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!

Bargains & Steals

If our children, interests, or mere occupancy of planet Earth can't bring us Mamas together there is one thing that can. Bargains. Kids are expensive and unfortunately they do nothing but increase our need for cute, useful stuff. Thankfully, this is also one area us Mamas can count on one another. There are a couple of sites that have sprung up to ensure we get the best deal on some awesome goods. Even better, they bring one product at a time and have it posted until it sells out, so you're not overwhelmed. If you like it, steal it, if not, keep checking back. Here they are, behold and bookmark at will!

the site: BabySteals.com

the stuff: Maternity necessities and baby needs

the details: New steals are posted at 9am MST M-F and run until they're all sold out. Sign up for RSS Alerts to be the first to hear about the latest steal. Easy enough?!

the current steal: JP Lizzy Blue Bubblegum Day Tote [$19.50, 50% off retail of $39.00]

the site: MamaBargains.com

the stuff: Super cool products for moms, dads, and children 10 and under.

the details: One bargain is posted at a time and all prices are 50%-80% off of retail!

the current steal: Red Castle Stroller with Newborn Set [$435, 57% off retail of $1019.95]

Giving DIY a Try

the site: YouCanMakeThis.com

the details: A haven for the dead set DIY and crafty set while an equally unintimidating intro for those who just want to give creating a try. You Can Make This features more than 700 projects from crocheting skull caps to photography projects, baby clothes to cool handbags. Instructions are simple, easy to read and delivered as a snazzy little e-book. Almost all of the projects are under $10 and when you consider the fact you don't have to drive anywhere or pay for shipping that's definitely a steal.

giving back: There is a category full of patterns and projects that benefit or raise awareness for causes we can all stand behind. My favorite? A pattern for these way too cute preemie fruit orchard hats, provided in hope that some kind soul will create them and donate to a local NICU. And thankfully, people do. My son happens to have one in his box of NICU treasures.

Win it!
We're giving away one project of the winners choice! To enter, email giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com with DIY as your subject. Let us know which project you'd like to try.

Nannies4Hire

the site: Nannies4Hire.com

the details: A search hub for US and Canadian families looking for a nanny, babysitter or mothers helper.

membership: While you can do a preliminary search for free if you are serious about finding the perfect fit for your family we recommend becoming a member. With packages available from $129-$299 you'll find access to the complete Nannies4Hire database, plus additional resources such as criminal history and background checks.

additional resources: Finding someone to entrust with the care of your little ones is daunting and difficult. Nannies4hire makes the entire process a breeze. From the nanny search and back end that allows you to rate and save notes about each nanny to sample interview questions and reference checking. On the business side of things the site also have many invaluable tools to help with the pay structure that comes with having a family employee.

Bonus!
Each person who registers through Mama Speaks will also receive a free copy of the Nannies4hire book "100 Tips for Nannies and Families"

Warm Biscuit Bedding Company

the site: Warm Biscuit Bedding Company

the stuff: Specializing in vintage inspired baby and children's bedding, Warm Biscuit, offers up an amazing selection of kid's decor from linens to furniture and decor. You'll even find a vast selection of classic toys that little ones are sure to love.

best sellers: Custom furniture and curtains will easily give your nursery an edge and mean no hard work for you. And be sure to check out the gift shop where buys are categorized by need, so you can quickly find that perfect gift.

giving back: Warm Biscuit's Dream Design Ambassadors program rewards their best customers and friends. You can earn reward credits for every dollar you and your friends spend online, receive coupons to share and get a sneak peek at new products and offers. Sounds great to us!

Win it!
We're giving away a $50 gift certificate to Warm Biscuit Bedding Co. To enter, email giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com with Biscuit as your subject. We'd love to know what item is at the top of your wish list.

Be Design

So You Can Be You

Blogging is a fabulous way to express yourself and your thoughts, and those words in your little place here on the Internet deserve to be styled with as much personality and uniqueness as you'd decorate your own home. It says everything about you to anyone that stops by.

