For day two of our “let’s get organized” week on the Daily Dish I’ve got more than one great way to keep mom, baby, and babysitter organized. pulp factory calendars and notepads are an important tool for following through with your New Year’s resolution to get organized and here’s why.

pulp factory has a calendar for just about every important event, from getting engaged to getting pregnant to mom and baby’s first year. But these aren’t your typical boring ol’ planners. I thumbed through A New Mom’s Life Calendar and loved the “important moments” stickers, which included the standard baby’s first smile and baby’s first doctor’s appointment but didn’t leave out other important firsts, like mom’s facing the scale, first girl’s night out, and first official meltdown. As a four-time “new mom” I would have loved using this calendar to to keep track of all the wonderful first-year moments with all my children (including finally fitting into my “skinny” jeans). I checked out An Engaged Girl’s Life Calendar online to see if it was full of the same humor (an important thing in any life-changing event) and wasn’t disappointed. You’ve got stickers for dress fittings, butterflies, and even budget crisis! Read the rest of this entry »

To kick off “let’s get organized week,” which is themed around a popular New Year’s resolution, I’d like to introduce you to the Bit Dr. I first read about this little tool in an issue of Real Simple magazine and had to test it out.

LoggerHead Tools claims the Bit Dr. is the “cure for the common screwdiver.” Packing the function of a 21-piece driver set in the weight of one standard screwdriver, this little guy offers six driving positions, three length adjustments, an intuitive ratcheting function and fingertip control. Believe it or not, it measuring only 4 inches long when folded and has cushioned rubber handle. What does all this mean? It means you can get your house organized–tighten those drawer pulls, hang a few more coat hooks for the winter gear, or change out the old, rusted mailbox (a project your husband is never going to get to…trust me).

To be honest, I haven’t seen my Bit Dr. in a while. As soon as my husband got a hold of it and saw how cool it was (he was impressed by how many types of bits fit in such a small area and loved the ratcheting feature) it disappeared from my tool set. It’s the perfect tool for all those little odd jobs you’ve been waiting for your husband to do. Should have done them before he claimed the Bit Dr. as his own, dang it all! The Bit Dr. has a lot more functionality but it’s a bit too technical for me. All I know is it’s a great tool for helping you get a bit more organized in 2008. Better get an extra as I guarantee once your hubby sees it you’ll never see it again! –Emily

* Giveaway!!! LoggerHead Tools is giving away the Bit Dr. 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.

** Congratulations to Jennifer Hecker, the winner of her very own Bit Dr.! Just keep it out of sight from any men in the house and you may just get to use it! Thank you to everyone who took the time to read the review and add a comment. Keep reading the Daily Dish for your chance to participate in more giveaways!

This Final week Boutique Cafe and guests are bringing to life the stuff christmas dreams are made of, in the 3rd of 3 Spectacular Christmas shows. Daria interviews designers and momprenuers including Megan from Creative Outlet Designs, Flat Betty, Beth the designer from Hollysmama, Andrea Park from MemoryLane Boutique Group, and Amy Trusler from Toteandtee.com.**This episode is chock full of Giveaways & Promos including:Winners choice of DIY set from Creative Outlet Designs, A full custom boutique set from Hollysmama, Two Boutique sets and an applique tee from members of MemoryLane Boutique Group. (additionally free ship with ANY MemoryLane member stores, use code “BoutiqueCafe”). And a $40 Gift Certificate to Toteandtee.com (additonally 20% off promo code for Toteandtee.com “cafe20″).How to Enter: Comment under this post to qualify for our drawings. We’ll draw the winners on Dec. 22nd at Midnight! Good luck Everyone and Happy Holidays from Boutique Cafe.*Boutique Cafe has teamed up with our friends at Best Buy to offer TWO Insignia MP3 Players!!! We’ll draw the winners from all comments made in each of our three holiday shows. (you may comment in the show notes of each of the holidays shows for entry). Merry Christmas everyone, we’ll be back in 2008 with great new shows! Enjoy your holiday.

