Hip Gifts for the Teacher

It's that time of year again when school comes to a close, and I'm wracking my brain to come up with thoughtful teacher gifts. My daughter is in preschool at a Montessori school and has several different teachers who are influential on her. I'd like to find a nice way to express our gratitude for all they have done. She's about to turn four and is already reading and writing! I'm very proud of all the progress she has made this year and I've been looking for something special for each of them. Sure, I could go the gift card route (who couldn't use a Target gift card), but I wanted something a little more personal.

These Citrus Bird notecards from The Posh Peacock would be a lovely and welcome gift. With their pretty, vibrant colors, any teacher would be happy to have these.

Or how about treating your teachers to some chocolate truffles from Cowgirl Chocolates? They'd sure love these, and with the delightful mixture of mild-mannered truffles, spicy truffles and habenero caramels, there's something for everyone!

So I think what I'm going to do is print out a cute picture of my daughter, have her write a special note to them and attach to one of these goodies. I think I'll also bake some decadent *Brownies with dried cherries for them to take home. We'll wish them all well for the summer and look forward to seeing them again in the fall.

*recipe for Brownies to follow soon

Baby Starlet Wraps Your Baby Up In Style

These days, shopping for your baby easily lets you reflect your own personal style. Whether it's a cute onesie, a fabulous blanket or a hip burpcloth, there's no need for anything to be boring. That's definitely apparent in the luxurious and lovely things for baby from Baby Starlet. All products from Baby Starlet are handcrafted with love, and come in such cool fabrics as brocades, toiles, leopard and a great western print. They create such great products - from baby blankets (I love the Star Blankets!) to their Moses Baskets, and they even have a hip changing pad clutch (how clever!) Whether you're in the market for a very chic baby gift, or you want something lush for your very own baby, let Baby Starlet wrap baby up in style!

Giveaway: Baby Girl & Mama Gift Basket

We have but 2 more days left in the month of May and our giveaways continue. We want to thank all of our generous contributors for making these giveaways so special. We have lots more goodies to give away, so it looks like they'll continue through the month of June. Stay tuned!

This week we're giving away an amazing gift basket bursting with wonderful goodies for both mama and baby. These goodies include a pretty Tummy-Tee for the expectant mama (keep or give to a friend) showing what sex your baby is (girl) from In Style Moms, a lovely "Little Reminders" necklace (LOVE) from Lucky Accessories, fitness cards from Sane Fitness, a pretty baby bib from yours truly (our new line launches soon - keep an eye out!), a travel set of shampoos that let you choose the correct shampoo based on the hardness of the water from Robert Craig, and some other little goodies to make you feel special. To be entered to win, simply sign up for our mailing list by midnight, Friday, June 1st. Good luck!

Essencia Gift Basket Winners

We have two winners of the wonderful Essencia Gift Baskets, Karen G. and Chastity W. - you two are the lucky winners! Please email me at michele[at]onechicmama[dot]com with your shipping addresses and we'll get those right out to you. Enjoy!

Mama Linklove

Here are some highlights from around the web this week:

Babyfaces - Photo of the Week: Girl with Flower.

Boston Mamas: (Allergy-Friendly!) Piggy Party. A lovely yet simple book-inspired birthday party idea, including a cake recipe fit for kiddies with allergies!

Classy Mommy adores the vintage inspired infant and toddler wear by Jack & Jill. Tees and pant sets are a great shower or new baby gift as they come delivered in a precious Jack & Jill Pail. Shop at Urban Baby Runway and use code UBRJJ for 10% off through 6/30/07/.

Clever Parents: From the Fashion Runway to the Playground: Vincent Shoes. What do the fashion runways of Paris, Milan, London and New York have in common with your neighborhood playground? If two Swedish designers have anything to say about it, quite a lot.

Coochicoos shows us what's fresh in baby design. See the freshest new baby furniture designs on display at this year's ICFF Design Show.

SheFindsMom: Crocs...Love Them or Hate Them? Weigh in on the Debate. Fashionable and functional, ugly but comfortable, or would you rather go barefoot? What do you think?

