Wonderful Mother Week

Hello Friday! I've got four more amazing Giveaways for you today. I'll be posting them this evening. And they'll be available to enter all weekend. Because it's Mothers Day on Sunday. And you deserve pretty things! In the meantime, feel free to enter Thursday's Giveaways.

Also. You could go visit Nie Nie's blog — today I was lucky enough to participate in a week celebrating Motherhood by sharing some of my thoughts on the subject on her fantastic site.

And. Since you can't be expected to make it through the afternoon without more Giveaways, you should definitely stop by Crabmommy's blog to partake in some hedgehoggy freebie goodness.

What a great week for blogging!

Mothers Day 2008 Giveaway #13 — Three Bags from Aster + Sage

And now it's Thursday night. Which means I should probably be watching 30 Rock. Which is currently the funniest show on television. But I promised to get up one more Giveaway today. And I couldn't get it posted until right this minute, because there was a fancy pantsy dance recital for my Olive this evening. For the record, dance recitals always beat out Giveaways.

But this Giveaway is totally worth the wait. And even though I'm posting it so late, you'll still get a full 24-hours to enter. For the record, you will so want to enter this Giveaway. Because there are three fantastic items up for grabs from one of my very favorite accessory lines Aster + Sage! Here's all the yummy details:



One lucky lady will receive the Charlotte tote bag — in any of the 3 great colors. It's giant and canvas and totally stylish. Perfect for holding the contents of your entire household as you head out the door this summer. You should also know that the Charlotte stands upright so it's easy to fill and wipes clean in a jiffy. For the record, Linda Yesline, the mother who designs the Aster + Sage line, uses it ALL the time.



Plus, the winner will also take home the super cool Carolyn makeup bag. Available in six up-to-date color combinations and sized exactly right. For the record, if you're not using a good-looking make-up bag, it might be time to upgrade. A great bag makes the whole make-up experience much more enjoyable.



And. Just to top things off and make this an extra-awesome Giveaway, the winner will receive the Angie phone/ipod case as well! It has an outer pocket, a cute dog-leash style strap, and it's large enough to fit a blackberry. For the record, it's so cute that you'll look for excuses to pull your phone/ipod out of your bag — just to show off your Angie case.

If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you probably already know I'm a big fan of Aster + Sage. I love the style behind the line. I love the philosophy. I loved meeting Linda at the Gift Show and seeing her darling baby. For the record, Aster + Sage rocks!!

Thank you Aster + Sage!

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Mothers Day Giveaway Guidelines:
-You have until 10:00 PM EST on Friday, May 9th to enter this giveaway.
-Just make a comment ON THIS POST to enter — any comment.
-Anonymous comments will be ignored/removed.
-One entry per person, please.
-Winner will be randomly picked and announced on Friday night.
-What are Mother's Day Giveaways? Read about them here.

Mothers Day 2008 Giveaway #12 — Goodies from The Farm Chicks

Holy cow. We've already arrived at Giveaway #12. You will love Giveaway #12. It's a multi-goody sort of prize. A big sort of prize. And it's sponsored by the home grown, super stylish Farm Chicks. Here's what you could win:



1) Two Pendants. Your choice. Any two.
Made from vintage wallpapers, vintage sheet music, and vintage lettering. They come on an extra-long chain that can be easily trimmed to your preferred length. I love how they look in bunches. But there's more:



2) Two Grocery Bags in Canvas. One green. One red.
Because you know you'll use these in a thousand ways. And how cute are those polka dots anyway? And still, there's more:



3) Retro Recipe Cards & Shopping List.
A set of 20 "Good Eats" recipe cards. So darling that your recipes are sure to taste better, plus a magnetic shopping list — and I live for lists.

Hello fun stuff! Won't you feel all farm-fresh and spring-like when these goodies arrive on your doorstep. Yay for homegrown style!

Thank you to The Farm Chicks.

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Mothers Day Giveaway Guidelines:
-You have until 3:30 PM EST on Friday, May 9th to enter this giveaway.
-Just make a comment ON THIS POST to enter — any comment.
-Anonymous comments will be ignored/removed.
-One entry per person, please.
-Winner will be randomly picked and announced on Friday evening.
-What are Mother's Day Giveaways? Read about them here.

