Remember when I reviewed a knit dress from DownEast Basics this past summer? When DownEast Basics asked me if I wanted to do a review of their new arrivals for fall, I replied as quick as I could!

The theme for the late fall line is “Vintage Glam Style.” You can see how well DownEast Basics achieved that by checking out their new arrivals or their “behind the scenes” blog post.

I choose to review the “Know When to Fold Jacket” in plantation. I love that it’s a comfortable fleece jersey jacket with dressier lines. It’s like putting on your favourite sweatshirt but still looking cute! The jacket is an excellent fit in the shoulders – something that’s hard to find! The sleeve length is a little long which is perfect. At the wrists there’s ribbing which keeps the sleeves from sliding over my hands but the cold won’t be nipping at my wrists when I’m lifting my daughter in/out of the car.

The only downside about it is the color description. I thought the jacket would be a malt-brown, but I would describe it as an olive green. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a nice, rich olive green. I was just surprised when it wasn’t the brown that I was anticipating!

What I continue love most about DownEast Basics, is their affordability meeting styles. Their clothing is right on with the trends, but they also have great prices! DownEast Basics has the perfect clothes for updating your wardrobe on a budget or not! – Katie

***Giveaway! DownEast Basics is giving away one item from their new arrivals section – winner’s choice! (open to US residents, only)***

Here’s how to enter. You can do as many as you’d like (once per each specified entry). Each is worth one entry to our giveaway. Please leave a separate comment for each one you do:

1. Tell me what new arrival item is your fave.


2. “Like” DownEast Basics on Facebook.


3. Follow DownEast Basics on Twitter.

We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: November 4, 2010 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

Congratulations to LAMusing! You’re the lucky winner

Continuing our Boutique Cafe Conference Keynote – Part 2 with Greggy Girl Founder Charlene May.

Topics In this episode :
Keynote pt. 2 with Greggy Girl Founder Charlene May:

– Technology – Her thoughts on Boutique Cafe – Market – Advertising – Product Reviews – Magazine ads – Celebrity Product Placement – Tradeshow tips – Selling at Market

**You can watch Part 1 of this Keynote Presentation here>>

We’ve featured JJ Cole quite a bit on Boutique Cafe. I will be the first one to say they have some of the best baby accessories around. Their Bundle Me is one of my all-time favorite products and I used their Tactic Changing Purse until Olivia outgrew diapers (finally).

When I heard JJ Cole had joined the swaddling revolution, I couldn’t wait to review their new Swaddle Pouch for Daily Dish readers. Unfortunately my “baby” is too old to swaddle, so I passed it along to a girlfriend with a brand new baby so she could test it for you. First, a little about the Swaddle Pouch:

This adjustable wrap keeps your baby safe and warm during sleep, eliminating the need for dangerous loose blankets in the crib. A safe swaddle reduces the risks of SIDS and comforts a fussy baby. Simply align baby’s shoulders with top of pouch and then wrap and secure wing to opposite side for a perfect, snug fit!
...
• 100% cotton
• back harness access for use in car seat, swing
or bouncer
• machine washable

And now for the review per my friend Quinn:

As is JJ Cole’s tradition, [the Swaddle Pouch] is well-stitched and strong with a chic design. I adore the giraffe print of the fabric and appreciated how stretchy it was, making it easy to softly snuggle our baby’s body into it. However, I didn’t love the circular velcro enclosures. Their placement made it so it was difficult to get a tight fit around our baby, especially around her neck and arms. Because of this, my baby can wiggle her hands and arms out of the opening, which—in my opinion—somewhat defeats the purpose of using a swaddle blanket. It may fit a larger baby better, but since it is newborns who love to be swaddled most, it would make sense for it to fit a newborns tiny body best.
...
I’m still not sure how to use the opening for the car seat/stroller strap that’s in the back of the swaddler. The buckles on our straps would be too large to fit through the small hole (other swaddlers have a larger hole). Ultimately, as a fan of JJ Cole, I was disappointed with this product, especially since we’ve used swaddle blankets in the past and I felt like their fastening design was superior to the JJ Cole version.

I’m glad I had her give it a test run because I would never have discovered those details. All I would have seen is the super cute giraffe print and super soft fabric!

