Tie those Tap Shoes (or your hair!) in Style with Custom Tap Ties from No-Plain-Jane {Review and Giveaway}

What is cuter than a toddler in a tutu and tap shoes? Not much, in my opinion! That is unless her tap shoes have her monogram! I love everything monogrammed because it adds that little personal touch that makes you just feel special. As I said before, like it was made just for you! EG started dance class last month and they requested that she use elastic tap ties rather than

the ribbon ties that came with the shoes. I wonder why that is? What, do they think that 2 year olds will play with the ribbons? Never! LOL (It's not like they wont play with the elastic ones either... :) Anyhow, of course, I had the find the cutest tap ties out there. Thus, the reason I stumbled upon No-Plain-Jane. I knew I wanted some super cute, custom tap ties with EG's initial, and that's exactly what they offer...plus a whole lot more! No-Plain-Jane has a plethora of fabrics for the ties so that you can coordinate with any dance outfit.

The little ties are fabric covered buttons monogrammed with the initial of your choice (in your choice of color!). They look so cute and professionally created when they are done! These ties add fun and pizzazz to your, already precious, little one's outfit. She certainly wont be a "Plain Jane"!

Don't have a tapper in the house? You can use these cuties in their original form as a hair tie! They would be adorable on your little one or

even in your own hair. They are just the right size for everyone to be able to wear!

As a bonus, Carrie was so sweet and made me a matching bow for EG's little tap ties. The bow is absolutely gorgeous and has a matching button in the middle with EG's first initial. It is beautifully crafted and so adorable in her hair. Check out the other bows No-Plain-Jane offers here. I love the pom pon bow sets, and at only $8 they really are a steal. Other great items from No-Plain-Jane include custom Crocs bows (ADORABLE...monogrammed with your initial, $12), super cute tutus and costumes (great for Halloween!, $15-$80), and precious headbands ($6-$10) to name a few. Love the adorable items she offers? You can purchase any of these items by clicking the links above, or head straight to No-Plain-Jane to look around. And don't forget to enter below to win your own custom set of tap ties/ponytail holders!

To enter this giveaway follow the rules and entry guidelines below (US ONLY):

1. REQUIRED: Visit No-Plain-Jane, check out the shop, then leave me a comment telling me your favorite item she offers (I know, it's so hard to choose...).

To earn extra entries you may do one or more of the following and leave me additional comment here telling me which you have done:

2. Follow me on Twitter and tweet (be sure to leave me your Twitter name and a link).

3. Blog about this contest and leave the link.

4. Follow.

5. Subscribe.

6. Grab my button and let me know where I can find it on your site.

7. Become a fan of Mommy Works on Facebook.

**Be sure to leave me your e-mail address, if there is not a visible one in your profile, so that I can contact you in the event that you are the winner. This contest will end at 11:59 PM CST on Tuesday, October 13. The winner will be randomly chosen viarandom.org and will have 48 hours to respond after being notified of win or another winner will be chosen.**

Practical and Fun Character Clothing and Accessories from Bella Love Boutique {Review and Giveaway} **CLOSED**

Congratulations to the winner, Brea's Mommy!

Result: 30 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

My favorite Disney character by far has always been Cinderella. I was never much for princesses in general, but who can resist such a sweet fairy tale as Cinderella? On our trip to Disney World I am most looking forward to the character meet and greets and character dining experiences, and of course that will include Cinderella. We've been trying to introduce EG to some of the chracters she may encounter on our trip, and I can't wait to see her face light up when she gets to see them in person (she may not want them to touch her, but I think she'll enjoy at least seeing them!). Naturally, these magical experiences will also create some really special photo opportunities. With all of these things in mind, I wanted a few special outfits that are character inspired for just these occasions. I am so thrilled that I was able to find many adorable outfits that fit the bill perfectly!

One such outfit is this gorgeous Cinderella dress from Bella Love Boutique. Designed to be strikingly similar to Cinderella's own light blue ball gown, as well as comfortable, it is an ideal outfit for wearing to Walt Disney World.

My plan for this particular dress is for EG to wear it to the parks and to our Cinderella's Happily Ever After character dinner. So excited!! I can't wait to get a picture of my little Cinderella with the "real" Cinderella.

Now as for this precious little dress...Kellie at Bella Love Boutique custom designs and makes each of her items just for you using your provided measurements. The fit is perfect! On the Cinderella dress, the light blue fabric is made of a lightweight cotton, and the accents are a white satin. The waist is elastic for comfort - no ties to keep tying all day or to be uncomfortable for little ones in the stroller, but still provides for a great fit. In my case, I wanted the outfit to fit more like a dress on EG, so I ordered it a little longer. It can be made to your specifications and can certainly be shorter to fit more like a top. Great versatility there. It is beautifully made, unlike many character costumes and outfits that, frankly, are not deisnged to last. This gorgeous dress/top is certainly made to last, as are the other items that Bella Love Boutique offers. It would be perfect for anything at Disney World whether it be shopping, dining, strolling the parks, riding rides, etc. as well as perfect for parties, dress up, or just for fun! I will definitely post a picture of my little one wtih Cinderella because this dress is designed to be a mini likeness.

Though simple and comfortable in design, all of the features that make Cinderella's dress truly "Cinderella" are unmistakable and are included in the design of this dress. The colors are spot on, the puffy sleeves, and peplums (fluffy parts on the hips...lol) are all part of the design.