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly designer skincare line that delivers on its promise to heal dry, damaged skin then look no further than Personal Alchemy’s new Boutique Body line. What’s unique about Boutique Body is it caters to every skin type by using only the purest ingredients (organic when available), which means its perfect for even the most delicate skin.

Boutique Body is available in a lotion or balm in two scents: Bare for those who prefer fragrance-free, and Citrus for those who prefer a great pick-me-up scent. I was able to test out Boutique Body’s Bare Body Lotion and Citrus Healing Balm. Though I’m not a fragrance-free person unless we’re talking dryer sheets, I was impressed with how well Boutique Body’s Bare Body Lotion healed my super dry hands and knuckles. I would use it before bed and it worked wonders overnight! I loved the citrus smell of the healing balm, which is used as a restorative cream for dry cuticles, elbows, knees and feet. I used it as an extra moisturizer on my knuckles (dang this wintry weather!). Personal Alchemy’s site says this balm can also be used as an inhalant for its regenerative and healing abilities and I’d have to agree. Though I didn’t actually use it as such I did feel rejuvenated after applying it to my hands and smelling the pick-me-up scent. Read the rest of this entry »

Blu*Moon*Design has released this fun American Fido twirl skirt and tee.

Show off your glamourous side! Custom sized from 3-10.

Isn’t Kristi adorable?

Snag this one on eBay >>

I know I’m not the only one who’s had to use serious safety pin skills to try and pin a low-cut top together without exposing that little gold safety pin. Fortunately another woman out there had the same problem and did something about it. Bosom Button is the fashionable and no-skills-necessary alternative to the safety pin.

Unlike an unsightly safety pin, Bosom Button is not meant to be hidden. And why would you want to hide this little gem? Handmade with great care using real Swarovski crystals (or other quality stones), the Bosom Button is easy to use and adds a little tasteful bling to your clothes. How easy? No skills needed here–simply place, pierce, and fasten and you’re ready for an exposure-free night on the town! I received the Crystal Bosom Button and though I have yet to wear something other than t-shirt and jeans, I’m actually looking forward to wearing a low-cut top–not to show off any cleavage (don’t have any to show off so no worries there) but to add a little sparkle to my outfit. Actually, the Bosom Button says it’s great for wrap tops and dresses, pashminas, sarongs, or as an accessory. I noticed they’ve even added a few to a pair of jeans. Now I could totally do that!

So if you’ve got a dressy low-cut or revealing top collecting dust in your closet, get your own Bosom Button in one (or more) of ten different options. It’s sure to become your bosom buddy as well! –Emily

* Promotion! Bosom Button is offering Daily Dish readers 20% off their purchase. Enter code DailyDish at checkout. Offer expires January 15, 2008.

This week Boutique Cafe and guests are bringing to life the stuff christmas dreams are made of, in the 2nd of 3 Spectacular Christmas shows. Daria interviews designers and momprenuers including Bobbie from The Mommy Designers, Cuffies.com,Iza-Bella, Izabe Graphic Design, The Network Newsletter, and MJ Graphic Design, Crystal from Boutique So*Euro and Crystal Dawn Photography, Maja from The Savvy Organizer, and Patty Young from Mod Kid Boutique. Podsafe Song by Tresa Street “Christmas of Love”.

**This episode is chock full of Giveaways & Promos including:
$20 Gift Certificate to Izabella.com, $20 Gift Certificate to Izabe Graphic Design, 3 pairs of Cuffies, Free Shipping using Promo Code “Boutique Cafe” at Cuffies.com, $20 to MJ Graphic Designs.com, A full twirl skirt and appliqued tee shirt from So*Euro, Organizational Phone Coaching Session with The Savvy Organizer herself for 1 Week, and a custom appliqued tee shirt from Mod Kid Boutique!

