Easter Sales...

So there are a few sales that landed in my inbox today here are three of them...

Firstly free shipping at Bambini Pronto for Easter orders... I've linked to the email there so you can read all the details and small print.
and
BabyGap are having a sale on sleepwear - 2 for $35. They might be just a little bit cute!
and one more for the Aussies,
Paperartzi have 10% off storewide (applies to VIPs only so sign up! Coupon Code is VIP SALE)

Happy shopping ;)

S
PS.  I didn't need to go to Gap for the Stella McCartney stuff... husband walked past window and HE couldn't resist! Hurry up summer I have one cute little girl with very cute outfits to wear!

Stella McCartney at BabyGap

I should preface this post with a little confession... I went a little crazy buying Miss O a suitable summer wardrobe this weekend. It's not like she doesn't need some good quality pieces that will (hopefully) carry her through two summers this year. But I did go a little bit crazy.

So the adorable Stella McCartney for BabyGap collection was unveiled on the Gap website today...Pictured right from Gap.com

And I promptly entered everything I liked into the shopping cart (pictured below)
Husband approved items. Yes...
Husband approved the $470 value of the cart. No.

I'll have to edit the cart and decide what Miss O would really look cute in I guess!

My eyes are bigger than the budget I guess...

Happy Shopping!

Match & Munch Sandwich Cutters - Set of 4 Puzzle Shapes

Simply had to post these... featured on Stroller Traffic today, I think I have to have them...

From The Spoon Sisters - these puzzle shaped sandwich cutters make triangles look dull. They're just $16.95 for all four cutters.
Yes please!

PS.... They have animal shaped cutters too...

Sites, Stuff and finds…

Here's what I wrote for the Embassy...

I'm back! Thought I'd split my monthly rambles into two sections - grown ups and kids, that way you can read what interests you and skip through what isn’t relevant for you. After all, the world of nappys, toys and kid craft is only interesting for a few!

For grownups
So my new favourite daily, is the Daily Grommet. What’s a grommet you ask? Well, It's a wonderful product still waiting in the wings, just ripe for discovery.  It has great utility, or style, or invention. Or, very often it has all three.  It comes from a designer, or inventor, or artist, or manufacturer who is clearly passionate about what they create. Someone who loves to share their creations and talk to people about why they do what they do.  It comes from a company that treats its customers well.  Finally, like any intelligent or beautiful product, it has a great story, ready to be told. Here’s an ultraviolet toothbrush sanitiser - trust me spare yourself from reading the scary germ facts! (There’s a kid’s product section too - check out the Frog eco aquarium!)

If you love designer bags, shoes and jewels there is an auction site for you Ooh I Love.  An example - and $800 Louis Vuitton bag went for $5.36, and yes the decimal is in the right place. Five dollars and thirty six cents.

And finally, Easter brunch anyone - Check out the list of Restaurants with Easter specials on  OpenTable.com.  I know I'd be at CoCo Sala for their, "Multi-course Chocolate & Champagne Easter Sunday Brunch 11am-4pm includes a mimosa for adults & chocolate surprise for kids from Co Co. Bunny! $50/adult and $30/child under 12". Yum. Yum. Yum.

For kids
If you’re looking for something to do on a rainy afternoon No Time for Flash Cards have a great range of crafts, games and puzzles. You can sort by theme, by age and even by sensory activities, imaginary play cooking and a host of other things. A great resource for the stuck-at-home-with-the-kids-again-Mum!

I found these great travel chalk mats better than pencils/crayons/markers for trips away. Just wipe clean and you’re ready for the next masterpiece. Best of all they’re on sale at Emmy&Ally.

For those with infants there is a new product on the market called the “Buggy Bubble”.  It’s a bit of an engineering marvel, but keeps out 98% of the harmful UVA and UVB rays whilst providing baby with proper ventilation.

And for Easter - we heart books have a cute selection of coco free Easter goodies.  Nothing like supporting Aussie Mums right? If there’s not enough time for shipping I suggest checking Amazon.com… And for accessorising that Easter party dress, here are some very sweet bunny brooches on Etsy.

I wonder...

I wonder how much convincing it would take for me to talk M into frogs for little O?

Check out this cool low (almost no) maintenance frog kit... Only $30, It comes with everything you need - including two frogs! - the water needs to be changed twice a year and the frogs only need to be fed twice a week! How fantastic... If I could only find someone who'd take the frogs when we leave in 8 months...

There is a video on the daily grommet website where you can see the tank in action and buy it on the spot if you want to. You can also buy direct from the Wild Creations.

What are you doing for Easter?

