That phrase is from one of my favorite 80’s tunes (I shouldn’t have to tell you but it’s “Just Can’t Get Enough” by Depeche Mode…can you believe it’s a Wikipedia entry?!) and it runs through my head whenever I catch site of a pair of See Kai Run shoes (even the ones my kids have worn umpteen times).

No matter how many times we feature See Kai Run on the Daily Dish, I can’t get enough! Hopefully you’re not satiated either or we’ll have to stop reviewing their latest and greatest and simply-the-cutest styles and you’ll miss out on one of our favorite giveaways—and some fabulous shoes to boot (pun totally intended)!

Today’s featured shoe is from See Kai Run’s new Spring Collection, and it is to die for! The Jennae takes the peep-toe style and turns it into a shoe fit for your mini me! It comes complete with butter-soft sheepskin leather in a delicious raspberry color accented with cream piping and the sweetest little flower on the strap. Like other See Kai Run shoes it features a flexible sole, which makes it perfect for growing feet but can hold up to all those outdoor garden parties. Unfortunately, we live in Utah and you won’t find garden parties until mid June. Peep toe and snow don’t mix well!

In true See Kai Run style, the Jennae has a generous width with a wider toe box. This means even the chubbiest of feet can wear See Kai Run shoes. Honestly, we have not had a pair that hasn’t fit perfectly, and I’ve tried out many pairs and two sets of chunky feet! The shoes also have a breathable inner sole and lining, so no juicy feet even in warmer weather. (Maybe I should see about getting some custom-made SKR’s for myself!)

For some the price tag that comes with a pair of See Kai Run shoes is a bit high, but I’m telling you, they are more than worth it. These shoes last forever, and once your little one has grown out of them you can hand them down to the next—often in near perfect condition. And if you don’t have a “next,” See Kai Run shoes have great resale value. Plus right now See Kai Run has a few of their styles on sale in both their main collection and their newer Smaller line. Just try to control yourself when looking at the new Spring Collection. Like myself (and Depeche Mode), you won’t be able to get enough either!—Emily

** Giveaway! See Kai Run is giving away one pair of shoes, winner’s choice! Please visit the See Kai Run website and leave a comment telling us your favorite SKR style. Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: April 7, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Sky S., 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!

The above title should be sung to the tune of “I’m bringing home a baby bumblebee…” And my daughter will be so proud of me because it’s a super warm yet super stylish stroller accessory perfect for this cold winter weather we’re still experiencing here in the Salt Lake valley.

The BonneBonnets product line is for “Moms and Dads who want to stroll in style and add a touch of uniqueness and creativity to their strollers.” The collection consists of exclusive stroller Canopies that are available in a variety of styles (my fave is the Brooke) and Buntings, which are available in two styles (my fave is the chestnut).

BonneBonnets sent me one of their Buntings (aka “a footmuff of unsurpassed luxury, style and comfort”) to review on the Daily Dish. The Bunting’s patent-pending design includes PVC-free, hypoallergenic, ultra soft foam for warmth; plush, breathable cotton for comfort; and a design made to fit any stroller and which can even expand to fit toddlers. BonneBonnets is all about using the finest materials and superior craftsmanship yet their Buntings are machine washable. This is a must when it comes to stroller accessories that fit inside the stroller. It also has a bottom flap and back clips to keep it securely in place; no slipping and sliding when Mom takes a corner too quickly!

I was really excited to test out our raspberry Bunting, but due to unforeseen circumstances, namely unseasonably warm weather followed by a flu-ridden infant, I wasn’t able to take out the Bunting for a test stroll. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t unroll the Bunting and thoroughly check it out. I pulled at seams, buttons and smooshed the headrest to make sure it was as nicely padded as they claimed. I zipped and unzipped and checked out the fabric for softness. Though the denim-like material wasn’t super soft the breathable cotton lining was, and that’s most important! My favorite feature was the cute interior pocket where my little one can place her hands if they get too chilly.

My little one is finally feeling better after a long bout with the flu and just my luck, the snow is still falling here in Utah, so I may get my chance to test out our cute BonneBonnets Bunting before the spring thaw. And even if I don’t, knowing Utah it will start snowing again September 1st so it won’t be long before we can take it for daily test drives!

If spring weather has already hit (or summer weather if you’re in Arizona), then check out BonneBonnets’ super chic Canopies. The Canopy is designed to fit all Bugaboo stroller models and are a simple yet stylish way to pimp your stroller (for lack of a better expression). With ten styles from which to choose you’ll find the perfect one to suit your personality. After learning more about the BonneBonnets collection of stroller accessories, I have to agree with their statement:”So say goodbye boring baby gear and bonjour bonnebonnets!”—Emily

** Giveaway! BonneBonnets has given us one of their cute Canopies to give away to a lucky Daily Dish reader! (The style we have on hand isn’t featured online but it is super cute!) Please visit the BonneBonnets website and leave a comment on this post telling us your favorite Canopy style; include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: April 3, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Xenia S., the winner of the BonneBonnets 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!

Do you remember those questions on tests that went something like “Puppy is to dog as _ is to cat?” Today’s question is “Stretching is to yoga as skin care is to _?” Unless you’re well versed in Ayurvedic skin care, you won’t have a clue. Let me fill you in: the answer is DoshaCare. DoshaCare is customized Ayurvedic skin care, but it is more than just skin care; it is a philosophy for life.

DoshaCare combines the knowledge from the Ayurvedic tradition of India with the best of western science to for a lifestyle approach that focuses on “authentic radiance.” Their skin care line helps radiate your inner beauty and actually evolves with you. With a series of questions under “Ayurveda & Dosha Types” you can find out your primary and secondary Dosha (the page also goes into more detail about Ayurveda and Dosha) and then from there you can tailor your skin care to match. As your skin changes throughout the year (and we all know it does) you can change your regimen along with it.

I answered those questions and found out I was pretty much Pitta all the way, so DoshaCare sent me their Pitta Cleansing Bath to review. Designed to protect and soothe normal and sensitive skin, this cleanser is 98% botanical and organic. It contains turmeric for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, hyperpigmentation correction and softening properties; neem to promote skin elasticity; and aloe vera for hydration and soothing. It was a good thing the information sheet I received with it had directions, for I could not find any on the box or bottle. I know, I know—lather, rinse and hopefully not repeat but I am one of those that thrive on written instructions. But I did lather and rinse…and if I was wearing makeup, I had to repeat. Plus, I’ve kind of gotten accustomed to “less is more” with most cleansers I’ve reviewed, and this one took a full pump and then a second full pump to get my face completely makeup free.

It did leave my skin feeling soft and hydrated, though not as hydrated as I would’ve liked. Though the scent was rather strong (albeit natural), I found it very earthy and somewhat relaxing. My husband walked in once while I was using it and even noticed the scent-not in a bad way, but how often is a cleanser that strong? I would have loved to have tried out the full line to see if I felt more “balanced” and if I felt it really were tailored to me and my primary Dosha.

As much as I should embrace the DoshaCare approach to life I’m not sure I’m in a place to do so just yet. (That statement probably shows I definitely should take the time to become more centered!) The Pitta Cleanser (4.2 fl oz) costs $34—a bit on the high end if you’re using twice as much as the next cleanser. But it is customized skin care, and I can’t say that Avon or Oil of Olay or any other skin care lines have ever asked me how well I sleep, what my appetite is like or how I react to stress. There just might be something to this DoshaCare thing!—Emily

** Giveaway! We are giving away a gift set to one lucky reader! (Note: The gift set may not include DoshaCare products but will include something equivalent if not better!) Visit the DoshaCare website and click on “Ayurveda & Dosha Types,” then take the test to find out your primary Dosha. Leave a comment letting us know what that is and include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: March 17, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Ann H., the winner of the DoshaCare 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!

Leslie Leyland Fields dispels this and numerous other parenting myths in her new book, Parenting Is Your Highest Calling and Eight Other Myths That Trap Us in Worry and Guilt. I don’t usually read parenting books, though I did read The Five Love Languages of Children and was thoroughly enlightened—definitely one of my favorite non-fiction books. And I did enjoy Mother Nurture, which I reviewed back in July. But I was intrigued by the title since many moms like myself are often bombarded with guilt and worry when it comes to raising our children.

Now, before I received the book I was told it would have some scriptural references but the topic would be of interest to parents and families of all walks of faith. I am totally okay with that; I’m not one to shy away from a book that might reference other beliefs as long as it’s not a negative book if that makes sense. (I really enjoyed the “pray” section of Eat, Pray, Love and I’m definitely no yogi!) That being said I found Parenting Is Your Highest Calling to be a bit much for me. It didn’t have just a few scriptural or faith-related references; it was chock full of them. It was a bit heavier reading than I had anticipated (e.g. the myth titled “You represent Jesus to your children”). I just didn’t see myself taking the time to fill out the “Reflection and Discussion” sections at the end of every chapter, but then again, perhaps I’d be a better mother if I did. Who knows?

