My Top 10 Baby Shower Gifts

It’s spring, and along with blooms and blossoms come lots of baby showers. As the people in your life prepare to welcome a new little one, make sure you are helping them prepare with products that are Mom-tested. Everyone loves to purchase soft baby blankets or frilly dresses, but what mommas really need are gifts that make life easier. Here are the best baby shower gifts for soon-to-be moms.

1. aden + anais Swaddle Blankets

Not all blankets are bad! These muslin-swaddling blankets are a must-have for any momma, but especially one having a summer baby. They keep baby comfortable without the ever-present risk of overheating.

2. Happiest Baby on the Block DVD

Swaddling only works if you know how to do it. Luckily, Dr. Harvey Karp will show the momma-to-be how to swaddle, as well as institute the other five S’s to soothe a crying (or colicky!) baby.

3. Puj Tub

Tiny, little newborns are fragile enough when they’re dry, but handling a slippery baby during those first few baths can be stressful. The Puj cradles the baby in soft foam and has a small footprint, which is critical if your momma-to-be lives in a small space.

4. Fisher Price Cradle ’N Swing

Babies like to be held. However, Momma can’t get much sleeping (or showering or eating) done if she’s constantly holding a baby. A baby swing can help a new mom get back some precious moments to herself.

5. Ergobaby Carrier

For when baby wants to be held, but Momma has to go, a baby carrier is a must. Ergobaby makes a great carrier that is comfortable for both Mom and Dad and makes baby-wearing a reality from the first couple of days through toddlerdom.

6. The Beaba Babycook

Every mom wants to feed her child the most nutritious food possible. With The Beaba Babycook, homemade baby food momma knows is healthy and nutritious is a reality for even the busiest mom. Steam and puree all in the one container and know baby is getting what he or she needs. 

7. My Breast Friend/Boppy

If the new mom decides to breastfeed, My Breast Friend is a great breastfeeding support pillow. If the new mom decides to bottle feed, baby can hangout in the Boppy while playing with toys or just watching the happenings of the house. 

8. Sophie La Giraffe

Sophie is a classic and there’s reason. Babies love her spots and the natural rubber is perfect for teething. It’s the one toy every baby (and mom!) needs. 

9. Trumpette Socks

These adorable socks come in cute designs for both girls and boys and make little baby feet appear decked out in sneakers or ballet slippers. Even better, they are one of the few brands that actually stay on baby’s feet and don’t get kicked off after a few seconds. 

10. Diapers. Diapers. Diapers.

When in doubt, buy a giant box (or three!) of diapers. Doesn’t really matter the size because they’ll get used and the momma-to-be will be thankful for them no matter what. 

Post by Sarah Stewart Holland.

Mother's Day Gift Guide 2014

This morning I stopped by WPSD Local 6 Today to help you find the perfect present for Mom this coming Mother's Day. From tech presents that make mom's life better to local finds around Paducah, I covered them all and have special offers on many of these fabulous finds for all of my readers!

 

Subscription Boxes for Mom

I love, love, love subscription boxes because they combine my two favorite things: presents + mail! Subscription services have come a LONG way from the Mug of the Month club. Today's subscription boxes are highly focused, highly curated, and highly desirable no matter what the mother in your life is interested in.

Nina Garcia's Quarterly Package

Quarterly 

I absolutely love this service. Instead of subscribing to a specific product, you subscribe to a curator. If your mom loves Project Runway, you can subscriber her to judge Nina Garcia's packages. Every 3 months Mom will get a box containing products Nina loves and a handwritten note from Nina herself!

Does the mother of your children need a break? You can subscribe her to a box from Kalani, Hawaii's largest retreat center, and she'll receive items that promote health and wellness. Does she read every post on dooce.com? Then, send her Heather's Armstrong's quarterly box.

Y'all, Pharrell even has one.

If you just want one box in time for Mother's Day, the company recently watched The Best of Quarterly where you can purchase a single box instead of subscribing!

They are offering an exclusive $5 discount to my readers with the code momsday2014!

Love with Food

There are several great food subscription services that feature gourmet healthy snacks. However, only Love with Food donates a meal to a hungry child with every box sent. The company has donated over 250,000 meals to food banks across the country. I love the idea of a gift that not only keeps on giving but also gives back!

Love with Food has a tasting box for $10 a month and a deluxe box for $19.95 month so it is also super affordable! And if you love something in one of the boxes, you can purchase online at member-discounted prices.

