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.

Jaymi, better known as The Flip Flop Mamma, rules. She’s a stay-at-home mom that spends several hours a day in her kitchen, concocting handmade lotions (seriously great smelling), body butters, (for babies and adults alike!), and glycerin soaps. She’s also got the best chai in the world, and lots of other great things! Check out her Etsy Store; Flip Flop Mamma’s Place.

Her customers love her products:

“This is the first cream/butter that has EVER worked on my son’s skin. He’s healing, and you have no idea what a big deal that is! His back has been a huge rash and bloody (from uncontrollable itching) for literally about 7-8 months.” - Arianne

“I have to say that your Chai Tea is absolutely by far the best I have ever had! I did not have time to make it this morning, as I have been every morning since I received it, so I stopped by Starbucks to pick one up. It didn’t even come close to yours. Normally I would drink mine hot, but since you mentioned you liked your iced that’s how I’ve been making mine. It is delicious! I will definitely be buying more of it… so please, keep it around.” -Season

“no lie - the best chai I have ever had”-Beck

“Sooooo delicious! We love it so much, will defently be back for more soon!”-Raimbow Tree

Read more about Jaymi here, and be sure to check out her personal blog! We’ll be talking more with Jaymi on our BlogTalkRadio show on Sunday, June 29th, at 10 PM CST! Come on and join us!

BusyBodyBook Personal and Family Organizers are just my most favorite thing, aside from my new BlackBerry Curve, of course. Though, sometimes an electronic device just isn’t enough for all that I have going on in my life. These planners are top notch. There is a ton of room for everything you need to keep track of inside of them. The planners come in two different formats; academic year (Aug. - Sept.) and yearly (Jan. - Dec.). The ‘08 planners are are also available in different designs; Dots, Stripes, Brown, and ZigZag. The Dots and Stripes designs are sold out but the 2008 Stripes and ZigZag designs are still available for 50% off. I can’t forget to mention the Fridge GRID Pad, an undated, 7-column magnetic pad that sticks to your fridge. I use mine religiously.

The new 2009 BusyBodyBook designs are SWEET and will be available this June for purchase. Take a peek at them here.

We have TWO of the SOLD OUT Brown BBB’s up for grabs for TWO winners during our First Anniversary Bash.

To enter the BBB giveaway:

Leave a comment on THIS post including the following information:

- First Name
- Email address (you can type it out like this: yourname at yahoo dot com)

Comment section is located at the BOTTOM of this post, just under the three little buttons (sk*rt this/vote for me/digg it). (For those of you who are receiving this post in your inbox or via RSS feed, you must visit this post on our site to leave your giveaway entry comment).

*The reason we want you to leave your name & email in the comment entry is so that we don’t have to hunt for your contact info. We’re sorry, but this is simply the easiest way for us to run over 10 contests in 1 week.

As all of our other anniversary contests, a winner will be drawn as of midnight on March 6th and announced on March 7th.

GOOD LUCK!

Want to know a secret? I have never planned a baby shower. I probably never will. I’m just not a good planner. I never give gifts on time, I’m always forgetting birthdays…that’s just how it is. I don’t think after 30+ years of being this way, that I will ever recover. However, I am sure that most of you out there are awesome hostesses and hosts and love throwing parties.

With the current “baby trend” I’ve been seeing (I know approximately 20 people personally that are having or have had babies since December & will continue through August!), I know this site will come in handy for those of you that aren’t like me.

Bliss Wedding Market has gazillions of wedding favors, and billions of baby shower favors! With about 100 items to choose from in the baby shower department alone, you’re sure to find something pleasing for any parents-to-be, and all of their friends. What I like about the gifts Bliss offers, is that a lot of them, you will be able to actually use.

I received several items from Bliss to review, and they were almost all useful outside of the shower environment, and unique in general (at least as far as what I’ve seen at showers). As someone who loves taking pictures, I think these picture coasters are a superb idea. I also like these little bottle candles. Cute for the shower, then take them home and your house will smell great! Who
couldn’t use a new candle? I know I always enjoy them, and these really do smell lovely! My favorite though, are the plant-able wild flower favors. These come in several different styles-bears, prams, and hearts. You actually plant the “bear”, etc.! What a cool reminder of your friends, family members, or your own new baby and the special day you celebrated with those who love you.

Right now, Bliss does not offer a Baby Shower planner, but they do offer a quite extensive on-line Wedding Planner. Take a look, or tell a friend getting hitched! Next time you’re stuck in a shower planning rut, check out Bliss Wedding Market and get some fun and versatile ideas for party favors!

We’re nearing the end of 2007 and it’s time to think about getting your planner ready for the new year. Time to log all of those birthdays and anniversaries and plan out academic events and appointments. Look no further than the BusyBodyBook from About Your Time, LLC. The BBB’s are becoming HUGELY popular because of their spacious grid-like pages that let you log any information you so desire.

Pick from four different styles and two different time frames: academic year ‘07-’08 or Jan. ‘08 - Dec. ‘08 and retail for $16.95 each.

WIN IT!

We’re giving away one BusyBodyBook to a lucky MTW reader. Email us at mumsthewurd[at]gmail[dot]com and give us an idea of how you would use this phenomenal planner.

A winner will be chosen on Monday, December 4th at 10PM.

***Did you know? We have FOUR BusyBodyBooks up for grabs in our Holiday Blog Hunt contest. Make sure you enter for you chance to win there too! There are over $6,000 in prizes!

If you’re searching for that perfect announcement, invitation or photo holiday card, look no further. Belly Bean Designs offers sophisticated, professional quality photo cards so you can share your news in style.