On the other hand, this book did make a great effort dispelling nine myths of parenting including “Having children makes you happy;” “Good parenting leads to happy children;” and my favorite, “You will always feel unconditional love for your children.” Now THAT one I know is a myth after birthing four very different children! I really liked this excerpt on page 23 from the section “Why do we have children at all?”:

Having children today defies personal economics. Web sites coolly calculate the cost of raising a child at anywhere between $150,000 and $1 million each. Children simply cost too much—and not just in dollar figures. They undo us. They shows us how much and how little we’re made of. It often seems that they come only to break our hearts. And we let them. We invite it all. We admit perfect strangers through our doors and decide to love them wildly, without condition, for as long as we live.

So why do we have children? The answer is simple: to learn to love. “At the heart of our desire to have children, then even beyond our hopes for happiness, is the longing to love.” That is probably my favorite part from the entire book. It’s such a simple yet beautiful concept…and it rings true.

From my favorite myth (“You will always feel unconditional love for your children”) Fields shares with us this insight:

Though we may not always feel a deep, unconditional love for our children, that does not mean we love them any less. When our children disobey, then they cause harm to another, when they choose attitudes and actions that cut against the holiness God desires, we will have an emotional response—if we truly love them. Loving them means that we desire their highest good. ... We may feel anger, as God does. We may feel hurt, as God does. We may feel disgust, as God does. Love not only allows these feelings; it requires them.

Leslie is the mother of six, and as she points out in Parenting Is Your Highest Calling, imperfect like the rest of us. Hearing about some of her challenges and stories from other women makes it easier to dispel those nine myths and feel a little less guilty when your parenting isn’t up to par. Perhaps if I didn’t have some wonderful girlfriends who are figuring out this motherhood thing with me—and making me feel less guilty—I’d read more parenting books!—Emily

P.S. If you enjoy a good parenting book but aren’t sure how much religion you’d like with your reading, check out the book from the library first to make sure it’s right for you.)

** Giveaway! We are giving away two copies of Parenting Is Your Highest Calling. 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: March 13, 2009 (midnight). The winners will have 24 hours to claim their prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Rebecca F. and Candice B., the winners of the 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!

Last September I reviewed LeapFrog’s uber popular (and for good reason) Tag reader. This little handheld reading wonder is still a big hit with all our kids, whether 18 months or 11 years, and we are continually adding books to the collection. Hint: it’s the gift that keeps on giving—and gives Grandma and Grandpa a great idea for birthdays!

Did you know March is National Reading Month? To be honest, I had no clue until I received an email from LeapFrog telling me about its latest effort “to bring attention to literacy and encourage families to make time to read together.” As if introducing the Tag reader to the world wasn’t enough, LeapFrog has launched its 1 Million Reading Hours campaign in conjunction with the NEA’s National Reading Month.

What is the idea behind the 1 Million Reading Hours campaign? By pledging to set aside at least 10 minutes a day, parents can contribute to the national goal of 1 million reading hours. But it’s not just about achieving a goal. When parents pledge to spend more time reading together with their children they reinforce the importance of shared reading time in their own family. So how does the program—and the giveaway—work? Here are the details:

Visit the 1 Million Reading Pledge page on LeapFrog’s site and enter the number of minutes you pledge to read per day. That’s pretty much it! All participants will receive special rewards and offers from LeapFrog—if they give you one on the Tag reader, use it! Now for the giveaway…and this is the super fabulous part. (Okay, spending quality time reading with your child is the “real” benefit, but let’s be honest…a giveaway doesn’t hurt!)

LeapFrog is giving one lucky Daily Dish reader:

• One Tag reader plus 5 books for personal use AND


• One expanded-memory LeapFrog School Tag reader plus 10 books to donate to their local library

To enter the giveaway you will need to visit the 1 Million Reading Pledge page and enter your pledge. (Yes, I mentioned this before but as we all know, some people don’t catch it the first time.) Then return to this post and leave a comment telling us how much time you pledged in LeapFrog’s 1 Million Reading Hours. On April 1st we will draw the winner from the comments posted below. (Please include a valid email address for our drawing.)

P.S. We’re not going to check LeapFrog’s records to see who really visited the site and made a pledge; we’re all about the honor system here at Boutique Cafe. Just know you’ll feel really guilty if you didn’t pledge and end up winning…

• Congratulations to Johannah B., the winner of the Tag Reader 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!

...but in this case, it’s the kind of complex you—and your skin—needs. Alba’s line of Advanced skin care products, which includes cleaners, toners, scrubs, masks and moisturizers, is formulated with their unique Marine Complex. This nutrient-rich complex has soothing and nourishing properties, helping enhance your skin’s “natural purity.” It also softens, detoxifies, heals and moisturizes. With that kind of a resume, I’d hire the entire line! Unfortunately I was only able to test the Advanced Sea Mineral Cleansing Gel.

This cleanser is a gently foaming (i.e. very few bubbles) gel that “lifts away impurities for glowing, healthy skin by delivering a synergistic blend of mineral-rich sea algae and antioxidant-rich green tea designed to combat the impact of harsh environmental factors.” It contains aloe and the aforementioned Marine Complex so it should sooth, hydrate, nourish, detoxify, firm and stimulate cell regeneration. Whew! It contains no sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate or synthetic colors and is made with 100% vegetarian ingredients. Okay, so does it work?

Well, yes and no. First of all I must say the Advanced Sea Mineral Cleansing Gel had a fairly pleasant smell if a bit on the masculine side. (Of course, I used to smell my boyfriend’s jacket all the time so I kind of like that sort of thing.) It did a great job cleansing, though if I had especially heavy mascara or liner it took a second washing to completely cleanse the eye area. It didn’t cause me to break out at all, which is one of my tests for a new skin care product.

On the “no” side, after I had cleansed and patted dry, my face felt a bit on the dry/tight side, and I don’t like that feeling at all. Compared to my new favorite CellCeuticals cleanser, which leaves my skin feeling like it’s already been moisturized, the Alba Advanced Sea Mineral Cleanser felt like it had sucked whatever hydration I had right out of my skin. Not a good things as far as I’m concerned. But once I moisturized, my skin felt just fine and didn’t seem overly dry or noticeably drier overall. And the price is right at only $9—much easier on the budget!

My husband and I also tested Alba’s Aloe Mint Moisturizing Foam Shave, and this I loved! My husband’s comment? “It worked just fine.” Hey, if it’s not a super cool stroller or tech gadget, he doesn’t have much to say about a product. But I do. This shaving foam uses organic botanicals and Vitamin E to provide a smooth, clean and soothing shave. The foam actually helps soften hair. The Aloe Mint “flavor” uses an organic blend of aloe vera, green tea and calendula, so you have cooling peppermint (great during and after shaving) and antioxidant-rich green tea to refresh the skin. The aloe actually helps with skin renewal, so you’re covered post shave as well.

The bottle says “less is more” so I tested it out using only one pump per leg. Granted, I don’t shave the entire leg in winter, but one pump did cover from ankle to mid thigh. Hard to believe but it’s totally true! My real test was when I shaved an area I haven’t shaved since the pools closed after Labor Day weekend. (If that’s TMI, sorry!) I just had to see if I’d have the typical razor burn and/or ingrown hairs. This would be the real test…and Alba’s Aloe Mint Moisturizing Foam Shave passed with flying colors! Of course I wasn’t hopping in and out of swim suits but still, I am painful-little-red-bumps free and loving it!

Though the Advanced Sea Mineral Cleansing Gel wasn’t my favorite, the Aloe Mint Moisturizing Foam Shave more than made up for it. And at $6.95 I think it’s a worthwhile investment in shaving sanity!—Emily

** Giveaway! Alba is giving away a gift set to one lucky Daily Dish reader! Please visit Alba’s site and leave a comment telling us what Alba product(s) you’d like to try. Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: March 10, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Maria M., the winner of the ALBA 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!

Soon enough here in Utah the chilly air will turn to dry heat and our white mountains will be green…which means it will be camping time!

Camping with all the right accessories can be a great getaway, but, unprepared camping can wreck the whole experience and make you despise everyday you are in natural beauty.

I recently discovered a little camping addition I will be packin’ in my bag—Shampoo Bars by Susan’s Soaps. These bars are perfect for a camper that doesn’t want to risk spills or leaks in their backpack. No need to pack shampoo and soap because the Shampoo Bar made of all natural wonders will clean your bod and your hair. So, now when you are in the big wide open you don’t have to worry about disposing any plastic bottle. Going green was never easier or lighter!

Before trying out the bar in the wild., I thought I’d try it out first at home. After working up a lather, I worked the suds into my hair and to my dismay no delightful smell, but, the Shampoo Bar contains no synthetic fragrances, preservatives or colors…so it shouldn’t smell! I was hoping more of the Fresh Citrus smell would linger on my mane, but, no scent could be traced to my bob. My hair got pretty clean but beware of tangles if you have long hair.

