The Shopping Fund

And the Winner is . . . . .

2008-02-29T21:20:00.001-08:00

Drum roll please!!!

"J" from Musings From Left Field!!! Congrats girl!!!

Email me your address and I will get your fabulous prize to you as soon as I can!!!

For those of you who didn't win, Diane at Body Apothecary is offering my readers 10% off your entire order from now until March 31st! How cool is that?

Tiffanie

Cleaning Products and Autism

2008-02-26T10:56:00.001-08:00

As some of you know I have a son who is autistic and a daughter with learning disabilities. And finding ways to reduce the symptoms and/or eliminate them without being dependant on medication is a goal that my husband and myself feel strongly about.

As many of you have read and heard on the news, the environment may have an affect on our children's ability to focus, understand the world around them, and succeed in school.

I have watched countless shows and interviews of parents who have eliminated chemicals in their house and/or eliminated gluten, dyes and preservatives in their children's diet. They have experienced better grades, less outbursts for no reason, and increase in vocabulary, better eye contact, and the best of all - a happier child.

So why not try it? Why not buy products that are good for the environment and contain no harmful toxins. Would you buy them if they cost just as much as it would to by the stuff you normally buy? If it's not going to affect your wallet then why not?

I tried some of these products and was truly pleased with how they worked. The laundry detergent was just as good as my brand that I normally by but without the dyes and toxic chemicals. And it smelled great too!

There is one product that I really loved that not only dissolved grease and soap scum from your tub but helps with eczema. I tried it on my son who had those little bumps all over his legs. I took him to the doctor to make sure he didn't have some kind of rash. It turned out to be the beginnings of eczema. So he sat in the tub with a capful of this stuff for 15 min. and then I put some really heavy duty moisturizing lotion on and within days it was gone and my tub was clean! LOL!. So needles to say I'm pretty excited about this.

Have we totally eliminated toxins from our house? No, but we are working on it. We are on a budget due to extensive medical bills from my autistic son's birth and so we are constantly looking for ways to cut out the dangerous chemicals without putting us into the poor house.

And since I'm a work at home mom , I'm constantly trying to find ways to earn some money to help pay off these medical bills. There is a company that helps with both. Earning money with a company that offers safe alternatives to your normal everyday cleaning products and household items. What is better than that?

For more information visit:

www.forourkidz.fourpointwellness.com

www.forourkidz.fourpointmoms.com

Email Cindy Stork at cstork1 (at) yahoo.com

Tiffanie

Create A Can

2008-02-20T18:00:00.001-08:00

Do you need a creative way to send a Thank You gift? Having a baby shower? Does someone you know need a Get Well Package? Create a Can has a unique twist on giving gifts. The paint cans come in a variety of sizes. You can have them filled or buy them empty and fill them yourself. There are tons of designs to choose from.

For those of you who work in direct sales, Donna, the owner has created designs for you to purchase. These Direct Sales Cans are great for hostess gifts, Thank you gifts, and much more.

These are perfect for real estate agents as gifts for there customers, Chiropractors or Medical offices to give with promotional items in them! Easter is coming up and what better way to give your children a gift full of sugary goodness and plush toys? I could go on but that would take all night!

WIN A TUPPERWARE GIFT CERTIFICATE!!

Make a purchase at Create A Can of at least $10 prior to any discount and shipping between 12:01 Am February 21st EST and February 24th midnight EST and be entered into a drawing to win a $25 Tupperware Gift Certificate!

One winner will be randomly chosen from all purchases made between 12:01 AM EST on February 21st and February 24th at midnight EST.

Winner will be announced on the web site on February 25th and the winner will receive the Tupperware Gift Certificate Via email on February 25th.

Have FUN shopping! Don't forget -- Easter is right around the corner!

Bath Truffles Giveaway

2008-02-19T14:18:00.001-08:00

I rep for an awesome company called Body Apothecary. Body Apothecary offers items such as hair care products, soaps, lotions and creams, scrubs and butters and more. They all come beautifully packaged. Wouldn't you agree??

