is back for our third season of shows. This year we’re recruiting our guests a bit differently, due to the time crunch and increased schedule for Daria, we won’t be running auctions for interested designers/groups/shops to bid on a feature. INSTEAD… we ask that you email us directly as to availability, we will then invoice you for your purchase through Paypal so you can instantly purchase your interview with Daria, in our popular holiday shows that run at the end of November. That’s right – you’ll instantly know that you can prepare and plan for an interview on Boutique Cafe’s biggest shows of the year. Once the 12 spaces are sold that’s it, so don’t delay in grabbing your “Day of Christmas” feature on our podcast.

Our Buy it Now price is $100 per “Day of Christmas” and will feature you, your group, or your boutique related website during a podcast interview. You will have your clickable link and a few photos embedded in our enhanced feed, as well as your url in our shownotes for that show. Boutique Cafe also will be doing a press release during the holiday shopping frenzy to give attention to our 12 Days of Christmas guests. Read the rest of this entry »

“be fun. be sassy. be fashionable. be happy. be organized. be smart.” Okay, so I’m not all those things all the time but that’s okay because I can pretend to be as long as I’m toting my new BeSpicy diaper bag from Ju-Ju-Be.

Ju-Ju-Be’s BeSpicy and BePrepared bags are probably my overall favorites from our “delicious diaper bags” week (and a half). These two bags are among the newest additions to the Ju-Ju-Be line. I have put the BeSpicy through extensive product testing and I’m happy to say it passed with flying colors. There is no end to the pockets on this thing, from cell phone to insulated (with 3M Thinsulate) to magazine to mesh to sunglasses (actually cleans the lenses) to zippered You’ve got handles or a shoulder strap option. The shoulder strap is not only padded with memory foam but has this great grippy stuff on it so it won’t slip off. What really impressed me was the hardware””extremely solid, high-quality, with a brushed nickel-like finish and a little bit of bling here and there. Did I mention the changing pad has soft touch memory foam and anti-microbial treatment? I can’t even include all the standard features“”the list is way too long! And I didn’t even tell you about the so totally awesome perky perennials print, which totally makes me happy.

The BePrepared, fashionable and functional in the new purple paisley print is the ideal bag if you’ve got twins, more than one in diapers (hello, that’s my life), or tend to over pack (we’re all guilty of that one). This thing has pockets galore plus cool features like color coded tabs so you know which pocket holds the size 4 diapers and which hold the newborn, plus a unique zipper setup so you can keep the bag open wide, as an open-topped bag, or closed for security. They’ve even thought of a zip pocket that holds the zipper flap when you want an open-topped bag. Genius! Even the most unprepared will be prepared with this diaper bag (a.k.a. overnight bag, airplane carry-everything-on, trip to Grandma’s bag). Apparently the BePrepared doesn’t include the kitchen sink, but I’m pretty sure you could fit one in there if needed!

Ju-Ju-Be has some fantastic bags. “Be prepared” to fall in love with all of them. Backpack lover? Try the PackaBe. Prefer messenger style? Check out the BeAll. And don’t forget the cool Add-Ons, like the Bottle Rocket (a molded mini cooler for your bottles), the Wardrobe Station (protect that clean outfit, hat and socks), and a Mess Shuttle (holds in the wet and the smell when there is an accident””thank heavens for the Wardrobe Station!). Oh, and my favorite, Be Connected, a set of custom designed stroller clips that are actually curved to fit around stroller handles. They’ve even got a touch of bling so they’ll totally match your Ju-Ju-Be bag. I’ve used these enough times to wonder how I ever lived without them!

“You used to have to make a choice”¦function or fashion. Now you just have to choose which color.” Ju-Ju-Be makes it sound so easy. I wish you luck””you have a tough decision ahead of you! –Emily

Flat Betty has just posted her first Travel Log when she went to visit Susan of Dandelions & Daisies. You can read about her excursion and see pictures of her trip Here>. Once you check it out be sure to zip back over to Betty’s own blog and leave a comment in This Post!>.

Flat Betty is being sponsored by Boutique Cafe this week and we’re excited to donate .05 per comment that will go to Betty Cause. That’s right! Betty raises money for charity and all you need to do is leave a comment to help her do it.

To add to the Giving – Boutiquecafe.com will also award a $25.00 Paypal gift certificate and a 1 month free Banner ad in our Market! 2 lucky people who post a comment on Betty’s Blog can win one of these great prizes! So give BETTY your comments and in turn you are giving to a great cause AND Boutiquecafe.com will GIVE you some spending ca$h and free advertising for the Holidays. Whew! that’s alot of giving!

