The Trendy Mommy

Hey Dallas Mamas!

2009-06-12T10:46:00.001-07:00

We've started a new venture, Sip-n-Swap. You don't want to miss out on this super fun clothing swap! For more details, visit www.sip-n-swap.com

TexasTwistedLinen: Baby Safe & Adorable

2009-04-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

How adorable are these little babies? We recently found TexasTwistedLinen and immediately fell in love with all the babies in the nursery!

All babies in the nursery are 'real baby' safe and are machine washable {gotta love that!}. Each baby in the nursery is uniquely designed and handmade with love.

Visit TexasTwistedLinen and see for yourself some of the adorably irresistible babies in the nursery - adopt one today and give it to your own special baby.

Spring into action for Earth Day 2009!

2009-04-02T21:08:00.000-07:00

The Weather Channel Kids is hosting a really neat contest for Earth Day 2009 where classrooms and families get involved to create a plan for environmental conservation.

The "Care-and-Share" contest details can be found by clicking on the following link: http://theweatherchannelkids.com/climate-code/care-and-share-contest/.

Grand prizes are: $250, Ben and Jerry's ice cream party and a visit by a life-sized character from the Idbids eco-friendly line of toys.

Contest is open from now until April 20th - so get to thinking about how you can help the Earth this Earth Day!

Please note that The Trendy Mommy is not hosting the contest, The Weather Channel Kids is - please do not leave any comments here about entering the contest - you must visit theweatherchannelkids.com to enter.

Spring Break --- Summer Camp - try Camp Jam!

2009-03-05T20:36:00.000-08:00

Camp Jam Rock N Roll summer camp is bringing its "Spring Tour" back to Dallas/Ft. Worth this March, and this year they are getting moms more involved!

In addition to the annual Rock Solo Contest and Open Jam Session for young musicians, they are hosting a "My Mom Rocks" live band karaoke contest where moms will be battling it out on stage with a real live band backing them (instead of a karaoke machine) and will get a chance to win their son or daughter a free week to Camp Jam summer camp and $100 spa gift certificate.

It's part of a 16-city country-wide tour, which is coming to the Dallas area on March 7 with 2 events and locations. Moms can choose one of the following songs including Hit Me With Your Best Shot, I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll, Satisfaction and Sweet Child O’Mine on Jamling.com where they can practice before getting a shot to win.

Sign ups begin this week and walk-ups are welcome too. Should be a really fun event for the family - and did I mention FREE? It's hard to find free family events these days!

Attention Bargain Hunters

2009-02-02T07:34:00.000-08:00

Recently we stumbled apon this awesome concept - Mama Bargains.

If you haven't heard of it yet...you HAVE to go check it out. It's addicting! They search high and low for the most sought after trendy mommy and baby items and bring them to you at 50-80% off retail. That's some seriuos savings!

They only sell one item at a time on their site - and once it's gone - it's gone and another item replaces it on their site. Seriously, check it out! As I type this blog post they have a Grobag on there...but they're almost all gone - so who knows what great product is just around the corner :)

Introducing: Make your own Monster!

2009-01-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

Let your kids imagination soar with the Made-to-order-Monster application at CurlyQ Cuties. Let them select the shape and color of their little friend and select from various other options to create their perfect little monster pal. Your child's monster will be shipped to your home within 3 weeks. Monsters are baby-safe and washable -- big plus for those features!

Go check them out - and let your little monster make a monster of their very own at CurlyQ Cuties.

WOW

2009-01-15T07:48:00.000-08:00

Stumbled upon these super fun shoes for baby today. Frosting Couture is a fabulous designer, often adding new items to their boutique each day.

Seriously - love these shoes for $18.50. WOW.

Made with Love

2009-01-14T09:49:00.000-08:00

Lovin' this super adorable onesie - available at Uncommon Goods. 100% organic. Would make some adorable Valentine's Day pictures ;) Comes in vanilla and chocolate ;) LOVE IT!

Giveaway: Get Ready for Baby!

2009-01-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

We've got some goodies to give away to a new mommy or mommy-to-be!

Thanks to Kushies for the following items which The Trendy Mommy is passing along to one lucky reader!

Giveaway Details: Leave a comment telling us when you're due, if you're having a boy/girl/surprise, and your favorite 5 baby names! That's it - simple, huh? Giveaway ends at midnight on January 22nd.

Are you a Trendy Mommy?

2009-01-08T00:00:00.000-08:00

We're looking for a few Trendy Mommies to join our team!

The Trendy Mommy is growing - we'll soon have more weekend guides. Contact us if you're interested in writing the weekend guide for any of the below cities:

Atlanta
San Fran
Houston
Boston
Miami
Philadelphia
Seattle
Charlotte, NC
Boulder
Nashville

Don't forget to check out the weekend guides for NYC Metro, Dallas, Austin, Chicago, and San Diego if you're in those cities!

We're sad to see a cool online boutique go out of business. We featured The Urban Thimble a few months back - they have some super cool items --- well, they are going out of business. So check their site for some super good buys!

Fill in the Blankie!

2009-01-07T00:00:00.000-08:00

Introducing Fill in the Blankie - ultra hip personalized baby blankies that truly say alot about you!

Fill in the Blankie is a Dallas based company offering top-quality baby blankets with an extra element of 'special'. Imagine taking one of these super chic baby blankets to a shower embroidered with "Twinkle, twinkle little star" on it or the baby's name. These fabulous blankies make wonderful shower and welcome baby gifts. We received a sample and can vouch for the quality and craftmanship in these blankies....and can also say that these blankets can actually be used by baby....while they are definitely gorgeous - they're durable and super soft!

Fill In The Blankie is the only place online that offers full personalization of up to 200 characters (not just a monogram) per blankie and that is included in the price.
Fill in the Blankie has 32 different blankie styles to choose from, 27 different fonts and 12 thread colors to choose from. With all these options you're sure to create the combination that is perfect for any gift! And with so many options it's easy to find a blankie in everyone's price range.

Giveaway: Pot-Tee Prize Potty Training System

2009-01-06T00:00:00.000-08:00

Who ever said Potty Training was easy? Please let me talk to that person - because I can tell you from my own personal experience --- it is not! I am currently in the process of potty training my two year old daughter. It's hard - something I was not anticipating. I mean my daughter is smart and doesn't like to be wet or dirty - she tells us when she is going and lays down easily for diaper changes --- so I seriously did not anticipate World War III breaking out in our house over potty training...well, I've tried everything - friends have said, "use M&Ms", "just tell her this is how it's going to be and sit her on the potty", "encourage her - tell her she's a big girl", "don't use pull-ups - go straight for undies", "use a little potty chair" -- and the list goes on. And I can say that none of it - absolutely NONE of their advice has helped me...any. My daughter shows no interest in going on the potty. She knows how - b/c occassionally she will do it...but definitely not regularily.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: So when Pot-Tee Prize contacted The Trendy Mommy a few weeks ago - offering to give away one of their Pot-Tee Prize systems to one of our readers - I said YES! definitely! Please help out some other mom that is going through what I'm currently experiencing. So guess what ladies --- one of you will be getting your very own Pot-Tee Prize System. Just leave us a comment telling us why you deserve to win! Contest ends January 21st at midnight.

The Original Pot-Tee Prize Grab Bag gives you all the tools you’ll need to easily and effectively potty train your child in one convenient, cheerful package. Naturally, this critical step in your child’s early development can be stressful and time consuming. This system adds structure to the potty training process creating a positive and memorable experience for you and your little squirt. The Pot-Tee Prize System includes:

Whimsical Sticker Chart
GuideFilled with proven facts to help ease you and your child through the transition
Diploma
Pot-Tee Prizes

Giveaway: Chic by Loren

2009-01-05T00:00:00.000-08:00

We're back! We hope that you had a blessed holiday and wish you all the best in 2009! The editors at The Trendy Mommy so enjoyed being off for a few weeks and hanging out with friends and family but I can speak for all of us when I say that we missed all of you, our fabulous readers. We also missed writing our daily features and weekend guides. So here's to 2009 and all the great finds The Trendy Mommy will bring to you in the coming year! And what better way to start off the new year than with a super Trendy GIVEAWAY!

Chic by Loren is a boutique shop offering some of the trendiest little hats we've seen. Perfect for these chilly winter months and so incredibly chic! We absolutely LOVE these hats. You'll just have to take a peek at their site to see them all....and yes, they have hats for boys too! Gotta love that! Check out the 'My Red Ride' hat - so fun! Lorena Carver is the trendy gal behind it all - she has such a wonderful eye for detail as well as color. And the best part is you too can have the trendiest little girl or boy on the block for as little as $24. Most of her hats retail for $24 --- but if you search long enough you can find a few for $15 and some for $20 ---- how cool is that??

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: Lorena has been generous enough to offer all our readers a chance to win one of her signature hats! So head over to her site - check it out - leave us a comment telling us which hat is your favorite and you'll be entered to win one! Giveaway ends Tuesday, January 20th at midnight! GOOD LUCK!

Relish! Winners Announced

2008-12-23T10:37:00.001-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS

from THE TRENDY MOMMY!

Winners of the Relish! 12 Month Subscription are:

Amanda: "I really like this concept. It would sure help a working mom :-) After our Christmas shopping adventure last night we grabbed Wendy's on the way home. It would have been nice to have one of the crock pot recipes from Relish done when we got home. "

Kimberly: WOW... how cool is this! I have never heard of this site before. Thanks for the information. I love some of the meals on the sample menu like Chicken Pizza and Slow Cooker Tuscan Pot Roast. YUMMM!!!!!Last night we went out to the local diner for dinner. I always cook (although boring meals - same ones week after week). The only reason why we did is because I got paid for a job I did (FINALLY!) and I have some pocket (FINALLY) and I wanted to treat my family out to eat. Thanks for a neat giveaway!"

Berkley's Clippies

2008-12-17T00:00:00.000-08:00

How adorable is this clip? We received some super trendy clippies in the mail this week from Berkley's Clippies. And we must say that we absolutely LOVE them!

Berkley's Clippies mixes just the right amount of whimsy, fun and sweetness in all their designs. Plus we love that they are so well made and how the colors pop on these adorably chic clips. The clip featured above is the Stella Clip and is on sale right now ;)

So go check them out and order some for your adorable little girl.

pediped Sale & Support a Good Cause

2008-12-16T00:00:00.000-08:00

pediped is doing something really cool this holiday season ---- they are having a major sale with their adorably chic shoes being more than 25% off.

In addition to that they are going to give 50% of the total sales during this super sale to The Make-a-Wish Foundation. HOW COOL IS THAT??

So if you're in need of some new shoes --- and who isn't w/ the way kids feet seem to grow every time you turn around....support The Make-a-Wish Foundation with your purchase {at a discount} of some great pedipeds! Sale and Support of Make-a-Wish starts tomorrow and runs December 17th - 31st. Support a good cause & get a great deal, visit http://www.pediped.com/ tomorrow!

