December 4, 2010
It's funny, before I had kids I loved shopping but, after having them, I discovered an all new love for it. Shopping for kids' clothes is so much fun. Dressing them up in darling little outfits is one of my favorite things. There are certainly tons of great places out there to shop for kids' clothing but, one of my new favorites is Zutano.Zutano has been in the business of making kids look good for over 20 years. Their selection of clothing is impressive and the quality of the clothing is remarkable. I love that all of the clothing at Zutano is bright and fun with amazing pattern choices and all so very stylish. At Zutano you'll find only the best in newborn, baby and toddler clothing. I adore their holiday line as well as all the other absolutely precious clothing choices. 
Zutano's stylist picked out the most perfect outfit for my 3 year old daughter. Seriously, the pants are to die for. They are so insanely cute, I wish she could wear them every single day. I love the cut of the pants and how comfortable they are on her. The bright and bold colorful stripes are just too cute. The mushroom shirt is something my daughter just absolutely adores. And, it's really very precious because she confuses the words "mushroom" and "marshmallow". 
Shopping at Zutano for the children in your life and on your holiday shopping list is a fabulous choice if you want high quality kid clothing that will last through all the wear and tear kids put them through. The first day my daughter wore the new pants she got pretty darn dirty. One wash later and they were back to looking brand new. With the stain remover I used, I was worried they would pill (because that happens so often) but, they look just like they did the day they arrived in the mail. Still just as bright and just as soft. 
Itzy Bitzy is Zutano's premier line of newborn and preemie clothing. Just as cute as the baby and toddler clothing but, designed to actual fit brand new babies instead of hanging off of them like most newborn clothing. I really wish I'd known about Zutano and the Itzy Bitzy line when my son was born a preemie. Be sure to check out the new Organic line of Newborn clothing at Zutano. 
In addition to the adorable clothing at Zutano, you'll also find sweet hats, mittens, bibs, blankets, burp cloths, booties and plush toys. Really, everything you need for a perfect Christmas present, Baby Shower gift, Birthday present or just a cute outfit for your own children. Zutano is definitely a part of the 2010 Lolidots Holiday Gift Guide and I highly recommend their amazing clothing.Buy it!You can get the Itzy Bitzy line and all the other amazing clothing and accessories from the Zutano online shopping site.Win it!One reader will win a $75 gift card to Zutano!US only ends 12/13Mandatory to Enter: Visit Zutano and tell me something you'd get with your gift card.Extra Entries: Please leave a separate comment for each entry.- Like Zutano on Facebook- Follow Zutano on TwitterAll other extra entries are on the upper left sidebar. You may do any or all of them.
Posted by Robin .. Posted In : Clothing
December 4, 2010
My husband has a portable building in our backyard that he has tuned into a gym. It's really nice and does have a window unit air conditioner but, is not insulated. In the south Texas summertime, it gets h-o-t in there. He uses fans and they work but, what really works to cool him off is his Handy Cooler.Whether you're at a sporting event, the beach, a picnic, the gym or working in the yard, the Handy Cooler is absolutely phenomenal for personal cooling. It is super lightweight, easy to operate and really puts out actual cool air instead of just blowing more hot air on you like a regular fan. It really doesn't matter where you are, the Handy Cooler runs on batteries, USB or a standard 110V outlet. All you do is soak the cellulose cooling filter with water and turn the device on. I was super impressed when cold air immediately started coming out of the Handy Cooler. 
It really is amazing. My whole life I've used those cheap little handheld fans and they really just don't do much except blow more hot air back in your face. With something like the Handy Cooler, summertime in Texas is going to be a little more bearable. My husband drives a vehicle that doesn't have an air conditioner in it. He used the Handy Cooler while driving and said it kept him remarkably cooler. There are just so many uses for this personal cooler and I highly recommend it. Air can be humidified up to 60%RH on a dry day! This means moisture to where you need it. Also, a few drops of essential oils transform Handy Cooler into a diffuser on your bedside. They are well made and, as I've said, work so very well. 
If you have someone on your holiday shopping list that is hard to buy for, the person who has everything, get them a Handy Cooler! Anyone who likes to exercise, camp or do other things outdoors will love this portable personal air conditioner. I'm going to get one for my grandfather for use when he's working in the yard or in his shop and one for my brother for when he's working and photographing sports teams in the heat. I'm sure that everyone I know could find a use for a Handy Cooler. Buy it!You can get the Handy Cooler from their online site.Win it!One reader will win their own Handy Cooler!US onlyends 12/14Mandatory to Enter: Tell me how you would use the Handy Cooler or who you'd give one to.Extra Entries: Please leave a separate comment for each entry. All extra entries are on the upper left sidebar. You may do any or all of them.