All of the diaper bags on our “delicious diaper bags” week (and a half) are truly delicious but only one is truly, and I mean truly, fun. That would be the Taylor Weekender from Cricket & Monkey. More specifically, the Taylor Weekender in the Monkee print. You may be old enough to be an adult but that doesn’t mean your diaper bag has to make you look like one!

Cricket & Monkey’s Taylor Weekender is available in five prints. Go with Geo Pink, Geo Blue, or Chocolate Poppy if you’d like to act your age, but I say choose Monkee or Skulls & Roses if you want to feel young again (and who doesn’t?). If something makes me smile the minute I pull it out of the package I know it’s a winner, and this bag did just that. I kept on smiling as I tried out the nice and wide padded strap and checked inside for pockets (seven total with a large zippered compartment, cell phone pouch outside (always a yay in my book), and two bottle pockets inside. And if you’ve been keeping track, this one has metal feet. Yep, big smile on my face! Read the rest of this entry »

Visit my new Apron A Day blog this week and enter to win this flirty Dorothy apron and matching Sweetheart rubber gloves from Carolyn’s Kitchen! They’ve been featured in oodles of publications for their “throw back to the 40’s” style, with a modern twist.

If you’re a girl who loves it when everything coordinates then you’re going to love JennaClaire. It kind of reminds me of Gymboree where you have an overall theme and so many different ways to mix and match items. But you of course need to start with one good piece, and that would be JennaClaire’s Baby, I’m Yours diaper bag.

The Baby, I’m Yours bag in Woodstock Floral is a crowd pleaser, and I’m not just referring to the print (the Pink China Girls is pretty darn cute too!) . What I love about this bag is it’s lightweight without sacrificing on quality. With a 2″ adjustable strap you’ve got substance for your shoulder and room to grow for your stroller. You’ve also got a divided back pocket, side pockets, zippered inner pocket, divided inner pocket, inner key fob, and zip closure. Whew! That’s a lot of organization, and we could all use more of that! The lining is water-resistant black polypro and the exterior pockets are lined with black nylon. Another fave feature? The side pockets are large enough for Avent bottles or sippy cups. No more trying to cram them into spaces they weren’t meant to inhabit!

Now for the accessories. Once you’ve got your Baby, I’m Yours bag in your shopping cart you’re going to want to add a Makeup Your Mind cosmetic bag (or in my case diapers and wipes carrier), a Presto Change-o pad, and a bib and burp cloth or two. Feel free to go with the Woodstock Stripe or Floral or mix it up with some polka dots. It’s up to you and the possibilities are endless! It’s coordination heaven!

While you’re online you’ve got to check out JennaClaire’s cute headbands, card holders, passport covers, and handbags (my favorite is the Fortune Cookie). Oh, and did I mention you can design your own JennaClaire bag? Yep, I’d say a visit to JennaClaire.com should be a line item on everyone’s wish list this holiday season! –Emily

As part of the partnership with the new MommyCast & Friends Family Channel, Boutique Cafe is now available on Podango.
“Founded in March 2006, Podango is an online video and audio network that enables publishers and companies to “get heard” by today’s hard-to-reach, niche audiences. Featuring such hits as The Apple Phone Show and Mommycast, Podango hosts over 1,000 video and audio episodic programs.”

Megan, our former Queen of Chat has just launched a new endeavor and we’re so thrilled about it! It’s called Traveling Betty and you simply must check it out and get involved.

Flat Betty is Megan’s alter ego who will travel the world spreading joy and raising money for charity.

Are you a Betty? We bet you are! Do you strive to make a difference – however big or small – and look for the beauty in others? If so – embrace your inner Betty and snag one too!

Visit Betty’s Blog for full details »

Here’s a FIND I could really sink my teeth into! Just kidding, these precious handmade holiday cookies are for pretend time only, and are available on Etsy from seller PosieandMe. They are made of high quality wool felt, floss and beads (no glue). You get 6 handmade play cookies in an adorable festive box for the little baker on your list! Not only do they offer this special holiday playset, but many others to spark your little one’s imagination!

Snag some Holiday Cookies for your little chef »

I also adore these Sweet Sugar Cookies in pink and brown for all year round »

“Funky, but not granola. Modern, but not sterile. And definitely not cutsie-pink.” If you can totally relate then the Zosephine diaper bag is for you! With simple yet chic styling this diaper bag is a fresh take on the ol’ standby.

After checking out the Minneapolis from Zosephine’s collection I found there’s a lot to like about this diaper bag. First you’ve got the fabric, which is not only a great color but has a slight texture to it as well””a nice break from the typical vinly feel of most bags. Plus the fun daisy swatch, which totally complements the main color, adds flair to the outside flap and can be found in accents elsewhere on the bag and on the strap. (Love the Kyoto design!) By the way, the strap is specially designed so the bag curves around the body for added comfort. About time someone included this feature! Thank you, Zosephine!

