Favourite Websites - The Baking Bookworm

My favourite non-mommy blog that I follow regularly is called The Baking Bookworm. Basically, she posts her tried and tested favourite recipes as well as reviews of the books that she is reading.

I love this site not only for the book suggestions (my list is overflowing right now) but also for the great recipes. Just last night I made her Spicy Bacon Roasted Chicken and Potatoes and everyone loved it! (Usually when I try a new recipe no one will eat it, not even me)

You can search her book reviews by book category (e.g., romance, historical fiction, mystery, etc.) or by how many star ratings she gave it (1 to 5). Her recipes can be searched by categories (e.g., poultry, main dishes, breads, etc.).

If you like to read or cook, I highly recommend that you check out The Baking Bookworm and pass it's link on to all of your friends!

www.thebakingbookworm.blogspot.com

Just Gabbing - Bebe Bella Designs Sale

My favourite online blanket store is having a sale on their Satin and Minky Blankets - 70% OFF! Wow! I picked up a $50 blanket for $25 including shipping!

H loves his blankets and his pillowcase from here and I have always been happy with everything that I have ordered from them. Their products wash well and have so far stood up to all that H puts them through!

This will be a Christmas gift for P and I hope that she loves it as much as her big brother does!

Check out their website at www.bebebelladesigns.com/satinandminkyblankets

Use the coupon code: satin70 to get the 70% off! The sale is on until Oct 2nd!

Bedtime Favourites - Sleep Trainers

OK, so a long time ago I posted about this monkey sleep trainer that I had purchased. It is really cute and H seemed into it, putting the monkey to sleep every night and what not - but it just isn't working... we are up every day earlier than we would like - before the monkey opens his eyes!

I recently stumbled upon another sleep trainer called the Gro-Clock. This one actually looks better to me. Basically your child knows to stay in bed until they see the sun. At night there is a picture of stars and it counts down to when it is time to get up. There is also an option to display the digital time.

I like this one as it seems easier for the child to "see" what time it is, the countdown of the stars lets them know how soon it will be to wake up time and I like how the digital time is visible as well. On the monkey sleep trainer I have the digital time is so small and is not lit up, so H really has no idea what time it is or if it is close to morning.

The Gro-Clock can be purchased from many online stores for about $50!

If I was made of money I would go out and purchase this one today, but since I already have the monkey sleep trainer I think I am just going to purchase a regular digital alarm clock and teach H that he cannot get out of bed until he sees a 7. I have heard from a few moms that this works wonders too!

Let's give it a shot!

Just for Moms - Magazine Subscriptions

Way back in the day I used to subscribe to Shape, Oxygen and Entertainment Weekly. Then I moved on to Scrapbooking and Today's Parent. Now my monthly subscriptions are entirely different. I hate to admit to you what I get in the mail, but they are actually great magazines and ones that I think many of you would also enjoy. The two that I subscribe to currently are: Good Housekeeping and Redbook. I know, I know - those sound like "old lady" magazines! :)

I love the organizational tips, recipes and articles in GH. Believe it or not, it is not entirely about how to keep your house clean (although there are some really neat handy tips for that also). Redbook has some of the same topics but also covers areas like fashion, fitness and some celebrity articles. Both were a deal that I jumped on from the discount websites, but both are magazines that I think I will renew when they are up.

If you are looking for something new and different to subscribe to I would highly recommend either of these. You could always check out their online versions first before you make the "old lady" leap!

First Year Favourites - Lil' Bundle of Joy Baby Items

I picked up a few weeks ago a few baby toys on Baby Half Off from an etsy shop, Lil' Bundle of Joy. One was a crinkle blankie and the other a crinkle owl. Both are about the size of my palm, made from soft fleece and bright fabrics and P loves them!

When I first got them in the mail, I thought, hmmm - these are nothing special, but P took to them right away. I think she likes their bright colours and they are the perfect size for her to pick up and play with. She also likes the sounds they make.

These would probably be pretty easy to make yourself, but with the amount of free time I have now, purchasing them from someone else sounded really good.

On their site they have a variety of other baby toy items like stuffed owls, blankies, other crinkles and even holiday items.

The prices are reasonable and the products are well made.

If you are looking for some cute, homemade baby toys, I would check out their stuff at: www.etsy.com/shop/lilbundleofjoy

Also, visit their facebook page where they have specials like Super Sale Mondays and coupon codes!

Just Gabbing - Fall TV Premieres

OK, we are already in the midst of my favourite part of the year - Fall TV Premieres!!! 

In August, I start looking at all of the tv sites - planning out my tv schedule for September (yes I know I need a life!).  This year I found a great site that lists ALL of the popular stations and orders their shows by time they are appearing on TV.  This made my planning so much easier....  this week alone I have 10 shows starting!  Some returning, some new. 