Here is the list of styles that will be on sale and eligible for the Make-a-Wish Foundation donation.
RS810 - Andy - $31
RS590 - Demetri - $34
RS640 - Ryan - $27
RS680 - Dylan - $39
RS364 - Chloe - $31
RS396 - Riley - $27
RS420 - Natasha - bw houdstooth - $27
RS650 - Tiffany - $27
RS600 - Emily - $27
217 - Liam - khaki/olive - $22
275 - Charlie - white/navy - $22
700 - Logan - $22
320 - Nathan - $22
561 - Janine - brown - $22
760 - Lexi - brown - $22
390 - Lexi - pink - $22
430 - Jane - $22
400 - Victoria - $22
342 - Faith - black - $22
313 - Abigail - mauve - $22
750 - Brooke - $22
420 - Natasha - bw houndstooth - $22

The sale begins on the 17th and runs till the 31st.
The shoes will be more than 25% off, and 50% of total sales will go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Giveaway: Architect in the Making?

2008-12-11T00:00:00.000-08:00

Recently we ran across a designer whose signature piece is this adorable architectural inspired onesie. We absolutely love the archi series at mishu:bubi.

The 'my crib' onesie would make a perfect gift for an expectant mom or new baby. Mishu:bubi even packages the 'my crib' onesie in a 12" kraft tube to mimic the typical way blue prints/construction documents are carried or shipped...you'll have to visit their website to see just how cute this really is!

We also love the animus series - so check that out while you're browsing around! The animus series onesies come in both short and long sleeves...and are packaged ready to give as gifts...Gotta love that!

Giveaway! We're giving away one of the fabulous 'my crib' onesies! To enter visit mishu:bubi and tell us your favorite product - that's it...simple...contest ends Monday December 29th at midnight.

Bugaboo Friends

2008-12-10T00:00:00.000-08:00

Recently we were asked to check out the new Bugaboo Friends site. I know all you trendy mommies are familar with the super fun and functional Bugaboo strollers and other products which are great for moms on the go. Well, now you can share your life experiences with other Bugaboo moms and dads and even those who don't personally own a Bugaboo - but love the look and design of them.

Bugaboo Friends launched in beta version last month - so be one of the first to get in on this great online community. Bugaboo Friends is a community of active, modern people who share pictures, ideas, stories, videos, tips and inspiration with one another. This is definitely the site for the busy mom-on-the-go who doesn't let life pass her by! It's really easy to join and you don't even need to own a Bugaboo to participate. You can upload pictures, find other moms with great stories. You can become a featured Friend, and even take on a Bugaboo Challenge to win some great prizes! This month's challenge is to photograph your city - and capture what makes your city - your city! Check it out for yourself and remember you don’t have to own a Bugaboo to join! Visit online at http://www.bugaboo.com/ and click the 'friends' button at the top of the page.

Adorable Holiday Clips

2008-12-05T00:00:00.000-08:00

Recently a reader asked us if we knew of any retailers that had trendy holiday hair clips.

Of course we do :) Check out A Babe is Born - lovin this clip! ADORABLE! They have lots more so take a peek and order them quick if you need them in time for your Christmas festivities!

Relish! Menu Planner & Giveaways!

2008-12-04T00:00:00.000-08:00

Relish is a weekly menu planner aimed to help busy families put easy meals (with a gourmet twist) on the table every night. There is no fuss here. It’s an easy step by step process that you can do every weekend to prepare for a trip to the grocery store. You choose the entree and dessert meals that sound appealing and presto- your grocery list and menus are ready for you to rock and roll (and available to print out as a pdf to make life extra simple, too)! The ingredients needed for all recipes are separated into categories making it easy for you to move around the grocery store without forgetting something, which we all always do! The breakdown of ingredients uniquely identifies “what you may need but already have” which eliminates the possibility of buying double of something you already have in the pantry or refrigerator.

As a trendy new mommy, hoping to fit back into my “trendy jeans” one of these days, it is important to watch the fat and calorie intake during the day. With relish, every meal has the nutritional facts posted below the menu. The recipes provided by Relish! keep health conscious moms right on track, utilizing fresh, healthy ingredients. My first weeks’ menus ranged from 200 to 415 delicious calories. It can be said that my time using Relish! meals was full of flavorful meals that even my picky-eater husband enjoyed.

It is a beautiful thing to be able to have HEALTHY meals planned each week for my family without worrying about searching through cook books and forgetting essential ingredients. For $7 dollars a month, this weekly menu planner plus monthly freezer menus and more is great to settle any hungry household.

I feel like a GOOD mom and wife now that I am using Relish! Forget boring grilled chicken with canned peas, this menu planner brings “spice and simplicity” back to the kitchen.

**To recognize Relish! as a favorite of Trendy Mommy, we are having a GIVEAWAY!

Two Trendy Mommy readers will receive a 12 month subscription to Relish! with silcone cooking tongs from Crate & Barrel, too! In order to enter, you need to visit www.relishrelish.com, check out the demos, and sample the menus. Then, leave a comment here about what you had for dinner last night and why this would be a great tool for you! Contest ends December 22nd at midnight - winner will be announced on http://www.thetrendymommy.com/.

So, rejuvenate your Trendy Kitchen and check out the Relish! website for more information. www.relishrelish.com

CUTE CLOTHES :: PLAYDATE NYC !!

2008-12-03T00:00:00.000-08:00

Playdate NYC features hand designed clothing for trendy kids. The outfits are made with 100% of the softest cotton by American Apparel, while the designs are hand sewn by Playdate NYC designers. They carry everything from onesies and shirts, to yoga pants and hats.

The patterns range from traditional with a monogram letter to unique with ballet slippers or spiders. I love the the stitching on all of the garments as it shows that these play clothes are not mass produced, but uniquely created for your baby or toddler. The appliques really pop in photographs, too. These shirts would be great for casual portraits!

My son has very sensitive skin, therefore I have to be careful what kind of materials I put him in. Most organic play ware are muted and dull in color. The Playdate NYC clothing hits above the mark in quality and design! The clothing is the softest against sensitive skin, while being the cutest for my trendy kid.

DISCOUNT! For all Trendy Mommy readers, Playdate NYC is offering %15 off your entire order! Enter the code “TRENDY” to receive your discount! These trendy clothes will be perfect to finish up your holiday shopping for the little ones in your life!

Trendy Moms, have fun shopping and tell your friends about Playdate NYC!

Holiday Gift Idea #2: 3D Virtual World

2008-12-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

Are you still looking for some great gifts to give this holiday season? We recently had the opportunity to review the new 3D Virtual World: My First Adventure by JumpStart. Although the ages posted on the box are 3-5, our 2 and a half year old daughter absolutely loved playing this game. She made her own little character and designed her own house (with mommy's help of course). She really does love playing in this virtual neighborhood. As a mom - we love that the little games are teaching her things as well as being fun - it truly is adventure based learning.

Jump Start has something for all ages - they have The Legend of Grizzly McGuffin for ages 4-6, and Trouble in Town for ages 5-7, and Quest for the Color Meister for ages 6-8 as well as Math Blaster for ages 6-12, and many many more. So check them out if you're looking for some fun learning adventure based games for your little one.

JumpStart is sold in all your favorite retailers including Target, Best Buy, ToysRUs, WalMart, Costco, Office Depot @ MSRP $19.99

Yummy Goodness!

2008-12-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

We don't review food much here on The Trendy Mommy - but recently we received some awesome granola cereal and breakfast bars from Cascadian Farm and we must say that their new Dark Chocolate Almond Granola Cereal is YUMMY! Cacadian Farm takes select chunks of dark chocolate and bakes them into whole grain oats, wheat and barley and crisp rice clusters to form DELICIOUS granola clusters. And then they throw in some sliced almonds and loose granola bits to make even more tasty. They also suggest sprinkling a few clusters on top of your favorite yogurt. There are about 8 servings in each box and a box retails for around $4.59 and is available in the natural/organic cereal section of your favorite grocer.

We also tried out their new Sweet & Salty Chewy Granola Bars --- again...YUM! They have launched two options (mixed nut and peanut pretzel). We tasted the peanut pretzel and it was just as described --- sweet and salty. The bottom of each bar has just the right amount of chocolate to balance out the pretzel. These are available in the natural/organic granola bar section of your grocer and retail for around $4.39 (5 bars).

Trebimbi Tablewear 50% off - Cyber Monday

2008-11-26T00:00:00.000-08:00

Remember these adorable tablewear sets we featured a few months ago?? Well, guess what all you Cyber Monday Shoppers ---- 50% off ---- this truly is a great deal ---- don't pass it up ---- this would make an adorable gift this holiday season or grab some and store them for those 1 year old birthday parties that are sure to sprout up in the next few years! This is honestly one of our all time favorite products we've reviewed. Our two year old absolutely LOVES using her Trebimbi Tablewear Set and asks for it every night at dinner. She loves to put the fork, knife, & spoon on the little pegs and make them stand up on her plate. So go on, get one! We promise that your kid will thank you!

Details: On Monday, December 1st, you can scoop up fantastic deals on products including the original BabyBjörn carrier, Lamaze Spin & Explore, Graco IPO Stroller, Graco imonitor Vibe, Trebimbi Puppet Club Dining Set and the Chicco DJ Walker. Each of these popular products will be offered at prices 50% off regular retail for one day only, and only when purchased online at www.goores.com. At 50% off - you'll be paying only $22.50 for this awesome product!

Get a Good Night of Rest

2008-11-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

You know the nights when no one gets any sleep, the ones where Little Miss Cranky Pants just can't seem to settle into a good sleep pattern and the entire family suffers for it. Well, SoundScience has come up with a way to combat those nights with their SoundSleep for Babies CD.

Using a breakthrough technology called The WombEffect™, which is an audio reproduction of the womb sound environment, they have created a CD that you can play to calm and soothe baby to sleep.

The CD is extremely relaxing and what we'd imagine the womb to be like ;) We tested the CD out on one of our friend's not-so-easy-to-sleep-baby and sure enough, pushed play on the CD player and within 2 minutes the baby had calmed down and was drifting to sleep.

So if you fall into the sleep deprived mommy category (which who of us doesn't!) give it a shot - try out the SoundSleep for Babies CD. Visit http://www.sound-science.com/ and place your order you can save 15% by entering 'ab15ttm' at checkout.

Addie’s Simple Baby Bows

2008-11-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

Addie’s Simple Baby Bows and accessories will be the perfect touch to your daughter’s special occasion outfit or everyday play clothes. A mother of two, Natalie puts her time and talent into these creative bows, giving you a quality product that will have other trendy mommy’s saying, “Where Did you Get That”? The clips are made with a variety of felt, ribbon, and floral pieces. The center of the bow displays a button or rhinestone of coordinating color, jazzing up your daughters locks.

You can choose from an array of color combinations that can be viewed at the Etsy shop, Addie’s Simple Baby Bows, or have some designed especially for your daughter. My favorite part about this adorable bow boutique is the option of hair clips! My friend’s daughter refuses to have anything snapped into her hair, making french clips a big No No in their house. Thus, the alligator clips are perfect for her and their is no sacrificing the ‘cute bows’ when choosing an alternative clip! (The snap clip is another clip option.)