All of us moms, working or non working spend more time worrying about our families rather than ourselves. We deserve a little indulgence every now and then. We work hard and we end up sometimes letting ourselves go just a tad. Come on ladies fess up! I know I do. Why not take that extra effort to look and feel great!

And like I said we are worth it! So in honor of how hard we work to keep our families running smoothly I am giving away a Sweet Box of Bath Truffles! Don't they look fun?

The pink and chocolate brown striped elegant gift box is filled with decadent luxuries for your bath, our bath truffles! These are created using cocoa and shea butters, and your skin will drink up all the moisturizing qualities of the butters while you soak in the tub.

All you need to do is comment on this post and post about this giveaway on your site. This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada. Non- bloggers are certainly welcome. Just leave me your email in the comment. This contest will end at Midnight on February 29 and then I will use Random.org to pick the winner.

Diane, the owner of Body Apothecary has so graciously offered my readers a 10% discount off your entire order! How cool is that? In order to receive the discount please enter "Tiffanie" (without the quotes) in the coupon code at check out. This offer is good until March 31st!

Good Luck Ladies!!!

Tiffanie

Going Green

2008-02-18T11:34:00.001-08:00

I have noticed in many of your blogs that mom's these days (including me) are going green. I have read that chemicals and additives in food contribute to disabilities such as autism, ADD, ADHD, Learning disabilities, and many more. My children suffer from the ones I mentioned so I know first hand how chemicals affect them.

You have stopped using the chemical cleaners, are using more fresh foods, you may have gone to more natural fabrics in your clothing and bedding. But have you totally gone green??? What about your skin? your makeup, your hair?

Our skin is the largest eliminatory organ on the body. It is a two- way membrane. Toxins are eliminated through the skin via perspiration and absorbed through the skin,into the body's systemic circulation, through hair follicles and sebaceous glands.

Most skin care products place a film on your skin to keep moisture in. But the problem is, it doesn't allow your skin to get rid of toxins naturally causing a build up of oils causing the dreaded zit, blackhead, and whiteheads.

I found a great company that helps solve this dilemma. Most of One Group's products are certified organic by several organizations. Is that not awesome????!!

I got the chance to try out their skin care line. WOW! The cleanser smells like an herb garden which is just heavenly. My face did not dry out or feel tight after I washed my face. It felt very clean and fresh. And the moisturizer smelled great too. I'm not sure what the smell was almost like a hint of banana. I love the smell of banana!

One Group has so many products to choose from. They have hair care products, household cleaners, probiotics, skin care, cosmetics, and body/oral care products! Can you imagine? One place to get all the natural organic products for your family!

Why not stop by the One Group's web site ! You won't be disappointed! They have found themselves a new customer! I'm hooked!

Place an order of $50 or more and receive a free cleansing bar! To receive the cleansing bar, email your invoice # to freebar@trulyorganicbeauty.com. The Cleansing Bar will be mailed to you separately. Offer valid for new customers only.

Belly Tees

2008-02-14T10:26:00.001-08:00

Pregnancy is a time to celebrate new life. I was always trying to find somewhere that sold cute t-shirts that were hip and up to date when I was pregnant with my three. I never really found any until Patricia emailed me about her tees. What better way to show off the life growing inside you than with a Belly Tees.

BellyTees™ t-shirts are made of high-quality, 100% cotton and feature playful, hand-drawn illustrations. Each shirt is a limited edition, one-of-a-kind piece of art. Patricia, the artist, only makes a small number of each shirt (less than 200) and when the period of exclusivity has expired, the shirt will be retired.

Aren't they cute? You can choose the design to be on a blue, pink or white maternity shirt. What better way to show off your bump than with these adorable t-shirts from Belly Tees? So hop on over to Belly Tees web site and check out her latest designs!

Marketing and PR Tips

2008-02-07T08:55:00.001-08:00

Every Mom who has a home-based business is looking for ways to better market her products or services. It takes time, but when done properly can bring great rewards. Here are some of the things I suggest when I write marketing plans for small businesses:

News Releases:

I suggest one a month to key media. This can be local or national depending upon the scope of your business. Don’t forget to include consumer, trade, business and niche markets. There are many reference books at the library to look up the name and address of appropriate media to contact. These books can be found in the reference area – ask your librarian for assistance.

