Swanky Stocking Stuffer Alert: ChicBuds

Looking for a super swanky way to listen to music? Want to put a little sparkle into your phone conversations? ChicBuds makes fantastically beautiful retractable ear phones adorned with Swarovski crystals. Choose from black or white earphones and then have a grand ol' time picking out what color crystals you want. From blueberry to sour apple, your taste buds will easily find a flavor to suit their needs. The ear phones can be used with iPods, computers, and MP3 players. They also work on portable DVD players and airplane connectors! What I love about ChicBuds (second to how sparkly and adorable they are) is the design of the retractable cable. No more tangled wires and the clip helps keep them in place so the dangling annoyance is gone!

And, so you can talk in style, ChicBabies are also available. These super cute ear phones are retractable and feature a Swarovski embelished ear bud and an inline microphone. They expand from 4" to 30."

Visit ChicBuds today and Stock Up on your Stocking Stuffers!

In Motion Books: A Great Holiday Gift for Baby

I LOVE to give books as gifts, especially to new babies in my life. Who needs another onesie or rattle, right? Books are gifts that keep on giving, plus, I love to write or have my boys write, a little message to the recipient on the inside cover. In Motion Books makes a fabulous new board book for little ones called "Every Day Signs for the Newborn Baby." This charming book features beautiful multicultural illustrations with "lift the flap" interactive pages. You and your child can learn 16 different ASL motions together to facilitate communication while speech develops and emerges. I really wish I had this beautiful book when my oldest was a baby. Being 2 months premature, he was delayed globally, including his speech. We started basic signing with him when we realized his speech was delayed, but this was not until he was about 15 months old. This book would have been a great tool from day one!

"Everyday Signs for the Newborn Baby" is available on amazon.com AND if you're shopping for a pregnant friend, Tuni & G is offering an adorable gift set that includes the book & a super cute long sleeved maternity tee featuring the "baby" sign illustration from the cover of the book. This would also make a FANTASTIC "Congrats, your pregnant gift!"

For more information please visit http://www.inmotionbooks.com/ You can also take a peek at the other fun books they have in the works!

Get Crafty This Holiday Season: Kookle Nesting Dolls

Looking for a super fun project to do with the kids this holiday season? Check out Kookle Gifts and pick up one of their great Nesting Doll kits. The kits come with five wooden nesting "dolls," acrylic paints, two paint brushes, and a color mixing chart. What I love about the set is that the possibilities for creative expression are endless. The hardest part of the project is deciding what to paint.

My boys decided on a "pirate" set of nesting dolls. The brain storming to figure out what we'd paint was so much fun. My 3 year old wanted to paint monsters, my 5 year old wanted robots, I wanted a holiday set. Wouldn't it be adorable to do a snowman, reindeer, Santa, Christmas tree, & wrapped present set? Or even a family of snowmen? However, we compromised on pirates...

A finished Kookle set would make such a memorable gift. Just imagine grandma's face when she opens hers, something to treasure forever!

The Kookle Nesting Doll Kit is an all around perfect gift. Perfect for giving, perfect for getting.

Visit the Kookle site today and get started on your holiday crafting!

Bella Tunno

Bella Tunna carries an amazing collection of fresh and funky products for babies and tots! I love the laminated bibs! They are the perfect size for toddlers learning to feed themselves and super easy to keep clean, just wipe and go. They are also machine washable for those really messy meals. As you can see, Bella Tunno's bibs are super stylish! I love the grosgrain ribbon closure, it just adds a touch of flair to these adorable bibs! Check out their other swanky designs!

Another favorite is the Diaper Ditty. It is a chic little diaper clutch. It holds 2-3 diapers and has an outer pocket for moms’ essentials. The Diaper Ditty also has a loop so you can fold it up and hang it on your stroller or diaper bag. You can be fashionable and functional with Bella Tunno! Check out their other wonderful products including the Binkers, Butties, Burpies and Smocks!

Visit www.BellaTunno.com

Vincent Shoes: Happy Feet for the Holidays!

