MumsTheWurdUnique finds for hip parents and cool kids

I love browsing online photo card specialty shoppes.  I have an obsession with graphic design, patterns and colors, so this browsing hobby comes as no surprise.

I was recently introduced to Moon and Back Studios; an online photo card, calendar, invitation - you name it - digital imaging design studio.  Owner Myra Cherchio and I have a lot in common, from what I can see.  She uses colors that pop and modern designs and that’s what makes me hang around on her site for so long.

You can place your custom order online, right from Moon and Back Studios.  They have a fairly quick turnaround time, generally 3-5 days after your order is placed.  They have a fair and smooth process which makes customizing and shopping with them a breeze and are competitively priced.  Remember, the holidays are just around the corner, so if you are planning on using a service like Moon and Back Studios for your photo greeting card, be sure to leave yourself enough time for processing and shipment of your cards.

I generally do no print out my digital photos. Reason being, I take A LOT…of digital photos. It’s very hard for me to choose which ones to print when I have five of the same shot. Besides, I took a break from real scrapbooking when I realized all of the cool things you can do with digital photos online or just with programs on your computer.

I broke down and took a disc of pictures to my local Meijer yesterday to take a stab at an photo creation. I’ve been eying up the HP Photo Center kiosks (photo on left) there for some time and never really thought about taking the time to make something.

I can say now that I’m glad I did and I will definitely continue making more. The process was painless and fortunately, there was a store employee there to guide me through, in case I needed help. If you decide to try out this neat way of making photo gifts, here are my recommendations:

• Before you go to the store, organize your pictures. My project consisted of about 100 photos and I could have saved time doing this before-hand. For instance, if you’re going to create a photo book, arrange your photos on your computer at home. Give the pictures filenames that will ensure they stay in a specific order. Choose only the photos you want to include in your photo book.
• Save your photos to a disc or memory card. The HP kiosks accept CDs, multiple size memory cards and USB drives.

Your pictures will be loaded onto the kiosk at the store (they will be deleted after you finish your project). Chose your photo creation. Pick from calendars, photo books, mouse pads, mugs, etc. Some creations are ready within an hour and some take more time. I felt that the prices were really reasonable too. I create a personal calendar for my mom every year with photos that I take. Next year’s calendar will be created at Meijer using the HP Photo Center kiosk.

If you’re interested in learning more, you can check out this HP Photo Services Demo.

Find a location by clicking HERE. Hopefully there is one near you!

For a limited time, if you buy a 16×20 poster, you get one free! Click HERE for the coupon. I think this promotion ends on May 31st…so there isn’t much time left.

Leave us a comment and let us know if you’ve tried out the HP Photo Center kiosk and what project you created. We’d love to hear about it!

*In case you’re wondering…I’m really digging HP products right now! I’ve had my HP Pavilion dv6707 laptop for about three months and I LOVE it!

I do not own any fancy-schmancy wall art. As a matter of fact, it took my husband and I a little over three years after moving into our home to finally settle on some framed art for above our couch. We’re a slight bit picky in the art department.

Now that I’m fortunate enough to be put in touch with some companies who make and sell unique art, it’s nice to have the ability to browse around their websites and take my pick without leaving my house. I’m talking about the company, “A is for art“. They have some cute and whimsical artwork available from cats with gumball machines on their heads (my favorite!) to ostrich’s with a slice of cantaloupe, an olive and cherries on their heads. These are images that are fun and can boost your child’s imagination.

Next time you’re in the market for some funky and colorful art, head over to A is for Art and take a look around.

At Chocolate Cake Club, you will find an assortment of gifts for babies to big kids. Unfortunately, they don’t have the chocolate cake but they can provide you with a lot of “chocolate cake moments”. Just ask Sue, the mom/wife/entrepreneur behind Chocolate Cake Club. Their online store provides a fun shopping experience. Gifts are sorted by need, age and type. From keeping mom organized to fun activities to bring on the road, you’re sure to find something at Chocolate Cake Club for that special little someone.

If you’re starting your holiday shopping, I highly recommend clicking over to CCC’s online store. One of my favorite features of the site is when you click on an item to view the details, you will see a “Why we love it” section below the description. “Why we love it” is a first hand review by the boutique’s owners. They also give suggestions for great gift idea themes.

A definite consideration for “mommy’s little helper” would be the Playful Chefs Kids Cooking Kit. An ideal gift for this cookie-baking season. The miniature cooking tools come neatly packaged in this handy clear backpack, ready to ship right along with the future chef to the grandparent’s house. In the kit, you’ll find an apron with pockets for all ten of her new cooking tools and five fun recipes to try out with an adult.

My toddler is getting more into the “helping” stage and this cooking kit couldn’t have arrived at a better time. I’m really looking forward to using it with her and letting her experience the joy of cooking. Something that I never really became too accustomed to. : )

Did you know that Chocolate Cake Club is a part of our Holiday Scavenger Blog Hunt Party? They are giving away a $25 gift certificate to their online store! Go enter for your chance to win this prize or one of the many other fantastic prizes that we’re giving away!

Chocolate Cake Club is a client of BelleRinger PR

The name “Madallie” is derived from the names “Madison” and “Allie”, the two youngsters of Madallie shop owners, Suzanne and Mellanie. These two ladies created Madallie, a children’s travel store for their need of keeping their kids preoccupied while on the road. As a mother of a toddler, I too understand that “need”. Traveling 600 miles with a little one is no picnic, unless they have something to do in the backseat.

At Madallie, you will find a large assortment of travel items for big and small kids. You should definitely make time to browse their shop before your next big trip!

Here is Hailey, doodling on her oil cloth chalk mat. She has loads of fun with this mat and it’s a perfect travel-size item.

Madallie also carries these washable scented markers that go hand-in-hand with the Turtle Imagination Mat. The Imagination Mats have colorful images on one side and an easy-to-clean white canvas on the opposite. What is great about these mats is that they have so many uses. When you stop at that travel plaza, use the mats as place mats for your little one.

Why go out and buy an expensive portable DVD player when you can find an assortment of reasonably-priced travel items at Madallie.com? These items will keep your child entertained for hours and most importantly, encourage them to use their imagination and artistic skills anywhere they are. We hope that you’ll visit Madallie today!

When Noel was born, I was given a swaddling blanket from Stamped and Stitched. The friend who gave it to me was also the wise Sensei that turned me on to swaddling in the first place. Well, honestly, we didn’t use this blanket for much swaddling because of the Miracle Blanket.