Happy Labor Day!

Too all the workers out there...YIPPEE!...a day off!  The unofficial end of summer and the unofficial start of the Halloween Season.  Don't shoot the messenger — I went grocery shopping today and saw Halloween decorations and pumpkins.  And so it begins.....

Budget Shopper: Get a Crewcuts Look at a Target Store Price

When you really think about all the clothes you buy every year (more if you have to wardrobe kids through four seasons) - how often does your child wear those items?  Chances are, there are a handful of favorites that get worn routinely, while others are lucky to get a wear or two.  I have learned the past few years the beauty of mixing and matching.  I think kids look adorable when their outfits are not match-matchy.  


I love Crewcuts clothes for girls.  If you have glanced at other posts I have written, you will soon see that I love the classy, girly, yet kid-like look at Crewcuts.  Most of the time though, I don't like the price.  I will splurge on a jacket (I bought my 3 yr old the Crewcuts powder puffer), but I wait for a lot of the items to go on sale.  I frequent other stores looking for Crewcuts look-a-likes.  Some of my favorite stores for 'Crewcut knockoff's" are Target, Old Navy, Gap and Carter's.  


In this installment of Budget Shopper, I focus on a handful of items I found at Target this Fall of 2011 that mimic the preppy, Crewcut wardrobe essentials. Here are some Target clothes that look like J.Crew's Crewcuts...


First is this classic striped cardigan sweater.  It is lightweight in feel, but with layering over a tee or tank, will be prefect for chilly days at the bus stop or a playdate at the park.  

The ruffles around the neckline are modern yet girly, and the contrasting white piping around the neckline and buttons make it look more than the $14.99 on the price tag. Pair it with a bright skirt, colorful leggings, or casual jeans and ballet flats.  This runs a bit small, so size up by one.

My next Target favorite is this heather brown cardigan with hot pink flowers on the upper left chest.

This runs true to size, with a little more extra room thrown in.  I can picture this with a tulle skirt and footless leggings.  Are you seeing the resemblance to Crewcuts here? Absolutely, Iam!  Again, this little number goes for $14.99! 

As I was browsing the toddler clothing section at Target, I came across these other gems.  Here are a few of my choices....drumroll, please.

What I like about all these pieces is their simplicity.  They can be paired with each other for an handful of practical outfits.  All you need are some basic tee's, tights, leggings, ballet flats, or boots.  All these pieces (shown) together cost less than $85.00!  

So, while you may not have the budget for a Crewcuts wardrobe, it is easy to find those preppy and classy pieces at Target for a fraction of the cost.  And, who doesn't love a GREAT deal?

I have been guilty of overbuying for my daughter, but after packing away clothes that she never wore, or never even had a chance to wear, I am more aware of buying pieces that all work together.  That means I buy less, but am able to have more outfits!  The best part of that is I end up having more money to spend on a fabulous Crewcuts sale!! 

Foul Weather Friends - Crewcuts by J.Crew Girls Long Powder Puffer Jackets!

The calendar may say September, but store inventory is screaming - Puffer jackets! - for the blustery, cold winter months ahead.  I have been on a winter coat and accessories scavenger hunt for the most stylish, yet warm, little girl winter wardrobe essentials.  My favorite puffers are coming from Crewcuts, for boys & girls 2-10, by J.Crew.

I have been completely in love with Crewcuts girls long powder puffer jacket since last year.  The length is perfect to keep the tush and upper legs toasty while looking oh so adorable with the sash around the waist.  They are filled with down and are exceptionally warm for the harsh cold and wind.  Here is a peek...

This is my favorite choice of colors for the 2011-2012 season.  The cobblestone color is a versatile neutral that will compliment many outfits from jeans to leggings in a array of colors while not looking too busy.  

This is choice number two.  The navy and pink sash is stunning, but I wish the navy was a bit deeper.  Still, overall, it is a great neutral and beats all the pink coats that will be saturating the market soon.  The other color offered in this style is a vintage olive green with a same color sash that is nice, but the color is a little too drab.  Last year they offered a dark charcoal gray color which is MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE, but after consulting with a J.Crew rep this week, I found out it is not being offered this season.  Drats.  

