Looking for the perfect baby gift?

April 3, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Citrus Lane has it!  This is one of the most unique yet simplistic ideas for new moms I have see out there yet – and only wish I would have heard of it months ago!  Citrus Lane provides gift boxes to for newborn to three year olds containing innovative, fun, and mom-approved products for you to enjoy!  You can sign up on a monthly basis or purchase a 3,6 or 12 month care package.  All of the items (toys, sippy cups, blankets, the list is long!) are age appropriate for your child and are reviewed by the Citrus Lane advisory board before making their way into your package.

Now, not only is this an amazing gift for others, but this is truly an amazing gift for yourself!  I know there is nothing I love better than finding that perfect product that provides me a solution to a silly “mom problem.”  And here are lots of those solutions arriving at my door, who could ask for anything better?!  Make sure to read all about Citrus Lane at www.citruslane.com, and don’t feel guilty if you just buy all the gift boxes for you, we won’t tell!  :)

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Fun Find Friday – Sinful Colors Nail Polish

March 23, 2012 by 1 Comment

Okay, so this isn’t my typical “Fun Find” but I was so excited about this I knew I had to share it with the world.  Like most of you, I don’t have time to get manicures or even paint my own nails on a regular basis.  I’ve got a busy life and when I’m not chasing after an active baby I’m doing dishes, laundry, picking up toys, cooking or playing Words With Friends — okay so maybe that last part isn’t necessary but it’s how I spend my 5 minutes of peace and quiet.

Anyway, where was I?  Oh yes, that whole being a mom + looking presentable thing.  After watching American Idol one night and seeing a few of the contestants wearing this amazing aqua color I knew I wanted to try it out — supposedly it’s the color of the season.  I’m not usually so bold so this was a bit of a stretch for me.  While I was at Target I picked up a $9 bottle of OPI nail polish.  My frugal husband stood in the aisle and sighed.  I know, I know, $9 for 0.5 fl oz of nail polish does seem a bit steep, but it’s “the good stuff,” right?  After grumbling under my breath I put the OPI back and picked up this $1.99 bottle from the bottom shelf.  Little did I knew this was going to be my new favorite beauty product.  I hate to admit it, but I have to thank my husband (just don’t ever tell him I said he was right).

Normally my manicures last two days, maybe three if I’m lucky.  Even those “no-chip manicures” that are guaranteed to last 2-3 weeks don’t hold up.  I’ve been told I have oily nails, whatever that means.  I’ve tried all of the clear bases, OPI, Essie, top coats, gels and so on.  Nothing works.  ::Cue the angels::  This $2 bottle of polish lasted SEVEN whole days.  I could not believe it.  Sinful Colors is sold at Target and Walgreens, so next time you’re there pick up a bottle and try it out.  I’d love to hear what you think.  If you love it, you can thank me (or my husband) for that extra $7 in your wallet.

Disclaimer:  I am in no way connected to Sinful Colors, I truly just love their product.

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Hump Day Giveaway – Crimson Clover!

February 29, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Hopefully you’re all getting through the week, but if you are having a hard time, Ties & Tutus to the rescue!  Because today you have the opportunity to win an awesome giveaway, one SO awesome even celebrities themselves would be vying for it!  Today one lucky Ties & Tutus fan will be the winner of a $50 gift card to Crimson Clover Designs!  Haven’t heard of them?  Make sure to ask Bret Michaels or Alexis from the Real Housewives of the OC because they are both huge fans!  Yes, it is true, the celebs are getting in on this amazing custom jewelry, and now you can too!  To be entered in to the drawing for today’s giveaway simply “like” Crimson Clover’s Facebook page by clicking here and of course, “like” this post on our Ties & Tutus Facebook page so we know your name for the drawing!

If you are interested in looking at more Crimson Clover products here is a link to their Etsy Shop!    And, of course, if you know of anyone else who would be interested, please share the post!  ….Of course that does decrease your chances of winning… :)

Have a great day and good luck!

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It’s another Hump Day Giveaway!

February 15, 2012 by 1 Comment

We here at Ties & Tutus want your Hump Day to be filled with joy and excitement and what better way than to win FREE stuff!  Today’s giveaway is especially exciting because it is personalized for you!  The Embroidery Chick, an awesome online store that offers everything from personalized rings to towels has donated a FREE personalized scarf of your choice!

All of the scarf options can be seen here and any scarf in stock can be yours!  If you are the winner of today’s giveaway you will be able to pick your scarf, personalization and colors!   To enter to win you simply need to “like” this post on the Ties & Tutus Facebook page and like The Embroidery Chick Facebook page as well!  It’s that easy!  You will have until midnight tonight to enter to win!  The winner will be announced on Thursday morning.  Good luck to all and thanks so much for the generous donation by The Embroidery Chick!

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Tooth Fairy Pillow

February 9, 2012 by Leave a Comment

As I was out and about today, I came across an adorable boutique, Little Artika at the Biltmore Fashion Park.  I walked in and immediately said to myself, “Ahh, I need that.  I need that.  Yep, I need that, too.”  But then I got to the counter and saw the most adorable little product:

(Photo courtesy of www.oeufnyc.com)

“This cute and friendly molar-shaped pillow features a pocket in the back for the tooth and fairy’s deposit. Small and soft, it is perfect for hiding under pillows and may even become your child’s favorite new little friend.”

Such a simple idea, why didn’t I think of this?  My 8-month-old son’s first tooth just broke through, yet I’m already looking forward to the day when the Tooth Fairy visits our home.

Click here to buy one for your toothless wonder!

