Tiny Prints is a very cute shop offers a great selection of party invitations, holiday cards, photo birth announcements, thank you cards and much more!  Creative, personal, custom and VERY fun for your family! 

If you are planning a baby shower or expecting a baby you will definitely appreciate Tiny Prints’ Baby Shower invitations and Birth announcements.  If you’re looking for a great gift for an expecting mom, they even offer gift certificates!  Personally, I have always found it difficult to find a good selection for twins (or higher order multiples).  Tiny Prints has a beautiful selection of twin Birth Announcements that are very fun. 

I also really like the personal feel of their party invitations!  They offer a wide variety of birthday party invitations for boys, girls, even a line of gender neutral.  Their Summer Party Invitations are very popular right now.   I’m also told that their Halloween Party invitations are quite popular.

Tiny Prints offers a great selection of cards, invitations and more just for the holidays!  We give out Photo Christmas Cards to all of our family and friends each year and I have to say the ones offered at Tiny Prints are fun, beautiful and simple!

Tiny Prints has also offered a $50 gift card for one of you.  All you have to do is visit Tiny Prints and take a look around.  Be sure to come back here and leave a comment telling us what your favorite item is and/or something you’d like to see at the shop.

This contest will end on July 28th.  If you have a chance to blog about it and let others know that’s always appreciated by these great contest sponsors (but not required to enter).

I recently had the opportunity to experience Little Star Video’s unique and wonderful services.  They offered to compile a video featuring photos of my children.  Sounded like fun, so I sent them quite a few pictures of my Twinkies from birth and their time spent in the NICU to now!! 

They were wonderful to work with and transfomed my images complete with music, into a fabulous high quality video/slideshow that we can play again and again for our little ones.  I was so happy with it!

Before I share more details, I want you to see this wonderful video, it is super short (no, my kiddos aren’t in it) …

I had the opportunity to ask Andrea, owner of Little Star Video, some questions and would like to share that interview with you:

Tell me about the history and passion of your business:

We want to provide a way for parents to encapsulate the numerous pictures and videos captured of their children in a way that is unique and cherished. Our company provides busy parents an easy way to display their photos and videos to friends and family. In essence, we bring photos and videos to life by creating a mini-movie of the images captured. Each movie is uniquely customized and images are easily uploaded to our site. Parents have a choice of song selection to match their individual style and can add custom titles and dedications of their choice.

What products do you offer?

We offer several different movie packages:
All of our packages include: song requests, photo retouching, custom transitions, pan & zoom effects, custom titles and dedications, custom DVD menu, custom label, case and shipping.

~Simple Package starts at $175 (50 pictures) and increases with the number of pictures and video submitted.
~Capture the Years starts at $225 for Year 1 (100 pictures). We are doing a special for $450 you can receive Years 1-3 (1 year at no cost – saving $225!).
~DVD Birth Announcement - $125 (25 pictures, one video, 15 copies).

What’s your most popular product?

Our most popular package is called “Capture the Years”, similar to a video yearbook, where parents can recap each year of their child’s life starting with Year 1. Our other popular package is a DVD birth announcement where new parents can have 15 DVD copies of the first few days of life that includes up to 25 pictures and one video clip . It is a new take on the traditional birth announcement. We also have our simple movie packages that start at $175 for 50 pictures and increases with the number of images that are submitted.

All of Little Star Video’s DVDs are created in High Definition quality for use on standard and widescreen televisions. Their video packages can be customized or even given as a gift. At this time Little Star Video only accepts digital photos, so all pictures need to be scanned (offered at most retail locations).

You’ll want to be sure to take advantage of the discount they have offered just for A Frog In My Soup readers!!! Get $40 off on any video package, just use the code FROGGY (offer expires 8.31.08).

They have also offered a wonderful giveaway. One of you will win their Simple Movie Package A (wroth $175 for 50 pictures)! In order to enter, you need to visit www.LittleStarVideo.com and take a look around! Come back here and leave a comment telling us what you think of the sample videos they offer at their site.

This contest is open to US and Canadian addresses and you may enter until July 25th.

This contest has ended, thank you for your participation. Be sure to click on the contests link above and visit www.froggyreviews.com for more great contests.

Live barefoot … imagine!  That is the whole vision of Barefoot books in one little statement.  I was recently introduced to Barefoot Books by Alpha Sanford when she contacted me about their products.  I was definitely interested and as you may have noticed it didn’t take me long to decide it was a great company to promote (see my sidebar button).

I had started by asking Alpha to share why she loves the company so much!

All the books that they publish speak to what I want my daughter to learn! The colors, the vocabulary, the diversity of people and characters presented are just amazing!