I HEART HEDGEHOGS: PART DEUX — by Guest Mom Amanda/Crabmommy

As you gals know from part one, Crabmommy loves me a hedgehog, be it scampering across vintage fabric or balancing an apple on its nose in ponytail holders or what-have-you. Yes, indeedy, I like a small critter with a delicate snout and a prickly disposition. Reminds me of myself.

Once you go on the trail of sweet hedgies in kiddie design, people, the treasures just keep popping out of the woods. For example, check out this gorgeous three-color woodcut print on cotton, by Japanese artist Maho Satoh-Britt:



We are told it features two hedgehog brothers. "Goro rolls himself into a ball like a baby fern and Tattaka rolls him down a gentle hill." Love it. And it comes in right at my choice range of price: $12. Twelve puny ones for original artwork, people! If that's not a deal come poke me with a stick. Get it, frame it, stick it on your kid's wall (or on your own) and call yourself a fab, shrewd, discerning shopper. (And while you're at this site, Mahar Drygoods, stay awhile. It's wondrous.)

Next up 2 hedgehoggy links in one, both at the lovely Superbuzzy, another inspiring source for cute-tasticness. If your little girl must have pink in her room, well hot damn, at least pick this fabric, which will please you both and is also right in there at $12.95:



Finally, go rip a hole in your jeans so you can patch them together with these:



Stop, Crabmommy! You're killing them with cuteness. Me too, people. Me too. I myself can barely stand the sweetness. Hope you enjoy!

Thanks to Gabfab for letting me guest-post here. It's been swell. Do visit me at Cookie for more. And if you loved the hedgehog goodies showcased here and in my first guest-post, please stop by my personal blog Fri-Sun to enter a giveaway for hedgie adorability. yay!"

Mothers Day 2008 Giveaway #11 — 10 Subscriptions to Eliza Magazine

Is it just me or do we have some recurring themes going on this week? Jewelry. Clothing. Stationery. And magazine subscriptions! Awesome. Magazines are like getting a new gift every time the latest issue shows up in your mailbox. Lucky for you — this Giveaway will have ten (yes ten!) winners. Ten happy women will receive a year-long subscription to Eliza magazine.



What's Eliza Magazine? Well. It's your new favorite fashion tabloid. That's what. Best part? The stunning photography. Second best part? Eliza Magazine promises to never title an article: "the sexual secrets to make him want you." Or anything even remotely close to that. (Hooray!)



But you will find great articles on Fashion, Beauty, Health, Entertainment and Lifestyle. And no covers that you'll need to hide from your children. My particular favorite, is their series on the history of the great fashion houses — they've covered four so far, including Gucci and Chanel. Fabulous.

I love the description on their about page: "ELIZA magazine brings you "Fashion without Fiction." We are realistic about everyday women's price points, showcasing pieces that are worth the big price tags and discovering deals at your local department stores that are just as hip. We are realistic about women's bodies: we don't retouch bodies, and we mix real women and professional models. We are realistic about women's interests, featuring fashion and beauty information, current issues, and real life problem solving, all while keeping perspective on what's really important in life." Sounds just right to me.

If you don't win, no stress. You can pick up your own quarterly subscription here.

Thank you to Eliza Magazine.

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Mothers Day Giveaway Guidelines:
-You have until 1:00 PM EST on Friday, May 9th to enter this giveaway.
-Just make a comment ON THIS POST to enter — any comment.
-Anonymous comments will be ignored/removed.
-One entry per person, please.
-Winner will be randomly picked and announced on Friday evening.
-What are Mother's Day Giveaways? Read about them here.

Server Drama

Well Hello Server Drama! Can you believe it? The Design Mom site was down for just over 12 hours. The last comment that came in last night, before the site went down, arrived at 10:24 pm. And the first comment to come in this morning, after the site went back up, showed up at 10:41 am.

What happened to the server? I'm still a bit unclear on this, but I've been promised we're good to go. So I've already moved on and stopped thinking about it.

My sincere apologies if you tried to access the site during the 12 hour block that it was down. Just to keep things feeling fair and good, I think I'll keep Wednesday's Giveaway open through tomorrow morning at 10:00 am. Sound good? Good.

Thursday's Giveaways are coming up. . .

Also! Winners have now been randomly selected for Giveaway #1 through Giveaway #7. Each winner is listed at the top of the original Giveaway post — right beneath the yellow Giveaway image.