The signature piece of Addie’s Bows is the precious bow holder. An 11x14 ribbon canvas can be custom designed to match your daughter’s room decor. Trendy mommy’s with little girls will have a unique way to display bows and barrettes. Bows are too cute to be laying in a drawer somewhere. Show off the pretties!

Discount!! Starting today through the end of December, all Trendy Mommy readers will receive a 25% discount on your purchase. When completing your transaction through Etsy, enter "Trendy Mommy Discount" in the comment box and you will be sent a revised invoice. For more trendy bows, check out the blog, www.addiessimplebabybows.blogspot.com .

Holiday Gift Idea #1: Special Keepsake Book

2008-11-18T00:00:00.000-08:00

We recently had the opportunity to review this wonderfully made children's keepsake book. We cannot say enough positive things about the Personalized Storybook by http://www.custommadeforkids.com/

The book is bright and colorful and has an element of whimsy. The book is designed to be a storybook about your specific child's life. When placing your order, you get to provide answers to a few questions - which are then turned into a fabulous storybook, staring your very special and unique child. There are over 20 places in 'The First Adventures of Incredible You' where details about a child, his/her family, friends, favorite places and family traditions can be seamlessly incorporated into the rhyming verse in the book. There is also a dedication page so the child will always remember this special gift came from you.

This special gift would make a perfect Christmas present, one that your child or special loved one would treasure for years to come. Click here to check out some sample pages.

We really do recommend this product as it is wonderfully made and truly a special keepsake item --- place your order by 12/14/08 to ensure delivery in time for Christmas! ENJOY!

Heard of Kushies Before?

2008-11-17T00:00:00.000-08:00

Seriously! How cute, fun, and colorful are these great toys?? The Kushies® Zolo Zippy Ozlo Wooden Pull Toy would make a great Christmas gift for any little ones on your list. It is adorable and sure to make the kids laugh and smile all day long! You can even buy more than one adorable Kushies animal and connect them to make an animal train. TOO FUN!

Kushies® offers an innovative collection of more than 350 quality baby products and accessories. These products include layettes, cloth diapers, bibs, bath items, developmental toys and more.

Another of our favorites is the Kushies® Boa Stacking Rings {pictured above}. This is not your ordinary blue, orange, yellow, red, green run of the mill stacking ring set. We absolutely love that this set encourages tactile stimulation, visual and auditory development, flexible thinking and explorative play. Squeeze each ring to hear an animal sound.

Kushies® has so many other super cool and not ordinary toys --- you will have to check them all out for yourself! Go to http://www.kushiesonline.com/Zolo-s/473.htm to see all the fun toys they have to offer.

DISCOUNT ALERT: And as an added bonus this holiday shopping season --- all Trendy Mommy readers can save 10% off any order you place at http://www.kushiesonline.com ---- enter code tmha10 for a 10% discount.

Urban Thimble Winner & More Deals!

2008-11-07T07:25:00.000-08:00

The winner of The Urban Thimble adorable London Bus contest is: Lori, who said, "The bloom long sleeve tee is really cute. I think my daughter would be so cute in it. The bus would be great for our playroom!". We will be sending you an email shortly!

And for those of you who loved the Urban Thimble items ---- Kelly Ventura is offering all of you 30% off!!!! THIS IS A GREAT deal! So visit her shop again and get some great holiday gifts at some great prices!

Here's how to get your discount of 30%:
1. Visit The Urban Thimble
2. Add an item(s) to your cart and start the check out process.
3. Enter the code , "TRENDY", in the 'notes to seller' section and the email address where the revised invoice should be sent.
4. Complete the order but do NOT go to Paypal to pay.
5. You will receive a revised invoice, and a link to complete payment, via email reflecting the discount.

Save Some $$$ Made Easy!

2008-11-06T00:00:00.000-08:00

Last month Leslie Helwig, creater of Coup 'ON' the GO, sent us a few of her coupon organizers. We've been using them for almost a month now and can say that if you're not already using coupons - this is a great thing to have.

The Coup 'ON' the GO is for the mom who, like us, is constantly ripping coupons out of magazines, newspapers, mailers and then stashing them in a drawer --- usually to never be seen again until the day comes when you decide to clean out the coupon drawer and throw out almost all because they have expired.

The Coup 'ON' the GO is for the mom who, like us, never has her coupons with her when she's at the store or sonic or wherever.

The Coup 'ON' the GO is for the mom who, like us, is wanting to actually use her coupons and save some money!

So check out Leslie's site and place your order today.

1. Small enough to fit in your diaper bag or purse or keep it in the car
2. Chic & Sassy designs
3. Leslie will even do a custom design for you if you so desire!

Tidy Up That Bath!

2008-11-05T00:00:00.000-08:00

Recently we tested out the new Kuster Bath Toy Store - great product. We really like this product for 3 reasons:

1. Ease of Use - The Bath Toy Store is made of two buckets, one with drainage holes at the bottom {use this bucket to scoop up all those oh so fun bathtime toys} and the second to catch all the drained water, which can then be easily tipped away.

2. Keeps Bath Tidy - several bath toys can fit in this handy little bucket, keeping toys out of sight when not in use.

3. Available in a choice of 3 stylish and contemporary color combinations. Think Fun and Funky.

The Kuster Bath Toy Store can be purchased at www.goores.com - enter code: tmku10 and receive 10% off any Kuster order placed at this online retailer.

To Swaddle or Not To Swaddle?

2008-11-04T00:00:00.000-08:00

Check out these couture swaddling goods by Swaddle Couture!

Recent Winners, Special Deals, and Booster Seats!

2008-11-03T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hello to all those who participated in our recent giveaways - we still have one going on ---- The Urban Thimble --- and a great giveaway it is! So don't forget to sign up to win this one too.

The winners of the three giveaways that ended 11/1 are posted on TheTrendyMommy.com - so check it out!

DISCOUNT ALERT: We also wanted to let you know that the owners over at Simply FaBOWlous are offering you all 10% off any order from now until 11/15/2008. Coupon Code: TRENDY --- This is a great deal - as their prices are already super reasonable! Stock up now for Christmas gifts - stocking stuffers - baby shower gifts - or just get some to replenish the bow drawer :) Simply FaBOWlous has some wonderful items - don't forget to check out their site and place your order now before the discount expires!!!

And now for today's featured product review...

The Trendy Mommy recently received a Mutsy Grow Up! ~ Toddler booster seat. Our little tester really loves this seat - she enjoyed moving from her highchair to this new 'big girl' seat and sitting at the table with the rest of the family. The transition was super easy with this fun seat. It has several safety straps that secure it nicely to a standard kitchen chair and another set that safely straps the child into the seat. It is small enough that it can slide up to the table without being too high. The Grow Up! comes in 4 great colors. If you are looking at getting a booster seat in the next few months - we recommend giving this one a try --- and for our fabulous Trendy Mommy readers - Nini and Loli is offering 10% off on this fabulous product when you purchase it from their online store. So visit www.niniandloli.com and enter tmmut10 at checkout to receive your discount!

Morning Chicness Bags

2008-10-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

Introducing Morning Chicness Bags! These are the ultimate in must-have items for all you trendy mommies-to-be out there who are suffering from the joys of pregnancy, otherwise known as morning sickness. Morning Chicness Bags are lined - making them leak-proof and are actually quite 'chic' --- so you don't have to hide them :) Morning Chicness Bags come in 6 different designs - so you can choose your fav design or mix and match. Great gift for yourself or friend who is dealing with morning sickness.

Shi Shu Style ~ Baby

2008-10-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

Soft, Luxurious handwoven baby blankets and throws made from Bamboo. ----{yes, you heard that right - soft & bamboo} We can vouch for the softness and wonderfulness of these fine baby blankets!

SHI SHU STYLE now offers families an elegant line of hand-crafted Bamboo/Cotton blankets that are soft to the touch, yet free of unnatural and chemically treated fibers. SHI SHU STYLE blankets are 60% cotton and 40% Bamboo, a textile made from the pulp of bamboo grass which is light, strong, soft, smooth and naturally antibacterial. SHI SHU STYLE allows only the best fabrics next to your family's skin.

There are millions of fluffy blankets out on the market for infants - but this blanket is special - many of those other blankets are made of polyester/microfiber blends and can cause some babies skin to be irritated and induce rashes -- the SHI SHU STYLE blankets are made of all natural fibers. We definitely recommend this soft blanket to anyone with a newborn!

JellyBaby Mat

2008-10-27T00:00:00.000-07:00

We absolutely LOVE this first of it's kind memory foam changing mat to be ergonomically shaped to fit baby. The Küster JellyBaby is comfortably warm to the touch and safely holds baby while being changed. JellyBaby is free from PVC and offers a much happier experience for baby’s delicate skin during daily changes.

JellyBaby can be easily cleaned with a baby wipe and is ideal to use on its own or with its separate terry backed machine washable liners (a two-pack of JellyBaby liners can be purchased separately).

Available in Cream, Pink or Blue.

This is a great gift to give a first time mom - or even a mom who has other children because this product is unlike any ordinary changing mat.

Giveaway: The Urban Thimble

2008-10-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

Recently we ran across this wonderful little etsy shop, The Urban Thimble. Adorable & Unique items for your little one. Kelly Ventura owner and designer of everything at Urban Thimble has a knack for creating sensational one-of-a-kind pieces that can adorn your child or child's room. We also absolutely love her headbands and cards - so fun and spunky!

Kelly has graciously given us one of her signature wall decor pieces (The London Bus) - pictured above to give to one of our lucky readers.

Giveaway details:
Visit The Urban Thimble and leave us a comment with your favorite product {aside from the London Bus of course} and we'll pick one lukcy winner to receive this awesome item! Giveaway ends November 5th at midnight CT. Winner will be announced on thetrendymommy.com. Good LUCK!

Not Your Ordinary Mattress...

2008-10-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

This is not your ordinary baby mattress - the Coco Mat by Natural Mat is made of 100% natural fibers. Since the mattress is made of 100% natural fibers it is an extremely breathable object - which is important for newborns who are very temperature sensitive. Another great feature of this mattress is that it is non-allergenic and is anti dust-mite. Check out Natural Mat before purchasing your next baby mattress.

Finger Painting Fun

2008-10-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

Today's busy lifestyles don't allow for as much quality time to be spent with family as we typically would like. Fingerprints makes it easy for you to have fun with your child while creating an original piece of artwork to last a lifetime and more.

Complete with a stylish, gallery frame, Fingerprints allows you to forever cherish the time spent with your child. By framing your child's creation, you can rest assured that your child's artwork will not be lost in a drawer, tattered and torn, never to be seen again.

Our little tester had a blast painting with this kit - she created 4 beautiful works of art and still has some paint left over for another day. A plus for moms was that the paint came off so easily and the kit comes with a little apron - the perfect solution to keeping paint off the clothes. We definitely recommend this product and love that it comes with a frame so you can let your child pick his/her favorite work of art to display in a special way. This kit can be found at ColorgoRound.

The New Spider - no, not that kind...