Use the code LOVEMOM2014 to get $5 off any of the subscription plans.

Tech Gifts That Make Mom's Life Better

The Nest

I'm willing to bet that your mother has complained about being either cold or hot or both in her own house. Why? Because women suffer from a temperature affliction, our body temperature is lower then men's so we're often cold ... unless hormones are wreaking havoc on our bodies and making us hot. 

Enter The Nest - the LEARNING thermostat. That's right. This little genius learns when you like to be warm, when you like to be cool, and when you're out of the house all together! You can even control it from you're phone. 

Never again will your mother suffer from the chills or a hot flash... at least not in her house. Even better? The Nest can save you up to 20% on your home energy bills.

mini by Everpurse

If your mother's life wouldn't be made easier with a wallet that charges her phone, then I'm out of ideas. I encounter AT LEAST two women a day that complain about their phone battery life or ask me if I have a charger. I've seen moms beg strangers for a charge in a way people would beg for a light in the 60's.

The reason is simple. Our phones have to be functioning for emergency calls from school or emergency photo sessions when our kids do something adorable.

With the mini by Everpurse, the days of desperation can finally be behind the mom in your life. This little wallet will keep her organized AND charge her phone from 0 to 100% THREE times. 

Bellabeat: Prenatal Tracking System and App

If you're looking for a special something for a momma-to-be this Mother's Day, then look no further than the Bellabeat. Bellabeat takes the pregnancy app to a whole new level with a pocket-size digital monitoring device that plugs directly into your phone. Now, the new momma can hear her babies heartbeat whenever she likes.

The app also allows her to track kicks, pregnancy milestones, and even connect with other pregnant moms. 

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Local Finds for Mom

bbQ & More

If your mom is an hostess extraordinaire, then stop by bbq & More for the fabulous Nora Fleming serving pieces that let her accessorize her platters for every party! They also have silicone lids that keep every dish warm until she gets to her latest potluck.

If you live in Paducah, definitely stop by and check out their personalized pillows and glass trays, which you can personalize with photos or quotes or monograms just for Mom!

bbQ & More is currently offering a free silicone wine stopper with every Mother's Day purchase!

Medical Spa Seven

Every mom likes to be pampered. If you want to be pampered in Paducah, you go to Medical Spa Seven. Beyond the fabulous spa services on offer, they have the most wonderful boutique featuring Bedhead pajamas (my ABSOLUTE favorite), Nest Candles, FarmHouse Fresh products.

They are also giving away one Nest Candle and the FarmHouse Fresh Sugar Sugar Gift Set!

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Michelson Jewelers

For the child who wants to be the FAVORITE child, jewelry is a good place to start and in Paducah the place to buy jewelry is Michelson Jewelers.

If you are looking for a beautiful upscale option, Lagos is the perfect option. I love their stackable rings and bracelets and every piece comes with a lifetime guarantee. For something more affordable, the brand Alex and Ani have taken the jewelry market by storm with their stackable charm bracelets featuring everything from initials to sorority symbols. A piece from either collection would be fantastic.

Michelson Jewelers is currently hosting a great giveaway where you can win a present for your mom and a gift card for yourself!

Simply B Boutique

Simply B Boutique has everything from baby gifts to home accessories. It also has accessories to make your mom the hippest mom around from Urban Expression totes to the ultimate beach bag.

However, maybe my favorite gift I found all day - especially as a mom with little kids - is the Storylines Amazing Mom book. The book features written prompts and blank pages so kids can illustrate and thus tell their OWN story of the amazing mom in their life. It's a brilliant idea and a fabulous keepsake!

My readers can get 20% off at Simply B by mentioning they saw the WPSD segment!

A Gift To Make You Shine

Tis the season of gift guides! I like gift guides. I do. However, instead of searching out things to include in a gift guide I decided to sit back and let the gifts come to me. All year long I've been keeping careful tracks of the products that I absolutely loved, products that I couldn't stop talking about, products that I had to share with you!

Last year I awoke on Christmas morning to find these beauties from Kara by Kara Ross under the tree for me!

In full disclosure, they weren't exactly a surprise. I had picked them out myself. I knew I had to have them the minute I saw them. I love studs but get bored with the usual options. I loved that these had a modern edge and that they were both gold and silver. 