Looking at this bag you’d think storage and space were sacrificed for style. No such thing! Constructed with easy-to-clean nylon lining the Minneapolis has plenty of pockets and a nylon changing pad. Perhaps my favorite feature is the cell phone pocket conveniently located just under the outside flap. No more digging through the deep pockets or dark corners of your diaper bag trying (unsuccessfully) to find the phone.

On a final note, the Zosephine diaper bag is perfect for those of us who are tired of moving our wallet, cell phone, and lip gloss from diaper bag to handbag come date night. Any of Zosephine’s styles could easily double for a hip handbag, which means you can get out of the house and away from the insanity faster than ever. Reason enough to buy one today! –Emily

* Giveaway! Zosephine is giving away the Minneapolis diaper bag to one lucky Daily Dish reader. Please leave a comment with a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

* Promotion! Zosephine is offering $15 off your purchase; enter code “dailydish” (without the quotes) at checkout. Shipping is free too!

Sweet Girl Boutique has designed this adorable knit Christmas Elf set for your little ones. She’s offering a dutch auction on eBay with 2 sets available in sizes NB-6!

Perfect for your little boy or girl this holiday season. We love the stripped leggings! Who could resist your little Elf?

Bid Here>

lexie barnes definitely offers a delicious line of bags (I’ll get to that in a moment) but what impressed me as much if not more than the bags is the designer. Lexie Barnes, now expecting baby number four, has a background in independent theater and film and actually worked for a decade in the performing arts as a director, producer, and stage manager. I believe it’s this “unique balance between her instinctive attraction to order and her strong sense of individual style” that makes her collection one I couldn’t wait to share with our Daily Dish readers.

You might not have heard of lexie barnes as the collection doesn’t tout a specific style as its diaper bag, but after receiving lexie barnes’ Superstar I think I’ve got a great diaper bag review for you! Though the description doesn’t say “diaper bag” this spacious, lightweight courier-style bag has the greatest capacity of the collection. With a slim exterior rear pocket, five interior organizational pockets, two mesh side pockets, adjustable (invisible) magnetic closure, and hidden key/phone pocket the Superstar is truly a super bag. My favorite is the adjustable, padded, non-slip shoulder strap. I can’t stand it when my the straps of my diaper bag won’t stay where they should. My second favorite thing? The sensible water-resistant fabric comes in some really fun prints. My fave is the Bali Hai. Read the rest of this entry »

I originally reviewed Skooch’s Mix It Up Bubblegum diaper bag back in February and I am excited to introduce you to the newest bag from their Groovy collection. The Groovy, Baby bag in Bronze with its charcoal, tones of gray, camel and rust colors on a khaki background is a diaper bag Skooch claims pairs well with jeans and a t-shirt (my outfit of choice) or a stylish pencil skirt and crisp cotton shirt. I was anxious to see if it lived up to the company’s claim.

As much as I enjoyed the Bubblegum bag I have to say I’m a bigger fan of the Groovy, Baby bag. The colors were just as rich and sophisticated in person and I love the water-repellent polyester fabric as it allows most liquids to roll right off the surface. So if that bottle happens to leak after your diaper bag falls over because you had to hurry and grab the Diet Coke as you drove around a corner, just know it will leave no evidence. And I was pleased to see the Groovy, Baby diaper bag was just as big on functionality as style. With 11 pockets (6 outside and 5 inside) you’ve got a pocket for just about everything. I love it when a diaper bag has a good amount of outside pockets–they’re just so much easier to get to in a hurry! Read the rest of this entry »

Want to add a little spice to your daily routine? Look no further than the beautiful line of fashionable yet versatile bags from Sally Spicer. Notice I didn’t specifically say “diaper bag.” Yes, their Baby Messenger Bag is the subject of this review but Sally Spicer also has a wonderful collection of totes, weekend travel bags, cosmetic bags, and a new line of Bradbags for men (I love the Weekender). You’ll find more than just a favorite diaper bag when you visit Sally Spicer’s website!

Now on with the review! The very first thing I noticed about the Sally Spicer Baby Messenger bag was the fabric. The Marakesh Butter fabric was appealing to the eye and to the touch. This bag looked more like it would tote the latest in chic yoga gear than the latest in diapers and wipes carriers, and I like that. At first glance you’d think this bag wouldn’t be able to hold all the essentials, but with two pockets on the inside, one cell phone pocket (this is a must for me), one pocket on the outside, and one bottle holder there’s plenty of room. Plus it comes with a removable changing pad, their signature serpentine “bead-pull” (nice touch!) and a polyvinyl waterproof bottom and lining so your bag stays in great shape even after you’re back in great shape (takes at least nine months post partum, right???). Read the rest of this entry »

Diaper bags are a hot item these days, not because they’re a necessity (just try toting around all those baby necessities in a clutch) but because they come in so many shapes, sizes, styles, and prices. Most of you are already familiar with the OiOis and Petunia Pickle Bottoms so I’m hoping over the next week and a half I can introduce you to a new, refreshing selection of designers. I’ll be throwing in one or two you may have already heard of as well. (Note: Reviews are in no particular order.)