2008-10-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

Mutsy a wonderful company offers parents a wide variety in infant and toddler mobility options. The Trendy Mommy recently had the opportunity to "test drive" a Mutsy Spider Ocean (pictured above) and we must say that the ride is awesome! Extremely easy to push, fold up and store, light weight, and our little tester loved riding in it - we think because she felt so unrestricted in this great stroller. The Spider has a great three wheel design and folds into an incredibly compact little unit. The three wheel design makes it so easy to swivel this stroller and makes pushing a breeze! Great for traveling with baby (from the airport to the mall to the park) - we definitely recommend this stroller. Oh and did we mention that the handle is adjustable????? LOVE THIS FEATURE! Now you and your hubby can move it up and down to suit your height.

We love Mutsy and their entire line for it's unique modernistic feel. The company has a great range of eye-catching fabrics.

If you're looking into purchasing a new stroller - visit Niniandloli.com - enter in tmmut10 at checkout for 10% off your new Mutsy Spider.

Giveaway: The Munny Journey: Keepsake Journal for Baby's First Money

2008-10-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

Giveaway Closed
The Munny Journey is a wonderful gift for any newborn or infant. This new journal shows how you can give one of the greatest gifts of all - a financially secure future for your little one.

Against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, rising home foreclosures, record gas prices and falling stocks one veteran financial advisor has some great news - it is possible to set your newborn up to be a millionaire for just a dollar a day.

The Munny Journey is a keepsake journal for Baby's First Money. Modeled after a traditional baby book it contains pages to record money "firsts", such as baby's first dollar, first savings account and first investment. The journal also serves as an educational tool - teaching your child about saving and investing and illustrating the magic of compound interest and how it can create wealth.

We LOVE this journal and think it is a great 'investment' for your child's future. The journal can be purchased at Munny Journey.

GIVEAWAY: One lucky Trendy Mommy reader will win this fabulous journal! So go visit the Munny Journey site and leave us an insightful comment (none of the "I want to win" or other silly like that comments). One winner will be selected on November 1st. Winner will be posted on www.TheTrendyMommy.com. Good luck!!

Pillsbury Recipe Creations

2008-10-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

Pillsbury has some new products out on the market now, one of which is the Crescent Recipe Creations. Recently we were contacted to review this new product - so Kristen, our resident Cooking Guru tested it out. She said it was super easy to work with and tasted oh so yummy! Great for the mom on the go! Kristen wrote the following post on her super cool blog, The Spicy Texan.

"I know it is weird but I'm not a sweets person. So, every time I go to a donut shop I get pigs in a blanket instead. I like them with a little mustard. Well you can have these cute little treats at home too. Plus they take no effort at all. The key is the Pillsbury Crescent - Recipe Creations. Recipe Creations are prefect for the holiday season coming up. You can pretty much make any appetizer with them. I just love how they are so versatile. Just use you imagination. Other great no fuss breakfast items Pillsbury are their Grands Cinnamon Rolls. They now come in the freezer section in a resealable bag. Perfect for baking however many you need plus they even have minis! It can't get easier or more delicious than that. Stay tuned for more Recipe Creations ideas for the Holidays.

1 package smokey breakfast links (sausage)

2 packages Pillsbury Recipe Creations

favorite dipping sauce

1. Unroll crescent rolls.

2. Cut crescent into thirds to create 3 rectangles. Then cut diagonal to create 6 triangles. Repeat.

3. Roll each sausage in a strip of crescent dough starting on the large end. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.

4. Bake at 375° for 12 - 16 minutes or until golden brown.

5. Serve with barbecue sauce, ketchup, or mustard for dipping.

The Spicy Texan recently featured a super cool pancake mold and some hard boiled egg cups --- both great tools to add some pizazz to your little one's breakfast! Check them out!

Also, if you've never checked out the Pillsbury website before - you definitely should - they have tons of recipes on there that are quick and easy! We found these other great ideas on the Pillsbury website for using this awesome new product, The Pillsbury Crescent Recipe Creations!

Crescent Mummy Dogs

Jack-o-lantern Chicken Taco Cups

Cauldron of Chili with a side of Spider Bread

Gal to Gal Foundation: Help Support the Battle Against Stage IV Breast Cancer

2008-10-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

I received the email below {in pink} yesterday and decided that we, all the Trendy Mommies out there, need to step up and help this organization meet their goal. So many of us have either had breast cancer ourselves or have had a mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, or close friend that has endured it. The super cool chicks that started Design-her Gals started The Gal to Gal Foundation and are seeking to raise $250,000 to help support those battling Stage IV Breast Cancer and you can help out in this effort.

Join thousands in the support of those battling Stage IV Breast Cancer -- give just $5 and you too can participate in this virtual walk - make sure you enter your team as "Team Trendy Mommy" and we'll select one person on our 'team' to win a Trendy Mommy Goodie Bag full of all kinds of great stuff. The virtual race ends October 31 - so time is a factor - go ahead and do it now. Donations are tax deductible and you will receive a receipt from the Gal to Gal Foundation.

Email received:

To our dear friends -
It is with great sadness that I must let you know that our Gal to Gal Foundation President, Dorit Shapiro, lost her brave battle to Stage IV breast cancer yesterday. For those of you who have not had the pleasure of meeting Dorit - I can tell you that she was an incredible woman who believed passionately in the purpose behind the Gal to Gal Foundation.
As you may know, this year's virtual walk hopes to raise $250,000 by asking each and every one of us to take 5 minutes and $5 and go to www.galtogalwalk.org and create your virtual walker. It is our hope to grant hundreds of wishes for Stage IV breast cancer patients and their families this holiday season. With your help we can!
Dorit's wish was not for herself. It was that we make this goal and that no woman living with Stage IV should feel alone in this journey. Please join Dorit's virtual self and all of us today in her honor!
Attached is a tribute to Dorit where you can listen to her own words spoken 1 week ago (!) as we kicked off this event. Unfortunately after this speech she took a turn for the worst. She will be missed by her family and friends very much! Dorit just turned 38 years old with 2 daughters (ages 4 and 8). Please help us grant Dorit's wish.
Watch now!
With hope in my heart!
Jeanne Fitzmaurice
FounderGal to Gal FoundationDesign-her Gals

Pedi Ped - New for Fall

2008-10-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

We're excited to tell you guys that the pediped™ new fall line is out and it is adorable! Some of our favorites include:
the McKenna - choc brown {pictured above}, the Giselle - choc brown boot {lovin' the polka dots - we told you guys a few months ago that polka dots were going to be hot this fall and here's just another example of that - love them!}, and the Abigail - pink {precious}.

For boys we absolutely love:
the Charlie - brown {sooooo cute}, and the Jake - light brown.

pediped™ is offering readers of The Trendy Mommy ----- FREE SHIPPING! ----- YEA! This is a great offer from them and we hope that many of you take advantage of it!

To take advantage of this free shipping offer, visit http://www.pediped.com/ enter code: pp1008 at checkout - this code will be valid until 12/31/08.

If you're not familiar with pediped™ - check out their website to see all their great styles - and read about what makes their shoes so wonderful for little ones! The three best selling points of these great little shoes are their super soft-cushioned leather soles, velcro fasteners, and dual indoor/outdoor use. Simply ‘the next best thing to bare feet’, pediped™ footwear are designed with love. Made with premium, non-toxic, ECO grade leather throughout. Foam insoles & cushions provide for a comfortable fit and the heels are padded to absorb shock. pediped™ simply offers the ultimate in comfort and protection. Velcro fasteners make them quick and easy to put on, and even more importantly, they actually stay on! With the quality and durability parents expect, as well as the comfort their children require, pediped™ footwear are approved by pediatricians and applauded by families.

Giveaway: Simply Fa BOW lous!

2008-10-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

Giveaway Closed
You have got to check out our featured retailer, Simply FaBOWlous. Simply FaBOWlous sells the cutest and trendiest Crochet Bohemian Caps - they fit sizes 18 months and up and are adorable! They also have a great selection of Infant Ribbon Caps {see pic above}, Lil' Rocker Wraps {styles for boys, too!}, and great Flower Headbands. All things faBOWlous!

Giveaway Details: Cheri White owner of FaBOWlous has graciously agreed to give one lucky Trendy Mommy reader their best seller, The Brown Infant Cap with Pink Peony. We have to tell you how adorable this cap is and can't wait to give it to one of you! It truely is FABOWLOUS!

To enter: visit FaBOWlous and let us know which product is your favorite {aside from the Brown Cap we're giving away, of course :)}. Leave a comment - giveaway ends November 1st at 11:59 CT. GOOD LUCK! Winner will be announced on the Giveaways page of www.TheTrendyMommy.com.

Giveaway: Between Me and You, Mom

2008-10-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

Giveaway Closed
Hello everyone! You may have noticed our absence this week - we're sorry about that! But we're back now and have a great product to tell you about and also a giveaway! YEA!

The Between You and Me, Mom book is a great product. We are specifically interested in the MOM version - but they have several others as well. Inside each journal are several fun, non-sappy, and sometimes even humorous questions. Give them to the people you love and they are returned with handwritten responses. The ultimate result is a great keepsake to cherish for years to come.

Keep this gift in mind for Christmas - you could order the Daughter version and fill it out and give it to your mother - she would feel so special that you took the time to fill in all your memories of her :) AND the best part (aside from the cuteness of these books) is they are only $14.95! Super Deal!

Giveaway details: Sand Dune Books is giving a The Between You and Me, Mom book to one of our lucky readers! To enter this contest - tell us why your mom is so special to you! We'll randomly select one lucky winner for this awesome book and you'll be able to give it to your mom for her to write about you or you can fill it out and give it to your own child as a keepsake! Giveaway ends November 1st at 11:59PM CT. Winner will be announced on http://www.thetrendymommy.com/.

The Hunt is On!

2008-10-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

Halloween and a fun-filled night of Trick~or~Treating is right around the corner, 25 days to be exact! The Trendy Mommy has been on the look-out for the top 10 Halloween Costumes of 2008, and we're happy to share them all with you! We've found a winner in each of these categories: Cutesy, Funny, Affordable, Adorable, Doggish, Darish, Foodie, Scary, Wild, and Magical.

Click here to come see what our TOP TEN TRENDY Costumes are this fall!

Giveaway: Precious Sterling For You & Your Little Ones

2008-10-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

Giveaway now closed. Today's Trendy Mommy find is Emmie Kate, an awesome online retailer of the most precious sterling silver jewelry you can find for your little ones! You've got to check out all their designs. They have a little bit of everything from beautiful necklaces for moms to adorable bracelets for baby girls to keychains and even belt buckles. You really should go check them out ---- and we'll say it again...you really should go check them out! They have TONS of really great items....would make great Christmas gifts! The owner/designer Maquel Christopher is amazing and has a wonderful mom-preneur story - read about what inspired her to create Emmie Kate on the Emmie Kate website.

And one lucky Trendy Mommy reader is going to win the bracelet pictured above! Thank you to Maquel for sponsoring this awesome giveaway.