How to Enter: Comment under this post to qualify for our drawings. We’ll draw the winners on Dec. 22nd! Good luck Everyone and Happy Holidays from Boutique Cafe.

*Boutique Cafe has teamed up with our friends at Best Buy to offer TWO Insignia MP3 Players!!! We’ll draw the winners from all comments made in each of our three holiday shows. (you may comment in the show notes of each of the holidays shows for entry).

If you’re toy room looks anything like mine, you often find yourself swearing you’ll never buy another toy again. It literally looks like Toys R Us threw up in our basement and we’ve had to initiate the “one toy in, at least one toy out” rule to preserve any sense of order. I’ve become really picky when it comes to toy buying, but I have found one line of toys I feel is a must-have for every toy room.

I am totally in love with the Zolo collection from Kushies. Zolo is a whimsical, amazing, totally awesome collection of developmental toys, many of which have won various awards and I can see why. I received the Libro Ozlo, Linko, and Boa toys, and let me tell you they didn’t last 5 minutes in their packaging before we had those babies ready for play. What I love most about the Zolo collection are the textures and sounds. The Libro Coco had a teether, mirror, plastic picture frame, and lots of touchy-feely pages. And we even found out today it barks like a dog if you press the right page! The Linko is a wonderful change from your typical plastic links with three soft (and really fun) characters and numerous teethers, rings, and links in all sorts of shapes and sizes. And the Boa! We’ve happily “one toy outed” our old ring stacker in favor of this one with its squishy rings, each with a different sound and texture. My favorite is the chirping bird and mooing cow. The giggling head is just icing on an already fantastic cake!

As if their Zolo line wasn’t fabulous enough, Kushies’ also offers Kritters, a collection of cuddly, comforting characters, and everything you need for baby (blankets, bibs, bedding, and even clothing–love the Baby Paisley Girl’s Playwear collection!). With a new year around the corner it’s time to freshen up that toy room anyway. If you’re looking to declutter then look no further than the Kushies Zolo collection, because for every one Zolo toy in you’ll easily (and happily) take at least two or three toys out! –Emily

For today’s Daily Dish I’ve got some yummy holiday dishes from Plum Organics and a special deal on one of my most favorite baby products, the Plush Pad from Ah Goo Baby. Plum Organics‘ recipes are sure to please even the pickiest baby if they’re anything like the organic baby food I reviewed back in March. Yum, yum, yum!

And once your little one has “processed” these tasty recipes you’re going to wish you had your very own Plush Pad from Ah Goo Baby. I reviewed the Plush Pad back in August and I have used it every day since. It’s been perfect as a second changing table in our room when our toddler is asleep in the baby’s room. This is definitely one of my most favorite baby products. Ah Goo Baby is coming out with three new designs (Blue Lagoon, Spa, and Vintage in blue) all coupled with the supersoft white minkee center panel. These designs won’t ship until January but you can pre-order a Plush Pad at 10% off plus FREE USPS Priority Mail shipping! This special promotion for Daily Dish readers expires December 31, 2007. To order, send an email to info@ahgoobaby.com with “Boutique Cafe Pre-order” in the Subject line.

And now for those recipes! Read the rest of this entry »

Looking for a fun and easy gift idea to pamper those you know and love? Megan from Creative Outlet has posted a spectacular tutorial on making DIY Wheat Sack Bags. These would be awesome gifts to warm the hearts, and aching bodies of your friends and family. Best of all, you can use some of those smaller scraps of fabric to create these gorgeous gifts. I know that I would LOVE one of these! (hint hint)

Find her tutorial on her popular blog >>

Treat every meal like a black tie affair! This smart apron is the perfect touch to your next special dinner party. Wouldn’t these be chic for all the servers at a wedding event?!

Snag it on Etsy >> for $25! Available from MaterialPossessions.