To start “delicious diaper bags” week (well, week and a half) off right I’m really excited to review the Kimberly bag from The Bumble Collection. With a tagline that asserts “Enduring Style for the Adventure” and a belief that the post-partum period is no exception for fashion, Bumble Bags has designed a line of diaper bags with subtle and not-so-subtle design touches that make the Kimberly bag one of my favorite–and it’s not just because Buttercup Bliss is a perfectly blissful print! The first things I noticed about the Kimberly bag was its comfort strap–no more skinny straps cutting into my shoulder. Plus the strap is long enough to hang over most stroller handles without added hardware or extra fumbling.

Comfort strap aside, the Kimberly bag (and all Bumble bags) is lightweight (LOVE this since I swear my baby gear weighs 10 pounds by itself), water and stain resistant, and has a soil-proof lining. I like the sleek look of the Kimberly bag, partly owed to the hidden back zipper pocket and side bottle pockets. But quite possibly the highlight of this diaper bag is the signature detachable fold-out change pad. Talk about convenience! When you’re out shopping and a far cry from a baby changing station, this detachable fold-out changing pad is a lifesaver. Read the rest of this entry »

After the latest round of recalls of toys made in China, more and more consumers are turning to toys and gifts made in the USA. Of course we all knew that handmade gifts made by work at home moms and grandmas were exceptional in quality and creativity. Let’s make this year a handmade holiday. Try to buy or make at least one handmade gift for a friend or relative!

Boutique Cafe, Journal Modiste, Kiddlins and You Can Make This, have teamed up to bring you some Jolly Holiday gift ideas and places to buy handcrafted items. We want to promote the idea of buying, selling, and making homemade this year. Each of our sites will feature gifts you can make or buy this season.

For a quick and easy way to find each of our sites Stop by Boutique Crossing »

If you’re all about spoiling your little one and surrounding them in true luxury then Picci’s line of Italian bedding is a must-have for your nursery. Founded in 1970 Picci has grown from initially offering just a handful of accessories to becoming a leader in high-quality infant bedding and accessories. Picci was introduced to the U.S. in 2002 though it’s the category leader in Italy and has a significant presence in Europe. All I need to know is it’s Italian!

With 19 unique sets of infant bedding you’ve got everything from classic to contemporary, all handcrafted in Florence from the finest Italian fabrics. I received a book of swatches from their 2008 line and I’ve seriously frayed the edges of the swatches with how many times I’ve flipped through the book. Most of you know I’m not well versed when it comes to the ins and outs of fabric, but even with what little experience I have I can tell this is some seriously high quality stuff. The variety of rich textures and colors are simply delicious. My favorite collections are the Grace (colorful floral and striped design in pinks, blues, greens, and yellows with crinkled sheer silk trim), Candy (delicate flowers and hand-edged trim ruffles in soft ivory and candy pink fabrics), Maritime (classic nautical theme with hand-stitched whales and boats with blue and red rick rack), and the Catrina (100% silk with gorgeous pinks and browns; striped accents, sheer tulle and plain silk with double-ruffle trim and double-layered dust ruffle).

With prices ranging from $300 to $1,200 (that would be the Catrina), you can spoil your little one with or without breaking the bank. Price doesn’t matter when it comes to handcrafted Italian crib bedding though, right? Visit Picci’s website to locate retailers and to view their current collection. Better have a burp cloth handy–you’ll be drooling in no time! –Emily

Promote family closeness, even from far away with the new HUE HD webcam from Clique Communications. HUE comes in 6 vibrant and funky colors, so if you’re lucky enough to own one your desktop will always look modern and groovy.

When you’re searching for an external webcam you’ll want to do your research and decide on the features that matter to you. As a mom in a different city from my extended family, high quality picture is my priority. All grandparents want to see their little grandchildren in a clear picture! This webcam has a flexible neck which allows you maximum freedom to position it however you need to. It will work from it’s base or remove it and then plug into your computer laptop directly if you’re on the go. It even has a snapshot feature so you can “Strike a Pose” anytime you’d like and capture your cuteness with the click of a button.

HUE delivers high quality video conferences and chat in High Def format. It also will enable you to record instant video messages and all for under $100 bucks! In fact, right now HUE is offering an Introductory Discount and you can snag your fave HUE model for $20 off.

Being a Mac owner I was worried that HUE and I just wouldn’t be compatible, but HUE surprised me with his good looks and functionality – we might just get serious. – Daria