The other puffer jacket being offered by Crewcuts is the girls convertible puffer.  It is a classic puffer jacket that transforms to a puffer vest!  This is a great choice for a play coat - sledding, skiing, you name it.  Just pick up a pair of snow pants and your little one is ready for a long day of fun.

The color choice for this style are more numerous, but I think this pink is to die for.  Pair it with some ivory or black snow pants for a streamlined and classy look.

What I love most about these girls Crewcuts puffer jackets besides their style and warmth, are that the hoods are plain and don't have fur around them.  A couple years back I loved the look of fur around the hood, but now it just looks dated to me.  This look, without fur, looks simple and clean.

Check out J.Crew.com and head to the Crewcuts tab for a look at these fabulous and really warm jackets for your little girl.  The foul winter winter that I absolutely can't wait for is coming faster than you think.  Get your Crewcuts puffer before they fly off the shelf - like they did last year.  I bought mine today so I am not kicking myself in November when the size I want is sold out  -  those are my least favorite two words.

Happy Back -to -School :)

The Christmas List DVD (ABC Family 1997)

If you are like me and love the Christmas season, chances are you think about it year-round.  My coziest and favorite time during the holiday season is watching a good Christmas movie while the snow is falling and the Christmas tree lights are twinkling.


One of my favorite Christmas movies is The Christmas List (1997) starring Mimi Rogers.  I first saw it on ABC Family during one of their 25 Days of Christmas marathons.  For a couple years it was aired numerous times every December, but the past couple years its airing has been cut to maybe one time slot - usually an inconvenient time - such as 7:00am.  Who gets up that early to watch a movie?  Not me.   Since then, my search for the DVD of this movie begun.   I put myself on the Amazon.com waiting list to no avail, and read numerous websites of how this favorite holiday movie of mine would not officially be released on DVD.

Based on reviews of The Christmas List movie, the demand is there for people to have their own copy.  Last November I came across a site, iOffer, that had a seller who developed DVD's based on "made for TV" movies.   The Christmas List was on her list for a mere $7.50!  I would pay triple to get my hands on this beloved movie.  I took a chance, not knowing how the quality would be, and ordered the movie.  I was thoroughly impressed.  The quality is fabulous, the audio flawless, and all commercials have been edited out.  Superbly done! 


As I write this I am watching the movie and hoping that all the you out there who want to own this movie, see this story and order your copy!


Here is the link to the seller on iOffer.  Buy The Christmas List (1997) DVD with confidence and enjoy your newfound gem of a movie that is now yours to watch all year!




P.S.  This post has many, many views.  I hope some of you ordered the movie!! 

Warm & Comfy Stride Rite EMU Boots

The time of the year when we start thinking of Fall and Winter clothes in upon us!  I love the change of seasons - especially the chance to wear a different wardrobe of jeans, boots, trench coats, scarves, and all the other wonderful options we have in cooler weather.


While my seasonal wardrobe stays pretty stationary - with a few new pieces thrown in every year - a child's wardrobe needs constant updating through all their expected, and sometimes not expected, growth spurts.


Since I live in the Northeast - Buffalo, New York, to be exact - I have to be ready for all the cold and snow the winter has to offer.  And that means plenty of boot options.  Boots for chilly rain, boots for cold, but dry weather, and boots for very cold, snowy, slushy extremes.  I am the boot guru.


As I was window shopping for my little girl, I came across these EMU boots at Stride Rite which are strikingly similar to the super famous Uggs.   I bought these for her last Fall (2010) during a promotion at Stride Rite which landed me a very spectacular deal.  She wore these the entire winter with minimal wear and tear and super warmth.

EMU boot

I have a hard time finding many negatives about this product.  My experience has been almost fully positive which made my decision easy to buy these again for the upcoming winter of 2011-2012.