If you’re like me and your portable crib (aka play yard) is a good 10 years old, it is a far cry from the stylish play yards of today. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still in good shape and has a lot of life left in it, but the plain navy color leave something to be desired. But what can you do, short of buying a new play yard? Say hello to Coverplayard, a company with some great options for bringing your old portable crib up to date.

Coverplayard designs fun and stylish slipcovers for your portable crib. These slipcovers not only add pizazz to your current drab play yard but also provide a hygienic yet decorative solution for protecting your little one from germs. Ever have to stay in a hotel and use their portable crib? If you have then you know what a fantastic idea Coverplayard is for traveling parents. Machine washable, pediatrician recommended, and with a style that fits most portable cribs, Coverplayard hides its hygienic purpose behind some fabulous designs.

I was able to review the Jessy slipcover, a super soft chenille cover in cheery yellow. This fun slipcover was a welcome change from the no-frills, what-kind-of-material-is-it-anyway cover our play yard’s had since day one. Plus I can easily slip this baby off and throw it in the washing machine. Yay for machine washable! Besides their super soft chenille line I love their cotton lycra designs, especially the Isabella and Joey. Give your portable crib a much needed facelift with a slipcover from Coverplayard. It’s definitely time! –Emily

* Promotion! Coverplayard is offering Daily Dish readers 10% off their purchase. Use code “dailydish” at checkout.

One of my favorite “reviewees” is back with a treat perfect for warming the body and the soul this holiday season. Endangered Species Chocolate has introduced a new line of All-Natural Hot Cocoa Mix to their current collection of chocolate and it’s quickly replaced the can of Stephen’s and Carnation currently on our shelf.

Endangered Species hot cocoa mix comes in both chocolate and peppermint chocolate and both are rich, chocolatey, and just plain yummy (with or without marshmallows). Plus, with 10% of net profits donated to help support “species, habitat and humanity” this hot cocoa not only does a body good but a world of good as well. It is made from slave-free, single-origin cacao. The cocoa is sourced from small, family-run farms in Ghana and also processed into cocoa powder in Ghana, which means Ghanaians reap financial benefits of growing and processing this premium hot cocoa. This hot cocoa mix is non-dairy and contains only pure, natural cocoa powder and sugar. I think you can actually taste the all-natural, pure cocoa powder and it is a nice break from the “commercial” mixes we usually drink.

While checking out the new hot cocoa mixes browse the site a bit. You’ll find a ton of great gift ideas for family and friends. I love Endangered Species’ new organic cotton onesie that reads “shade grown” (love where this onesie comes from), and their new organic truffles make my mouth water just to look at them! Gifts that give back are the best gifts to give any time of year. Fill your mug with a steaming cup of cocoa from Endangered Species (with some truffles and chocolate covered peanut brittle on the side) and do your part to support species, habitat and humanity. –Emily

This Candy Shop inspired 2 piece set is available on eBay from designer pixiesandprincesses. Enjoy the cute custom sized apron style dress/top and embroidered jeans. We love the bright colors and who doesn’t love a trip to the candy store?

Snag this on eBay >>

When my blood pressure rises because I can’t find a double stroller that fits in the narrow trunk of my old Honday Odyssey, shouting the well-known Seinfeld catchphrase “serenity now!” just doesn’t cut it. Fortunately I’m now the proud reviewer and owner of BabyPlanet’s Unity Sport, and shouting “Unity now!” makes everything right with the world.

BabyPlanet’s Unity Sport is a lightweight side-by-side double stroller with an ultra-compact fold, which means with a little maneuvering it actually fits in the back of my ‘95 Odyssey! The cool factor doesn’t stop with the compact fold. The Unity Sport has padded five-point harnesses that easily adjust, front wheel swivel locks, two cup holders, adjustable leg supports, comfortable reclining seats, and can be used for children ages 1 month and older.