Be Design is a brand new blog design service created by two fabulous women that promise to make you lovely if you want to primp, modern if that's your thing, simple if you think less is more, or funky if you just want to have fun. A custom blog design [$60] ensures that you'll stand out above the rest and most likely will get people to take notice and visit your blog again. If you're not ready to make a big commitment to the total makeover just yet, a custom header [$30] will add a nice touch to any blog.

Currently Be Design can assist Blogger, Typepad, & Wordpress users and has a waiting list of about four weeks. So get on the list- you don't want to wait any longer!

The Be Design girls have a flair for knowing just the right fit for your writing style, but your suggestions add your own personal touch. They work quickly and efficiently, and listen to the visions you have for your own blog, incorporating it into a design you never could have thought up on your own! And if you don't care about having a blog that gets notice, then do it for you. You deserve to look good- inside and out and online.

Want it?
Mention Mama Speaks for 25% orders placed by June 10th.

-Steph

Skimbaco

The Site: Skimbaco A lifestyle boutique featuring unique finds and luxury gifts for everyone who’s anyone.

The stuff: Skimbaco is a family owned and operated boutique that offers a wide array of brand names and designer products for every member of the family. You’re sure to discover a slew of great finds that definitely have the “it” factor, from clothing and shoes to bags and jewelry. And you’ll be  delighted to learn that the products featured are both environmentally and socially conscious. 

The best sellers: Hands down the hottest thing going right now are the Ladybug shoes Tom Cruise touted as Suri’s favorites on the Oprah show.

Giving back: Skimbaco’s Spread Sunshine program benefits orphaned children around the world through donations to Hope International.

Want it? Mama Speaks readers get 10% off purchases with code MAMASPEAKS

Win it! We're giving away a personalized kids baseball cap from BLUME to enter, email giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com with Skimbaco as your subject and let us know the name of Skimbaco's owner (and former Mama Speaks contributor!) extraordinarie.

Checking it Twice

The site: ListPlanit
One stop for over 300 ready made lists to organize your world.

The stuff:
Lists, lists, and more lists. Everything is categorized by need, you just search, click, print and fill in. You'll find grocery lists, meal planners, babysitting checklists and anything else you can imagine that needs a list.

Membership:
Cost is $5/month, $10/3 months, $30/12 months

Win it!
We're giving away two 12 month memberships to ListPlanit! To enter, email giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com, with List as your subject. Giveaway ends May 3, 2008.

Mommybar

the site: Mommybar Toolbar

the details: Mommybar is a downloadable toolbar for your web browser

the features: Mommybar brings all of the things you need into one location. In the listings you'll find Mom blogs, discussion boards, shopping links, online resources and podcasts. Plus an RSS coupon feed that is updated every 5 seconds, email notifier and a google search bar.

Leader of the Pack

the site: Alltop. All the top stories and sites gathered into one shiny little place

the details: Alltop currently has several categories ("aggregations") of content that pull from the best of the best on the web. Each is a breeze to sort though and we're drawn to everything from news and geekery, to our favorite, living category where there is a section just for us Moms. Within each category you'll find a list of sites and their last 3-5 posts. A quick mouse over will give you a quick summary of the content/story, all before you need to click on through.

Aside from the amazing sites features we love that the design is so simple and clean. For us busy Mama's with little time to spare, it's a gift to be able to glean as much as possible as quick as we can. Alltop is updated every 10 minutes which means you're always getting the latest. And, well, it might just help that we're listed too.

A Passion for Pollock

the site: JacksonPollock.org

the fun: Enter the url and you're there. Move your mouse around and create your own masterpiece reminiscent of the master. (I mean, your kids can create their own masterpiece) It is seriously addictive.

the tips: Just move your mouse around to create your lines (faster = thinner, slower= thicker). Left click to change colors. Space bar to delete.

DouDou Bebe

       

Do Be Do

A Mama & Baby gift emporium! DouDou Bebe is literally a one-stop online shop for all the necessities of Motherhood, and of course the special extras along the way.
      