And if Cinderella isn't your favorite princess, or you just can't get enough of these character tops, Bella Love Boutique also offers other beautiful tops to resemble the most popular dresses of Snow White and Belle. Your little princess lover would not be disappointed! The dress is beautiful and, as I've already said, I just can't wait for EG to wear it on our trip! In addition to the beautiful tops, Bella Love also offers other great items including these handy Mickey and Minnie drawstring backpacks. There is no cuter way to tote around all of your park necessities than in one of these. The backpacks come in either pink or red polka dots and feature either Minnie (with bow) or Mickey. They can also be personalized with a name or initial.

I opted for the initial so that my child's whole name wouldn't be visible for a stranger to see and call her (Heaven forbid something like that would happen, but better safe than sorry). The bags are nicely made and cute as can be. And at $10 it's a cheap and practical way to add a little Disney fun to your park supplies! Another great thing about these bags?

Their use doesn't have to end when you leave Walt Disney World. You can use them for sleepovers, dance accessories, baby dolls...whatever! There is always a use for a bag. Enter to win one of these adorable bags below...and be sure to check out Bella Love Boutique for some adorable custom items for your little ones!

To enter this giveaway follow the rules and entry guidelines below (US ONLY):

1. REQUIRED: Visit Bella Love Boutique, check out the shop, then leave me a comment telling me your favorite product.

To earn extra entries you may do one or more of the following and leave me additional comment here telling me which you have done:

2. Follow me on Twitter and tweet (be sure to leave me your Twitter name and a link).

3. Blog about this contest and leave the link.

4. Follow.

5. Subscribe.

6. Grab my button and let me know where I can find it on your site.

7. Become a fan of Mommy Works on Facebook.

**Be sure to leave me your e-mail address, if there is not a visible one in your profile, so that I can contact you in the event that you are the winner. This contest will end at 11:59 PM CST on Sunday, September 13. The winner will be randomly chosen via random.org and will have 48 hours to respond after being notified of win or another winner will be chosen.**

Simple Safety - Lost Child ID Tags from McKenna Layne Designs {Review and Giveaway} **CLOSED**

Congratulations to the winner, Xenia!

Result: 8 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

One of the first concerns I had when considering taking a 2 year old to Disney World was safety. I know that EG, like most 2 year olds, is easily distracted and impulsive. If she wants something she'll go after it. In a huge place like Disney World this is an even bigger concern than usual. I knew that should we decide to go, I wanted EG to have something with her all the time that would have emergency information in the event that, Heaven forbid, she were lost. We would need something that she could keep attached to her somehow at all times. I found a great solution from McKenna Layne Designs with their personalized lost child emergency ID cards and lanyards (one of many things McKenna Layne Designs sells - mostly known for beautiful custom invitations and announcements). The cards have all of the information someone would need to know, including allergies. And, not only do they have all of the important information, but they are very sturdy and, of course, come in such cute Disney themes! McKenna Layne Designs sent me several different examples of the card including different personalization and "attachment" options. They are laminated with very thick laminate, can be personalized however you wish, and have a couple of options for wear.

You can choose either a lanyard or luggage tag type loop (to go around belt loops), and either way you choose they are perfect to be worn for the duration of the time you are at the parks (or any other place with crowds!).

My suggestion would be to definitely wear it under clothing so that no personal information is easily viewed from the outside. And, please use common sense when having little ones wear something around their neck. These lost child IDs are a great solution for anyone planning to travel someplace crowded or somewhere a child may be easily lost. How valuable for a police officer or stranger to have your child's name, emergency contacts, and allergy information all in one place? All in all, $4 is a very small price to pay for such an essential safety item. Just imagine if your child somehow got away from you and had no words or way to tell anyone who they were, who they belonged to, or how to contact any parents. That's a really scary thought! I will definitely be using this safety ID card on our trip, and likely before and after our trip as well. Thanks to McKenna Layne Designs for creating such a thoughtful product.

See details below on how you can win your own ID card for your child! Do also check out the other great items offered by McKenna Layne Designs as well. I feel confident in saying that their items are of high quality and you will be pleased with your purchase. They focus primarily on custom invitations and announcements, and have a wonderful array of designs!

To enter this giveaway follow the rules and entry guidelines below (US ONLY):

1. REQUIRED: Visit McKenna Layne Designs, check out the shop, then leave me a comment telling me your favorite product.

To earn extra entries you may do one or more of the following and leave me additional comment here telling me which you have done:

2. Follow me on Twitter and tweet (be sure to leave me your Twitter name and a link).

3. Blog about this contest and leave the link.

4. Follow.

5. Subscribe.

6. Grab my button and let me know where I can find it on your site.

7. Become a fan of Mommy Works on Facebook.

**Be sure to leave me your e-mail address, if there is not a visible one in your profile, so that I can contact you in the event that you are the winner. This contest will end at 11:59 PM CST on Sunday, September 13. The winner will be randomly chosen via random.org and will have 48 hours to respond after being notified of win or another winner will be chosen.**

Hit the Resorts in Style with these Adorable Loungers from Baskets of Beauty {Review and Giveaway} **CLOSED**

Result: 38 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Congratulations to the winner, Vanessa!

