Because my daughter was born in Austin, and because it's such an awesome place, I will always have a thing for it. Because Tee Shirts & Jeans Girl was started by a most fashionable friend I worked with at the Austin American-Statesman, and because they were designed by another newspaper friend with an awesome style all her own, I am so excited about this new company! They sell originally designed tees, jeans and belts with the most awesome belt buckles. Even one with a San Francisco buckle, which celebrates where I live now. These tees can add some stylish flair anywhere a mom goes, and would make great gifts for teen girls too. My Austin born daughter is a big fan of Allie, the purple tiger tee. ~ Where do you find your comfy, yet stylish, tees? ~

An animal theme is a pretty safe bet if you don’t know the gender of your baby. And what animal is better for your little tadpole than happy hopping frogs? They’re little, they eat bugs and they look cute on baby items. Here are five baby essentials that happen to be decked out in all things frog. So I guess it is easy being green.

No one can predict which stuffed animal or blanket your baby will grow attached to. But the Angel Dear Froggy has an advantage as a lovie contender since it is part blankie and part plush pal. The friendly frog face and soft material will make anyone want to cuddle with it. It is available on its own, and is also sold as a set of three, in A Pair and a Spare. That way your baby will never be minus one little speckled frog.

While the little green friend on the Nova Nature Natural Frog Teether is busy contemplating its next meal, your little one can feel free to chew away on the teething handle. Made of natural rubber and decorated with non-toxic paints, this is one thing that you will want your baby to stick in their mouth. As a PVC, BPA and Phthalate free product, it won’t bring chemicals into your pad.

You will think you have found your frog prince in this multitasking Boon Frog Pod. It can be mounted to the wall in the bathtub, and used to store toys and baby wash bottles. The holes in the holder will allow toys to dry, and in turn last longer. And the toys will have somewhere to go besides the bathroom floor. Now that’s something to hop up and down about!

The Bestever Frog Baby Mat will be your baby’s first best friend. It is a comforting place to lay down, try out tummy time and start to learn to play. The soft fabric and stuffed mat can easily be moved around the house. So you can know that your little one will always a plush place to lay down, and will have a friendly face to look at too. Because babies need to relax too.

The Pretty Lady Anne Happy Green Frog Burp Cloths bring a sense of style to burp time. How can a baby not smile while looking at those friendly frog eyes, while expecting the long awaited burp to show up. The cloth’s soft flannel and peanut shape create a soft spot for your baby, while actually staying over your shoulder to do its job.

Froggy or not, any baby products will do the trick, but we suggest choosing ones with some fun and friendly froggy flare.

~ What gender neutral nursery themes have you used? ~

Mother-daughter bracelets have been taken to a new level. Thought not actually intended for that purpose, when I saw a mini bracelet in designer Yas Niktash's collection, I created my own set. The bracelets are made from braided African fabrics, in a variety of colors. A charm such as a heart, stars or sand dollar is attached to each one. The bracelets don't get ruined in water, so they are literally fun an functional! Though not available on her site yet, one quick email and they can be yours.  ~ What kinds of accessories do you and your kids share? ~

I like to shop. And plan. And plan to shop. And shop for things that are planned. Following are some of our favorite gifts to give for new babies, moms, homes and at any time! Hope you get inspired to shop, and support a growing business in the process. 

Featured here is a personalized pennant I had customized for a friend's new daughter. Somehow they captured her mom's style perfectly without even knowing it!



Kids
Funny Girl Designs 
hair accessories and clip holders

Giddy Giddy 
hair accessories and clip holders

Pee Wee Patch Kids 
shirts and pants sets for new crawlers

Playful Chef 
real mini cooking tools for the pint-sized chef

Swim Zip 
zip-front swim shirts sets

Will Heron Designs 
tees with witty images for the whole family


Moms
Annie & Isabel 
stylish and secure hospital gowns 

Bird & Vine 
cool & comfy lounge wear

Showerista 
rock 'n roll shower caps


Accessories
Anne Kiel 
sweet sayings

Ornamental Things
retro relevance

Tasty Jewelry 
playful pieces

Yas Niktash 
sparkly splash  


Home
Ilo Collective
personalized pennants

Blue Monkey Frames
fabulous frames


Sweets
Chuao Chocalatier 
creative combos

Oh Brownie 
bold batters

~What are your favorite gifts to give?~

You always wanted a balloon animal. The only problem was they never lasted. They always broke up into pieces, little by little, like a junior high romance. Well, this Callooh & Callay Balloon Poodle Necklace is the most committed form of puppy love there is. The engraved acrylic pink poodle will stay, sit and lie down when it’s told. Loyalty on a chain, and a new leash on life.

If you are attempting to raise a mini-fashionista, while also making sure they get to attend college, then you are in for a treat!  Jana Francis, founder of the Steal Network explained how her sites work to save you money on purchases for your babies, kids and scrapbooking hobby.  "Basically we post a new 'steal' every morning at 9am MST on BabySteals.com, KidSteals.com and ScrapbookSteals.com, 45-80% off retail, until it sells out! We ship all products same-day, and most US customers get their 'steals' within four days.  All of our products are brand names. BabySteals:  Ju-Ju-Be, Petunia Pickle Bottom, BabyLegs, HALO, Dwell Studio. KidSteals: DC Shoes, Etnies, Sprig Toys, Patagonia, Umi Shoes, Crocs. ScrapbookSteals: My Mind's Eye, American Crafts, Fancy Pants Designs." What a deal!  ~ Parents: What online deals have you found? ~

Whether you call them barrettes, hair-slides or hair clips, the most important thing is that they be cute!  There are a lot of hair clips to choose from these days, and at the top of the cute clip spectrum are those by Chic Baby Rose.  Their wool felt clips come in a variety of shapes, from fruits and treats, to days of the week and holiday themes. Kristyn, the creative force behind it all, can give a smiling personality to a carton of milk (goes great with a cookie) and a sunny disposition to a rain cloud.  Tiny loves her pink owl and alligator clips, and I was curious about which ones other kids like. Kristyn said that the the pink owl is indeed one of her most popular right now, along with the other birds. The Hello Kitty clips and personalized name clips are popular right now as well.  Better get to shopping at a rapid clip.  ~ Parents: What accessories are your tots enjoying right now? ~

I was late to get on the "wear your child's name on a charm" bandwagon. I just hadn't found I liked yet, but thanks to a good friend, I was set on that path with a beautiful charm from etsy.  All on my own, I bought an adorable charm from Anne Kiel stamped with "Mon Bebe" for Tiny for last Mother's Day.  I have also been a long time fan of her initial charms which friends and family both young and old can attest to! And it looks like literally defining ourselves by our jewelry is here to stay. So I decided to ask Anne about her new Mother's Endearments and Romance Language lines. I was curious about whether women are buying these for themselves, or hinting about receiving them as gifts!  She said she had so many custom requests for gifts for new moms that she started the separate mothers' line. She said that moms are also "definitely buying the Endearments and the Initial Necklaces on their own to 'celebrate' their own kids." ~ Parents: Have you bought or received such personalized jewelry? ~

I asked my friend Mindy Turk, owner of Beadazzled by Mindy, what kinds of accessories make the best gifts for little flower girls. She made necklaces for my four two-year-old flower girls so she should know!  She said that bracelets, necklaces and hair accessories make great flower girl gifts.  Hers can be made to match the dresses exactly, and are reasonably priced and heirloom quality.  She feels that even the youngest of girls are deserving of Swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls, sterling silver and 14k gold!  She loves to see photos of the flower girls to custom make something exactly right for each child.
~ Parents: What gifts did you give the young members of your bridal party? ~