Bargain Alert: Halloween Frames

Want to get a jump on Halloween decor this year? These high-quality pewter and enamel Spooky Frames are a steal at Exposures.com for $5.99 each (regularly $19.99). Perfect to display in your home during October or on your Halloween tabletop. I have several similar Halloween frames that cost a lot more. Buy them at Exposures.com.

Sibling Silhouette Thank You Cards

Since my kids' August birthdays are 12 days apart, and since some friends & family are kind enough to send gifts to both of them, we often write joint thank-you notes. For the past two years, I've used the custom silhouette notecards shown above by Le Papier Studio, but now that the kids are 5 and 8, their silhouettes are outdated (sniff, sniff). So I sent in a more recent photo and ordered new cards with the updated silhouette. Here is the 2011 version.







I love comparing it to the old one. . . in a way, the cards become keepsakes as well. Order them for your own kids for $21 at Le Papier Studio.

Young Artist at Work

I stumbled onto this Little Artist Frame Kit at cute boutique Munchkin Designs. It's a fun activity for kids which they can then display in their rooms, or I think it would also make a sweet grandparent gift (let your child decorate the frame and choose a picture, then present it to Grandma or Grandpa). Each kit contains a 5 x 5 frame, paints, and crayons, packaged in a reusable clear paint can. Available in 5 designs- airplanes, cars, circles, crown, simply dots, or "I heart U." $20 apiece at Munchkin Designs.

I Could Eat You Up

My kids' birthdays are coming up fast so I'm in full party-planning mode. I've stumbled onto many cool party supplies that I'd love to share with you. The first are these party hat cupcake toppers from Etsy. You supply the photo, date, and color choice, and they do the rest. A pack of 12 costs $10 and it is sure to be a conversation piece at the birthday party! See this and other party supplies at the Etsy.com storefront of Petit Elefant.

First Day of School Frames

S. is starting kindergarten this Fall, and given all of the amazing progress he's made to reach this milestone, you can bet I'll be commemorating the big day with photos and keepsakes. I saw these fun Back to School frames in my latest Pottery Barn Kids catalog. I think I like the ruler one the best--how about you? Each one costs $39 (with additional cost for monogramming) at Pottery Barn Kids.

Around and Around We Go

Here's a very handy tool if you are trying to put photos in a circular frame, or just want to do something new and different with your latest snaps. It's a Photo Circle Cutter from Photojojo. It adjusts to three different sizes to create round photos you can use for frames or to hang around your home for fun (a bunch of "foto clips" are included for this purpose). Buy one for $14 at Photojojo.

Thank You Thank You

With my kiddos' August birthdays coming up, I just bought new personalized sibling silhouette notecards from my fave Etsy shop Le Papier Studio to use as joint thank-you notes. I used the same silhouette that Le Papier Studio used for my wall print. The result is similar to the Etsy item pictured here (though I opted for something even simpler- no border, and no color accent- just the silhouette and names in chocolate brown ink, and coordinating mustard-colored envelopes). The set here includes 24 cards and envelopes plus matching address labels, all for $36. Order a set for yourself at Etsy.com.

Gina Alexander

I don't say this about many products, but the photo handbag I received from Gina Alexander is turning heads. Everyone- and I mean everyone- is asking me where I got this gorgeous bag. A favorite with the celeb crowd, Gina Alexander bags are a far cry from the shabby photo tote you ordered for Grandma last Mother's Day. These high-end handbags are made entirely from scratch. Everything from the leather handles and bottoms to the inner lining and sturdy zippered pockets- are made by skilled sewers. This bag is quite frankly higher quality than my other handbags AND it features a gorgeous, vivid, high-resolution photo of R. and S. to boot. Doesn't get better than that. These gems will cost you a bit (a classic tote costs $200), but when it comes to combining fashion and your adorable kids, why skimp? Browse around all the great handbag choices at Gina Alexander.

Erin Condren Photo Gift Labels

I just bought these awesome Picture This! Name in Lights Gift Labels from Erin Condren Designs using a gift voucher I purchased via Zulily. I am blown away by how great they turned out. I can't wait to use them for birthday gifts and holiday gifts from my kids this year. You can choose either a full photo option (your photo bleeds to the edges of the label) or the "cutout" option which really highlights the kiddos in your photo (this is what I chose). Prices start at $30 for 2 dozen labels. Visit Erin Condren Designs for these and other fun gift labels, address labels, and stationery products.

Oh How They Grow

Note: This is a repost from February 2007. I just remembered (good mommy!) to measure my kids again against their growth charts from My Bambino, something I hadn't done in almost a year, so this seemed a good time to mention this product again. It is a charming, sturdy wooden growth chart which can be personalized for free and includes photo openings, too. The coupon code from 2007, however, is no longer valid. Oh, and you can also see how it looks in my daughter's room here.