Mothers Day 2008 Giveaway #10 — Custom Stationery by Papered Together

Okay! We're going to finish up day number three with Giveaway #10. And the pretty prize for Giveaway #10 is pretty paper, just for you. Doesn't that sound wonderful? You could win custom stationery, designed especially for you, by the creative talent behind letterpress studio Papered Together.



Papered Together offers a beautiful collection of hand-printed cards, coasters, and all sorts of paper goods. Or you can take advantage of their custom design for weddings, birthdays, a new baby — even a new business. And it's the custom design option that's up for grabs today. You could win: A set of 50 flat cards, letterpress printed by hand on 100% cotton paper, plus matching envelopes!!

And when we use the word custom here, we mean the real thing. Not just switching out one name for another, or one color for another. You get to start from scratch. You choose the typestyle. You choose the simple motif. You choose the ink color. Then. Papered Together will put together the layout — you'll get final approval of course — and they'll print the stationery up and send it off.




As a designer, I can tell you this is a very valuable prize. The winner will receive one-of-a-kind stationery, designed and printed just for them. That's a pretty darn special thing to have.



In addition to high quality design, you should also know the printing is top notch as well. It's done entirely by hand on antique presses using fine 100% cotton papers (tree free!) and hand-mixed inks. From design to packaging, every step is taken slowly and with great care. Fantastic. I heart pretty paper!

Thank you Papered Together!

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Mothers Day Giveaway Guidelines:
-You have until 10:00 AM EST on Friday, May 9th to enter this giveaway.
-Just make a comment ON THIS POST to enter — any comment.
-Anonymous comments will be ignored/removed.
-One entry per person, please.
-Winner will be randomly picked and announced on Friday evening.
-What are Mother's Day Giveaways? Read about them here.

Mothers Day 2008 Giveaway #9 — Pendant Necklace from SuperHero Designs

It's lucky Giveaway #9. And it involves a Superhero. And jewelry. So really, you should probably start commenting before you even know exactly what it is. Because, come on, what more do you need to know? Oh alright. I'm going to tell you more. Because it's good stuff. And you'll love the details. The prize for Giveaway #9 is a pendant Necklace from SuperHero Designs!!



Mostly likely, you are already a fan of the gorgeous SuperHero line of beaded necklaces designed by Andrea Scher. You may have noticed them when they were featured earlier here and here. Or, if you've attended BlogHer you've likely seen several — they are totally the hot item at BlogHer. Or again, if your name is Ben Blair, you may recognize them because hopefully you've been browsing the SuperHero site this week. (I've never made a Mother's Day request before, but I would really like a SuperHero necklace this year. I'm just saying.)

But there's something new going down at SuperHero Designs. It's not only about the beads anymore. There is now a pendant option. For the first time ever. And it's beautiful. And lovely. And so of course I was giddy to showcase the new pendant here and feature it as a Giveaway prize. Look what you could win:




Gorgeous right? Made of matte finish sterling silver with a bulls eye on the front and the word "superhero" engraved on the back. Andrea calls it "a little treasure for the wearer, like a whisper in her ear. Whenever she feels she needs a boost she can turn it over and read her little love note." Ummm. What else is there to say?

Thank you to SuperHero Designs!

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Mothers Day Giveaway Guidelines:
-You have until 10:00 AM EST on Friday, May 9th to enter this giveaway.
-Just make a comment ON THIS POST to enter — any comment.
-Anonymous comments will be ignored/removed.
-One entry per person, please.
-Winner will be randomly picked and announced on Friday evening.
-What are Mother's Day Giveaways? Read about them here.

Mothers Day 2008 Giveaway #8 — Skirt and Two Tops from Cool Jane Imports

Day number three! Yay for Giveaways! Quick note: Last night, I listed winners of Monday's Giveaways at the top of each Giveaway post. Feel free to scroll down to see if you won. I'll list Tuesday's winners tonight. And so forth. And so on.

And now. On to Giveaway #8. How about some more clothes? Because new clothes do wonders for how you feel walking out of the house — or walking around the house. Put your thinking caps on for this one. When you win, you'll get to pick the skirt of your choice, plus two tops of your choice, from Cool Jane Imports!!