Nonetheless, I like the solid bar and ease of knowing no shampoo spills in my bag will ruin my camping trip. At a measly $6.50 per bar, this is a solid investment to add to your summer gear.—Amber

Available online at susansoaps.com

** Giveaway! Susan’s Soaps & More is giving away a Travel essential set to one lucky Daily Dish reader! Please visit the Susan’s Soaps website and leave a comment telling us one benefit from using handmade soaps/shampoo bars. Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: March 6, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Elizabeth Y., the winner of the Susan’s Soaps 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!

...and more enjoyable for moms. When I don’t have fun bath time products to review I stick with the standard baby wash and bubble bath. They’re affordable and efficient at getting the mud and caked-on dirt off their little bodies. But I love it when I receive bath product samples for my kids—it’s a nice break from the typical Johnson & Johnson smell. And if the samples are from Tiny Tillia, it’s also a nice break from the boring, geared-toward-mom packaging!

Tiny Tillia was launched in 2006 by Tiffany Lerman, a London-born designer and creator of the successful Chester collection of fashion prints found on a variety of products, from handbags to scrapbooking. Tiny Tillia, her new line of children’s bath products, offers a range of all-natural bath gels, foaming washes and even hand sanitizers that feature a collection of really fun, truly delightful characters. The characters are even based on Tiffany’s family and are a heck of a lot more fun than the bland packaging of most store brands!

The Tiny Tillia collection has everything from “boo boo bandages” to diaper crème and everything in between. We received the All Over Foamy Wash in Tropical Blast and the Indy Sheep gift set, which included a Mini Bath Gel and the cutest little Indy Sheep stuffed animal. I absolutely love them both! The bath gel add just enough of a fun, non-floral scent to the bath, which meant my three-year-old son didn’t come out smelling too girly, and it had pretty good bubble power, though like most bubble bath it didn’t survive extended splash fests in the tub. (I have yet to meet a bubble bath that can do that.)

The All Over Foamy Wash in Tropical Blast had the best smell ever! Plus one pump was enough to wash the hair and body of one squirmy child. No need to stop mid lathering for a refill. The foaming wash contains aloe vera extract so it hydrates without irritating the skin and also has Vitamin E plus other essential oils to treat and protect the skin. For me, I fell in love with how it smelled. I even caught myself last night smelling my daughter’s hair after bath time and again this morning. It just smelled so dang good I couldn’t resist!

By the way, all Tiny Tillia products are people, earth, animal and environment safe and paraben free. I am anxious to try the Magic Cream, which relieves the pain of minor bumps with a homeopathic and hypoallergenic topical salve containing shea butter, tea tree oil and Vitamin E. Though the Tiny Tillia line was created with children in mind, don’t hesitate to try it yourself. Who says a thirty-something mom can’t enjoy bath time with a few character-themed products in hand?

** Giveaway! Tiny Tillia is giving away a gift set to one lucky Daily Dish reader! Please visit Tiny Tillia’s website and leave a comment telling us your favorite Tiny Tillia character (make sure to use its proper name!). Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: March 5, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Lisa C., the winner of the Tiny Tillia 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!

This week, Boutique Cafe is honored to feature a designer who I admire greatly for her natural sense of style. Each outfit Christie Archer releases, starts my head a’buzzing. I just love how she designs to let each child shine!

Designers Quote:

“My princess Ferry is my inspiration for every design that I do. Her current favorite designs are the peasant dresses with pockets for her to keep her treasures in and skirt sets so she can twirl like a pretty princess, lol. Though I try to design around her personal style preferences I personally tend to lean more toward non-traditional colors when choosing fabrics.” – Christie

**GIVEAWAY!
Leave a comment for Christie below and you’ll be entered to win your choice of either a free peasant dress with banded bottom OR 30% off of a skirt and shirred back top set. Design to be discussed and fabric choices to be from what she has in her studio already. GOOD LUCK!! Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: March 6, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

Shop Kustom Kids Boutique at her Etsy store**Please allow time for the show to load.

Okay, it’s not really spring (oh, how I wish it were!) but it sure feels like spring in my girls’ bathroom. We recently received samples from Full Bloom, the new spring line from Goody arriving in Target stores this month, and the collection is full of flirty florals and feminine colors. It’s almost enough to make me throw on some shorts and a pair of flip-flops. If only it were 30 degrees warmer and not snowing I’d be all over that!

I wish I had images to show you but alas, I could only find a couple and they weren’t even on Goody’s site. (The headbands pictured are the Flower Child headwraps.) I checked Target.com but I believe the collection is available in stores only. As soon as I receive a few images I will update this post, as you have to see these fabulous headbands, clips, scarves and ponytail holders for yourself! You’ll get spring fever for sure. When they arrived I actually raided the box before my girls could get to it. I pulled out the Misty Morning scarf and He Loves Me bobby slides for myself before letting the girls have at the rest. I’d have grabbed the Sweet Blossom ponypins but if you’ve seen my profile pic you’ll know I have no way of using them!

Already my girls have worn the Spring Day headband quite a few times, probably because its super soft and stretchy (no headband headaches with that one) and the Wildflower headband, which is one of their favorites. My youngest, though not “mature” enough for a scarf, loves to walk around like a princess wearing the Rainbow Sorbet scarf around her shoulders. How does a 1-1/2-year-old girl know to do that? I swear they come programmed! What I really love about the new collection is all the soft fabric headbands. (My favorite is the Spring Showers band) I don’t care how much attention is paid to details when it comes to the standard headband—you just can’t avoid getting those behind-the-ear aches if you wear them for very long. Along with fun florals they have quite a few tie-dyed pieces, which are a lot of fun for moms and kids.

Goody’s Full Bloom collection also includes some really sweet clips. My favorites are the ones hiding in my drawer, the He Loves Me bobby slides. I also really like the Buttercup bobby slides and Robin’s Egg jeanwire. Believe it or not, I’ve probably only named about half the products in the new Full Bloom line. And even though they’re very “girly” many of the styles can be worn by 30-somethings like myself without looking like we’re not dressing our age. I don’t much like to share but when it comes to Goody’s Full Bloom hair accessories, I don’t mind so much (except for the aforementioned bobby slides…those are all mine!).

You can find the Full Bloom collection exclusively at Target stores from February to May. Prices range from $1.99 to $7.49. If you want to start thinking spring I’d start shopping the hair accessory aisle at Target immediately!—Emily

** Giveaway! Goody is giving away a gift set of products from their new Full Bloom collection! 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: February 26, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Debbie H., the winner of the Goody 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!

After listening and loving Justin Roberts’ Pop Fly CD I knew the next children’s CD our family reviewed had a tough act to follow. We were still dancing around to Pop Fly when we received Robert Schneider’s Robbert Bobbert & The Bubble Machine. Would this “kindie” rock CD measure up? Could we make the switch? The answer to both those questions is “yes!”

First, a little background. Robert Schneider (aka Robbert Bobbert) is the mind behind The Apples in Stero, one of indie rock’s original music groups. He has a huge following, and not only for his music. Schneider is also known for his amazing mathematical mind and has been a featured speaker twice at the Mathematical Association of America’s bi-annual MathFest. Some may think that makes him a bit of a nerd; me, I think that makes him super cool!

For Robbert Bobbert & The Bubble Machine, his first children’s CD, Schneider worked extra hard at being creative, even throwing out traditional instruments in favor of more “colorful” noises. Robbert Bobbert is actually an inventor/scientist and the CD includes a funny comic book introducing kids and parents to this new character. We found out the CD also has a fun little coloring book with the words to the songs so my kids could sing along. So what did we think?

• My oldest daughter: “I think it is a really good CD. I really like the tunes; they have really funny words. My favorite song is ‘Fee Fi Fo, Fee Fi Fum.’” (And she really liked “I Am a Clock” because she played that one quite often!)


• My second-oldest daughter: “I didn’t really listen to it. But I do like the mouse song (‘Fee Fi Fo, Fee Fi Fum’).”


• Me: To be honest, Pop Fly rocks my kindie rock world just a little bit more than Robbert Bobbert, but I still really enjoyed the CD. My least favorite song was my kids’ favorite “Fee Fi Fo, Fee Fi Fum,” but I found it stuck in my head and couldn’t stop singing it to my littlest one, making her laugh every single time. I did enjoy “We R Super Heroes” and found myself doing a little mini head banging to that one. My favorite thing about Robbert Bobbert & The Bubble Machine? The inscription on the inside of the CD flap:

I hope you like my new invention,
the shiny circle sound extension.
It plays my music through the air
just as if I were right there.
First, put the circle in the machine
then eat a purple jelly bean*
then turn the song releasing knobbert.
Your friend,
Robbert Bobbert

• Jelly bean not included

You can listen to some samples of Robbert Bobbert & The Bubble Machine on Robbert Bobbert’s MySpace page. You’ll find it the perfect addition to your current “kindie” rock collection, and don’t be surprised if you’re singing “Fee Fi Fo, Fee Fi Fum” to your litte lones!—Emily

** Giveaway! Little Monster Records is giving away 3 copies of the Robbert Bobbert & The Bubble Machine CD! Visit Robbert Bobbert’s MySpace page and listen to “I Love Animals,” then leave a comment telling us something else (besides animals) he loves. Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: February 24, 2009 (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 Robbert Bobbert 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!