Unfortunately, those shiny new school shoes from September have put some playground miles on them in the last few months. Now that the holidays are here, it's time for parties, pictures, and lookin' good! Vincent shoes allows you to do just that. High quality, high fashion, and high function combine to make the perfect shoes for the perfect feet in your life.

What I love about Vincent shoes is that they can be dressed up or down. They are stylish enough for a holiday soiree, but they hold their own on the playground too. We recently received Vincent's Herman shoes and I can't tell you how many people compliment my boys. The shoes look great (the colors are fantastic) and they are super comfy. My favorite feature, they look like they have laces, but they don't! Even my three year old can put his on by himself, one less thing for me to do in the morning routine is fantastic!

Visit Vincent today and peruse their amazing selection. I also love their Jump tennis shoes, perfect for boys and girls, easy to put on and stylish too! For little girls, the Betty shoes are too cute and if you need something for a fancy schmancy event, check out the "party" selection.

I promise, you can't go wrong with Vincent!

Sok-O: A Swanky New Buddy for the Holidays

Looking to put a new buddy under the tree for your little ones this holiday season? Check out Sok-o: unique, adorable, and 100% handmade. Sok-o is a line of funny friends, each with their own personality. There are 8 Sok-o characters with fun & funky names and stories. From Trumbo the elephant to Moonie the grump and Bu-Lou the daydreamer, you're sure to find a perfect match for your little one's personality.

No two Sok-o "pets" are alike, they start as a pair of socks and are transformed into a super cute new best friend that will be treasured for a life time. Although I am not a huge stuffed animal fan, (How many boring teddy bears does one kids need?) I am definitely a Sok-o fan. These whimsical creatures will be sure to put a smile on the face of anyone. They're soft, cuddly and ready to love. My favorite feature are the unique personalities of each Sok-o doll. I'd have no problem finding a friend that matches each one.

Visit the Sok-o site today and find your perfect match!

Gater Tots: One Stop Holiday Shopping

This holiday season, be sure to visit Gator Tots. This wonderfully unique site was founded by a teacher turned mom who wanted to create a one stop shopping experience that would allow parents to purchase high quality educational toys and books. Mission accomplished! Gator Tots has amazing products and the site is very well organized. You can shop by age, brand, or even price range. The customer service is fantastic and shipping costs are minimal (free if you spend over $75).

Another great feature of Gator Tots is that all items on the site are "in stock" so no waiting for other companies to drop ship. You order, they send!

One of my favorite products at Gator Tots are their beautiful embossed wooden alphabet blocks. I've seen my fair share of blocks and these are by far superior! They remind me of vintage blocks, old fashioned, simple, and endless play possibilities. These alphabet blocks encourage infants to practice motor skills by stacking and develop cognitive skills through sorting, and for older kids, they're great for letter and number recognition practice.

Made in the USA, the 27-piece set of 1 3/4 inch cubes is made from basswood with bright, child-safe inks. Embossed letters, numbers, and animals provide 4 complete alphabets, 3 sets of numerals, and 27 different animal pictures.

Also check out their fun tees and onesies! Visit Gator Tots today, you may even want to share the site with Santa....

Epson Stylus CX8400

If you are looking to buy a printer, the Epson Stylus All-in-One CX8400 is the way to go! I love the sleek and swanky design, definitely a nice additional to any workspace. With the Epson Stylus CX8400, you can print, scan and copy with ease. You can even print beautiful photos without the need of a computer, just insert your memory card from your camera and you can view the photos on the 2.5 inch LCD and print instantly! The Epson Stylus CX8400 prints, scans and copies super fast and there is no more waiting for the ink to dry, this printer uses instant drying DURABrite® Ultra Ink! It also automatically adjusts the print quality based on the type of paper you select! The Epson Stylus CX8400 by far exceeds my expectations and is available for under $100! Here are some of the amazing features of this fabulous printer:

• 2.5-inch tilt LCD to copy and print, PC-free
• Black and color text up to 32 ppm
• 4" x 6" photos in as fast as 26 seconds
• Easy color restoration of faded photos
• One standard ink set for all your prints
• Multipurpose card slots to print PC-free%
• Individual ink cartridges
• One-touch copying, high quality scanning
• Smudge resistant documents
• Reductions/enlargements 25 – 400 %
• Auto Photo Correction

To get your Epson Stylus CX8400, visit http://www.epson.com/

Baby Angel Bug

I received two extraordinary products from Baby Angel Bug! Both products are amazing and, in my opinion, an essential for your new baby!

