Bottoms Up

As long as babies and toddlers are in diapers, diaper rash looms along the horizon. With as many remedies available as you can imagine, it can be tough to find something you know works and is good for your little one's skin.

Recently, my son, Dylan, had diaper rash like nobody's business! I took this opportunity to try out my little tin of Bad Ass Booty Balm, chock full of all sorts of natural ingredients, and I was very happy with the results. Dylan's diaper rash cleared up pretty quickly.

The balm is a white ointment that's a perfect consistency. Not too thick, not too greasy, this easy-to-spread balm goes on clear to give just the right amount of coverage to your baby's bottom. Crafted from only natural ingredients, including aloe, beeswax, emu oil, zinc oxide and essential oils, you can protect his bottom without harsh chemicals or that sticky white stuff that gets everywhere. Use just a tad for prevention, or a bit more to soothe an uncomfortable rash.

But wait - not only is Bad Ass Booty Balm a reliable solution to some yuck-o diaper rash, the packaging knocked my socks off! The cute little orange tin is a lovely container, but that's not all - it comes nicely wrapped up in a chlorine-free diaper! I love this idea, and think it would make a fabulous baby shower gift. It would be the hit of the party (and you'd secretly know that it's not alll just for looks!).

Mommy-to-Be Chic Contest Reminder

Mamas, here is a little reminder that today is the last day to be entered for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate from Ann Taylor LOFT. They have some of the cutest, er, chic-est maternity clothing around that will take you through your work day, whether at home with the kids or in a busy office, and on through the summer. If you're expecting, you don't want to miss this chance!

Gorgeously Green

Being "green" sure has a different meaning these days than it did a decade ago. Gone are the images of hippies wearing baggy, shapeless hemp clothing (that they could just roll up and smoke at a later date), homemade sandals and no makeup, with hair that never got cut. Today's eco-warriors are the picture of health, wealth and fashion. With "green" becoming a hot buzzword and many celebs jumping on the bandwagon, being green has never looked so good or been so easy.

Sophie Uliano wants to make sure it stays that way. With her new book, Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life, she brings us simple solutions to green our ways without sacrificing the things we enjoy or help keep us looking good. Sophie's mission is to show us steps for getting, and saying, a little more environmentally friendly. She breaks down information and gives us lists, like the 12 cleanest fruits and veggies, ways to go green while traveling, and things to keep out of the recycling bin. She offers up easy solutions for greening our cleaning products, our closets and our makeup bags. She dicusses the advantages of eating SLOW foods (seasonal, local, organic and whole foods) and brings us some delicious-sounding recipes (I haven't tried any just yet, but the Portabello Mushroom Pappardelle and the Banana-Raisin Flaxseed Muffins make my mouth water).

Sohie shows us that it's easy to be green and still look fabulous, giving us the lowdown on some of the best eco-friendly companies and products around! She brings us some wonderful designers (wow, Linda Loudermilk's creations are phenomenal!) who have gone green in their manufacturing practices. Sophie lists ingredients we should know about, either to include or avoid in products that go on our skin.

On her website, Gorgeously Green, Sophie offers us even more information. You can also watch her recent appearance on Oprah with buddy Julia Roberts. Julia sure is lucky to have a friend like Sophie to keep her up on all the amazing advances being made to help keep our products and our planet safe for our kids. We're lucky to have someone as tireless as Sophie out there advocating for the planet.

Billboards Reincarnated

What comes around, goes around. That's true of more than a few things these days. Like billboards, for example. One day they're plastered all over the freeway, advertising the latest hit movie. The next day they show up as your favorite new handbag, avoiding our landfills and putting to use that heavyweight vinyl that has been printed with some fabulous images. Imagine that.

The folks at Ecoist and Vy and Elle did just that. Both have brought us wonderful handbag designs just from billboards. This Medium Handbag from Ecoist (above) features movie billboards ($48), and sports some of the season's hottest colors. What a chic way to make a statement about showing that you care for the earth!