Posted by Robin .. Posted In : Technology
November 29, 2010
Have you noticed the Christmas music filling the stores already? I'm such a sucker for it. I love when it gets close enough to December to start hearing Christmas mucis everywhere. I'm thrilled to have a new CD this year that I can pop in for some of my favorite Christmas songs recorded in a way that I love and that is super fun for my kids. It's Santa Claus! is a fun-filled, joyous compilation of some fantastic Christmas songs from Ben Rudnick & Friends. The original title track is destined to become a classic for our family Christmas selection and for yours. The other tunes on the album are already classics and favorites but, the upbeat melodies give new life to the beloved songs. Rockin Around the Christmas Tree has always been one of my personal favorite Christmas songs. Ben Rudnick & Friends have infused their style into the song (and all the others) and I'm instantly in love. 
Ben Rudnick & Friends have been playing holiday shows for nearly a decade. Their one-of-a-kind "American Roots" style of music is a favorite among their fans and their albums are widely acclaimed. They've got five Parents' Choice Awards under their belts and it's easy to see (or hear) why. The music has a "fun for all attitude" and is easily something that the entire family can enjoy. Their 2009 album, A Frog Named Sam, was an instant hit and I'm certain that It's Santa Claus will be an instant classic. The songs they've chosen for this Christmas album are perfect for the season and their sound is perfect for kids. A children's Christmas CD that the parents can love too?! Now that's something to get joyous about!When I was a kid, we would put on Christmas music and decorate our tree. I'm really looking forward this year to putting in our It's Santa Claus CD and enjoying the tree trimming with my kids while we have this awesomely fun music in the background!Buy it!It's Santa Claus was released on November 2nd and you can get your copy HERE. Sample songs HERE.Win it!One reader will win their own copy of It's Santa Claus!US onlyends 12/8Mandatory to Enter: Click HERE and tell me which of the tunes is your fave.Extra Entries: All extra entries are on the upper left sidebar. You may do any or all of them. Please leave a separate comment for each entry.
Posted by Robin .. Posted In : Music
November 29, 2010
I use my laptop all day, every day. I hate to admit it but, I really have it on entirely too often and for periods of time that are too long. I was starting to notice that after my laptop had been on for a while, it was sluggish and it really gets hot. It seemed like the hotter it got, the slower it got. So, I took two stone coasters and propped up the back to let air flow more freely underneath. Sure, it worked but, only when it was sitting on a table. Now, I've got a much better solution. The Xpad is a laptop cooler that works without fans. No need to plug it in or put in batteries. It's completely and totally green and uses no energy whatsoever. I love that the top has a non-slip surface on the corners so that my computer feels stable and sturdy and doesn't slide around at all. It's even more sturdy than when it's just sitting on the table by itself. It's also incredibly nice when you have the laptop in your lap because it feels perfectly secure and like the computer is on a desk in your lap. The unique X pattern of anti-skid pads accommodates most laptop sizes. 
The Xpad doesn't need to use cooling fans because it's unique design allows the computer's own cooling system to simply function better by giving more room underneath for airflow. It's completely portable, lightweight and absolutely works. I've been beyond happy with my Xpad and have been using it for a few months now. It works and works well. My computer doesn't get overheated anymore and I love that I can have it in my lap without burning my legs. The Xpad itself doesn't get hot at all. 
The other really nice thing is that having my computer up on the Xpad means that if someone spills a drink on the table, my computer won't be affected. If I set my computer down on something icky or sticky, it's not going to get on the bottom of the computer itself. There really are just so many reasons that I adore the Xpad. It's been such a blessing for me and I highly recommend it to anyone who uses a laptop. Whether you sit at a desk or like your computer in bed, you need an Xpad. Great gift for the computer user on your holiday shopping list! Wonderfully unique and totally practical!Buy it!You can get an Xpad from their online shopping site.Win it!One reader will win an Xpad!US onlyends 12/10Mandatory to Enter: Tell me who you want to win this for.Extra Entries: Please leave a separate comment for each entry. All extra entries are on the upper left sidebar. You may do any or all of them.
Posted by Robin .. Posted In : Technology
November 29, 2010
My daughter only recently started to voice an aversion to the darkness of her room at night. She's three and I was surprised she was never bothered by a dark room. Well, that all changed and we were left scrambling to find the perfect night light. We found one and now it's the one I recommend to everyone I know who has a small child. KinderGlo night lights are fun, safe and portable. Everything about them is absolutely perfect. KinderGlo night lights come in fun shapes that kids love, have a soft yet bright light, and are perfectly safe for a child to hold and sleep with all night long. I honestly don't know how we managed without the KinderGlo night light. 
There are 8 adorable animals that can keep your child safe at night. The newest addition, just in time for the holidays, is the Moose KinderGlo light. All of the KinderGlo night lights are rechargeable and come with a charging station. They all feature a 30 minute auto shut-off or continuous on. You can set the lights to a continuous cycle of color changing or choose constant red, blue or green. All of the KinderGlo lights are BPA and lead free. 