Being such a fan of JJ Cole, I wish I could give the Swaddle Pouch a more positive review, but alas, there you have it. Though the Swaddle Pouch may not have lived up to expectations, JJ Cole continues to offer some fabulous baby accessories including the aforementioned Bundle Me and Bundle Me Lite. You can check them out at JJColeCollections.com.—Emily

Boutique Cafe Conference – Keynote with Charlene May of Greggy Girl Pt.1 from Daria – Boutique Cafe on Vimeo.

I’m so thrilled to be releasing this never seen footage from our 2007 Boutique Cafe Girls Getaway Conference in Salt Lake City. Our Keynote speaker was Charlene May, founder of girls clothing empire Greggy Girl. In her presentation Charlene covered so many key points for our attendees on following your dreams, this presentation was for designers of children’s apparel but translates into valuable information for any business, as you’ll see this keynote touched the hearts of many of our attendees who have continued on to GREAT things. Please enjoy Part 1 in our series from that conference, and please share it with your fellow women in businesses and mompreneurs. Thank you again Charlene, this conference was MAGIC and it meant so much to have you there. – XO Daria

In this episode (length 38:15):
Introduction by Daria, Owner Host and Producer for Boutique Cafe
How they conference came to be: with Daria and Megan of Brassy Apple
Keynote pt. 1 with Greggy Girl Founder Charlene May:

– Follow your Dreams – Create a Story – Design a Tight Line – Deliver your Line – Networking
“The Journey is part of the fun, The Journey is part of the Dream” – Charlene May – Hudson’s Magazine

Some Screen Captures from this event

Your comments are welcomed and most appreciated. (unless they are about how much of a weeper I am, trust me I know – LOL!)

My dear buddies Kim and Kris from The DIY Dish (yes they are twins, no they are not related to Marie Osmond) are guests in a fun challenge on the Nate Berkus Show airing Oct 27th!! Don’t miss it! Eeek so excited for you both, I’ll be watching and cheering – XOXO Daria

Over the summer, I tried out no foundation foundation perricone. What I liked best about it is that it’s a one color suits all. I’m awful at picking out my skin tone for make-up so this was such an easy option. It gave nice light coverage and did help to even out my skin tone. The effect was by no means dramatic – it didn’t leave me with flawless skin. It was a very light difference. It’s meant to provide natural translucent coverage and correct skin undertones. It also boosts skin’s natural moisture throughout the day. I didn’t notice too much of a difference in the moisture of my skin, however I’m really diligent about applying moisturizer.

I’m not a big foundation girl, for whatever reason I don’t like the feeling of it against my skin. Perricone’s No Foundation Foundation wasn’t as heavy as other foundations I’ve tried, but I think I’ll stick to my current beauty routine. I also don’t care for the smell of it. I think it may be just because I’m expecting. Luckily I could only smell it for the first 5-10 minutes after application. I do really like that the foundation has SPF 30 in it. Two for one? That’s great and definitely simplifies.

I think this is an good product for all the on-the-go Moms who do like foundation. It’s quick and easy to apply and will give you a beautiful, natural look that will balance out the pajamas you may be wearing when you drop your kids off at school ! – Katie

no foundation foundation sample

***Giveaway! Perricone is giving away a bottle of No Foundation Foundation valued at $50 to one lucky reader!! (open to Canadian + US residents)****

Here’s how to enter:

• Tell me which Perricone product you want or need and why.

I’ll draw the winner at random from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline November 5, 2010 (midnight MST). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

Congratulations to Uniquely Normal! You’re our lucky winner!

If you love our reviews, podcasts and community here’s a quick and easy way to say you care about Boutique Cafe. Please fly our banner in your sidebar or on your websites for our 2010 Holiday Gift Guide. By doing so you are supporting not only Boutique Cafe but oodles of mom-owned businesses, small businesses and family geared shops this season. Once you’ve done that, pat yourself on the back because well…you’re awesome!!

Share the 2010 Boutique Cafe Holiday Gift Guide on your blog or website.

I have another beauty product roundup for you today. This time we’re talking haircare and “scent” care rather than skin care, which I wrote about earlier this week. Are you ready? Here we go!

First up is Treasured Locks’ Thermo Shield, a spray “that prevents heat damage caused by flat irons, curling irons and hot combs.” Apparently this product has these little things called silicone polymers that help smooth your hair, seal in moisture and add shine. It is an alcohol-oil free formula that also has protective sunscreens to help prevent sun damage. That’s a lot of good stuff in a little bottle! But this stuff does just what it says.