To enter:
1. Visit Emmie Kate {take a look around - find your favorite goodies}
2. Come back here and leave us a comment, telling us which is your favorite piece of Emmie Kate jewelry
3. Contest ends Wednesday, October 15th at midnight CT....winner will be announced the following day on www.TheTrendyMommy.com - click on giveaways {on the left}.

One, Two, Buckle my Shoe - sparkle shoe that is!

2008-09-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

Shoes with a little sparkle for your sassy girl. We think these Pink Diamond Newborn Shoes from Luca Bleu are fabulously trendy. How adorable would your little girl be in these?!?!?

Time-Out Missy

2008-09-29T06:09:00.000-07:00

This adorable time-out animal will help your child transition through the rough two or three minutes of being in Time-Out. They have a bear, a lamb, a frog, and this adorable little puppy. If you're not a fan of time-outs you can also use these adorable little buddies for time-up (we didn't know what this was either), but it's setting the timer for activities such as cleaning up the playroom, etc. It could even be used in a school classroom for keeping track of when to switch centers at center time.

Come visit us on Facebook

2008-09-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

Come check out The Trendy Mommy on facebook.

Become a fan.

Share your own trendy nurseries, toddler rooms, and party photos in our member album area.

Start a discussion thread.

Ask The Trendy Mommy to help you find a certain gift or product.

Combining Fun & Functionality at Mealtime

2008-09-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

We are so excited about our next feature! Trebimbi has one super cute line of mealtime essentials. How fun are these cupes, plates, and silverware sets? Seriously your child will enjoy mealtime when he/she gets to use one of the several amazing products in the Trebimbi product line.

Each item in the line is made wonderfully bright and colorful. The smiley cups and cutlery make even the grumpiest of littlest eaters smile.

New for 2008 is the Trebimbi Party Set - which includes a brightly colored kidney shaped bowl, smiley cup & cheery cutlery. {pictured above in pink} Yes, even the knives have smiles etched on them! How fun is that?? And did you notice that the cutlery snaps into place on the cups/plates/other pieces of cutlery? Talk about fun and functional! The Trendy Mommy absolutely LOVES these and we know you will too!

So where can you find these awesome little sets? Visit Nini and Loli to find the best selection. They are offering readers of TM a 10% discount on any Trebimbi order - enter code: tre10off @ checkout to take advantage of this awesome offer!

Spotlight: Cooking for Monkeys

2008-09-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

The Trendy Mommy recently found this amazing website - Cooking for Monkeys. Pam Galenkamp, creator of Cooking for Monkeys dreams up & makes these simply fabulous toddler lunches! Visit Pam's site and soak up her great ideas and techniques to make your own very special lunches for your toddler.

HOW DID COOKING FOR MONKEYS BEGIN?Pam asked herself, "How do I get my toddler to eat different foods? How do I keep myself interested in making him new and exciting foods? Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a sucker for presentation. I love good food, but I love looking at pretty food almost as much. And I love nicely packaged pretty food most of all. When I saw these I could not resist."

To read more of our feature on Cooking for Monkeys visit TheTrendyMommy.com.

Spotlight: Project Nursery

2008-09-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

Recently we interviewed Pam Ginocchio & Melisa Fluhr, founders of Project Nursery, and they provided us with some fabulous tips to share with all you trendy mommies out there on the current decorating trends as well as some other nursery design tips. We'll share a few with you here on the blog - but you'll have to go to the actual interview on our site to see the rest and to see some of their fabulous room photographs!

1. Start small. Designing a nursery can be overwhelming. Start with a favorite piece of anything as your inspiration or jumping off point and design around it. Whether it be your ideal crib bedding or something as small and as simple as a meaningful piece of art.

2. Always add an area rug to finish the room even if the room has wall to wall carpet. Nothing is sweeter than a small, fluffy, white sheepskin rug for tummy time.

3. Complete the room with proper window treatments. While a little valance is cute, try window panels. It will add a bold design presence and make the room look and feel taller.

Project Nursery has one MEGA BIG GIVEAWAY going on right now - they recently launched a new forum where you can get ideas & advice from tons of other moms/designers out there regarding your design delimenas. Go check out their new 'share forum' and get entered for a chance to win $1,000 in design goodies! Gotta appreciate that opportunity to win BIG! So go check 'em out! and while you're there take a minute to browse around - they have tons of great ideas to share with you!

It's Tea Time

2008-09-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

Take some time out to enjoy an afternoon tea party with your daughter. Take advantage of the cooler weather and set up your tea party in the backyard. We absolutely love this adorable tea set. It can be purchased online at Oompa Toys. While you're visiting Oompa's check out all their other fabulous toys! They've got some really fun soft block sets for your tiny ones!

Calling all Chicago, NYC Metro, Dallas, Austin, Atlanta, & San Diego Moms

2008-09-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to check out our Weekend Guides for fun family activities going on in your area!

Chicago, NYC Metro, San Diego, Atlanta, Austin, Dallas

Now Open: Mod Memento: Modern Heirlooms on Paper

2008-09-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

Ashley, our very own Trendy Mommy NYC Metro City Editor, found this awesome new online shop called "MOD MEMENTO" ! The lovely Bri, owner of Mod Memento, has used her creative excellence and trendy style to create colorful, personalized prints and modern artwork for your home or children's room. She creates the most adorable birth story prints, documenting the name, place, time, birth stats, and parents names in a custom creation using trendy fonts, unique style, and customized colors to match your little one's nursery.

This is merely an example of the prints she can design for you. Her expert design skills range from mod monogram prints to genealogy prints. Please check out her MOD MEMENTO SHOP at Etsy to get a closer look!

Bri hopes that "these custom prints become cherished artwork for your home and make you smile for years to come." She will design your truely unique print from her home in Charlotte, NC and will work with you to define the look that you desire. For more details, please visit her Mod MEMENTO shop by clicking HERE!

What's New with Mod Memento: GIVEAWAY TIME! Win a Mod Monogram Print if you comment on her BLOG between now and Thursday! She'll choose a winner Friday, September 19th!

Don't forget to check out TheTrendyMommy.com to see the listing of all the winners of this weeks 8 fabulous Launch Party giveaways!

Launch Party: Giveaway #8

2008-09-16T00:00:00.002-07:00

Giveaway is now closed.
YEA! Go visit our new site! It's up!!! Our final giveaway to celebrate the launch of our new site {TODAY} is a fabulously trendy Birth Necklace, created by Julian & Co. Julian & Co. is a great jeweler specializing in making jewelry about love for families. You can see this theme reflected in each one of their signature pieces. They have items for moms, dads, babies, and kids - so your entire family is able to share in owning some of this beautiful jewelry. One lucky reader will win a Birth Necklace! Visit Julian & Co and see the other great pieces they have!

To enter this contest, visit our new site ~ www.thetrendymommy.com ~ take a look around and sign up for our newsletter! {newsletter sign up is in the gold box on the home page} Don't worry we won't sell your information to anyone and you can unsubscribe at any time should you not like what The Trendy Mommy has to say. Each person that signs up for the newsletter will have a chance to win!

Launch Party: Giveaway #7

2008-09-16T00:00:00.001-07:00

Giveaway is now closed.
Our seventh giveaway to celebrate the new site launch is a great tee from 25 Cloth. We absolutely LOVE this company - for every tee that is purchased this quarter 25 Cloth is giving a family in India a chicken. A chicken might not sound like much to you or I ~ but to the families in need this single chicken will provide them with nourishment (eggs) and income (selling of surplus eggs). This truly can change lives! So - go check out 25 Cloth -- and consider purchasing one of their SUPER COOL tees - how many other shirts do you have that you can say you changed a life(s) by purchasing?? and of course, one lucky reader will win a tee from 25 Cloth.

To enter this contest, visit our new site ~ www.thetrendymommy.com ~ take a look around and sign up for our newsletter! {newsletter sign up is in the gold box on the home page} Don't worry we won't sell your information to anyone and you can unsubscribe at any time should you not like what The Trendy Mommy has to say. Each person that signs up for the newsletter will have a chance to win!

Launch Party: Giveaway #6

2008-09-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

Giveaway is now closed.
For our sixth giveaway, one lucky reader will get one of the signature dolls from The Stork's Cradle, where a whimsical childhood begins. Located in Wheaton, IL this children's boutique has it all! If you don't live in the area - don't fret - The Stork's Cradle has an online boutique where you can find many of their great items. We especially love the Spunky Frog Chenille Quit - ADORABLE! The signature dolls are so special - you get to select your own hair and dress color and The Stork's Cradle will even monogram your child's name on the dress for you. These great dolls are super soft and oh so loveable!

To enter this contest, visit our new site ~ www.thetrendymommy.com ~ take a look around and sign up for our newsletter! {newsletter sign up is in the gold box on the home page} Don't worry we won't sell your information to anyone and you can unsubscribe at any time should you not like what The Trendy Mommy has to say. Each person that signs up for the newsletter will have a chance to win!

Launch Party: Giveaway #5

2008-09-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

Giveaway is now closed.
Our fifth giveaway to celebrate the launch of our new site is a wonderful giftset valued at $27.99. The Gifted Grasshopper is such a wonderful idea - a great way to get your little ones excited about reading. Reading is one of the most important early learning skillsets your child will acquire - why not do everything you can to make it memorable and exciting for them!

The Gifted Grasshopper was started by two former first grade teachers turned moms, Jen & Laura. The Gifted Grasshopper is the result of their lifetime love of children's literature. They have made it so easy to shop their great online store. You can browse according to age group - which we all know makes a big difference in reading material selection.

Each set of books comes with a great tote, grasshopper glasses & bookmark, and Griffen the Gifted Grasshopper plush. Please do take a moment to check out this wonderful shop and definitely consider the gift of reading for your own children!

To enter this giveaway - leave a comment telling us the following: Your favorite children's book & what book(s) you currently have on your nightstand.

Don't forget to check out the other launch party giveaways: {9.11, 9.12, 9.13, 9.14, today, tuesday, & wednesday} - everyday we'll post something new for you to ooooohhh & ahhhh over. You can still enter the first four giveaways! All winners will be selected on Wednesday, September 17th at midnight and will be announced on the new site on Thursday the 18th.

Launch Party: Giveaway #4

2008-09-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

Giveaway is now closed.
Simply A Boy is sponsoring our 4th giveaway of the Launch Party. We featured Simply A Boy last week and have found even more items since that feature that we absolutely LOVE! Take this adorable Peek A Boo Dish Set for example - love it! Stephanie over at Simply A Boy has offered to give one lucky reader a $50 gift certificate to her wonderful shop! How cool is that? You will get to pick out your own prize for winning this one!

So you're probably wondering how you can get in on these awesome giveaways!!! Right??? Each day {9.11, 9.12, 9.13, today, monday, tuesday, & wednesday} - we'll post something new for you to ooooohhh & ahhhh over. You can still enter the first three giveaways! All winners will be selected on Wednesday, September 17th at midnight and will be announced on the new site on Thursday the 18th.

To enter this one, please visit Simply A Boy and let us know what you would spend your $50 gift certificate on should you win. Check back tomorrow for the next giveaway announcement! and don't forget there's still time to enter the first three giveaways!

