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Christmas in July…
I love the holiday season, it’s cozy, happy and it keeps me with a constant lump in my throat with the anticipation of what is to come. I cry every Christmas morning when I watch the kids open their gifts; I work really hard to make sure that they have something that makes them smile.

Don’t get me wrong. I love the July holidays! (Yes, my birthday is a July Holiday)

The 4^th of July and its berry cakes, and grilled corn on the cob are all AMAZING. The fireworks and laughing families late into the evening are delightful and would warm anyone’s heart.

But nothing matches the December holiday season.

Every Christmas, I get an ornament for my best friend. He and I have been doing that for 15 years, I am always looking for a new one for him. This last year, I got him a Raiders ornament. Against my better judgment, but it is his favorite team, so I had to put my distaste aside.

Then I found this fabulous site. It’s called Yonder Star (Yonderstar.com) such a cute name and amazing things on the site. Great gift ideas, but I LOVE these ornaments I found.Here are the things I’d suggest:

For your chef friend, How about:

 

For the chocolate lover in your life:

For those that love milk, like our little toddlers, how about this?

However, the winner for me is this ornament! How cool is this? Heck… It is going be my new thing I hang on the fridge with a sheet of paper under it “Check Yes or No”. That way, I know before I come home what I’m picking up!!

What is your favorite ornament you found on the site? Who would you give it to?

~by Lilith Silvermane
Lipstick to Crayons contributing writer

Are you of the lucky few whose kids have grandparents that give the best gifts without any prompting or hint dropping? Good for you because the vast majority of us have parents and in-laws who are clueless when it comes to gift giving.

My mother has to be the worst gift giver ever. She tends to buy my kids gifts that she wanted as a kid. She insists my daughters should have a collectible Barbie for every occasion even though my oldest daughter has made it quite clear that she has never liked to play with Barbies. This is the same daughter who will need therapy as an adult when she starts having flashbacks from the days when grandma made her wear stiff polyester pinafore dresses trimmed in itchy lace.

Sometimes my mother does choose a great gift or toy for my kids but they are not age appropriate. She seems to think her grandchildren are much younger than they are. Maybe that’s her way of preventing them from growing up too fast. The sad thing is my kids have figured out what a lousy gift giver grandma is but are learning how to graciously accept her gifts. I actually role play with my kids on how to not let grandma know that her gift sucks since she tends to get her feelings hurt easily. Why is it that the worst gift givers are always the most indignant that you must love their gift and tell them often just how wonderful their gift is?

My kids have perfected the art of telling grandma that her gift is their favorite.

I’ve lost all hope that my mother will get a clue and assure my kids that one day they will be able to laugh about grandma’s gifts. ~Kristie

This post is a part of the Parent Bloggers Network’s latest Blog Blast, sponsored by the Grandkids Gift Guide. Post anytime this weekend- Friday, May 16 through Sunday, May 18. Then email the link to your post at parentbloggers@gmail.com. You could win a fab prize!

 

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I am thrilled to share our latest product review for a personalized storybook from custommadeforkids.com.

I was sent The First Adventures of Incredible You which was customized by me filling out an order form that contained 17 questions. The questions are generic enough that they can pertain to just about any family but felt specific to my family when I read the finished product. It feels like the book was written just for my family with specifics such as my youngest splashing in the tub with her sister or how everyone comes running when daddy makes brownies.

I created the book for my youngest who is two. She absolutely loves the book and how could she not with such colorful illustrations and her name along with personal details written into the story?

I have given and received many personalized books over the years and must say that this is by far the best I’ve ever read. The quality of the book is superb right down to how my child’s name and other personal information is integrated into the story. It truly feels like it was written just for us.

I’m not the only parent who feels this book is the bomb. The First Adventures of Incredible You is the winner of the iParenting Media Award for Outstanding Product in the Gift category. This award winning book is the perfect gift for keepsake baby gifts, baptism gifts, birthday gifts, or holiday gifts for newborns and young children. Not only is it a great gift for children but also for grandparents and expecting parents.