This durable and hard-working Diva Tote from Vy and Elle ($42) makes it's own statement, although not necessarily from the movies. A deep compartment makes this perfect for doubling as a diaper bag, or allows you to skip a shopping bag for small purchases.

It's great to see such huge items as billboards come back to have a second life. This offers us the possibility to have truly unique accessories and help save our planet at the same time.

Live By Your Own Design

How would you describe yourself? I don't mean the way you want to be seen, but your innermost being, your authentic self. If you could choose just two words to sum up your life in a nutshell, encompassing everything about your personal oeuvre, such as the way you dress, your home, the way you tell a story, your favorite places, the way you communicate, what would those words be? Would pinpointing the two words that sum it all up change how you perceive yourself? Carrie and Danielle certainly think they would.

Words are powerful tools. Style Statement: Live by Your Own Design, by Carrie McCarthy and Danielle LaPorte, help us determine the two words that best describe our essence. Their thought is that once we determine our very own personal style statement, we can use it as a compass for creating a life that reflects what is true for each of us, in everything we do. We can live with intention. We can express ourselves in a way that is unique to us, allowing us to be our best selves.

Through a detailed series of questions about everything from your life's purpose to your dream home, Carrie and Danielle help you define your style statement. Using the 80/20 rule, the first word is your 80%, your foundation. The second word is your 20%, your creative edge and the part of your image that drives and distinguishes you. Would you be Refined Cherished? How about Genuine Flourish? I'm still working on mine, but have a slight inkling that it would be Refined Rustic, or Refined Contemporary. I'll let you know once I have it pinpointed.

Carrie says "The essence of you is married with the expression of you." This is so true. Yet with the demands of our lives, our kids we can lose sight of ourselves and what's important to us. Determining your style statement can give you clarity and a sense of direction in your life, no matter how chaotic. You can also determine your husband or partner's style statement, and blend the two to create a harmonius life around you.

Exclusive Opportunity for One Chic Mama Readers
Win your very own copy of Style Statement: Live by Your Own Design, autographed by Carrie McCarthy and Danielle LaPorte. Simply leave a comment here and list two words that you think best describe your essence, and who you really are. Don't forget to include your email address. One winner will be chosen at random at Midnight EST, May 5.

Wow - What A Croc!

After making a splash several years ago with it's now classic Beach clog, that (yes, I'll say it) ugly, perforated clog that became ubiquitous on men, women and children, the innovators behind Crocs have not been resting on their laurels. Crocs has continued to evolve, and their offerings just keep getting better. Realizing their strengths - footbeds made from croslite™, which conforms to your foot's shape, is antimicrobial and acts as an orthotic, with non-skid soles - Crocs updates their offerings on a regular basis, keeping up with current trends, yet creating a look that's all their own.

Three of my favorite Crocs styles this season include: Crocs Cyprus (above, 49.99). Made from croslite™, this chic, lightweight wedge sports a 3" heel and has nubs in the footbed to stimulate circulation as you walk. I love this au courant bronze color that is perfect for this season's metallic trend.

Crocs Ithaca Sandals (right, $34.99) have a slender footbed profile with an elevated sole made just for women's feet. These also have circulation nubs to keep your blood flowing, making them perfect walking shoes.



Crocs Capri Canvas Sandal (left, $37.94) offers a sporty, yet chic take on the flip-flop. Made with double-cushioned comfort, it offers more support than most flip-flops do. These have a printed canvas upper, giving them more classic look.

So if you're looking to update your wardrobe with casual, sporty, yet nice looking shoes, take a look at Crocs. You just might be surprised!

Playground Chic On a Budget

Looking chic doesn't have to cost a fortune. There are great clothes available at all price points. I found that out this weekend when I had the opportunity to step into the discount chain store, Steve and Barry's.

