When my two older daughters were young I bought each of them a small, lightweight Laura Ashley suitcase from TJ Maxx. They were the cutest things and the perfect size for an overnighter or two at Grandma’s. Even now they use them if it’s a single-night’s stay and no serious travel is required. I would be afraid to send those little suitcases on a cross-country trip or through baggage check at the airport. There is no way they’d survive the abuse!

And yet those ever-popular, far-too-many, carry-on rolling suitcases aren’t very child friendly (nor are they cute like our Laura Ashley ones). My point? I think every child needs his or her own solid, baggage-claim-friendly, child-friendly suitcase. Why? Because they’re more apt to tote it, which means one less suitcase for you to worry about, and less likely to lose it because it’s so dang cool. That’s why I love the children’s line from Heys USA. It’s fun meets function meets “take me cross country–I can totally handle it” luggage!

Heys sent us the Tinkerbell suitcase from their Disney line. What first took me by surprise when I pulled it out of the box is how extremely light it was–checking the stats it weighs in at just over 3 pounds! It was like I was holding a sippy cup full of milk rather than a hard-shell suitcase. Heys is awesome because they’ve put a lot of thought into their children’s luggage, and not just putting Disney characters on the front (Cars, Nemo, Minnie Mouse to name a few). They also have a “reverse-curve” handle at a lower height that curves in and up making it much more comfortable to hold and navigate. (Navigation is very important when making your way through an airport!)

Our Tinkerbell suitcase also has wheels that protrude out so it keeps the elevated even when rolled by a height-challenged toddler. And the inline skate wheels make rolling that much easier! I also love the printed patterns inside the suitcase and the nifty zippered divider. It might just keep all the clothes, toys and “treasures” organized–time will only tell!

Heys also has children’s backpacks that look as sturdy yet comfy (i.e. lightweight) as their suitcases. And the company has really awesome luggage for adults including messenger bags, suitcases, laptop bags and even handbags. It’s kind of like being a kid in a candy store but with really cool, really shiny, super functional and fun candy! –Emily

Sparklehearts is a new line of natural beauty product for girls. The products are as happy and sunshiny on the inside as their packaging is on the outside and made of 99.6% natural, vegetable and plant-based ingredients. Sparklehearts is all about just saying no to “the icky chemicals and toxins that make up the majority of make-up, bath and beauty products for girls. Their products, which include Bubbling Blooms Body Wash, Shine Shampoo, Rainbow Soft Conditioner, Sweet Hearts Sparkly Lotion and Peace Out No Knots Hair Detangler, are made in the USA, never tested on animals, environmentally friends and even use 100% recycled packaging. All that in a super sparkly, brightly colored, exuberant bottle!

My girls received the Shine Shampoo and Rainbow Soft Conditioner combo. Both have Sparklehearts’ naturally sweet signature scent and girl-friendly packaging. The shampoo contains pansy and violet extract, rosemary and natural coconut and sugar while the conditioner has Vitamin B-5, shea butter, jojoba and wheat protein. My girls couldn’t wait to try these out but of course I made them wait until they had used up their current shampoo and conditioner. (Looking back they went through it faster than usual…I think a lot of it went down the drain…literally.)

I asked them what they thought about their new Sparklehearts sparkly bath products and here’s what they first said (both in agreement): “I think they smell good but when you mix them together they don’t smell very good.” Huh?!?! I was confused by what they said–were they mixing the shampoo and conditioner and putting them on together? Were they putting on one, then the other before rinsing out the first one? Apparently not. They explained they did the lather and rinse thing for both the shampoo and conditioner, and once they were done and out of the shower they didn’t like how their hair smelled. You’ve got me–I didn’t have this issue when I used the Sparklehearts shampoo and conditioner. Hey, our master bathroom shower was being cleaned and regrouted. (That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it!)

My oldest daughter did walk off with this comment: “I like the outside of the bottles; they’re cute!” So score one for 100% recycled packaging decked out in shininess, sparkles and glitter! I’m good with a more natural smell because I know the product is a lot better for their bodies. I think my girls are just too used to their typical “toxic” haircare products! It’s about time Sparklehearts helped them kick the habit, don’t you think? –Emily

** Giveaway! Sparklehearts is giving away one product, winner’s choice! Please visit the company’s site and leave a comment telling us what inspiring quote the little Sparklehearts bird carried across the screen while you were there; include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: July 7, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

* Promotion! Sparklehearts is offering Daily Dish readers 20% off their purchase! Simply enter code Blog20 when checking out at Sparklehearts.com.

While my current set of children’s plates are plastic, I can’t say that they’re earth-friendly or 100% recyclable. They might be but I highly doubt it. I am aware there is a greater selection of BPA- and phthalate-free children’s tableware but nothing really caught my eye until I saw the collection from smiling planet.

smiling planet’s children’s plates are made from 100% recycled, high-grade plastic, made in the USA and are also 100% recyclable. It’s kind of like the ever-popular circle of life thing, which I thought was pretty cool eve before The Lion King. smiling planet has also made sure their plates are free of BPA, lead, phthalates, toxic inks; they are also safe and sustainable and dishwasher safe. Okay, so that’s a pretty impressive list, but are the plates as child-friendly when it comes to design as they are safety? Most definitely yes!

The collection includes 15 plates featuring words and/or graphics from the company’s self-titled book. George received the whale plate and smiling planet book; we read that book every night for about a week straight! And it was one of those I enjoyed just as much as he did. The illustrations are whimsical yet “deep” and the story is one we should all memorize and take to heart. Of course George loved his plate more than his book, but what do you expect? He gets his own special plate at mealtime–that’s so cool! I love that it’s safe but also that it has high sides so food stays on the plate rather than all over the counter.

smiling planet also has a wonderful selection of placemats, t-shirts, cards and posters, all at “friendly” prices. This is one earth-friendly children’s company whose products you can afford, and that will definitely make you–and our earth–smile! –Emily

Twice I’ve experienced the dreaded “blue screen of death” on my PC and nearly lost my hard drive. Fortunately my computer savvy husband has been able to rescue me both times, but it freaked me out enough to immediately backup what files I could to a DVD for safe keeping. Of course being a mom of four means I constantly forget things, including picking my girls up from school on occasion, and one of those things is consistently backing up my files. Basically I have a total of two DVDs, the most recent one at least a few months old. As a business owner and digital-photo uploader, this is not good. What I need is something that will back up my files on a regular basis without my even thinking about it. That something is MozyForMoms.com.

Mozy is one of the most trusted online backup services for consumers and businesses–and I believe it since I’ve heard seen references to Mozy everywhere online, including one of my favorite organizational sites, Unclutterer. How does it work? In a nutshell, copies of your backed-up files are securely stored in world-class data centers, protecting them against data loss as a result of computer failure. (By the way the most common forms of data loss are hard drive crash (hello, been there, almost done that!), theft, loss, viruses (definitely been there), natural disaster and accidental deletion (I have four kids–the odds of this happening are high!).

“With the recent explosion in digital information, moms are accumulating massive amounts of irreplaceable digital family photos and videos, music collections, business documents, financial documents and more.” Massive amounts is right! Thanks to TodaysMama I was able to give Mozy a test drive for the Daily Dish. When I went in to select the files to backup, it was some serious Gig-age! I found out the initial backup of your files can take days, even weeks, which makes sense since you need to be working while the files are being copied. Mine actually took just a few days, but because I could choose how much of my bandwidth Mozy used, my connection while working wasn’t noticeably affected. And at night I could let it speed things up since I didn’t need to be online!