I often use a flat iron to smooth and straighten my bangs, and while the flat iron does a fair job of smoothing, the Thermo Shield made it silky soft and seriously smooth. And I didn’t stop there—I lightly sprayed a mist of the Thermo Shield all over for a nice, healthy shine. It has a nice, light scent as well. Plus, if you don’t believe my review you can check out all the positive feedback this product’s received on Treasured Locks’ site!

Next we have the NanoThermic Round brush from Olivia Garden. This brush boasts wavy heat-resistant bristles with a soft tip so its gentle on hair and scalp; the latest ceramic technology so it heats up faster and retains heat longer; anti-bacterial protection; easy-grip ergonomic handle; extra large vents for greater airflow and reduced drying time; ion technology for greater shine and less frizz. Whew! Who knew a round brush could be so high tech!

Because I use a round brush nearly every day to style my hair, I was anxious to test Olivia Garden’s NanoThermic brush to see if it made a big difference in my hair. Unfortunately I didn’t see much of one. My hair did feel a little softer, but I couldn’t tell much about a decrease in frizz because I always use a straightening product before drying. I really wasn’t a fan of the bristles even with the supposed soft type—I’m more of a boar’s hair or natural bristle gal. Those are much softer on my poor, overworked scalp. Overall I think I’ll stick with my old-school round brush. That ceramic technology in a brush thing still escapes me.

Now for my favorite product out of the bunch: Believe roll-on perfume from ByCarina. ByCarina roll-on perfumes feature natural, sustainable, renewable and biodegradable ingredients. That’s all super nifty, but what I really adore about this perfume is the scent, described as “a fresh sparkling fragrance with ginger, enhanced by orange, grapefruit, and mandarin, resting on a smooth accord of creamy musk, contrasted with hits of bitter ambers and soft woods, providing comforting warmth and long-lasting radiance.”

However it’s described, it is simply FABULOUS. And for me to consider paying close to $30 for a small bottle of perfume is saying a lot. When I run out I will definitely be purchasing more, and probably also trying one of ByCarina’s other roll-on perfumes like Shye or Taunt.

The other thing I love almost as much as the scent? The roll-on style application. Less messy, less mist to inhale and SO much easier for traveling. In fact, I’m so impressed with ByCarina’s Believe that I’m considering checking out their Juicy Lip Balms and Candies (pure vegetable travel-size candles). I think I’m in love!

Last up is Pure by Alfred Sung, one of many fragrances you can find on Fragrancenet.com. Though not a scent I would choose to wear (I’m more of a fruit person), it is a high-end product and a great example of the great selection of brands you’ll find on Fragrancenet.com.

This site has great discounts on a variety of brands with which you’re familiar like Calvin Klein, Boss, Escada, Hermes, Vera Wang and Juicy Couture. You would not believe how many fragrances this site has, and they also have makeup, skin care and haircare products. It’s crazy! And for two days only they’re offering free shipping (no minimum order) in the U.S.  If you’ve been wanting to try a design scent but were hesitant to fork out the cash, check out Fragrancenet.com. I bet they have it…and I bet it’s for a lot less!

My “SWEET” friend Jenny aka The Dessert Darling posted this adorable video/tutorial with Leslie Sarna, the “Dainty Vegetarian”. Together they whip up three different Halloween themed cupcakes that are easy and delicious to boot! I’m definitely making those precious pumpkin cupcakes with my kids this week. Which ones will you be making?

Jenny your beautiful Dessert Darling host takes you through the wonderful world of indulgence on her blog. If you’re going to indulge, why not do it right?! Jenny showcases the Best of the Best when it comes to cakes, cookies, desserts and treats. Plus she is just infectiously adorable! – Happy Halloween, let us know how your cupcakes turned out. – XOXO Daria

Please take a moment to Follow Dessert Darling on Twitter
And Like her Facebook group page as well!

I was really excited to get my Jaipur Rose Voile pajama set from Pajamasutra and I’m going to be honest with you, I’m not a sleep in my PJs kind of gal. I wear pajamas strictly for lounging. For someone who’s not huge on pajamas, I gotta say I really like these. I think one of my favourite things about these PJs is the lightweight cotton. I run a little warmer than the rest of the world (or at least my husband), so I appreciate something lighter. They were great for the extended summer we’ve had here in Denver. And they were just right for the retreat I had in Breckenridge, CO at the beginning of this month.