Here are the good points:

• Toasty warm.  I can not say enough about the inside fluffy wool lining.  My daughter never complained of cold feet, even when wearing thinner socks.
• Minimal staining.  Now, I did waterproof them twice prior to the beginning of Winter, but as I look at last year's boots - only a few salt stains by the toes.  A quick swipe of a wet washcloth after coming home stopped any stain from setting in.  
• Perfect for a child that needs a wide width.  There is plenty of extra space in this EMU boot for a comfy fit - which in boots, is sometimes hard to come by.
• Stylish!  The EMU boots looks adorable with leggings, tights and dresses, jeans - just about everything.  
• Great neutral colors - tan, dark brown, gray and black.  Understated boots are more classy than busy colors or busy designs.

The bad points (only one!):

• Minimal traction.  This can be problem if these are your only boots for the winter and you live in a snowy area.  I have these for cold weather and light snow, and another pair of good, sturdy snow boots for the ice and heavy snow.  If these are worn in icy or slushy snow your little one will be slipping everywhere and therefore, not safe.  In the heavy, deep snow they will just get wet and uncomfortable.  

The Emu boot is a great alternative if you want the look of the Ugg boot, but not the high price - especially since your child will likely only wear them for one season.  The EMU boots are made with good quality and exceptional warmth for those cute, tiny toes!  

Get This Zhu Zhu Pet Outta My Hair!

Watch out!  I love hair.

This past summer my 3 year old daughter discovered the infamous Zhu Zhu pet at a local Target store.  I did not know much about them beyond the fact that they were a Christmas shopping season phenomenon a couple years back.  The craziness of the Zhu Zhu brought back memories my childhood and my generation's obsession with the Cabbage Patch doll - which, now looking back, were not really all so cute.


Back to the Zhu Zhu hair debacle.  


I bought my daughter the Rockstar  Zhu Zhu and watched her have fun as she let him loose on the kitchen floor - watching all his twists and turns as he scampered about.  She was full giggles and amazement.  This went on for a good two days before all things Zhu Zhu turned hairy, no pun intended.


I was finishing cleaning the kitchen when I called out to my daughter.  She was in the dining room, under the table, and let out a faint - "here I am, and nothing is wrong".  This little statement speaks for itself.  We all know it spells t-r-o-u-b-l-e! 


When I glanced at her under the table, she slowly crawled out and looked up at me.  The Zhu Zhu pet was stuck in her hair - the left side of her head, to be exact!  Her hair is long, so my first thought was that I was going to have to cut off chunks of her thick, beautiful hair.  She was not crying or scared - she just seemed perplexed as to why this toy was hanging from her hair.  I calmly asked her to sit down as I tried to figure out how the heck I was going to remove this hamster from her head.


These are the lessons I learned while trying to detach the beast:

• Do not  press the button on the Zhu Zhu pets back.  This only tangles the hair as it turns the wheels forward and back.  If anything, this more tightly winds the hair around the wheels.
• Trying to unwind the hair from the Zhu Zhu pets wheels is next to impossible.  The sides of the hamster are low and cover half the wheels.  This heavy plastic has no give, so there is no way to safely unwind the hair without hurting your fingers.
• The only reasonable way to remove the Zhu Zhu pet from hair is not to cut off the hair, but to snap off the wheels with pliers.  This causes the demise of the Zhu Zhu, but better that than a bald spot on you precious child.
• After the Zhu Zhu is removed from the hair, the tangled section will resemble a huge rats nest.  It is ugly.  It took days of detangling spray and combing with a boar bristle brush to finally to the snarls out.

Thankfully, in our case, getting the stuck Zhu Zhu pet out of my child's hair turned out ok.  You would think this would turn off my daughter to these toys, but she wanted a replacement.  She now has two more in which she now wears a ponytail when playing with them on the floor - our new rule!

The Little Drummer Boy by The Living Voices

Every July when it is hot & humid out I start to think about how quickly I want Fall and Winter to come.  I love when it starts to get dark earlier and the weather gets cloudy, chilly and windy.  So, last July, I started to get my iTunes Christmas music in order.  I loved the song Pinecones and Hollyberries so much growing up that I was on a special quest to find it.  I remember my parents playing an awesome album on the stereo, but I could not remember the album name or the singing group.  Little did I know that my parents had kept all the old records in the basement - I was so excited!  I found the coveted album - The Little Drummer Boy by The Living Voices - and thought it would be easy to find a downloadable version on the Internet.  After countless attempts, I came across the Hi-Fi Holiday blog in which the poster converts the album to MP3.  He is very kind to allow a free download, and amazingly, it sounds terrific.  This entire album was played numerous times last year, and now my 3 yr old daughter is a huge fan of the song, Be A Santa!