Here is the link: http://www.tvguide.com/special/fall-preview/fall-schedule.aspx


Last week, I tried out 3 new shows, two of which I think I will pass on.   Ringer with Sarah Michelle Gellar (boring), Up All Night with Christina Applegate (not very funny) and Secret Circle - I LOVED IT!!! 

This week my new shows are Revenge, Charlie's Angels, Unforgettable and X-Factor.  I am hoping that some, not all of these, are keepers!

What are your favourite returning or new shows?  Share them!

Just for Moms - Carole Hochman Pajamas at Costco

Just last week I picked up the most amazing pajamas I have ever owned.  They are Carole Hochman, which really meant nothing to me until I started searching the name on the Internet.  Carole Hochman sleepwear is sold at stores like Nordstrom's and Bloomingdales for crazy prices ranging from about $80 to over $100.  I purchased mine for something like $20 (can't quite remember).

What I really like about these pjs is how light and soft they are.  They are 95% rayon and 5% spandex.  One caution is that they fit a bit big, I purchased a M and I think a S would have fit me better (the pants are a bit long and the top a bit big).

If you like lounging around in pjs as much as I do, I would suggest you head down to Costco today and get yourself a pair!

The pic above is not the actual pair that I purchased.  Mine are black, with long sleeves, and faint pink stars on the bottoms.

Looks Good - Boso Buddies Strap Holder

Another cool item today on BabyHalfOff that looks good to me - Boso Buddies Strap Holder.

Here's their description: "Boso Buddies are designed to attach to the carrying handle of the infant car seat and provide you with a band to pull back the car seat straps, keeping them completely out of your way. Each set includes two BosoBuddies, one for each strap."

What a neat idea and why did I not think of it? I don't know about all of you, but those darn straps on the infant carseat are an enemy of mine! I am constantly fighting with them and trying to tuck them in to the side of the seat to hold them there. I also like this idea for walks as I don't strap P in and want the straps to be held back out of her way.... needless to say, my order is already placed.

Today on www.babyhalfoff.com they are on sale for $7.50, when they usually sell on their site for $15. To learn more about them and to see the array of colours, check out their website at www.etsy.com/shop/BosoBuddies

**25% off sale and FREE SHIPPING going on now - use coupon code CLOVER25**

Looks Good - The Tag-a-long

I saw this product today on www.babyhalfoff.com and thought it was pretty neat. It's idea is that you attach it to the stroller and your older child holds onto it and stays near you and out of trouble. I think it is a neat idea. I know that my H loves to walk and hold onto the actual stroller and I usually end up running him over at some point. If we used this then he could still feel like he is holding on and helping me push it while staying a safe distance away. The tag-a-long sells on their website for $9.99 and comes in four colours: lime, grape, blueberry and raspberry. Check them out at www.tagalongkids.com Today they are on half price on BabyHalfOff for two for $9.99.

Favourite Toys - Lil' Monkey Toys

While surfing the net the other day I found this great Canadian online store called Lil' Monkey Toys. They have a LARGE variety of toys like baby toys, bath toys, children's jewelry, games, kitchen toys, etc. including names such as Anamalz, Haba and Melissa and Doug. Their prices are reasonable and the shipping has a flat rate cost of $10.99 in Ontario (there are a few exceptions). Check out their cool toys at www.lilmonkeytoys.com

Just Gabbing - Powercapes Gift Card

OK, so about a month ago I wrote about 3 companies that made capes, one of them being Powercapes. Today, on www.babyhalfoff.com, there are selling a $40 gift card for $20. A cape by itself costs about $30, a complete superhero costume about $50, so this would definitely get you what you needed. I think that I am going to get one and purchase H a superhero costume for Christmas! The sale is just on for today and it may sell out before you know it!

Favourite Books - Baby Books

I try to read to little P as much as I can so I decided to share with you some of my favourite baby books and a brief description of each from www.chapters.ca. These are very basic picture books (mostly black and white) that are best for newborns and young babies.

1. Twinkle Twinkle Panda Bear - Perfect for babies and toddlers, these innovative and interactive hand-puppet board books feature well-known nursery rhymes and songs along with five adorable animal puppets.

2. White on Black by Tara Hoban - Share these familiar shapes with your baby. It is never too early to look and talk together!

3. Colours by Marc Tetro - A discovery of the bright colours of Canada with bold and animated images.

4. I Kissed the Baby by Mary Murphy - It''s so exciting! News of the baby is buzzing from animal to animal, with each one -- fish, bird, squirrel, insect, frog -- boasting of seeing, feeding, singing to, tickling, and kissing the tiny little thing. With bold, graphic black-and-white illustrations, Mary Murphy''s simple, singsong story captures the giddy commotion that only a baby can bring.

Just Gabbing - Small Potatoes Sale

One of my fave Canadian online shops is having a 25% off sale on ALL of their products until September 11. I just love the fabrics they use and the quality is great! Shipping is also very reasonable - which makes shopping from them even more enticing.

Check out their products at www.small-potatoes.ca