I absolutely love the KinderGlo lights. So do my kids. They make wonderful night lights that can go with the child into bed or down a dark hall to the bathroom. I love that the lights are bright enough to use as a flashlight but, soft enough to be right in bed with my kids. The color changes and the cute animals make them even more fun for my kids and I love not having to worry at all about electrical shortage or heat or fire while using the KinderGlo night light all night long. I didn't know it in the beginning but, after having a KinderGlo night for several weeks, I can also say that I am amazed by the battery life. My daughter uses her KinderGlo every night and, because of the 30 minute shut-off, we have only just now gotten to the point of needing to charge it for the first time. I love that. It saves my daughter from her fears at night and saves electricity too!
KinderGlo night lights are now one of my favorite go-to items for children's gifts. I absolutely recommend them to every single parent of a small child. You know, I recommend them to everyone because every home needs a soft light for dark night time walking around. Get a cute KinderGlo night light no matter your age! They would make wonderful gifts this holiday season too!Buy it!You can get the KinderGlo night lights from their online site and places like Amazon.com and AhhGoo.com.Win it!One reader will win the Moon KinderGlo Night Light!US onlyends 12/9Mandatory to Enter: Visit KinderGlo and tell me your favorite light.Extra Entries: All extra entries are on the upper left sidebar. You may do any or all of them. Please leave a separate comment for each entry.
Posted by Robin .. Posted In : Gear for Kids
November 29, 2010
It took me a couple of months to finish my big home makeover. Once I was done with all the painting and remodeling the place looked amazing but, it wasn't finished. There were so many little details that I added to really complete the look. I absolutely adore decorating. I love shopping for new decorations and love fixing them in my home and, usually, moving them around over and over. To me, home decor, pictures on the walls, candle holders and more, are like adding the perfect necklace set to an amazing outfit. It looks good before the accessories but, once you've got the right accessories things just look perfect. 
For the most perfect home decorations and "accessories", I adore Plow and Hearth. I've been browsing the Plow and Hearth catalogs for years, oohing and aahing over things before I even had a place to put them. I remember going through the Plow and Hearth catalog at my grandma's house when I was a child, picking out the things I wanted when I had a house someday. Now that someday is here, I still ooh and aah and pick out the things I want for my home. 
One of my recent home additions from Plow and Hearth is something I get comments on from every single person who walks through my front door. Hanging in the front of my hallway, visible from the living room and front door, is my Weekly Planner Coat Rack from Plow and Hearth. This gorgeous coat rack is over 4 feet long, sports 7 different chalkboard sections for writing down weekly meetings, activities, weather and other important things and has seven hooks for jackets, bags, etc. Living in south Texas, where the weather is sometimes 50 degrees different between days, it's awesome to be able to write out the 7 day forecast for all to see when leaving the house. I love being able to keep track of photo shoots and school activities and having a spot to keep most of our zillions of jackets and bags. Plus, the unique coat rack is something that I get so many compliments on and just really accents my home so wonderfully.
Plow and Hearth has so much more than decorative accents. There are tons of amazing decorations for the holidays and all year but, you'll also find indoor furniture, rugs, kitchen items, curtains, electric fireplaces and fireplace accessories, outdoor equipment and decor, footwear and apparell and so very much more. You can rest assured that anything you get from Plow and Hearth is high quality and will look amazing in your home. The Plow and Hearth catalog is definitely fun to browse but, you can find all of their wonderful products in their easy to browse website. I love how things are broken down on the website to make shopping an absolute breeze. Don't forget to check out the Outlet section!
Whether you're looking for something to add to your home for every day of the year, the perfect winter item to get your place all cozy or an amazing gift for someone special this holiday season, I highly recommend stopping by Plow and Hearth and doing some shopping or request one of their catalogs! Buy it!You can get the Weekly Planner Coat Rack and so much more from Plow and Hearth online!Be sure to check out Plow and Hearth's sister site, HearthSong, for absolutely amazing children's indoor and outdoor toys and games AND check out HearthSong's Facebook page for their new giveaway, "12 Days of Giving", where they'll be giving away a free gift to one Facebook fan each day for 12 days!Win it!One reader will win their own Weekly Planner Coat Rack!!US onlyends 12/9Mandatory to Enter: Visit Plow and Hearth and tell me something you love.Extra Entries: Please leave a separate comment for each entry.- Like Plow and Hearth on Facebook2 entries - Write on the Plow and Hearth Facebook wall how much you want to win the Weekly Planner Coat Rack at Lolidots and leave a link to this post.All other extra entries are on the upper left sidebar. You may do any or all of them.
Posted by Robin .. Posted In : Home