I love these versatile 4 season skirts. Lightweight enough to take you through the spring and summer. Heavy enough to pair with tights or sweaters through the fall and winter. Festive enough to wear at a New Year's Party. Or you could dress it down with flip flops and wear it to the pool. Plus the color choices always make me smile. And you get to pick whichever color you like!



And don't forget the tops. You get to pick two. They're flattering, feminine and beautiful. They look great with the featured skirts (obviously) but would also be good looking with jeans and heels or a fluttery, a-line number. Both the tops and skirts are made from a Southeast Asian raw silk blend. The blend turns traditional raw silk (which is luxurious, but tears and wrinkles easily, is difficult to care for, and is expensive) into a still gorgeous, but stronger, easier-to-work-with material that's also affordable.

These are the kind of smart pieces that keep a wardrobe interesting. They're authentic — you can't pick them up at the Gap — and they're very flexible. You'll be surprised how often you want to pull them on.

Thank you to Cool Jane Imports!

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Mothers Day Giveaway Guidelines:
-You have until 10:00 AM EST on Friday, May 9th to enter this giveaway.
-Just make a comment ON THIS POST to enter — any comment.
-Anonymous comments will be ignored/removed.
-One entry per person, please.
-Winner will be randomly picked and announced on Friday evening.
-What are Mother's Day Giveaways? Read about them here.

Mothers Day 2008 Giveaway #7 — Necklace by Jacqueline Sanchez

[ Congratulations to Wesley's Mom who said, "This would be perfect compensation for all of the legos I have stepped on in the last 15 years!!" You're the big winner of this Giveaway! Please send me an email at the address listed on my blog and I'll put you in touch with the sponsor. ]

More jewelry for Giveaway #7! Because really, I can't get enough. It's like there's a jewelry renaissance going on out there and I'm determined to take part. You can take part as well. Just leave a comment on this post and you could win this gorgeous and completely playful necklace from Jacqueline Sanchez.



The necklace features a sterling silver pendant with plastic building piece and a 3pt diamond. Hung from a rubber cord. Retail price $250.00. Extra fun: you get to pick the color. Red, green, turquoise, white, navy. Or any other color that Ms. Sanchez has available.

Is there another piece of jewelry that calls out Motherhood as clearly? Lego pieces have been a staple of my every day life for the last decade. They symbolize all sorts of things for me. The daily pick-up-and-put-away that happens in any house with children. The time spent playing together, making something, taking something apart. The creativity and imagination that are part and parcel of being a child — it's amazing what children create with these little squares of plastic.

I love the idea of wearing a lego piece — all grown up with a diamond of course — as a celebration of Motherhood. With the same thinking, last year, I gave Ben Blair a pair of red lego cufflinks from Jaqueline's Young at Heart Collection. He loves them. They're good looking, and draw just the right amount of attention. Her lego designs are available as rings and bracelets too.

Thank you to Jacqueline Sanchez!

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Mothers Day Giveaway Guidelines:
-You have until 1:30 PM EST on Wednesday, May 7th to enter this giveaway.
-Just make a comment ON THIS POST to enter — any comment.
-Anonymous comments will be ignored/removed.
-One entry per person, please.
-Winner will be randomly picked and announced on Wednesday evening.
-What are Mother's Day Giveaways? Read about them here.

Interview at Coveiter

Lindsey and Julie, two designers who edit the lovely blog Coveiter are featuring a
frank little interview of me this afternoon. I feel like a super-star with all this attention.

And I love it.

Popcornopolis

We received the most-fun-package-ever on Saturday from Popcornopolis. If I'd known it was going to be such a hit, I would have made mail order popcorn a habit years ago. In addition to being eye-popping good fun to open, the popcorn was also delicious — I don't believe a single kernel survived to see Monday.

Mothers Day 2008 Giveaway #6 — Two Bags by SeaCloth

[ Congratulations to Linda C who said, "I heart SeaCloth!" You're the big winner of this Giveaway! Please send me an email at the address listed on my blog and I'll put you in touch with the sponsor. ]

It's time for Giveaway #6. And I have a feeling that the comments are going to fly in for this one. Why? Because the prize is adorable times two. And I wish I could win it and hoard it all to myself. One lucky winner will receive two darling bags from the fine establishment called Sea Cloth. Take a look:



The happy winner will receive the Sky Lattice Sprint Tote, which retails for $125. It's like SeaCloth has managed to distill Spring into a bag. Perfect for an overnighter or a whole weekend or to stuff in everything you need for an afternoon at the park. It's foldable. It's heavyduty. It's just right.



