Give-Away #1: Life Events

YES! IT'S FINALLY ARRIVED - BLITZ GIVE-AWAY MONTH!!

For those of you who have been hiding in a cave,
you have visited our blog on SUCH an exciting day!
Today starts 4 LONG WEEKS of FREE GIVE-AWAYS!!
Each weekday for approximately the next 4 weeks, I'll be bringing a new business to you.
I'll feature & review a product of theirs,
and also host a drawing for a FREE item from their shop, as well!
Many of the artists have also offered special discounts/incentives
on making purchases from their shops, too, so be on the look-out for some
fabulous finds, amazing deals, and chances to
win some free and deliciously divine products!

Give-Away #1
Life Events

We start this fun journey with Ann from Life Events. She is the owner & designer of all kinds of inspirational & creatively fun "paper gems" for all life events, as she'll explain below.

I received these fabulous little "baby milestone cards" from Ann the other day, and was absolutely delighted when they arrived! A box along with 16 cards are included, which come pre-folded and ready for you to add baby's milestone details as they occur. You can jot down your notes on the front, and then toss a picture inside, too. Each card also has a small tab at the top, so that you can easily find which milestone you're looking for when one of them happens! I am especially fond of this idea for Moms having their 2nd, 3rd or beyond child, because quite frankly, there's just not nearly enough time to be digging out the baby book when they happen once you have older toddlers or school schedules for older kids occurring simultaneously! I'm quite excited to be able to use these once our own baby #2 arrives!!

Here's a bit more about Ann and Life Events...

How did your business start and when?

My business, Life Events, event123.etsy.com started on etsy on March 23, 2009. I was an art teacher for 5 years but stopped working when I had children. With frequent requests for party invitations and friends and family seeing my work they encouraged me to sell my designs. So I now work during my children’s naptime and late at night. However it does not feel like work, I love designing new items and hearing how much my customers love their purchases.

How did you come up with your business name?

My husband came up with it. He says that my side of the family seems to make all of LIFE EVENTS into a real event. For example my grandmother had a small goose dinner party she bought camouflage fabric added glitter and a little sparkle for a tablecloth. She taught me to pay attention to detail and to make an event memorable.

How long have you been making your creations?

I have always loved making art. My mother once told me I went to a bookstore and I could pick any book I wanted, I walked and walked around the store and I picked a blank book. I wanted to make my own. Turning a blank, white piece of paper into something was and still is thrilling to me. As for the items in my shop it is 7 years worth of work and it is still continuing to grow.

What medium/s do you use to create your products?

I use the computer, and like I always told my art students, “the computer is just another tool, like a pencil.” I love the fact that I can quickly change an object from yellow, to blue, to green and on and on; or I can click: edit, undo if I made a mistake. (Don’t you wish life was like this sometimes?)

Are your products located in any brick-and-mortar stores?

That is a dream of mine to walk into a stationary shop and see my handmade designs in a real store!

What sets your business apart from others that make similiar products?

I truly think my designs and products are for LIFE EVENTS. Everyday we wake up it's a blank piece of paper, a new day; new events will be taking place. From exciting events like weddings and babies to everyday events like sending your children off to school or cleaning the house. I think I am exceptional at taking an idea a client has and putting it into print. I love custom orders: I can create a monkey hanging from a tree with pink sneakers on to a hot pink bus full of bachelorettes. [LOVE THIS LAST SENTENCE, BY THE WAY!]

Ann has been gracious enough to offer any reader who orders $45 or more from her shop, 16 FREE custom calling cards. Just type: I love Haute Tot Couture in message to seller notes!

And now for the part you've been waiting for...Ann will be giving away a set of her "Lunchbox Notes" to one lucky winner! These are sooooooo adorable and such a perfect way to say "I love you" to your child when away at school. Simply slip inside their backpack or lunchbox, and include your special message for them to discover later in the day! 12 different cards with matching envelopes are included! These would also make a fantastic present for a friend or daughter with a new child going to school, and come professionally packaged for giving away!

Here's how you can win it!

*Visit Ann's lovely shop, Life Events,
come back and comment on your favorite item in her store!

Additional entries:
*Become a follower of this blog.

*Add our blog button for Adam's Blankie Couture to your own blog
(must include link to your blog in comment).

*Tweet about this give-away & include link to this page
(must include link to your tweet in comment).

*Subscribe to this blog.



Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry, and include your email address!
All winners in our give-away blitz will be posted early-mid September.

Good luck!

The Waiting is Almost Over...

******************************************************************
The highly anticipated Blitz Give-Away Extravaganza STARTS MONDAY!!!
Make sure to follow our blog and bookmark this page -
YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS OUT ON
MORE THAN 20 ITEMS THAT WILL BE GIVEN AWAY!
******************************************************************

Children's Bathrooms: To Do or NOT To Do...THAT is the question....