One thing that sets Pajamasutra apart from other pajamas out there is that they aren’t boxy. They have shaping darts, bell-shaped sleeves, and pants that gently skim the thigh before flaring. What great features! I found that the top came in at the waist just the right amount to give me a little bit of shape, while still enjoying traditionalish style pajamas. Now that I’m 23 weeks pregnant, and have no waist to define, it’s a whole other story! I would’ve liked the top to be a couple inches longer. I’m long-waisted so I could really use those extra 2 inches. If you have an average length waist, you’ll be good to go!

Pajamasutra has such cute prints and I really love the color combination on my pajamas. The blue and the pink together are so fun. You’ll find great color combinations on all the pajama sets!

Here’s what Sarena Udani says about her pajamas:

“Every girl needs a quality classic pajama set even those of us who sleep in a t-shirt and shorts need them for lounging during family trips, hanging out in the dorm room, on your  honeymoon, or a trip to napa with the girls. As a new mom, a pair flattering pajamas that are presentable in front of visiting guests is essential!”

Check Pajamasutra out on Facebook and Twitter” alt=”” border=”0” /> – Katie

***Promotion! Get your Holiday shopping done early! Pajamasutra has offered our lucky readers 15% off their purchase with the Promo Code DAILYDISH. Expires November 11, 2010***

May I proudly welcome my little Lola to our review team on Boutique Cafe! I am so thrilled to get Lola’s opinion on the products we test and share with you our readers – and believe me she definitely has an opinion! Lola is now 10 months old, wears size 9-12months clothing, and LOVES accessories. She has lots of hair, and looks super cute in pigtails and hairbows.

If you’d like Lola to review YOUR product please send her a specific request to: daria@boutiquecafe.com and put “Daily Dish LOLA Review” as your subject.

Today I’m featuring four skin care-related products I recently review just for our Daily Dish readers. You know, when it comes to reviewing skin care it can be a little risky. I mean, what if it makes me break out in hives or I have some crazy allergic reaction to a product? It doesn’t matter; when it comes to Daily Dish reviews, I’m willing to take one—or in this case, four—for the team.

First up is the Clean Pore Peel from Bye Bye Blemish. A “simple solution to stubborn blackheads, this easy to use peel-off mask removes blackheads and debris from the T-zone, minimizing the appearance of pores.” Sounded good to me so I slathered on some of the product, waited the suggested 10 minutes and then attempted to peel it off. No such luck. Perhaps I should have lathered it on thicker, but for the life of me there was no peeling happening. I had to resort to rubbing/scrubbing/soaping the product off, followed by a rub-down with a hand towel. Even after all that it still left a thin, sticky residue on my nose. Not a fan. But I will say I am intrigued by their Drying Lotion, an overnight spot treatment apparently used by Hollywood makeup artists. I think I’ve seen that product mentioned before and would love to give it a shot.

Next up is sweet b. organic baby shampoo & wash from bath by bettijo. I actually reviewed some bath by bettijo products on the Daily Dish a few years ago and loved them. The same is true for their organic baby wash, an ultra-mild and pH-balanced cleanser specially formulated for sensitive skin. It has a light lavender smell and combines the lavender with chamomile to help calm your little one. I used this on both George and Livi, both with sensitive skin, and it worked wonderfully. And the light scent was perfect for sniffing on nearly dry hair while reading bedtime stories. bath by bettijo’s infant line is a great option for those looking for more natural, organic skin care products for their little ones.

The White Tea Anti-Aging Face Wash from Skin 2 Skincare was my favorite out of the bunch. I seriously LOVE this stuff! Designed to “keep the skin calm, to fight harmful photoaging processes and to minimalize skin inflammation,” this face wash has the most beautiful, refreshing scent I’ve ever smelled in a face wash. Plus it has powerful antioxidizing agents in it along with white tea essential oil. It even removes makeup pretty dang well. I’m so impressed with the White Tea Anti-Aging Face Wash I may continue to purchase it even at $39 a bottle. Not kidding. Plus 25% of the purchase of this product will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Fund. I love donating to worthy causes!