I had been in once before and was unimpressed. But after hearing about Sarah Jessica Parker's exclusive line for Steve and Barry's, Bitten by Sarah Jessica Parker, I thought it was worth another look. There's not a Steve and Barry's near us, so we stopped in while out of town for a couple of days.

Sarah Jessica's manifesto is included on the site, and this is it's premise:

"It is every woman's inalienable right to have a pulled-together stylish, confident wardrobe with money left over to live."

If you haven't yet seen it, Bitten is a fairly extensive line for Steve and Barry's. It includes a wide variety of styles from t-shirts to dress shirts, skirts to trousers and some very hip jackets. I tried on a handful of items, and found that the quality was better than I expected for, oh - here's the best part - $8.98. Yes, right now everything in the store is $8.98 or less. Everything. This cute belted trench, just $8.98. Those dark boyfriend jeans, just $8.98. I found a couple of things that I just couldn't pass up at that price. The line even includes shoes (for the same sweet price).

With options like these, you can look fabulous while running after your kiddos on the playground, and not sweat the money you spent. If there's one thing moms need, it's at least a few items of clothing that look great without being too spendy, for those times when life gets a little messy. Bitten by Sarah Jessica Parker seems made just for times like these.

Friday Blog Roundup

This week, the momblogs explore green living, among other things...

On We Covet: Win a free copy of The History Channel's documentary on our climate crisis, "A Global Warning?"

On The Nest Baby: Mother's Day Gift Guide and Giveaway.

On Moms Buzz; How Do You Stay "Green" at Home?

On Mom Finds: Win a Pair of See Kai Run Shoes for Baby.

On Boston Mamas: 10 Green Tips.

On Coochicoos: Family of Four in 640 Square Feet.

Save Face (and Planet)

Those Aussies sure know their stuff. It seems a lot of fabulous things on the design front have originate from "the land down under". They developed the coveted, limited edition 40th Anniversary Edition Rotary Engine Mazda RX-8. They created the iconic shop, Robio. And they sent us the luxurious line of organic cosmetics from NVEY Eco. Aren't we glad to have such cool friends?

Organic cosmetics have been hitting the market slowly and steadily over the years, giving us choices in all price ranges. With "eco-friendly" and "green" being the buzzwords of the decade, this means a lot of folks are jumping on the bandwagon to take advantage of our desire to save the planet, yet often times their products fall short and are not what they seem.

Fortunately, we have companies such as NVEY Eco, the green child of parent company, NVEY Le Maquillage. With nearly 50 years of beauty at the helm, NVEY LE Maquillage has been one of the top-selling makeup brands in Australia and in other countries around the world. One of the first green cosmetic companies to hit the US market in 2006, NVEY Eco offers a fabulous selection of make-up formulated with a careful blend of plant and mineral ingredients, botanical extracts and antioxidants. These products not only enhance your natural beauty - they're good for you too! Plus, with no chemical additives, they are safe for the planet. With a full range of products from concealer, to long-lasting eye shadows, lip gloss to foundation, NVEY Eco offers us a green, fresh, and sexy, alternative.

What To Say

Does your 2-to-6-year old leave you speechless, exasperated, or turning your head so she doesn’t see you laughing so hard? My five-year-old daughter manages to do some or all of these things on a daily basis, like the time she kept asking if the tomboyish Peppermint Patty (of the “Peanuts” gang) has a penis. So I was excited when I heard about the new book Just Tell Me What to Say: Sensible Tips and Scripts for Perplexed Parents by Betsy Brown Braun. This childhood development specialist’s book provides “sensible tips and scripts for perplexed parents” on topics ranging from tantrums, picky eaters and whining to sex, divorce and death.

A former teacher and current parenting counselor, Braun’s style is authoritative but approachable. The first half of the book is dedicated to the most common issues such as sibling rivalry, eating habits, lying, and manners. She starts with a primer on communicating with your children and emphasizes connection with them when you speak. She advises parents that need to make a point to physically get down on the child’s level yet don’t insist on eye contact. Adults strive for eye contact to make sure a point is understood but Braun explains why, for small children, that demand will sabotage your message. It’s nuances like these that make the first half particularly useful.