Then, I started wearing them. These babies go with EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING. I wear them every stinking day. I wear them so much I call them my Suze Orman earrings (in case, you didn't know old Suze only owns one pair). I have seriously considered giving all of my other earrings away.

So, I reached out to the fantastic team at Kara Ross and told them I had to feature these in my gift guide. Lucky for all of you, they generously agreed to give away a pair!

KARA BY KARA ROSS AMMONITE OUTLINE HOOPS

I love that these have the same unexpected twist on a classic style and really wish I could win my own giveaways. Alas, one of you will be the lucky winner!

I'm doing this final giveaway a bit differently. It will run for a full week and I will announce the winner on Christmas Day! Plus, I'm letting you earn one big 10 point entry for subscribing to my weekly newsletter.

For those of you already subscribed, this will be an easy entry! For everyone else, I send an email every Saturday morning in which I share more personal reflections than I usually do on the blog, as well as a weekly round up of my favorite articles, music, books, or whatever that I've found that week.

Here's an example.

So, leave a comment below telling us your favorite piece of jewelry and then use the Rafflecoppter box to log all your entries!

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Gifts For The Home

Tis the season of gift guides! I like gift guides. I do. However, instead of searching out things to include in a gift guide I decided to sit back and let the gifts come to me. All year long I've been keeping careful tracks of the products that I absolutely loved, products that I couldn't stop talking about, products that I had to share with you!

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®

Remember my amazing bedroom makeover? It went from this...

To this!

And let me tell you the key to that transformation. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® - a decorative paint. Well, Sara Falder of Flower + Furbish and lots and lots of chalk paint®. Seriously, we chalk painted everything. The walls. The side tables. The hope chest. The dresser. I'm surprised we didn't chalk paint® the rug. 

Actually, we thought about it but we ran out of time.

This stuff is seriously amazing. No sanding. No priming. Just transformation. 

I cannot recommend it highly enough!

Shark Rocket Ultra Upright

There are two type of people in the world. People who would be thrilled to get a killer vacuum for Christmas and people who would be outraged. 

If you happen to be shopping for the former, may I recommend the Shark Rocket Ultra Upright. I'm not going to lie I was skeptical when they claimed it compared to a full size Dyson. I have a full size Dyson I LOVE and I couldn't imagine this tiny thing could compare.

Then, I turned it on.

Y'all, it literally pulled me across the room. This little baby has serious suction and is so easy to use. I also really like the Power I setting because it doesn't pull up my lighter throw rugs when I try to vacuum them. 

I find myself reaching for it over and over. The Dyson is getting a little lonely.

Sara Falder of Flower + Furbish is giving one lucky reader a copy of Annie Sloan's Colour Recipes for Painted Furniture and More! Leave a comment telling us what you would chalk paint and then use the Rafflecopter to wrack up more entries. 

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Gifts To Make You (or someone else) Look Cute

Tis the season of gift guides! I like gift guides. I do. However, instead of searching out things to include in a gift guide I decided to sit back and let the gifts come to me. All year long I've been keeping careful tracks of the products that I absolutely loved, products that I couldn't stop talking about, products that I had to share with you!

Zoubaby - Monogrammed Rain Boots

I first found these boots through a Salt & Nectar holiday giveaway. I could go on and on about how comfortable they are and how they do an excellent job of keeping me dry during rain, sleet, and snow. 

All of that is true.

However, the bigger reason I'm recommending them again is because they are so stinking cute. I'm not even a big monogram person but something about monogramming a rain boot speaks to me. 

And I must not be the only one because I do not leave the house in these boots - EVER - without a bare minimum of two people coming up and complimenting me on them. Usually, it's closer to 5 or 6. Seriously, I've considered carrying around cards with the website on them. 

That's how cute these boots are.

Jag Jeans

I hate shopping for pants - jeans in particular. HATE. I have a small waist and a hips and nothing, nothing, nothing fits right. I always end up with huge gaping holes in the waistband and pants I spend all day hiking up.

Enter Jag Jeans.

I just happened upon them during a Nordstrom online sale when the waistband caught my eye. I know it's a little crazy. I know it looks like a maternity waistband but how many times did you honestly think during pregnancy, "Why can't all pants fit like this?!?"

No more hiking up! No more gaping waistbands! 

Plus, they are super stretchy and comfortable and cute. Nice dark washes without glitter, excessive stitching, or holes in the knees. Not to mention, I wear them every day and they still look brand new after over a year. 