No More Bad Hair Days

Don't you just hate having bad hair when you're traveling? I know I do. Well, I hate having it any day, but especially when I'm at the beach, or traveling to another country. The last thing I want to remember is how hard the water was and what it did to my hair.

Robert Craig's No More Bad Hair Days Kit is designed to help take the guesswork out of haircare. This great travel kit contains a dozen water testing strips so you can find out how hard or soft the water is whether you're in Tokyo, Lake Michigan or Myrtle Beach, and it has the right shampoo for them all. With three different shampoos to choose from, you're bound to find one that works whereever you are. The kit also contains one leave-in conditioner to help your hair when it's been overworked and needs a little extra love. So toss this kit in your suitcase and wave goodbye to bad hair days!

Avocado Baby

So my son has just turned seven months and is eating like a champ. At four months we started him on solids because he seemed extremely attentive to the food and drink going into our mouths and it just didn't seem fair to make him wait. I pulled out my copy of Super Baby Food to remind me of the best foods to start him on, and for some wonderful suggestions down the raod. First, we went with organic rice cereal.
I used the Earth's Best, as I want to start him off on the most pure foods I can. He loved it. We have gradually progressed on to other fruits and veggies, and he's loved almost everything so far. I feel very lucky. I'm also excited to be playing a role in his food preparation by actually making much of his baby food. It's so easy! And it really doesn't take long to make a big batch of a vegetable or fruit puree and freeze it in an ice cube tray. When it's frozen, simply pop the cubes out and store them in a labeled zip top freezer bag and you're set. Or you can use these portable Baby Cubes from One Step Ahead. These go from freezer straight into your diaper bag for days when you're on the go.

Some of Dylan's favorite foods have been sweet potato and winter squash (I bake them so they caramelize and develop a nice flavor), apples and pears, and avocados. I think I'm most excited about the avocados for several reasons. First, they're loaded with Omega-3's, essential fatty acids that help with brain development. But they're so quick and easy - simply slice one in half, scoop it out and mash with a fork. Voila! I mix in half a banana sometimes, or some mango puree. Dylan eats it up every time!

So try a hand at making some of your own baby food and see just how easy and inexpensive it can be!

Keeping Dad Chic Too!

With Father's Day coming up (just 3 weeks away!) now's the time to start thinking about keeping the man in your life looking chic when he takes the kids out, and making sure he has all the essentials too. Diaper Dude has some great choices to keep Dad from being caught empty-handed in public without wipes, a bottle or a paci.
Diaper Dude makes cool messenger-style bags that men will love. Nothing frilly about them, these sporty bags will make Dad look hip and well-prepared. He will be the envy of his friends. The Dude bags have a place for everything. There are plenty of pockets for wipes, bibs, baby food, bottles, camera, cell phone and more. There are clips for keys, and the ergonomic, across-the-chest design is super comfy on his shoulders. Plus, there's a stroller strap, so it's versatile. The durable nylon design stands up to everyday wear and tear, and can be spot-cleaned when needed. So if you want to give Dad a good reason to take the kids out more often, get him a Diaper Dude. You'll both be glad you did.

Danger Rangers to the Rescue!

My oldest daughter is almost four, so safety's been the topic of conversation a lot lately. We're working on ways to creatively tell her not to run when she's at the pool for swimming lessons, or that medicine and vitamins are good for you only when taken in the proper dosage and given to her by mom and dad. Sometimes what we have to say can fall on deaf ears, and when we've screamed "Stop running!" for the hundredth time, we know we need to find a better solution.

When I received several copies of the Danger Rangers DVDs to review, it took me a few days to open the package. My daughter seemed very fascinated with it, so with her prompting, we opened them up. Wow, what a timely treat! We popped in Water Works and my daughter was riveted. This DVD is action packed with an animated crew of danger fighting animals (and a robot) and tells a story while teaching valuable safety lessons. Their catchy songs and creative storyline had my daughter wanting to watch this over and over. We found ourselves singing "Everybody Be Water Safe" while at the pool later that evening, and I could tell she enjoyed being safe. What great timing with summer coming up!