Plus. The winner will also receive the Grass Lattice Large Cosmetic Bag which retails for $95. It's chic. It's practical. It's oversized and waterproof. And it's just the thing to convince you to plan a little weekend to the beach.

Is SeaCloth new to you? Well I highly recommend browsing their website to see the dozens of pretty things they make — all based on the textile designs and artwork of founding partner Susan Harris. My favorite part: they've organized their collections based on color — which makes for very pretty browsing. I'm especially loving the charcoal and the red.




And I just learned there's a SeaCloth shop in Greenwich, Connecticut. That's only a short drive away. I'm thinking a field trip is in order. I bet the store is fantastic!

Thank you to SeaCloth!

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Mothers Day Giveaway Guidelines:
-You have until 12:30 PM EST on Wednesday, May 7th to enter this giveaway.
-Just make a comment ON THIS POST to enter — any comment.
-Anonymous comments will be ignored/removed.
-One entry per person, please.
-Winner will be randomly picked and announced on Wednesday evening.
-What are Mother's Day Giveaways? Read about them here.

Mothers Day 2008 Giveaway #5 — Five Subscriptions to Seeing the Everyday

[ Congratulations to:
1) Brekster who said, "What a great mission for a magazine!"
2) Anna who said, "Oh, I would love to browse through a copy with a cup of coffee!"
3) Kendra who said, "this looks so great!"
4) ross and kate who said, "awesome magazine"
5) Daisy who said, "Thanks for the giveaway...it's very appropriate
"
You're the big winners of this Giveaway! Please send me an email at the address listed on my blog and I'll put you in touch with the sponsor. ]


It's the second day of this Giveaway week and things are running along without a hitch. Thank you to everyone for participating with such enthusiasm. I've got an extra good Giveaway to start off with today. Extra good because there are five winners. Have you heard of Seeing the Everyday? Go ahead and get familiar with this fine publication, because five of you will be winning subscriptions. Yay!



What you need to know: Seeing the Everyday is gorgeous. It's a newly launched magazine filled with beautiful writing and beautiful photography. And it's whole purpose is to bring needed attention to the importance of parenting. Seeing the Everyday aims to cover the "in-between" moments of parenthood. The non-events that actually make up the bulk of the act of parenting. To shed light on how important these small moments are.

If you're looking for a Mothers Day gift that keeps on giving, try a subscription to Seeing the Everyday. You'll get four inspiring issues, once each quarter — each issue completely ad free. (I'm not kidding. There are no ads. None.) And you'll come away from reading each one with new energy and resolve to be a better parent and to appreciate the small moments.

Send an email to your husband right now with the subscription info. He'll feel like a hero every time an issue arrives and you shower him with thanks for this most thoughtful gift.

Thank you to Seeing the Everyday.

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Mothers Day Giveaway Guidelines:
-You have until 11:30 AM EST on Wednesday, May 7th to enter this giveaway.
-Just make a comment ON THIS POST to enter — any comment.
-Anonymous comments will be ignored/removed.
-One entry per person, please.
-Winner will be randomly picked and announced on Wednesday evening.
-What are Mother's Day Giveaways? Read about them here.

Beehive Bazaar — Spring 2008

Every year I'm tempted to get on a plane and head to Utah just so I can attend the Beehive Bazaar. If you're in the area and lucky enough to go this weekend, you won't be disappointed. Get a sneak peek of the featured vendors at the Beehive Bazaar Blog.



If I was going, I would definitely want to check out the paintings of Colett Yaro, salsas from Anne Made Edibles, stationery from Isabell's Umbrella, and the handcut lanterns of Mariposa Avenue.

Mothers Day 2008 Giveaway #4 — Party Pack from CocoBlu Studio

[ Congratulations to Shea who said, "I want to win!" You're the big winner of this Giveaway! Please send me an email at the address listed on my blog and I'll put you in touch with the sponsor. ]

Today's Giveaway #4 is another great one. I know. I know. They're all great. It's true. And this one is no exception. The prize up for grabs is a custom stationery Party Pack from CocoBlu Studio. Check it:



CocoBlu Studio is all about custom design. And the Party Pack is the perfect example of their customizable genius. The pack includes 25 party invitations; 50 party favor stickers or oversized return address labels; and 25 thank you cards. You get to pick from any invitation or announcement design that they offer — and then make it your own by adding just the right text and photos.