Since then it’s already done a routine backup, which takes a lot less time since Mozy is only backing up new or changed portions of files. (We’re talking minutes rather than hours or days). And new and changed files are automatically detected and backed up! It’s that routine backup I love most. One less thing to add to my to-do list, which already has far too many items not getting done… Mozy also:

• supports Windows and Mac OS X operating systems.
• protects all files during the backup processwith end-to-end encryption.
• backs up open and locked files; no need to close down critical applications during the backup process.
• offers near continuous data protection, meaning new and changed files are automatically detected and backed up.
• retains 30 days worth of file versions.

If you want to give Mozy a test drive, MozyHome offers everyone 2 GB of free storage. While this won’t cover your child’s recent 1st-birthday photo shoot it will let you backup some important documents. Paid subscriptions cost $4.95 per month and will allow you to back up a heck of a lot more files, and discounts are given for yearly and biennial billing. And when you sign up for a new account, you get to choose a super cool Mozy t-shirt as a thank-you. These are my faves:

…

I have a feeling I’ll be “Mozy-ing” all year long, which is a nice break from the fast-paced life I’m currently leading. Okay, so it may not slow down my 16-hour days but at least it won’t slow down my connection! AND if I ever suffer from the “blue screen of death” again, I’ll be covered! –Emily

*** Giveaway!!! In connection with this review, TodaysMama is giving away five (5) one-year unlimited accounts from Mozy! Click here to enter. (Seriously, enter the giveaway. This is well worth a minute or two of your non-backed-up time!) Good luck!

Many of you readers may have heard of Modbe. They are known mostly for modest swimwear, but, you have got to check out their everyday apparel! With t-shirts, dresses and sweaters their collection is stylish, yet simple enough to have in the closet for keeps.

I was sent the printed teal tee. I was pretty excited about the package because I believe a good t-shirt is always in style. Although t-shirts typically come in an array of solid colors, this one had a beautiful brocade design pattern. Not only was it more interesting than a solid hue, but, the design allowed it to look a bit more dressed up than a simple tee. I was shocked at how much went with this shirt as well.

Another thing you usually see with t-shirts is the basic cotton ribbing neckline. But not here. Modbe stitches a small piping neckline on this cotton tee to dress it up a bit. This small feature up top makes a big difference, creating a more tailored t-shirt.

One of my favorite things about the t-shirt is the light and stretchy material. It is a featherweight cotton that is also long in its cut. It is a functional t-shirt that will take you from sun-up to sun-down. With a classy patterned design, infused with rich colors and a light airy fabric, this t-shirt is the ‘must have’ for the season. -Amber

Available online at modbeclothing.com.

Or better yet Photofiddle the kids, you, the family pet or his game-winning touchdown. No matter what you Photofiddle, Dad’s going to love it! How do I know? Because my hsuband and I were Photofiddled and thoroughly enjoyed it; we’ll definitely be back for more!

Before your imagination runs wild let me clarify: Photofiddle is not some new-age massage therapy or an update on the bronzed baby shoe. It is a super cool, totally unique way to turn photos into works of art. And did I mention it’s quick and easy? Photofiddle allows users to create their own artistic creations using free online photo effects software. The software takes a picture and transforms it using over 50 photo art styles. You’ll find everything from oil painting (my favorite) and Warhol pop art to watercolor to abstract art and film-strip photo collages. You can also add a photographic tint like sepia, blue, red or green. Once you’ve turned your photo into the perfect painting or chalk art drawing or abstract work, you can take your design and have Photofiddle put it on stretched or rolled canvas or turn it into a framed art print or even art poster.

Photofiddle gave me the opportunity to try out their site. It took me a while to decide on a test photo but when I saw this one (my favorite one from our trip to Kauai last year) I knew I had a winner:

It took no time for Photofiddle to apply a gallery of effects (remember, there are over 50!) to the photo. What took a lot of time was deciding which effect we liked best! Though my husband had a favorite or two of his own (I forget which ones…we obviously chose my favorite) I loved the oil painting effect the most. We selected that effect and our canvas was shipped just a couple days later. It arrived in very little time and I tore carefully opened the box, anxious to see our newest work of art. I was impressed to see how well the canvas was packaged, always a good sign:

When I flipped it over I immediately fell in love. Photofiddle officially took its place in my top 10 list of favorite reviews. I really wanted to show you all the canvas hanging on one of my walls but we have yet to decide the best place for it. It’s so awesome it makes all my other wall hangings look inartistic and uncool. But I do have the image Photofiddle created taking our original photo and applying the oil painting effect. It’s not as nifty as the real thing but it still makes me smile:

You totally need to Photofiddle the whole family! Just think what a wonderful Father’s Day gift a Photofiddled photo would be–he might even thinks its cooler than the Old Spice soap-on-a-rope and matching cologne gift set you originally planned to give him! –Emily

*** Giveaway!!! Photofiddle is giving away a $50 gift certificate to one lucky Daily Dish reader! Please visit Photofiddle.com and leave a comment telling us your favorite Photofiddle effect. Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: June 23, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

For an extra entry, tweet about this giveaway and leave a separate comment with the URL to your tweet!

* Promotion! Photofiddle is offering Daily Dish readers 15% off their purchase! Simply enter code “cafe15″ (without the quotes) in the Promotion Code box when checking out.

Have a three-year-old and a one-year-old makes it feel like we’ve had a baby gate at the top of our stairs (and in front of the fireplace and down the hall) for at least two years straight. The one at the top of the stairs was always a party to try and step over and I had a major awesome fall once trying to step over the one in the hallway. (My foot caught the top and I went flying, gate and all. It was NOT pretty.) That’s why when I saw Lascal’s KiddyGuard I simply had to check it out and share it with our readers, especially any of you who’ve hopped, skipped and jumped a few gates in your day!

Here’s the disclaimer: the company quickly sent one for review but just after it arrived we took down the gate at the top of the stairs to see what our almost-two-year-old daughter would do. She went down and up with ease and only ventures down when someone else goes with her, so the gate’s never gone back up…and the KiddyGuard has yet to be installed. But just the same I am thrilled about this new take on an “old” product.

What I love best about this product is it’s easy to install even at the bottom or top of stairs with railings. You can mount it inside door and stairway openings or on the wall front of door or stairway openings as long as they’re no wider than 51 inches. Another fab feature is how the gate disappears when not in use. Can you say that about your wood-with-rubber-lattice baby gate? This one just kind of tucks itself in (wish my kids would do the same) so you can walk down the hall without worrying about a face-plant mid stride.

And get this–the KiddyGuard actually emits a warning signal (a clicking sound) when the gate is opened so you’re alerted when your escape artist attempts to flee the premises. It also locks open and closed so it can’t become the newest not-a-toy toy in the house! Also, you can rest easy your little one is safe since Lascal’s KiddyGuard meets or exceeds U.S. and European safety standards and is certified by the JPMA. With all those awesome features I have a feeling this is one time you’ll forgive me for not actually testing the product–the dang thing sells itself! –Emily

Heaven knows as a mother of four, business owner and blogger I have many an afternoon that requires a pick-me-up. My drug of choice is Diet Coke–not the healthiest option and not always the most effective. I can’t stand the taste of energy drinks like Rockstar or Red Bull (I haven’t had one in ages) and they often leave me more tired than I was before I gagged them down.

When PepPod approached me for a review with the “great mind and body boost that keeps users physically energized and mentally focused without the typical energy drink crash” angle, I couldn’t wait to try it. So what is PepPod? I’d like to call it “pep in a packet” since it’s an effervescent tablet that comes individually wrapped in a foil packet. This little tablet has only one calorie, one carb and no sugar–which means no sugar crash. PepPod is made with a blend of B vitamins, herbs, extracts and just enough caffeine for a gentle kick. And the kick is gentle though very effective!