As is our US Easter tradition, we're going on a short holiday. And I can't wait.  We are flying across the country and then we will pile into an SUV and drive around for a week or so. We'll see New Mexico - Santa Fe, Flagstaff, The Grand Canyon and some other really cool things.  I can't help but wonder what we will do next Easter, when we are back at home in Australia... Maybe the Barossa Valley, the Great Ocean Road or will we explore our new home town? I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

This Easter I might need some of these GoToob's for our carry on liquid. In two or three ounce sizes, they're made of silicone so you can easily squeeze out the contents. Without the usual shake and pat dance that other TSA approved bottles require!  They're available at Daily Grommet and start at $17.95 for a set of three.

I've had a quick word with the Easter Bunny about what he might bring little O for Easter (and where, we've arranged for early delivery). 

He's sending a card (Hallmark - they'll print a custom message and post it to your little ones), bringing pyjamas (Target have some very cute pj's) and a Lady Bug Zoobie Pet.  If you haven't already seen the Zoobie Pets then you should.  It's a blanket, pillow and stuffed toy in one who  could ask for more in a toy for travelling? The Bumblebee is pictured left... You can choose your critter, everything from giraffes to crocodiles, hippos, lions and turtles... Bing the Bumblebee is $22.95 on Amazon. And finally some art supplies for the road trip.

There are lots of Easter activities you can do at home with the kids like Parenting's Pink Bunny Cake (pictured right).

There are some public Easter events around Washington DC too... The Easter Egg Roll at the White House. But if you weren't lucky enough to get tickets then there's plenty more listed on the About.com website. My pick would be the Easter Egg hunt at the Reston Zoo!

For those who are kid free, I suggest a sleep in and then a lovely long brunch (lucky you). Check out the list of Restaurants with Easter specials on OpenTable.com.  I know I'd be at CoCo Sala for their, "Multi-course Chocolate & Champagne Easter Sunday Brunch 11am-4pm includes a mimosa for adults & chocolate surprise for kids from Co Co. Bunny! $50/adult and $30/child under 12". Yum. Yum. Yum.

Well I think I might sit outside and do some reading in the sun while my little possum naps away the afternoon...

Enjoy the weather!

xo Sam

Stroller Traffic - Best of the Web for newish and expeciting Moms (or Aussie Mums in the USA!)

Stroller Traffic have released their best of the web list and it's great!

I love, Project Nursery, Planet Awesome Kid and Oompa for a great range of toys, gear and furniture.

You can (and should) read the full article here...

Yesterday Cool Mom Picks released the ultimate baby shower gift guide and it too is worth a look!   My favourite of all the products is the "words to remember" journal for your child's amusing sayings $15.95 at pink olive.

Little O isn't quite talking but I'm sure once those words start to come out in English she will have a lot of memoriable things to say!

LMNOP had a great competition to win a children's music CD by Renee and Jeremy - and if you head over to the Renee and Jeremy website you can download two of their tracks for free! http://reneeandjeremy.com/ 

And for me today I think I like the Cool Mom Picks pick of the day - the reversible short sleeve open sweater from Smitten. Oh, yes would go nicely with a pair of Louboutin's if I can get my hands on a pair!?

Babyccino Kids email today is just fantastic - free down loadable colouring in pages from a blog I'm going to add to the ever growing list I follow. Made by Joel is one of the coolest blogs I've come across!  Go to http://madebyjoel.blogspot.com/2010/03/art-show.html to download... while you're there check out some of the cool things he's made!

xo Sam

Very cool...

So I might have a reputation for liking to shop, perpetuated by my husband whom I am pretty sure tells people that so that he has something to talk about. I must say it's partially true, only I rarely ever actually buy something. I might talk about it, want it and desire it but in the end I'll probably forget. But the things I do not forget are those I really, really, really want.

Today in my inbox (via SheFinds) I now know about how "How To Win Louboutins For $5 At OohILove In 5 Steps" and I couldn't be happier.

I covet a pair of those decadent, red soled beauties more that you can possibly imagine. Though, I must admit if they're black to hide any vegmite or other food stains and flat so I can chase Olive then they'd be perfect for my current lifestyle. 

But we'll see, if I can get a pair for $5 i can't go wrong right?

The same SheFinds email had the new collection of shoes by Christian Siriano (of Project Runway fame) for Payless... so $75 for a runway style shoe. Not quite what I need in a shoe right now, but cute. Though I must admit the "Walk It Out Laceless Zip Oxford" is right up my alley! It's on sale for $19.95 and Payless have $5.95 shipping. According to the Anthropologie email, Oxfords are the spring trend to follow.

Of course it's almost St Patrick's Day so the fun-stuff-for-kids activities are filling the inbox - you can find some ideas at Parenting.com. The hand print shamrock looks like fun (right) - it's from No Time for Flash Cards. No time for flash cards have a fantastic list of toddler and preschooler crafts.