What better way to lounge around the amazing Disney resorts than in a cute pair of Mickey loungers? I honestly can't think of one. I am in love with everything comfortable and know that EG is too. Honestly, who isn't? If I could wear my pjs all day I certainly would, and, if given the choice, I don't know too many people wouldn't. Moving along...I've heard nonstop since we've told people we are heading to Disney World that it is A LOT of walking. Knowing this fact (which I actually did know before everyone told me...lol), I figured we'd definitely be taking breaks and enjoying some of the resort amenities throughout our trip. Wanting my little one to be comfortable and stylish, of course, I set out to find some cute loungewear for EG. When I stumbled across these cute loungers from Abigail's Boutique Designs I knew they would be perfect. A pajama like pant in an adorable print that is cute enough to wear outside of the resort room. The fun Mickey print definitely caught my eye for our trip, but the style is actually what I fell in love with. The wide leg pant with it's elastic waist (no ties...love it), sweet bow, and button was a perfect look and fits great. The loungers come in sizes 3 months to 6 and are so cute on! They are very nicely made to your specifications and with quality materials. I love that the pants have a wide elastic waistband and no ties to deal with, but they still have the bow that is the only feature I like with a tie waist. It's the perfect accent for little girl's pants! The fit is so cute and, though long, very lightweight and breathable enough for hot weather. These will most certainly be comfortable for anything we decide to do without sacrificing any style. I'm so glad I stumbled across these loungers and that they come in so many different fabrics to suit anyone's tastes. Check them out for yourself by ordering a pair from Abigail's Boutique Designs. Even better? You can win a pair of your choice by following the directions below! Lounge pants not your thing? Then check out the plethora of other items offered in the Abigail's Boutique Designs shop from more cute clothing to homemade soaps to bows to other bath goodies and even more! She has TONS of items to look through and enjoy. Thanks to Robyn of Abigail's Boutique Designs for a great little shop and giveaway!!

To enter this giveaway follow the rules and entry guidelines below (US ONLY):

1. REQUIRED: Visit Abigail's Boutique Designs, check out the shop, then leave me a comment telling me your favorite product and which loungers you'll choose if you win.

To earn extra entries you may do one or more of the following and leave me additional comment here telling me which you have done:

2. Follow me on Twitter and tweet (be sure to leave me your Twitter name and a link).
3. Blog about this contest and leave the link.
4. Follow.
5. Subscribe.
6. Grab my button and let me know where I can find it on your site.
7. Become a fan of Mommy Works on Facebook.

**Be sure to leave me your e-mail address, if there is not a visible one in your profile, so that I can contact you in the event that you are the winner. This contest will end at 11:59 PM CST on Saturday, September 5. The winner will be randomly chosen via random.org and will have 48 hours to respond after being notified of win or another winner will be chosen.**

Adorable Disney Attire and Accessories from Head 2 Toe Designs {Review and Giveaway}

Result: 2 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Congratulations to the winner, Candy!

I was able to review three different, and equally wonderful, Disney inspired products from Head 2 Toe Designs. No Disney trip would be complete without some character inspired attire and the iconic mouse ears. In searching for these items, at the top of my list were cute mouse ears that EG might actually keep on. I knew that she would never keep on the traditional mouse ears hat so popular at the Disney parks, but that she definitely needed an alternative! So what initially brought me to Head 2 Toe Designs in the first place was the adorable mouse ear "bows", though once I looked through the site I learned there was so much more! I received the Minnie Mouse Lotsa Dots ear set, polka dot ruffle capris, and Snow White top to review. All items were of excellent quality and carefully constructed. I'll start with the ears...totally adorable, genius design, and stay put like a charm. These precious little mouse ears are sewn onto a metal barrette so that they can be clipped onto pigtails, perfectly positioned, and make any little one into their favorite mouse. The sweet bow added to one ear is the final touch. These definitely scream "Disney" and I am sure we will get more than a few comments about them when we go on our trip. Head 2 Toe offers the already made ear sets in two different sizes as well as the instructions on how to make your own. How cool is that?

Another awesome item I received is this beautiful Snow White top. It is lightweight and comfortable enough for wearing to the park while having all of the elements that make it unmistakably Snow White, including the red and blue striped sleeves. I can't wait for EG to meet her in person and get a picture of them together. I love that I can let her wear this top to the park without having to worry about her being uncomfortable or stuffy because the materials are all breathable and the top is designed for little ones in mind. Another great "park wear" item? These super cute ruffled capris. I love that you can pair them with the Minnie Mouse ears and/or a character top and make them totally Disney, but they would also be adorable every day with a cute white tee. They are, again, comfy cotton and very nicely made. I am thrilled to have been able to try out several items from one shop as that allows me to truly make broad statements about the quality of the products they offer. I would absolutely buy from Head 2 Toe Designs again and would urge you to check out the shop as well. There are so many cute items to make your Disney trip extra special. Want to get a head start? Then check out the details below for info on how to win $25 towards the item(s) of your choice from Head 2 Toe Designs!

To enter this giveaway follow the rules and entry guidelines below (US ONLY):

1. REQUIRED: Visit Head 2 Toe Designs, check out the shop, then leave me a comment telling me your favorite item and how you would spend your $25.To earn extra entries you may do one or more of the following and leave me additional comment here telling me which you have done:

2. Follow me on Twitter and tweet (be sure to leave me your Twitter name and a link).
3. Blog about this contest and leave the link.
4. Follow.
5. Subscribe.
6. Grab my button and let me know where I can find it on your site.
7. Become a fan of Mommy Works on Facebook.

**Be sure to leave me your e-mail address, if there is not a visible one in your profile, so that I can contact you in the event that you are the winner. This contest will end at 11:59 PM CST on Saturday, September 5. The winner will be randomly chosen via random.org and will have 48 hours to respond after being notified of win or another winner will be chosen.**

Create Beautiful Vacation Keepsakes in a Flash with Pre-Made Disney Scrapbooks by Jan {Review and Giveaway}

Congratulations to the winner, Abby!