The first time I tried PepPod it was late afternoon and I was exhausted after working out, cleaning house and working with a typical five or six hours of sleep. I was on the phone with my dad as I sipped my slightly citrus fizzy drink and by the end of the conversation my dad said something to the effect of “Boy, that energy drink has really kicked in!” And it totally had but without some of the side effects of a metabolism booster like increased heart rate or become slightly lightheaded. (Yes, I’ve experiences those in the past too.) And the energy boost lasted well into the evening without a resulting crash. In fact, it was a rather unremarkable change…I didn’t notice until later that night that it had worn off, the change was that slight!

I try not to rely on an energy booster of any sort on a daily basis but I have used PepPod a couple times since then and always love how it boosts my energy enough to get through the day (without tying up my children so I can take a nap), focus on the task at hand and cross off a couple more things on my to-do list and yet gently bringing back to my normal, tired self.

The other thing I like about PepPod? It’s much easier to tote than a Diet Coke or can of carbonated sugar (think long hikes, long days and short nights at blogging conferences and family trips to Disneyland). Plus the foil-wrapped tablet is designed to fit in pretty much any and all water bottles, and at just over $1 per tablet it’s about the same price as a Diet Coke but without the crash, aspartame and stained teeth. (What can I say? I’m vain when it comes to my teeth.) So grab a few packets of PepPod and add a little one-calorie pep to your step! –Emily

What a perfect time for the perfect hair accessory!
I don’t do my hair very often but in the summer that doing drastically decreases. 99% of the time my hair is in a ponytail and the other 1% it is pulled back falling out of the ponytail during summer months.
I received 2 bondiband’s one patterned headband and the other a solid color. I was eager to accessorize my ponytail look and add some style! I have a very small head I’ve come to figure out. While the headband stayed in my head for an hour within two hours it was falling out. These headbands are better than most in that I get a good hour before it falls out. But, I do believe its my small head not the headband at fault here. I really do have quite the time finding fitted hats and headbands! So, I had friends try it out and they lasted all day with the headband not sliding off and not giving them a headache.
Because my ponytail style could use some style I was eager to accessorize with the headbands, but, because of my small head it won’t stay on my head all day. So, the way I use the bondiband is when I exercise. It is the ideal headband to keep my hair out of my face because it is so light and made of breathable material.
On the go gals this accessory is for you. Bondiband offers an array of colors and styles and it can complete any look.-Amber

When I think of Hapari I think “happy” and not just because the two words sound so much alike. Swimsuit season always brings with it a few nasty side effects: the dreaded glare of the fluorescent lights in the dress room; the shock of pale white skin; the sheer exhaustion of trying on numerous suits to finally find one you like well enough to wear in public. Okay, I’ll stop there before I break out in hives!

Fortunately I’ve discovered a line of swimsuits sure to turn this year’s swimsuit shopping into a much more pleasant experience. Hapari Swimwear offers a fabulously stylish, flattering-yet-modest line of tankinis and bikinis sure to keep those nasty side effects at bay. You can mix and match any bottom with any top and every tankini top can be worn three different ways: halter, tank, and criss cross!

Though their two most popular tankinis are the GNO V-neck tankini (pictured above, left) and the Mango Mudd Sport tankini (pictured at right), I chose the Blue Luau V-neck tankini (v-neck styles look better on me since I have broad shoulders) with the coordinating bottom to test for this review–I just couldn’t resist the red with white polka dots! I had totally planned to wear this while visiting my girlfriend in Florida but it rained all but one day I was there, and the one day we went to the beach I was going for all the sun I could get (i.e. I wore my tiniest bikini–and fried my stomach in the process, but that’s another story!).

I did try on the suit and found myself actually enjoying what I saw in the mirror rather than cringing from it. The suit fit really well and was truly flattering. I could tell it was made from high-quality fabric and with high-quality construction. I also checked out one of Hapari’s unique features: pockets for silicone breast inserts or “Illusions.” If I want to look anything like the model in the picture I better pick up a pair!

Hapari also has swimsuits for men and junior girls and boys. One other fun fashion find from Hapari is their Shores line. Shores is a collection of half tees that “provide a comfortable layered look without the extra bunching and bulk of a full-length layered tee.” I am really excited about this tee and here’s why. I have a couple dress under which I have to wear a cami or layering tee and every time that tank or tee starts riding up under my dress. By the time a couple hours have passed my waist looks twice as thick as it did when I first got dressed! I’m constantly going into the bathroom to pull it back down. So if your first thought of Shores was mine (”a half shirt? didn’t those go out of style a long time ago?”) I beg you to think twice. With summer’s full-on heat almost here do you really want multiple layers over your entire torso?

I believe a good swimsuit is worth the investment and Hapari Swimwear makes more than a few good suits. If you are looking for stylish tankini swimwear visit Hapari.com. Money may not buy happiness but a good swimsuit sure will! –Emily

*** Giveaway!!! Hapari Swimwear is giving away one tankini and one Shore tee, winner’s choice! Please visit Hapari.com and leave a comment telling us your favorite swimsuit style. Please include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: June 12, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

* Congratulations to Lisa S., the winner of the Hapari 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!

I stopped burning candles regularly after living in an apartment when I found soot collecting on my walls and ceiling–and I didn’t even burn candles that often or for that long! Though I still light them now and then on special occasions (when the kids aren’t around to blow them out), I prefer a candle warmer to a lighted wick when it comes to daily candle use.

Some of you may grimace at the idea of a candle warmer; you’re picturing the sterile white, totally un-chic candle warmers of the past. I admit that’s the kind I used to have until Candle Warmers, Etc. sent me the newest addition to their candle warmer line, the Contempo Candle Warmer Lamp. At first glance you’d think this was a stylish-yet-functional reading lamp of sorts, but it is really the most awesome of candle warmers. I’ve had this baby plugged into the wall socket in my kitchen since it arrived and it hasn’t moved since! The Contempo Candle Warmer Lamp comes in four finishes: black, brushed nickel (my choice), oil rubbed bronze and vintage brass. The brushed nickel matches my kitchen faucet and the hardware on my cupboards perfect, and I love that the base doesn’t get hot like my previous warmer.

My favorite part about the Contempo Candle Warmer Lamp isn’t that it has successfully warmed every size candle I own but that it adds beautiful mood lighting to my kitchen in the evenings. It gives off this super cozy feeling when I’m sitting at my computer late at night and pop into the kitchen for a late-night snack. It’s so homey without being homely (sorry, sterile, white, so-not-chic candle warmer!) and is the perfect way to keep soot build-up off your walls.

I also love the Illumination Fragrance Warmers and the Ceramic Candle Warmer & Dish combo. Candle Warmers, Etc. has one of the most stylish selection of candle warmers and accessories I’ve seen. I’m one that’s usually all about the burn, but that’s when it comes to working out. When it comes to candles I’m all about the warm! –Emily

* Promotion! Candle Warmers, Etc. is offering Daily Dish readers 10% off their purchase! Simply enter code BP10 when checking out; offer expires June 30, 2009.

…But FINISH Quantum will–and will do it without complicated scientific formulas! I heard about FINISH Quantum on another review blog and was anxious to try it since the reviewer said it was the only dishwashing detergent that got her glass dishes sparkling clean without that faint filmy residue. Ever since I bought Nathan a whole set of glass dishes from Crate & Barrel I’ve cursed the things under my breath every time I unload our dishwasher. Though they’re definitely clean, the definitely don’t look clean. Would FINISH Quantum save the day?

FINISH Quantum boasts it is the “#1 recommended brand by more dishwasher brands” and claims it will give you “amazing shine, clarity and brilliance” with its multi-chamber technology. The dark blue section, or POWERMAX, uses bleach to attack tough stains; the center red section is the JET-DRY gel for shine; the light blue section contains powerful enzymes to remove stuck-on food. I of course like that there’s no unwrapping required for these capsules like there is with my Cascade brand, and they won’t dry out as quickly as my other brand (can’t even recall that one as I chucked it a long time ago).