Best. Jeans. Ever.

Tell me your biggest wardrobe issue in the comments to be entered to win either a new pair of boots or a new pair of jeans! Use the Rafflecopter box to rack up more entires!

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Gifts For The Media Lover

Tis the season of gift guides! I like gift guides. I do. However, instead of searching out things to include in a gift guide I decided to sit back and let the gifts come to me. All year long I've been keeping careful tracks of the products that I absolutely loved, products that I couldn't stop talking about, products that I had to share with you!

Today I'm featuring (and giving away!) my favorite book and CD of the year. 

Natalie Maines, Mother

As a long time Dixie Chick fan, Natalie Maines's voice is one I know well. She was always the vocal powerhouse of the group and I loved to hear her sing whether the song was about love or revenge. In 2006, Nicholas and I saw the Chicks perform during the Accidents and Accusations tour. Natalie belting out "Not Ready to Make Nice" was the most powerful musical performance I have ever witnessed and I still get chills when I remember the emotion radiating from her voice. 

I was excited to hear of her solo project after several years of silence and even more excited when it was greeted with rave reviews. I'm not a rock critic so I'm not sure how much I can add to the discussion except to say this album is impeccable. Her voice and Ben Harper's production is fantastic and I listened to the entire thing on repeat for two solid months. 

The title track is my favorite.

Caitlin Moran, How to be a Woman

I know I'm like a year late for this bandwagon but I don't care! This was the funniest, smartest, most thought-provoking book I read all year. Also I have read this section aloud to basically every single one of my girlfriends:

[M]y tits are bust. And they— God bless them— know that. If they were a character in a film, they’d be the girl who falls over when they’re being chased by the Baddies and shouts, “Go on without me! I’ve had a good life!” My breasts wish the rest of me well, but they are just not going to make it.

I laughed so hard the first time I read this passage tea came out of my nose.

No, seriously. 

What's that? You want your own copy of this album and book. Well, ok... twist my arm!

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Gifts For Your Little One

This (very early) morning I was featured on The Local 6 Today morning show on WPSD sharing unique toy ideas for this holiday season. We all know the hot toys this season - rainbow loom anyone!?! - but I wanted to share some products from smaller toymakers who are truly passionate about kids and play.

For the preschool to early elementary set

Tegu

Ages 0-99

Magnetic blocks! Why didn't I think of that?!? I first saw Tegu at the ABC Kids Expo last year and they were one of the few booths filled with children (and adults) playing with their toys. Because the blocks are magnetic, imagination really is the only limit to what your child can build! And they don't have to stop with buildings either.

The blocks are fantastic but what I really love is the story behind the company. Founded by brothers Will and Chris Haughey, Tegu was created to support the local economy of the Honduran village where the wood is sourced and the toys are produced. Instead of just profit, these toys create a positive social impact!

Starter sets begin at $25.00 and the company is currently running several Christmas promotions.

Mini Micro 3in1 from Kickboard USA

Ages 1-5

With two boys close in age, I'm always looking for toys that can fit the needs of multiple ages which is why I LOVE the Mini Micro 3in1 from Kickboard USA. Start with the ride-on seat at age 1, moving to a stand-on scooter with short O-bar at age 2, and convert to the Mini Micro with TBar for ages 3 to 5!

Your child will be scooting like a pro without your garage filling up with discarded toys!

The 3in1 is $114.99 and available in pink or blue.

Begin Again Animal Parade A to Z Puzzle

Ages 3+

I absolutely love this company BeginAgain was founded on the ideas of Benjamin Barlowe, an early 20th century inventor from Fort Collins. He believed every child is a writer, inventor, sportster, and hero and the toys of BeginAgain seek to bring out each side of child through play. 

For the writer and inventor, there is the Animal Parade puzzle which requires problem-solving to make a vulture ride a unicorn AND helps your child learn their letters since each piece has the uppercase letter on one side and the lowercase on other. 

The Animal Parade puzzle is $40.

For the older elementary set

Squigz

Ages 3+

This new little creation from Fat Brain Toys has taken the toy scene by storm. It's simple. It's fun. It's for kids of all ages (and some adults from what I've heard!). These little suction cups stick to any smooth service AND stick to one another - which is where the fun comes in! 

I think they would be perfect for bathtub toys since they don't take on any water and wouldn't get all yucky. However, van windows or sliding glass doors or kitchen counters would work just as well. 