Last up is the Easy Peeling New Face Effect from Comodynes. This on-the-go wipe eliminates dead cells, deeply cleanses pores and renews the skin. For me, it also made me break out. And no, it wasn’t that time of the month so I am pretty sure it was this product. One side of the wipe is textured, perhaps for exfoliation. Though it didn’t feel harsh on my skin, and it did seem to tighten and cleanse pores, I didn’t love the handful of zits that appeared soon after using it. But I will say this, I am glad I tried it because I would have never discovered Comodynes. These “convenient all in one cosmetic wipes from Spain” are a pretty cool idea. I love not packing bottles of lotion and face wash and creams when traveling. I would definitely try some of their other products like their Energy Mask Anti-Fatiguing Effect, Make-Up Remover and Urban Vision. Plus I love that their products are not tested on animals—an added bonus!—Emily

I love pediped shoes. Don’t believe me? Check out this review or this one or even this one. I’m a fan. A really, really big fan. Oh, and now Katie is a fan too. You can read her post to learn more about pediped Originals or my review from a while back on the Flex line.

Today I get to introduce you to pediped’s new Grip ‘n’ Go™ line of children’s shoes. Perfect for active toddlers, these shoes make transitioning from early walking to walking an easier one. Grip ‘n’ Go shoes are made with all the benefits of pediped Originals but with thin, flexible rubber soles. The rounded edges mimic the natural shape of a child’s foot and the heel stability and soft toe box allow toddlers to feel and grip the floor. How cool is that? With my lack of coordination I could use a pair of adult Grip ‘n’ Gos!

Grip ‘n’ Go is ideal for both indoor and outdoor wear. The Fall/Winter line has classic styles like Alyssa, Giselle, Isabella and Jake and also includes new styles like Ellie and Jamie. The Grip ‘n’ G collection is available for children 9 months to 3 years.

Unfortunately Livi refuses to stop growing and was too big to test out a pair of Grip ‘n’ Go shoes, but she is the right size for pediped’s Flex line. And of course we’re always more than willing to review a pair for Daily Dish readers. Livi received the Penny in all it’s golden goodness. Hidden under that sparkly exterior (it’s a no-brainer these shoes will be Olivia’s favorites this winter) you’ll find:

• Memory Foam Technology that provide a cushioned insole that perfectly shapes to the foot and improves fit.


• Exceptionally soft, flexible soles and uppers that help provide healthy foot development. Ultra flexible FLEX ZONES provide maximum flexibility and support natural foot motion (like chasing after her big brother when he steals her Groovy Girl doll).


• Shock absorbing cushions on each heel to protect against impact and distribute pressure through-out the foot.


• pediped’s Flex Fit System (my favorite) for the perfect fit. Each pair comes with an additional 2-mm insole to customize the fit so it just right for each child.

Is it a bad sign it took me a minute to remember which shoes were the ones pediped sent Olivia due to the sheer number of pediped boxes in their closet? That Make-A-Wish sale gets me every time!

I will be the first to admit pediped shoes come with a higher price tag, but they are one of the few things I’ll invest in partly because they last so long and partly because my children’s feet love these shoes. They last through multiple children and still look great even with a little wear and tear. Plus, how can you NOT buy a pair of these for your little girl this winter:

Yeah, good luck choosing just one pair!—Emily

***Giveaway! pediped is giving away one pair of Originals shoes to one lucky winner!***

Here’s how to enter. You can do as many of these as you’d like. Each one is worth one entry into our giveaway; please leave a separate comment for each one you do:

•  Visit pediped.com and leave a comment telling us your favorite shoe.
•  “Like” pediped on Facebook and leave a comment telling us you joined.
•  Follow pediped on Twitter and leave a comment telling is you’re their newest follower.
•  Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL of your tweet.
•  Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL to your blog post.

Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: October 21, 2010 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Leah O., the winner of the pediped giveaway! 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!

My daughter, Holly, loves her Pedipeds! We were sent the Original Penny’s in Silver and they came in the cutest little box. Holly enjoyed carrying them around in the box and she loves to wear them even more. She brings them to me and wants me to put them on her little feet. They’re so comfortable for her and they’ve worn so well. Except for a few scuffs on the bows, they still look brand new. And the silver goes with so many things! Our pair of pedipeds are definitely our go-to shoes. I also found Pediped’s sizing chart to be extremely helpful and accurate. I’l be so sad when Holly grows out of these shoes (good thing we have another girl on the way!).

I love that Pediped was started by a husband and wife team, namely by a Mom who wanted the best for her child. I feel that a lot of the best products begin with parents who care because then some of the best products become available.