But those aren’t even the coolest features! The Unity Sport has this totally awesome “Easy-Steer” handle, which feels more natural and actually makes steering much easier than your typical double stroller. Plus the “Room-to-Walk” rear center wheel gives those of us with a longer stride lots of leg room. And did I mention the oversized storage baskets? Love those! Read the rest of this entry »

We’re back for our THIRD year of Holiday Shows! This week boutique cafe and guests are bringing to life the stuff christmas dreams are made of, in the first of 3 Spectacular Christmas shows. Daria interviews designers and momprenuers including Toni Hamel Designs, Mary Ann from Pink Papillon Jewelry, Robin from Kaboodle Kids, and Daina from Jenna Claire Handbag Studio. Podsafe Song by Geoff Smith.
**This episode is chock full of Giveaways including a $25 Gift Certificate to Toni Hamel Designs, A personalized hand stamped bangle from Pink Papillon Jewelry, Burgundy Bliss Party Dress and Leggings from Kaboodle Kids, and a “Makeup Your Mind” bag from Jenna Claire Handbag Studio.

In addition to our featured guest giveaways, Boutique Cafe has teamed up with our friends at Best Buy to offer TWO Insignia MP3 Players!!! The new Insignia 1 GB Kix player with interchangeable color caps, PC & Mac compatibility. As well as the 4GB Insignia Pilot Video MP3 player with bluetooth and 2.5″ LCD color display! We’ll draw the winners from all comments made in each of our three holiday shows. (you may comment in the show notes of each of the holidays shows for entry). Drawing for the two MP3 Players will take place on Dec. 22nd.

How to Enter: Comment under this post to qualify for our drawings. We’ll draw the winners on Dec. 22nd! Good luck Everyone and Happy Holidays from Boutique Cafe.

Next in our spectacular Boutique Cafe Giveaways this Holiday Season, Molly O Designs is tempting us with a BOW OF THE MONTH prize. The winner of this giveaway will receive a signature set of boutique bows from Molly O Designs every month for a Year! At the beginning of each month, the winner will receive a one-of-a-kind set of bows designed around a theme or holiday. And of course, they will be accented in their signature style with Swarovski crystals. (The winner will have their choice of bow size and clip style.)

**All you need to do to snag this sweet prize is visit Molly O Designs website or her eBay Store and have a peek around.Then come back and comment here on which is your favorite item in her store. It’s that easy!! The winner will be drawn on Dec. 17th.

**UPDATE – Winner Announced! Congratulations to our poster “Cathy” from the Domestic Psychology blog. You have won the Bow of the month for a Year from Molly O Designs! What an incredible prize. Thank you to everyone who entered, we were so overwhelmed by the response. Happy Holidays!

Morgan & Milo “grew out of a desire to provide parents an alternative to high-priced European styles or inexpensive character-driven shoes.” That must be why I love every single pair of Morgan & Milo’s children’s shoes. They’ve turned classic and comfortable into a variety of very cool combinations.

I was able to check out a few pairs of Morgan & Milo shoes, and let me tell you, it was extremely difficult to decide which ones to review. The girls’ shoes are fun and flirty without being to frou frou, and the boys’ line is tough and totally cool without being too trendy. Emphasizing practical detailing, playful colorations (gray and orange for boys, brown and turquoise for girls) and outstanding comfort and fit, Morgan & Milo shoes make for hip and happy feet–and that makes Mom happy as well. I was definitely impressed by the high-quality craftsmanship and sturdy materials, and I even checked the insole for cushioning and found plenty. I can’t tell you my favorites because it’s just too hard to choose, though I am a big fan of the Devon and LTT infant shoes. And if you love boots you won’t be able to resist the Caleb and Casey!

While browsing the shoe collection take a minute or two to read “where we’re from.” I love the story behind the shoes–it reminds me that seemingly ordinary women can do extraordinary things. Don’t believe me? Take a good look at Morgan & Milo’s fabulous line of children’s shoes. –Emily

* Promotion! Morgan & Milo is offering Daily Dish readers an extra 5% off with coupon code DDBC5. Offer expires December 31, 2007 and is on full-price styles only, but don’t wait! Many of their popular styles are already sold out!