Pregnant bellies rejoice at the invention of the Belly Band. The budding pooch on my body is digging the amazing Belleze fully-adjustable belly tube. And in Disco Dots [$41], no less! Add life onto your non-maternity clothes and also maintain comfort and modesty post-partum with belly tubes. I’m wondering how I ever got by without them!

 

Carry your bundle on the outside in style with DouDou Bebe’s wide and colorful selection of slings and carriers. I wholeheartedly approve of the Zoie Stretch Sateen Hotsling [$61] and maybe I’m also craving the Chocolate Woven Moby D Wrap [$67] just a bit…
      

Entertain baby with natural and unusual toys- swell gifts for new Mama friends or keepsakes for your own little one from DouDou like the Heirloom Baby Rattle [$14] or delight the older kids with a wide array of Play Silks [$11] - all sure to be crowd pleaser's.
 

Keep those tiny legs covered with Skid Pants [$17] funky and fabulous baby leggings perfect for keeping warm, protecting heavy crawlers’ knees, and potty training time! Save $10 and go all year round with the Skid Pants Three Season Pack [$36]. Splurge in super-softness with the Baby Welcome Gift Set [$122] filled with a sweet nightie, hat, booties and large blanket- all available in pink, blue, or yellow. Destined to cradle baby in luxury and become a keepsake forever.
      

Next time you want to show up to a shower with a good gift, or just need to pamper yourself or baby, DouDou Bebe is the place to do.

-Steph

blueHouse

Mi Casa, Blue Casa

Call me a lucky mama, but Baltimore has some really great shops sprinkled throughout this fine city.  One of my favorites, residing just outside of Fell’s Point, is Bluehouse, which is not just a store, it’s a lifestyle. And not just any lifestyle, but a sustainable lifestyle we should all strive to obtain.  That aside, it’s a darn fun place to shop.

Bluehouse is another full service destination shop, stocking everything organic, recycled, sustainable or fairly traded for you, your home and your babies whether human or animal.  And with their full café menu and free wi-fi, it has quickly become one of my favorite escapes.   The selection at Bluehouse is vast but not overwhelming.  They have everything from major pieces of furniture to recycled pet beds and everything in between.  One of my son’s favorite gifts from Santa this year was discovered in this enormous safe shopping haven, the Earth Wagon by Radio Flyer.  For you newly child, this is a great place to start your baby off on the right foot with their selection of natural body care and organic attire and accessories from designers like Salvor Fauna.

There really is too much to list here but if you are out for eco-friendly needs or just a good time, Bluehouse can meet both desires.  Like their selection of Earth, and people, friendly goodies, Bluehouse itself practices what they preach from their fresh and natural café ingredients to their low-VOC paint and recycled or sustainable materials used in their own store renovation. They may be Bluehouse but they are making my life more green.  Being within driving distance of such a fine establishment does make me lucky but don’t be jealous, many of their products can be purchased directly from their website. So we can all enjoy the pleasure of shopping Bluehouse (even on those days I can’t convince myself to shed my pajamas.)

- Cara

 

Mom 4 Life

The site: Mom 4 Life
All the essentials of mothering, from conception to toilet training, in one sweet site.

The stuff:
Mom 4 Life is a true one stop shop for pregnancy, baby days and beyond, featuring over 700 handpicked products that are all invented by Moms! Here you'll find the latest styles from the hottest brands and the prices can't be beat. Also features an easy to use gift registry for Mama's to be.

The best sellers:
Baby legs, Baby Au Lait Nursing Covers and LilyPadz

Giving back:
10% of all proceeds are donated to Open Arms Pregnancy Care Center.

Save:
Mama Speaks readers get 6% off all purchases at Mom 4 Life.

Win it!
We're giving away a pair of LilyPadz, a must for newly nursing moms. To enter, email giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com, with Mom4Life as your subject. Giveaway ends Feb 26, 2008.