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The Ultimate Stroller…

February 8, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Ever since becoming a mother I am obsessed with researching strollers, car seats, diaper bags, pretty much any and all baby gear.  I go back and forth between what is my dream stroller, but after stumbling upon this one today, the search may just be over.  It is called the Origami – quite possibly the most technologically advanced baby gadget I have ever seen… a brief description curtesy from the review on Plush Little Baby: 

The Origami stroller is the world’s first power folding stroller: at the touch of a button, it folds itself.  With a generator in the rear wheels that charges the stroller as you walk, the Origami can power a phone charger, a speedometer, daytime running lights, and the sensors that detect when a child’s in the seat (so it won’t fold by accident).  The built-in generator recharges the system while you walk, but you can also plug it into a wall to charge.  The digital display screen not only shows how many miles you’ve walked or how fast you’re going, it also displays the current weather conditions for you.  But the best part about the stroller is that it folds by itself with no disassembly required on the parent’s part!

I am certain I can’t convince my husband this stroller is necessary, and to be quite honest, I’m not sure I can quite convince myself either.   But I certainly wouldn’t complain if it showed up in my stocking this year!

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Origami Owl, Custom Jewelry

February 8, 2012 by 3 Comments

Have you heard about this latest craze?  If not, let me be the one to introduce you to Origami Owl, Custom Jewelry.  Yes.  CUSTOM.  I’ve recently become part of this amazing company that allows you, the customer, to design personal lockets that tell your story.  I fell in love with the idea immediately, I’m a self-confessed accessory junkie.  Here is an image that describes how simple the process really is:

I’m currently waiting on shipment of my first locket and I can’t.wait.for.it.to.get.here.  I’m stalking the UPS man like nobody’s business.  I created a family piece out of a gold locket, long gold chain, our initials and our birthstones.  Oh, and let’s not forget the rhinestone dog bone, that represents our puppy.  He’s definitely part of our family.  It’s something simple that I can wear everyday.  At first I was stressed wondering if I should wait until our family was complete because I didn’t want to have to order another necklace a year or two down the road.  Well, apparently the design team was one step ahead of me because these little suckers open up so you can exchange or add charms.  Holler!

Here are a few of my favorite designs:

Show your school spirit - fill your locket with your school letters and colors.

This is the perfect gift for a grandmother - let her proudly showcase her grandkids with boy or girl charms with birthstones.

I love the vintage trend right now!

Here is a great picture showcasing the differnet size lockets, colors and chains. I especailly love how they show a chain with just a dangle, no locket. It's all custom!

Meet Isabella, the 14-year-old mastermind behind Origami Owl. To read her amazing story, go to http://nora.origamiowl.com/story

I just love how stylish, chic and personal each necklace is.  Oh, and be on the lookout.  I was on a conference call with headquarters today and there are going to be LOTS of new items coming out very, very soon.  Eek, I’m so excited!

If you would like to browse, order, host a party (free products, hello!?) or even become a designer, go to http://nora.origamiowl.com.

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giggle

January 25, 2012 by Leave a Comment

While wandering through Scottsdale Quarter recently, I came across an absolutely amazing baby store, giggle.  I fell in love with their products and mission in-store (pssst, they hold storytimes twice a week, too!), but then I found their website.  Aaahhhaaahhhaaa…it quickly became my new obsession.  I spent countless hours deciding what products I just had.to.have, reading their blog, checking out their deals and then I came across The Cradle.  It is an amazing resource filled with information, tools, chat rooms, and so much more.  Now the real kicker, giggle recently released an app for the smart phone that allows you to register for your baby shower or party with your phone!  Say so long to those ugly scanners we all lugged around and say hello to the future.  Oh, how I wish I had known about this when I was pregnant.  Leave us a comment and tell us about your giggle expereince.

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Hate Old School Scrapbooking? Project Life is for you!

January 16, 2012 by 1 Comment

 


I recently heard of a new way to scrapbook through one of my favorite blogs, The Mother Huddle, and I was quite impressed with what I saw.  Through Project Life Becky Higgins gives busy moms a new way to scrapbook – while not having to cut-out, stick-on and rifle-through all of those scrapbook materials you may, or may not, have lying around your house.  Take a look at her website as well as her promo videos on youtube.  If you weren’t inspired to document your life before, one look at what Project Life has to offer is the all the inspiration you need!

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Britax Marathon

January 16, 2012 by Leave a Comment

After having used a baby carrier for the past eight months with my newborn I spent a lot, and I mean A LOT of time researching which car seat I wanted to graduate into.  After having not spent a whole lot of time researching the different ins and outs of our baby carrier, and not being completely satisfied with what we ended up getting, I wanted to make sure, really sure, that we had a car seat I would be happy with for the long haul.

Long story short, I went with the Britax Marathon and so far, so, SO good.  Not only do I like the color, materials and ease of installation, my daughter seems to love it too.  She was one of the few babies who hated the car and pretty much screamed anytime we put her on the baby carrier.  She was finally starting to not loathe the seat so I was especially nervous to move her to a car seat.  However, she has been nothing but happy so far.

My happiest moment however came today, when realizing the brilliance of the Britax all came down to two little strips of velcro.  My only complaint with the new seat was how difficult it was to maneuver my daughter in there and then have to pull the straps out from under her butt.  And then it dawned on me that the little straps of velcro I had seen before actually served a purpose – you could stick them to the sides to open up the straps, thus creating oodles of room for me to get her in there!  This discovery seriously made my day.  Because yes, it’s safe, is crash test approved, blah, blah, but this feature was designed by a parent, for a parent, and made me so happy to have bought a Britax.

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