Red Silk Valentine (or holiday) dress for your little lady. Infant OOAK size 6-9-12 months by Sweet*Girl*Boutique on eBay! Fulled lined dress features Dupioni Silk, puffed sleeves, white cotton lace trim and silk bloomers. Doesn’t this just melt your heart?!

Bid or BIN here >>

Sleep sweetly with the premium mattress covers from Protect-A-Bed. I was sent several covers from Protect-A-Bed to test out on our family’s beds, they offer every size you could want including crib mattress covers all the way up to king size (they even offer pillow cases)!

The real magic of Protect-A-Bed is in the protection barrier. These aren’t noisy uncomfortable plastic sheets, they are soft and comfy 100% terry cloth surface with a twist. They are waterproof, breathable and offer dust mite and allergy protection. I poured a cup of water on the bed to test the claim of waterproof and was pleasantly surprised that it indeed repels water, and would be ideal for young children who wet during the night, or even those who suffer incontinence.

For ideal comfort with your Protect-A-Bed, ensure that you wash it before your first use. They can be washed Hot with no bleach, then tumble dry on medium and you’re good to go. My entire family is now sleeping with a Protect-A-Bed cover on their mattresses, I love knowing that my children are sleeping on an anti-allergy surface. They offer great protection for your expensive mattresses as well, free yourself from worries about staining, odors, and germs. For a practical investment in keeping your sleep surface healthy, and your mattresses last much longer I love the Protect-A-Bed products. Each cover also comes with a 10 Year Guarantee for added piece of mind. You’ll be resting easy in no time! – Daria

To find a dealer near you Click here and enter your Zip Code>

**Giveaway – We have one King Sized Protect-A-Bed premium mattress cover to giveaway. To enter please leave a comment below and we’ll draw a winner at the end of the week (Dec. 14th). Good Luck!

Who wouldn’t adore these darling Apron Ornaments by Erica of Pumkin Little! Click here to visit her blog>

For Erica’s online tutorial on how to make them for your family and friends – Click here and jump in>>

How many of us are tired of our current hairstyle? Sometimes I feel so stuck in my ways and scared to cut my locks. Well lately the Bob is making a huge comeback, and with stars like Katie Holmes rockin’ the bob it makes me think of going for a chop. My issues is super thick hair with loads of natural curl, this requires an alteration to the classic bob for me. I need to wear mine slightly longer to give more weight to my hair so it doesn’t look like a football helmet. L!

So here’s our questions for the day – “Have you worn a chic Bob hairstyle? Do you currently rock the bob? And do love love it or would you pass on on the trend?”

Let’s Chat!

(**if you’re sporting a cool new do, snap a shot and throw a picture up on your blog. Then come back and post a link in our comments so we can check it out and rave about you! )

If not, you really ought to think about getting one or two–or maybe even a week’s worth. No, I’m not talking about those teenagers who love to talk back. I’m talking about the beautiful line of lingerie from Smart Ass, a company started by two girlfriends and a thong.

“If you’re gonna flash your thong, why not flash it with style?” This is the a-ha moment that started it all. Wanting to “capitalize on a very small piece of untapped real estate–the back T-Bar of the thong,” the women behind Smart Ass designed a line of thongs that are not only lovingly made and extremely comfortable but include a sassy saying like “control freak,” “high maintenance,” and “kiss my…” After just a couple years their thongs are already sold in over 200 stores across North America. And because a girl can’t live with just thongs, the women behind Smart Ass have launched two new lingerie lines “designed to bring a smile to women’s lingerie drawers, one fantastic ass at a time.”