I love it! The invitation and thank you notes can coordinate. And having custom labels for party favors will make your party seem extra-super-special — like the kind of party that my sister Jordan might throw.

Plus you can use the Party Pack for whatever party you'd like to host, whenever you'd like to host it. Personally, I'd recommend throwing a big bash for Memorial Day. Because it's coming up fast. And it's a great excuse for a get together. But a birthday party might be fun as well. Or maybe a baby shower. Or a dinner party. Or a book club. Or whatever.

Too much fun! I'm thinking A Party Pack is my new favorite hostess gift recommendation.

Thank you CocoBlu Studio.

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Mothers Day Giveaway Guidelines:
-You have until 2:30 PM EST on Tuesday, May 6th to enter this giveaway.
-Just make a comment ON THIS POST to enter — any comment.
-Anonymous comments will be ignored/removed.
-One entry per person, please.
-Winner will be randomly picked and announced on Tuesday evening.
-What are Mother's Day Giveaways? Read about them here.

Mothers Day 2008 Giveaway #3 — Nest Gift Basket

[ Congratulations to Shauna who said, "Gorgeous, inside and out!" You're the big winner of this Giveaway! Please send me an email at the address listed on my blog and I'll put you in touch with the sponsor. ]

Fantastic! Giveaway number #3 is a hot one. You are going to love it. Because it's an entire basket full of goodies. And who doesn't love a basket full of goodies? Nobody. In fact, I'm quite sure that it's the propensity of people to love baskets full of treasure that inspired Lisa to start her lovely company, Nest Gift Baskets.



The winner of this Giveaway #3 will have to make a choice. Does she prefer the Gardener's Eden basket? A gathering basket filled with treats like a “Trake” gardening tool, tea towel, bug spray, gardener’s soap with brush, Fox Gloves, and seed packets.



Or would she rather receive the Do Not Disturb basket? A darling chicken wire container brimming with La Lavande bath gel, lotion, soap & salts, candle — even a Do Not Disturb sign.

How will she ever choose between the two?

Both baskets are gorgeous of course. And either would be happily received by pretty much any woman I know. Happily, they are reflective of all the quality and creative gift baskets available at Nest. Definitely take a peek at their inspired offerings and find the perfect basket for your own mom.

Thanks to Nest Gift Baskets.

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Mothers Day Giveaway Guidelines:
-You have until 1:00 PM EST on Tuesday, May 6th to enter this giveaway.
-Just make a comment ON THIS POST to enter — any comment.
-Anonymous comments will be ignored/removed.
-One entry per person, please.
-Winner will be randomly picked and announced on Tuesday evening.
-What are Mother's Day Giveaways? Read about them here.

I HEART HEDGEHOGS. — by Guest Mom Amanda/aka Crabmommy

Owls move over. It's hedgehog time.

Anyone with an eye for sweet kiddie stuff has noticed the proliferation of the woodland theme in children's décor. Me, I'm all for it. I love little toadstools and owls and woodland critters frolicking across a vintage curtain or needlepoint cushion or what-have-you. But while owls have had their share of attention on sites that love good design and kid sensibilities, my favorite animal of all is shy and reclusive online. So I thought to do a little hedgehog-hunting myself and bring you some sweet and also cheap hedgie inspiration. Like these absurdly adorable ponytail holders, perfect for either mom or tot or both!



Can you stand how cute they are? So dang delicious, I almost can't look for fear that I might lunge at the screen and murder them with love!

As if that's not enough, see these baby booties:



Okay, so generic crappo baby shower present from some lame-o registry or one-of-a-kind booties for twelve measly greenbacks? COME. ON.

I've always loved hedgehogs. Their babies look like Rod Stewart (they have no neck and sport a spiky coiffe of hair). Did you also know that hedgehog genes can help determine your child's height? Did you also know that a man in New Zealand was accused of using a hedgehog as a weapon? Me neither.

Hedgehogs: cute, enlightening, inspiring. Brought to you by Crabmommy. I leave you with a link to paper artist eric joisel's amazing origami hedgehogs, and humbly invite you to visit me at my personal website or at Cookie magazine online, where I like to talk about hedgehogs, paper dolls, lame parenting advice, and so forth between predicting your month in motherhood as Astromommy, or talking a smack about momhood in general.