A starter is $24.95.

GoldieBlox and the Parade Float

Ages 4-9

GoldieBlox is a very cool company with a simple goal - get girls building! They are using story-telling and basic engineering tools to take back the princess aisle and get little girls interested in science, engineering, technology and math. 

The company was a Kickstarter darling and created quite a viral phenomenon with their video "Princess Machine". Each toy comes with a book and several DIY projects and all sets are compatible with one another.

GoldieBlox and the Parade Float is $19.99.

Marvel Science Spider-Man Web Creator Lab

Ages 6 and up

From Uncle Milton's Toys, the Marvel Science lab encourages your little superhero to channel all that energy into science! My boys are obsessed with all things comic book so I love the idea of less jumping and less "flying" and more science-based learning.

The Spider-Man Web Creator Lab allows them to make red and blue sticky webs, stretchy webs, web balls and web nets. There are also Iron Man labs and a Thor Energy Hammer.

The Spider-Man Web Creator Lab is #34.99.

Marvel Science Spider-Man Web Creator Lab

Ages 6 and up

From Uncle Milton's Toys, the Marvel Science lab encourages your little superhero to channel all that energy into science! My boys are obsessed with all things comic book so I love the idea of less jumping and less "flying" and more science-based learning.

The Spider-Man Web Creator Lab allows them to make red and blue sticky webs, stretchy webs, web balls and web nets. There are also Iron Man labs and a Thor Energy Hammer.

The Spider-Man Web Creator Lab is #34.99.

Perplexus

Ages 6 and up

This is "for your little one" only if you feel like sharing. I did not. Therefore, this toy actually belonged to me, until I solved it then (and only then) I decided to pass it along to my children. Lucky them, because this thing is FUN.

Remember the little ball mazes of your childhood? Where you had to roll the ball through the little flat plastic maze? Ok now take that multiply it by a million and pump it full of caffeine and you have the Perplexus! 

The ball maze is now 3D and incredibly challenging and will steal days of your life. Still, so much fun! There is the Perplexus Original, the Rookie, the Epic (I will best you one day Epic!), and the Twist. 

The Perplexus Original is $20.27 on Amazon.

Would you like to win some of these fantastic toys? Good! Leave a comment below telling me your favorite toy as a child and then rack up easy entries using the Rafflecopter box below! I'll draw a winner for each toy so there will be four chances to win!

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Gifts That Make You Better

Tis the season of gift guides! I like gift guides. I do. However, instead of searching out things to include in a gift guide I decided to sit back and let the gifts come to me. All year long I've been keeping careful tracks of the products that I absolutely loved, products that I couldn't stop talking about, products that I had to share with you!

Brain, Child: the magazine for thinking mothers

I first discovered Brain, Child through a group of writer friends. Everyone was listing publications they'd love to write for and this magazine came up over and over again. When I got my first issue, I understood why. 

Let's be honest, some parenting magazines feel more like a sales pitch then reading material. This product will save you time! Your kid will love this toy the best! Be the best mom you can be by buying x, y, and z!

However, you know and I know that parenting isn't about your purchasing power. Parenting is about so much more. The people at Brain, Child know that and issue after issue they prove it by producing well-written article that examine issues affecting parents everywhere in a real and meaningful way. 

Just imagine having a long, thoughtful conversation with your favorite group of mothers. 

It's that good.

Even better? I'm giving away a year subscription! To enter you can leave a comment telling me what's your favorite magazine and then earn extra entries through the Rafflecopter box!

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Manage Your Day-to-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus, & Sharpen Your Creative Mind

From the brilliant minds at 99U, this book rocked my world. 

The world has changed and the way we work has to change, too. With wisdom from 20 leading creative minds, Manage Your Day-to-Day will give you a toolkit for tackling the new challenges of a 24/7, always-on workplace.

There are a lot of people talking about how to work with distractions like email and social media always demanding attention. However, there aren't many people with something real to say and 99U just happened to find them. 

Every expert featured in the book goes out of the way to not only recommend advice but to explain why we do the things we do when it comes to email and Facebook and Twitter. 

Would you like to stop checking your email at every stop light? Would you like Facebook to enhance your life instead of distract from it? Would you like to focus on important tasks instead of just demanding one? 

Then, this book is for you AND I'm giving away a copy!

To enter leave a comment telling me your best tip to manage your day-to-day or earn extra entries through the Rafflecopter box!

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