Croc-a-doodles
May 31, 2008 by Emily · 4 Comments
Whether you are lounging at the beach or the pool, my guess is that you will probably see Crocs on little feet throughout the entire summer. But the deeper question is…will you see a “croc-a-doodled” Croc?
Croc-a-doodles create a fab way for your kids to decorate their Crocs (or for you to decorate yours, it’s OK, don’t hold back here). Croc-a-doodles are essentially washable markers made for Crocs, so they enable endless creations. And if you want to change the design, just wash up your Crocs in warm soapy water and you can croc-a-doodle them again.
Find em at: islandsurf.com or shoes.com for about $15.
{Thoughtful idea from Melissa of Off The Wall, Thanks Melissa!}
Mermaid and Shark Fins
May 30, 2008 by Emily · 3 Comments
Shark and Mermaid Fins: $34
For kids, Summer-time is filled with endless hours of playtime and splish-splashing in the pool. What little boy or girl wouldn’t love these fins when playing in the water?
Find these fins at Chasing Fireflies - one of my new FAVORITE shops for children. Where celebrating childhood through magical products that charm, surprise and delight, is something that they do everyday.
Delightful Jewelry Keepsakes
May 29, 2008 by Emily · 62 Comments
Finding the perfect gift for someone you love, or for someone who has EVERYTHING, may leave you feeling perplexed…One item that I find worthy for even the hardest person to shop for comes from Firefly Photo Jewelry. This one-of-a-kind custom jewelry is made personally for you (or for someone you love), so that you may display your family photographs or endearing notes for everyone to see.
Shawna, the creative girl behind Firefly Photo Jewelry, is also delighted to fill custom orders and loves to “bring to life your ideas.” You may find these pretty charms and pendants on necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Most of the pieces in her collection range from about $20 to $30 and you can purchase them at the Firefly Photo Etsy Shoppe.
Contest:
Win It! - Firefly Photo Jewelry is giving away this darling necklace to a lucky window shoppe reader. A $37 value!
Just submit a comment or email us at contest@littlewindowshoppe.com within the next two weeks. (Include the code words “Firefly Photo Jewelry” so we know that you want to be part of this giveaway) and you will be automatically entered into the contest. We will announce the winner on Thursday, June 12th!
*Congratulations to Becca C. she is the winner for the Firefly Photo Jewelry giveaway!
Cookie-Cutter Sandwiches
May 28, 2008 by Emily · 4 Comments
I remember when the only way I would eat broccoli was if I pretended it was a little tree - for some reason it made ALL the difference. I think that there are a lot of kids who are like this when it comes to food they don’t particularly like. So, when I first saw this marvelous lunch time idea (by Martha Stewart Living) posted at Tutus and Turtles I couldn’t resist posting it too.
Even the most picky eater in your family will love these cookie-cutter shaped sandwiches, who could resist lunch when it’s this much fun!
Love and Logic Teaching and Parenting
May 28, 2008 by Emily · 7 Comments
Teaching children is something that many of us will do whether as a parent, family member, teacher, counselor, neighbor, or friend. One teaching approach that has been on my mind lately is Love and Logic. An extremely helpful tool to have close by.
I first learned about Love and Logic from my amazing sister-in-laws, they are parenting experts and gave great insights into what Love and Logic was all about. I was then re-introduced to Love and Logic in my school counseling curriculum and decided to make it a matter of study for my profession. I have found it to be a phenomenal resource to have when working with children and middle-school students throughout each week. And now that my baby is starting to grow up, I have been thinking a little more about Love and Logic from the parenting perspective.
I really could talk all day about Love and Logic and also could write a 10 page report on the things I have learned and experienced. To me this parenting philosophy is practical and makes a lot of sense.
Briefly what Love and Logic is about:
“This will teach you how to raise self-confident, motivated children who can learn to solve their own problems while gaining the confidence they need to meet life’s challenges. And you’ll win because you’ll establish healthy control—without resorting to anger, threats, nagging or exhausting power struggles.”
- Love and Logic guides parents to teach and respond with Empathy instead of Anger. EXAMPLE: “Oh how sad…” (that you made a bad choice, etc.) - I love this opening response, because it helps children to focus on the problem instead of the anger from the parent/teacher.
- Love and Logic teaches about how to use and give “choices” with your children and it helps children to take responsibility for their own choices. EXAMPLE: “Would you like to come in for dinner in 5 minutes or 10 minutes?” - This helps children to feel like they are responsible to make their own choices (while the parent is still actually in control). Sometimes when children are ”told” what to do, it may make them feel threatened.
- Love and Logic teaches the importance of using “thinking” words instead of “fighting” words. EXAMPLE: Good: “You may go to your friends house once your room is clean.” Vs. Bad: “You can’t go on the vacation until you’ve brought up your grades.”
- Love and Logic discusses “natural” consequences for decisions and actions. EXAMPLE: “That’s too bad that you ate all of your sister’s cookies, it looks like you will need to make her another batch.”
A few other tidbits:
Love and Logic teaches the difference between “praise” and “encouragement” and which one tends to build self-esteem. It also discusses effective ways to handle bullying, pets, chores, grades and so much more.
You can probably tell that I highly recommend these books and have found them to be beneficial as a school counselor and a parent (I have even used this philosophy on my husband…”Would you like to help make dinner? Or help with the dishes?”) 
You can get these books here
I am really interested in what you think. Have you read or applied Love and Logic in your family? What do you think about it? What have been a few of your experiences?