Result:26Powered by RANDOM.ORG

One thing I really wish I had more time for is scrapbooking. I have a room full of supplies and no time to use them! I feel confident that they won't go to waste and some day I will be able to use them again, but right now there's just no time. By the time I get everything out and begin, EG is waking up from a nap, already tired of me scrapbooking, trying to "help" me (LOL), etc. One solution I have found for this problem is the wonderful world of digital scrapbooking. I don't have to pull out my supplies or cut out the shapes I need, etc. I can just sit at the computer, work a little while, and save. But to me, though I have become quite fond of digital scrapbooking, there is just nothing like your traditional scrapbooks. I love the embellishments, the 3- D quality, and the fact that it just looks so "handmade" like you spent hours and hours on making it look just right (as you probably did!). I'm behind on scrapbooking as it is, but I knew I wanted something special for our trip to Disney World. Knowing I would probably not get to actually making a scrapbook until EG is in college (LOL), I began looking for alternatives. Thus, how I stumbled across Jan's Etsy shop, Sweet Southern Belle, and her beautiful pre-made Disney scrapbooks.

I am so thrilled that she agreed to do the review and giveaway, and even more thrilled that my Disney scrapbook is nearly ready to go...and we haven't even left yet!!

I was able to review one of the 12x12

scrapbooks (2 pages pictured above), and I am so pleased with how nice it is. Jan uses well known, very nice scrapbook papers and embellishments (also many that are hand created!) to create some really beautiful pages. All I will have to do is add pictures and, voila, a beautiful Disney scrapbook to document our vacation! Jan has included many different aspects of a Disney trip including various characters (including a special page for my Ariel lover :), park specific pages, pages for different rides, etc. All of the Disney embellishments used are licensed products and stamps (hand painted by Jan), and all supplies are acid free. It is obvious that she puts a lot of time and effort into making these scrapbooks, just as she would her own. No two scrapbooks are alike, and they can be personalized if you have any special requests! The idea of a pre-made scrapbook is genius, especially for those of us who aren't so creatively inclined, and those of us who always seem to run short on time (probably most of us!). Another great thing about Jan's scrapbooks is that they allow you the ability to add extra elements and information if you want to (though you certainly wouldn't need to!). "Pre-made" doesn't necessarily mean that you can't put your own spin on it. Jan simply gives you a really nice head start! Basically, she does most of the work for you and puts it all together in a beautiful scrapbook that your family will treasure for years to come.

She makes gorgeous Disney scrapbooks in all sizes from 6x6 to 12x12 (which means there are a variety of prices as well), and also offers them in different styles such as acrylic, what she calls "eclectic" (clear with lots of fun embellishments!), and even decoupaged (like the one you can win!). I think all of the scrapbooks in Jan's shop are beautiful, and you can tell that a lot of time and effort went into their creation. I find that you will often see pre-made scrapbooks where it is obvious that the minimum amount of effort went into it. Not the case with these, and one reader will be so lucky as to win a beautiful 8x8 Disney scrapbook of their own! So whether you have already been to Disney or plan to go in the future, this would be an awesome way to display some of the pictures from your trip. No Disney pictures to scrapbook? Sweet Southern Belle also offers other beautiful scrapbooks and items including pregnancy scrapbooks, princess scrapbooks, hand made cards, board books, and autograph books. Go check out Sweet Southern Belle now, and be delighted by the wonderful surprises you will find (and pick what you like best so you can enter the giveaway for a Disney 8x8 scrapbook :)!

To enter this giveaway follow the rules and entry guidelines below (US ONLY):

1. REQUIRED: Visit Sweet Southern Belle, check out the shop, then leave me a comment telling me your favorite items in her shop.

To earn extra entries you may do one or more of the following and leave me additional comment here telling me which you have done:

2. Follow me on Twitter and tweet (be sure to leave me your Twitter name and a link).
3. Blog about this contest and leave the link.
4. Follow.
5. Subscribe.

6. Grab my button and let me know where I can find it on your site.

7. Become a fan of Mommy Works on Facebook.

**Be sure to leave me your e-mail address, if there is not a visible one in your profile, so that I can contact you in the event that you are the winner. This contest will end at 11:59 PM CST on Tuesday, August 18. The winner will be randomly chosen via random.org and notified on or around Wednesday, August 19.**

Collect Memories in Style With These Beautiful Autograph Books from Nucchi Digital Boutique {Review and Giveaway} **CLOSED**

Congratulations to the winner, Candy!

Result:3Powered by RANDOM.ORG

An autograph book is one of the absolutely essential items for anyone planning a trip to a Disney park. Thus, I felt it only right to kick off our month of Disney with these beautiful autograph books from Nucchi Digital Boutique. The premise of an autograph book is very simple - a book full of pages that park characters can "autograph" for you. But, what if it could be more than just a pretty cover with blank pages? That is what Keri of Nucchi Digital Boutique has set out to design. Her beautiful autograph books are filled with 75 plus cardstock pages, with a different character printed on each, and a heavy laminated custom cover (front and back). The book as assembled using two large jump rings to hold everything together, which makes it very easy to flip the pages for characters to sign. I am so thrilled to have been able to review these beautiful books, and I got to see first hand how customized they actually are!