This was a beloved album in our house back in the 1970's and 1980's.  My fondest memory is my mom baking Christmas cookies late at night when all us kids were in bed and she would put on this album and sing it out loud.  I used to lay to bed and love smelling the cookies baking, my mom singing, and the Christmas lights twinkling.


I can't wait to make memories like these for my family!


Check out the link below and enjoy some wonderful Christmas music of The Living Voices: The Little Drummer Boy.  Then click on his 'Enjoy This' tab at the bottom of his post.  That will take you to Rapid Share where you click download to computer! Viola!  Now you have it.  After they are downloaded to your computer, you can open the songs up in iTunes.  Artwork transfers over, too!
http://hif-fi-holiday.blogspot.com/2006/12/little-drummer-boy-living-voices.html

The Christmas season is only 4 months away!

Fun Backpacks for the Little Ones

For many parents out there, the first day of school for their wee little ones is right around the corner.  Why not send them off in style with these adorable backpacks? They are the perfect backpack for your preschooler! These scream FUN!!, not boring.

Fox Backpack

Girls Robot Backpack

Owl Lunchbox

These and many more selections, including coordinating lunch boxes, are available from The Land of Nod.  Adorable products with free shipping on Back to School items  - now that is a deal!

If you want a more standard backpack, Pottery Barn Kids is the way to go!  They are neither busy looking or boring.  The color combinations are modern yet subtle.  I don't know if you are like me, but I like when wardrobe pieces compliment accessories.  If you have a colorful backpack stick to a neutral jacket, and if you have a solid backpack you can get away with a more patterned jacket/coat.  Here are some of my favorites at Pottery Barn Kids.  How neat is the Batman backpack?

All Pottery Barn Kids backpacks are also free shipping!

All these backpacks are made in a smaller size that are perfect for your preschooler thru 1st grader.  Not only are the backpacks great, but they all have coordinating lunch boxes!  

KIDS NEED STYLE, TOO!

Best Skin Care Products for Combination Skin

Finding a skin care regime that makes your skin look smooth, clear and dewy, in other words - fabulous, can be a arduous task for many women.  I was lucky to have my mother introduce me to Clinique when I was 16.  It took many trials to find to right products for my dry cheeks, oily T-zone, combination skin.  I never had an acne problem, but the crazy common pimples that would show up when you least wanted them - pictures, big events, you name it.


While I  realize that Cate's list of award winning skincare products will not work for everyone, it at least gives you an idea of products worth trying.

• Best for taking make-up off:  Clinique's Take the Day Off! This has to be the number one makeup remover ever invented.  A little dip on a cotton ball and a few swipes over your eyes and lips effortlessly takes it all off.  I have sensitive skin and itchy eyes from seasonal allergies, and this little concoction gives me absolutely no irritation whatsoever.  

• Best for cleansing:  Clinique's Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam.  Not only is this great at treating acne, but preventing it, too.  The foam is silky, creamy, and glides on smoothly.  I use this morning and night and have no dryness.  Best yet, no breakouts!  

• Best Clarifying Lotion:  Clinique's Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion.  I was never a firm believer in Clarifying lotions until I used this one.  I used it morning and night and found my skin to be a bit dry.  I cut down to using it only at night and what a difference - no more tightness.  The salicylic acid can be harsh if overused, so a little goes a long way.  One bottle lasts me 6 months!  Well worth the money and the clear skin.

• Best Moisturizer:  Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion.  This is the one item where I deviate from Clinique.  No Clinique moisturizer does the trick for me.  Either my skin feels too dry (Dramatically Different Lotion) or too sticky (Moisture Surge).  I tried Cetaphil on the recommendation of a doctor I worked with and what a refreshing lotion.  My skin just feels right with Cetaphil.  Since my skin is sensitive, I needed something light and dewy, but free of irritating chemicals.  Two pumps of this lotion after my Clarifying Lotion makes my skin feel fresh, healthy and moist.