There are also online news release services that you can post online. PRWeb.com is one of the larger ones but they charge a fee now.

When pitching (via letter or news release), the news release shouldn’t totally focus on your product/service unless you are announcing a new product or service option. Discuss how your product relates to a new trend in the marketplace or how you are donating a percentage of products to a non-profit organization.

Or, set-up an event and invite the media. For example, an author I work with had written a book about etiquette for teens. We created an event at a local mall with stores providing fashions and this gave her an opportunity to speak and sell her books.

Position yourself as an expert by submitting a letter and your background information to the media. Let’s say you provide an organizing service. Send letters introducing yourself, your background and your business. List the topics you can speak about, like tips for spring cleaning, tips for getting ready for the holidays, tips on how to stash summer gear, household “green” cleaning solutions; topics that let them know that you can speak on a variety of topics.

Promotions:

This is a way to get your business in the public eye, without necessarily making a sale to do so. A lot of times you can cross-promote with other companies that are looking to reach the same audience as you.

As an example, with my Tot-a-Doodle-Do! “Crafty Kids” Craft Kits. I have three kids and I frequent a local indoor play arena. I noticed the owner had shelves to display products made by moms. I asked her if I could show my Kits there as well and not only did she agree, but she asked me to demonstrate them at an upcoming event she was having.

Is there a way you can sample or demonstrate your product or service? Find opportunities or create speaking engagements where you can introduce yourself and your services/products to consumers. Do you make floral arrangements? Arrange to do floral arranging seminars. Do you sell diet or nutrition products? Sample these at a local fun run. Do you make chocolates or cookies? Can you sample and sell these at the local playhouse before or during intermission. Get creative!

The above are just a few suggestions. A complete marketing plan should incorporate advertising, public relations, sponsorship, Internet, promotions, and sales strategies.

My Stats: I have over 16+ years in the public relations, marketing and advertising field having worked with major consumer brands including Body Glove, Coca-Cola, Starbucks and others to help launch new products. I am now a freelance marketing consultant assisting mom-based and small businesses with their campaigns. I am also the creator and co-producer of Tot-a-Doodle-Do! Children’s DVDs and “Crafty Kids” Craft Kits. Visit me at www.totadoodledo.com or email me at firevents@san.rr.com with marketing questions.

Heidi Niehart

Stuck on You

2008-02-06T10:09:00.001-08:00

I happened to be perusing Parent's magazine when I came across an Ad for Stuck on You, America's leading supplier of personalized children's labels. I was impressed with the amount of different types of labels they had to offer. So I contacted the sole distributor for the U.S. , Amy Lipton, and asked her to send me more information. I wanted to share what I learned from the information and about the products themselves.

These labels are great for keeping your kid's from losing gaming equipment, school supplies, backpacks,lunch boxes, clothes, etc. Stuck on You labels are so cool they're an accessory in their own right. My daughter loves them and is standing here as I type this begging me to get the Tools For School pack!

They have so much to offer moms that will make our lives so much easier .

All the labels are made to survive wear and tear from the playground to the tumble dryer.
Kids love the fun, sticker designs . .What kid doesn't like stickers?
Even if your child is too young to read , they can identify the whimsical logo they have chosen.
Stuck on You can create warning stickers for anyone with allergies or medical alerts!
Special occasion, birthday and Christmas tags, gift labels and party invitations.
Security wrist bands for wandering toddlers.
Mini pen and pencil labels, stick on letters, mini tags for pencil cases, wallets, cell phones and purses, notepads, charts and calendars and contact cards, even kitchen labeled for the home so we moms don't feel left out.

I have said this a few times but you have to check out the web site! The kits save you about 15% as apposed to buying each individual item. There is so many different ways to use their products. You will be addicted to these labels!

