Mama Speaks

Excite Books

the site: Excite Books

the stuff: Excite is sort of like Netflix for kids books.

• Just choose a monthly membership plan [$5 shipping fee plus...]
  
  • 1 book per month [$5]
  • 2 books per month [$10]
  • 3 books per month [$15]
• Choose an age or grade level
  • Infant
  • Toddler
  • 1st - 5th Grade
  • Teen
  • Cookbooks
  • Puzzle Books
• The Books are shipped to your door
• You (or your kids) read them
• Best of all there's no need to return them! BUT after 12 books are shipped to you Excite will send you an envelope so you can donate some (or all, or none) of your books to school library in need.

the pros: All of the books are age appropriate by category and "teacher approved". You don't need to return anything, can cancel anytime and can try it out for a month for free!

the cons: This really is a great service but we were disappointed at the prevalence of character and movie/television themed books, especially in the infant and toddler categories.

GrowInStyle

the site: GrowInStyle.com

the stuff: Diaper Cakes! [$9-$150] Before you roll your eyes, know that these aren't your Mama's diaper cakes. They're still the perfect baby shower gift or centerpiece but we're talking organic, natural, safe and a whole lot of cute. All diaper cakes are 100% pure, natural and baby safe.

best sellers: Choose from several predesigned styles or design one yourself. Grow in Style also has a great collection of BPA teethers and Organic toys.

Win it!
We're giving away a $50 gift certificate to Grow in Style! To enter, email giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com with Diaper Cakes as your subject. Giveaway ends December 10, 2008.

Vie Maternity & Childrens

the site: Vie Maternity & Children's

the stuff: Another North of the border boutique that delivers big. From maternity and nursing wear to cute baby clothes and shoes you'll find some of the hottest brands and sweet styles at Vie. Mama's to be or searching for the perfect new baby gift

our faves: With winter on the way we love the JKT NAGU coat [$165] to keep your bump warm. Mambino [$7-$63] brings the best in soaps and butters for Mama's and baby and the Canadian made baby blankets [$65] are the perfect gift for any new arrival.

Win it!
We're giving away a $50 gift certificate to Vie Maternity. Simply submit your suggestion for our tag line contest to giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com by 11.15.08.

KidZui

the site: KidZui 

the details:  The internet for kids aged 3-12, KidZui is a browser and online service that offers 1.5 million kid-friendly Web sites, videos and pictures that have all been reviewed by trained parents and teachers. The parent site continues to keep things safe by allowing you to manage and oversee your child's online environment. (please note that even with KidZui we at Mama Speaks recommend using the internet with a child in this target age range)

membership: Free! You and your kids can thoroughly enjoy KidZui for free. There is also a membership option available ($5/mo or $50/year) that gives you extra content and management tools.

additional features: KidZui recently partnered with Parents.com, integrating editorial content into the KidZui parents site. Just today, KidZui has announced a major expansion with tons of awesome features.

• Kid-Safe Social Networking - This mini-Myspace meets Facebook allows kids to create their own avatars and profile page where they can see their events, tags, visitors and friends. As an extra safegaurd all friends have to be approved by the child and parent. Kids can even befriend the presidential candidates!
• Homework Helper - The teacher designed system allows children from kindergarten through 8th grade to select their grade level and study subject and then displays related topics and content so kids can easily find the best resources.
• WiredTrust Best Practice Seal - The first ever awarded to a children's site, KidZui received the honor for showing a commitment to safety and risk management.

Win it!
We're giving away a one-year paid membership to KidZui! To enter, email giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com with Zui as your subject and let us know which feature appeals to you most. Giveaway ends 10.16.08

Nayla Natural Care

the site: Nayla Natural Care "Helping families raise their families healthily, safely and comfortably right from the start."

the stuff: This Canadian one stop shop has a slew of natural products to provide your family (and yourself of course) with the best care through all your stages. From pregnancy and breast feeding to feeding and bathing any child you'll easily find the best of the best. And don't worry, shipping to the US is quick and affordable.

best sellers: You'll find Earth Mama Angel Baby and many more products you're familiar with but we're loving those you can't find anywhere else, at the top of our list are the All Things Jill, Mom-To-Be Survival Kit [$40] and Think Sport Reusable bottles [$28].