• Best Lip Moisturizer:  Smith's Rosebud Salve.  I have had the hardest time trying to find a lip moisturizer that was neither waxy or gloppy.  After reading about it in Parenting Magazine, I had to try Smith's Rosebud Salve.  I stopped by Sephora and was so glad I spent the $6 for this product.  It is a light consistency that glides on the lips and makes them soft and supple.  This is my 'go-to' lip moisturizer/gloss.  I use it on a daily basis - numerous times - and I have even grown accustomed to the rosy smell and taste.  It is a miracle worker!  If you are looking for a great little gift for your girlfriend's, this is it.

These items are my beauty staples.  After much trial and error, I found fabulous products for my combination skin.  If you are still hunting for a good skin routine, consider these items. Not only are they gentle, but hard-working.  Even though Clinique is more pricey than drugstore brands, their products usually last 3-4 months on average. The results will speak for themselves.

Giveaway: Real Simple Meals Made Easy Cookbook!

Every third Friday of the month on Dash and Grace will be a free giveaway!  This weeks item is a brand new hardcover Real Simple: Meals Made Easy cookbook.

To enter please leave a comment with your favorite all time recipe!  Please make sure I have a means to contact you.  Contest open from Friday, July 22 to Friday, August 5, 2011!  Winner will be chosen at random on August 6th. This contest is open internationally.

Enter now for your chance to win a free Real Simple: Meals Made Easy cookbook!

Good luck & Happy Cooking!

NO WINNER!

Contest closed.  My blog is still in it's infancy, we will try this again at a later date!

Dora the Explorer Window Surprises Dollhouse

My daughter loves dollhouses and loves Dora.  I thought this Fisher Price Dora the Explorer Window Surprises dollhouse would be a major hit with her.  Actually, it is quite the opposite - and I am not too fond of it, either.

First off, it was playable when taken right out of the box, which is probably one of the few plusses of this toy.  All I had to do was place a few stickers on the walls of the house to give it a 'homey' feel.  But, half of these stickers have since fell off.  The doors that open to expose the 3 levels of the house stick more often the not, so she is constantly fighting to open the the house, and getting aggravated in the process.  Then, when the doors are open, you can't play with the front door because the main door has no stability and you have to hold the door with one hand and open the front door with the other.  The position of that front door is questionable too.  It would make more sense if it was on the main floor of the house next to the kitchen.  The stairs on the other opening flap serve no purpose.  My daughter loves to walk her dolls up and down the stairs, but these stairs are stationary, very narrow, and there is a plastic floor just above it (see where the Dora figure is standing).  Dora can only walk up a couple stairs before she has to stop - there is no place to go.  These are the stairs to nowhere!

Next, when you buy the house, it only comes with a Dora figure and maybe a couple other small accessories.  You have to buy all the rest to make it actually look and feel like a dollhouse.  I bought the bathroom set in which the bathtub/shower goes on the other blue plastic floor above the front door.  Problem is, it does not fit there!  It kept tumbling over onto the floor.  The doors of the shower also proceeded to break within the first few weeks.  This dollhouse has no flow to it and it is hard to imaginary play with it when you are getting frustrated because everything is falling over.  

The Dora and Diego figures are very cute and have bendable legs, but when you try and sit them on the plastic couch or chair, they just slide right off.  My daughter used to cry and cry because sit could not get them to sit and stay.  She got so frustrated one day that she hurled the figures across the room.  The accessories are cheap, small and easily breakable.  Our list of broken ones include: bathtub/shower, computer, lamp, umbrella that Boots carries, and kitchen chairs.  It is pathetic.

Perhaps the best feature of the entire dollhouse is the 'working' fireplace.  It gives a pretty glow and realistic crackling sound.  It almost feels like winter when it turns on.  This dollhouse also has two buttons on the very bottom to scroll the change of Seasons on the inside window.  It works nicely and the songs are cute, but the overall quality of this product forces me to give it a thumbs down - on both hands.

Once you buy this dollhouse and all the necessary accessories, you can easily spend $100.  Do yourself a favor and invest on a REAL dollhouse for you little girl.  Fisher Price dropped the ball on this one.