Launch Party: Giveaway #3

2008-09-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

Giveaway is now closed.
Our third giveaway to celebrate the new site launch next TUESDAY is sponsored by A Babe is Born, hair bows and clips for little divas. They are giving one lucky Trendy Mommy reader some very cute hair clips.

A Babe is Born has some great clips and even offers to make custom clips for you should you not find exactly what you're looking for. WOW! Talk about great service. Stop by and check them out.

So you're probably wondering how you can get in on these awesome giveaways!!! Right??? Each day {9.11, 9.12, today, sunday, monday, tuesday, & wednesday} - we'll post something new for you to ooooohhh & ahhhh over. You can still enter the first two giveaways! All winners will be selected on Wednesday, September 17th at midnight and will be announced on the new site on Thursday the 18th.

To enter today's giveaway you need to leave us a comment telling us something that made you SMILE today. Check back tomorrow for the next giveaway announcement! and don't forget there's still time to enter the first two giveaways!

Launch Party: Giveaway #2

2008-09-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

Giveaway is now closed.
Our second giveaway to celebrate the new site launch next TUESDAY is this fabulous infant hat from Kensington Baby, stylish baby hats for hip boys and girls.

The Football Hat for Boys is absolutely adorable! Should we ever have a little boy, we are definitely going to have to order one of these!

Claire, owner and designer, of Kensington Baby is a stay at home mom of two, a boy and a girl. When her daughter was born Claire wanted to create the ultimate accent to for her daughters outfits. Since she wasn’t able to find what she was looking for she created a line of hats that would meet that need. Her son is obsessed with all things boy {tractors, excavators, etc.} so for him she created the boy’s line that incorporated all things "boy" into a stylish and hip hat.

All Kensington Baby Hats fit 0-18 months and are made of 100% combed cotton baby rib --- SO SO SOFT!

So you're probably wondering how you can get in on these awesome giveaways!!! Right??? Each day {yesterday, today, saturday, sunday, monday, tuesday, & wednesday} - we'll post something new for you to ooooohhh & ahhhh over. You can still enter yesterday's giveaway! All winners will be selected on Wednesday, September 17th at midnight and will be announced on the new site on Thursday the 18th.

To enter today's giveaway you need to visit Kensington Baby and then leave us a comment telling us which hat caught your eye. Check back tomorrow for the next giveaway announcement! and don't forget there's still time to enter yesterday's giveaway!

Launch Party: Giveaway #1

2008-09-11T00:00:00.000-07:00

Giveaway is now closed.
Our first giveaway to celebrate the new site launch next TUESDAY is this fabulous maternity shirt from Spegg Wear, for the funky urban mom-to-be. The Equation Tee is a really hot seller and we can definitely see why - IT IS SO SOFT! and has an amazing band around the bottom that adds just the right amount of protection and comfort so your baby belly isn't hanging out there for the world to see!

We seriously love Spegg Wear - they have lots of great tees & tanks for mommies, daddies, and even babies. So please do pay them a visit - they were nice enough to sponsor this giveaway - so be nice enough to check them out!

So you're probably wondering how you can get in on this awesome giveaway!!! Right???

Each day {today, friday, saturday, sunday, monday, tuesday, & wednesday} - we'll post something new for you to ooooohhh & ahhhh over. And we'll tell you what you need to do to enter. All winners will be selected on Wednesday, September 17th at midnight and will be announced on the new site on Thursday the 18th.

To enter today's giveaway you need to leave us a comment telling us who is your favorite online retailer - a link to the retailer is appreciated! That's it - nothing else - pretty easy, huh?? So enter away and check back tomorrow for the next giveaway announcement!

Also - tell your friends about the fun we're having over here at The Trendy Mommy. Take a Button - put it on your blog or site - we'll LOVE ya for it! Just take the code from the box next to each button --- and paste it on your site --- the button will appear on your blog/site.

See Kai Run

2008-09-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

Check out the new fall line from See Kai Run. Adorable shoes for your little one. We absolutely love the flexible rubber soles and the wide toe box of these shoes. Great for wiggly growing little feet. See Kai Run makes shoes to fit 'em all - infant to 8 years - so check them out, with tons of great styles you are sure to find something that suits your little one. Our favorite baby boy shoe is the Peter. For girls we love the Melody. Reasonably priced starting at $28.

Arrrgh! Matey - it's a Pirate Party!

2008-09-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

Just a little sneak peak of what we've got going on over at the new site, http://thetrendymommy.com/! Stay tuned for the site launch on September 16th! We've got a Trendy Soiree section with some fabulous party ideas that we know you'll want to check out!

The Launch Party Giveaways will start this Thursday! So check back here for details! FUN FUN - we're so excited!

Simply A Boy

2008-09-08T00:00:00.000-07:00

So a reader recently wrote to us telling us how much she loved our site - but that we focused most of our features on girls and while we always had great stuff - she has 3 boys! We took her email to heart and found this great company, Simply A Boy, where EVERYTHING is all BOY! Check them out - they have all kinds of great items from room decor to clothing to feeding to playing. We loved the adorable Bandit Romper pictured above!

And how cute is this wall panel pocket system? Simply A Boy carries three styles - all equally adorable!

One of our other favorites from this awesome site --- ALL BOY --- is the Groovy Blue Dot Get Messy Bib. Seriously, how many times did I say to myself that I needed to invent something like this for my baby??? This is perfect and I will definitely be getting one of these for the next child, boy or girl, regardless. This is a staple item!

Simply A Boy is parterning with us in our Launch Party - stay tuned for details - but they will be giving one lucky reader a $50 gift certificate for use in their online boutique! YEA! So check them out and see what you can find your little boy.

Oh and it looks like they are currently running a free shipping deal if you spend over $75. Don't forget to check out their furniture - they've got some really cute stuff {but we'll save that for another day's post}

The Weekend Edition: Dallas Trendy Moms

2008-09-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

What: Best of Texas Festival

Where: Six Flags over Texas

When: Saturdays and Sundays, September 6th - 21st

Cost: Six Flags is currently running two great deals if you buy your tickets online. The first is buy a ticket and get access to the park a total of 6 times! The second is buy your ticket online and everyone in your family pays the kid admission price....either deal is great...so check them both out and decide for yourself which is better for you {not sure how long these deals will last}!

Need More Info: http://www.sixflags.com/overTexas/events/tBestofTexas.aspx

Vendors demonstrating and selling turn-of-the-century offerings like candles and quilts, pottery, gourmet coffees, and wood carvings
Home-cooked foods like Skillet Potatoes, Chicken and Steak Fajitas, Apple Do Dahs and Kettle Corn
Local artists and groups performing live Texas music
Your favorite rides like Titan, Texas Giant and the ALL NEWTony Hawk's Big Spin, plus all Looney Tunes and USA attractions

Hot New Site ~ Shop Baby Trends

2008-09-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

Our feature today is a great new boutique shop we found that has some of the most fashionable items for your little one....so do check them out!

Shop Baby Trends

They offer products from some of the hottest kid designers out there - Random Nicole, Big Citizen, Flowers by Zoe, Monster Republic, Lipstick Girls, Kate Mack by Biscotti, and more!

The owner of this awesome site is even offering you, Trendy Mommy Readers - 25% off all the new fall season's clothing! GREAT DEAL!! enter code: trendy25 at checkout to take advantage of this great offer!

GIVEAWAY: LAUNCH PARTY 2008!

2008-09-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

It's official ~ http://www.thetrendymommy.com/ ~ is launching Tuesday, September 16th!

We're super excited about the launch and wanted to throw a launch party to celebrate!

So we've teamed up with some of our favorite online boutiques and awesome designers to host one massive giveaway. We have received so many great products that we can't wait to give to our readers as a way of saying THANK YOU for your continued support of The Trendy Mommy.

We have tons of items totalling well over $1,000 (retail value). There will be LOTS of winners! This is going to be a lot of fun and one awesome mega giveaway!

There will be 3 ways to enter (stay tuned next week to find out how!

Magnets go Vintage

2008-09-01T00:00:00.001-07:00

Happy Labor Day! While you are all enjoying some family time on this great holiday - we thought we'd get in a quick feature of a great little company, Kiss My Style. They have some really great finds. We recently received one of these Vintage Red Magnet Sets - and love it! Refrigerators these days are full of kid drawings and invitations and if you're like my house even bills that need to be paid. I've got an assortment of kid-made magnets and some barnyard animals and the entire alphabet on my refrig...so it was super nice to receive these wonderful beautiful magnets to display on the refrig. I cleared off the top corner of the freezer door above the ice/water dispenser and have these sitting up there all by themselves! Gives me a little reminder of who I am (or who I once was) Organized, Fun, & Funky. Check them out - these little magnets come all wrapped in a cute little tin - would make a great teacher gift or a fun little pick me-up to give to friends when they're having a rough time.

The Weekend Edition: Dallas Trendy Moms

2008-08-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

What: Great Wolf Lodge Labor Day Luau
Enjoy great music and great food poolside as you relax this Labor Day weekend at Great Wolf Lodge. You don't need to travel to Hawaii this weekend to experience a professional luau!

When: Saturday & Sunday - August 30 & 31 - 11am - 7pm

Where: Great Wolf Lodge, Racoon Lagoon

Need More Info: http://www.greatwolflodge.com/Locations/Grapevine/events/index.aspx

You've Got Mail

2008-08-27T00:00:00.000-07:00

What kid doesn't love getting the mail? We've been searching for a little mailbox that appeals to the younger crowd...and we've found a great one. Check out this one designed by Melissa & Doug - you can find it at Oliebollin. They've also got lots of other cool toys for kids - so browse around once you're there - start getting those ideas for Christmas (I know it's August...but time flies with kids!)

Her First Set of Heels

2008-08-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

We seriously cannot get over these adorable little shoes! Got a baby shower to go to in the next few months? We DEFINITELY suggest picking up some of these Heelarious Heels for the baby - you will have the best gift - we PROMISE! With six different baby heels to choose from you're sure to find one that will make you smile :) Fits infants 0-6 months.

The Weekend Guide: Dallas Trendy Moms

2008-08-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

What: Fall Mommy Series

Join other savvy mommies to discuss 'Healthy Mommy', 'Fall Looks at Every Price', 'Teaching Your Children to be Financially Savvy', and 'Dispelling the Supermom Myth!'

When: Friday, August 29th {11am-1pm}

Where: At LFT, 2350 Victory Park LaneDallas, Texas 75219

Cost: Free & Complimentary Childcare will be provided by A Child 'N Play {please note that while this event is FREE - you must register online}

Need More Info: http://www.mommyseries.com/

A Security Must...

2008-08-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

This small and affordable, $3.95, finger printing kit is something all parents should own! Get one for each of your kids to have handy in case the unthinkable happens. There is even a DNA kit included....we hope you will never need to use it after you fill it out - but we'd hate for you to lose precious time should you need it and not have it. You can find this at Leaps&Bounds.

Too Cool for School...