I think the website might be a new favourite for me when looking for something to quell the boredom of the little miss.

Crayola have a long list of free activities on their website including colouring pages, craft ideas and games if you get stuck!

I also got the Real Simple 6 time-savers email and I think this one is perfect for a rainy day like today - BookSeer.com it is a really simple site, just enter the name of a book you last read (or enjoyed) and it will give you a list of what you should read next.  It pulls the recommendations from Amazon and LibraryThing.

Well, that's it for me today (and this week!)

xo S

Spring is (almost) here!

And that means that the Cherry Blossom festival is almost here.

I think the festival, and the time of year is possibly my most favourite time of year. I have always loved blossoms. My Grandpa grew almond trees and they had a beautiful blossoms every year...  a small town near where I grew up became full of blossoms in the spring time too - until everyone planted vineyards instead! Though I think that they stil have an Almond Blossom Festival each year...

The 2010 Cherry Blossom festival will be held between March 27 and April 11 and I can't wait. Check out the official website for news and activities. It's a great idea to get down to the tidal basin and have a look and bask in the glorious sun!

I was browsing the Cool Mom Picks website this morning - after I noticed that The Pajama Squid were mentioned for carrying the Australian Brand Heavenly Creature's Alice in Wonderland themed tees. Very very cute... though the print I'd like is sold out, so I may have to do some googling and find it in Australia.  I diggress my point is I found these very very cute lunch bags and cooler bags from SoYoung Mothe.  I think we might need one for the hot hot summer we're about to have! And maybe I need it just in time to stroll through the Cherry Blossoms!

You can find the Cooler Bags and Lunch Boxes at SoYoungMother. Get free shipping on orders of two or more coolers, lunch boxes, or a combination of both within the US and Canada when you mention "CMP" at checkout. Offer ends March 31st. (via Cool Mom Picks)

Enjoy the weather!

xo S

Baby Babushka Doll - Russian Doll Necklaces from Little Snoring

Found: Very cute kids (and matching Mummy) necklaces!
And other super cute, crafty goodies.

I can't remember which blog I read that it came through on but I love, love love the little Baby Babushka Doll - Russian Doll Necklaces from Little Snoring.

They're inexpensive and I know a little girl who is going to love the one I'm sending for her birthday! 

(Picture directly from the Little Snoring website)

Lazy days...

So I have officially been a very lazy blogger. As usual I have an excuse, or several of them.

Snowmageddon forced me to lose my mind and my patience. We have been dying to get outside and then when we could we didn't want to be outside, it's too cold.

When we thought it'd be a nice day to go to the park, this is what we found (right). Yep, a playground full of snow.

The best and most important excuse is little O has dropped a nap, so I'm no longer able to spend anytime on the computer at all. Instead I read books about winter babys and naughty monkeys.  We play with dolls and blocks and the whole Happyland Village.... Oh,  and we paint and draw and life is fun, but busy and computer free!

This time of year at home the sun is shining, its not too hot and not cold yet. Just perfect. So instead of writing, I've said farewell to a good friend, stayed indoors, played games and watched the snow melt. I've also started studying, again.

I've been shopping on www.babysteals.com - a site you have to visit daily for the offer of the day. I've bought shoes at 50% off, and a great chalk mat again at 50% off. The sister sites for this one are www.kidsteals.com and www.scrapbooksteals.com. Same deal, each day an great offer. I've also been looking at Totsy, Zulily and bTrendie - all invite only, final sale sites that offer a number of special deals for a short period at up to 70% off. Everything from clothes, to strollers and bed linen.

Oh, and I've visited the cupcake shop 'Hello Cupcake' way too many times. Loving their seasonal cake for St Patrick's Day, the Baileys Irish Dream. Yum. Yum. Yum.

I also had brunch at Co Co Sala. Also known as the greatest place on earth. I had the most delicious and amazing french toast I have ever eaten. Not to mention the Co Cojito (Mojito with chocolate). Honestly the place is fantastic and I don't say that often about food in America!

Today, I have stumbled upon Ore 'Happy products for good people'. Their Sugarbooger range of products has a fantastic range of kid related gear - cute splat mats that aren't completely hot pink and hideous (loving the vintage alphabet one), as well as very very cute plates, cups, bowls, utensils... As well as having an amazing range of grown up stuff too - laundry hampers, cosmetic cases, and then there's the pet section!  I'll leave it to you to have a look, I have my eye on the little pig shower cap! And this little tip came via one of my favourite blogs Stroller Traffic!

So, I will be back, periodically writing my random ramblings and findings. Oh, and part 3 of my keeping in touch is coming soon!

xo S