Crewcuts by JCrew Girls Long Powder Puffer Jackets

I am a huge fan of Crewcuts clothes for kids, especially when you can get an awesome deal.  Mind you, I am not going to spend $50 on a sweater for a kid who will outgrow it is a year, but maybe, just maybe, on an adorable and very warm winter coat (which I need here in the cold and snowy winter of western New York).  Last year they carried a very nice, long style powder puffer in toddler and girl sizes.  It was $128, and I was reluctant.  I never did buy it, but I talked to a few mom's who did and loved it.  The fit was true and the warmth was unmatched.  I usually have bought Old Navy Frost Free jackets and have had no complaints, other than the color choices.  This year I may bite the bullet and splurge on a Crewcuts puffer.  I recently searched the site and came across the coveted jacket.   Isn't that bow around the waist to die for?  What girl wouldn't want to look so toasty and cute?

They no longer have this color that I want, but only a neutral cobblestone with matching sash.  You won't find it in the regular clothing listing though.  You need to type puffer in the JCrew search box and then you will see last year's styles that are still in stock.  Last week I chatted with a JCrew rep to see if this same style will come along again for Fall/Winter 2011-12 and he seemed confident it would because it was such a hot seller.  I still kick myself for not buying it when they went on deep discount mid-winter.  Oh, the lessons I learn.

I love rich neutral colors for jackets, not the typical brights you find in most stores.  If you are like me, give these a little looky!

Nothing like promoting a little winter in July.  It is so darn hot here I could use a good snowstorm.  Happy Summer!

Thumb-Sucking: My Little Linus

I am a believer that every child needs a security object, be it a blanket, stuffed animal or other beloved treasure.  Having an object that makes him/her feel relaxed and calm can be a sanity saver in many situations.

My daughter has a healthy attachment to both her left thumb and two blankets which she lovingly calls, "Dora" and "Pink".  She was not a thumbsucker until the age of 2 months, when one evening she haphazardly put her thumb in her mouth and fell right asleep.  She looked so peaceful and happy, like she just found an old friend.  Since I used to suck my thumb up to the age of 5,  I have no issue whatsoever with my daughter doing this.  I guess I am a smidge biased.

Some people have made comments about the thumb-sucking to me, both family and strangers.  It always amazes me how people feel justified in judging someone else's parenting.  One absolute hideous example comes at the hand of an extended family member.  The summer my daughter was 6 months old was also the summer of our family reunion.  She was still taking 2 naps a day, the afternoon one between 2 or 3pm.  Since she was a brand new baby in the family, everyone was picking her up, touching her, and otherwise keeping her awake when she really wanted to nap.  I strolled her to less hectic part of our shelter so she could relax and sleep.  She cuddled with her blankets,  put her thumb in her mouth, and her eyes began to slowly shut.  I was turned a little bit talking to someone when I heard my daughter crying hysterically.  Much to my chagrin, my 'Aunt' pulled her thumb out of her mouth and sternly told me that is an ugly habit to start.  Habit? Yes.  Ugly?  Absolutely not!  Out of character for myself, I sternly told her to never, ever do that to a child of mine again.  At that point I realized that I was not only standing up for my daughter, but also solidifying my parenting beliefs.

My daughter is now 3 and still is a thumb-sucker, mainly when falling asleep or watching television.  She is a solid sleeper and has been since 2 months old.  She learned to self soothe and bring herself comfort.  She is happy, extroverted, and confident.  We have been to the dentist and her teeth are perfectly straight and spaced beautifully.  She has a bit of an overbite, but her dentist does not think it is related to thumb-sucking because she is not an "active" sucker.  She simply places her thumb in her mouth without sucking hard.  Not every thumb-sucker has dental issues, and not every child who does not suck his/her thumb have perfect teeth.  And these insane contraptions that have been invented to stop a child from sucking his/her thumb do more harm than good.  In due time, most children stop this habit, but it has to be their doing, and on their time.  