The second half focused on the less common, but even more serious issues such as illness, death, divorce, natural disasters and even terrorism. I found parts of it fascinating like the section on how children understand death at different ages. Three year olds will wonder when Grandpa will return; five year olds will wonder what he’ll wear in the casket; and, six year olds will grasp that Grandpa won’t be coming back.

Overall Just Tell Me What to Say is a great book to read from cover to cover or to just keep as a reference. The chapter titles are very straightforward and the index is fairly comprehensive. There’s bold print and bullet points in each chapter so that even the most distressed parent can quickly find the magic words they need. The only portion of the book that I found disagreeable is her advice to “explain white lies” and why they are “okay to tell sometimes.” Call me a purist but I don’t agree with the concept (aren’t there other ways to avoid cruelty without telling a lie?) and I definitely don’t think it should be taught to 2-to-6-year olds. Quibbles aside though, I do recommend Just Tell Me What to Say and have it placed in easy reach on my bedside table.

Just Tell Me What to Say was reviewed by Ellen Willson Hoover.

Green Your Shopping

Shopping online has become a way of life for so many of us. It's quick, easy, it allows us to compare prices, and often times, even get free shipping or a better deal than we would have at our local shops. For new moms, it's a boon when simply leaving the house to stock up on diapers or groceries poses a challenge. Now, we all have the opportunity to make our shopping a little greener through the new search engine called TheFindGreen.

A comprehensive, online tool that makes green shopping easy, TheFindGreen allows shoppers easy access to thousands of products from thousands of retailers that all employ eco-friendly practices and/or materials in the making of their products. You'll find everything from reclaimed wood tables to organic cotton pjs. Basically, anything you're looking for that's eco-friendly can be found through TheFindGreen.

Beginning today, TheFindGreen will offer green-living columns from celebrity and fashion journalist Merle Ginsberg on what celebrities are doing to become more eco-friendly, as well as how to make this summer's wedding plans more environmentally responsible. So not only can make your online shopping a little greener - you can also keep up with what Brad, Julia, Cameron and Darryl are doing to make the Earth a better place to live.

Green Dreams

As we celebrate Earth Day, we acknowledge issues of global warming and a growing desire for more natural products, our attention has been turned to finding resources that are natural and renewable. Bamboo is a wonderful example of an easy-to-grow and sustainable material, making it eco-friendly. It also happens to make some of the softest, naturally antimicrobial bedding around.

Bamboo Sheets from Pasadena Home Collection ($120 - $165) are buttery soft to the touch, and have wonderful ventilation and wicking properties to help us stay cool when it's warm and warm when it's cold. With a thread cound of 250, these high-performance sheets are made to be easy care and to withstand multiple washings.

We want nothing but natural goodness next to our delicate babies' skin, and these Bamboo Baby Fitted Crib Sheets ($28) from Generation Orange come in a wonderful selection of colors to keep our nurseries looking fabulous. Also naturally-antimicrobial and hypoallergenic, these sheets keep your baby sleeping in cozy comfort.

So make your bed in sustainable goodness and sleep green. Sweet dreams!

Quote For the Day

"The badly dressed woman, people remember the clothes. With a well-dressed woman, they remember the woman."

- Coco Chanel

Hip Shoes for Mod Tots

Cool. Comfortable. Stylish. No, I'm not talking about my most recent shoe purchase, I'm talking about the fabulous footwear options for kids from Vincent. Designed by two Swedes with an eye for high style, these are not the shoes my siblings and I grew up with (oh, how I wish they were!). But my kids get all the pleasure of having such a wonderful selection available to them.