So how did FINISH Quantum do? Well, the jury’s still out on this one. While it did do a great job removing food, even from our often over-cluttered silverware basket, my glass dishes weren’t as sparkling clear as I thought they’d be. Perhaps I had set my expectations too high to begin with, kind of like when a friend talks up a movie and then you’re disappointed it wasn’t as nifty as you thought. FINISH Quantum was definitely an improvement on all the other brands I’ve used–and I’ve tried a lot of other brands. My glass dishes and my plastic spatulas were the cleanest they’d been in a long time, but I could still see some spots here and there (see picture below).

BUT here are a few important disclaimers. One, I didn’t use the accompanying JET-DRY Turbo Dry gel at the same time, and that’s supposed to also help with those pesky water spots. My rinse-aid dispenser was still full from the last time I filled it and I wasn’t about to suck it out just to put the new stuff in. So in all honesty I didn’t give the pair the full test drive, but trust me, with six people in our family (and company in town), we’ll be doing a few hundred laps with our FINISH Quantum! And two, my dishwasher is very, very, very old; by the way it sounds it’ll keep over any day!

Though not 100% sparkling and free of spots, I did see a substantial enough improvement to continue using FINISH Quantum..and I didn’t have to quietly curse the day I bought those dishes as I unloaded them from the dishwasher. One other benefit? I don’t have to go back and re-rinse the dishes on the nights my daughters are in charge of dinnertime cleanup–always a bonus! –Emily

*** Giveaway!!! FINISH is giving away a sets of a FINISH Quantum/JET-DRY combo to three lucky Daily Dish winners! 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. Deadline: June 9, 2009 (midnight). The winners will have 24 hours to claim their prize or a new winner will be chosen.

* Congratulations to Gina S., Bing Y., and Ashley T., the winners of the Quantum 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!

I’m not one for baby shower games or bridal shower games or even getting-to-know-you games (unless they involve M&Ms), but when I heard about Penny Stones I was intrigued. The glass stones, which are printed with a variety of questions, help “spark meaningful conversations, create lasting memories and improve conversation skills.” It was that meaningful conversation part in which I was most interested, as the conversation around our dinner table could use a little more meaning!

Penny Stones are actually available in five sets: Original, Faith Based, Love and Marriage, New Parents and Slumber Party. The sets are perfect for families, game nights, reunions, road trips to those reunions, party favors and even corporate trainings. We received the original set, which came packaged in a cute little vinyl bag with satin drawstring. They sat on our counter for far too long until I finally broke them open–not at home but at our recent church Cinco de Mayo adult party!

We had round tables set up all around the room for dinner with a centerpiece complete with glass vase, daisies, wooden maracas and even tiny boxes of Chiclet gum. I took a few Penny Stones, about three per table, and placed them around the centerpiece. Their glass design was a beautiful finishing touch! As friends and soon-to-be-better friends sat and ate their dinner they chose a Penny Stone, asked the question and everyone took a turn answering. Our table had questions like who’s the most influential person in your life to what year you’d most like to travel back in time and revisit.

When the party was over I had more than a few people tell me how much they loved the Penny Stones and what a great idea it was for the party. Believe it or not I have yet to pull them out at dinner time (probably because we seem to always eat in shifts) but I’ll for sure be pulling them out at the next party! –Emily

*** Giveaway!!! Penny Stones is giving away one set of their fabulous conversation stones! Please leave a comment answering the question, “What superpower would you most like to have?” Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: June 8, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

* Congratulations to Gina S., the winner of the Penny Stones 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!

Ben Rudnick & Friends have been creating and playing family-friendly, danceable, singable music since the release of their first CD Emily Songs in 2000. “Boasting a high level of adventurous musicianship their award winning recordings contain a unique acoustic sound ranging from light folk to bluegrass, calypso, and rock.” I was trying my best to come up with a way to describe the music found on A Frog Named Sam but that pretty much summed it up for me!

A Frog Named Sam is Ben Rudnick & Friends’ 7th CD and is filled with some serious energy, not to mention some mad musical skills. The first song on the CD, which is also the title track, is about a country frog named Sam who likes to “sing real low” and leaves his little pond for the big city where he puts together a band and performs for large audiences. But as the story often goes, Sam misses his friends and returns to sing to them from his own little pond.

The rest of the songs on the CD are just as fun and just as energetic! Being a fan of Celtic and Irish dance music, “Ben’s Jig” and “John’s Jig” are my two faves though “Race Car” gets my legs bouncing and feet moving every time!

With all the summer travel you’ll be doing, and that includes frequent trips to the pool, you’ll want children’s music that entertains the kids yet doesn’t drive the parents crazy. A Frog Named Sam is a great addition to your current collection, which should also include Robbert Bobbert & the Bubble Machine and Pop Fly. –Emily

*** Giveaway! Ben Rudnick & Friends is giving away 3 copies of A Frog Named Sam! 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. Deadline: June 5, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

* Congratulations to Laureen M., Lisa C., and Cynthia V., the winners of the CD! 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!

A while back I wrote a review about Little First Act Discovery’s Xander Xylophone and in the process discovered another of First Act’s product lines, First Act Discovery. First Act Discovery basically offers scaled-down versions of the company’s musical instruments so little hands can have an easier time strumming their strings.

The line includes guitars, from acoustic to electric, drums, tambourines, a grand piano and even an accordion! George received First Act Discovery’s 30″ Mini Acoustic with a natural finish (pictured above on the right). This particular guitar is especially sized for younger musicians: “The classic dreadnought-shaped hardwood body is thin and comfortable with great sound and projection, while the hardwood neck features a zero fret to ensure low string height and excellent playability.” It also has steel strings, string post covers with handy little stickers and these little Learn-a-Chord cards, which you can slip under the strings as a sort of cheat sheet for learning chords.

The guitar was a big hit the minute it arrived. When George wasn’t walking all over the house with the guitar and practically sleeping with it I would catch my husband strumming away (see photo as evidence) and my 11-year-old daughter even taught herself a song. It held up fairly well to the abuse my three-year-old put it through, which included carrying it horizontally while walking down our narrow hallway no matter how many times I showed him a better way to do so. The guitar’s pick guard did start to peel away from the body and we did have to restring a couple strings, but considering what this baby went through, that’s not half bad.

I really love the idea behind the First Act Discovery line since I’m a big fan of music at an early age, but usually that means piano or violin or some other string instrument. It’s not often you find things like a “real” drum set, electric guitar or a super cool accordion sized for mini musicians! A 30″ Mini Acoustic Guitar from First Act Discovery? $30. Watching George rock out to the Imagination Movers? Priceless! –Emily

Are you one of those shoppers who browses the latest styles and fashions online but prefers to check out the item in person at a brick-and-mortar store before buying? Or are you like me and get frustrated when a local store doesn’t carry the item you want in the style you need and wish you’d known that before you hauled all four kids to the mall? If you can relate to either scenario then you’ll definitely want to check out NearbyNow.com, a free online service providing shoppers an innovative way to save time and money.
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Looking for a specific pair of Steve Madden heels or Quiksilver board shorts? NearbyNow.com will tell you which local store has your item, tell you what’s on sale and even place a hold on it. You’ll also get directions to the stores carrying what you’re looking for and if you’re lucky, the name of a helpful clerk. Plus there’s nothing like checking out that J. Crew dress in person and trying it on before buying. Think of all the money you’ll save on return shipping! Here’s a little more about NearbyNow.com:

By combining unique inventory search tools plus customer service associates who connect consumers with trusted retailers, NearbyNow.com eliminates the uncertainty of Internet shopping, as well as the sheer frustration that often results when local stores don’t carry specific items and shoppers end up searching all over town.