Year after year, I am in the market for that unique holiday card that will have my family and friends oohing and ahhing. I’m pleased to know about Belly Bean Designs and will definitely consider them the next time I need to send out a special message.

Belly Bean Designs offers card choices using photo paper, matte or metallic (gorgeous!) or card stock (several different choices in this style). They also offer mounted announcements that are every bit as delicate-looking as your newborn.

Belly Bean Designs is offering MTW readers a 10% discount at their site when you use the code, “BBDtake10” at checkout.

Cards are so 1992. I used to love buying and sending cards for special occasions, or just to say “Hi!” to friends, but these days…well, I hate to say it, but the internet’s just made it too easy not to send a card. Now, if I have to buy one, I cringe at the thought of spending my hard earned cash, only to know that the card will be tossed the second the party’s over and I’m out the door. Wouldn’t you love to know that when you send an invitation, the person receiving it might actually keep it? That’s exactly what they’ll do, when they receive something from Keepsake Concepts.

If you’re like me, you’re going to be attending about a million baby showers this year. When you receive your invitation, wouldn’t you love it if this is what you got? These one-of-a-kind announcements come complete with the mini-outfit, hung on a tiny hanger, a little message tag with the details of the event, clipped to the outfit with a tiny hanger! Isn’t it just too sweet? Oh, and speaking of sweet-each Couture Keepsake comes with a little bag of white Jordan almonds! Yummy!

Couture Keepsakes come in boy and girl styles, as well as wedding concepts (with custom styles available in all three too!). At first, I did balk at the prices ($5.50-$6.50 with a minimum of 10 per order). Then I remembered what I have paid for my own invitations. These are definitely comparable, if not cheaper, and they’re way cooler and they won’t go right into the trash can of the recipient! They can also serve as keepsakes for showers and weddings as well. If Gwyneth, Marcia, and Eva like them, then well, you know they’ve gotta be swell!

School, daycare, camp, sleep-overs…all places for your child to lose something! Well, don’t live in fear of misplaced items again! Get your kids some Mabel’s Labels! Mabel has her Famous Sticky Labels (dishwasher and microwave safe!), Clothing Labels, Bag Tags, and more to choose from!

Guess what? The first person to email themums@mumsthewurd.com with the correct answer to the question: What city and province are Mabel’s Labels located in? Will win a gift certificate for your own set of sticky labels!

***UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS TO LARA WELLMAN of Gliding Through Motherhood! SHE WAS THE FIRST PERSON TO EMAIL US WITH THE CORRECT INFORMATION. MABEL’S LABELS ARE LOCATED IN HAMILTON, ON. CONGRATS, LARA!***

Don’t forget about these contests we’ve got going on too:
XY Factory (ends July 12th!)
Dillyhearts Tooth Fairy Pillow (ends July 14th!)
and Little Showoffs (ends July 15th!)

We’ll be coming at ya soon with reviews from these fine places too!
Slick Sugar
Siente CD
Mother-Ease Cloth Diapers
Supermomz (and a give-away!)
Il Cocco di Mama (and a give-away!)
Betty and Dean (and a give-away!)
Rockasaurus Rex

Stay Tuned for BIG FUN!!!

My BusyBodyBook organizer is the greatest thing since Fruity Cheerios (& if you aren’t fond of Fruity Cheerios, [insert greatest thing here])!  Here is me: Mom of a toddler, CEO of the household, avid blogger, amateur photographer, part-time barista & member of two active mom’s groups among other things.  Just try and tell me I don’t need THIS organizer!

The BusyBodyBook organizer, in my opinion, stands out from all the rest. The organizer’s set up is very spacious and pleasing to the eye. Aside from the basics such as, a section for birthdays and anniversaries and months at a glance, it has grid-like pages showing seven days and FIVE columns. The best feature of the book is that the columns are left BLANK, not to mention the “To Doodles”, “Notes” and perforated “To Do” section (take breath here). You can tailor the book to yours and your family’s needs. I am also planning on investing in the BusyBodyBook’s Weekly Fridge GRID Pad. The fridge pad has SEVEN columns, as opposed to the organizer’s five. Plenty-o-room for keeping track of all family events on an 11 x 8.5 magnetic pad. Guess what, weight watchers…you could track what you eat and drink during the day! It will be right there in front of you. Oh yes, you can use this fridge pad and organizer to track ANYTHING.

The organizer comes in two different versions: the academic year (Aug. through Sept.) or calendar year (Jan. through Dec.) Each version is available in two stylish covers. I have the academic BBB, perfect for moms with school-age children (or college students). It will still work just as well for my busy body self. Check it out, students can use the BBB for school subjects, the employed can use it for work projects, the average Joe can use it for personal goals. Those are just a few of the many ways you can utilize this
organizer.

Seriously, people. You NEED this book! Guess what? We’re giving away FOUR of the BusyBodyBook organizers! Aren’t you LUCKY?

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Here are the giveaway specifics: Sign Mr. Linky below (because that’s how we choose our winners) and then GET CREATIVE. Leave us a comment (comment link is below Mr. Linky) telling us how YOU plan to use YOUR BusyBodyBook organizer (if you can’t figure out the comments, EMAIL us.) Oh and of course we’d love for you to link to our contest from your blog or website as well! Our motto is: “The more, the merrier!” The BBB contest will run until Saturday, June 30th at midnight, with the winner being announced the morning of July 1st (check our “Contests” section for the winners).

*If you’d like to just order yourself a BusyBodyBook organizer or fridge pad, click HERE.

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