Barefoot Books offers award winning Children’s Books, Music CD’s, Gifts and more. They have many books that are great sellers, but their Whole World Book was featured on Oprah and is very popular. Alpha’s daughter’s favorite book though is Animal Boogie (which I plan to order very soon)!

You can see Alpha’s Barefoot Books site at www.BarefootBooks101.com.  She also has a wonderful Barefoot Books review blog and I encourage all of you to visit that as well to get some great first hand information about Barefoot Books - go to http://barefootbooks101.wordpress.com/ and be sure to leave a comment letting Alpha know you were there.

Alpha has offered a copy of Barefoot Books’ board book Bun Bun, the Middle One. If you’d like to enter to win this be sure to visit her Barefoot Books store at www.barefootbooks101.com and take a look around (they have a great summer sale going on right now with books up to 80% off, but only through July 15th).  Then come back here and leave a comment telling me what your favorite product at Barefoot Books is!

Available to ship to US and Canadian addresses.  This contest will end on July 21st.

I was recently contacted and asked if I would review the brand new Schlage Electronic Keypad Lock. With a little information about it I was quick to reply with a resounding “yes”!

My older boys are getting to the age where it isn’t the end of the world if mom isn’t home when the bus drops them off (though I have yet to miss that event ).  But the idea of handing out all those keys isn’t one that I want to even think about. 

This lock offers me the opportunity to give the boys a code just for them to know that will allow them to open the deadbolt on the front door.  Now, I’ll be super honest, I was a little concerned about the typical boy jesting that takes place among peers and needed to come up with a plan to keep the number truly safe. 

So, in order to cut down on possible information overload, there are a couple of things I do.  First, they will not be given the code unless absolutely necessary, especially some of the younger ones.  One thing that is great about my kids is that even if they know they slip up they also know that they can have a conversation with us so that we can help them “fix it”.  This will involve a community changing of the code of course, but hopefully a little wiser child as well.

We don’t have a lot of extra people coming in and out of the house at the moment, but our kids are always first to the door waiting for myself or my hubby to unlock it after we’ve gone somewhere.  Usually they are impatiently wanting to get in so that they can be first in line for our only bathroom (but that’s another story).  How nice to have them simply be able to enter a couple of numbers and get in themselves!

The other concern may be ease of use.  This lock is super easy to install and setting up codes (or getting rid of them) is simple as well.  It is all about ease for the consumer and I think that’s great.  If I know that the kids’ code needs to be changed I can do that in a matter of seconds.  Oh, and in case you’re wondering, the kids get a code all their own so that hubby and I don’t have to worry about our code getting “leaked” to the neighborhood kids LOL!

Knowing that Schlage Locks are also tops for security offers me just one more Peace!  Three years ago … three weeks after we moved into this house … we were robbed.  The kids were on spring break, we went somewhere fun for the morning and I never in a million years could have imagined the horrible scene I would come home to.  This is NOT the kind of house that would be targeted to be robbed, except that someone knew we had just moved in.   The only thing of much value that was stolen was my computer (yup another brand new one bites the dust) and some jewelry that mainly held sentimental value (they were my grandmother’s).

We still don’t have much to steal and we have a dog now that sounds like an airhorn (no joke) and not only does she make a ton of noise … if you get her going every dog within 5 miles will be howling with her (happens daily)!  We repaired the door, replaced the computer and cut down the rhododendron that was almost as big as our house and did block the view a bit from the road to the driveway and front door.  But I have never felt like we had a very secure lock, so this adds another benefit for me! 

These locks are available at hardware stores everywhere and if you want a little more information about it, just visit Schlage’s Website!

I’m excited to introduce you to a fun online jewelry boutique - Two Sisters Jewelry! Started in January 2007, this shop is owned and operated by twin sisters who design and make their entire line of FABULOUS jewelry!

Offering fun, chic and classy jewelry is what they’re all about.  I was so excited to receive a pair of their Jennifer Earrings!  They are simple and very fun to wear, but so elegant.  I received many compliments on them, and happily shared where they came from. 

Two Sisters Jewelry Boutique offers women jewelry that is not just beautiful!  You can also know that each and every piece is carefully created by hand.  Their most popular products are: Oval Sterling Silver Necklace, Patricia Mother’s Bracelet (pictured on the left), Jennifer Silver Earrings (pictured above) and the Emilia Gold Earrings.

Two Sisters Jewelry has offered my readers a generous 15% discount (no expiration!!!) at their boutique. All you have to do is use coupon code: FROG.

They are also offering one lucky commenter the opportunity to win their popular (and beautiful) Gold Eternity Necklace (a $35 value!). Here’s what you need to do to enter:

~ Visit Two Sisters Jewelry Boutique and look around.
~ Come back here and leave a comment telling us what your favorite product is!