It may be Friday the 13th, but I believe the 13th can still be a lucky day! (After all, I had my oldest son on a Friday the 13th, at 3:13 pm in delivery room 13 …and he’s an amazing kid).

Therefore with that I bring you an amazing giveaway on this LUCKY DAY from fabric designer Melissa Averinos. Melissa is celebrating her Two Year Blogaversary by giving you the present! She’s put together a sweet bundle of her popular Sugar Snap line (fat quarters, random sizes, charm squares, and other Free Spirit/Westminster fabrics that play with her collection).

All you need to do to enter is stop by her blog post and leave a comment. She is wanting to know how long you have been reading her blog, and be sure to leave your proper email address so she can reach you if you’re the winner. Good Luck everyone – how could you possibly lose on this lucky lucky day of the year!?

I’d say my children are pretty well balanced but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for improvement. Take their diet. Though they don’t drink a lot of sugary drinks (hey, I’m doing something right), they sure don’t drink enough water. That’s why they were the perfect reviewers for Balance for Children, a non-flavored, homeopathic beverage containing spring water and Australian flower essences.

I’m familiar with spring water but flower essences? Apparently the use of flower essences dates back centuries across various cultures. More specific to Balance Water, Australian wildflowers are “particularly interesting and unique in their properties given their diversity, beauty, remote growing locales and the harsh conditions they typically have to endure.” Who knew? It’s actually quite interesting. I almost included info about the specific flowers used in Balance but it would have made the review too long. I highly recommend reading it; it’s extremely interesting!

Balance for Children contains four flower essences: Bush Fuchsia for creativity; Crowea for calming and centering; Black-Eyed Susan for focus and concentration; and Paw-Paw for digestion. These essences promote calm and focus while helping restore balance, all without affecting a child’s natural energy. (So maybe I wish it removed just a titch of their energy…) This enhanced natural spring water doesn’t have any flavors, colors, preservatives, artificial additives, sugar or calories. So what did my kids think?

Here you go:

• my oldest thought it tasted funny and didn’t finish her bottle


• my next oldest didn’t say much at all but downed hers


• my three-year-old sipped his while carrying it around the house thinking he was pretty cool to have his own water bottle


• my youngest (though below the suggested age of 2 to 9) enjoyed taking a swig from everyone’s bottle.

My opinion? My oldest must have been smoking something (no, not literally) because that water doesn’t have one tiny little ounce of taste to it. Yes, I had my own bottle while working out at the gym. I absolutely LOVED it. Sounds crazy but I loved that Balance for Children didn’t have an aftertaste. I swear Dasani and Arrowhead both have a funny aftertaste. It was crisp, clean and truly refreshing…and I’m not saying that just because I was hot and sweaty. I would really love my second oldest to drink a bit more and see if it does help her to focus. She is my “free spirit” and could use a little calming. We have a few bottles left so it’s worth a shot!

I will say I’m intrigued enough by the concept of flower essences to try Balance for Women, which is infused with eight flower essences including Peach Flowered Tea Tree for mood stabilization and Bush Iris for circadian rhythms. Heaven knows I could use more balance in those areas! They also have a Balance for the Mind and Balance for Traveling (helps combat the stresses of traveling, i.e. physical and emotional fatigue).

A six-pack of Balance for Children retails for around $7, which is on the higher end of bottled waters, but this isn’t your typical bottled water and it’s a heck of a lot better for your kids than the other ,strike>crap beverages you usually find them drinking. I say a little more balance in your child’s life is worth it!—Emily

*** Giveaway Balance is giving away one six-pack of their fabulous flower-essence-enhanced Balance for Children. 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: February 12, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Melissa B., the winner of the Balance 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!

We love a good CD, especially if it encourages family-room dance parties. Whether it’s Putumayo Kids’ Brazilian Playground or ABBA’s ABBA Gold, if it makes us move and groove without getting on Mom’s nerves (sorry to say many children’s CDs do that) it’s added to the collection. Well, we just added Pop Fly and I highly recommend you do the same. Yes, it’s a children’s CD but the fact that I’m a fan should tell you it’s really, really good.

The man behind Pop Fly is Justin Roberts. Apparently this guy had another big hit in 2006 with Meltdown (his 5th CD—where have I been?). After listening to Pop Fly I’m sorry I missed that one; I’m seriously considering buying it. But back to the CD at hand…Pop Fly is Justin’s 6th CD and a wonderful example of his “kindie” rock style (think of it as family indie rock). “Pop Fly,” the title song is all about the “occasional triumphs of a distracted outfielder” and is probably my most favorite; it really gets us moving! A couple songs later you have “Henrietta’s Hair” (my youngest daughter’s favorite) about the imaginative creatures living inside Henrietta’s hair. I don’t think my kids ever skip a song when listening to Pop Fly; I can’t say the same for some other CDs in our collection.

My family’s not alone when it comes to being fans of Justin Roberts’ new CD. Pop Fly was selected as one of Amazon.com’s “Best Children’s Albums of 2008.” To make the Top 10 list on Amazon.com is quite the accomplishment and yet no surprise once you’ve listened to Justin’s music. Don’t take it from me; here are some recent quotes from some very reliable sources:

• Los Angeles Times: “Childhood observed with wit and empathy and one of the most mellow rock ‘n roll voices around. Roberts weaves deft lyrics through layers of beautiful sound.” – Lynne Heffley


• Out with the Kids: “Without a doubt, the greatest children’s record ever made.”


• My oldest daughter: “Awesome! Cool! Awesome again! Fun! The first time I heard it I played it over and over again because I liked it so much. My favorite song would probably be all of them—it’s so hard to choose. Plus it’s a great CD to listen to while folding your underwear.”


• My second-oldest daughter:“I haven’t heard many of the songs except for ‘Pop Fly’ or ‘Henrietta’s Hair’ but I really like ‘Pop Fly’ because it’s a very good tune and very easy to sing along to and easy to remember. And ‘Henrietta’s Hair’ is a very cute song. It has very good details and is really funny about all the bugs.”

If you too find yourself hosting in-house dance parties for the entire family and would like to dance to something other than Now That’s What I Call Music 4,002 (okay, it’s only up to 29), you just HAVE to pick up Justin Roberts’ Pop Fly. One Pop Fly CD…$14. A child folding her own clothes…priceless.—Emily

*** Giveaway! We are giving away one copy of Justin Roberts’ Pop Fly CD! Visit Justin’s website and read his bio. Then return and leave a comment telling us what you found most interesting about him and/or his music; please include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: February 2, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Jennifer B., the winner of the Pop Fly CD 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!

• Congratulations to Jennifer B., the winner of the Pop Fly 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 didn’t really travel to Hawaii for this review, but I sure felt like I was there every time I applied the Papaya-Pineapple De-Aging Mist and De-Aging Body Balm from Pevonia’s Ligne Tropicale (Tropicale De-aging Line). The scent rocked my nowhere-near-tropical world!

I’ll get back to the scent in a moment. First a little bit about Pevonia’s Ligne Tropical. This powerful skin care line uses organic phyto-extracts and a revolutionary delivery system to “deliver a glorious sensory escape.” Tropical fruits and de-aging ingredients help repair, restore and rejuvenate skin. If you want to “preserve and reclaim youthfulness” this is the way to do it, at least according to Pevonia.

I received the Tropicale De-Aging Mist and Tropicale De-Aging Body Balm in the aforementioned Papaya-Pinapple scent. Holy cow, the combo of pineapple and papaya was heaven every time I used the mist and body balm! I’m a big fan of tropical scents (except for gardenia if that’s considered tropical) and this was quite possibly the best combination I’ve ever had the pleasure of smelling. I kid you not, I could not get enough of it! I kind of wish they had a perfume as well; I would definitely give it a special place in my medicine cabinet next to my bottle of So Pink from GAP.

So they smell really great, but do they really work? I can’t honestly say and this is why. The De-Aging Body Mist is supposed to give a boost of hydration and refresh skin during outdoor activities or any time of day. Aloe vera gel cools and soothes skin and chamomile calms skin. I applied it after showering—totally not when I should have done it since my skin was still fairly hydrated. Plus it’s the middle of winter in Utah and I’m not feeling the need to cool and refresh my skin. It’s cool enough! I will say it did cool my skin post shower and it felt great on my skin, but I will have to wait until the heat of summer to see if it gives that immediate boost of hydration my skin will need.

As for the De-Aging Body Balm, it’s mission is to smoothe the look of wrinkles on the body while repairing skin damage and brightening skin’s overall tone. It has retinol, collagen and elastin to improve texture and plump and soften fine lines along with shea butter to heal and protect skin. I’m still young enough that I don’t really have fine lines and wrinkles except for around my eyes, and this is no eye cream. I also have minimal sun damage so I wasn’t the best test subject for the Body Balm—and I didn’t feel like I could say to an older friend, “Hey, you’ve got all-over body wrinkles. Would you try this out and see if it de-ages your skin? I’ll keep my fingers crossed it works!” I will say it was a very rich and creamy lotion and though a little didn’t go a long way, it did a great job as a moisturizer.

