Ask MyMomShops: Doll Clothes Trunks

Dear MyMomShops,

I love your blog and am so glad I found it! You have given me some amazing gift ideas (and quite a few items I want for myself!)

Growing up, I remember having a "trunk" to keep all my doll clothes in. It had a couple of latches and a handle to carry it around. Now I am looking for something similar for my daughter. Any suggestions?

Thanks, from Kristin


Dear Kristin,

It is funny that you ask this question since I am looking for the same thing for my 6-year-old daughter. I have been keeping her dress up clothes and doll clothes in mesh pop-up hampers and it is not so pretty.

There are not many doll clothes trunks out there (not like the ones we had as little girls, anyway), but I did find this hamper/toy storage chest at Amazon.com ($64.95) which would work nicely for dress-up or doll clothes. It arrives all assembled (bonus!) and as your little girl gets older, it will transition nicely to store other items, or even function as a hamper. And, of course, it has a nice "girly" feel that your daughter will probably love.



It's available in several other designs, too. Check them out and let us know what you think!

Best,
MyMomShops

Ask MyMomShops: Doll Strollers for Older Girls

Note: I'm re-running this popular post from 2010. Please note that the Maclaren pram is no longer available, but the other two carriages still are.

One of the Google searches that most often brings readers to this blog is a search for doll strollers for older/taller girls (they end up here where I, myself, sought advice on a doll stroller for R., then age 5 1/2). That post still receives tons of traffic, so it seems lots of you still want advice on that same topic. Let me give you an update.

We ended up buying this Corolle Nursery Floral Print Carriage. It's actually not all that tall (the handlebar just reaches about 22 inches high) and R.- who is now 7 years old- definitely has to hunch over to push it- but she still loves to play with it.


Is it taller than your standard toddler-sized doll carriage? Yes. But if I were to do it all over, I'd probably buy one of these two carriages instead:

Maclaren Travelmate Pram Doll Carriage ($69.99 at Amazon.com). This one has a handle bar that adjusts up to 28" tall. And it is stylin', for sure, with a matching travel bag, folding hood, and removable apron.


Plus, just today I noticed this Polka Dot Pram ($79) in the Pottery Barn Kids catalog. It, too, has an adjustable handlebar- this one goes all the way up to 32.5 inches.

I hope this has helped. If any of you have lucked out with other doll carriages appropriate for older/taller girls, please do share them with us in the comments.

Ask MyMomShops: First Baby Gifts

Dear MyMomShops,

One of my coworkers is having her first baby, a girl, and I would like to get her something that is not on her registry. She’s a dear and close friend as well as a coworker. Do you have any suggestions for a gift for a first time mom? I’m not a mom so I don’t know what kind of things you really need. Could you give me two or three suggestions? I would really appreciate your help.

Thank you so much,
T. Wolfe, VA


Dear T. Wolfe,

Here are some of my all-time favorite baby gifts for a first-time mom- what I like about these is that in addition to being sentimental keepsakes, they actually are all quite practical items the new mom will use again and again. I've picked items from a range of price points, too:

1) Fill in the Blankie ($39 and up). This unique blanket, which can be personalized with custom text on all four sides, is my favorite baby gift ever in the over-$25 category. It's lightweight and perfect to use for daily strolls with a newborn in the spring or summer.

2) And, in the under-$25 category, this personalized baby block ($15.95) from Craft-E-Family is my top choice (makes a great add-on gift, too). Lots of moms put theirs on display on shelves in their child's nursery.

3) A personalized canvas tote from LL Bean is a classic gift that you can fill with other items like towels, blankets, or toys. Get the medium-sized open top tote ($20) with long handles and Mom can use it as an everyday diaper bag/toddler tote for several years.


4) Baby Book Baskets. This company makes very classy gift baskets with books that are customized according to the baby's age, gender, and even name (we got this as a baby gift for my son and several books featuring his name were included). New moms always appreciate a "starter library" as a baby gift, and the baskets can be used as nursery storage. Prices start at $60.


5) Overstuffed Personalized Gift Tote from GoToBaby.com. This is a deluxe, ready-made version of idea #3. It's not cheap, but considering how many beautiful personalized items are stuffed inside (burp cloths, sweater, bathrobe, and blanket), it's a good value and a definite "wow" gift. On sale for $189, regularly $229.


Happy Shopping!

Best,
MyMomShops

Ask MyMomShops: Moving Announcements, City Style

(From the Editor: It's moving season! Two dear friends are moving out of their NYC apartments...one to a larger apartment in our neighborhood, and the other, sadly, to the suburbs. They have each asked me to help them choose moving announcements. First up: my friend who's staying local.)

Hi Joanna. This is up your alley. can you recommend moving announcements for our new apartment? Have you noticed particularly cute ones from one company or another?
Thanks,
R.


Dear R.,

Congratulations on your new apartment! I know how long you've been looking for bigger digs in the Big Apple. And I know that you've done a lot of work on your new place, so you want to celebrate with some super cool announcements. Here are some that I think might appeal to your urban sensibility!

Love,
J.


Paint Swatch by Pear Tree Geetings.


Robyn Miller City Living Map Moving Announcements at Paper Buzz.



Paint Roller Moving Announcements by Smudge Ink for Tiny Prints



The Big Move Moving Announcements by Minted.



Modern Street Address Moving Announcement by Sweet Prints Shop.



Little City Announcements by Invitation Consultants.



New York City Moving Announcement by Moving Announcement Store.


Let me know which announcement you end up choosing. Lots of good luck to you and your family in your new home!

Ask MyMomShops: Picnic Blankets

Dear My Mom Shops,

I have been looking for a great beach/picnic blanket for some time now. I was wondering if you had come across anything that was functional, good looking and not too pricey. Not to mention a decent size but also portable. Is this too tall an order?