Take the virtual tour yourself to see how beautifully crafted this book is.

A big thanks to custommadeforkids.com for providing us with such a treasure to review. Not your ordinary personalized storybook indeed! ~Kristie

I have always loved accessorizing my daughters’ outfits with matching head bows and clips. Now that I have a curly red headed daughter bows and clips have become a necessity to keep her unruly hair in place.

I feel that raising three hair bow wearing girls has earned me the title of Hair Accessory Connoisseur. I have learned that alligator clips and headbands are best. Bows that are attached to barrettes or clips that require two hands to put in and out snag and tangle hair. All it takes is one painful hair bow removal for your two year old to refuse ever wearing anything in her hair again. Save those types of hair bows for when your daughter is a little older!

I recently received some clips and a headband from Oopsie Dazie. The professional packaging and superb quality of what I’ve received has earned my seal of approval. Best of all, their prices are very affordable. Who wants to spend $12 on a bow that may end up lost or is only needed for a special occasion outfit? Oopsie Dazie clips are only $2 and bows are $3-$4. You can stock up on enough bows to match every outfit.

Finding the perfect clip to match an outfit is easy with Oopsie Dazie because of their large assortment of ribbon to choose from. You also can choose to embellish your clips with gems, buttons, or flower. The construction of the clips is very secure and professionally crafted. I like how the entire alligator clip is covered with ribbon so no metal is showing.

If your baby girl doesn’t have enough hair then Oopsie Dazie offers stretchy knit headbands to attach clips and bows. The headband is only $1.50 so you can afford to buy one in every color!

Oopsie Dazie offers so many options that it is easy to create one of a kind clips, pony holders, or headbands. I especially love the trendy and fun fabrics they offer for their pony holders. They are truly unique pony holders.

Head over to Oopsie Dazie and let us know what you think.
~Kristie

With Mother’s Day a month away we are excited to offer a giveaway for The Fine Art Of Family’s Round Signature Floral Half Locket. The Fine Art Of Family is dedicated to just that. They offer a collection of styles that help us cherish and enjoy our most precious memories. Many of their pieces are designed by Monica Rich Kosann, a museum and gallery-exhibited fine art photographer who specializes in black and white portraiture of children and families. Monica’s inspiration are the flea markets and antique shops where she shops for the vintage lockets, frames, and other heirlooms that were meant to provide a special showcase for families’ most special memories. The Fine Art Of Family was created to offer the objects and ideas that embody that same spirit.

The Fine Art Of Family offers many exquisite jewelry styles such as charm bracelets, lockets, and necklaces in sterling silver or 18K gold. Photos easily slide in the top of each image case which makes it easy to change the photos as your child ages. You are sure to find the perfect style for your mom or yourself! They are also a great gift for a new mom or grandma.

On April 16, 2008 at 11:59 pm we will randomly choose a winner for the Round Signature Floral Half Locket in sterling silver. This stunning necklace features a single image case necklace for that one perfect picture and is designed to be worn image side down, close to the heart. The half locket is a ¾-inch case embellished with The Fine Art Of Family’s signature floral pattern and hangs on a 16-inch chain. Retails for $190.

To be entered in the drawing please visit The Fine Art Of Family website and browse their jewelry collection then come back here and leave us a comment about which style is your favorite. US residents only, please.

We’ll also be posting the winner’s name to PRIZEYWinners, so if you don’t want to leave your email address, just check there for the winner announcement after this giveaway closes.

Giveaway is now closed. Aimee was randomly chosen as our winner. Congratulations and Happy Mother’s Day, Aimee!

Check back often for more great giveaways! 