I am intrigued by Pevonia’s De-Aging Line enough to give it a go in, say, another 20 years. Until then I’ll enjoy it as a wonderful, tropical, wish-I-were-in-Kauai early morning pick-me-up and hopefully keep my skin from aging as quickly as it normally would!—Emily

*** Giveaway Pevonia is giving away a gift set to on lucky Daily Dish reader! Visit Pevonia’s website and leave a comment telling us what other line of skin care intrigues you; include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: January 30, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Michelle H., the winner of the Pevonia 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!

Think of me4kidz’s new Diaper Bag Buddy like you would a AAA membership. You may never need towing service or flat tire repair but it give you peace of mind knowing if you did need it, you’d have it. The same goes for the Diaper Bag Buddy from me4kidz.

Similar in concept to the Medibuddy I reviewed March of last year, the Diaper Bag Buddy is full of products that will come in handy in case of emergency, and I’m not talking medical this time around. Unlike the Medibuddy, the Diaper Bag Buddy is not filled with antibiotic ointment and antiseptic wipes, though it does have a few bandages just in case. This little on-the-go kit includes everything you need for your little one’s emergencies, from wipes and diaper rash cream to shampoo & body wash—and everything is natural and organic. Here is what this amazingly small (like the Medibuddy) kit includes: diaper rash cream, aloe vera gel pack, face & body moisturizer, bandages, one-time-use thermometer, shampoo & body wash and wipes. Yes, all that in a reusable and 100% recycled case that fits perfectly in even the most packed-to-the-brim diaper bag!

I have my Diaper Bag Buddy sitting within easy reach in my diaper bag but have yet to use it—which is a good thing in this case. Though I can’t say how well the aloe vera gel or thermometer worked (thank heavens!) I can say I still find it hard to believe so many baby-emergency items are packed in so tiny a case. And though it takes up about as much room as a baby bottle it is worth it. Just think how much space those items would take if I were to pack the not-so-travel-size products individually! I love knowing that if I do run out of baby wipes or run into a painfully red baby bum, the Diaper Bag Buddy is within easy reach. It’s like having AAA service for your baby!—Emily

*** Giveaway! me4kidz is giving away one Diaper Bag Buddy! 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: January 27, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Katie M., the winner of the Diaper Bag Buddy 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!

And I’m not talking about the president of the Hair Club for Men. (Did you know he’s also a customer?) I’m talking about more affordable and “pure, natural & organic” reinforcements from Jason. In December of last year I reviewed Jason’s Cranberry Rejuvenating Body Scrub and Cranberry Hand & Body Lotion. I wasn’t a big fan of those two products but I am a big fan of their Thin to Thick hair care line…and not because I can see a difference in my hair.

The goal of Jason’s Thin to Thick Hair Care line is self explanatory; it’s supposed to nourish, revitalize, strengthen, etc. so your hair is healthier and stronger. Generally geared toward men I didn’t hesitate to enlist my husband’s help in testing the Pro-Vitamin Thin-to-Thick Hair Thickening Conditioner and Incredible Thin-to-Thick Revitalizing Scalp Elixir.

Though my hair isn’t thinning like someone’s I know I too wanted to test it out as I’m a firm believer in nourishing my color-treated, dry hair as much as possible. The Hair Thickening Conditioner is supposed to reinforce and strengthen weak, chemically processed hair by infusing amino acids into the hair cortex. Did it do that? I asked my husband, who doesn’t usually condition his hair, to try it out for about a week. When asked for his take on it for this review he gave a typical male response: “My hair feels softer. What is it supposed to do?” (Unless it’s a really cool stroller or digital camera he’s not much help.) But for him to say it feels softer is a big deal. I too tested the conditioner and I loved it. It deep conditioned in only 1-2 minutes versus the 3-5 minutes my other conditioner requires. It had a wonderful scent and best of all it restored softness to the most over styled, blow-dried part of my hair—the bangs.

The conditioner was easy; the Incredible Thin-to-Thick Revitalizing Scalp Elixir was a bit more difficult. For the life of me I could not get my husband to apply this elixir to his scalp at night and then sleep in it. He’s the guy who changes his pillowcase every few days and showers more often than the Seattle Sky. He just couldn’t do it, and I couldn’t quite get myself to try it out either. I generally don’t shower until dinnertime and I wasn’t sure I wanted the elixir on my scalp that long. But it does sound like a super cool, super powerful product in the fight against thinning hair. It actually sounds like the most important product in Jason’s Thin to Thick hair care line: “This revitalizing, preventative and corrective elixir purifies and energizes the scalp. Helps free hair follicles of debris which inhibit hair growth. Biotin, Folic Acid, Inositol, Cysteine(vege), (all essential to healthy hair growth), and hydrolized proteins help control thinning hair and excess hair fallout.”

For men and even women who are concerned about the health and well-being of their possibly (some are still in denial) hair, Jason’s Thin to Thick hair care products are worth a try, especially since they’re much more affordable than other options. On a side note, if you’re not worried about thinning hair and only want a really awesome deep conditioner, try Jason’s Mint & Rose Intense Moisture Treatment . I’ve been “reviewing” this product for a few weeks now and love it!—Emily

*** Giveaway Jason is giving away a gift set to one lucky Daily Dish reader! Please visit Jason’s website and leave a comment telling us which hair care product you’d most like to try; include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: January 22, 2008 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Lisa C., the winner of the Jason 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!

Daria sits down with fabric designer (and her personal hero) Amy Butler at Houston Quilt Market. Amy shows off her new book “Little Stitches” available now, as well as fabulous apron and bag designs! **GIVEAWAYS: Boutique Cafe has teamed up with Amy to offer 3 amazing prize packs – you have to watch the interview to find out all the details on this sweet swag!! Enter the giveaway by leaving a comment for Amy in our shownotes, we’ll draw our three lucky winners from comments on Jan 26. 2009.

Thank you so much Amy for taking the time to visit with us once again! (we’re still giggling about the Pot Roast comment!)

** To VIEW our Video Interview – click the “watch the show” button” or subscribe to us in iTunes! Thanks everyone.

If I had the budget I’d be a skin care and makeup junkie, but since I can only support one or two habits at a time, it’s jeans and shoes for now. So I never complain when I get to test a new skin care line and today’s is one of my favorites so far. We’ve had some great ones in the past (Dr.Hauschka and NutriMinC RE9 being top on the list) but great as they are, the prices are on the higher end and the nightly regimen was a bit too much work for me. I like simple, effective and good for my skin, and that’s what I found with Avalon Organics’ Vitamin C Skin Care.

Vitamin C is known for its wonderful antioxidant properties so I love that there’s an entire line of products designed around it. This Vitamin C Skin Care uses powerful antioxidants to protect against aging caused by the sun. Along with protecting your skin, the various products nourish and hydrate, improving your complexion and bringing back that healthy glow you lost somewhere between high school and college.

The good stuff doesn’t stop there. Vitamin C Skin Care is formulated using safe, pure ingredients and are free of mineral oil, petrolatum, propylene glycol, parabens, artificial colors and synthetic fragrances. Full of antioxidants and free of glow-diminishing ingredients—sounds like something I’m going to like!

I received the Vitamin C Refreshing Cleansing Gel, Rejuvenating Oil-Free Moisturizer and Revitalizing Eye Cream. I’ve used them for about a week and I’m totally hooked! Here’s why:

1. The cleansing gel has a wonderful, fruity orange scent that is totally refreshing just like its name says. I’ve been using it at night but need to switch to mornings since it totally wakes up the senses. (That’s the last thing I need before heading to bed after a long day!)


2. A little goes a long way with all three products. I only use half a pump of the cleansing gel and eye cream.


3. The cleansing gel is amazing at removing makeup. No lather, rinse, repeat to remove those dreaded raccoon eyes. LOVE it!


4. Though the line includes a toner I didn’t feel like my skin needed it at all. With other cleansers my skin sometimes feels tight and a toner really helps.


5. The moisturizer can be used day or night—that means one less potion jar in my medicine cabinet. It was lightweight yet felt like it had enough substance to to be a great night cream.


6. I liked the eye cream almost as much as Arbonne’s, and that’s saying a lot because I think Arbonne’s NutriMin RE9 eye cream is my favorite of all time!

The only negative thing I have to say, and it’s a minor one, is the eye cream dispenser doesn’t keep the cream from getting a little hard on the end. I’m not a big fan of hardened creams or lotions, and though you can eventually soften up that little blob of cream, it means extra patting and rubbing in the eye area and I’m too vain about keeping that area wrinkle free to do that. I end up wiping that part off on a tissue and using the rest. See? Not a big deal but still, I have other pump-style creams and unless I’ve gone a week or so without using them, they don’t have the same problem.

I didn’t include the product descriptions in the review but they’re tempting enough to make you want to try the product. I’m talking statements like “fortified with the synergistic action of Vitamin C plus Lemon Bioflavonoids, Melatonin and organic White Tea to refresh and balance for healthy, radiant skin and “nourishes delicate eye area with Cocoa Butter, organic Sweet Almond, Borage and Flax oils with Vitamin C for optimal photo-aging protection plus Lemon Bioflavonoids, organic Green Tea and White Tea to defend against damaging free radicals for smoother, younger looking eyes.” See what I mean?