Thanks,
Paula (Mom of Cecilia)



Dear Paula,

I definitely have a blanket to recommend to you. We have been using it for several years and I love it. It is comfy, machine-washable, and easy to tote around. It's the Tuffo Water-Resistant Outdoor Blanket ($34.99) available in several patterns (multi-stripe shown here; also available in Navy Hawaiian and Dots). We've used it at the park, the beach, you name it. It's lightweight (just 3 lbs) and spreads out huge (84 inches by 54 inches) so several children and adults can sit comfortably. Have fun in the great outdoors!

Best,
MyMomShops

Ask MyMomShops: Mongrammed Girls' Tees

This shopping question was posed to me by one of my best friends, Lauren (that is how I started this blog anyway...because I was answering my friends' shopping questions so often). She has a gorgeous little 3-year-old girl who turns 3 today. Lauren is searching for just the right monogrammed T-shirt for her. I gladly accepted the challenge.

Dear Lauren,

Oh, you know how I love searches like these...particularly for personalized items. There's lots out there- here are some of my top picks:

"P" is for "Personality" Baseball Tees by City Threads, exclusively for The Red Balloon ($35)

Monogrammed Tees by Monograms by So Pretty ($28, available in long sleeves, too)

Red & Pink Damask Monogram Toddler Tee by Oliver Lane ($18)

Scalloped Circle Tees by Em Tanner Designs ($34)

"Totally You" Custom Tee by Plain Jane Baby ($18)


Girls Monogrammed Tee from Mark it with a B ($22)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SYDNEY!

Love and hugs,
Joanna


Psst! Got a shopping conundrum for me? E-mail me with "Ask MyMomShops" in the subject line and you may find the answer posted here!

Ask MyMomShops: Couples Notecards

Dear MyMomShops,

I stumbled onto your site while I was searching for cute sibling thank you card ideas...you had such great suggestions and I ultimately purchased the sarah+abraham silhouette card. I have received such a great response from people about it- thank you! So now I turn to you with this question....I'm looking for a modern classic, inexpensive couples notecard...any suggestions?

Thanks!

Oooh, a stationery question. My favorite!

While it's been a few years since I've ordered couples stationery for myself (ahem), I've kept tabs on the best ones and have given some as engagement or bridal shower gifts. These are my favorites and I hope that they include something that catches your fancy.

Vana Chupp of Le Papier Studio makes these sweet Couple Portraiture Cards (24 for $28) using your choice of pre-designed silhouettes, or for just an additional $10, you can have her create a custom silhouette of you and your sweetie based on a digital photo. Other colors/designs available, too.

Minted--besides making glorious holiday cards--has some eye-catching thank you cards (some are designed as wedding thank-yous including a date, but you can opt for personalization with names only). I like these Mosaic Thank You Cards (20 for $57).

Wedding Paper Divas (a sister company of Tiny Prints) has pretty couple thank-yous including these Pristine Pinstripe Notes (starting at $1.45 each).

I gave these homey Couch Couple notecards (20 for $30) by Pixie Chicago recently as a bridal shower gift and they were a real hit. Other colors available, too.

Fabulous Stationery makes colorful, mod couples notecards like these ULTRA notecards in blue (20 for $55)

Etsy is also a good place to search for inexpensive personalized stationery. Today I found this Personalized Letterpress Stationery Card Set (20 for $45) by Pink Orchid Press...


....and also this Mr. and Mrs. Notecards Set (12 for $15) at Gabrielle Kearney. Also check out the sweet, vintage-y Bicycle-Built-For-2 Notecards


Want something simpler? Try these Slender Notes (25 for $27.95) at American Stationery....


....or Personalized Border Cards (50 for $39.95) at The Stationery Studio.


I hope this helps! Please let us know what you end up choosing.

Love and Happy Shopping,
MyMomShops

Ask MyMomShops: Birthday Books

Dear MyMomShops,

Do you have any suggestions for birthdate books? I want something lovely for my desk. . . instead of in a folder on my computer desktop.

Melinda

Dear Melinda,

Oh, do I have ideas for you! I love keeping track of friends' birthdays. Here are some birthday books that would make any desk look pretty, and will be much more fun than a file on your computer:

Birthdays Book ($25) by See Jane Work. If you want an elegant, classic look, this is the way to go. This leather-bound birthday book is very compact (2 1/2 x 3 3/4") and can be toted anywhere in your purse.


Birthday Book in Blue/Green($7) by Good on Paper Design. Looking for something a little more casual? Consider this Birthday Book from a little company I discovered at last year's National Stationery Show. Also small (2/75 x 4.25"), this book is printed on recycled paper and arrives in a clear cellophane bag (cute gift idea, too). Other colors available, also.


Birthday Reminder Book from Two Peas in a Bucket. Ok, this one is actually a DIY project so the link I've provided will give you instructions. If you're crafty, I think this is just a beautiful birthday book to make yourself. I am all thumbs, so I'd rather buy it from someone. Isn't it gorgeous? Love the whimsical shape and the candles on the cover.


Dutch Themed Birthday Calendar ($20) at Etsy.com. Here's a handmade (but ready-made) birthday book. Its folksy design based on traditional Dutch motifs has been featured at some other blogs including the famous Design*Sponge. It's more generously sized, at 4.25 x 11".

Melinda, I hope this gives you some good ideas. For anyone else reading this who also needs a good way to keep track of birthdays- but wants to go the computerized route- I have two words for you. Well, three. Facebook. And Birthday Alarm (which I have used for years). You'll never miss a friend's birthday again!

Love,
MyMomShops

Got a shopping conundrum for MyMomShops? Send an e-mail with "ask mymomshops" in the subject line, and explain your dilemma. You just may see the answer posted here!