2008-08-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

So we've heard a lot of moms talking recently about getting ready to send the kids back to school...and labels keeps coming up. So we thought we'd scour the internet searching for the trendiest labels we could find...b/c if you're gonna subject your kid to labels on their clothing/backpacks/lunch containers, etc...you had better do it in style --- or there might be some snickering involved {and not from your kid}

For Backpacks and lunch totes we found - Sunny Day Tags

and for everything else like notebooks, binders, books, etc - ToodlesDoodles

The Weekend Edition: Dallas Trendy Moms

2008-08-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

What: Baby & Me Expo + Radio Disney - Whether you're planning a family, expecting a baby, or alrady enjoying the challenges of parenting, this is for you! Don't miss this unique event that is all about babies and toddlers and the families that love them! You'll learn about the newest trends in baby care and baby products, find out the latest on pregnancy and childbirth and enjoy fashion presentations for kids and moms-to-be. There will also be fun activities for the kids, prize giveaways, and more. You can even learn infant CPR while you're there! Click on the photo above to see the schedule of events.

When: Saturday, August 16th 10am-4pm

Where: The Shops at Willow Bend - food court

Cost: Free

Lock Up Those Meds!

2008-08-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

Don't be caught later wishing you had done just that.

In 2006, unintentional poisoning caused about 703,702 emergency department (ED) visits (CDC 2008).
Almost 25% of these unintentional ED visits resulted in hospitalization or transfer to another facility (CDC 2008).
In 2006, poison control centers reported about two million unintentional poisoning or poison exposure cases (Bronstein et al. 2007).

Leaps and Bounds has this great little box that keeps your meds locked up and out of the hands of your kids. $16.95

Back to School - Some in Need

2008-08-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

During times of economic uncertainty - non-essential items such as school supplies are usually the first to go. Many children will go to school this year without any school supplies. If you would like to help - contact your local arm of The Salvation Army. They would love any donations you could provide. Put a smile on a kid's face ~ the first day of school is already an uneasy time for many kids ~ equip them with some supplies and alleviate the extra anxiety that accompanies going to school with nothing.

The Winner of the Frog and The Princess $50 gift certificate is: Jenny G, who said, "I like the Herringbone Tweed Hobo Woodrose diaper bag!" Congrats Jenny! You should be receiving an email shortly!

Add Some Glam to Your Shots!

2008-08-11T00:00:00.000-07:00

So we know you kid lovin' mama's out there are glued to your cameras - just waiting to catch little cutie doing something for the first time or something that should forever be remembered and posted on the family blog. Well, since you spend so much time with your trusty camera - why not spice it up a little bit? We found this great little online store, My Funky Camera that has some great straps! Check them out! They'll make you one trendy camera weilding mama!

And remember only one more day to enter the Frog and the Princess Giveaway --- see above for the link!

The Weekend Edition: Dallas Trendy Moms

2008-08-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

What: CIRCUS BABY

Where: American Airlines Center

When: This weekend (Friday - Sunday) multiple showtimes

Need More Info: http://www.ringling.com/

You can purchase tickets here: http://www.ticketmaster.com/venueartist/98723/804232

************************************************************************************
We NEED you - our readers in other cities --- we are looking for editors to join our team and write weekend editions for the following cities - send an email to jobs@thetrendymommy.com for more information!

Austin * Atlanta * San Francisco * New York * Houston * Boston * Chicago * Miami * Philidelphia * Seattle * Charlotte, NC * Boulder * San Diego * Nashville

Ribbit, Ribbit - did someone say bathtime?

2008-08-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

Tired of the plastic toys all over the tub? Especially if you have an older kid who shares the tub with your 3 year old. I'm sure your preteen would really appreciate not stepping on that squirty duck toy each morning. Why not try this oh so cute (and functional we might add) Frog Pod. You can scoop, rinse, and store your kids bath toys in this cute little froggy. They've thought of everything - you can even store your shampoo and bodywash in the little compartment on the back. Ribbit Ribbit! We found it for $21 at Amazon.com --- so don't pay $39 at Walmart for this little guy!

HELP! Potty Training! AHHH!

2008-08-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

Ok...so the time has come...the dreaded potty training...SIGH

Should you skip the toddler potty and go straight to using the adult toilet? And if you do use a toddler potty - where do you find one and which one should you get? Ahhh, the joys of motherhood or fatherhood for this matter! We certainly don't have the answers....but if you do decide to use a toddler potty - we've got a couple in mind.

All of these can be found at Target.

Peter L. Stavinoha, Ph.D., is a Clinical Neuropsychologist in the Center for Pediatric Psychiatry at Children's Medical Center of Dallas and Associate Professor in Psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He received a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Stavinoha completed a residency in Clinical Neuropsychology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Dr. Stavinoha was named a University of Notre Dame Scholar and was awarded a University of Texas Fellowship. He was named Distinguished Psychologist for 2005 by the Dallas Psychological Association. Dr. Stavinoha specializes in the cognitive, behavioral, and emotional aspects of developmental disabilities and acquired brain injury in children. He is also an expert in general parenting, and is a regular guest on WFAA-TV's Good Morning Texas where he gives parenting advice about common issues facing children and families. He has recently written a book called, Stress Free Potty Training.
For more information on this new book ~ check out this website, http://www.stressfreepottytraining.com/

Here is a snipet from his recent appearance on Good Morning Texas where he discussed his view on Stress Free Potty Training

Potty training is one of many developmental tasks through which we as parents must guide our children. Successful potty training means more than just no more diapers – it is a developmental milestone for a child and an important accomplishment for parents. Potty training is a time when many parents first begin to realize that their children are their own person and do not necessarily share their parents’ desires or agenda. How parents approach this important parenting task can set the stage for how parents will deal with their children regarding many rites of passage throughout childhood. Parents who are in the midst of potty training their toddler soon learn, if they don’t already know, that their child has a mind of his/her own. Parents also quickly learn that they cannot really “control” their child’s potty training. This can be a frustrating and even stressful realization as parents look forward to the next 18 (or more!) years of their child’s development. However, if parents learn to approach potty training in a thoughtful manner and recognize that parents influence, but do not control, child development, then parents and child alike will be able to tackle this developmental challenge in a manner that sets the stage for effective and successful parent guidance throughout their child’s development.

When considering how to best influence the process of potty training, it is important to recognize that every child is unique and individual, and there is not a one-size-fits-all approach. This is an important lesson for parents to learn early on, as it applies to practically every aspect of parenting. One of the things that makes our children unique is their budding personality. Even during the earliest stages of childhood, children show characteristics of temperament and developing personality that are important to consider when making decisions about any parenting issue, including potty training.

Regardless of temperament, parents are setting up a no-win situation if they try to start the process of potty training before the child is ready. Readiness can be broken down into physical readiness (i.e., the child has the fine and gross motor skill necessary to use the potty), cognitive readiness (i.e., the child understands the sequence and concepts involved in using the potty), and emotional readiness (i.e., the child has the desire and confidence to try). Even when a child is ready, parents need to remember that readiness is not the same as willingness – when it comes to potty training, parents cannot do all the work – the child has to participate! Stress Free Potty Training discusses ways to facilitate the process of potty training for your individual child to make it as easy and stress free as possible.

In Stress-Free Potty Training, parents are introduced to five temperament types – The Goal Directed Child, The Sensory-Oriented Child, The Internalizer, the Impulsive Child, and The Strong Willed Child. If a parent determines that their child seems ready for potty training, then awareness of that child’s temperament helps guide the process. Regardless of temperament there are a number of strategies that are useful with any child who is nearing potty training – we call these Universal Strategies. These include strategies such as role modeling potty behavior, practice time on the potty, and time spent without clothes (a strategy we call Nakedtime) to demystify the process of elimination. After the Universal Strategies, a menu of temperament-specific strategies is provided that take advantage of specific characteristics to enhance the potty training process. Stress-Free Potty Training also provides guidance in terms of strategies to avoid with certain temperament types.

Recognizing that there is no cookbook or step-by-step parenting approach that will be successful with every child, Stress-Free Potty Training provides parents with more than just guidance to help their child learn to use the toilet. It provides a model for thoughtful parenting to help children through the many developmental challenges that they will face throughout childhood.

The Trendy Mommy Launch Party 2008

2008-08-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone -We’ve got some exciting news! Due to the growth and popularity of The Trendy Mommy Blog over the past year we've decided to launch a true website, TheTrendyMommy.com!

We're busy working on the website…It is proving to be a rather large task - finding great new products to feature, photos of nurseries and big kid rooms, researching great activities, and a whole lot more - but progress is being made and we're so excited about it!

We plan to launch the site in mid-September - we'll let you know the actual date in a few weeks ---- but boy oh boy is it going to be fun.

We have a mega Launch Party scheduled and are going to be giving away TONS of great stuff! So get ready, tell your friends and anticipate all that is to come!

In the meantime, we'll continue on here with business as normal with our daily posts Mon-Weds and The Weekend Edition on Thursday (for Dallas only - sorry other cities - your day is coming - we promise!!!). Your feedback is appreciated - after all, the goal for thetrendymommy.com is to be a valuable source of information and a timesaver to all you Trendy Mommies out there who want the best information fast without having to search for it!

We're also looking for a few talented Trendy Mommies to write The Weekend Edition for the following cities:

1. Atlanta

2. Austin

3. San Francisco

4. New York

5. Houston

6. Boston

7. Chicago

8. Miami

9. Philidelphia

10. Seattle

11. Charlotte, NC

12. Boulder

13. San Diego

14. Nashville

So if you can write {well} and are always in the know about what's going on in your city for the kidos - shoot us an email at jobs@thetrendymommy.com, let us know where you live and we'll get you more information on this opportunity to become one of our city editors! Please note that pay will be VERY limited in the beginning - but on the flip side the time requirement will also be limited --- email us if you're interested.

Thanks so much and stay tuned for details about the Launch Party and the mega giveaways!

The Weekend Edition: Dallas Trendy Moms

2008-07-31T00:00:00.000-07:00

What: Target First Saturday ~ head to the Nasher Sculpture Center for some family fun. This family event includes family tours, scavenger hunts, and more.

Where: The Nasher Sculpture Center
2001 Flora St.

When: Saturday, August 2, 2008 {10am - 2pm}

Cost: Free

Need More Info: 214-242-5100 www.nashersculpturecenter.org

Rockin' Retro Boys & Girls T's

2008-07-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

I was kind of surprised when strolling by the windows of my local GapKids the other day to see the following retro T's - it just struck me as odd as I can't recall a time before when The Gap has sold a product like this...The shirts are really fun...They have TONS to choose from and they are quite reasonable @ $22.50.

They've got Snoopy, Batman, Little Miss Characters, Strawberry Shortcake, StarWars, The Beatles, and my personal favorite Go Go Speed Racer ---- and they are all retro and worn looking. Check 'em out :)

GIVEAWAY: Boutique Bedding and A Whole Lot More!

2008-07-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

Ever wonder where your friend of a friend's coworker got that AMAZING bedding for her nursery? We found an awesome online boutique, The Frog and The Princess, where you can find all things luxurious for your precious little one ~ from unique and beautiful bedding to car seat covers, and even hand painted toy chests. This store ROCKS!