Katie Newman Gifts and Home

2008-02-02T13:16:00.001-08:00

You girls have to check out Katie Newman's Gift and Home store!! They offer unique gifts and home accents that you won't find anywhere else so pull up a chair and a cup of cocoa and enjoy shopping from the comfort of your own home! Frankly, I enjoy shopping in my PJ's.

And don't forget to treat yourself to a special gift every now and then too! Also, if you are doing a small order and it is small items like a hanky or a ceiling fan pull, or jewelry etc. you can email Katie for a special first class shipping rate. For books you can email her for a special media rate for shipping if you wish.

I have found tons of items to decorate my home with. There's just to many cute stuff to name on this post. You will just have to visit her site to see what I'm talking about!!! Katie Newman's Gifts and Home is definitely the place to shop. Best of all, It's affordable!

Happy Shopping!

Angela's Gift Nook

2008-02-01T06:56:00.001-08:00

I stumbled onto Angela's Blog while I was reading craft blogs one day. Her painted signs were so unique and too cute for words. The Girl has talent people, she really does! Any who, I commented on her blog about her signs and there lies the beginning of a new customer for Angela's Gift Nook.

She sent me a sign that she hand-painted for my youngest son. When I got the package, I was very impressed at how she packaged it in bubble wrap so that if it got rained on or heaven forbid, dropped by a mail person it would be protected. It's hanging on the outside of his bedroom and looks so adorable.

Angela has many many signs to choose from. Wether you are looking for a baby shower gift, decorating an older child's room, need that finishing touch for your bathroom, she's got it! Some of the signs you can choose your color from a list, and customize the font from Angela's pull down menus. And you have to read her blog! She announces her new designs for Angela's Gift Nook so you are always up to date on what's new.

So ladies, what are you waiting for? Stop reading this post and go visit Angela's Gift Nook right now!! Go. Now! Seriously! Oh and don't forget to stop by her blog and tell her you heard about her from The Shopping Fund!!

Regionz Kidz

2008-01-30T19:45:00.001-08:00

When Lisa at Regionz Kidz asked me to review one of her products, I jumped at the chance! Regionz Kidz offers an infant and toddler clothing line, books and other special items that highlight some of the fun aspects about living in a country as diverse as the US. Each item features multi-cultural designs celebrating the diversity of children and families all across the country. What better way to teach your children about diversity and to be proud of their heritage than to dress them in these cute tees?

The T-shirts are made from 100% cotton and the sketches on them are so cute!! We have the cowboy T-shirt in black. It runs a little small so keep that in mind when figuring out size.

Regionz Kidz has many nationalities represented as well as many regions of the United States. The shirts white with black, pink, red,or blue trim and sizes range from 0-3 months to 18-24 months.

Your child will look so cute in one of these Tees. Lisa also offers T-shirts for moms, books, flash cards and games. We all love great deals, and Regionz Kidz has one for my readers. Get 10% off your purchase when you use code: MomPX07 at checkout. This awesome discount will be good until June 2008. Stop by Regionz Kidz today and celebrate diversity!

Cello in a Box

2008-01-28T18:34:00.001-08:00

New Rep Sign up Special from Friday 25 to Thursday February 3 midnight. $6.49 (This is 50% off of the normal sign up price for almost the same kit!)

Free shipping on the starter kit

This option will get you all set up to become a Cello in a Box representative for fun or to use to increase your own sales with presentation using our wonderful wrap products.

You will receive:

· A representative id #

· Invitation to our Cello Yahoo group

· Access to the rep login (back office) area

· Free affiliate link

· Welcome letter

· 1 catalog

· 1 order form

· Sample twist ties

· 5 cello bags

· Password reference sheet

· Offering Cello for sale brochure by email

Shipping will be parcel post USPS and kits will ship within 48 hours of set up

So why not join us at Cello in a Box and present your products with style!!?!!

Little Dots Boutique

2008-01-25T18:46:00.001-08:00

Etsy has become one of my favorite places to buy gifts for my friends and family. It's an amazing site that features everything homemade.Cristina of Little Dots Boutique is one of those talented ladies. She so graciously allowed me the privilege of seeing first hand the hard work she puts into her products.