LiliPip

My New Secret Weapon

With 99% of the US population (ok, so it's not that high) toting around an iPod, Blackberry, Zune or some other breed of electronic music/movie player it was only a matter of time before something popped up for little one's. Enter LiliPip, the new mobile media site for kids 2-7, that's soon to become the iTunes of the wee generation.

Started by an ambitious mom looking for a way to make those idle waits at the doctor or dinner a little more enjoyable, LiliPip's pages provides content for kids that is not only cool but ad free. And unlike other sites which feature commercial cartoon characters the clips you'll find here are uniquely created by independent artists. As such they are mini moving works of art that are certain to captivate kids and parents alike.

The site is still in it's beta, so expect some hiccups, but with the free previews and inexpensive downloads [$0.99 a clip] we think LiliPip is worth running over to check out with a quickness. And it's easy too- just browse, download, and play whenever a patient little person experiences an attack of the antsy pants.

Blue Eye Boy

If you hadn't noticed we're a little heavy on the boys here at Mama Speaks. Among our 6 Mama's we have 12 kids (+1 on the way!), 10 of which are boys. Boys all boys. And I don't know how many of you out there share our male to female ratio's but if you even have one boy in your midst you know how hard shopping can be. Enter the infant/toddler/child section at any store and you will be greeted with a slew of cute and fashionable girly wears and one leeetle, teeny section of boy clothes. Most of which are solid and plain or covered in trucks or sports paraphernalia. Yay.

And so we high tail it to the internets where boyness abounds thanks to shops like Blue Eye Boy. "At Blue Eye Boy you will find durable toddler and youth size apparel that can withstand any hard day of play, yet compliment your little guy's unique sense of style. You will also find strong well-built toys and unique boy decor items." They're always stocked up on our favorite boy brands like the always hard to find Knuckleheads and have their own line of necklaces for the big boys (that we will under NO circumstance refer to as jewelry!)

So whether you have one little boy or 10 head on over to our favorite Blue Eyed boutique and enjoy that you won't find any pink, ribbons or ruffles anywhere (unless it's for Mama of course!)

Win it!
We have a Blue Eyed Boy necklace for one little sports fan. To enter, email giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com by midnight January 22 with Blue Eyes as your subject.

Bembo's Zoo

Free Day at the Zoo

Much to our child’s dismay, we try to limit screen time, both TV and PC. Can you tell we're still on our first kid? Yes there are plenty of educational shows out there that will only partially rot your brain but nothing replaces a good old fashion book to teach the ABCs. But even we can admit it is nice to change it up occasionally by clicking on over to Bembo's Zoo and watch letters come to life.

Unlike other programs which are geared specifically towards children, Bembo’s Zoo appeals to all ages.  It doesn't have any cartoon characters but what it lacks in annoying silly songs, it makes up for with visually appealing graphics, a minimal color palette and modern design. No this isn't something that is so modern only the parents like, it’s even at the top of our two year olds list. We both love watching the letters float and twist and multiply to take the form of corresponding animals, D (Dragon) being the current running favorite.

Now unless your kid is handy with a mouse this is one site you'll have to navigate. No plopping him down in front of the computer by himself for hours, which sounds so tempting, but this will encourage dialog about the visually captivating lesson at hand. It’s so captivating we wouldn't be surprised if you are caught at the office brushing up on you own alphabet skills sans kid.

If you happen to have more of a no screen time policy, you don't have to miss out either. The hardcopy book is also available and if it’s anything like the website, it’s a must for any home library and art collection.

Apples'n'Oranges

As you peruse the web, scanning store after store for the freshest and most unique of items, it can start to feel like you’re seeing the same things behind every link.  Thankfully, one click at Apples‘n’Oranges, and you know you’ve hit the jackpot.  Filled with hip shoes and funky outfits, one of the most intriguing aspect of Apples‘n’Oranges is that they carry only Canadian products. Supporting local mama’s and their community, Apples‘n’Oranges strives to provide the latest fresh wares for moms and kids everywhere. 

