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Happy 4th of July!!
by emily | July 4, 2008
Happy 4th of July!! What a great day. I love everything about today, family activities, hanging out at the lake on the boat, BBQ’s, fireworks, ice cream, and knowing that I live in the Good Ol’ USA. So, to strut your stars and stripes this lovely 4th of July (and anytime of the year), check out PatrioticTees.com.
$22.50
Now if you are an avid reader of my site, I have been a little MIA this week. I think that two days of traveling across the country will do that to someone. But it was all worth it, because we LOVE and MISS our family and also because we ran into NBA super-star Deron Williams and his family at the airport. Cute, cute family - we were ecstatic, of course!! 
So, I’m back on schedule…with more savvy tips, shoppes and cool items coming soon. By the way, if you haven’t had a chance to check it out, I’m having a mini giveaway… When you subscribe to the Window Shoppe Newsletter, you’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win a copy of the Baby Gizmo Buying Guide - Winner announced July 30th. To see my review on this guide, check it out here.
I just started a newsletter for the Little Window Shoppe and am so excited about this one. It creates a way for you to receive monthly highlights from The Little Window Shoppe featuring new boutiques, shoppes, and great discounts. Now that the Sweet Shoppes are buzzing, (woo! - So happy about that too!) I really want to make more opportunities for these shoppes to be seen, so this monthly newsletter will send special offers your way and will keep you in check with the latest updates.
Sites that Save You $$
by emily | July 4, 2008
Why pay full price if you don’t have to, I mean seriously! There are fantastic free websites out there who are all about making life easier on your bank account. I want to mention these next three sites because I like them and I think that they are easy to use, up to date, and are really helpful for anyone!
Rather Be Shopping aims to make your online shopping experience even easier (yes, that is actually possible). The individuals behind this site work hard to find and display the best online coupons and bargains to all your favorite online stores in order to help you save a few dollars when you shop. You can find coupons by date, by store, or by category. They even have a bunch of printable coupons you can access and take with you. And they also include the coupon code and the expiration date as often as possible.
Pinching Your Pennies is a family-friendly site that is really all about you. It is a place where you can learn and share how to save money in all aspects of your life. It includes ready-made shopping lists, great coupons and deals listed by state and online, and a forum community where you can socialize and chit-chat with others who are striving to save money too. Here’s what I really love about this site, you can go to the Grocery Guide and type in your zip code and find the local stores near your home. Just select the store that you shop at and poof, the coupons for that particular store will appear! How nice is that? I love that it is available nation-wide so that it is helpful to everyone!!
Savvy Shopper Deals is similar to Pinching Your Pennies, except the thing is that they are mainly based in Utah, which is great if you live in Utah, but it may not be so helpful if you are located in other parts of the US or Canada. :( Savvy Shopper Deals will find all the latest deals and coupons for stores in Utah. You can organize your favorite stores and products in their shopping wizard and they will even email you the deals each week - this is really nice especially if you don’t have the time to go searching for sales!! The coupons are also marked with a “Wow” to let you know if it’s a really good deal and if it will save you $$. Now, I’m told that there are subscribers throughout the US since there are large chain organizations like Walmart and Target that are included, so you may still be able to find a few great deals even if you are not in Utah.
So, before your next shopping trip, be sure to take a peek at these websites, you are not going to be disappointed, I promise!!
What are your experiences with these sites? Have you found them to be helpful with your shopping?
What Would I do without a Cute Sticky Note?
by emily | July 2, 2008
I go through sticky notes like they are going out of style! I am a list person all the way and always seem to be reaching for a new sticky note to jot down ideas and plans. I first discovered this sweet boutique, called Lotta Jansdotter, from Posh Mama, and I love Lotta’s simple, yet eye-catching colors and designs.
$8.95
Sweet Shoppes Guide and a Secret Giveaway
by emily | June 30, 2008
It’s done! The Sweet Shoppes Guide that I have been dreaming of making has finally come to fruition. This really is one of the main reasons I wanted to start the Little Window Shoppe - to highlight charming ideas from cute shoppes in order to promote Shoppe and Boutique owners, as well as help Window Shoppers find delightful ideas.
I have created a guide where shoppe owners can list their shoppe or boutique so that the Window Shoppe Readers can more easily find them. My blog generally focuses on shoppe products, and so I wanted this guide to be a little more about the shoppes in general.