When I opened the package, I found the bib wrapped in tissue and topped off with her business card. The bib itself is made of 100% cotton. It is made of very kid friendly durable fabric on the front and a soft absorbent fabric on the back.

The bib itself is wide and long enough for maximum coverage. And it looks totally hip and modern.What little angel wouldn't look cute wearing a Little Dots Boutique Bib?

Not only does Cristina make bibs she also creates hand knit sweaters, hair clips, pinafores, and burp cloths. Take advantage of Little Dots Boutique's special deal; Buy three hair bow sets and get one free! Visit Cristina at Little Dots Boutique and see the amazing talent she has. By the way, she ships domestic and internationally!!

L'Bri Pure N' Natural

2008-01-24T07:57:00.001-08:00

Let's face it ladies, we aren't getting any younger. Lines and wrinkles are beginning to crop up and we don't like it one bit. Where do you find skin care products that don't contain oil, harsh chemicals, waxes, or lanolin?

L'Bri Pure N' Natural has the answer. There number one ingredient is Aloe which has healing and rejuvenating properties. Other ingredients include, tons of vitamins, herbs, sea plants and botanicals like Cone flower, Japanese Green Tea, Passion Flower, and Ginseng.

I tried out a few products from the many that L'Bri offers and I think I have found my new love! The Facial Masque was the first product I tried. You got to work fast getting it on your face. The Facial Masque dries very quickly. It is clear so you won't scare anyone or embarrass your children with it on! When I rinsed it off and applied the Gentle Freshener and the Gentle Moisture Lotion my skin felt smooth and soft. I have very dry skin for the most part and the Facial Masque did not make my face feel dry at all.

The Rejuvenating Facial Peel was amazing! Now, I have never used a Facial Peel before so I don't know how they are supposed to work. But I followed the directions and with amazement saw my dead skin being sloughed off in seconds! And of course I topped it off with the Gentle Freshener and the Gentle Moisture Lotion. Looking in the mirror I noticed that my skin was a nice healthy pink color and it felt softer than it ever has. By the way,it smells awesome! This is one product that I will be keeping in stock!

I have been using the Pure N' Natural Gentle Skin Care Trio twice a day for the past week. Although it takes 30 days to fully heal your skin, I have noticed that my face feels softer, less tight, and brighter some how. One of the biggest differences in L'Bri Pure N' Natural Products and others on the market is that they don't dilute their products with water. So adding a little water to my fingers while applying the Gentle Moisture Lotion is a must. It may be a little hard to remember but I stuck a round dot sticker on my bottle to remind me.

Not only does L'Bri Pure N' Natural have skin care products, they also carry nutritional, cosmetic, and even men's products. Visit Barbara Geatches web site and check out the great January sales going on! I'm going to make my order now!

Clip and Ship

2008-01-22T11:01:00.001-08:00

No matter how much money we earn we moms love to save money. To some saving money is must, and for others it's a hobby. The challenge of seeing how much product I can buy for little money is fun! That and your husbands will love you forever for saving their hard earned cash. There have been times I have bought $600.00 worth of groceries for only $200.00! It can be done!

Clip and Ship is a one stop site where you can buy, for very little money, coupons, search printable coupons,check out the latest deal, and much more. Karen works very hard to compile lots of updated money saving information in one place.

Looking for coupons to print? Check out Clip and Ship's Printables page! It is a comprehensive tool that allows users to search for IP (Internet Printable) coupons. If there's a printable, you will find it there! Pretty cool, huh? This list is very organized and up to date. .

Karen at Clip and Ship also maintains an extensive list of TRUE Freebies. None of the items listed come with any sort of catch whatsoever, other than mailing list sign-ups.

Stop on by Clip and Ship before you write out your grocery list. You will find great bargains on top of what your grocery store offers! Saving money is fun!!!

Chicks and Cubs

2008-01-16T10:42:00.001-08:00

In a perfect world, children would not be abducted, lost, or hurt. But we don't live in a perfect world and sometimes our children will wander away. We do everything in our power to help keep our precious angels safe from harm. Cynthia at Chicks and Cubs helps parents give their children the information they need to to get back to the safety of home.