The prices are more than you’d pay for Aveeno but far less than you’d shell out for Shiseido. (Who wants to take out a second mortgage just to moisturize anyway?) For the pure, organic and glow-inducing ingredients you’re getting, the prices are fabulous. It’s no more than I’m paying now, so it’s pretty much a given I’ll be switching over to Avalon Organics Vitamin C Skin Care. My Avon Anew just doesn’t measure up…—Emily

***Giveaway! Avalon Organics is giving away a gift set to one lucky reader! Visit Avalon Organics’ site and leave a comment telling us another product (besides the ones mentioned above) that sounds like something you’d like to try. Please include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: January 16, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Duong S., the winner of the Avalon Organics 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!

We all love a good superhero. My current personal favorite is Ming-Ming from WonderPets. (Can you tell who’s in charge of the TV lately?) But what does a superhero have to do with outerwear? If you’ve ever struggled to secure your little one in her car seat complete with winter coat or even slightly less bulky pullover sweater you know it often requires superpowers to adjust a five-point harness without compromising safety. Never fear! Babycapes are here!

Babycapes were created by two moms, who faced the similar struggle of trying to get their busy baby girls into car seats with bulky winter coats. The Babycape has a generous front opening with three snaps so it’s easy on/easy off and allows you access to harness straps. It has a cozy hood and openings in the sides for little arms, but the pièce de résistance is its back opening with a single snap. When open it lets you easliy slip your child into a stroller, car seat or front carrier without removing the Babycape, and when closed it makes the perfect outdoor cover-up.

Olivia and I were able to test the pink Minky Sherpa Suede Babycape during the Christmas holiday. I couldn’t wait to see if it were as easy to use as it appeared, but I was even more interested to find out if it would keep her warm even in frigid weather. I will admit it took us a few tries to get the hang of the Babycape. (Perhaps if I’d watched the instructional video on the website like any smart person would do, I’d have got it the first time!) Our first attempt we put it on her in the house, slipped her arms through the arm holes and quickly realized we had to take her arms out in order to get her arms under the harness straps. Then we put her arms back through and adjusted the cape around here. Olivia, who isn’t the best traveler anyway, was a bit flustered by the time we were done and none too happy.

When we tried it again and left her arms under the cape she got a bit frustrated having her arms covered, but at least it was easier to get her in the car seat! And even in 20-degree weather she stayed toasty until the car’s heater took over. Because we had a bit of a struggle the first few times using the Babycape I almost gave up, but when we tried it today, Olivia and I both seemed to finally get it! She kept her arms under the cape until I had her in the car seat. I of course didn’t realize until now the generous front opening was for me to use to adjust the harness straps. I was flipping the cape up to secure her, which she thought meant it was time to pull the Babycape completely off!

Now we’re becoming seasoned pros at the Babycape thing and I am slowly falling deeply in love with it. It really is a much safer alternative to a big winter coat and it is less hassle than a coat and blanket, which is what we were using (and the blanket was always just as cold as the car!). The Babycape is to die for when it comes to style and design and it is super soft to boot. Today I caught Olivia turning to look up into her hood and smiling at who knows what. (I think she was smiling because she too had fallen in love with her Babycape.)

I love that the moms behind Babycapes are just as interested in making sure your child is safe as they are in telling you about their product. They’ve dedicated an entire page of their site to safety information complete with a safety video and links to sites with more information about car seat safety. When a company is as concerned about your child as you are, you can rest easy knowing their product was designed with your child’s safety and comfort in mind.

Babycapes are custom made and assembled in the U.S.A. They come in a wonderful array of luxurious, machine-washable fabrics such as Marshmallow Minky, Minky Sherpa Suede (love how that rolls off the tongue) and Minky Cuddle. And because one size fits newborn to preschooler, you won’t have to purchase a new coat year after year. Those Babycape moms have thought of everything—talk about superheroes!

The weather is still frightful, at least in my neck of the woods, and Babycapes will come in handy for a few months yet. I suggest you pick one up now, especially since they’re on sale through January 31st. Considering Babycapes last a good 3-4 years, that’s less than $30 a year…a heck of a lot cheaper than your typical winter coat and a heck of a lot safer in a car seat. Comic books and movies will tell you, the superhero is always a safe bet!—Emily

*** Giveaway! Babycapes is giving away one Babycape, winner’s choice! Please leave a comment telling us your favorite Babycape (color and style); include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: January 14, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Leah F., the winner of the Babycape 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!

George is the only boy out of four kids and third in birth order, so you’d think at the age of 3 and with no former instruction whatsoever, he wouldn’t know what to do with a Yo Baby Kick Flipper if one landed in his lap. One did, so to speak, and somehow that boy knew exactly what to do with it. He hopped right on his new Yo Baby Kick Flipper (Yo Baby for short) and started scooting his way around the carpet, and though he had a long way to go before becoming the next X Games champ, I could see how the Yo Baby was going to help him learn a little bit about skateboarding—without the risk of stitches or broken bones.

Designed by Bob Ellis, father of four and extreme sportsman, the Yo Baby from GarageCo Toys is a lightweight, wheel-free board that simulates skateboarding, surfing and even snowboarding. You can use it indoors or outdoors on surfaces like carpet, sand and grass (trust me when I say avoid newly mopped tile…). To see the Yo Baby in action you have to watch the video on GarageCo Toys’ site. (Click on Watch Video on the left-hand side of the homepage.)

Though it’s safe for pre-boarders age 1 1/2 on up, my almost 18-month-old thought the Yo Baby simply a cool place to sit and my three-year-old didn’t do much than step on one end and spin while holding on to the counter. Of course he did this over and over and over again and probably would have tried a few more tricks if someone had shown him how. Unfortunately he was born into a non-extreme-sport family unless you consider returning Blu-Ray DVDs to Netflix in record time an extreme sport! Luck for us GarageCo Toys now has a Trick Tips manual we can download. Now that he has the 180 spin down we’re going for the peanut flip.

At 21 inches long and only 5 1/4” inches wide, the Yo Baby from GarageCo Toys shows that really cool things—and really great exercise—comes in small packages. The Yo Baby is made in the USA with material that is 80% post consumer and cost around $12. Yes, I said $12. (If you’re not thinking perfect Christmas gift then you’re not thinking.) That’s a heck of a lot more affordable than the latest sports video game. Sure, you can snowboard with the Wii, but how long do you think that Wii board would last if ridden down a sandy hill? That’s what I thought.—Emily

** Giveaway! GarageCo Toys is giving away 10 Yo Baby Kick Flippers! 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: December 22, 2008 (midnight). The winners will have 24 hours to claim their prize or a new winner will be chosen.

We’re back for our FOURTH straight year of our popular Holiday Shows! This week Boutique Cafe and guests are bringing to life the stuff christmas dreams are made of, in the first of 3 Spectacular Christmas shows. Daria interviews designers and momprenuers including Barb of Lola and Clementine, Myrinda of Sweet Girl Boutique, Leslie of L’il Darlins, and Kim of Olive Kids.

**This episode is chock full of Giveaways including: a $25 Gift Certificate to LolaandClementine.com or her eBay auctions as well, $25 Gift Certificate to Sweet Girl Boutique, $25 Gift Certificate to L’il Darlins, Bib-A-Roo from Lil Darlins, $80 Gift Pack from Olive Kids with personalized Frame Print, Placemat, Name tag and Bookmark. How to Enter: Comment under this post to qualify for our drawings. We’ll draw the winners on Dec. 22nd! Good luck Everyone and Happy Holidays from Boutique Cafe.

**We still have ONE interview space available for the 3rd and final 12 days of Christmas show. If you are interested in having your shop, store, group or designs featured please email daria@boutiquecafe.com for further details.

We first reviewed Fleurville back in January for our “let’s go green” week. We featured their Re-Run Messenger bag and MicroPod. I love Fleurville’s Re-Run fabric, which is made from recycled plastic bottles and keeps thousands of bottles out of landfill—nothing like going green when on the go! So I was super excited to receive Fleurville’s Re-Run Yoga Bag and Re-Run Zafu Meditation Pillow for a review on the Daily Dish.

I don’t do yoga as often as I should, and when I do it, it’s in the “comfort” of my basement toy room. If I had my choice I’d be “om-ing” it up at the gum, and if I had my choice of yoga bag it would be the Re-Run Yoga Bag from Fleurville. It may not have all the bells and whistles of other yoga bags (do yoga bags have bells and whistles?) but it does fit my yoga mat, strap and reusable watter bottle (of course!) nicely. I love the Ogo print with its crisp blues and greens and I love knowing I’m keeping 3 plastic bottles out of landfill. It has an adjustable strap, zippered compartment for car keys, gym membership and hand towel (a necessity if you’re into the Bikram thing), and is PVC free. I do wish it had a little more room so I could fit my yoga block but I’m hoping someday I won’t need the extra help with my headstands! Fleurville’s Re-Run Yoga Bag gets a thumbs up—or strong upward facing dog—from me!