Ok, so I get some of the pleasure too. I just love putting my kids in chic footwear that makes a statement, even if they have no idea what that statement is just yet. My toddler son might be starting to have an inkling, though. He's become a bit of a shoe hound and loves to play with his shoes. When his Martin's ($44.95) and Steve's ($44.95) arrived recently, he got so excited and had to wear them around the house right away!

The Martin's are a hip leather sneaker that fasten with velcro. This modern style has a durable molded rubber sole that extends over the toe in front, to protect tiny toes from inevitable stubs and stumps. We selected the white with an orange stripe for a modern sensibility. The Steve's are the perfect warm-weather shoe to take Dylan through the summer. A closed-toe sandal, these also have rubber that extends over the toe for extra protection, and an adjustable velcro strap. Both styles are very well made and offer a buttery-soft cushioned interior for comfort.

Our neighbors recently discovered Vincent when the dad purchased a pair for their toddler son, who just happens to be named Vincent too. They all love the style, and were happily surprised that something so hip was available right here in Raleigh. They thought style like this could only come from New York, or another big city. Their experience with the shoes has been so great that the dad has become wistful that Vincent doensn't make shoes for grown-ups! Oh, well. Perhaps one day?

Next time your kiddos are in need of a new pair of shoes, consider Vincent. They'll keep your kids' feet comfortable and well-protected. Oh, and they're some of the chic-est shoes around! To save 20% OFF use coupon code "SPRING-DEAL-8" for all full-price items ordered from Vincent through April 30, 2008. You'll get free shipping on orders over $75, too!

Want to order a pair but not sure about size? Try the Shoefitter to help get the best fit, or you can use the store locator to find a shop near you.

Vincent shoes were happily reviewed for the Parent Bloggers Network.

Weekly Blog Roundup

Heard around the mom blogs this week...

On Boston Mamas: Toto Knits offers an unbelievably cute line of hand knit sweaters and blankets for kids. The collection is ethically produced by a group of Kenyan women (many single mothers) who knit as a means to earn a living in an empowering, family friendly, and flexible environment.

On Classy Mommy: An interview with Christopher Gavigan, author of "Healthy Child, Healthy World". Find out his thoughts and advice on creating a safer, greener nursery and what to look out for in skincare products, cleaning agents and more!

On Clever Parents: The 10 Most Important Steps to Permanent Weight Loss. While miracle pills and diets don’t work, women still spend thousands of dollars praying that a pill will leave them thin, as well as happy in all areas of their life. There’s one big problem: nothing changes once they lose the weight.

On MomFinds: Win a Boon Animal Bag. Fill up the Animal Bag with your kid's stuffed animals for a fun and funky seat. To enter, just tell us if you want one in green or pink.

On Moms Buzz: Warm Biscuit Giveaway! Play and Win! Take the front seat at your computer and start browsing to see which bedding set you would like to get using a $50 gift certificate from Warm Biscuit!

The Nest Baby: Antidepressants During Pregnancy. Though antidepressants may pose dangers to your fetus, going off meds is risky for you. What's the safest decision for both you and baby? See what our experts have to say, then talk it over.

On Healthy Bump: Tickle Bellies have created a really fun line of cards and announcements that moms and kids alike will adore.

Get 'Snikkidy About Your Snacks

When it comes to snacks, we have a constant supply on hand. But, as many families easily do, we get in a rut and tire of the same ol' same ol'. It can be challenging to find new and exciting things for the kiddos to eat that moms are happy to give them.

When we recently had the chance to try out some new snacks from Snikiddy Snacks, I shouted "hooray"! These are snacks that are not only delicious, they're chock full of organic goodness that moms and kids alike can get excited about. My son and I broke into the Grilled Cheese Puff Sharing Pack and really enjoyed them. I don't know about you, but I have a thing for cheese puffs. These have a great flavor and texture, and are full of healthy goodies with no trans-fat or yucky stuff.