Win it!
We're giving away a $50 gift certificate to Nayla Natural Care! To enter, just head on over and complete our 2008 Reader Survey (it will take about 5 minutes). Giveaway ends October 10, 2008.

Vote For America's Best Baby Boutique

You know we are all about the little guy, those amazing baby boutiques that dot our country bringing you all the great goodies we adore, make us swoon! Now you have the chance to give a little something back!

In partnership with Pregnancy Magazine, The Cradle wants "to find the best of the best, and honor those shops that go above and beyond baby basics!" The search is on for America's Best Baby Boutique so head on over and nominate that shop that brings a little something special to your babies 'hood.

Not only will the winning boutique be featured on The Cradle and in Pregnancy Magazine but you'll be entered to win a $3000 Celebrity Bump Bag from Jewels and Pinstripes.

iLunchBox

the site: iLunchBox.com

the details: iLunchBox is a gorgeous site that strives to make lunch time EASY (and succeeds)! Featuring simple recipes and meals with a focus on health and portability and so much more. In addition to the feel good food, the site is loaded with tips and tricks to cut time and improve the quality of meals. The articles and resources section has some great info and links on everything from ingredient substitutions to special dietary needs and improving your schools lunch program (yes, please!)

additional resources: iLunchBox is jam packed full of good eats and yummy info, but be sure to click over to the editor's blog for more awesome info.

SitterCity

the site: SitterCity

the details:  From nannies, babysitters and tutors to senior care, pet and house sitters, Sitter city is a great resource to search for the perfect person you're looking for.

membership: You can do a preliminary search to find sitters for free just by typing in your zip code. But in order to access contact info, references and background checks you'll need to become a member. Fees are $39.99 for the first month and $9.99/month thereafter, or $7.99/month billed in the one-time annual sum of $95.88.

additional resources: SitterCity offers many features other services don't from a comprehensive library with articles and info to a rate calculator to see what nannies in your area should be paid. While my personal opinion has always been, if you need a nanny cam you need a new nanny, cameras do provide comfort for many. SitterCity now offers a video monitoring service that allows you to log into your computer and see what's going on with your child in real time while you're away.

Want it?
Save 10% off registration with code SCSAVE10

Savvy Auntie

the site: Savvy Auntie

the details: Finally, a site for women who love kids that isn't directed at Mama's (not that there is anything wrong with THOSE sites of course!) Started by Auntie extraordinaire Melanie Notkin, Savvy Auntie, is an impeccable resource for Aunts, godmothers, girlfriends and all women who love kids. Whether you're looking for expertise and advice on issues from special needs to books and learning some amazing info is just a click away. Savvy Auntie also boasts forums galore for Aunties to connect with off one another. And our favorite,  activities arena has a slew of things to do with your beloved nieces and nephews of any age.

PS- Savvy Auntie is brand spankin' new and still in it's beta stage so keep an eye out as it continues to evolve and please be patient with any hiccups!

Chew on This

the site: Blog Nosh Magazine

the details: A one stop blog mag for finding awesome stories buried on blogs you might not visit otherwise.

Blog Nosh finds magazine quality posts from bloggers all over the web and reheats them for you in one sweet spot. You won't find teasers and feed lists here, but full republished posts you can read while still clicking on by to the original blog.

Biggest criteria? All post's are past their front page prime. Even better yet, this isn't just a collection of works by the who's who mega-bloggers who are cool for being cool, but quality posts from bloggers you likely have never heard of, who can seriously write. And write they will. With channels covering everything from Art & Design, Family and Overcoming Adversity, you can easily find the type of stories you like to read and I'm certain you'll find yourself reading many you never would have sought out yourself.

Hungry? Go nosh!