Medicine Mix-Up is another great DVD that helps teach kids that although sometimes medicine looks like candy, there's a huge difference! This, along with other valuable lessons are delivered in a catchy, cool, and creative way with the cast of the Danger Rangers. When you sign up at the website, you get a free DVD . You can also catch their Oscar and Emmy award winning creative team on PBS. So if you're looking for a creative solution for teaching safety, look no further than the Danger Rangers!

One Chic Mama Giveaway: Essencia Gift Baskets

Our next giveaway will be not one, but two Essencia Face Essentials Gift Baskets. This is like a facial in a basket. Each contains products to cleanse, exfoliate, tone and moisturize, all packaged in a lovely pandan basket. These Essencia botanical "essentials" will provide all the necessities for natural facial skin care and are the perfect way to pamper your skin after a long day!

To enter, simply sign up for our mailing list (if you've already signed up then you're already entered). We'll select two winners at random. Giveaway ends Friday, May 25th at midnight.

Giveaway Winner

The winner of the fabulous Holly Aiken Bag is Margo. Congratulations, Margo! Please contact me at michele[at]onechicmama[dot]com with your shipping address and we'll get that great bag out to you pronto!

Friday Mama Linklove

Heard on around the Mommy Blogs this week:

Babyfaces photo of the week: Little Miss Bright Eyes is just too sweet!

On Boston Mamas: We've got a book to help you learn how to deflect the "extreme parenting" mommy mind games and embrace imperfection .

On Classy Mommy: Win some great Celebrity baby swag that was given to stars like Marcia Cross and Patrick Dempsey!

On Clever Parents: Multi-purpose, high quality baby blankets
that secure to strollers, nursing moms, baby carriers, swings and more!

On Coochicoos: Simple harness holds baby in any chair without need for high chair.

On SheFindsMom: Highchairs, dinnerware and bibs galore make mealtime fun with kids.

Endless Summer

Summer is almost here and your feet might be ready for a new pair of sandals. Or maybe you're heading to Disney World and need something sportier for all that walking. Whatever your preference, check out Endless.com, the new site from Amazon.com. Designed to revoluntionize the way you shop for shoes and handbags, Endless.com is starting off with a bang. Their opening promotion is Negative $5 Shipping - that means you get FREE overnight shipping AND they give you $5 credit. Sounds like a bargain to me!

A Free Dozen

I just got word that Holey Donuts wants to extend a deal to One Chic Mama readers. When you order a dozen donuts, they will include A FREE DOZEN randomly selected donuts when you use code FREE1 at checkout (a $23.95 value). So order your faves and then be surprised with some yummy and healthy goodies!

One Chic Mama Giveaway: Holly Aiken Bag

We have another giveaway! For our third giveaway this month, we have a very hip Bonanza Mini Messenger Bag from Holly Aiken. (we're giving one away in jade and dinosaur green). It's a cute yet functional bag that can serve as a mini diaper bag, carry your essentials to the park or work as a nice sized purse. If you're not familiar with Holly Aiken's bags, well, see for yourself what you've been missing. She designs some of the cutest, most functional bags around. And she's offering free shipping through May 20th. Sign up for her mailing list, tell her One Chic Mama sent you and get 15% off your purchase.

To enter this giveaway, simply sign up for our mailing list by midnight on Saturday, May 19th, and you'll be entered for a chance to win. Good luck!

Global Cooling

Designer Alice Heller wants to stop global warming. Along with cooling the eco-system, she also wants to cool our wardrobes starting with her own designs. Zooey Tees is a new line of fashionably optimistic apparel with a message - that we CAN stop global warming. With every purchase of their 'A World of Cool' shirts (all Zooey shirts are produced in a socially responsible way), a generous contribution will be made to stopglobalwarming.org. Each time you wear the shirt, you'll be helping to spread the message.

Holey Donuts Giveaway - The Lucky Three

Ok, so we know you all would like to win those amazingly delicious donuts from Holey Donuts, but there can only be three winners in this giveaway. (If you didn't win, go order some pronto! And tell 'em One Chic Mama sent you!) You can get $10 off your purchase of 2 dozen with the code JMP7, and only pay for shipping on a dozen.