Chicks and Cubs offers many safety products that are affordable and easy to use. The ID Inside Bracelet comes in pink and blue. The Velcro is strong enough that little hands have a very difficult time getting this band off. I even tried it on my 3 year old and he could not take it off he also thought he was hot stuff!. It comes with a hidden pocket and water proof ID cards assuring that your child's identification and medical information are always up to date.

In an accident, paramedics usually transport a child in their car seat to the hospital. When they arrive at the hospital the Car seat ID Card allows medical personnel to treat a child even if a parent can't speak for them. The ID Card provides the medical staff with the child's name, which is a comfort to the child, and provides contact numbers for parents at work, grandparents or some other friend or family member. This kit even comes with the Velcro to attach the card to the car seat and self laminating sheets to protect the card. There is even a space for you to place your child's thumb print on the card! You can also use these on strollers, bikes, wheel chairs, etc. I will be ordering more of these in the near future!

The Shoe Sticker ID Cards are just a ingenious idea! No parent wants to have phone numbers and info about there child visible to everyone. What a great way to hide the information, yet your child will be able to take off his or her shoe and hand it to a trusted individual if they need help! I was worried about the writing and kids with sweaty feet but these stickers come with a laminate sheet that you place over the writing to protect it. I think they thought of everything here!!!

Any family or friends that come in contact with your child on a daily basis should have information about our children in case of an emergency. The Wallet Card Kit contains important medical information, Important identification information, and a place for you to authorize medical treatment in your absence. This kit also comes with self laminating cards to protect them from damage.

The last kit that was in my package is perfect for teachers, or when your children are traveling in groups. They are Disposable Id Bracelets! How cool is that??? All the information that you don't want visible is on the inside of the bracelet and they are bright Yellow and easy to spot. What better way to keep up with a large number of children!

Chicks and Cubs provide fast shipping and excellent service. Stop by and enter in the "Loot 4 Moma Giveaway" where everyone wins!!!! Also Cynthia had so graciously offered $2.00 off your entire order! Just enter 312673577 in the Voucher section at checkout. This offer has no expiration! Come on ladies, go on over and check out what other great product are offered at Chicks and Cubs! You may just become a regular customer!!!

Kristine's Shower

2008-01-14T11:00:00.001-08:00

If you haven't tried the products at Kristine's Shower yet, your skin is missing out! Just opening the box that the products were mailed in, brought a truly happy scent wafting through the room! Of course I had to open each product and give them a good sniff. WOW! What great scents! Each one was very distinct yet not overpowering. The packaging is truly professional and trendy! And I'm all about trendy!

The Bathbomb is the first item I tried. WOW! It smelled so good. And the essential oils made my skin so smooth. Between the light scent of Lush (Green clover & Aloe) and the coconut and palm oils, I felt so relaxed. No wonder Kristine's Shower is known as the Bath Bomb Capital of the Web!!

The Body Frosting is an essential for soft skin. It's an invigorating sugar scrub that is not oily and not harsh on your skin. It's great after you shave your legs. The smoothness lasts much longer using this product. You can use this scrub from head to toe! You heard me right! Some people have used this for a flake free scalp. Even my feet are smoother than they have been in months!

After cleansing my body with the handmade soap and using the Body Frosting. I felt cleaner somehow. I think that scrubbing off all those dead skin cells really made a difference in how my skin felt. The soap is handmade, hand cut, and made in small batches to ensure the quality. And the scents to choose from are to die for!! We all want to remind ourselves of the scents of the summer and spring after this winter and the dry itchy skin. Kristine's Shower is the place to take you back to those warm sunny days and to repair your damaged skin.

What better way to end your "Me Time" with Kristine's Shower Shea Butter Sorbet! It's so thick and creamy yet it did not make my skin feel greasy. It absorbed very quickly into my skin leaving it feeling soft and smooth. Try the Shea Butter Sorbet in your hair for extra moisturizing. I'm going to try that tonight. I'll sticky post the results later.