Let me tell you, searching all over town gets really old with two toddlers in tow! Whether you love to browse online and shop in-store or want to save some time and money will looking for that perfect summer outfit, NearbyNow.com is the way to go. You better believe I’ll be using it; I’ve single-handedly kept the US Postal Service in business with all my online returns! –Emily

To quote the famous nanny: “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and ’snap,’ the job’s a game.” Though I have yet to find the element of fun in scrubbing toilets and mowing the lawn on a hot summer day, there is something to be said for making your children’s household jobs fun. The Chore Board: A Helping-Around-the-House Game from Chronicle Books takes Mary Poppins’ wisdom to heart–and to your fridge:

Even the most reluctant household helpers will be clamoring to clean with The Chore Board. Parents just pick a reward for each child, and then every well-done job moves the helper one step closer to the desired prize. A little motivation goes a long way!

The Chore Board set includes a magnetic board about 15 inches long by 9 inches high, 8 playing pieces (my favorite is the Dust Princess) and a dry-erase marker so you can change out the list of jobs and the rewards. The kids excitement upon receiving The Chore Board was a good omen–maybe, just maybe they would actually want to help around the house so Mom wouldn’t have to play the martyr for the rest of her life!
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We quickly read through the directions and set up our Chore Board. You’d think Mary Poppins’ spirit were hovering in our home with how excited the kids were to do an odd job or two (we limited it to two a day) so they could move another space toward their goal. The girls had jobs that worked well for their ages (tending the little ones, vacuuming, dusting, doing dishes on Mom’s dish night), while George had “jobs” best for his age (brushing teeth before bed, taking a nap, cleaning up his toys). George made it to the end and was able to pick out a toy (dang that super-cheap light saber!), Madison made it and picked out her flower seeds for her planter and Lauren eventually crossed the finish line for her daddy-daughter date, which Dad still has to make good on.
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The second time around The Chore Board has lost a bit of its “newness” and those little magnetic playing pieces are moving at a snail’s pace, but the authors mention this might happen. The trick is to put the Chore Board away for a while and then bring it out for another round. That’s probably what I’ll do once they cross the finish line. (This trick works well for toys, too!)

For those of us who can’t afford Mary Poppins and are out of ideas for encouraging our children to help around the house, The Chore Board is a wonderful way to turn grumbling into gaming! –Emily

*** Giveaway!!! Chronicle Books is giving away one copy of The Chore Board! 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. Deadline: May 26, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

* Congratulations to Melissa S., the winner of The Chore Board 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 obsession continues. The hunt for swimwear for the season.

Layersclothing.com is a site I have known to have great clothing, so I thought perhaps their swimwear is worth trying out. I was sent the Maisie tankini suit which for both the top and bottom costs $68.00.

Worth the money? Definitely.
It covers the right places. Isn’t that worth the money?!
The length on the top is what I like most. No excess material to make you look bulky, yet it doesn’t cut you off with a lovely 2-3 inch love handle gap which so many tankinis do. The cut looks like a one piecer but has the functionality of a tankini–making bathroom visits a breeze.

The top has a double string strap on both sides that customizes the suit to your body perfectly. You can pull up or loosen the straps to fit your frame. Being petite I like this option to make sure the suit stays in place up top. I also like the fact the eye is drawn to the top rather than the bottom. The top has a yellow paisley print on the bust region with a bright cobalt color on the straps, stomach and bottoms. The placement of print was very strategic in drawing eyes to the bust…not down south to see the jiggle.

This suit has function to do laps in. Style to lay out in and the price is hard to beat.-Amber

Available online at layersclothing.com

From jewelry to picture frames the Daily Dish has had plenty of reviews featuring personalized products, but until today we had yet to review a personalized food item–and I’m not talking about those giant frosted cookes from Mrs. Fields. This one is tasty, my friends…oh, so tasty! And like the title of this review, when it comes to MixMyGranola I can’t help but channel KC & The Sunshine Band.

Ever browsed the granola bins at Whole Foods or the granola shelves at your local supermarket? Though both offer a wonderful variety of mixes have you ever wished you could add a little dried pineapple to one or remove the cashews in another? That’s how MixMyGranola was started–three friends all describing their perfect granola mix. MixMyGranola was started in 2008 and is taking the granola world by storm, one personalized mix at a time. Why is it so popular? Three reasons: it’s easy; it’s super yummy; and it’s all about you.

Easy: Here’s how easy it is (and I know because I’ve created two mixes already). Simply choose a healthy granola base and add your favorite ingredients (good luck keeping it under five when you’re offered dried blackberries, macadamia nuts and pomegranate cordials). That’s it. MixMyGranola will then mix your order and ship it anywhere in the U.S. You get the can, pop the lid and pour either directly into your mouth (tried that one) or into a cereal bowl, yogurt cup, or other “traditional” container. The possibilities–like the mixes–are endless!

Tasty: I can state for a fact the ingredients are yummy. MixMyGranola let me create two mixes, which I named Low-fat Choco Cranberry and Choco Fruity Vanilla. I wanted to try the low-fat granola and it didn’t disappoint. Of course the addition of mini chocolate chips helped. Yum! And my Choco Fruity Vanilla had the hugest chunks of sweet, dried pineapple EVER. My only regret was not ordering twice as much! I’ve already emptied the can of Choco Fruity Vanilla and am almost out of the other. You better believe I’ll be ordering more! My favorite snack is now a container of low-fat yogurt mixed with 1/4 cup of granola (see image at left). I’m addicted!

All about you: Self-explanatory. You choose the base, you choose the ingredients. Enough said.

I’d tell you what my family thought of MixMyGranola but unfortunately for them I didn’t share any. I’m hoping I can be a little less selfish the next time around but I highly doubt it. I take my personalized granola very seriously. I can’t do MixMyGranola’s ginormous ingredients list justice; you’ll have to create your own mix and check it out yourself! Believe me, you’ll be channeling KC & The Sunshine Band before you’re through. –Emily

*** Giveaway! MixMyGranola is giving away a $20 gift certificate to one lucky Daily Dish reader! Please visit MixMyGranola.com and start creating a mix, then leave a comment on this post telling us which granola base and ingredient(s) you chose. Include a valid email address for the drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: May 21, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

* For an extra entry, mention this giveaway on Twitter and leave a separate comment with the URL to your tweet! (To find your URL simply click on the timestamp from your tweet.)

* Congratulations to Sandra, the winner of the MixMyGranola 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!

“Unique and fashionable bite-sized shoes for the little ones in your life.” Sound yummy? Foxpaws Shoes are that and then some! These little treats for tiny toes are quite possibly the most stylish shoes my little fashionista owns. (Even at 1 1/2 she loves jewelry, shoes and sunglasses so yes, she’s a fashionista already!)

Foxpaws Shoes are designed using the highest quality materials and “luxury comfort soles” so fashion beautifully meets function for little feet. The effect is the perfect accessory for any outfit, whether it’s his favorite jeans and t-shirt or her favorite party dress. You can bet no other tot will be sporting the same pair of shoes, and while that may not matter as much as later in life, it’s never to early to make a fashion statement.

My little Livi received the Classic Giraffe shoes in size 6 (18-24 months). When I opened the box I swear I’d never seen such a fabulous pair of infant shoes in my life! Though a loafer style they reminded me of one of my favorite pairs of heels: black patent leather stiletto with a patch of leopard print over the toe. Before I know it Livi will be borrowing those heels, but until then she can strut around town in her Foxpaws. They are a little big for her now so we haven’t had any photo opps yet, but believe me, when she finally fits into them we’ll be snapping pics left and right!