Pediped has 3 lines, the Original (which Holly and I tested), the Grip n Go, and The Flex. The Originals are for pre-walkers and are designed to mimic barefoot walking. The Grip n Go line is perfect for helping toddlers transition from early walking to walking more confidently (Emily will post a review + giveaway on those later this week). And the Flex line combine high quality, fine leather and a soft flexible rubber sole, perfect for your child as they grow.

I find the price of the shoes to be on the higher side. But the quality is excellent and I know I’ll be able to use them again. The hard part is the initial investment for me. I think it’s worth it though! If you like Pedipeds, you’ll love Kinderbliss. This website is the perfect shopping destination for beautiful baby clothes and accessories brought to you by the founder of Pediped! And may I suggest you sign up to follow Pediped on facebook and twitter to receive special promotions. Happy shopping! – Katie

Who doesn’t have an inner diva? Sure, for some it’s more outer diva, but I think all of us like to look and feel fabulous, especially with all those holiday parties around the corner. (Can you believe they’re already around the corner? Sheesh!) Today’s review features two beauty products perfect for keeping you party read from head—or rather, eyebrow—to toe.

First up is Diva Tweeze, “tweezers for the diva in you.” I had no idea something so practical (and essential) could be so fun. These little tweezers by J&D Beauty Products (available here) come in close to 20 different styles or divas including 6 holiday styles. Diva Tweeze tweezers are:

• Precisely aligned to grab hair every time


• Made with surgical grade stainless steel tips


• Easily sanitizable


• Professional grade

But does flirty and fun equal effective? I put my Diva Tweeze tweezers to the test against my favorite pair of tweezers from the Sonia Kashuk line at Target and guess what? They were just as good at snagging those obnoxious outlying hairs when you’re about 4 weeks past due for a waxing. And for once my husband wasn’t snagging my tweezers thinking they were his own. He wouldn’t dare be seen using Diva Tweeze tweezers—another bonus!

If you want something fun to slip into the stockings this Christmas or give to girlfriends, these would be the perfect thing!

Now for your toes. Along with the tweezers, I was sent a few colors of China Glaze nail polish to try out for this review. I love a good homestyle pedicure so I was happy to oblige. China Glaze nail polish, or lacquers, contain China Clay as a nail hardener, the same material that gives porcelain its shiny finish. Who knew? All China Glaze colors are also free of DBP, toulene and added formaldehyde. Good to know. I don’t like yucky fillers in my polish.

I tried out the GR8. It was a shimmery gold I thought perfect for Indian summer toes. It went on smoothly, though it took a good 3 coats being a lighter color, and lasted until I was ready to move on to the next color. My daughter tried out one of the darker colors and said it did chip a bit, but I’m not sure she knows the secret of the top coat.

I do love the colors in their Holiday 2010 and Vintage Vixen lines (I think I might need to sport some Mommy Kissing Santa polish (at left) holiday season), and their Poolside colors have me already aching for spring. I also love their Fight Like a Woman collection that includes three different shades of pink (Encouragement, Empowerment, Endurance).

China Glaze nail colors are available at Sally Beauty Supply stores and online. Another fabulous stocking stuffer idea!—Emily

Another fabulous stocking stuffer for the holidays!—Emily

I love this time of year. Sure, the changing leaves are beautiful and breaking out those cozy sweaters is fun, but one of the best things about fall are the new children’s shoe designs popping up online from favorites like See Kai Run and Eleven Collection.

I have been one of See Kai Run’s biggest fans since I first reviewed them in 2006. Yes, 2006! And I plan to keep being a fan because they keep designing the most fabulous shoes! This season the girls’ collection includes ruffles, boots with buttons and sueded Mary Janes. For the boys you’ll find stripes, rich yummy colors and even a bit of argyle. I love me some argyle!

See Kai Run sent my little Livi their new Jada girl’s shoe, and boy does this baby say fall! It’s yummy dark orange color mixed with mustard yellow flower and purple accent trim has me wishing it came in my size—with a three-inch heel!

You know how I love to snap photos of my kids for these reviews…unfortunately we’re having an Indian summer out here and she’s lived in flip-flops and sandals. But with the recent rain showers I’m hoping she’ll be sporting them soon as she walks through the preschool door. Sadly George has outgrown See Kai Run, but thankfully he has Eleven Collection (sister company to See Kai Run) to grow into!