I can vouch for that! I received their EuroTrash cami and gal short in the sexy (okay, everything from Smart Ass is sexy) pink hearts pattern. I loved the lightweight, super soft European-inspired mesh fabric and how ultra feminine it looks and feels. This was by far my husband’s favorite review to date! I can’t help but feel “ooh-la-la sexy” when wearing this sweet little combo. I’m so impressed with the product I’m anxious to try out something from their SmoothOperator collection, a line which claims to have “more stretch than a company limo and more breathability than urban air” and “makes lines disappear faster than a plastic surgeon.” Hear, hear! Read the rest of this entry »

Regal Lager, long known as a distributor of high-quality baby and children’s products, has a new “addition” to their current line and this baby totally rocks! Basically everything Regal Lager ever learned about what needs to go into the perfect baby carrier went into this product. The company worked very closely with Lascal (the carrier’s manufacturer) and the design team throughout the product development process. The result? Lascal’s M1 Carrier, the latest in innovative Swedish design and functionality and my latest must-have for your new addition.

I took the Lascal M1 Carrier out for a serious test drive, or rather test hike, over the Thanksgiving holiday. We hit both Snow Canyon and Zion’s National Park in southern Utah, and though we stuck to family friendly hikes we still broke a sweat and experienced some good “ups” and “downs.” The M1’s superior comfort and built-in lumbar support made climbing the petrified sand dunes in Snow Canyon a breeze. The fabric is well ventilated and I love the removable top cover that served as a great protection against the sun. What I didn’t know was that the M1 uses super soft and naturally anti-bacterial Bamboo fabric wherever the carrier comes into contact with baby’s skin.

Besides all those fantastic features the M1 Carrier also adjusts in more ways than I can count. You’ve got adjustable width, length, and head support which means you can use this carrier with your newborn (from 8 lbs) to your toddler (up to 30 lbs). Plus this carrier is truly easy to put on and take off–a necessity when your daughter’s diaper needs changing asap. Oh, and even after all those hikes my shoulders never felt sore. They did feel tired here and there but nothing that bothered me in any way. It was the most comfortable front carrier I’ve ever used–I absolutely loved it!

With its sporty and fashionable look and five different color options (I love my Tropical Orange), Lascal’s M1 Carrier from Regal Lager is a must-have item on every parent’s wish list! –Emily

Happy Hanukkah to all of our Boutique Cafe members who celebrate the Festival of Lights! I found some fun sites for you and your children that I wanted to share:

Hanukkah Crafts Galore – Kaboose website

Crafts for Kids – DLTK’s

Games and Coloring – Primary Games

Dreidel Spin, Story Book and more – Lil Fingers

Holiday Stationary, Make a Dreidel, and more – Billy Bear 4 kids

Traditions, Vocabulary and recipies – Akhlah for kids

Hanukkah Crafts – Enchanted Learning

Activities, Coloring and more – Torah Tots

Back in September I reviewed Putumayo Kids’ Brazilian Playground CD. The CD, described as “a lively musical journey that will transport children from the rain forests of the Amazon to the beaches of Rio de Janeiro,” had us moving and shaking to songs full of Brazilian culture. This winter Putumayo Kids is back with a new addition to its Dreamland series, Celtic Dreamland, and I enjoyed relaxing to this CD as much as I enjoyed dancing around to Brazilian Playground.

I personally love Celtic music. I already own a handful of Celtic CDs and so I was excited to hear Putumayo Kids new Celtic Dreamland. True to its name this CD features the softer side of Celtic music. The description said it was “perfect for the slumbering child, meditating mom and dad or the weary worker desperate for a little quiet relaxation.” Though I felt more like a weary worker than a meditating mom, Celtic Dreamland did a great job of soothing my weary soul. It has quickly become a favorite in my Celtic collection.