So what's been on my mind as the latest "house project" (do they ever end?!), is possibly redoing our secondary bathroom as a children's bathroom. It is, in fact, just used by our son (and any vacationers staying with us, which is not very often the case), so I figure, why not make it something he enjoys? Now, mind you, he's only 2, so exactly what kind of enjoyment he could get out of it, I don't know. I do know that will be one of my husband's cons against my desire to redo it once I get muster up enough courage to bring this topic up to him (He's just been around for too many of my doing (and redoing!) house projects...I guess it's time to move now that I've done every room and have NO white walls whatsoever around our house!).

So, my question is...do you have a bathroom decorated specifically for your child/ren or not? And, whatever your answer, why is it that way? (Can you see I'm trying to seed out some rationale to explain to my husband why I want this done?! :) Or, on the other hand, maybe you'll convince me we actually don't need a bathroom decorated with a kids' theme).

Once you've told me that, and if you do think a children's-themed bathroom is the way to go, what are some fabulous children's bathrooms you've seen out there and would recommend? We have just one child now, but will be expanding our family, and since I can't foretell the future and don't know if it would be another boy or girl, I'd like to keep the bathroom theme gender neutral. I was tossing around the idea of just some basic dots in a theme of colors, more or less. I KNOW I don't want ducks or frogs, since those seem to be everywhere...but what else??


Also,

Kids Craft: Sensory Bottles

So these are some great ideas for indoor crafts to do with your toddler or pre-schooler. If you're like me and live in the desert and are trying to stay out of the heat right now, now's the time to do these. Or if you're like the rest of the country and actually enjoy your summers, these are probably going to be better put to use in the winter. At any rate, if you're looking for some new crafts to do with your kids, and they're tired of the same ol' toys in the toybox, these should serve as some inspiration to you! I think these are fabulous ideas and have full intentions of getting some of these going this week. They all can be made using plastic bottles - something most of us probably have lying around the house anyway....

Lava bottles. Fill equal parts water and baby oil, and add some food coloring.

Snow globes. Fill equal parts water and corn syrup. Add whatever small objects you can find around the house (paper clips, gems, beads, glitter, dice, etcetera).

Discovery bottles. These are a homemade version of the "I Spy" products out there. What kid doesn't love those? :) Just fill the bottle with rice, and add small items from around the house (dice, paper clips, beads, coins, googly eyes, etcetera. You can often buy packs of such random objects at many local craft stores, as well). You can also type up a list of the different items inside the bottle (and laminate it!) for the older kids who can read.

To make them tamper-proof (to avoid messes!) from your kids, just glue the tops shut with a hot-glue gun, and let set until dry.

GIVE- AWAY BLITZ MONTH ARRIVES AUGUST 17TH!!!

I have some FANTASTIC news for my blog readers that I KNOW you're going to be just as thrilled about as I am! In just 10 DAYS, we will be hosting our summer

"Give-Away BLITZ Month!"

What's that mean for you??! I'm glad you asked...we will be giving away one fabulous find each day for FOUR WEEKS - ABOUT 20 PRODUCTS TOTAL!! I won't give away any clues just yet, but trust me, you won't want to miss this! Get ready for some terrific treats, if I do say so myself!

Everything Elephants

I'm not sure why, but I really had the knack for bringing some adorable, functional & down-right stylish kids' elephant toys & accessories I've been stumbling upon lately to you. If you're thinking of doing an elephant-themed nursery or toddler room for your little one, here are some fabulous pieces to consider!


Red Elephant Chair by Charles & Ray Eames - $290.00. This piece is truly a piece of art and comes from the famous Eames designers. If you know anything about furniture or architectural design & history, you know the Eames'. You really can't look in any furniture magazine these days and not see something they've designed. So if you buy this piece, I'd plan on holding onto it as an heirloom work of art. It was originally made of plywood in 1945 & was later constructed in this plastic version so that children could actually use it - good idea, since it was designed for them to begin with! It comes in 5 colors and can be used indoors or outdoors.


Elephant Magnetic Stuffed Toy (set of 3) by Dwell Studio - $41.40. These would make adorable art forms put on shelves in the nursery, and also double as a creative, plush toy your child can use to learn about sequencing while developing large motor skills.

Pink Elephant Bank by Dwell Studio. Every child must have a "piggy" bank if you ask me. But why must they all be piggies?? Well, they needn't be, although it is a bit tougher to find them NOT in the piggy shape, I'll admit. Great as an art display at first, use it later to teach kids the fundamentals about money and the importance of saving. This pink version comes to you from DressfortheNines and retails for $36.00.


Or here's a boy version of the elephant bank from Dwell Studio for $70.20.


Tumbling Elephant (toy, chair, rocker) from bObles. This is quite an elephant toy, if you ask me. You can sit it on its fit for the ultimate art deco look in your child's room or toyroom, or you can tip it on its side and have your child nestle into the crook to support his or her back for some reading time. Turn it upside-down, and your little guy can rock back and forth on it! Get it for $139.00 in any of a variety of colors.