The Re-Run Zafu Meditation Pillow was a big hit with everyone, though I can’t say we ever actually used it for meditating. I don’t even think it’s possible to meditate with four kids in the house! My 3-year-old’s “is this for me?” won me over and he claimed it as his own. He used it as his special seat to watch his favorite TV shows and movies. My girls had to wait to use it until he was in bed…at least until the newness wore off, which took a good month or so. I’ve used it as a seat for my toddler as I put on his shoes, as a seat for myself when there are none to be found on the couch, and as the perfect spot next to the toddler bed for reading bedtime stories. It has yet to be used to meditate but it has gotten plenty of good use, that’s for sure! Apparently it was even a great resting spot for Fleurville employees at one of their tradeshows. Now that’s using your resources wisely!

Like the yoga bag, the meditation pillow keeps 3 plastic bottles out of landfill. It is filled with certified organic buckwheat filling with a fill volume that is adjustable for customized comfort. No worrying about buckwheat spills; the Zafu has a Velcro guard. It is also PVC free.

I also received the ModPod, but I don’t see it listed on Fleurville’s site. Either it’s brand-spankin’ new or it’s been discontinued. I was able to find it for sale elsewhere, and this is a fabulous changing kit. It’s a step above a diapers and wipes clutch and a couple steps before diaper bag. Though it is generously sized I still make room for it in my diaper bag because it has a nicely padded changing pad and PVC-free lamination. The adjustable shoulder strap is great for when I pop it out of the bag to take to the changing room at church. When open, my favorite feature is the slightly padded head rest and the three storage pockets. I have about 3 diapers, a wipes case and an extra onesie, and even when folded it is still fairly compact. I have it, my wallet, small cosmetic bag, change of clothes for my toddler, and a multitude of snacks in my diaper bag with room to spare. Plus I love the ModPod’s sleek design. It’s my favorite changing kit so far, though it would be awesome if it was made from Re-Run fabric as well.

Whether you’re standing tree poser, meditation guru or frazzled mom trying to keep diaper changing gear in one place, Fleurville’s looking out for you—and the environment. Sometimes Re-Runs are just as great as the original, if not better. Go for style, go for function, go for environmentally friendly. Go Fleurville.—Emily

P.S. Check out their new Getaway Weekend bag—LOVE IT and the Botanical Azure print!

*** Giveaway! We are giving away one of Fleurville’s fabulous Re-Run Messenger Bags in red—a hard-to-find color! Visit Fleurville.com and leave a comment telling us your favorite product besides the ones mentioned in this review. Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: December 12, 2008 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Rebecca S., the winner of the Fleurville 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 awe-inspiring friend Nena is doing a festive, holly, jolly, Giveaway in time for the holidays. She created this stunning glittering Santa on Canvas valued at approx. $175.00 – and now Santa is looking for a new home. I’m publicly offering him a warm and cozy home with our family, but sadly all of the begging in the world won’t work because she’s drawing a “random” winner. I will still try to butter Nena up though, can’t blame a girl for trying.

To get all the details on how to win this beautiful art piece in time for Christmas visit Nena’s Blog.

And I’m not talking about the famous Hilton. I’m talking about Gabriel Couzian, a collection of specially formulated skin care products that hydrate and soothe dry, itchy, irritated skin. But this is NOT your ordinary line or even your step-above-ordinary line of skin care products. Gabriel Couzian is extraordinary, perhaps even miraculous, and has brought a bit of French science into my skin care regimen.

The Gabriel Couzian brand has been trusted by French women for over fifteen years. They seem to know how to take care of their skin—perhaps Gabriel Couzian is their secret. The products contain an exclusive oil-in-water suspension technology that seamlessly blends natural oils, rich plant proteins and pure spring water. This technology means the products immediately help protect the skin’s natural barrier, moisturizing and relieving symptoms associated with eczema, psoriasis and dryness caused by everything from aging to the environment. (You can read more about the science and Gabriel Couzian’s healing ingredients here.)

I received Gabriel Couzian’s Washing Oil and Highly Nourishing Body Cream. The packaging wasn’t flashy but I’ve learned you do NOT judge a product by its packaging because in this case you’d be way wrong. The Washing Oil is a shower (or bath) oil that creates a “reparative and soothing” cream when mixed with water. It includes a proprietary blend of nourishing cleansing oils and pure water and the formula is a gentle alternative to soap. I was worried the Washing Oil would leave a slightly oily residue on my body and the shower floor but was pleasantly surprised when it didn’t. I did learn you need to follow the directions and massage it into wet skin without the use of a washcloth or body scrubber, and I did miss having a good lather. I’m just one for bubbles no matter how small, and the Washing Oil didn’t have any at all. But it did feel good going on and it did seem to hydrate my skin—no tight feeling after drying off…and this is Utah!

But the true star of the two, at least for me, is the Highly Nourishing Body Cream. This rich, decadent cream (sounds like a French dessert, doesn’t it?) is a miracle worker. Formulated for severely dry skin, this cortisone-free cream works immediately to inflamed skin and ease the discomfort caused by dryness, eczema or allergies. It contains olive oil, sweet almond oil, beeswax, shea butter, bisabolol (derived from chamomile flowers), aloe vera and glycerin and somehow this combination works wonders. I applied it one morning after my shower and noticed how quickly it absorbed into my skin even though it was as thick a cream as you could pump from a bottle. It has a wonderfully light scent (I smelled my arm many times to be sure) and it truly moisturized for 24 hours and then some.

You know how you use a lotion, even a favorite like Aveeno or Eucerin, and sure, it moisturizes but you have to reapply it within a few hours especially if you’ve washed your hands a few times? You can apply Gabriel Couzian’s Highly Nourishing Body Cream once and your skin will feel as smooth as silk for a couple days. The bottle says you only need to use it a couple times a week and I believe it. I even tried it on my one-year-old’s super dry skin. She borders on eczema and nothing I’ve tried (or reviewed) has truly moisturized for an extended period of time. They’ve helped, don’t get me wrong, but I have to reapply constantly. I used the Body Cream on her after her bath the other night and her skin was happily moisturized the following evening and the evening after that. No need for more cream—now that was an amazing moment. If you don’t believe me you should read Gabriel Couzian’s testimonials page. I’m right there with them!

Now, you won’t find Gabriel Couzian at your local drugstore and the prices may not be for the faint of heart, but once I did the math I realized it really wasn’t much more than the Oil of Olay Quench body lotion I buy from Target. The Body Cream costs about $68 for 13.6 fl. oz. while the Quench lotion costs about $9 (and doesn’t have nearly the impressive list of ingredients), but I have to use the Quench lotion every day, sometimes twice a day if I take a second shower. I only need to use the Gabriel Couzian Highly Nourishing Body Cream—because it’s highly nourishing—twice a week. So I’m using about 1/5 as much, which makes it about $13. Okay, so it’s probably not college-level calculus and it may not even be legit, but to me it make sense. Why not invest a little more in something that truly works and is made of quality ingredients (and smells fabulous)? It’s so totally worth it!

Some day I hope to travel to Europe and experience all it has to offer; until then I will enjoy a little dab of French cosmetological science right in my very own home.—Emily

*** Giveaway! Gabriel Couzian is giving away one gift set to a lucky Daily Dish reader! You DON’T want to pass up this awesome giveaway! Please leave a comment telling us what other Gabriel Couzian product intrigues you; include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: December 1, 2008 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Jennifer H., the winner of the Gabriel Couzian 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!

...as long as it’s from Punky Mae! Punky Mae’s collection of hip message tees for kids are made from 100% finely ribbed cotton. Every tee has a message appliqued and stitched on the front so your child can tell it like it is.

Whether your little one thinks “preschool is cool” or your daughter is a bit on the “emotional” side, Punky Mae will help get the message across to friends and family. Our little George received the “spoiled” tee and I have to say it suits him perfectly. The shirt is soft and the design doesn’t rub his skin like some appliqued and stitched designs do. I like the 3/4-length sleeve because it keeps his sleeves out of running water and boxes of Cheez-Its. I had more than one person smile and comment on his “spoiled” tee while he was wearing it, and of course I always agreed that shirt was telling the truth. What do you expect? He’s the only boy out of four kids!

My other favorite phrases are “sassy” and “high maintenance.” (If they came in larger sizes you can bet that last one would be worn by my second-born!) Punky Mae tees are $32 and range in size from 2T to 6.—Emily

*** Giveaway Punky Mae is giving away one t-shirt, winner’s choice! 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: November 28, 2008 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Heather K., the winner of the Punky Mae 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!

Because the Daily Dish could be a little more equal opportunity when it comes to reviews, today’s feature includes a line of ACE grooming products for men along with our PerriconeMD review just for you. We’re not trying to leave the men out; it’s just our products are a lot more fun!