Here are the lucky three - please email me at michele[at]onechicmama[dot]com with your shipping address and your donut flavor preference:
debbilh
Kiona
Brooke
Congratulations! Thanks for all your wonderful tips.

Because You're Worth It

On Mother's Day, we found ourselves at the mall shopping for a few treats for me. I took a break to nurse my son, while my husband and daughter played in the play area. While in a state of sleep-deprived and hormone-induced bliss, I spied a temporary booth with L'Oreal signs everywhere. I dismissed it, thinking it was a new makeup kiosk. I hadn't used L'Oreal makeup products in years (save for a nailcolor or two). Then it hit me. L'Oreal isn't sold at makeup counters. What's this kiosk doing touting makeup that can be found at drugstores everywhere? Turns out this was the L'Oreal Paris Style Space, an interactive beauty playground.

My husband whisked my son away so my daughter and I could have some time together to sample make-up and talk with the pros. Turns out the Style Space is a temporary traveling expo. It's in Raleigh through May 20th, at Crabtree Valley Mall. This is it's 3rd stop on a bill of five cities. Their next scheduled installation will be May 26 - June 3 in New York (Macy's Court), then on to King of Prussia Mall in Philadelphia from June 9 - June 17.

When we entered the space, we were first asked to add our name and other information into their database. Upon doing so, we were handed a gift bag (filled with samples including a full-sized lipstick and a $3 off coupon). We then were given a choice to talk with a make-up pro about lips/eyes or foundation/blush. I chose lips/eyes. It seems eyes are the most challenging for me so I jump at the chance to learn new tips and techniques in this area. My daughter got some shimmer blush and some lip gloss, while I learned about their extensive skincare line (who knew?) and tried some Shroom Shimmer shadow, along with Chai Love You lipstick.

After the make-over was complete, we were able to request samples of up to three products (makeup, skincare or haircare) at the sample bar. We could also purchase products using the $3 off coupon (which they give back to you to use elsewhere).

So if you're in the area of one of the next expos, go check it out! It's a great, but limited, opportunity to get reacquainted with L'Oreal, and to get some advice from the L'Oreal Paris professionals. It's also a chance to focus on yourself and let the professionals show you how to show off your best assets. Because you're worth it!

Happy Mother's Day!

I know this is belated, but I have been celebrating Mother's Day all weekend by spending time with friends and family. I think it's neat that everywhere I went with the kids in tow, folks were wishing me a "Happy Mother's Day", both friends and strangers alike. It's nice to know everyone is so aware of mothers and notices all the hard work we do. I just hope they remember it the other 364 days of the year. Mother's Day comes but once a year, yet when you're a mother, every day is Mother's Day! Wishing you mothers all the best!

Friday Mama Linklove

Heard around the mommy blogs this week...

On She Finds Mom: Trying to shed the last of the baby weight? Jump start your workout with these fab gifts for Mother’s Day and beyond.

On Celebrity Moms: As Patrick Dempsey adjusts to life as a dad of twin boys, he says he still wants to make his wife swoon.

On Boston Mamas: Born to Ride! Steerable trikes like the Kettler Kiddi-o are fabulously fun for kids and easy on parental backs.

On Classy Mommy: The new Foogo line by Thermos is just what every parent on the go needs. Foogo has a line of sippy cups, straw cups, and food jars that are designed to prevent the growth of bacteria - this straw cup is a Classy Mommy favorite as it will keep drinks cool for up to 12 hours!

On Clever Parents: Great Craft Projects with Fun Well Done. A solution to all your craft problems courtesy of Fun Well Done run by the very clever Jennifer Giattino.

On The Stylish Child: Wrapping Up Baby in Mini Bling. Who says bling is just for grown-ups? Metro Mamma creates a baby wrap with bling for even the littlest bodies.

On One Chic Mama: Holey Donuts Giveaway! Give us your tips on being one chic mama and you'll have a chance to win a dozen healthy donuts!