It’s that simple! Be sure to enter by June 20th. This contest is only available for shipment to US shipping addresses.

I recently had the opportunity to review a new book by Heather Gibbs Flett and Whitney Moss titled The Rookie Mom’s Handbook, 350 Activities to do with (and without!) your baby.  This fun book takes new moms from birth through the first year of their baby’s life! 

This book gives specific activities for each month, month one offers 20 activities that support you as a new mom and gives you great ideas of ways to take care of yourself as well as your baby!  Though not every activity will suit all new mamas, there are many unique and fun ones that offer positive ways to enjoy your new life as a mom!

One thing that stood out to me are all of the fun “crafty” activities throughout the book!  The first month it’s making a swaddle blanket and a time capsule.  Month 6 teaches you how to decorate your baby’s clothes with fabric paint. Month 7 teaches you how to sew kids’ pants out of t-shirts. 

I am a very practical mama, so I enjoyed reading the activities that offered practical solutions to everyday needs!  Activity #157 offers suggestions on putting together a clothing swap party, activity #147 tells you how to blend your own baby food and many of the activities offer stage appropriate answers to problems like breastfeeding, getting to know your gear, cooking, etc.  There are even great suggestions of photos to take of your baby at each stage as well as stage related “reality checks”, baby development and mom’s new skills and fears.

I cannot honestly say that I loved every suggestion, but most of them are very worthwhile and truly do make sense.  Overall, I recommend this book for new moms - to keep them thinking about things they can do to make the first year with their baby comfortable, calm and to help them have reasonable expectations for themselves and their new life!

I have a copy of this book that I’m giving away.  If you’re interested please leave a comment telling me your favorite “new mom” suggestion! Just be sure to enter by June 13th when I’ll choose a winner.

The safety of my children is a huge deal for me and I’m thrilled to be able to introduce all of you to a mom-owned business that offers solutions to every family’s safety needs! Kay Green is the mompreneur behind My Precious Kid. I heard about MPK a few years ago as I was searching for a one-stop-safety-shop for my family. I had been to an informational meeting that focused on children’s safety and they had mentioned ideas that I had never heard of before, so I went searching.

My Precious Kid was, by far the most comprehensive site, offering more useful safety products than anything else I found. From their child ID products and Car Seat ID’s to the everyday products like first aid kits, childproofing and much more. Kay began creating My Precious Kid ID Cards when she needed homeschool ID’s for her kids - I love it when a company is born out of one idea. From there, she found that the car seat ID cards available at many hospitals were difficult to update and change, so she created one with velcro so that it can be updated or even used for a different child down the road.

As far as safety products are concerned I highly recommend that EVERY parent has a child ID for each car seat and has a Child ID kit for every child in the family that is kept up-to-date and stored in a safe and easy to access location. These items offer peace of mind and can be a priceless resource in the event of an emergency!

If you’d like to take it one step further, get child ID bracelets for your youngsters, especially any who have allergies, asthma or special needs! They offer a large variety of products for all of this. They also offer the MediBuddy First Aid kit, a fun and very family friendly first aid kit that is small enough to keep in a purse or diaper bag! Some of their other bestsellers include the Wireless Door and Window Alarm, Personalized Dog Tags, Child Locator, Velcro ID Bracelet, Angel Guard Buckle Cover, and many more!

Kay gave me the opportunity to try out their Rewards Chore Chart and it was very fun! Bright and colorful and complete with ALL of the items you need (INCLUDING instructions) to create a successful plan for offering your child chores and rewards for completing them. Especially handy for children that are just getting started in being assigned tasks to do around the house.

Kay has offered all of you a great discount: 10% off using the code 112087654 (expires 12/08). What a great way to get all of the safety products you need for your family!

I am happy to be able to offer you the opportunity to win one of these great Reward Chore Charts for yourself. To enter:

~ Just hop on over to My Precious Kid and take a look around …

~ Then come back here and mention the products you love the most!

Linney Shvede offers personalized products for everyone and every occasion. They carry monogrammed jewelry, monogrammed handbags, personalized stationery, personalized apparel and toys for little ones, and a variety of personalized bath and home items.

They have recently added the Rub A Dub Dub line of products and they are selling like crazy! Monogrammed towels, box totes which can be used as diaper bags, monogrammed tote bags, and childrens’ personalized clothing are also very popular. They also sell a lot of Preppy Plates which come in styles for both kids and adults.

I asked Linda what it is about her products that make them such wonderful gifts:

As a mom, I look for quality first in the products I carry. Monogrammed products make the perfect gift because it shows you took the time to really consider the recipient in your purchase. Everyone from tots to tweens to moms and grandmoms love our personalized products. And we haven’t forgotten Dad! We have a whole selection specifically for Father’s day!