You can see all of See Kai Run’s new styles for girls and boys online. They even have select styles on sale right now! Happy shopping!—Emily

***Giveaway! See Kai Run is giving away one pair of shoes, winner’s choice!***

Here’s how to enter. You can do as many of these as you’d like. Each one is worth one entry into our giveaway:

•  Visit SeeKaiRun.com and leave a comment telling us your favorite shoe style.
•  ”Like” See Kai Run on email newsletter and let us know you did.
•   Sign up for See Kai Run’s email newsletter and leave a comment telling us you did so.
•  Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL of your tweet.
•  Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL to your blog post.

Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: October 14, 2010 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Piroska B., the winner of the See Kai Run giveaway! 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!

Kushies sent me their boho diaper bag to review (you’ll remember them from my cloth diaper review) and I think it’s really cute. It has a great, fun pattern and looks more like a small weekend bag to me than a diaper bag. I love the satchel look that it has.

It’s features are:

For chic moms everywhere…this stylish new diaper bag offers all the practical features. Multiple pockets for easy organization are provided along with an easy access exterior pocket, stroller snaps with snap closure, 2 bottle pockets, a pacifier pocket and convenient padded change mat.

Great right? I’m totally sold on the stroller snaps. Those make such a huge difference when cruising through the mall. I feel so much more organized and because they’re attached to the diaper bag, I don’t run the risk of losing them. This diaper bag is the perfect size as well. Because it’s the right depth, it can be packed with lots of stuff, but you’ll never feel like your digging at the bottom of the bag for ages. You can see the bottom easily in turn, making finding that loose toy, or pacifier that you just threw in (we all do it) simple! The bottle pockets are a little bit on the wide side. But they’re elasticized so that does help keep things upright. Overall I’m happy with this diaper bag. It doesn’t feel luxurious like the other diaper bags I’ve reviewed but it retails for less than half to almost a quarter of the price of those bags. The Boho Bag retails for $49.99, which, in my opinion, is an excellent price for such a cute, practical diaper bag! Like Kushies on Facebook to keep track of all their great promotions.- Katie

***Promotion!! Kushies has kindly offered Boutique Cafe Readers 10% off their entire purchase! Enter code boutiquecafe2010 at checkout. Offer ends October 19th, 2010.***

And if it is, did you ever pretend it was something different? I used to imagine my name was Miss Nancy and I was the best second-grade teacher ever.  I think I also pretended to be a movie star and a model, but never anyone truly famous like the little girl who’s the star of the new children’s book  My Name Is Not Isabella.

My Name Is Not Isabella features a little girl whose given name (Isabella) takes a backseat to all the other amazing women she imagines herself to be:

This picture book conveys an empowering and inspiring message that mothers, grandmothers, aunts and sisters will want to pass along to little girls in their lives. The protagonist, Isabella, celebrates everything a woman can be by using her imagination pretending to be some of the groundbreaking women who changed history: Annie the sharpshooter, Rosa the activist, Marie the scientist, and many more.

George and Livi were sent a copy of My Name Is Not Isabella to read—or rather, for their mom to read—for a Daily Dish review. And believe me, we read it. Over and over and over again. I think we read it twice in a row for two weeks straight. It took a minute for my four-year-old to figure out the whole name-change thing as Isabella reminds her mom her name is not Isabella (and then not Rosa and not Annie) as she imagines herself as different historic women throughout the day. But once he caught on, he was sold…as was I, especially when the kids also wanted me to read the mini bios at the end of the book featuring all the women Isabella had imagined herself to be.

Here’s what George had to say about the book when I asked him why he enjoyed reading it: “Because I like it. Because I like watching her do different characters.” (I had no idea he knew the word “characters”—I guess that’s what reading will do for you!)

We’re definitely avid readers of My Name Is Not Isabella and avid fans of the little girl whose name graces the cover. In fact, I think I have the book memorized, and I’m way okay with that!—Emily

***Giveaway! We are giving away one copy of My Name Is Not Isabella!***

Here’s how to enter. You can do as many of these as you’d like. Each one is worth one entry into our giveaway; please leave a separate comment for each one you do:

•  Leave a comment telling us what you wanted (or want) to be when you grow up.
•  ”Like” My Name Is Not Isabella on Facebook and leave a comment telling us you did.
•  Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL of your tweet.
•  Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL to your blog post.

Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: October 8, 2010 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Lisa L., the winner of the My Name Is Not Isabella book giveaway! 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!

For details: daria@boutiquecafe.com

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