This guide is of course family friendly and so I try to find and display shoppes and boutiques (photography businesses and other helpful services too) that I think are sensational for your Home and Family, babies, children, teens, women, and moms. (Sorry guys, I just wasn’t sure how to factor guy stuff in too - but this is a great place for you to find gift ideas for your beloved family)…
This is a free guide (yes totally free) - so you can peruse it at your pleasure or if you have a shoppe that you think fits in glamorously with this site, please submit it - I would love to add it to this guide for free too.
**If you don’t have a shoppe, but you still want to be a part of the Window Shoppe, you can submit your blog to my Sweet Links Blog Directory for free too and I will add it to my site.**
Contest:
Win it! To kick off the Window Shoppe’s new Sweet Shoppes Guide, I am hosting a giveaway! One winner will receive this lovely Secrets de Sothys age-defying solution cream by Sothys Paris ~ retail value $180!
To Win:
Just submit a comment or email me at contest@littlewindowshoppe.com within the next week and in order to be entered, please visit my new Sweet Shoppes and Boutiques link and let me know that you checked it out. Thank you!!
*Receive additional entries (both are completely optional):
1. Tell your friends about the Sweet Shoppes Guide and about this Secret Giveaway on your blog.
2. Subscribe to the Window Shoppe.
I will announce the winner on Wednesday, July 9th at The Little Window Shoppe and at Prizey.Fetch! Please see my contest rules for details.
Handipoints
by emily | June 27, 2008
Chores are those very needed, yet often procrastinated tasks that are a part of life. As parents, many of us are trying to teach our children how to be responsible and complete their daily or weekly tasks. And since this process can be a little tough to enjoy, we could use a little extra help from Handipoints. (Tip by Tenille).
Handipoints is a great website and tool for children who need a little boost in the task department. Not only can you sign up for FREE and print out chore charts galore (here’s a sample), you can learn to set up an allowance program and your children can add up and keep track of the points they earn from doing their chores on their chore chart and online.
Handipoints has built a way for children (and parents) to input their chore points and bonus points so that they can earn and create a Cool Cat Handipoint character that lets them participate in all kinds of online games and cartoons. It’s a beautifully set up reward program that may help your children actually look forward to completing their chores.
The Sweetest Personalized Storybook
by emily | June 27, 2008
We just received the sweetest personalized storybook for my little babe. It was such a special book for us since it was seamlessly tailored to fit my son and the important people in his life, it even included a professional dedication to him in the front of the book. It is called The First Adventures of Incredible You by the award-winning personalized storybook company,”Custom Made for Kids“.
Personalize this book for your loved ones too! Here’s how it works. There are 20 places in this book where you can fill out the meaningful details about your loved one. It is set up so that these details will be easily incorporated in the book’s rhyming verse. This is definitely a book you and your loved one will want to keep forever. To see the beautiful illustrations and writing up close, you can take this virtual tour to show you examples.
Pick up your copy of this book at Pottery Barn Kids or at Custom Made for Kids.
Discount:
Exclusive to the Window Shoppe, take 15% off of your order from Custom Made for Kids with code lws15. Expires August 15, 2008.
An Instruction Manual for Children
by michelle | June 26, 2008
The A to Z Guide to Raising Happy, Confident Kids, $15
This book is great for busy parents who are looking for some quick but true advice on how to help their kids become good decision makers and genuinely happy kids. It is broken up into chapters for quick reference on topics such as picky eaters, having pets, participating is sports, and sibling rivalry. This is one that I will refer to again and again as my children grow and face new challenges. Available at Barnes and Noble.
Summer Fun
by michelle | June 26, 2008
Summer is here! Now is the time to enjoy all the unscheduled time with your kids doing what they do best–playing! Here are two great and inexpensive toys that will keep you all entertained.
Gazillion Bubble Machine $15
What kid doesn’t love bubbles? This bubble machine makes 500 bubbles per minute! It provides hours of fun for your little ones, and helps you save your breath! Available at Amazon.com or your favorite toy store.
Rocket Balloons with Pump $10
I first saw these rocket balloons when a friend brought them to the park for a playdate. Soon all the kids from the playground were chasing these zooming balloons through the park. You inflate the oversized balloons with the included pump and then let them fly! Your kids will love chasing them, and trying to guess where they will land. Available at amazon.com, or in some Target stores.
The Crafting Corner
by emily | June 25, 2008
I spy my little eye on something…you have to buy! It’s an Etsy day and I wanted to mention The Crafting Corner’s handy little I Spy Bags. We have one of these at home and love it (yes, designed for children, but sometimes parents just can’t resist).