After lunch, I let my son tear into a bag of the Chocolate Chippers Adventure Pack and he loved them! He's only 17 months, yet he eats pretty much everything we do around here. Plus, these only have a couple of grams of sugar (only natural sweeteners here, too) so I knew he wouldn't get an overdose of the sweet stuff. He has pointed to the box and asked for "MORE" every day after lunch since. He is a somewhat picky eater, but these passed the test. He wasn't as crazy about the Cherry Oaties, but I thought they were delicious!

Created by a mother/daughter team, Snikiddy Snacks are healthy snacks that will have both you and your kids shouting "hooray"! Finally, a snack everyone can feel good about! Currently, they are available through Amazon.com and Peapod.com. I'm hopeful Whole Foods will carry them soon! Keep your fingers crossed (and send them an email if you'd also like to see them there).

Boon "Groovy" Interlocking Plate and Bowl Winner

The winner of the Boon "Groovy" Interlocking Plate and Bowl is Molly B. Congrats, Molly!

Kisses,
One Chic Mama

Your Beauty Product Go-To Guide

The world of beauty can be an addictive, albeit, elusive one. Who doesn't want to look their best, fight aging and know which products really are worth their price tag? Yet with so many products on the market, it can be overwhelming. Just walking into a Sephora store can leave a mama feeling bewildered, wondering which potions and formulas would work their magic on her.

Luckily, we now have Sephora: The Ultimate Guide to Makeup, Skin, and Hair from the Beauty Authority, by Melissa Schweiger, as a comprehensive reference guide to the best beauty products of the moment, along with timeless tips from the pros. It gives us the lowdown on the highfalutin' ingredients found in many products, from acai to zinc oxide (and tells us how to pronounce them). It brings us tips and insights from the stars of the beauty world, such as Wendy Zomnir of Urban Decay, Leslie Blodgett of Bare Escentuals and Maureen Kelly of Tarte, all moms themselves. Maureen, who was pregnant at the time the book was written, offers up her tips on looking and feeling gorgeous throughout pregnancy:

• Get a bimonthly facial - it helps with breakouts and blotchy skin
• Pamper yourself to the fullest: get regular prenatal massages
• Manicures and pedicures are a definite must-have! Even when everything is disheveled, it will help keep you feeling polished.
• If stressed, light a candle, dab essential oils on the temples or take a freshly scented bath

Maureen take only 5 minutes to get ready in the morning, using only Tarte's Eraser Concealer, Tipsy Cheek Stain and 4-in-1 Mascara, along with a refreshing spritz of perfume, for an easy mama-to-be-glow.

Sephora has worked diligently to compile a list of their 100 must-have products, citing the best of the best, to give us the real scoop on what's effective and worth feeling a little spenny. But my favorite part of the book is the section called "try this at home". Getting the lowdown from the beauty pros, Sephora divulges what it takes to leave the house looking like you had your own personal team of stylists. Filled with fun quotes, FAQs and fabulous advice, Sephora is a must-read for every woman who wants to be in the know when it comes to beauty.

Aiken' For a New Bag

Here’s the scenario: you’re at the park with your daughter and another mom walks past you carrying the coolest bag you’ve seen in a while. You must have it! Where did she get it? Why, from Holly Aiken of course!

Anyone who already owns one of Holly Aiken's bags hears this quite often. And for good reason. Her bags are not only stylish, but they come in a vast color palette, a variety of shapes and sizes (including a diaper bag complete with changing pad), and are very durable – a must for moms. Holly Aiken creates uncomplicated bags using distinctive, indestructible materials, in rich, vibrant hues. Made from waterproof vinyl, these bags are tough! They can survive even a leaky sippy cup full of chocolate milk - just wipe them out and you're set.

Each creation is handmade in the USA and constructed with precision and care to withstand even the most yucky surprise. With bags ranging from diaper bags to cosmetic totes and everything in between, there's a size that's right for you. Usually priced at $40 - $180, Holly Aiken is cleaning house. You'll find all of her fabulous bags available for 35% off PLUS FREE SHIPPING at HollyAiken.com through April 27.