They have a great discount offer going on for 10% off on everything in their Father’s Day category. Hurry though, this discount won’t last long.

Linney Shvede has also offered a product for you to enter to win!  A very fun Rub A Dub Dub Giraffe tote which comes in Lime green or Chocolate brown.

In order to enter, simply visit Linney Shvede and come back here to leave a comment mentioning your favorite Rub A Dub Dub product. Be sure to enter by May 20th. If you are a blogger I know that it would mean a lot to Linda if you would let others know about her great shop and link back to this contest as well.

This contest has ended and a winner has been announced, thank you for your participation and you’re welcome to enter any of the contests listed in the left sidebar.

There’s a new WAHM Shop on the block :)  and I’m thrilled!  Micah & Co. loves to pamper moms and tots.  From the posh baby shower to a spoiled new mom and baby there are products you will love! 

New and expecting moms (and those shopping for them) can find everything from great products to fill up your hospital bag (even robes and slippers), organic bath and body products (I couldn’t love that more!) even beautiful baby slings for new mamas!  For the little one’s arrival there are even more great products like diaper bags, toddler totes, baby proofing and lots of great shower items as well!

Some of their bestsellers right now are:

~ Expressions Pacifiers
~ Slingalings Baby Slings
~ Diaper Stackers
~ Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm
~ The Plush Pad by Ah Goo Baby

There are a couple of ways to shop and save at Micah & Co. and save!  If you join their mailing list you’ll recieve 10% off and you can also get 10% off if you enter the code POSHBABY10 before checkout. 

Micah & Co. is also offering a great product that you can enter to win.  I know it’s a great product because they were kind enough to let us test it out!  We received the Personalized Car Organizers right before we left for our weekend away and it was a truly a lifesaver!  We put one in the middle section and one in the rear section of our SUV and I was able to get all 6 of our boys organized for the long trip we took.  This is quite a feat, but the ability to put everything in it’s place and to be able to find it later was wonderful!  These are very easy to install and I can’t think of any vehicle they wouldn’t work in!

To enter to win one of these great Personalized Car Organizers, you need to visit Micah & Co. and take a look around!  Then come back here and leave a comment mentioning your favorite product(s).  It’s that simple!  Just make sure that you enter by May 15th. 

This contest has ended - thank you all for your participation!  Don’t forget to click on the links in the left sidebar to enter all the current contests!!

Bella’s Blessings is a fun online boutique that specializes in affordable hair accessories and children’s jewelry.  When they say affordable they mean it!   Bella’s Blessings offers a variety of stylish children’s accessories such as: adhesive infant hair bows, stylish and affordable hair clips in a range of sizes for infants, babies, toddlers, and older children, decorative hair clips holders, and jewelry for the entire family.

They offer bracelets for infants, babies, toddlers and older children that range from pearl to crystal to personalized sterling silver. They also offer Mother & Grandmother bracelets that can be personalized with the names of their children/grandchildren. These bracelets make excellent gifts.

Lori’s favorite hairbows for her daughter when she was a newborn were kept in with a special gel, but they were very difficult to find so she started making them herself.   As her daughter began to get hair she ran into another dilemma, none of the bows she found would stay in and the ones she did find were too expensive.  So yet again she found a solution and began creating her own bows for her daughter.  People began asking her where she purchased the bows and how they could get some so she decided to bless others by offering these bows at very affordable prices.

She also began making jewelry after her mother-in-law purchased a little bracelet for little Isabella and she wore it home from the hospital.  Lori loved having her little girl wear these bracelets and again found that they were simply too expensive so she began making them herself and even giving them to friends.

It is really amazing that this business was created solely to bless others! I love that they name all of their clips after the children of friends and customers. Lori sent me a few clips for my niece and we were so excited! She even named one after her, but the part I loved most was that she personalizes the tags on each clip’s package! It really makes it a custom gift that the recipient will love. My niece was tickled!

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, the clips really do stay in hair! My niece has beautiful golden hair, but it is SUPER straight and it can be challenging to find clips or holders that will stay in - these work perfectly and our “Little Princess” wears them almost every day to school .

Lori has generously offered all of my readers a 10% discount through May 31st if you enter the code frog during checkout.

She has also offered a great giveaway:  The winner may choose any combination of hair accessory items (infant hair bows or small, medium or large hair clips) up to a value of $15.00! Entering is really quite simple:

~ Go to Bella’s Blessings and take a look around.
~ Come back here and leave a comment mentioning your favorite product/style.

This contest will be open for comments through May 8th.