My little girl is obsessed with Playhouse Disney's The Little Einsteins, particularly June. So, I knew that June had to be on the cover of our book! Keri agreed to make EG a book, and she made up a custom design with June for the front and back in coordinating colors and with personalized information on the front. When the book arrived I was initially very impressed at how thick and sturdy it was. There are A LOT of pages, and each of them, being cardstock, are nice and sturdy on their own. As I mentioned above, each page has it's own Disney character in the bottom right hand corner, and I was thrilled that the characters on the pages were nicely organized by movie and/or type (i.e. all of the princesses are together, Little Einsteins are together, Mickey and friends together, etc.). This will surely minimize frantically flipping pages when visiting the characters at Disney World seeing as how they are usually group by movie! I absolutely LOVE that each page has a character because just about every character will have his or her very own page to sign. How cool is that? And, if you have any characters you just HAVE to have in your book, Keri is happy to customize the books any way you like.

Another great thing about these autograph books? The jump rings easily come apart so that you can take pages out to add them to any scrapbooks, memory books, the refrigerator, or wherever you want. How cute would it be to have in a scrapbook your child's Mickey autograph page next to a picture of them with Mickey? The same goes for every other character they'll meet. That would make an awesome, simple (READ: super fast and cheap) scrapbook of your vacation in an of itself. And, for only $10 these custom autograph books will only run you about the same amount as your "traditional" autograph books. Same price and triple the features...you can't beat that! These books are so cute, have uses beyond the parks, and are completely customizable to your liking. The end product is an extremely professional looking, not to mention adorable, book that you will be thrilled to take and use on your vacation! I can't wait to use ours!! I know June will be so thrilled when she sees herself on the cover of EG's book when we eat breakfast with her ;)

Want a custom one of your own? Then see details below for how you can win one just for you! Thanks Keri for such a great idea and an awesome giveaway! Nucchi Digital Boutique also offers all sorts of digital creations, and welcomes customs, if an autograph book is not your thing. Be sure to check out the shop!

To enter this giveaway follow the rules and entry guidelines below (US ONLY):

1. REQUIRED: Visit Nucchi Digital Boutique, check out the shop, then leave me a comment telling me how you will personalize your book if you win.

To earn extra entries you may do one or more of the following and leave me additional comment here telling me which you have done:

2. Follow me on Twitter and tweet (be sure to leave me your Twitter name and a link).
3. Blog about this contest and leave the link.
4. Follow.
5. Subscribe.

6. Grab my button and let me know where I can find it on your site.

7. Become a fan of Mommy Works on Facebook.

**Be sure to leave me your e-mail address, if there is not a visible one in your profile, so that I can contact you in the event that you are the winner. This contest will end at 11:59 PM CST on Saturday, August 15. The winner will be randomly chosen via random.org and notified on or around Sunday, August 16.**

Adorable, Comfortable, Custom Clothing from Livi Stitches {Review and Giveaway} **CLOSED**

Result:54Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Congratulations to the winner, Swaddle Babies!

How many times have you said to yourself, "I LOVE that outfit, but I wish it we're in a different fabric"? I run into that problem all the time and have found Etsy to be an answer to many of my clothing woes. Many sellers offer a plethora of fabrics to choose from and recreate outfits you love in a fabric you love just as much. However, the problem I run into sometimes is that maybe I don't know exactly the fabric I WOULD like...I need some choices! I am horrible at describing to someone my tastes when they ask me what I like. Thus, when someone says, "I have tons of fabrics, just tell me what you like" I have a difficult time, and it honestly adds too many extra steps to buying an outfit. When I stumbled across Livi Stitches, I was immediately drawn to the adorable, toddler friendly outfits. She had many different styles of clothing (dresses, lounge sets, etc.) and many with various fabric and applique styles...and everything just looked so comfy. I was particularly drawn to the lounge sets for their comfort and practicality. And, to my delight, when you click on the item you want, all of the fabric and applique choices are right there in the listing and noticeably labeled so you can pick exactly what you want and communicate it easily at checkout. What a grand idea! When I contacted Livi Stitches about the review, Jennifer told to me to pick a listing and let her know what I wanted. All I had to tell her was that I wanted a size 2 contrast ruffle trim lounge set, with applique A4, fabric FC10, and the initial "e" (all information I found with ONE click to the listing). All of the choices were right there! Super simple and extraordinarily convenient! The way she has her shop set up is extremely buyer friendly, is very easy to follow, and makes for a super speedy checkout. Unlike many sellers, there is actually no need to contact her and ask her any questions before ordering. Piece of cake!

Now on to the outfits...it's no secret that they are adorable. Just look through the Livi Stitches shop and it is quite apparent that everything is adorable. But add to that high quality, designer fabrics and professional sewing, and you'll see that her clothing is made to last as well. We were lucky to be able to review the lounge set of our choice and chose the applique top and contrast ruffle capri set (I'll have you know that you can also order a lounge set without the ruffle, with the pants and ruffle in the same pattern, with an applique tank instead of tee, and the shirts and pants by themselves...just in case you were wondering!). The ruffle capri set that we received is the perfect outfit for an active toddler. It is so cute that it'd look great anywhere, yet it is plenty comfortable enough for play! The lightweight cotton capris have an elastic waist and a cute ruffle on the bottom for that girly touch I love. And the top is a white cotton t-shirt with a beautiful applique to match the pants. I love the different applique designs that Livi Stitches offers. They are so different from others I have seen, and are the perfect complement to the pants. Both the top and bottom have the Livi Stitches label and these outfits could easily be found on boutique store shelves. Everything together is just precious!