Handcrafted Tees with Style

Modern moms like modern fashions - for themselves as well as their kids. So when it comes time to give gifts to the little ones, it can be a wee bit disappointing to open up a package and find an outfit that just doesn't reflect your style. If it were a tee or onesie from Little Uni, you'd be jumping for joy!

These are some of the hippest tees for kids around. Made from quality cotton tees, onesies, hat and pants, what makes Little Uni designs special is their old-school style applique. This is not your grandmother's handiwork. Choose your favorite design ranging from animal shapes, things that go beep, food and flowers. Then decide if you would like to have your child's name, or a simple word, hand embroidered on the applique. We selected a long sleeved tee with a scooter that says, simply, "scoot". I love it! It's such a clean, artful aesthetic with a modern sensibility. We get compliments on it everywhere we go. This is one tee I look forward to putting on him, and am happy to have such hip options available for my kids.

Layers for Discreet Nursing

When I nursed both my children, I became very creative in my wardrobe options. After talking with other nursing mothers, I quickly realized that I didn't need to rush out and buy a lot of clothing made for nursing mothers. I could let my creative spirit show through with layers (which I just love) that would give me the discretion I needed when nursing in public.

I wore these Long Camis under just about everything. What I loved so much about them was that when I lifted my overshirt, my belly was still covered. I was uncomfortable flashing my post-partum belly when it was time to nurse, so these camis were a perfect solution! Plus, they have a built in bra, so unless you really need the support - many nursing moms certainly do - just wear the cami and a cute tank to keep cool this summer. When it's time to nurse, lift your overshirt and pull the cami down to expose your breast. Your shrinking belly will remain covered for your comfort.

Available in several pretty spring shades, the Long Cami is $32.95 from SoftSurroundings.com. It's made from a soft cotton with some stretch, and has a pretty lacy neckline that adds a nice touch when peeking out from beneath a v-neck top or sweater. So go ahead - nurse in style!

Garden Party

With floral prints being so hot on the runways, it's nice to see them trickle down into our own neighborhood (both real and virtual) boutiques. And with spring dawning on us, it makes me happy to see all the flowers, both in and out of the garden. This is such a pretty and easy trend to wear, and you can get just about anything printed with tiny ditzy florals to bold, swirling stems. So go ahead - take your pick - you'll be ready for a garden party in plenty of time for Mother's Day!

Sew Cute Winner

The winner of our Sew Cute giveaway is Lisa O. She said she'd get a personalized tee for her daughter and a gift for a friend with her gift certificate. Congratulations!

Everyone wins this contest! Even if you don't win the big prize, SewCute is giving away $5 to their One Chic Mama visitors! Simply go to their website and register. Be sure to mention One Chic Mama when asked for your referral. At the end of the contest, you'll receive $5 in SewCute cash in your inbox.

Teething Bling Winners

We had 3 winners from our Teething Bling giveaway: Pinky, Dolls123 and Aylor. Congratulations! On winning these great set!

Quote For the Day

"The more you know, the less you need."

- Aboriginal Saying

Bamboo hanger from Hangers.com.

A Boon for Feeding the Little Ones

Becoming a parent puts a whole new spin on life. Parents want to give their kids the best, and when little ones come into our lives, we're inspired to create things using our skills that are just for them. Designers have a field day with this (present company not excluded). Parents are driven to create the best for their kids, and quite often, a company is born in the process, with a focus on family, the environment and giving back.

The folks at Boon have done just that. The award-winning industrial designer behind these clever products for kids is Rebecca Finnell. She also happens to be mother of three. Rebecca has designed some pretty fantastic products that kids just love! The Fluid No-Spill Sippy Cup has certainly been a hit at our house. My son knew exactly what to do with it, and loves to drink from it as much as wear it as a bracelet. It's the perfect size for little hands to grab, and it's free of BPA's to boot! But not only do they create award-winning, high-quality products, they also donate 10% of their profits to children's charities. How's that for a great company?