And just like Brazilian Playground, what I really enjoyed were the detailed descriptions of the songs’ backgrounds and stories included in the CDs jacket. Once you understand the story behind the songs you’re able to enjoy the music even more. If you’ve got a long trip to Grandma’s house this holiday season you’ll want to add Celtic Dreamland to your survival kit. If it can sooth a weary mom it will work miracles on your are-we-there-yet travelers. (Once you arrive you can lock yourself in the closet with Celtic Dreamland for some quick R&R before facing extended family.) –Emily

* Giveaway!!! Putumayo Kids is giving away copies of Celtic Dreamland to 3 lucky Daily Dish readers! Please leave a comment with a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winners from the comments and contact them via email. The winners will have 24 hours to claim their prize or a new winner will be chosen.

** Congratulations to Sara Lilly, Jennifer Barr, and Nicole Simmons, the winners of their very own copy of Celtic Dreamland. Thank you to everyone who took the time to read the review and add a comment. Keep reading the Daily Dish for your chance to participate in more giveaways!

Everything you need to create magical memories with your child, is jam packed into The Playful Chef Kit available on Chocolate Cake Club’s website. This spectacular kit knocked my socks off, everything is included and is child sized to make their baking experience a joyous one.

The Playful Chef kit comes in a clear backpack that can be easily toted over to Grandma’s house, or simply hung up in your pantry for co-baking with your child. Inside you’ll find an apron for your little chef along with handy spatula, wisk, small bow, measuring cups and much much more – 10 cooking tools to be exact! You also receive several handy recipes to make with your child, these are so well planned out on laminated cards. They include shopping lists, planning, prep work required and even safety. The recipe for Chocolate Mountain Lava Cake was of course the hit with my son (and me too).

What I loved most is the time I was able to spend with my son Brigs, he loves to mix and pour, and his big smile was well worth the effort and clean up afterwards. You can pick up your own Playful Chef Baking Kit at Chocolate Cake Club’s website, be sure to search around as they offer so many unique and fun products for your kids. I loved their site! They also break down product suggestions by whatever your need might be (ie: traveling with kids, helping baby sleep, family fun actives etc.).

Cooking with your children can be so much fun and a great learning experince. They get to see first hand how to measure, how to plan, how to make a shopping list, and how to clean up and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Happy Baking! – Daria

We are currently accepting giveaways on Boutique Cafe for the holiday season. If you would like to sponsor a giveaway on our site or through our newsletter please contact us at (daria@boutiquecafe.com) and include a link to your site, product you’d like to donate, and any other information about your shop you would like mentioned.

In turn we will be mentioning our giveaway sponsors in our podcast, and linking to them from our shownotes or newsletter, during the busiest time on Boutique Cafe during the year. Donations must be $25 in value and up, if your items are smaller we suggest a great basket or assortment of your hot sellers would be a great giveaway. We will contact you once we review your application for holiday swag placement and let you know if your site has been chosen.

Thank you for your interest in making this an incredible holiday time on Boutique Cafe, loaded with the best giveaways and drawings!

This gorgeous holiday patchwork creation is available from Alexis Princess Wear Boutiques on eBay.

Custom 2T- 7 with luscious colors and fabrics for the season. We love the polka-dots and fun fabric combinations!

Snag this on Ebay for your little gal >

Our Fashion Show features the designs of Aida from Anna Bella Designs this week. Vibrant colors, charming fabrics, loving details and much more go into her designs for little girls.

Designer Quote:

“My children are my inspiration. Watching them play and interact with one another fills me with such warmth and happiness. The innocence of a child’s laughter can quickly erase the stresses of every day life. This holds especially true when I’m able to see the excitement in my daughters’ eyes, Bella & Anna, every time I create a new set. To hear the squeal of joy as they ask each time in our native language, Danish, “Mommy, is that for me?” makes what I do a passion and not a hobby.

I enjoy creating everyday garments for girls. My philosophy is quite simple – clothing should be simple in design, yet colorful, as well as wearable and comfortable. “

-Aida Pedersen

Shop Anna Bella Designs on her website. You can learn more about Aida on her eBay Me page as well as her Etsy shop. **Please allow time for the show to load. A HUGE Thank you to Lisa from iza-bella.com for producing our Fashion Show this week!