Tres Chic Boutique Presents…
May 27, 2008 by Emily · 5 Comments
“High-quality fashion for the lowest price possible.” Summer was often asked by friends and family where she found “this or that” for her own home and wardrobe. Eventually, those questions inspired her to open her own online store called Tres Chic Boutique. Here is a sneak peek of a few of her items:
Black Rhinestone Bangle: $24.99 ~ Green Necklace/Earring Set: $7.99
She hand-picks each of her dazzling products and features jewelry, totes, handbags, wall art and clothing for women and children; including Shabby Apple Baby dresses (one of my personal favorites for children).
Little Miss Chic Pink Polka Dot Backpack: $9.99
A Pink Bench Giveaway!! So Happy…
May 26, 2008 by Emily · 108 Comments
A few months ago, I wrote about how much I LOVE my Pink Bench headband. Here are a few of the highlights from my review:
It’s all true and more ~ you can read my review here or simply visit Pink Bench to see these terrific headbands.
Contest:
Win It! - Pink Bench is giving away three headbands and that means that three winners will receive one of their very own!
Just submit a comment or email us at contest@littlewindowshoppe.com within the next two weeks and in order to be entered in this contest, please visit Pink Bench and let us know in your email or comment, which headband style (design) & size (wide or thin) you would like to have if you win. We will announce the winner on Monday, June 9th at The Little Window Shoppe and at Prizey.Fetch!
*Congratulations to Carly, Patti, and Lisa! They are the winners for the Pink Bench Headband giveaway!*
Sweet Shoppe: Georgia Grace Designs
May 26, 2008 by Emily · 6 Comments
I was recently introduced to this great Etsy Shoppe. The Bell-Bottoms and Pop-Over Pinafore Patterns are just a few of the signature items from Georgia Grace Designs. This adorable and affordable custom clothing is handmade and professionally finished for your little girl.
I love how colorful these tops, bottoms are! It is definitely worth visiting this site to see the more of their stylish dresses too.
Emily Sash Dress: $38 ~ The Madeline Ruffle Set (Top and Bottoms): $49
Discount:
Receive 15% off your purchase - simply state that you found Georgia Grace Designs at The Little Window Shoppe.
Our Take on Modest Swimming Suits
May 23, 2008 by Whitney · 11 Comments
So it’s the time (dreaded or anticipated) to get a new suit for the summer. Having been through swimsuit shopping myself I know how hard it is to find a suit that is… 1. MODEST 2. FITS 3. LOOKS GOOD 4. IS AFFORDABLE.
Hopefully this review is helpful and gives you an idea of what’s good, what’s OK, and how much you can expect to pay.
I am so grateful that I have the skills to make my own (if I can find fabric!) but I realize that not many people are so fortunate. I wish I had the time and energy to make all of my wonderful friends their own custom suit but unfortunately that is impossible. So in an attempt to help all of you out, I’m listing sites that I have found helpful.
I worked for this company last spring/summer as a seamstress and had a really good experience. Their suits run at about $40. They are in Utah and will also CUSTOM MAKE a suit for you ~ I think around $75-80 (which I know exceeds the $50 limit for LWS site but for a CUSTOM suit, that is a GOOD price)!
You pick your style, and fabric, and they will fit it to you. They are a great company and have a pretty good variety of fabrics. Their website isn’t the easiest to navigate, but it works if you don’t live in Utah.
Because they do everything in house it takes a while (3 to 4 weeks if they aren’t booked) to get your suit made. So if you are interested, check them out now and get on the waiting list so you have your suit in time for summer.
I have to be honest I don’t own anything from Modbe but I have only heard good things. And this season I was so impressed with their line! Wow! They are really really cute! And they have a really good selection in fun prints! Their Swim tops are $48 and their Bottoms are $26. Most tops mix and match with any of the bottoms.
If you are brave enough to go RETRO, these are really CUTE and most are MODEST! They actually have a few one-piece suits (I haven’t found many this year). Unfortunately their prices are expensive - up in the $80 to $90 range. Each style has a different price. But again for a swimsuit that is modest I would save up and pay that much.
I actually worked on Shade’s first swim line which was released last Spring. I own some of last seasons styles and the fit is pretty good. The hidden pockets in the bust allow you to add extra padding (which is nice if you need it). The high waisted bottoms hide tummy rolls well, which is always a plus. Overall, I think you would be happy with a suit from Shade. The downside to their line is they don’t have any prints. So its kind of boring, but some people like them plain, if that’s you Shade is your place. Shades Tops are $36.50 and the Bottoms are $22.50.
Tops with Bottom are $79, Skirts are $28. This company also has little girl suits for $39.
One more….
You can also find swim suits at Layers Clothing they have a few modest suits but the quality of the first places reviewed in this post may be a little better. All of their suits are $65.
We wish all of you luck in your swim suit search and would love to hear any experiences you have had (Good and Bad).
Metropolitan Mama
May 22, 2008 by Emily · 4 Comments
To take time out from the shopping reviews, I wanted share with you a blog, written by a friend of mine, that I simply “love to pieces.” I first found out about Metropolitan Mama when the Little Window Shoppe launched. Discovering that Stephanie of Metropolitan Mama was once a school counselor too, caught my attention. From there, I quickly found her blog to be a helpful resource - especially as I am a new mommy.
Stephanie posts about ”information to help moms navigate the challenges and wonders of early motherhood” as she takes you on her journey.
She shares thoughtful moments, gives practical advice, and writes excellent recommendations on baby and toddler milestones through books and interviews with professionals.
In addition to her experiences, she also reviews baby and parent products and has giveaways each week. An aspect to her site that I also like are the ”Tuesday Tours” posts, “where she serves as your tour guide on the web and showcases the best contests, freebies, deals, and reads for moms available.”
So if you are a mom who is looking for great reviews and ideas throughout your journey, I highly recommend checking out her blog.