Elephant Bookshelf from DwellStudio. Need a place to store those books and make it look cool? Look no further. Here is a hand-crafted elephant bookshelf that will make quite an impression in any nursery, bedroom or toyroom. Get it for $153.00.

Chunky Chocolate Diva Dots

As I'm sure you know by now if you follow this blog at all, I am a huge advocate of sophisticated, mod & ultra-stylish products for babies and toddlers alike. Having a background in the field of interior design, I truly believe what you surround yourself with will affect you, your attitude & behavior.

That being said, I found these deliciously "chunky chocolate diva dots," as I've affectionately coined them, by Dwell Studio, and I think they're utterly fabulous! The simple yet sophisticated chocolate dot pattern comes in a plethora of items, so you can get just a few, or go crazy and buy a wide assortment. Here are a few of the items I think are quite posh and would make lovely gifts (not to mention they're ultra versatile in their gender neutral pattern & palette):



Diaper Tote - $144.00


Bottle Holder - $18.00


Soft Blocks - $28.80

Giraffe Pillow - $28.80

Soft Ring Stacker - $32.40


Storage Bin - $72.00

Haute Tot's Toy of the Month

I love toys that don't rely on bells and whistles to entertain your child. That being said, I am particularly fond of the bilibo play shell, which instead inspires creativity from your child! Here is what fatbraintoys.com has to say about it:

"Magically attractive and deceptively simple, Bilibo's iconic shell shape and bright colors prove immediately appealing to young children. Developed by Swiss designer Alex Hochstrasser in collaboration with childhood development experts, Bilibo's unique form arouses curiosity, stimulates the senses, engages the imagination, and encourages creativity.

Both boys and girls can find virtually unlimited ways to play with Bilibos - from rocking, spinning, and sitting, to hiding under, carrying, and peeking through. At home, at the park, at the beach, in the water, and even in the snow, Bilibo provides hours of open-ended play.

Developmental Challenge In Unique Form Acclaimed By Childhood Learning Specialists Featured In Museum Exhibitions, Recipient Of Numerous Awards 16 inches x 16 inches x 11 inches Made of High-density Polyethylene Ages 2 to 7 years"

Get yours from www.fatbraintoys.com for just $28.95 and let the creative juices start flowing!

Back to School: Calming the Nerves

So although I'm not there yet, this time of year (at least in Arizona, where things all seem to be going toward year-round schooling...and believe it or not, they're actually starting to send kids back in this heat...(if you're not familiar, it's been about 115 degrees here the past week)) I start thinking about all the little ones getting ready to go back to school, and about how much anxiety this can cause for some. I never really dreaded going back to school, living in a small town where we hung out with the same people in the summer anyway, but I DID always want to make sure I had the best possible outfit for that first day!

Anywho, I was thinking about what it will be like for my son once he starts in school (this is still a couple years away...), and what I will do to help alleviate any anxiety should he have any, and here's what I've seen from others or come up with on my own...

*Go shopping with your kids for new clothes
*Go shopping with your kids for their school supplies, and let them pick it all out! (I know...I'd struggle with this one, too!)
*Take a tour of the school before the first day (especially if they're new there). Having you there with them beforehand should make them feel a bit more comfortable.
*Bake their favorite cookies to have after their first day of school (let them know they'll be waiting for them!)
*Talk to them about why they feel anxious, and try to reason with them as to why they needn't be
*Pack something that brings them comfort inside their backpack (depending on the age, this could range vastly - anything from a lovie, special stuffed animal, stickers, or what have you...).
*Host a "Back to School" Party for your child with their friends

Fixing Boo-Boos in Style

No child (or parent, for that matter) likes experiencing the pain from a boo-boo, of course, but perhaps a little stylish rescue from Mom or Dad would help lessen the pain. I know it worked for me as a kid!

Start with an "Owie-All-Gone Bag" from Adam's Blankie. You can custom order these in any designer cotton fabric available from their shop, and they come in three sizes - small, medium or large. Store them in the freezer and then pull out when the owie beckons. The pain will go away and all in stylish, mod fabric, without any chemicals or the sting of ice. The better bang for your buck is that the medium and large-sized ones also double as heat therapy packs, meaning Mom & Dad can use them, too, to relieve aching muscles & cramps!



Then you can apply any number of designer bandages out there. You've probably seen some basic character-themed ones in your local grocery or drug store, but check out a few sites listed below for vintage ones like Pac-Man & Peanuts along with your kids' favorite foods like pickles, bacon or sushi!


Pac-Man bandages from Thisnext.com


Sushi bandages from PerpetualKid.comMonkey bandages from Mcphee.com



Cupcake bandages from PerpetualKid.comBacon & Eggs bandages from Thisnext.com

Once the bandage is ready to be removed, you can do so in a painless manner by dousing a cotton ball in some baby oil (or olive oil, if you don't have some baby oil in the house) and then rubbing it over the bandage until it falls off!

The only trouble now? Preventing boo-boos your child inflicts on purpose, just for the sake of some fashionable first-aid!