Paperless Post

Looking to create a cute invitation and keep it green at the same time? PaperlessPost.com takes it one step beyond evite for gorgeous email invitations that are easy to create and spectacular to send. You get your first set of coins and stamps to send for free and after that it is $4.00 on average for every 20 invitations--- and trust me its worth it! Easy to create and creative to send, this site takes email invitations to a new level.

Don't Get Burned!

Whether headed off to a winter vacation or just dreaming of summer fun, you have to consider these UV bracelets to help keep you or your hip hooligans from roasting in the sun. Made to remind you when it is time to get out of the sun or put on more sunscreen, these UV bracelet are a simple way to keep your family protected. You simply slide the bracelet on and cover it with sunscreen when you are applying it to your kids. As the sunscreen wears off the bracelet changes color and, voila, you know its time for action. You can find these at http://www.leapsandbounds.com/ for $9.95 for a 7 pack.

Watch it

Potty training is tough as it is and add on top of that busy schedules that make time just disappear and before you know it, you have missed the critical window to get your child to the bathroom. In order to help your child become a part of the process and make sure that they make it to the bathroom in regular intervals, there is the Potty Watch. The watch can be set at regular intervals and it alerts your child to see when it is time for a break. The watch runs $10.95 at http://www.onestepahead.com/

Hip and Hilarious

Looking for cool clothes, hats or a shirt that makes a statement? Check out http://www.babywit.com/. They have classic rock shirts, funny prints including "My mama drinks because I cry" and "Mullets Rule" This site also has amazing hats including the fedora posted on the left. The products make a statement without a doubt... and what toddler doesn't need a classic Nirvana shirt?

Bow Wow!

In my girls' room, I have a basket with dozens of bows thrown into them. I often can't find what I am looking for and have to dig around to remember what color bows I have. Thankfully, I stumbled onto this great site where they make bow holders and even customize them for you! At www.iwantedtowonder.com you can find painted bow holders or customize your own. They run from mid $20-$45.00. I love to support small businesses and what a great way to do that and get a wonderful product for you or a gift for someone else. Shipping is free!

Don't Be a Drip

How often has it happened that you open a juice box or bag and it drips out because you or your child is squeezing it? I can't even count how many times this has happened to me. Well, another problem solved by your dutiful blogger ;-). Announcing http://www.squeeze-free.com/ where you can buy the juice box or bag holders that will eliminate spills. They start at $4.29 and get cheaper the more you buy.

Grocery Gourmet

Ever dread the grocery run because you know your child will get antsy in the cart? Check out these grocery cart trays that make it easy to place snacks into. They snap onto the cart and make it easy to fill with snacks. No more dropped snacks or boredom making our lives easier! You can get them at http://www.thesoftlanding.com/ for $6.95.

Gone Too Long!

Sorry for the delay in postings. Illness and a crazy work schedule have kept me away... but I am back and will be posting often! Thanks for reading
Andrea

Monkey Bar Buddies

When little girls get active, its often hard to find bloomers or shorts that fit for an older girl and aren't too bulky. Check out these Monkey bar Buddies at http://www.monkeybarbuddies.com/ or at Target. They come in a multitude of colors for around $16.00. The company also makes leggings and diaper covers for babies.

Smocks

My kids are always heavily into crafts and art and I am always heavily into washing their clothes afterwards. I found these adorable smocks by 3 Sprouts which are eco- friendly and easy to pop on and off. You can find then for around $25.00 on http://www.amazon.com/. Pair them with some crayons or paints for a fabulous gift!