The Protect n Play Change Pad is a physician invented change pad which makes changing baby’s diaper super easy! No more trying to distract baby and worrying about baby getting into the mess. The Protect n Play Change Pad keeps baby secure and hands busy and away from the diaper changing process! This handy pad closes up and has 3 pockets and a carrying handle, so you can just change and go! Such a wonderful invention! The Protect n Play Change Pad comes in 2 stylish patterns, Moo Moo Buck-a-roo and Bella Boo!

The Kick and Grow Tummy Zone Development Mat is another physician invented product which encourages Tummy Time, which is very important for baby's development. The Kick and Grow Tummy Zone supports baby’s core while promoting hand/eye coordination as baby plays with the interactive monkey and self recognition with the mirror. There is also a Kick Stabilizer which encourages baby’s natural instinct to push which helps leg development and strength. What a wonderful interactive development toy for baby!

To find out more on these great products and pre-order with their amazing introductory prices, visit http://babyangelbug.com

Swanky Holiday Gift Giving: I LOVE Brag A Little A LOT

The holidays are just around the corner and Brag A Little has A LOT to make you smile. Whether you're looking for grandmas, aunts, uncles, best friends, moms, dads, or even yourself, you're sure to find something amazing that will show off your favorite photos. Brag A Little's photo lockets are elegant sterling silver squares that display a picture of your choice. The photo is simply e-mailed over and Brag A Little does the rest. You choose between sepia, black & white or color and the photo is sized to fit the locket which is a 3/4 inch square with beautiful scrolled details around the frame. You can choose from various necklace styles and lengths or you can buy "a la carte." There are also beautiful bracelet sets that allow you to display multiple photos. And, for the men in your life, the key chains are amazing! There's even a golf bag clip set. Oh, and one of my favorite things, if you decide you'd like to show off a different photo, Brag A Little will change it out for you!

I wear my Brag necklace daily and get tons of compliments. I love that the necklace shows of my little ones, but it's also a fabulous piece of jewelry. The quality is impeccable, the style is unique, and it's my favorite part of getting dressed!

Visit Brag A Little today, you may even want to forward the site address to your hubby!

hint hint...

Turkey Time with Olive Kids!

It's almost time to gobble up the yummiest meal of the year! This Thanksgiving, decorate your table with the most adorable place mats around. Olive Kids' personalized place mats will perk up your table and put smiles on the faces of guests of all ages. I say order them for everyone who will be there or at least for those sitting at the "kid's table."

For more information visit www.olivekids.com

Cascade Complete

Cascade Complete does all the work for you and there is no need to pre-wash your dishes anymore! This new formula dissolves tough food particles and leaves your dishes sparkly clean! To make sure your Cascade Complete works to its maximum effect, always fill all your detergent cups with Cascade Complete (and even overflow if you have hard water) and make sure your rinse aids are full. For more Dishwasher Tips, visit:

http://www.cascadeclean.com/sites/en_US/cascade/tips/index.shtml

Cascade Complete is available in Fresh Scent, Citrus Breeze Scent®, and Melon Blossom and can be purchased at your local grocery store, Amazon.com or Drugstore.com.

Visit www.CascadeClean.com

Hedvig Bourbon

I have the Fuschia Lucas diaper bag and it is absolutely gorgeous! Not only is it chic and stylish but very functional. The Lucas is a generous sized diaper bag (16” x 13” x 3.75”) with 3 external pockets, 3 interior pockets, pacifier/key clip and a cell phone pocket (very handy)! Also, included is a stain resistant matching changing pad. The Lucas is stroller tote with a cool strap system that can instantly be converted to into a shoulder bag! How cool! Each bag is handmade in New York City and is available in several funky fabrics! Hedvig Bourbon also has a line of stroller liners, diaper & wipes pouches, and changing pad clutches!