Their I Spy Bags have 40 objects hidden inside for your children to find, which provides a nice “quiet time” activity for loads of occasions…traveling, church, waiting rooms and more. These are 100% handmade and are covered in fleece so that they are durable and super soft to hold.
I Spy Hearts Bag: $16
Wordless Wednesday
by emily | June 25, 2008
Shampoo Rinse Cup
by emily | June 24, 2008
A bright idea for your child’s bathtime (tip by JaNece). As we know, there are many children who look forward to splashing around in the bath (my baby included - I’m sure it’s one of his favorite activities). But, there’s the dreaded rinsing that has to take place - which often results in water getting into his eyes (I know that many of you can relate here)!
Presenting The Shampoo Rinse Cup - solving one bathtime quandary at a time…find it at Baby Center at 40% off for just $4.77.
Fitness for Mommies
by emily | June 24, 2008
I’m almost afraid to admit this to even more people - just in case I “chicken out,” but here it goes. ;)
In February, My husband and I decided that this is the perfect year to run in a marathon - it will be our first one ever! We are planning to run it at the end of August - and with just two months left, we have been learning as much as possible about how to prepare.
Pictures from the marathon trail we are running in! Isn’t it gorgeous?
We both have run in half marathons before and really wanted to meet our goal to run a full one. So, this is it, we’re signed up and we have been researching and talking to lots of experts about how to prepare. We have great shoes and a super sweet jogging stroller - all set right? Not quite, there’s that “training part” that we are still trying to figure out.
You may already know about Fitness for Mommies, so I just wanted to mention how helpful this site has been for me. I think Rachel, to put it simply, is awesome. This mother of two finds time to run marathons and shares her tips and fitness ideas on her Fitness for Mommies site. A few weeks ago, I asked her a few (OK - a lot!) of questions about my training schedule, and she was so helpful and gave me great suggestions that my hubby and I could incorporate into our running. Her suggestions were about nutrition, strength training, running groups, and great programs to follow. Needless to say, it was very motivating and helpful for me and if you are a runner, fitness lover, or are thinking about it, I highly recommend visiting her site to learn a little more. You can even enter a few of her fantastic fitness-oriented giveaways.
Snails in the Mud and Other Fun Snacks for Kids
by emily | June 23, 2008
Snacks always seem to taste a little better when they are fun to eat. Forget escargot (by the way, I actually tried escargot once - drenched in butter - how is that for being brave!), this yummy snail snack from Kraftfoods.com is just one of the collected snack ideas that you will find at Fun Snacks 4 Kids. Rachael finds and gathers fun snacks that preschoolers and all children will enjoy. She lists snack ideas for parties, holidays, and also for playtime.
Rachael also loves to take your snack ideas and photos, if you have a few that you want to share, contact her at preschoolsnacks@yahoo.com.
Lillybean Designs
by emily | June 23, 2008
It’s the little details that can make a room shine. I didn’t know that there were so many options available for wall art when I designed my son’s nursery, but I wish I did! Lillybean Designs’ personalized wall art collection adds a bright touch to any nursery. And may I note, that these are fully customizable - in color and font style too.
$17 for this 8×8 professionally printed picture
This lovely boutique paperie specializes in more than just wall art, they also offer personalized stationary, custom photo cards, babe magnets, “birth marks” (bookmark announcements), and business/hip mama calling cards.
I think calling cards are useful - even if you don’t have a business - they make you feel pretty official. And plus, you never know who you will meet or when you may need a quick way to handout your digits.
$22 for 50 double-sided cards
Discount:
Take 10% off of your order from Lillybean Designs when you mention in the comments that you found them at The Little Window Shoppe.
Summer Reading
by emily | June 21, 2008
School’s out for most - but that doesn’t mean that learning has to stop just yet! Help your children join a Summer Reading club so that learning can stay fun and meaningful all summer long. Summer Reading clubs may also help children who do not like to read as they promote fun reading and sometimes offer reading rewards.
My brother, sister and I loved being a part of the local library’s summer reading club growing up and looked forward to each new book. I remember earning points and prizes too for each book I read. Summer reading can be fun, constructive and a great way to keep skills sharp.
Barnes and Noble is offering a free book to children who read 8 books this summer! This is just one reward you can get started with right away - Check out all of the details here.
If you are not close to a local library and still would like a few book suggestions, ideas and tips for readers of all ages, may I suggest these links: Family Education, Scholastic, Reading is fundamental, Reading Rockets, Read, Write, Think and PBS Parents (summer tips).
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