Launched by two mama’s, each with a little boy of her own, Apples‘n’Oranges carries some of the coolest pieces for boys I’ve ever seen.  Having 3 boys of my own, I know all too well how limited boys’ selections can be. It’s nice to see a line like Kid Brother, which specializes in boys clothing, available for my son Charlie who just informed me that hereafter he wants to be called “Jet”.  Anyone named “Jet” will need clothes that can live up to their name, so Kid Brother and even Rock & Rattle can keep my boy from looking like all the other boys on the block.

In addition to the adorable boys items, Apples‘n’Oranges also has a few lines that are exclusively sold at their shop. Peekaboo Beans is a line of comfy and stylish clothes for boys and girls, that are sure to become staples of your little mod child’s wardrobe.  You can also find exclusive accessories, such as Gramma’s Hats and Apples’n’Oranges bibs (the latter made by the Apples’n’Oranges mamas themselves).  Another way they’re helping their community, $13 of each $18 Gramma’s Hat goes to the local children’s hospital.  No worries for the little girls in your life, because Apples’n’Oranges also has an extensive line for girls that includes leggings, dresses, shoes and more.

We wouldn’t leave you hanging, so head on over to Apples’n’Oranges right now and you can get 15% off your order by entering  MAMAS15 at checkout.  Happy shopping!

Win it!
We're also giving away two super cute bibs from Apples'n'Oranges! To enter just send an email to giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com by midnight January 03 with ANO as your subject.

-Arianne

True Learning

So True

Not all children learn at the same pace. I have three sons and know this first hand. Each, with their own unique personality, also comes with their own way of learning and developing. True Learning [$20] understands the individual schedule of your child’s growing mind. Its personalized learning system takes a different approach than most early-childhood teaching, allowing your child to keep up at his or her own speed.

With a wide range of resources for Literacy, Math, Motor Skills, Art, Thinking and World, True Learning’s award-winning curriculum has 4 levels of advancement and 6 core subjects for teaching your preschooler. Printing the worksheets right from your computer is a pleasant convenience. And just 15 minutes a day is all that True Learning recommends to taking a big step in the right learning direction.

One thing I’ve definitely learned since sending my older boys off to school is that learning doesn’t just stay in school- there is a lot to be supplemented by Mom & Dad at home, especially when your student might be struggling in a certain area. True Learning offers a valuable head start by preparing both parents and children for many years of learning to come.

-Steph

Webbed - Recalled Toy Alert

Guardian Angels

Are you tired of all the toy recall talk yet?  Yeah, me too. Unfortunately, they are probably far from over and how is a busy parent to keep up? Especially with the busiest shopping time of year upon us. It’s hard enough to keep track of our kids, period, and we may not have the time to sit down and peruse the morning paper or catch every second of the nightly news, in fear that yet another item intended for our precious bundles is deemed toxic. Safety is always our first priority and thankfully the mama behind RecalledToyAlert.com has our back.

RecalledToyAlert.com was a natural progression once recall after recall started to hit, and was designed with one thing in mind:  to keep busy parents easily informed and children safe. Sure we can check out the government run Consumer Product Safety Commission but who has time to sift through their overwhelming pages of links?  Pulling the same data as the CPSC, RecalledToyAlert has an easy to use interface – one click and you fall directly into the recalls which are sorted by date. If you’re looking for something specific, the search feature will save you loads of time and you can easily forward recall information to anyone with an email address. If you just can’t bear to see another recall, you can simply “Browse Best Toys” and go right for the good guys, however, I do wish detailed information on the “best toys” was included so I knew why they have achieved such a title.

As most parents these days, this topic is one I’m very passionate about, and still I was surprised to see that some recalled items slid under my busy-mama radar.  Now I can sign up to receive recalls by email  and never fall behind again.

While you’re sending out your baby’s holiday wish list this year, RecalledToyAlert.com should be the first link at the top of your list.  It’s tough to manage on our own, help ensure the gift givers are giving something safe.

- Cara