Enjoy!

XX
AMANDA

Mothers Day 2008 Giveaway #2 — The Fine Art of Family Necklace

[ Congratulations to Cocoa who said, "Fabulous, darling, FAB U LOUS!" You're the big winner of this Giveaway! Please send me an email at the address listed on my blog and I'll put you in touch with the sponsor. ]

Oh goody! For Giveaway number two today, we've got another gorgeous item. For you. Or for your mom. Check out this luxe shiny bauble from The Fine Art of Family.



That's right. The winner of Giveaway number two will walk away with this gorgeous piece of jewelry. The Signature Round Floral Half Locket in Sterling Silver. Valued at $190.00.

This single image case necklace is made with that one perfect picture in mind and is designed to be worn image side down, close to the heart. Embellished with The Fine Art of Family's signature floral pattern, it hangs on a 16-inch chain. Photos easily slide in the top of the image case.

It's an instant heirloom. Who will you hand yours down to?

Thanks to The Fine Art of Family.

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Mothers Day Giveaway Guidelines:
-You have until 11:00 AM EST on Tuesday, May 6th to enter this giveaway.
-Just make a comment ON THIS POST to enter — any comment.
-Anonymous comments will be ignored/removed.
-One entry per person, please.
-Winner will be randomly picked and announced on Tuesday.
-What are Mother's Day Giveaways? Read about them here.

Mothers Day 2008 Giveaway #1 — Two Dresses from Shabby Apple

[ Congratulations to Sarah who said, "Um, yes please. I am in love with Shabby apple. I am not above begging." You're the big winner of this Giveaway! Please send me an email at the address listed on my blog and I'll put you in touch with the sponsor. ]

Let's start things off with a bang. For our very first Giveaway this week (and there are going to be many, many Giveaways this week) what if you could win not one, but two gorgeous dresses from Shabby Apple? Would you like that? Then consider it done.



Get your comments in. And one lucky commenter will win: the 90 Words dress — a turquoise secretary dress that is to die for. Ruching at sides to flatter hips. Tie at neck. Puff sleeves with band just above elbow. Perfect.



And. She'll win the Daisy dress — from their brand new summer line! It's a white eyelet dress with shirt collar and puff sleeves. The dress comes in at an empire waist and then opens to a flattering A-line skirt that hits at the knee. Let's hear it for summer!

And you will look fabulous in these dresses. Because Shabby Apple is an independent clothing company that concentrates on flattering the female form — without making you feel like you're falling out of your dress. Worried about getting the right fit? Don't be: Shabby Apple now offers FREE shipping both ways on all exchanges.

Just imagine yourself wearing some Shabby Apple finery on Mothers Day this Sunday and feeling like the elegant lady that you are. Dang, Girl! You make motherhood look good.

Thanks Shabby Apple.

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Mothers Day Giveaway Guidelines:
-You have until 10:30 AM EST on Tuesday, May 6th to enter this giveaway.
-Just make a comment ON THIS POST to enter — any comment.
-Anonymous comments will be ignored/removed.
-One entry per person, please.
-Winner will be randomly picked and announced on Tuesday.
-What are Mother's Day Giveaways? Read about them here.

More Goodbyes and Hellos

We are sad. Allysha is no longer our Guest Mom. She was wonderful — keeping us all literary and listening to NPR and looking at pretty things. But she had to go. And now. To get our Allysha fix, we must drop by Bells on Their Toes or Just an Orange. And we will. (Thank you Allysha!)

But before we despair completely, know that exciting things are afoot. In the midst of the fantastic Giveaways I'll be featuring today, the amazing CrabMommy (of Cookie Magazine fame), will be dropping in to share some hedgehoggery brilliance with us. Watch for it. And be sure to tell her Hello.

It's going to be a busy, happy day. And I suggest you check back more than once.

Movie Night

Awesome! Just got back from the 8:00 screening. Robert Downey Jr. nailed it. Off to find Ben Blair an Ironman costume and take him to bed.

Migros Had Me At Hello

Mr. Josh-with-the-flawless-eye sent me a link to this post featuring food packaging for a Swiss company called Migros. Gorgeous. And smart. Take a look.

via The Dieline.

Literary Stamps — by Guest Mom Allysha

And last but not least...