When R. was a baby, I searched high and low (no pun intended) for the perfect growth chart. I wanted one that was sturdy, personalized, and also had spaces for photos. I found this one at MyBambino.com. This site has tons of well-priced personalized gifts like piggy banks, flipstools, growth charts, and picture frames. There are over 100 different designs (transportation, farm animals, ballet, flowers, etc.) with which you can personalize your item. R's growth chart looks so sweet and is a wonderful momento of her early years. The growth chart costs just $29.99 (personalization is free) and MyBambino.com is offering 15% off through February 10th. Enter coupon code Heart07 at the bottom of the shopping cart. Visit MyBambino.com.

Bargain Alert: Jeweled Photo Bookmarks

I scooped up a few sets of these Jeweled Photo Bookmarks which are on clearance at Exposures. Each set contains 2 oval and 1 square bookmark which hold 1" x 1" photos. The set has been reduced all the way to $5.99 from its original price of $19.95. This would make a great last-minute teacher gift! Buy them at Exposures.

MyMomShops Sponsor: Beehive Kitchenware

I have another terrific sponsor to introduce to you this week--Beehive Kitchenware. Some of you may recognize this company's beautiful handmade metal kitchen utensils and accessories. That's how I first learned about them, too. Created by a husband-and-wife artist team, Beehive's products have a distinctly decorative, vintage-y feel but are also supremely practical. I've given Beehive's signature lead-free, pewter heart measuring spoons ($44) as an engagement or bridal shower gift several times.

But Beehive also has a growing category of baby gifts and products that are drool-worthy (pun intended). These are my favorites (and, by the way, all of these products are CPSIA-compliant and lead-free, so you don't have to worry about their safety for baby):

Meadow Drawing Box ($44). This one could be a baby gift, or a gift for mom to store small keepsakes or jewelry. It's lined with red felt, and the designs coordinate with other items in the shop.



Baby Spoon ($24). These hand-cast lead-free pewter spoons have such a sweet detail: the animal silhouette reliefs on front continue onto the back of the spoon so that it is easier for baby's hands to grip them. Arrives in a gift box.



2011 is the Year of the Rabbit, so you might opt for the Rabbit Spoon Set (photographed at this year's National Stationery Show; the price in the photo is wholesale).



I also love this ABC Picture Frame ($60). Save the new parents some time and place a wallet-sized newborn photo inside.



And, finally, one last Beehive baby gift I saw at the trade show recently: darling pewter baby cups (again, the price is wholesale). These also arrive in a gift box.


Follow Beehive Kitchenware on Facebook for the latest products and promotions!

Please note that this is a sponsored post; as always, all opinions are entirely my own.

Bargain Alert: Free Father's Day Photo Card

I just created a card for my own dad (using a photo of my kids) by taking advantage of this Free Father's Day Greeting Card offer at Shutterfly. I chose the "Father's Day Gift Coupon" template- the "coupon" will be for a visit from my kids to Grandpa's office. The cards, which normally cost $2.49, are being offered for free (you just pay shipping which is as little as 99 cents). Makes not only a great card, but also a sweet keepsake, for a favorite dad or granddad. Buy one at Shutterfly.com.

Memorial Day 2011

Remember I told you about my own little Etsy shop, Brown Eye Blue? I just updated it with some of my summer photo notecards, including flags (like the East Hampton flag above), beaches, and sunsets. Please go take a look and tell me what you think. Which cards do you like best? I hope to be updating the inventory (and look) of the shop this summer...stay tuned.

p.s. I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day. If you have a moment, check out this non-profit I just learned about called Smiles Over Miles which helps U.S. soldiers abroad send video messages to their families back home. Thank you to all the U.S. soldiers (and military families) for their sacrifices!

National Stationery Show 2011: Kid Stuff

I spotted lots of unique stationery products for babies & kids--everything from birth announcements to camp notes--at the National Stationery Show last week. Here are the best ones that I want to share with you (when available, I have included links and prices):

Elum Designs makes these adorably-packaged My First Thank You Notes kits for kids. Maybe, just maybe, this will make writing thank you notes less cumbersome.



A newcomer to the show, "Up Up Creative" (the company was named by the toddler son of founder Julie Green), makes these "Terrible Twos" cards. My favorite is "Dah-Wee" (Sorry) ($4).



Always a favorite at NSS, Brooklyn letterpress shop 9 Spot Monk offers Little Artist color in-cards with crayons ($4.50). A great option for younger kids who can't quite draw a picture on their own yet, but would like to leave their mark.



I know my tween would love these new scented Twisty Stix ($2.99) by International Arrivals, the same company that brought you Smencils.



Framed birth announcement prints are wonderful keepsakes that do double duty as nursery decor. I liked these Baby Wall Announcements by Abbey Malcolm Press.



Looking for some stationery that feels different? Check out "Fabrinery" fabric-backed notecards by HB Designs. Lots of cute designs available for your little boy or girl to choose from.