That being said, I must tell you I enjoyed one of the ACE products almost as much as my husband. Their Fogless Shower Mirror was designed for men who prefer to shave in the shower. It has a nifty razor holder, two serious suction cups, a height-adjustable base, and of course the fog-proof mirror. I have to confess, the first time I was in the shower with this mirror totally fogged up and I was truly disappointed. My husband said it remained fogless for him the whole time, so I gave it a second chance. That’s when I noticed the water reservoir behind the mirror. You fill it with water and it helps equalize the mirror and air temperature—and it totally worked!

I found it super handy for nighttime showers when I washed my makeup off ; I could check for raccoon eyes in case I needed to “lather, rinse, repeat” before stepping out. My husband has used it faithfully since the day he first suctioned it to the wall, and it’s a hit with my three-year-old as well. Nothing like making faces when you’re all lathered up!

My husband also tested the ACE Toenail Clippers and the 3-in-1 Splinter Tweezer—okay, I tested these ones since he conveniently forgot to do so. I didn’t love either of these products really. The clippers, while “strong enough for a man,” were almost too manly. Even my husband didn’t love them. They were a bit heavy and unwieldy and looked and felt like they were made to cut heavy-guage wire rather than toenails. And the clippings catcher didn’t do its job all that well. The tweezer, which we really did try on my son’s splinter, didn’t seem very effective. I had to keep looking at the diagram to figure out which corner to use first and we ended up using our favorite Sonia Kashuk tweezers to pull it out.

But don’t let my review of the clippers and tweezer keep you from checking out ACE’s other products. We received the Excursion bag and it is a great travel product—plenty of room for his essentials and yours as well (as long as you don’t count makeup as an essential!). It’s a serious travel case and will hold up well during your holiday travels. And that Fogless Mirror is totally awesome!

Now for the “hers” part of this review. PerriconeMD is the brainchild of Dr. Nicholas Perricone, whose research has shown that the “inflammation-aging connection is the single greatest precipitator of aging and age-related diseases. This inflammation … does its damage by triggering free radicals, which accelerate aging by attaching to and damaging cells.” His three-tiered approach to battling this inflammation includes an anti-inflammatory diet, nutritional supplements and topical anti-inflammatories.

I’ve been able to try PerriconeMD’s Omega 3 and Super Berry Powder supplements (tier 2). If you aren’t familiar with Omega 3 it is supposed to help suppress appetite, boost metabolism and help burn stored fat. I was already taking an Omega supplement when I switched to the PerriconeMD Omega 3 capsules, so I didn’t notice much difference. The one thing I did notice, and this is probably too much information, is I didn’t have what I affectionately call “fish burps” after taking them at night on an empty stomach. But other than that, it was status quo.

PerriconeMD’s Super Berry Powder is derived from raspberry, blueberry and Acai, which is packed with essential amino and fatty acids. I’ve heard a lot about the benefits of Acai so I was anxious to tet this product. To use it you mix one small packet (kind of like those Crystal Light To-Go packets) “with water and drink.” No mention of how much water—8 ounces? 16 ounces? Let me tell you, the more ounces the better.

I tried it with about 8 ounces and it was too strong and too grainy for my taste. I really had to water it down with ice cold water, and I’m one who can drink fiber powder without any problems. I wasn’t too faithful about using it once a day so I can’t give a true review on its effects, and even if you did take it once a day I think it’s hard to measure how well a product protects you against free radicals damage. But I do know Acai is a very powerful supplement and this would be one great way to get those benefits along with the antioxidants in raspberries and blueberries. Heaven knows I don’t eat nearly enough of those!

I would love to try some of PerriconeMD’s other products like the Advanced Eye Area Therapy but the Pore Refining Treatment Gel Cream might be more within budget…ah, the price we pay for beauty! My philosophy? Invest in great skin care products now, save thousands of dollars later!—Emily

** Giveaway ACE and PerriconeMD are each giving away a gift set to one lucky winner! Please leave a comment with a valid email address for our drawing. Tell us which ACE tool your significant other would love the most AND which PerriconeMD product you’d most like to try. We’ll draw the two winners from the comments and contact them via email. Deadline: November 24, 2008 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim their prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Elizabeth Y. and Kristi P., the winners of the ACE and PerriconeMD giveaways! 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!

Sign up this month for our Boutique Cafe newsletter, and you’ll be entered to win one of 10 Pink Tees from Shade Clothing!! Once you sign up in our sidebar, please feel free to leave a comment below stating your preferred size. Good luck everyone! (we’ll be drawing 10 winners from the entire mailing list)

Drawing on Dec. 1st, 2008 at Midnight.

Join Our Newsletter

I admit it, I am a t-shirt lover. I own a few button-down shirts and I continue to buy button-down shirts thinking I’ll actually wear them at some point, but alas, I always go for a favorite t-shirt instead (unless it’s Sunday and I’m dressing up for church). And when I come across a soft, comfy tee that has a great design in great colors I simply have to have it. That’s probably why I love PeaceLoveMom’s entire collection.

Sure, PeaceLoveMom has comfy tees in great colors but they also have some rockin’ designs. And by rockin’ I mean really cool designs that are all about mom. The three moms behind PeaceLoveMom are all about “creating designs that will both inspire and empower mothers everywhere” and the collection “represents a collaboration and true celebration of motherhood.” We definitely need more celebrating of motherhood, and these tees do it with style.

I received the Lucky Mom Mint Tee, which is all about feeling lucky 24/7 because you’re a mom. While I don’t necessarily adhere to that way of thinking, having four kids (five if you count my DH), I truly love the design. The first thing I noticed about this cute cap-sleeve t-shirt was the slightly glittery ink used in the design; it was sparkly without being blingy (I don’t do bling). The design itself was awesome (I don’t do cheesy) and I loved the little graphic on the back of the neck. The fit was flattering and comfortable, probably due to the 100% soft cotton jersey, tapered waist and longer length. And I can attest to its washability since I’ve worn and washed this t-shirt just about every week! It became one of my faves overnight, and that’s saying a lot since I have quite the collection of t-shirts.

If you’re gearing up for some cold weather you’ll love PeaceLoveMom’s Cozy Mom Thermals. They also have a few tank tops, fuller-cut tees and a fun kids collection. I am totally loving their hat collection too!

We really ought to remind ourselves to enjoy the journey that is motherhood, and PeaceLoveMom is a great way to do so. If you’re having one of those days, just throw on your favorite pair of jeans paired with your favorite PeaceLoveMom tee, add a smile and you can at least fake it til you believe it! I love the “Language of PeaceLoveMom,” which you can read on their About Us page—and you really ought to read it. It’s a wonderful reminder about why we should celebrate motherhood 24/7.—Emily

** Giveaway PeaceLoveMom is giving away one of their Grateful Mom grass green thermal tees(a $50 value)! Please leave a comment telling us your favorite PeaceLoveMom tee and your favorite thing about motherhood. (Don’t forget to include a valid email address for our drawing.) Then post the contest on your blog and let us know for an extra entry! We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: November 20, 2008 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

* Promotion! PeaceLoveMom is offering Daily Dish readers free shipping! Simply enter code BOUTIQUEMOMS at checkout. Offer expires November 30, 2008.

Here on the Daily Dish I do have favorites. You’ll know them by the fact that they’ve been featured more than once, a few featured more than twice. See Kai Run is one of those favorites. I am one of their biggest fans (and a new fan of their sister company, eleven, but you’ll have to wait until December for their first-ever review on the Daily Dish).

See Kai Run is known for their chic styles, superb fit and most importantly for me, their durability. I have a pair of black boots George wore as a walker and they are in perfect condition for Livi to use. Unfortunately her feet are a lot chunkier than Geroge and she outgrew them before she could wear them! Right now I’m anxiously waiting for George’s feet to get big enough to fit into his new Kian boots. Well, I’m not anxiously waiting since that means he’s growing up, but they are really cool.

But today’s review is not about See Kai Run’s new fall styles, as cool as they are (check out the Melody—to die for!). Today’s review is about See Kai Run’s new Smaller line, soft-soled booties designed specifically for infants age 0 to 18 months. Smaller soft-soled booties are made from the same butter-soft sheepskin leather uppers as the original and combine a suede sole with non-slip rubber pads for extra protection and traction. That means these babies are perfect for crawling and cruising. A breathable leather lining and Velcro closures—and their Velcro actually sticks—make them easy to put on and take off and comfy to wear.

Livi received the Tine, a sweet little black ballet flat with white piping. They’re the perfect shoe, easily going from daytime to nighttime like my favorite pair of grownup ballet flats. I don’t break a sweat trying to put them on her chunky little feet and the softer sole has been perfect for her wobbly walking. Smaller booties are available in 15 new styles and are packaged in a snazzy metallic silver box with a see-through window; no gift wrapping necessary!

** Giveaway! See Kai Run is giving away a pair of shoes to two lucky Daily Dish readers! (We have one pair of Jakes, size 12-18m, and one pair of Monicas, size 6-9m.) Please leave a comment telling us your favorite new Smaller style; include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winners from the comments and contact them via email. Deadline: November 7, 2008 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Amy P. and Tricia H., the winners of our 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!

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