All Swanky Moms receive 20% discount on any diaper bags & accessories until

Dec. 31, 2007. Will be applied after the purchase, email sales@hedvigbourbon.com and mention coupon code "swankymom".

Visit www.hedvigbourbon.com

Simply Silhouettes, Simply Unique, Simply the Best

Ok, I am self professed "bag" a holic. I have tons of bags, purses, diaper bags, messenger bags, I love them. However, since I received my messenger bag from Simply Silhouettes, nothing else has left my closet. If you're looking for a way to wow a family member this holiday season, perhaps even evoke tears of joy (that's how beautiful the products at Simply Silhouettes are), you must visit their site and browse all of their amazing products. The messenger bag I have features two silhouettes, both of my little guys facing each other. What is fantastic, is how easy the whole process was. I Simply had the boys turn to their side, snapped a photo, noticed how large their heads are, and then e-mailed the photos over! I received a proof in just a few days. It was AMAZING how detailed the silhouettes were. I mean, completely obvious that it was my boys. Everything from the shapes of their noses to wisps of hair. When my bag arrived, I couldn't wait to show it off. Everywhere I go, people ask me about it. I'm telling you though, there are so many fabulous items on the site, it's hard to choose. I'm also in love with the jewelry and I think the room canvases would make unbelievable decor in a child's bedroom or playroom.

Oh... and just in time for the holidays, Simply Silhouettes has a new line of beautiful cards. The cost of the cards includes 4 silhouettes (you can pay a little extra for more than four if you need to). You can even include your pets, how fun is that? AND it doesn't stop there, check out the Christmas ornaments, think Grandma, she'll FLIP for these!

Visit Simply Silhouettes and make it your main holiday shopping stop, you will love the quality and the memory that it preserves is just priceless. I thing I may have to make the ornament a yearly tradition!

For more info, visit www.simplysilhouettes.com

Sponsor: A Mom in Red High Heels- Beauty and Style Guide Dedicated to Moms

Red High Heels can bring a touch of adventure, a punch of pizzazz or a hint of romance to our style. Whether you’re like me and love Red High Heels or are just looking to shake things up a little, nothing can make you feel quite as happy as the perfect pair of Red High Heels.

Wearing Red High Heels gives women self-confidence and will help us overcome our inhibitions as well as helping us to be seductive and alluring. There is something glamorous about Red High Heels that can transform our lives. Red High Heels have magical powers.

All women have the opportunity to look their very best each and every day. It has to be an intentional act. When a woman becomes a mom, she should not give up on herself as a woman. Becoming a mother does not mean she suddenly becomes last on her priority list! In fact, she should make every effort to pamper herself often. She should fix herself up each morning and feel good about how she looks. She should wear stylish, well-fitting clothing and keep a modern hairstyle. She should wear red high heels as often as possible.

My goal with “A Mom in Red High Heels” is to educate Moms on how to look great and feel fabulous in her role as Mom. I am here to encourage, support and educate Moms on all things beauty and style. Knowledge is empowering. I aim to empower women, just like a great pair of red high heels does.

Come visit A Mom in Red High Heels, find out some great beauty and fashion tips for moms, hear from other moms and leave comments with your own great tips! I look forward to learning right along with you!

Swanky Stocking Stuffer Alert: LearningCents Wallet

Here's another great item, you definitely want to tell Santa about. The LearningCents company has recently added to their fantastic product line. This cool camo wallet is a perfect addition to one of my all time favorite product reviews, the LearningCents Bank. The LearningCents Wallet comes in 3 colors, pink camo, blue camo, and green camo. It's a full sized wallet, but fits perfectly in a child's back pocket. It also has a carabiner clip that allows children to clip it to a belt loop (my son likes to clip his on and let it dangle off his hip, he thinks he hot stuff with "his own" wallet). The LearningCents Wallet is made kid tough! It's constructed of durable 600 Denier fabric and has a tri-fold design with a zippered change compartment, slots for gift cards, a plastic ID card holder and a strong Velcro closure. What I love about the LearningCents Wallet, is that my son must keep track of his own "spending" money. It allows him to be responsible and appreciate the value of his hard earned money! And, for under $10, you can't go wrong.

To purchase, visit http://www.learningcents.com/