I would definitely buy from Livi Stitches again, especially considering the prices for a completely custom outfit, and the awesome customer service! The exact set we reviewed retails for $40, with other items ranging from $8 (bibs) to $75 (3 pc. set - dress, applique shirt, and lounge pants), and every price in between. All of the clothing items in Jennifer's shop have unbelievable customization options so that you can have exactly what you are looking for. Some of my other favorite items she has are this beautiful knot dress ($45), the shoulder knot aline dress ($35), and this adorable boy's jon jon ($40). I believe that Livi Stitches has something for everyone, and I can't wait for you to check out the shop! Be sure to figure out what your favorite item is so that you can come back and let me know what you'd spend your money on if you won the $25 Livi Stitches is giving away! See entry details below and happy shopping!

TO BUY: To buy any of the beautiful clothing featured here, and much more, simply visit Livi Stitches and shop to your hearts content! Be sure to tell her that Mommy Works sent you!

TO WIN: Visit Livi Stitches and figure out the item(s) you'd most love to have and why. Then come back here and post a comment letting me know how you'd spend your $25 gift certificate if you won!

To enter this giveaway follow the rules and entry guidelines below (US ONLY):

1. REQUIRED: Visit Livi Stitches, pick out your favorite product(s), then leave a comment telling me your favorite items AND why they are your favorite/who will wear them.

To earn extra entries you may do one or more of the following and leave me additional comment here telling me which you have done:

2. Follow me on Twitter and tweet (be sure to leave me your Twitter name and a link).
3. Blog about this contest and leave the link.
4. Follow.
5. Subscribe.
6. Grab my button and let me know where I can find it on your site.

**Be sure to leave me your e-mail address, if there is not a visible one in your profile, so that I can contact you in the event that you are the winner. This contest will end at 11:59 PM CST on Friday July 31. The winner will be randomly chosen via random.org and notified on or around Saturday, August 1.**

Positive Discipline Made Easy with the Timeout Circle from Uh-Oh Mama! {Review and Giveaway} **CLOSED**

Congratulations to the winner, TheAngelForever!

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In the last few months we've started implementing "time out" in our house with EG. We use it more as a cool-down for her rather than a punishment. There are so many different studies out there and ideas about what an appropriate "time out" is, and after having looked at many of them I decided I definitely agreed that it would be more effective and better for us if we used it from a positive perspective rather than a negative one. We definitely needed to do something because when EG has a meltdown there's really nothing we can do except let her calm down on her own. My goal was to have a place in our home where EG knows she can (and has to : ) settle down. To implement this "time out", I first of all needed a place for EG to go that she could easily recognize as her designated place to cool down, and a plus would be something that we could take with us anywhere (i.e. Nana's, vacation, etc.) for consistency. After looking on the internet for such a "spot" I found several "Time Out" chairs and circles, but nothing extremely portable or without the words "time out" (which just rub me the wrong way for some reason). I decided to continue my search on my all time favorite website, Etsy, with the thought that no one would make such a thing as I envisioned. But, lo and behold, Marci at Uh-Oh Mama! had just what I was looking for! What she calls her timeout circle is just what I had been looking for. It's a completely customizable (any wording you like!) designated spot that you can use for your time out, quiet time, or whatever you like to call it! We named ours the "thinking spot"!

The "thinking spot" is a kid-sized, dual layer (cotton top and fleece bottom for extra padding) fabric circle specifically designed for time out. It comes monogrammed with the words "time out", but this can be changed to accommodate whatever wording you would prefer (i.e. thinking spot). You can also add your child's name by adding the monogramming option in her shop. The spot is also completely customizable with your choice of fabric, from tons and tons of choices.

As you can see, I chose a pink/green/brown polka dot fabric with the words "EG's Thinking Spot" (her full name is 'pinked' out in the picture but is on the spot) around the edge. It turned out so cute and is the perfect size. Not only is the spot itself wonderful, but it gets even better...an included egg timer! The timer comes with it's own matching timer cover an can attach to the spot with a velcro attachment. The attachment is extremely convenient when transporting the "thinking spot" so that everything stays together. But, when EG is actually "thinking" on her spot, I have to take the timer away so she doesn't play with it. She does definitely listen for the "ding" though! For kids who wouldn't play with the timer, maybe older kids, it would be a good way for them to see how much time they have left. Great features so far right? Well, I also said that I wanted something portable, and this totally is. It folds up nicely and comes with its own matching drawstring bag that bears the name of what is inside. So cute, and definitely handy! You can see how small it is from EG holding it in the pictures. I honestly don't know what more you could ask for in a timeout spot. It has everything you need for positive discipline all rolled in to one!
I think we will definitely be using this for years to come and it is so wonderful that we can take it anywhere! EG knows what it is and it helps to make our discipline more consistent. This is one of my favorite products I have been able to review because it has worked so well for us, and I can see the application of this product for so many families out there! You will truly love it! Definitely check out Marci's shop to see the Timeout Circles she is currently offering. While you're there you can also check out some cute dresses, onesies, bibs/burp cloths, tutus, and more! But that's not all...one reader will get to choose a custom "timeout circle" of their own (new fabric choices will be coming in a couple weeks too!)! Simply follow the directions below...

TO BUY: To buy any of the items in Uh-Oh Mama's store simply visit her Etsy shop and shop away! The timeout circles are $36 and include the timer and bag.

TO WIN: Visit Uh-Oh Mama! and pick your favorite item. Then tell me about your favorite item and how you will use the timeout circle if you win.

To enter this giveaway follow the rules and entry guidelines below (US ONLY):

1. REQUIRED: Visit Uh-Oh Mama!, pick out your favorite product, then leave a comment telling me your favorite product AND how you will use the timeout circle if you win.