What I love about Foxpaws Shoes is each one is truly one of a kind because of the authentic and unique real leather hides used in their construction. And though the website gives you a good idea as to the superior craftsmanship, it is best appreciated up close and personal. Trust me, these shoes are going to last many play dates and parties and will be passed down to the next lucky little girl.

Foxpaws Shoes carries a couple styles for boys but it’s the Cheetah Peek-A-Boo and Sleek Snake Boot that have me wishing they came in sizes larger than 24 months! What makes the company–and the shoes–even cooler in my book is their efforts to help abandoned and disadvantaged children in South America through the Orphanage Support Services Organization (OSSO). Foxpaws sends private donations to OSSO with each order to help sponsor children and orphanages in need. Foxpaws Shoes isn’t just another pretty shoe; it’s a shoe with style and substance! –Emily

* Promotion! Foxpaws Shoes is currently offering customers $10 off their order plus free shipping! Use code foxpaws09 when checking out. Hurry! This offer is for a limited time only!

The preppy golf shirt with a little man on a horse has been replaced with a black lab insignia and its causing quite a stir with all. Southern Proper polo is the must have this season and it looks good on everyone! The adorable new golf shirts designed by preppy polo makers, Southern Proper have something for everyone.

Southern Proper has taken a classic and revamped it a bit to make it a current must-have. Ralph Lauren started the Polo shirt craze and I can remember it well! The polo paired with Girbaud jeans was the look everyone sported. This time around Southern Proper has designed a polo that has a flattering more narrow shape, but, still has room for those food baby days. The polo is a classic that looks adorable paired with just about anything.

I tried out my new green polo with a denim skirt and one of their equally cute headbands and set out for the day. It is always nice to receive unsolicited compliments from strangers and that is what this ensemble did for me! The post office teller told me she loved my bright grassy green polo. Then, to the grocery store and the bagger complimented on my cute new headband. Seriously…this does not happen!! Two unsolicited compliments within the hour?! What is unbelievable is that I then ran into a neighbor and first comment out of her mouth…”Where did you get that cute shirt?” O.k. with 3 compliments down and a big head b/c I now think I look pretty cute in this preppy attire I give all my praise to Southern Proper.

The golf shirts come in a wide array of colors and they also make Mens. The quality is superb. I love the fit. Sometimes a fitted polo ends up being too tight under the armpits which make me sweat–creating some lovely sweat circles..but not here. Adequate room to breath. The length is perfect as well. Not short, but, not too long. Just right.

The headbands were a bit too big for my head. I have a smaller head but I was disappointed with the fit. There was a little gap between my head and the band that I didn’t like and the headband kept sliding down, but again just may be my pinhead!-Amber

Available online at southernproper.com.

Yes, Mother’s Day is this weekend and yes, if you’re shopping online you should have done your shopping by now. But I know a few of you out there are still on the hunt for the perfect Mother’s Day gift and may have a forgiving mom like mine who’s okay with a gift that’s a few days late (as long as she gets a card, chocolate and an IOU on Mother’s Day). If that’s the case then you need to check out the fabulous products from CreatedByMom.com.

And that’s the main reason I waited until today to feature this site–it is PERFECT for Mother’s Day because everything on CreatedByMom.com is made by moms. The site carries over 50 lines all designed by moms and boasts over 400 unique products with the offerings growing daily. (This is where I should probably disclose that georgie tees is one of CreatedByMom.com’s vendors so I am a little biased.) But even if we weren’t on her site I would still love the product selection and more importantly the story behind the site:

The CreatedByMom.com Chic Boutique was created by a mom to support moms everywhere, creating what they love and succeeding, selling their products in a mom-friendly environment.

CreatedByMom.com began with the perfect recipe of 50% inspiration and 50% desperation. After watching many friends make fabulous products and then start their own businesses Quinn Curtis had a brilliant idea: open an online store that makes it easier for moms to sell and buy each other’s products, making a one-stop shop for consumers to also support moms and their creations.

This site has everything from yummy lip balm to stunning jewelry to gorgeous handbags to one of my favorites, the Boot Scoot Bike. I love the Scribbly Tee pictured here and apparently the handmade tutus are a big hit!

CreatedByMom.com works using drop-ship accounts and quite possibly has the lowest fees and commission around. I remember going to pay the commission, thinking it was one amount, and having Quinn correct me telling it was another–almost half of what I was going to pay! One of the best perks about working with CreatedByMom.com is the 20% discount mom vendors receive on all other CreatedByMom.com products! Gotta love a good–no, great–discount!

Quinn doesn’t stop at providing a site for moms to showcase their products. She is all about empowering creativity and helping moms turn their dreams into reality. This July CreatedByMom.com is launching the first annual Moms Who Make It conference! The theme of the conference is “empowering creativity in life & business” and is an event you won’t want to miss. With our very own Daria form Boutique Cafe and Kim from YouCanMakeThis.com as keynote speakers, a variety of timely classes from blogging and social media to how to get press for your product and an awesome panel, you’ll be counting down the days until July 16th (around 68)! The Moms Who Make It conference will be held in South Jordan, Utah on Thursday, July 16th. Tickets will be on sale soon and you can visit MomsWhoMakeIt.com for more information.

Interested in keeping up with the latest happenings at CreatedByMom.com? You can connect with the LinkedIn group here, follow CBM on Twitter (@createdbymom) or visit the Facebook page here. This Mother’s Day it’s all about moms…and mom-made products! –Emily

*** Giveaway! In honor of Mother’s Day I am giving away a SoYoung Mother diaper bag in chocolate! (Read my review about this fabulous diaper bag here.) To enter visit CreatedByMom.com and leave a comment telling us your favorite mom-made product other than the ones I’ve already mentioned. Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: May 15, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

* For an extra entry tweet about this giveaway and leave a separate comment with the link to your tweet below!

* Congratulations to Clara M., the winner of the SoYoung Mother 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!

Though it’s been 30+ years since my sole method of travel was on all fours I sometimes find myself crawling around chasing after my little ones (usually emitting some sort of growl while they burst into fits of giggles). After following them around for only a few minutes my knees start to complain, and while I swear little kids are made of rubber I can only imagine how tired their little knees get especially when exploring our entry and kitchen area, which is covered in a sort of marble tile. That’s where Bruz Wear comes in and saves the day!

Bruz Wear was born from one family’s need:

The day after he was born, our son Nicholas was diagnosed with Severe Hemophilia A, a bleeding disorder caused by a lack of clotting protein. Watching him crawl in discomfort with black and blue knees sparked the idea of a padded clothing line.

The minute to minute emotional roller coaster that is hemophilia is accompanied by an amazing community of people who have perservered against unspeakable odds. Meeting and talking to these people inspired us to take the next step to make Bruz Wear a reality.

The Bruz Wear line consists of super cool pants with hidden pads in the knees. You’d never know they were there because they’re hidden behind fun, colorful “patches.” (Check out the blue pants with butterfly knee pads!) I thought the padding was there simply to make crawling more comfortable but there’s more to it:

We believe in the importance of play and we believe that baby and toddler pants should be built to encourage kids to crawl, play and get dirty. During this development phase, a child’s knees are no stranger to cuts and bruises. Bruz Wear pants, with their machine-washable knee pads, give children the confidence to take that next step while, of course, looking cool.

So really you’re helping inspire confidence in your child by making playing, exploration and even those falls a lot less painful!