Boon's product line continues to grow, and includes offerings such as the Frog Pod, the Flair High Chair, and the clever storage Animal Bags that double as seating. They have also added a line of layette designs to their roster. I can't wait to see what else is coming down the pipeline from this cutting-edge company. What else would you expect when parents are behind the drawing board?

Win It!
We're giving away a Groovy Interlocking Plate and Bowl Set. To enter, leave a comment and tell us what you love about Boon's products. Please include your email address. The deadline is Midnight, EST April 16.

Friday Blog Roundup

Here's what's being talked about around the blogs this week...

On We Covet: Life Saver We Covet. The brilliant Shemergency Survival Kit has just about any old thing you might need in a pinch.

On The Nest: Don't forget to submit your belly pic to the bump contest! Then, browse and vote for your faves -- winner gets a trip to Jamaica!

On MomFinds: Win a Deluxe Learning Kit for Your Little Reader. Teach your baby to read with over $120 worth of books, word cards and interactive DVDs from Your Baby Can Read.

On Healthy Bump: The Bummis complete diapering kit is a perfect start for new moms.

On Classy Mommy: Classy Mommy had a chance to do a Q&A chat with Dr. Bob Sears, author of The Vaccine Book. Read all about it here!

On Boston Mamas: Let Them Eat Cake! Thanks to Cherrybrook Kitchen baking mixes, kids and adults with allergies can happily indulge in treat time.

Mind Your Manicure with Zoya

Nailcolor can be a glorious thing! It can really give us a lift to look down and see our hands or feet looking pretty. It can brighten our day when we're just hanging around the house or it can complete our look if we're going out on the town. Yet many nailcolors contain contain harsh chemicals that are not healthy for the environment or our nails.

Now there's a healthy alternative. Zoya is here to save your nails and keep you feeling pampered and looking polished without any yucky stuff. Formulated without tolulene, formaldehyde or DBP, Zoya Nailcolor gives moms (and their daughters) a hard-wearing, long-lasting coat of polish that's good for them, too. Zoya was developed by a pregnant mama in 1984 to give women a healthy and durable choice in nailcolor. Acclaimed for their incredible color selection, Zoya Nailcolor comes in the hottest shades from the palest neutrals to the darkest metallics, and everything in between.

Zoya Nailcolor can be found in the best salons and spas around the globe, or for use in your own home. Now, we can mind our mani's and pedi's while being mindful of your health - and the earth.

Tradition That's SewCute!

Personalization and embroidery have been around for a long time. Many families have hankies or linens that were lovingly hand-embroidered by ancestors that are handed down from generation to generation. Although they were meant for one specific person, families claim this item as a part of their heritage and hold it close to preserve memories. SewCute is following a family tradition of embroidery that has been passed down through the family tree. Yet with modern technology being what it is, they have some pretty savvy tools at their disposal to create emboidery that's nothing like what their ancestors could have even dreamed about!

SewCute has a commitment to quality, using sweatshop-free apparel and premium cotton products that are the softest against baby's tender skin. Crafted by a mom who appreciates high quality as well as affordability, SewCute will add your child's name, monogram or nickname to their hats, shirts, bibs and hooded towels, or customize them to make the most special of gifts.

One Chic Mama Has a Treat for You!
We're giving one winner a $50 gift certificate to use on any item at SewCute. To enter, leave a comment here telling us what items you'd choose! Please include your email address. The deadline is Midnight, EST April 12.

Everyone wins this contest! Even if you don't win the big prize, SewCute is giving away $5 to their One Chic Mama visitors! Simply go to their website and register. Be sure to mention One Chic Mama when asked for your referral. At the end of the contest, you'll receive $5 in SewCute cash in your inbox.