I used one of these soft linen Baby Photo Albums ($23) by Estelle Billot as a brag book when R. was a newborn. After several years off, Estelle has returned with a new color palette for this top seller, as well as other new products.



I would love to decorate a kids' bedroom or playroom with the colorful, customized buckets, bins and tubs by The Macbeth Collection. Guess what? We might have a giveaway coming up with them. :-)



If you're looking for a big sib gift for a child older than preschool age, you can't go wrong with the fill-in Big Sibling Book: Baby's First Year According to ME ($11.55 at Amazon.com) by Potter Style.


And, finally, for older kids...check out these camp notes by Oh My Word. Hey, at least it's more personal than an e-mail.


I hope you're enjoying my National Stationery Show finds. I still have much to show you, including top trends, party invitations, and birthday/holiday goodies!

Heart to Heart

On a recent Ikea trip, I picked up a bunch of these clear Finlir Heart-Shaped Picture Holders ($4.99, available in-store only). I knew that they would make great paperweights. Just cut your fave photos to shape, separate the 2-part picture holder (two halves that are held together by magnets), insert the photos back to back, and, voila, you've got a charming (and inexpensive) gift. I made these for my mom and my sister using pictures of my kids and they loooove them. An easy DIY gift. Check it out at Ikea.

Mother's Day Giveaway #9: Photo Fiddle

Readers of this blog- and visitors to my apartment- know that my customized wall art based on a photo of my kids is one of my most treasured possessions at home. It was made by Photofiddle.com, an award-winning site (hand-picked by Oprah!) that turns your digital photos into superb works of art, in styles ranging from Warhol-esque four square pop art to faux-oil paintings. The results are really amazing (check out mine for yourself). Needless to say, Photofiddle.com products make great mother's day gifts. Canvases start at $59.95 (rolled prints are less expensive) and go up depending on size. This morning's giveaway- a $50 gift certificate to Photofiddle.com- will help you create your own masterpiece!

Enjoy a 15% discount off your order at Photofiddle.com with code "momshops".

Win it! One lucky reader will win a $50 gift certificate to Photofiddle.com. Here are the contest rules:

1) To enter, please visit Photofiddle.com and then leave a comment on THIS post indicating which style artwork you'd choose (click on "comments" below).
2) Post your comment by 11:59pm EST, Sunday, May 10th. US addresses only. REMEMBER, you will be able to enter as many of our Mother's Day Giveaways as you'd like between now and Sunday night. But, please, one entry only per individual giveaway. Duplicate entries will be disqualified.
3) One winner will be chosen at random and announced along with all other Mother's Day Giveaway winners on Monday morning, May 11th.
4) NOTE: If you wish to be notified by e-mail if you win, please include your e-mail address in your comment. Otherwise you must check back on Monday, May 11th to see if you won. Unclaimed prizes are forfeited after 72 hours.

Good luck!

Bargain Alert: Tiny Prints Mother's Day Photo Cards

Instead of scrambling last minute at the drugstore, buy one of these Personalized Mother's Day Cards from Tiny Prints, which cost as little as $1.99 (with coupon code below). I just bought this "Modern Lines" Grandma card for my own mom, personalized with a photo I took of R. & S. just yesterday. I know she'll love it. Order today or tomorrow at the latest from Tiny Prints to ensure delivery by Mother's Day. Another tip: join Tiny Prints's membership plan and you'll get 3 free greeting cards (including birthday, anniversary, and Mother's/Father's Day cards). I did this last year so my Mother's Day card was actually free!


Buy a customized, photo Mother's Day card for as little as $1.99 at Tiny Prints with code "MDSALE" through tomorrow, May 3rd, only.

Socks for Little Jocks

Looking for a new gift idea for baby boys? Check out these sporty Baby Loopies Lil Jock Sox ($25.99) available at Amazon.com. The set of 6 colorful pairs covers all the classics: baseball, soccer, basketball, tennis, golf and football. The socks are soft, comfy cotton and fit infants 0-12 months. Visit Amazon.com.

Special offer! If you purchase this item at Amazon before August 15th, you'll receive a coupon code for one free 20-page casual photo book ($12.99 value) from Shutterfly.com. Great deal!

First Year Frame

My kids each have an old version of a Pottery Barn First Year Frame hanging in their rooms (check out the finished products here, and don't hate me for being so organized. . . I actually finished them way after their 1st birthdays). Anyway, the white oval frame has been discontinued, but I really love one of their newer versions, this Silver Leaf First Year Frame. It has small wallet-size spaces for each of baby's first 12 months, plus one larger 4 x 6" opening (for a newborn or 1st birthday party photo, perhaps?) You can personalize it for an extra $6.50, which I highly recommend- it makes this a perfect gift. $59 at Pottery Barn Kids.