Adventures in Math

Want to further your 1st-4th grader's interest in math and don't know how to engage them with the difficult to master concepts? Author Cindy Newschwander has developed a series of books named the Sir Cumference series. These wonderful books are in the vein of King Arthur but the themes are math and geometry related all designed to make learning math concepts a breeze. You can find them at http://www.amazon.com/

Edible Art

Now is the time for baking and decorating those delicious goodies. And what a better way to have team work in the kitchen than to get your Hip Hooligans to bake with you? Kuhn Rikon makes wonderful decorating tools that are excellent for children to use and helps them exact their art. Check out these fabulous cookie and cupcake decorating sets for $24.00. You can find them that http://www.surletable.com/. Pair it with our favorite cupcake book, "Hello; Cupcake" (http://www.amazon.com/) and you have a fabulous holiday gift!

Tervis Tumblers

This blog-worthy item isn't necessarily only for kids but they sure are a lifesaver when you have them. Tervis Tumblers (http://www.turvistumblers.com/) are double walled plastic cups that keep liquids cold or warm for a long time and then best news is that they don't leave rings on any of your furniture because the cups don't sweat. They can be custom-ordered with hundreds of designs including designs for kids and can come with lids and straws to avoid spills. I LOVE mine and wont drink out of traditional classes anymore. Plus, they come with a warranty that can't be beaten.

Free On the Road Fun

With the holidays quickly approaching, many of us will hit the road for a long car trip. If you are looking for a fun and free way to keep you kids entertained, go no further than http://www.momsminivan.com/. On this site, you can print out fun games like car bingo, tic-tac-toe and a car scavenger hunt... hours worth of enterainment. This site offers a lot of great insight on how to keep your little ones entertained without having them watch hours of videos.

Eco Purse

Many of use who have little girls soon notice their fascination with purses. While trolling around a resale shop, I stumbled across this adorable Eco Snoopers Purse for your little Hip Hooligan. Each character comes with an environmental message/ story and the best thing is that kids can wear them three ways. The strap is adjustable for little shoulders or they can wrap it around their waist or attach it to a belt. I found mine for under $12.00 and they are for sale at http://www.ebay.com/. Don't have a little girl? No worries there are boy characters as well!

Swimming Strides

A friend of mine who taught swimming classes for many years emailed me about http://www.warmbelly.com/. This site sells wetsuits for children that keep them nice and warm while they are learning how to swim. According to my friend, being cold is the #1 reason children have trouble learining to swim. If they cold, they also get distracted. WarmBelly helps avoid the chills it they are swimming in anything colder than 98.6 degrees. Your child will love the suit as it won't interfere with swimming. They come in all sizes and run about $32.00 not including shipping.

Personlized Gifts for Kids

Check out http://www.frecklebox.com/ for a wide array of personalized gifts for kids. Ranging from books to journals, you can find and personalize anything for your child or as a gift. You can even personalize books about becoming an older sibling which can ease the transition of your child into welcoming a new one. Reasonably priced at around $10.00 these books and journals can help engage your kids in reading and coloring. Also, this site offers personalized decor as well.

Fabulous Favors

Having a party and have no idea what to give as a unique party favor? Check out www.beau-coup.com. They specialize in party favors from kids parties to holiday gatherings. I picked out a sample Fall party favor ($3.95 each) that you can personlize with any name including your Hip Hooligan's. Take time to check out some of their other ideas. I especially loved the mini gum ball machines for a child's party.

Rain, Rain Come and Stay

The season's have changed and they are predicting a lot of rain this Fall. Why not adapt your little fashionista to the El Nino? Check out these cool rain boots by http://www.chooka.com/. They are a little pricier but if you are looking for something different and hip when it comes to rain fashion, this site has it for you.

Snap Caps

For the last few months, I have been following the buzz of Snap Cap necklaces around our city. Made by two young Dallas sisters, Snap Caps are bottle cap designed in hundreds different colors, patterns and sayings that snap onto a necklace with a magnet. They are interchangeable and girls can swap them with friends or just based on their mood. I purchased one a few weeks ago for my daughter and special-ordered a Snap Cap with my daughter's school logo. They go for a little under $15.00 and if you go to the website you can find out where to purchase in your city. (http://www.m3girldesigns.com/). If you don't live near a city, just contact the designers via the website and you are on your way!