With so many children’s clothing shops popping up everywhere, it is beginning to be a lot easier to find that out-of-the-ordinary look for your little babes and tots.

I have a great couture find that is not only beautiful but very cost savvy as well.  Check out these adorable beanie hats and flop hats for infants and toddlers available at Bean Sprout Babies.  The large over sized flowers are adorned with Swarovski crystals that add shine and shimmer making them the perfect accessory to any outfit.

There are many ... Read More »]]> What could be more adorable than seeing a child dressed up in couture style?

With so many children’s clothing shops popping up everywhere, it is beginning to be a lot easier to find that out-of-the-ordinary look for your little babes and tots.

I have a great couture find that is not only beautiful but very cost savvy as well.  Check out these adorable beanie hats and flop hats for infants and toddlers available at Bean Sprout Babies.  The large over sized flowers are adorned with Swarovski crystals that add shine and shimmer making them the perfect accessory to any outfit.

There are many styles available and they will be adding a Fall and Winter line next week.

Visit Bean Sprout Babies to get your favorite hat today.

We start by gathering all the gourds and pumpkins we need for everyone to participate and line them up on long tables in the backyard.  The younger children enjoy scooping out the insides of the pumpkin and saving the seeds to roast ... Read More »]]>

One of my favorite times of the year is Autumn and all of the colors, fun and activities that it brings.  My family always celebrates this time of year with one activity in particular…a pumpkin carving party!  The kids love it just as much as the adults and it is a wonderful way to spend time outdoors with everyone.

We start by gathering all the gourds and pumpkins we need for everyone to participate and line them up on long tables in the backyard.  The younger children enjoy scooping out the insides of the pumpkin and saving the seeds to roast for later.  We each use our imaginations to make funny faces and designs on our pumpkins as well as using the gourds to make whole pumpkin projects to display.

By the time we get our pumpkins carved it is usually getting dark out and we add the candles to them and light them up.  We sit by the fire, roast marshmallows and enjoy looking at our pumpkin creations.

Want to have a pumpkin carving party with your family?  Here are the things you will need.

Pumpkins and gourds
Carving knife
Potato peeler
Garbage bag for scraps
Tables to carve on
Tea candles
Lighter
Marshmallows for roasting
A safely built fire away from trees and bushes

I have included some pictures for ideas and you can also find carving patterns on the internet.  Check them out!

Enjoy your Pumpkin carving party and family time this fall!!

I just can’t believe how cute their products are.  They carry everything from socks to bedding and it is all mismatched.  So many colors and styles, and they have them available for everyone from babies to adults.

What a fantastic gift idea for that wild and crazy kid or that kooky hard to buy for friend that seems to have everything.  You just can’t go wrong with Little Miss Match.

Check out their colorful products here www.littlemissmatch.com

This first activity is so much fun to create.  Even I like to play with glue, glitter and sequins!

Wave Bottle 

The supplies you will need are:

Clean, empty 16 oz. soda bottle with capWaterFood ColoringGlitter, Sequins, or beadsBaby OilQuick Bonding Glue

Fill the clean soda bottle with water to about one-third full.  Add a few drops of food coloring and glitter, sequins, or beads (optional), then fill the rest of the ... Read More »]]> Since my last post on Busy Toddler Activities, readers have let me know how much they enjoy the activities. I thought I would share some more of them with you. 

This first activity is so much fun to create.  Even I like to play with glue, glitter and sequins!

Wave Bottle 

The supplies you will need are:

Clean, empty 16 oz. soda bottle with cap
Water
Food Coloring
Glitter, Sequins, or beads
Baby Oil
Quick Bonding Glue

Fill the clean soda bottle with water to about one-third full.  Add a few drops of food coloring and glitter, sequins, or beads (optional), then fill the rest of the bottle with baby oil.  Glue the cap securely onto the bottle by applying the glue to the inside of the cap and screwing it on.  Your child will enjoy gently shaking the bottle to produce beautiful waves.

Now this next activity is my favorite.  I use to make these when I was younger for Christmas and had so much fun.  I know you will love it just as much as your kids do, especially if you like play dough.

Homemade Dough Ornaments

Supplies you will need:

4 cups Plain Flour
1 cup salt
1 ½ cups hot water from tap
waxed or parchment paper
Non Toxic Acrylic Paint
Paint Brushes
Acrylic Sealer (adult supervision)

Pour hot water and salt into a large bowl and stir for 1 minute. Add flour and stir until the water is absorbed. Turn dough onto table and knead for a few minutes until pliable.
Store in a plastic Ziploc bag to keep it from drying out.

You are now ready to make dough ornaments.

Use the parchment paper to roll out dough and make your ornaments. When you are finished with them, place them on a baking sheet and bake them for 1-4 hours at 325 degrees.  Thinner projects take less time.   Once your ornaments are cooled, they are ready to paint and decorate as desired.

These really are a great way to keep your child’s artwork for years.  My mom still has all of my sisters and mine.  20 years later she still hangs them on her Christmas tree every year.

If you use the dough art idea I would love to see your child’s creations.  We may even post them here on our blog for all to see.

Just email them to me at carrie@chicgalleria.com

The TUMMY HONEY 3-PACK is unlike any other stretch mark product, as it includes both prevention and fading solutions packaged as gift Mothers love! A key concern for new or repeat mothers ... Read More »]]> Bella B body care has a fabulous line of products for the expectant and new Mom. The TUMMY HONEY 3-PACK makes a great baby shower gift for the mother (mom’s need stuff too!). It typically lasts a total of 3-4 months, making it a great value for the money. It includes one each Tummy Honey Butter (prevention), Cream (fading) and Stick (easy-apply prevention) in a cute gingham-lined zipper bag.

The TUMMY HONEY 3-PACK is unlike any other stretch mark product, as it includes both prevention and fading solutions packaged as gift Mothers love! A key concern for new or repeat mothers is stretch marks! This tasteful product addresses both prevention and fading based on all natural formulations. Of course genetics are important. However, keeping the skin truly elastic during the growth phase dramatically reduces the chance of getting stretch marks.

All Tummy Honey Products also include anti-itch ingredients to help soothe those itchy growing tummies! Tummy Honey products are 100% guaranteed for satisfaction or your money back. All Tummy Honey products are hypoallergenic, contain no petroleum or lanolin (i.e. wool grease), include anti-itch ingredients, and include the following common ingredients: Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Wheat Germ Oil, Aloe Vera, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and Vitamin E and much more!  See individual product information for more detail.

You can find these products on sale at www.beansproutbabies.com.