I confess….. I received a grade D in home ec. class. We had to sew a very simple top and I could not even thread the needle properly or find the bobbin. I was hopeless. So all this time, I thought of myself as the Un-Martha Stewart. Having a baby boutique and seeing all the cute products inspired me to begin doing my own thing. Not to mention, I discovered the mark up on things like hair bows is like 500%!! So it began with a simple hair clip, then tutus, etc… I discovered I am much more crafty than I ever thought possible and I am enjoying it. So now I have turned my creativity to creating some new designs to display in my store. I started by designing a unique one of a kind birthday dress (and then happily handed it over to my seamstress to put together). I know my limitations- you would not want your child in anything I sewed! My latest designs are these fun capri pants for spring. I am a total fabric nut and love all the great designer pieces available now. I used trendy Amy Butler fabric to make these ruffled pants. Pair with one of our big initial monogram tees. I also have 10 new birthday dresses for spring summer using the latest designer fabrics . Look for my new line March 15th. Right now, we are having a 10% off sale. Use coupon code SAVE10 and receive 10% off your entire order!

Birthday attire is all the rage nowadays. Ten years ago when my oldest was celebrating her first birthday I had to pay a seamstress to make my daughter a personalized birthday outfit. Fortunately now there are plenty of boutiques ready to outfit your birthday child on their special day.

Liliputians NYC offers clothing that has a superior, true boutique, heirloom quality rarely seen today. If you are looking for a unique birthday outfit then Liliputians is the place for you. They offer beautiful handcrafted tops, bottoms, and dresses made of vintage fabric and appliques. Whether you are shopping for a boy or girl they are sure to have just the outfit you were looking for.

Kangaroodle offers great birthday apparel but our favorite pick is the birthday bib. Choose
from white with pink trim or pink with hot pink trim. While you are there check out theirlarge selection of monogram birthday dresses and overalls.

 

If you are looking for something a little more old fashioned then Tamara’s Creations is the place for you. All outfits are custom made per your child’s measurements and personalized with your child’s name.

 

Our favorite place to shop for birthday apparel is Avannabel Baby which offers a large selection of birthday outfits and accessories. You will find a large selection of classic monogrammed dresses, personalized birthday hats, rhinestone birthday tees, and birthday tutu sets.

What do you get the man who has everything or wants nothing? I struggle with what gift to give my husband every holiday. If I ask him what he wants I get “I know what I want” with a wink and a little man handling. I should be thrilled. After ten years of marriage the man still wants me but ten years of watching him open boring golf shirts or finding socks in his stocking has gotten a bit old especially since he never fails at buying me great gifts. He bought me plastic surgery last Christmas so now it’s my turn to knock his socks off with something other than a good romp in the hay.

I have found just the gift. The Dale Jarrett Racing School would be perfect to wow my guy and the racing fan in your life and give the gift of full throttle living. Whether he’s a racing fan of Nextell Cup Racing, a race car enthusiast or an all out thrill seeker, you’ll find all levels of racing school programs to meet his need for speed and an authentic racing experience!

I can’t tell you how many times my husband has been at a stoplight next to another testosterone exuding driver and giving each other the my-car-is-faster-than-yours look. The light turns green and my hubby floors it past his competitor only to have me burst his bubble by yelling SLOW DOWN! With a race package from the Dale Jarrett Racing School he can have the excitement of racing AND my approval.

They offer several racing packages to fit any budget. I was pleasantly surprised at how affordable the programs are. A 3 lap ride is only $150 and they go up from there with a maximum of 80 laps. Rather than a golfing weekend with the boys you can send your man and his friends to Talledega, Alabama for an experience they will talk about year long. It’s the gift that keeps giving.

If you are unsure which race package to purchase then a gift certificate is a great option. You can choose a racing package at the Talladega SuperSpeedway for up to a 60 lap ride or for the other tracks like the Lowe’s MotorSpeedway, Kansas Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, or Atlanta MotorSpeedway for up to an 80 lap ride.

The Dale Jarrett Racing School is the first ever racing school at the Talladega SuperSpeedway. It is also the first ever racing school at Speedways like the the Darlington Speedway and Bristol MotorSpeedway. He will be the envy of all his friends!

Give your man the thrill of a lifetime that he can’t get in the bedroom and that will knock his brand new socks off his feet. The Dale Jarret Racing School experience is the perfect gift to WOW your man! You can thank me later.

For more info visit www.racingadventure.com or call 1.888.GO.RACE.1

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