As I'm sitting here typing up this review I'm engulfed with a fresh scent of a Soy Wax Meltie (Scent is Kiss me All Over) made with 100% Soy! I thought it would be hard to get the Meltie out of it's container but I was pleasantly surprised. Just by pressing my thumb on the indention on the bottom of the container, it popped right out! The aroma like all of the products is light and airy which is just right in my book!

All of the products that Kristine's Shower sells have ingredients in them that are easy to pronounce and safe for your skin. Not only does this company provide products for us women, there are a few items for the men as well! So stop on by and visit Kristine's Shower and experience these delectable and very affordable products for your self! This week Kristine's Shower is offering 25% off your entire purchase ! How cool is that??? Just enter the promo code, post25 when checking out.

Creative Baby Gift Basket Ideas

2008-01-11T17:21:00.001-08:00

Are you planning to host a baby shower in the near future? Maybe a friend recently gave birth? Looking for ways to express that your joy? How about a gift basket! It could just possibly be the best present to express your love for the newborn and family.

A theme baby gift basket should contain several items designed to bring delight to the new parents and comfort or care to new family member. Here are some ideas to get you started if you decide to make your own...

Nursery room basket. This could include colorful mobiles to keep baby busy, lullaby music to soothe a crying infant, and nursery rhymes CD's to entertain. Larger items like layettes, changing pads for tables and cribs may be found in deluxe baby gift baskets. Educational toys are also good to make your newborn's gift basket more beneficial in stimulating mental development.

Baby bath basket (say that three times fast!). Bath products for babies are commonly found in baby gift baskets. These may include baby shampoo, baby powder, baby towels, baby wipes, bubble bath, a brush set, or tub toys that the baby will surely enjoy in the near future.

Toddler basket. Perhaps you're giving a gift basket to an older child such as a toddler or preschooler. If so, be sure the items suit the child's specific age. Soft toys, board books, board games with large pieces, and piggy banks will certainly win the delight of a toddler. Clothes are also especially nice to include in any baby gift basket.

In addition, consider adding handcrafted items to your gift baskets for a nice personal touch. Paper crafting or paper mache', origami, clay sculpture, simple painted items, woven or knitted gifts can be made to fit any them.

Also consider such things as:
• baby cookies
• small cakes
• baby announcement cards
• photo frames and albums
• a small Bible

The ideas are practically limitless!

Once your gift basket (or gift bag, decorated box, diaper bag, or tote) is filled, add bows or ribbons to adorn your original gift. Or be even more creative and decoupage baby pictures or baby items on the side of your container.

While creating an attractive baby gift basket may take some time, the added gesture of giving a well-thought of baby gift basket will surely go a long way in showing your loved ones how much you care for that new baby.

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Don't have time to build your own baby gift basket? Visit Bishop's Corner, an online/catalog shop for some ready-made gifts for baby along with over 3,500 other quality items to fit every budget.

Baby Girl Bracelets by Sher's Wares

2008-01-09T18:13:00.001-08:00

Baby's are so special and what better way to cherish those little girls just the way they are than with a Baby Girl Bracelets by Sher. These exquisitely designed and lovingly handcrafted bracelets will be a sweet reminder year after year of your precious girl and her first few years.

When I opened this sweet little package I was blown away. The Crystal Pearl Birthstone Bracelet was placed in a small but elegant organza bag with satin ribbon which somehow made it even more special. The bracelet consists of purple Amethyst Swarovski Crystals and Fresh Water Pearls and included a 1" Sterling Silver Growth Chain with matching crystal dangle.

Not only does Sher make the bracelet pictured above, she handcrafts Baby Name Bracelets, Cat's Eye Bracelets, Children's Religious Jewelry and so much more! These dainty bracelets are perfect for a flower girl, baby shower, baby dedication, baptism, etc.

These Bracelets will be a gift that will be enjoyed for a lifetime. Even after she outgrows it she'll hold on to this special jewelry. Sher says it all when she says ~ Don't just buy them a gift, buy them a memory.