George received the metal kids pants with terra knee pads, and while they’re still a little big (this kid has no butt to hold anything up!) they look really cool and he was super disappointed they wouldn’t stay up. He was rarin’ and ready to play! The foam pads are machine washable and the pants come with a drawstring waist. (Sadly that drawstring still wasn’t enough to keep George clothed.) The high-quality fabric looked and felt durable enough to outlast even the most adventurous explorer and the knee pads have enough foam to save the knees without being bulky–it’s amazing they’re even there! If only they came in adult sizes so I could slip a pair on when it’s my turn to be the super scary monster…

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The owners, ever conscious of those in need, hope to someday provide every child diagnosed with Hemophilia a Bruz Wear gift set. Until then you can show your support by purchasing Bruz Wear for your little ones. (Sizes range from nine months to size 6 toddler.) Their knees will thank you!

Visit Bruz Wear’s MySpace page for more information on how you can help support their cause. Their MySpace page also has a more in-depth version of the family’s story. Take some time to read it–it’s inspiring! –Emily

* Promotion! Bruz Wear is offering Daily Dish readers $10 off their purchase! To receive your VIP discount use the following link to shop Bruz Wear’s line: http://home.comcast.net/~bruzwear/2009vip.html. Offer expires May 30, 2009.

Time to spike that hair and get groovin’! If you have a little Rocker in your family, they deserve to wear some of the most hip and funky threads available. For this reason I suggest clothing and pajamas from Hip on Sunset, a company who cater to tots who like edgy, trendy stylings.

I contacted Hip on Sunset to review some happening clothing for my little rockers. What I discovered was superior quality, along with the funky vibe I was looking for. You’ll treasure these tattoo inspired designs, as well as the cozy softness of each 100% cotton piece. Each item is hand screen printed, and has an original rock design, with a related message on the back such as: “i will float with butterflies” and “someday i’ll have my own rock show”

An additional plus of dealing with Hip on Sunset is the option for gift wrapping. And you can rest easy knowing that Hip On Sunset clothing is Certified CPSIA Compliant as well.

Your little darlings will be Hip On Sunset, or any street they walk down! Rock on Little Babies, Rock On! - Daria
GIVEAWAY!! - Hip on Sunset is generously giving away a pair of pajamas (winners choice!) to one lucky Daily Dish reader! Simply comment on this post in order to qualify. Winner will be drawn on May 12, 2009 at midnight. We will contact the winner via email. The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

Along with my jacket/coat addiction I have a swimwear addiction. Not so much do I love to wear them as much as I am obsessed with trying to find the perfect suit! I have my swimsuits for swimming. Then I have my suits for water-skiing. Then I have my collection of suits for laying out. And then there is a bundle for hot tubbing and the list goes on.

With summer approaching, my swimwear search begins. Awhile back there was a standout suit to me I discovered on limericki.com. The eliza one piecer. The cut was something reminiscent of the 40’s, yet, the suit has distinctive updates that make it a real modern retro swimsuit. The cut is lower on the legs, like back in the day, but, the straps are a new design that give the suit some serious style. The olive green patterned material looks very Anthro-ish but 1/2 the cost you’d find there.

I put the Eliza one piecer to the test. I went hot tubbing with some of my closest friends and without soliciting comments…they made their own. They raved about the flattering cut. It really is a line that seems to flatter all areas. They loved the pattern and colors. They couldn’t get over that it was a modern fashionable looking one piecer–so hard to find! The only complaint…the embellishment on the strap that resembles a pretzel. However, nothing that a set of pliers can’t take care of! I quickly removed the buckle embellishment and the look definitely suits me better without the extra accessory. This suit is easily my new fave. It’s got a very flattering cut that is a modest suit that hides all that junk in the trunk and is fashion forward. So often the bikinis are the only option for a suit with cute material or modern looking, but, the eliza swimsuit is the new retro one piecer that definitely will be turning heads.-Amber

** Promotion!!! Limericki is giving 10% off on any purchase to all Daily Dish readers. Please visit limericki’s website and use the code DAILYDISH to receive 10% off your order.

What woman doesn’t love jewelry on Mother’s Day? Okay, so maybe I prefer dark chocolate once in a while, but I still can’t resist something silver and shiny, especially if it’s been engraved with something meaningful.

I have enjoyed purchasing gifts from Things Remembered in the past, including a family ornament and necklaces for my daughter and her best friend, so I was excited when I heard about the company’s new line of charms. Charm Story is a new line of 50 exclusive silver-plated engravable charms designed specifically with personalization in mind. They offer “space to engrave a name, date or special message to make each charm a unique reflection of mom.” For example, if your mom is a runner give her a charm symbolizing her first marathon and engrave the name, date and finishing time of the race. If you’d rather tell her how she’s your strength, add a charm representing the Chinese symbol for strength and engrave the date of a moment she most inspired you.

Things Remembered sent me a sample charm bracelet and it is absolutely beautiful! (Yes, it’s even better than dark chocolate.) I chose the Clover Wax Seal charm and had them engrave one of my favorite quotes on the back: “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.” They also added a few other fun charms, including the Wax Seal Mom charm with “Live, Laugh, Love,” the Purse charm engraved with Boutique Cafe’s tagline (I’m a sucker for a great pair of heels!) and the August Birthstone Heart charm. You can see the photos of this gorgeous bracelet in this review. I’m already wondering which charm I’ll add next–maybe three more birthstone charms for my other three children!

Charm Story offers assorted mom and grandma charms, photo charms, cause charms, hobby charms, travel charms and even pet charms. Each charm, charm bracelet and necklace retails for just $20. However, Things Remembered is offering the bracelet or necklace with one “First Chapter” starter charm–heart, circle, star or dog-tag-shaped charm–for just $30. (Engraving is a small, additional cost.) I love a gift that is truly unique and tailored to the recipient. Things Remembered truly has mom in mind this Mother’s Day. A beautiful piece of jewelry from Charm Story by Things Remembered combined with your thoughtfulness and a little personalization will definitely make her Mother’s Day. (If you really want to be the “favorite,” pair it with some chocolate!) –Emily

*** Giveaway!!! Things Remembered is giving away one charm bracelet and charm, winner’s choice! Please visit the Charm Story page on the Things Remembered website. Leave a comment on telling us which charm you like best and what you would engrave on the back. (Please include a valid email address.)

*** For an extra entry, follow Things Remembered on Twitter! Send a DM to tremembered letting them know you signed on as a follower thanks to this post. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and the list of new followers provided by Things Remembered. We will contact the winner via email. Deadline: May 11, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

* Congratulations to Bing Y., the winner of the Things Remembered 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!

Okay, I am about 99% sure this will be the coolest review of 2009. (Hey, I can’t see past July on the schedule so you never know!) I am 110% sure it’s the coolest review so far! And I used one of my Flip Mino–one of my most favorite reviews–to help vlog about how cool the HP Vivienne Tam Edition makes me look amazing the HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition is and how much I love it…and my daughter loves it, and my husband loves it, and my babysitter loves it and all my Twitter girlfriends love it… It is THE must-have gift for Mother’s Day!

First let’s judge this notebook by it’s cover. The HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition (I call her Vivi for short) is a digital clutch by award-winning designer Vivienne Tam. The cover features a peony design in scrumptious violets and reds, which you can find throughout her Spring 2009 collection. I only just found out the colors represent happiness, prosperity and good fortune in the Chinese culture. The “Enter” key even features the double happiness symbol! (So that’s what that symbol means!) If the case weren’t yummy enough, the Vivi comes with it sown protective Vivienne Tam silk sleeve…this baby has more silk than my closet!

This mini-me version of a laptop (aka “digital clutch”) is only 10 inches long by 6.5 inches deep by less than 1 inch high and less than 2.5 pounds. The Vivi features a 10.1-inch diagonal HP Brightview Infinity widescreen display, HP Mini webcam, integrated mic, stereo speakers and a 92% full-size keyboard. But would I find substance when I looked beyond its chic and sexy exterior? Do runways have models?