She is also my Little Linus.  Everywhere we go we bring her "Pink" blanket while "Dora" stays home because it is bigger and space consuming.  God forbid I would lose the blanket while running errands.  A few times I thought I misplaced it and my heart sank to my knees.  It may sound silly, but those blankets and her thumb are her complete and total comfort when Mom or Dad are not around.  It is a blessing.  Every child needs a security object, I am a staunch supporter of these lovies.

If she needs braces down the road, so be it.  That is why I have this strange thing called dental insurance.  If she continues the thumb-sucking until age 5 or 6, that is fine.  If she keeps her blankets until she is 10, that is fine, too.  These comfort habits are hers, and hers alone.  It breeds relaxation, calmness, and love.
If my daughter is happy and thriving, I am happy for her!

Tiny Prints - Birthday invites!

I am a big believer that every birthday party deserves a fabulous invitation.  In a world where people rely heavily on email, Facebook and Twitter, it is nice to slow things down and snail mail a birthday party invitation to friends and family.

Now, I know there are cheaper and less inexpensive avenues to take here - store bought cookie cutter invitations, or gulp, evites.  Nothing says tacky more than evites.  It is maybe alright for mass invites on Facebook, but not for intimate family events.

If you are worried about price, do not fret.  For a extra $10-$15, you get a customized and stylish invite that is sure to impress.  A great invitation shows you put good thought and effort into planning your party  - which also shows that when your party day comes, it will also be well planned and organized.

I have been and still am a huge fan of Shutterfly.  I have ordered many Christmas cards through them and also my daughter's birth announcement - all of which came me coming back for more.  One Christmas, my girlfriend sent out fabulous holiday cards on thick cardstock.  When I glanced on the back, I noticed the Tiny Prints logo and quickly logged on their site to see where this great card came from.  I was completely impressed by the wide array of designs, colors and customizable versatility.  There is definitely a card for everyone's taste here.

My love for Tiny Prints is well known in my circle of family and friends.  Some I am sure think I am crazy for ordering special invites for a little kid's birthday party, but these parties happen only once a year, and you never get them back.  I always budget out $30 for Tiny Prints invites and I love the finished product.  My most recent invite was this fantastic design for my daughter's 3rd birthday.

Tiny Prints girl's party invitation

Of course, this is not our actual invitation, but the design we chose.  We then added all our personal information and any customization we were allowed.  They use a thick card stock, so the quality is rich, the colors are brilliant, and overall look screams STYLISH!  Oh, and they give you fitted envelopes too, AND, if you so choose, you can have the recipients and sender's address pre-printed on the envelopes - for a tiny, tiny fee.

And not only are there birthday party invites wonderful, but any event you can think of,  there is a card for - holiday cards, holiday parties, birth announcements, baptisms, First Communion, graduation....must I go on, I must....., Halloween, Valentine's Day, We are Moving cards, etc.  These are highly customizable, right down to having a few color options for each card.  How awesome is that?

Try Tiny Prints for your next event.  You will not be disappointed.

Don't forget: A fabulous party begins with a fabulous invitation!

Crewcuts by JCrew Girls Somersault Leggings

Crewcuts/Jcrew somersault leggings

I was excited last year to find reasonably priced leggings at JCrew/Crewcuts last winter for toddler girls.   I was even more excited to find neutral colors - navy, heather gray, cream - colors that I had a hard time finding at Old Navy, GAP or Target.

When I received them in the mail, I was excited - the cotton was soft and stretchy, the colors were exactly what I wanted, and the length was right to the ankle.  After a couple of wears, I noticed that my daughter was picking at her leggings under dresses/tunics.  As it was, the waist completely stretched out and they kept falling down and making her uncomfortable.  Even though we stopped wearing them often - only for wearing under snowpants now - the seam in the tushy area was beginning to split.  I was surprised because JCrew typically has very good quality.  In the end, I just threw these out because they are worthless to wear when they are falling down 85% of the time.

All in all, I love the colors that Crewcuts has, I love the feel of these, but the permanant over stretching of the waist made these a dealbreaker.  The price wasn't to bad - I got them at 2/$14 - but I would opt for the 2/$7 leggings at Target over these.  While both the Crewcuts and Target leggings wash very well and have no pilling, the Target leggings are superior in retaining shape.