For the Princesses we especially love their Magic Garden Toy Chest & if you really want to spoil that little princess in your life their Just Too Cute Teaset is a must see!

And for the little Frogs we love the Barn Dandy Teepee & the Monkeying Around Canvas Growth Chart.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

This boutique has such a wide variety of great items - and the prices range so vastly that any budget is sure to find something they must have here...so take a look and see what you'd use a $50 gift certificate towards if you're chosen as the winner of our next fabulous giveaway!

To enter: Visit The Frog and The Princess - take a look around and leave us a comment letting us know what your favorite item is and we'll enter you for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to The Frog and The Princess. Good Luck! Contest ends at midnight on Monday, August 11th.

The winner of the Bags & Buggies Giveaway is: Ginny who said, "I love your Activities Galore category! Love to see more in that :) "

Is My Kid Ready for Kindergarten?

2008-07-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

Information provided by the U.S. Dept of Education

Teachers were asked to complete a survey ranking the most important qualities a child needs to possess to make entry into Kindergarten a success.

The top three qualities public school kindergarten teachers consider essential for school readiness are that a child be:

1) physically healthy, rested and well-nourished;

2) be able to communicate needs, wants, and thoughts verbally;

3) and be enthusiastic and curious in approaching new activities.

More than half the teachers also place significant importance on the ability to follow directions (60 percent), not being disruptive in class (60 percent), being sensitive to other children's feelings (58 percent) and the ability to take turns and share (56 percent).

Of less importance are knowing English (42 percent), the ability to sit still and pay attention (42 percent), and finishing tasks (40 percent).

Of least importance according to kindergarten teachers are good problem-solving skills (24 percent), the ability to identify primary colors and basic shapes (24 percent), the ability to use pencils and paint brushes (21 percent), knowledge of the alphabet ( 10 percent), and the ability to count to 20 (7 percent).

AND Don't forget today is the last day to enter the BAGS AND BUGGIES 3 pairs of BabyLegs contest! {See above for links to all active contests}

The Weekend Edition: Dallas Trendy Moms

2008-07-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

What: YEEEEHAAW, grab those little cowpokes and head to the Mesquite Rodeo

Where: 1818 Rodeo DriveMesquite, Texas 75149

When: Check their calendar - many dates to choose from http://www.mesquiterodeo.com/calendar/

Need More Info: http://www.mesquiterodeo.com/

Giveaway: Unique Bible Verse Name

2008-07-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

Our next feature is such a great gift giving option. Ashley owner of Jesus Name Designs, creates these wonderful HANDWRITTEN names out of Bible verses. That's right ~ Ashley will take verse and write it in the form of the letters in your child's name.

The pictures just do not do this one justice...we've seen them in person and they are so sweet and special. Definitely something a mother or sister or friend would cherish forever if you gave them one with their newly born child's name and a favorite scripture.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Take a look for yourself....and to all those who visit Jesus Name Designs and leave a comment here - you will be entered in a giveaway for a free Bible verse name. If you're the lucky winner Ashley will whip one up for you with the name and verse you provider her with. Giveaway ends midnight August 5th. Very cool!

The Weekend Edition: Dallas Trendy Moms

2008-07-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

What: Movies in the Square

When: Every Saturday nite @ 9:00 PM beginning June 7 through July 26

Where: Frisco Square, movie screen will be located on City Hall Plaza

Cost: FREE

Need More Info: These are showings of family-oriented movies. Refreshments such as snow cones, popcorn and nuts are available. Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy the outdoor movies in comfort.

Movie Schedule: June 7 Wizard of Oz; June 14 Madagascar; June 21 Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory; June 28 Dreamer; July 5 Spiderman; July 12 Superman Returns; July 19 Bee Movie; July 26 Flipper

Crafty Kids

2008-07-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

Wake up the kids, get their creative juices flowing and get them working on a craft project this summer. Oriental Trading has so many to choose from and most are quite reasonable - you can even invite a few of your kids friends over for the fun!

Say Goodbye to JunkMail

2008-07-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

We get so much junk mail at our house and it drives me absolutely insane. I used to like going to the mailbox - but the increase in the trash received on a daily basis has turned this once fun excercise into something I dread. The piles that I create all around the house - on the entry way table, on the kitchen counter, on the stairs - JUNK JUNK JUNK! So what can we do about all this unwanted trash we receive daily?

Check out GreenDimes - they promise to reduce your postal junk mail by up to 90%....and they have two ways to do it - they will give you the tools/tips and you can do it yourself for free - or they will do it all for you for $20. I'm seriously considering the $20 option- wouldn't it be nice to not have to deal with all that extra trash??

The Weekend Edition: Kids Eat Free!

2008-07-10T10:14:00.000-07:00

Sometimes there's a budget crunch - but you just don't want to stay in...Cut the cost of dining out by being smart --- take advantage of Kids Eat Free at several local restaurants!

We found this great site that lists major restaurants by day of the week and the specials they offer --- DEFINITELY worth checking out http://www.coupondivas.com/kids-eat-free/.

We found this other site that lets you search by location (may pick up some of those restaurants that are not widespread like on the coupondivas site) - http://www.mykidseatfree.com/ - where you can search by state and then city and find out which area restaurants offer free kids food and on what day. We did the search for Dallas (and surrounding cities), Texas and these are a few of what we found. ENJOY!

1) Central Market Cafe320 Coit Road Plano, TX469-241-8300Kids Eat Free on Tuesdays with purchase of Adult Entree Nights: Tues Click to visit us On-line

2) Dickey's Barbecue Pit1441-A Coit Road Plano, TX972-867-2901Kids Eat Free every Sunday at all Dickey's Barbecue Pit Restaurants Nights: Sat Click to visit us On-line

3) The Black-eyed Pea 1905 Preston Road Plano, TX972-248-6096Bring the Family any Tuesday Night after 5. For each paying adult entree purchased, any kids meal on the kids menu is FREE. Kids through age 12Nights: Tues Click to visit us On-line

4) Bennigan’s305 Central Expressway N.Allen, TX972-747-9627Kids eat free Tues night between 4 and 8 p.m.Nights: Tues

Giveaway Winners & a chance to win some Baby Legs!

2008-07-09T00:18:00.001-07:00

We have some winners to announce today --- and a NEW GIVEAWAY!

Drum roll please....and the winners of the $25 MonkeeMoos gift certificate and the Paisley Baby Wet Bag are......as selected by the random number generator....

MonkeeMoos - Lynn who said, "We would definitely have to have the gator loafers, too cute! Also love the 'sky romper' by tea...precious. I love our slings, so maybe another?! Good stuff! "

Paisley Baby - Jennifer who said, "I would pick the Safari pattern. Thanks for the chance to win! "

New Giveaway!!!!! Enter today!

Roll Away Baby - not a problem anymore!

2008-07-08T00:00:00.000-07:00

We absolutely love this next product review - The Manhattan Momma Patemm Pad Diaper Bag. This item is extremely practical and oh so very compact {measuring 8x8x2 when folded - making it easy to toss in any bag}. We think the design of this not so ordinary changing pad is ingenious! - We all know that changing a baby on the go is always a little stressful and you are having to constantly worry about little babycakes rolling to one side or the other and off your changing pad and onto who knows what....and that's why we love this changing pad!

We found this changing pad at Bags and Buggies which carries all kinds of hip designer diaper bags, brand name strollers, innovative changing pads, baby slings and carriers. They also offer FREE SHIPPING on all US orders - gotta love that! We love this site - and all the products they offer - like their oh so trendy Baby Shower Favors --- seriously these are not your ordinary favors - these are fun so take a look!

And their adorable Baby Gift Sets - what a precious gift to give to an expecting mom. We love the 5 Little Monkeys Gift Set ~ but there are soooooooo many others that are just as cute!

The Weekend Edition: Dallas Trendy Moms

2008-07-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

Fireworks Baby!

The metroplex has so many great firework displays this weekend. Here are just a few:

Star Spangled 4th July4th, 10 a.m.-midnight. Enjoy crafts, live music and entertainment, art, car and motorcycle shows, parade, and fireworks at the Firewheel Town Center in Garland.

Dallas Booms! at Fair Park July 4th, 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Live music, free museum admission after 4 p.m., and food available at Fair Park. Fireworks after dark. No coolers, lawn chairs and a picnic blanket are allowed.

Addison Kaboom Town July 3rd, 5 p.m.-midnight. Fireworks can be seen from anywhere in Addison, so you don't have to actually go into Addison Circle Park. However if you want food, music, rock climbing wall, giant slide, and warplane fly-bys from the Cavanaugh Flight Museum these will be at Addison Circle Park, 4970 Addison Circle Drive in Addison.

Lone Stars and Stripes Fireworks Celebration July 3rd and 4th, 3 p.m.-11 p.m. Pony rides, bounce houses, a petting zoo, clowns, and other fun stuff during the races, and fireworks after the last race at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie.

City of Bedford 4thFest July 4th, noon-11 p.m. Concert, food, family activities, a parade, and fireworks will be at the Bedford Boys Ranch at 2801 Forest Ridge Drive in Bedford. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and coolers. No alcohol. Admission is free, but there is no parking at the Bedford Boys Ranch, except for those with handicap signs or plates. Park at Pennington Field at 1501 Central Drive in Bedford and catch the shuttle for $3 per person.

Quad Cities Family 4th July 4th, 9:30 p.m. Twenty minutes of fireworks will take off at the North Richland Hills Village Center, 6351 Boulevard 26 in Richland Hills at the intersection of Highway 26 and Highway 183 inside Loop 820.

Patriotic Concert and Fireworks Celebration July 4th, 5 p.m.-10 p.m. The Irving Symphony Orchestra will put on a concert starting at 8:30 p.m. Food and beverages will be available. No coolers or alcohol permitted. Admission is free. The concert and fireworks will be at Williams Square Plaza (5215 North O'Connor Boulevard) in Las Colinas in Irving.

All-America Fourth Fireworks in Plano July 4th, 9:30 p.m. The city of Plano will have a fireworks show at the Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve at 2801 Spring Creek Parkway. Some food and beverages will be available for purchase. Free parking will be at Collin County Community College and First United Methodist Church of Plano. Radio station KLAK 97.5 will have a simulcast during the fireworks show.

Frisco will have a fireworks display after the FC Dallas and Rough Riders game on the 4th.

FREEDOM with a new FREESTYLE

2008-07-02T00:07:00.000-07:00

Is this a joke? A breast pump the size of a ipod? Where oh where were you when I was working?? Having to haul this huge jingle jangle backpack containing Mr. Heavy Noisy Pump down past all my NOT SO UNSUSPECTING coworkers and into the storage closet so I could pump at work....Man, if this thing actually works - I have to say THANK YOU to the engineers and design team on behalf of all working mothers who choose to pump at work! Medela launched this pump - the Freestyle in February of this year touting that it took five years to research and come up with the technology to make this possible. Many great features from this one including a charge time of one week! WOW! Small - weighs only one pound and can fit in the palm of your hand.