Like A Day Spa For Your Feet

We all know by now that Birkenstocks are good for our feet. Those great sandals that conform to the shape of our foot has now gotten an upgrade. The Madrid, a new style, harkens back to Birkenstock's roots. It was originally known as the "Birkenstock Fitness Sandal" over 40 years ago. Well, it's been re-introduced and it's better than ever!

The Madrid is a classic one-strap sandal designed to tone the foot and calf muscles as well as improve circulation while you walk. It comes in several materials and some wonderfully fun colors like pink, blue, even silver. With a shock absorbing EVA sole and their famous contoured footbed, these sandals are designed to help your feet relax. Kind of like going to the spa!

The Laundress Makes Laundry Fun

Do you find doing laundry a chore? When you have kids, you're bound to spend lots of time doing the wash, sorting colors and putting laundry away. The Laundress to the rescue! This lovely line of luxury laundry products are as good for the earth as they are for your clothes, and they'll help put some sophistication and enjoyment into doing laundry.

The Laundress has a great line of Dryer Sheets that are the very first to be made from paper - this means they're recyclable (and perhaps compostable). Their dryer sheets condition fabric while fighting static. You can also rub them against your clothing for a quick freshen-up, or stuff them inside your suitcase on your next trip to keep your clothing smelling fresh. Available in classic and baby scents, they're on sale for %25 off right now.

The Laundress products may not make you look forward to doing the laundry, but they'll sure help make it a little more enjoyable.

One Chic Mama Giveaway: Holey Donuts!

Do you love donuts as much as I do? Then you're gonna love Holey Donuts! Crafted with real donut ingredients (read: no artificial yucky stuff), these delicious treats contain no trans fat and have only 3 to 4 grams of total fat each. These donuts are cooked using a patent pending process that avoids frying in greasy oil. So what you get are just light, fluffy guilt-free goodness in a really great donut! Available in such flavors as Bostom Cream, Apple Coffeecake, Strawberry Shortcake, Jelly Filled and, of course, Glazed, your biggest conundrum is what flavor to choose. Mmmm... my mouth is watering already!

We have 3 dozen donuts to give away to three lucky winners (a dozen apiece of your choosing). All we need from you is a tip - What helps you maintain your sense of style while you're busy being a mom? What makes your life easier? What product could you not live without? What's your secret indulgence? We want to hear it! Post your comments by Saturday, May 12 at midnight to be entered. Oh, and the winners must be east coast dwellers (this giveaway ONLY). Sorry, west coasters, we'll be sure to include you next time.

Let Your Inner Grace Show Through

Dana Reeve was a beautiful and gracious woman. The wife of Christopher Reeve, who suffered a debilitating spinal injury, she helped to give him a fulfilling life after the injury, as well as inspire compassion for others living with this disability. Philosophy has created Inner Grace as a tribute to the beauty and grace of Dana Reeve.

Inner Grace, a 3-in-1 shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath, was formulated to help bring inner peace and balance to your life. 100% of gross profits of the sale of each bottle will be donated to Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. So treat yourself to a special product that will leave you feeling pampered while helping others lead a better life.

Kitchen Sink Beauty

It's nice to be able to just surf the web in search of amazing products and at the click of the mouse and a few days' wait, any item can be yours. But what if you could just walk into your kitchen and, in less time than it takes to find a product online, whip up a beauty concoction yourself? You choose the quality of the ingredients - organic or conventional, house brand or name brand - and then let the magical properties of the foods generally reserved for eating work wonders for your skin, hair and body.

One of my recent favorites to help get my skin ready for spring is a homemade orange scrub that helps slough off dry skin from heels, knees and elbows. Simply cut an orange in half and squeeze the juice from one half into a bowl. Add 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup olive oil. Mix well into a moisture-rich scrub. Next, take the other orange half and rub over knees, elbows, heels and any other dry spots, working the juice into the skin. The fruit acid helps to loosen dry skin. Last, rub in the sugar mixture using a circular motion, sloughing off dead skin. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. Bon Appetit!

Sandbox Threads T-Shirt Winner

Ok, all you fabulous moms out there! Thanks for entering our first giveaway. Our lucky winner of a Sandbox Threads t-shirt of their choosing is anavarre1331. . Can you please email me at micheleatonechicmamadotcom with your style and size choices, along with your snail mail address? Congratulations!