To earn extra entries you may do one or more of the following and leave me additional comment here telling me which you have done:

2. Follow me on Twitter and tweet (be sure to leave me your Twitter name and a link).
3. Blog about this contest and leave the link.
4. Follow.
5. Subscribe.
6. Grab my button and let me know where I can find it on your site.

**Be sure to leave me your e-mail address, if there is not a visible one in your profile, so that I can contact you in the event that you are the winner. This contest will end at 11:59 PM CST on Friday July 24. The winner will be randomly chosen via random.org and notified on or around Saturday, July 25.**

Your Little One will find their Happy Place in this Luxurious Beanbag by Happy Plop {Review and Giveaway}

My journey to find the Happy Plop started with my daughter's love for our dog, Maddy's, bed. As soon as EG started crawling I would often turn around and find her curled up in all the dog hair and slobber (okay so it wasn't that bad but that's what I immediately thought of...lol). I guess it was just that comfy...but it grossed me out and I had to find a way to keep her out of it! Our first solution was to but EG a dog bed of her own. That worked awesome for a while and then Maddy realized that there were two "dog" beds and she wanted both. Well, I guess I should have figured a dog isn't really able to tell one dog bed from another. EG's bed quickly became dog hair, slobber bed number two. This was certainly not a solution so I had to find something else that EG could curl up, snuggle, and just be comfortable in. I searched all of the local stores and everywhere online, and there just wasn't anything that would do the trick. Traditional beanbags aren't nearly as plush and comfortable, and they lose their shape way too easily. I was afraid a big pillow wouldn't really deter Maddy from thinking that it was also hers. But I had to find something. Luckily I stumbled across the Happy Plop website while searching online again one day. I immediately loved the name; who wouldn't? It just sounds so kid friendly and, well, happy. After browsing around the site some more, I knew I had to try it. Some reasons I fell in love...it is mom-created and designed specifically with babies and toddlers in mind. The Happy Plop is the one and only cotton ball beanbag, and supposedly the most luxurious baby seat available. They come in a variety of fabrics that are machine washable AND super cute. What's not to love about it right? It seemed like the perfect solution, and it has turned out to be! Here is a little more information about the Happy Plop and it's creator, Tina:

"Having a newborn every two years, Tina Trumeter experimented with all available baby seats trying to find a product that was appropriately appointed for comfort and design. Each baby would present a new dilemma, until she placed her youngest son in a convenient beanbag. While the beanbag was an instant satisfier, its lackluster composition with synthetic flattening pellets and less than luxurious fabrics was unsuitable for a baby. Thus, Happy Plop was created to perfect the beanbag chair and offer a natural and posh baby lounger.

Happy Plop is patent pending as the one and only cotton ball beanbag. Each Happy Plop is custom made and Austin Authentic guaranteed to stay fluffy and snuggle your baby through the toddler years."

Everything advertised about the Happy Plop has turned out to be true. We were provided a Lovely Leopard Happy Plop to review, and it has thrilled EG since the moment it arrived on our doorstep. It truly is quite fluffy and incredibly soft. The cheetah print is adorable, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE that the cover can be thrown into the washing machine! As for the size, it is perfect also. EG is almost two and it is plenty big enough for her to lounge around in. However, it's a little too small for our dog, and sits up quite a bit higher than her beds (watch out for small dogs though, they'd love it...haha). Thus, Maddy pretty much stays away from it. The cotton balls inside the Happy Plop help it to maintain its shape and we can fluff it and "mold" it however we like. Sometimes EG likes to use it like a chair and we kind of scoop out a little "seat" and fluff up the back. Other times she kind of flattens it out and snuggles up in it (and often falls asleep). And, lately her favorite thing has been to sit in my lap and fall backwards into it (probably not the best thing, but oh well)...she affectionately calls this "popping" (plopping). She always wants to sit in her "pop", and to be honest I sometimes wish it was big enough for me! It definitely lives up to its name as it has brought nothing but happiness to EG. I think that with a little baby, this would be an excellent seat also. They would snuggle right in and feel so secure. The cotton balls also add enough loft so that a baby would not sink in so far that they would be in danger (of course you watch your child at all times anyway). This would definitely not be the case with a traditional beanbag! We've had so much fun with our Happy Plop and it is definitely well loved in our home. I know EG will enjoy it for a long time! If you'd like to enjoy your own Happy Plop, you can purchase directly from their site. They have tons to choose from and most are $145 (down from $185). Organic Happy Plops are also one their way very soon!

We love the Happy Plop so much that I asked Tina if she would be willing to do a giveaway to one of the Mommy Works readers. She so generously agreed to host a contest for a free Happy Plop, and also offered a great way to help the St. Jude Children's Hospital, a charity we decided upon together. It is obvious that Tina has a caring and giving heart as she has offered a special code that will donate $25 to St. Jude for each Happy Plop that is purchased with the code "MWB09". Thank you so much Tina! See details below for more information on how to purchase your Happy Plop and enter to WIN one!

TO BUY: Go to the Happy Plop website and purchase using the code MWB09. For every Happy Plop purchased with that code $25 will be donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Definitely share the code with your friends; it's for a great cause!

TO WIN: Follow the contest guidelines below. Best of luck!

Contest Details:

To enter to win the Happy Plop you simply have to comment and answer the following questions:

1. If you win, who would be the recipient of the Happy Plop (i.e. a friend, sister, your little one, etc.) and why?

2. What makes you (or your intended recipient) interested in the Happy Plop?

3. Why should you be the winner!?

All entries will be judged on creativity and the most creative entry will win, as judged by Tina and myself! I know others of you out there have to have a "dog bed-like" story! Share it!