For this week, Sher is offering 15% off your entire order. Use the code: Special Offer in the voucher box when checking out. And shipping is ALWAYS free for US and Canada! So go on over and visit Sher at www.sherswares.com . You won't be disappointed, I wasn't.

Sweet Pea Cakes, etc.

2008-01-07T10:05:00.001-08:00

Babies are the most precious gift that we could imagine. Most likely you know someone that is expecting their precious angel soon. Why not surprise them with this absolutely adorable diaper cake by Sweet Pea Cakes, etc

The vibrant colors of the Puppy Cake drew my attention. The black and white polka dot ribbon just ties it all together. And there's much needed baby items hidden inside!! It's just so stinkin' cute!!! And guess who received one for his new baby boy??? Usher!! How cool is that!

Each Diaper Cake is topped with a plush, sweet toy, decorated with ribbons, and flowers to make wonderful decor. Each cake is filled inside with a handmade swaddle blanket, handmade reversible bibs, binkie clips and more. Sweet Pea Cakes, Etc. hand selects wonderful fabrics to coordinate with each cake theme. Due to the handmade gifts inside, Sweet Pea Cakes, Etc. diaper cakes are a one of a kind gift! Perfect for the family that has everything!

Not only does Dawn at Sweet Pea Cakes, Etc. make Diaper Cakes, she also makes Spa Cakes, Graduation Cakes, Wedding Cakes and much more! And for this week only, Dawn is offering a 15% discount. Please click here to receive your savings on these Chic gifts.

The Suggestion Box

2008-01-05T08:04:00.001-08:00

My husband has graciously offered to help us ladies build our businesses by posting twice a month on SEO (search engine optimization), Internet marketing, email campaigns, etc. He has over 15 years of design experience with print, Internet/multimedia, publishing, web design, web marketing, outdoor advertising, trade show design, and broadcast. Steven has had many articles published in the Business Journal and has been the recipient of 3 PICA Awards (Printing Industry of the Carolinas) and one Gutenberg Award of Excellence. Can you tell I'm proud of my husband???

He's asking all of us to tell him what questions you have about increasing your sales based on his expertise. He wants to make sure that what he posts about is what you loyal readers want to know. Instead of just randomly picking a subject out of the air and you be bored out of your mind because it doesn't pertain to you. He's nice like that. So start commenting. No question is too silly. If you want to know or need advice just ask.

Note: Coming in a day or so our very first Product Review. So stay tuned!

Product Reviews

2008-01-04T11:44:00.001-08:00

Let's Face it, we are in a day and age where we need to be careful what we give our kids to play with. We want to know if a product will work before we spend the money. Enter Product Reviews. Not only does this help us mom's decide what we spend our money on, It also helps the entrepreneur mom create or offer products that they know we want to buy. Hence, increasing their revenue.

Here at "The Shopping Fund" my goal is to help us mom's build a business and inform the consumer mom about products. So I am offering Product Reviews here. In exchange for free product, I and my family of five will review your item and post an honest opinion about it. If you would like for me to review your product please email me at Tiffanie at steventiffanie dot com and I will send you our shipping address.

Tiffanie

Hello My Name is . . .

2008-01-03T09:47:00.001-08:00

Some of you know me as Tiff from Three Peas in a Pod. Some of you haven't the faintest idea who I am and even more of you probably could care less. . So I thought I would introduce myself and let you know what I'm up to. My name is Tiffanie but some people call me Tiff and I also go by "T".

I am married to a great husband and business partner. And we have three rambunctious children. Baby Girl is 11, Little Monkey will be three in a few weeks, and Tiger is 13 months old.

I started this Blog to help other SAHM's like me earn some money for what I like to call my "Shopping Fund". Along the way, I have learned that helping other mom's promote there products is a great way to grow my businesses too. So there ya have it in a nutshell. Feel free to email me at Tiffanie at steventiffanie dot com . If you would like some help promoting your shop, products, etc. I would be delighted to host giveaways and contests.

Also, my direct sales businesses links that I am a part of will be all over the site. So feel free to shop too while you are here! This site will be a bit more organized once we get the design to where we are happy with it. So this is just a temporary fix.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Shopping!

Tiffanie