Inside the Vivi you’ll find Microsoft Windows XP, an Intel Atom processor, 60GB of hard drive space, WiFi and Bluetooth. (Yes, I sound like I know what I’m talking about but it’s more my husband telling me all this stuff is super nifty.) There are a slew of other impressive features but I’m all girl and get distracted by pretty things. You’re lucky I looked further than the peonies!

Here are my top five faves about the HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition and my top five non-faves:

Love

• Design: Hello! It’s Vivienne Tam!
• Size: Fits perfectly in my Kate Spade knock-off (see photo above).
• Weight: Feels heavenly compared to my diaper bag.
• Windows XP: Beats Vista an ol’ day. (If you want me to convert to Mac feel free to send me an iBook for review…)
• Bluetooth/wireless: I look so cool typing away while noshing at Blue Lemon Bistro (see photo below).

Didn’t love

• Key symbol color: Don’t get me wrong, the red keys are fabulous, but the dark gray used for the key symbols is fine in daylight but makes it really hard to see in darker settings (like Twittering while watching Celebrity Apprentice at night; see video).
• Silk sleeve: Yes, it’s silk, but it is also a bit too large for the notebook. It needs to have a more snug fit and some way to secure it closed.
• Envious people: Everyone wanted a piece of my Vivi and it made me rather uncomfortable.
• Suboptimal handbag: I’m still on the lookout for the perfect handbag to complement the notebook. It may cost me a couple hundred dollars to find one.
• Okay, couldn’t come up with number five, and as you can see numbers three and four were a stretch anyway!

Using the aforementioned Flip Mino I put together a video documenting life with my HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition. I have used it more than the few minutes you glimpse in the video and I’m sure it would’ve been three times as long if this review had been scheduled post BlogHer ‘09. But you’ll enjoy catching almost the entire family involved with Vivi, including my husband. (Should I be worried?!?!)

And the picture below? My daughter, who asks me almost daily if she can use my Vivienne Tam. Her expression, which you might recognize from the video, shows exactly how I feel when I’m typing away in such chic and sophisticated style…even in my pj’s. The runway-meets-everyday HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition is the perfect Mother’s Day gift!

You all know I love paper. So, isn’t it fitting that I review yet another paper product? Today’s review-bridal shower invites. I received 4 samples from www.papeteriestore.com. I am in the midst of hosting a few showers and I have felt the pressure to send really great invites. The brides-to-be is one animal to impress, but, then you’ve got the other 35 (that is right..one big shower to host) guests to show them it’ll be a classy affair. Invites are the first impression-so you gotta get it right.

The papeteriestore.com is a one stop shop to get unique designed invites and the printing done. (If only they could address and mail out to all the guests as well…) Their bridal shower invites have a wide collection of designs that are classy and regal. The scroll pattern, the garland and the chandelier are my personal favorite looks. The text is small, depending on your audience the font size may be too small for some of your older guests to read. The paper quality is very nice. Linen cardstock is always a good paper to print on because it exudes elegance. There is also a double layer with a smooth colored cardstock that compliments the font color. This double layer helps the text pop even more and creates a very polished look to the invites.

The only real hang up with these invites is you may upstage the wedding invites! These bridal shower invites are so classy that they seriously may steal away from the invites to the wedding. If you are looking for an invite with some class I recommend you check out their collection.-Amber

Available online at www.papeteriestore.com.

I don’t own many dresses. I have a hard time finding ones that cover what I want covered and yet are still chic and stylish (and fun and flirty and sexy…). A good dress is often hard to find, and one that costs under $100 even harder. Thank heavens two women had the same dress-finding problem or we might never have the fabulous fashion- and figure-friendly dresses from Shabby Apple!

After years of not being able to find stylish dresses that covered enough skin to make you really feel comfortable (without wearing a tank top, cardigan or long slip), owners Emily and CK decided to do something about it. They visited trade shows, marketplaces and designer studios only to discover the problem was not that department stores weren’t buying the right dresses, but that designers weren’t designing them.

Shabby Apple is proud to offer you fantastic dresses that allow you to look fabulous, without having to compromise anything else. A return to what dresses were always meant to be — a one-piece outfit. No need to add anything…no tank tops, no cardigans, nothing (except accessories, of course!).

Sometimes the site simply says it best! But even that “about us” doesn’t do Shabby Apple justice. The collection features dress for every occasion, from Easter brunch to Saturday-night soiree, and for every body. “Every woman deserves to feel beautiful in a dress, but not all of us look like runway models. [Hear, hear!] Shabby Apple celebrates the short legs, curvy hips, straight waists and flat chests in all of us.” They even have an online fit guide to help you find the styles that “emphasize your assets.”

I received the Daisy dress, which can be found under Flirty. (Sounds like my kind of dress!) This crisp, white, hail-the-sunshine eyelet dress has one of my favorite features of all time: puff sleeves. And for my shorter torso the dress’ empire waist and A-line skirt is perfect! As pleasant a surprise as the puff sleeves is its length–it actually hits my knees! (What I lose in torso I make up for in inseam…) The Daisy is fully lined so no impromptu–and embarrassing–bra sightings, plus its rayon/cotton blend fabric means it travels well. The yellow grosgrain ribbon isn’t attached so you can change up the dress simply by changing the ribbon! Traveling well is a really, really good thing since I have yet to wear this dress outside our home so I’ll be making up for lost time by packing it for our cruise in September. (It’s almost May and we’re still experiencing 30-degree weather at night and the rare 60-degree day. Are you kidding me?!?!)

Others can vouch for Shabby Apple’s drool-worthy design. I know for a fact Daria is all over the Lois Lane and envisions herself wearing it at the BlogHer conference in July. I’m debating whether to don A Sunday Afternoon or Tender is the Night. Perhaps I should get both just to be safe!

In true Shabby Apple style you can’t forget the accessories, the little fashionista or the mama-to-be. Along with the delectable dresses you’ll find scrumptious jewelry, handbags and shoes for you, the sweetest dresses for little girls and belly-flattering maternity dresses. Shabby Apple leaves nothing to chance, especially style! –Emily

* Promotion! Shabby Apple is offering Daily Dish readers 15% off their purchase! Simply enter code SABoutique when checking out. Offer expires May 28th, 2009. (Think of it as a Mother’s Day present to yourself–you totally deserve it!)

I like cards. I should like cards because one of my businesses is creating greeting cards! I am naturally attracted to paper and cards. I can’t get enough! I have a trained eye on paper greetings. I notice all the details and I do mean EVERY detail. The colors, the spine of the card, the graphics, the greeting, the packaging, etc…it gets exhausting just looking b/c it quickly turns into a serious review.

So, this particular review is close to my heart, because I seriously heart cards!

I love seeing new clever things that I think I wish I woulda…
I wish I woulda done a series of shouts outs like cardsharks did. They are a simple to the point cards that have punchy colors and fun designs. Cute to send and decorative enough to keep and display in a frame. I especially love the LOVE card and think that could be adorable for a valentines display or a sweet sentiment to give to anyone who makes your heart happy.

The alphabet series is another one of those ideas that I think…ohhh I wish i woulda…
Hanging these cards in a nursery or a playroom is an inexpensive way to decorate the walls and a great way to add a theme to the room. The alphabet cards collection includes all the letters of the alphabet, so if you decide you don’t want to use it for art in a room…send the letter A to your aunt annie or use t for a thank you card. So many uses for these cards and it’s always great to have cute cards on hand. With Mother’s Day just around the corner you may want to stock up and get some cool cards that can be sent or kept.-Amber

Available online at card-sharks.net

*** Giveaway!!! Cardsharks is giving away a collection of cards to one lucky Daily Dish reader. Please visit cardsharks website and leave a comment here telling us your favorite card series; include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline:May 4, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.