***The contest will end at 11:59 PM on Wednesday, July 22 and the winner will be posted soon after, after all entries have been reviewed and judged. Winner will receive a Happy Plop of Tina's choice and will be required to "tweet" about their Happy Plop on Twitter after receiving it. All Happy Plops come with Twitter instructions and all owners are encouraged to tweet!***

Gorgeous Sun Protection for Every Day: Giggle Garden Floppy Sunhat {Review and Giveaway} **CLOSED**

Congratulations to the winner, TopHat!

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A beautiful hat is the perfect accessory to complete any summertime outfit. The only problem is that it is hard to find a gorgeous hat that is also practical and versatile. Case in point...we buy hats all the time in name brand stores, but they are meant to go with a specific collection and just don't go with much else. What's up with that? That stinks, because a hat is a must have just about every day to protect EG from the burning sun in steamy Alabama!

And we can't buy a hat for every single outfit, so we sometimes just have to go with whatever we have (and by now you all should know that it just irks me when EG doesn't match...lol). When buying hats we are pretty much left with a few choices: buy one for every outfit, don't worry about matching, or buy a boring, neutral hat that matches everything. None of those choices are really optimal, especially buying several hats considering money and the time it takes to find the right hat (at least in our house!) as you're trying to run out the door to go to work or wherever. Luckily for all of us hat lovers, Giggle Garden Boutique has come up with an excellent solution to our hat troubles - a GORGEOUS, versatile, practical hat - just like I thought didn't exist.

Giggle Garden's solution is their Floppy Sun Hat - a solid white sun hat with a beautiful detachable, oversized flower bloom that makes it simply stunning and easily interchangeable with just about any other clippie or bow (they have those too!) you can buy or, better yet, already have. What a fabulous idea! Their hat comes in a variety of sizes to fit your little one just perfect, and the bows and blooms are absolutely spectacular. Giggle Garden provided me with a variety of different flowers and clips to try out with the hat, and I was amazed at how such a simple change of clip completely changed the look to match just about anything.

I was lucky to receive this before we took our beach trip, so we were able to try it out there - where a hat is an absolute necessity for little ones. As you can see in the pictures, not only did it look fabulous, but it did the most important job of keeping EG's face and shoulders protected from the sun's harmful rays.

A side note...I have to say that, at first, I wasn't a huge fan of the strap around the hat. I thought that it would drive EG crazy and entice her to pull and yank at it. But, while at the beach, I quickly learned the value of it! With the constant breeze, the hat came off several times (especially while we were in the water), and the strap caught it every single time...so nice! And, if EG decided she wanted to take it off, she could do so without the hat getting lost in the Gulf of Mexico before I could catch it...lol.

Enough about that though. The pictures show just how beautiful the actual flower clips and bows are (although they still don't really do them justice).

The large bloom, that is one option when you purchase the hat (there are a few to choose from), is an oversized pink flower with a large rhinestone in the center - by far the one we received the most compliments on. And, the fact that it is a solid color makes that bloom alone able to match a lot of little girls clothes. But, we all know that everything isn't pink, so the option of changing out the flower to whatever you want is wonderful. I know most moms of girls already have tons of bows laying around the house, so it would be so easy to customize this hat. Even if you don't have tons of bows, it so much cheaper to buy a new bow than a new hat for every occasion. And, that way, you have the bow to wear by itself too. That is exactly what we did on the way to the beach. EG had a cute ladybug dress and Giggle Garden provided me with a cute ladybug bow to go on the hat. Well, she didn't need a hat in the car, so we just used the bow by itself. You can't get much more practical than that (oh wait, you can throw it in the washer too!), and the Floppy Sun Hat is cuter than any other sunhat you will find!

Giggle Garden offers several choices of hats including the pink bloom pictured, a ladybug bow hat, red/white/blue stripe bow hat, and more - at $22 you wont find a better deal on such a versatile accessory anywhere.

They also offer the bows and blooms that you can purchase separately, including their super cute oversize korkers (that also look precious on the hats...and only $6). Other coordinating products Giggle Garden Boutique creates are headbands, crochet beanies, hairbow holders, and, another favorite, their flower Giggle Flops. Just looking through their shop will put a smile on your face! Check out their shop today and see details below on how you can win your own Giggle Garden Floppy Sun Hat! Thanks to Giggle Garden for allowing me to review such a terrific product and for offering the giveaway!

TO BUY: Visit Giggle Garden Boutique where you can purchase all of the products mentioned above, plus more!! Be sure to mention you found them from Mommy Works.

TO WIN: To enter the Floppy Sun Hat giveaway, visit Giggle Garden Boutique and figure out the top product you'd love to have, and which hat you would choose if you won. Then leave a comment below indicating your favorites!

To enter this giveaway follow the rules and entry guidelines below (US ONLY):

1. REQUIRED: Visit Giggle Garden Boutique, pick your fav product, and leave me a comment below telling me what it is! Also be sure to tell me which hat you would choose if you win!

To earn extra entries you may do one or more of the following and leave me additional comments here telling me which you have done:

2. Follow me on Twitter and tweet (be sure to leave me the link and your Twitter name).
3. Blog about this contest and leave me the link.
4. Follow Mommy Works
5. Subscribe to Mommy Works via reader/e-mail

6. Grab my button, place it on your site, and leave me the link where I can find it.

**Be sure to leave me your e-mail address, if there is not a visible one in your profile, so that I can contact you if you win. This contest will end at 11:59 PM CST on Monday, July 20. The winner will be randomly chosen via Random.org and notified on or around Tuesday, July 21.**