Keep an eye out for another giveaway very soon!

Feel Good Frames

A picture is worth a thousand words. Now add a few more to really make it special.

You've worked hard for the right photo op - dressed the kids in their cutest outfits, wiped their faces of any sign of ice cream, dirt or spit-up, and stood behind the camera making the world's goofiest faces. All for the perfect picture, which takes a split second to accomplish, yet (seemingly) takes hours to actually get the right split second. Now frame that photo to really celebrate the moment, with a handcrafted, handpainted frame from the Feel Good Frame Store. They've got frames that announce your message, such as "We Love Mom", or "Mommy & Me" and are perfect for Mother's Day. They can also create a custom design to announce a birth, a wedding or a special occasion. Designer Shelley Roupas says that making these frames makes her and her team of skilled craftspeople feel good, and hopes they make you feel good too. Chances are, with a special photo framed by a sweet message, they will!

Friday Mama Linklove

Here's what's been heard around the blogs this week:

On Boston Mamas: Perfect for summer, these fruit tarts are fabulous for showers, parties, brunch, or indulgent home snacking.

On Clever Parents: With clever t-shirts for kids being all the rage, Blirt hits the ground running with their flagship line featuring “offbeat interpretations of figures of speech that embody strong and unique character traits of children.”

Babyfaces photo of the week: Little boy tries to remove soap from his eyes in the bath

On Celebrity Moms: Debra Messing will do alot of things for a character on Will and Grace, butwearing falsies isn't one of them.

On Coochicoos: Florals are all the rage this season and they show up on Oioi's new diaper bags.

SheFindsMom Giveaway: Win a $250 Geuther Family High Chair for Mother’s Day. Sign up for the SheFindsMom Newsletter by May 10th for a chance to win a $250 Geuther High Chair.

Swanky Moms shows us some bling sunglasses by Baby Peas and Carrots! So cute! With over 200 genuine Swarovski Cystals these are the ultimate bling for your little diva!

On The Stylish Child: Jaime Pressly offers a sneak peak at the jungle inspired nursery she created for son, Dezi James.

One Chic Mama Giveaway: Sandbox Threads

Here is our very first One Chic Mama giveaway, sponsored by Sandbox Threads. They make some very cute tees and onesies, and the best part about this giveaway is that the winner gets to choose the one they want! So whether you have a bun in the oven or a cute pre-schooler, you're gonna want one of their designs. With everything from Einstein to Wonder Woman and lots in between, there's something for every kid! Comment on this post by midnight, Sunday, May 6th, to be entered into this drawing.

Spritz It On

As the months get warmer and warmer, we find ourselves spending more time outdoors, under the sun, or on airplanes, traveling to exotic locales (or just to grandma's for a visit). Either way, the moisture in our skin gets zapped. This results in dry, lifeless skin and enhances wrinkles. What to do? Try a spritz of Cranberry Hydrating Body Mist from Essencia. It's packed with cranberry extract to help replenish moisture when you need it most. Use it from head to toe whenever your skins needs a life. It helps to cool, hydrate and purify the skin. The body mist is a silky spray full of anti-oxidants, as well as being anti-bacterial. So spritz it on after basking in the sun, when the humidity is low or when you're in an enclosed environment for a while (such as a plane). It's perfect for kids too! Your skin will thank you.

One Chic Mama Turns One - Help Us Celebrate!

It's been a full year since the conception of One Chic Mama and we want to say thank you to all of our wonderful readers! You've been such an amazing group of women and we appreciate all your comments and feedback. Look for some changes in the coming months (including the addition of our newsletter - sign up now!). Take a peek at our very first post entitled Our Mothers, Ourselves.

How fitting it is that our birthday coincides with Mother's Day month. To celebrate mothers all month we're going to be doing some giveaways. Several times during the month of May One Chic Mama will be giving away some fabulous prizes to remind you of how wonderful you really are. So check back often! And remember, inside every mom there really is one chic mama!