My Little Model + {Gymboree Giveaway}

As I have mentioned before, my 5-year old daughter is quite the character.  She is also quite the ham.

Here are a couple more videos of her modeling the adorable clothes she picked out at Gymboree.



Don't forget...a $75 gift certificate to Gymboree is up for grabs right now. Enter to win here.




Posted by Leslie

Super Cute DIY T-Shirts for Your Little Pumpkins

I love any chance to dress my girls up, especially if there is a photo opportunity involved.  This week we were excited about the seasonal opening of our local pumpkin farm. We've already been once this week wearing pumpkin tutus and on a last minute whim we decided to go again. Late the night before, I was searching their closet for something to wear. I came up with jeans and white t-shirt. I ran to Michaels, after putting the girls to bed, trying to find something cute to iron on the tees. Everything iron-on wasn't cutesy enough for my little ones so I browsed around the store looking for other options.

I picked up some great scrapbooking stickers that looked like patches that I thought would work, and then ran through the dollar section and found the perfect rhinestone stickers. For $1.50 it was just the right size and just enough sparkle to show up in pictures. I put them on the shirts the morning of and they lasted all day at the farm. Now I'll use the stickers in their scrapbook. I can't wait to go back and pick up the other shapes and styles they have. I plan on putting the adorable red apple sticker on the same shirt for our trip to Apple Hill. What a great and inexpensive way to DIY your own holiday tees.

{I purchased the t-shirt on sale from Old Navy for $5. My mom picked up a similar version at Wal-Mart for $3 and Kohl's currently has solid tees for Halloween. Check out our Facebook page for the 25% off friends and family coupon for Michaels.}


Posted by Liz

The Bella Bambino Brings Couture to the Sandbox {+ Giveaway!}

Earlier this month, my 3-year daughter was delighted to be asked to be in her uncle and aunt-to-be's wedding next June. She was over-the-moon excited to hear the news and I was excited to find her the most darling little dress to wear for the occasion.


As luck would have it, after finding out this exciting news, Paper and Cake opened my eyes to The Bella Bambino.  Seriously, this site has such darling clothing.  And you know what this mom likes...it's affordable!


I instantly liked The Bella Bambino on Facebook, and you will never believe what happened?  I won a $50 e-gift certificate!  And that's just for being the 200th "like" on Facebook.  Come to find out, The Bella Bambino gives a $50 e-gift certificate to every 50th "like" (200, 250, 300, etc.) on Facebook.

But wait, there's more.  All of the clothing from The Bella Bambino is handmade in either Los Angeles, Chicago, or New York.  Made in the USA - that is unheard of in this day and age.  And guess what, I love it!


Then there is the story behind the founder of The Bella Bambino, Audrey.  The first sentence of the About Us page on the website reads, "Everything I learned in life, I learned from Miss Piggy."  I don't know about you, but I grew up loving Miss Piggy and Smurfette, so I thought it was quite endearing to hear this from her.


Audrey also told me, "My mother saved so many of my pieces growing up in a large cedar chest that she gave me when I was older. When the new wave of nieces and nephews and my godchildren flooded my life a few years ago- I noticed the market lacked classic, timeless pieces that could be passed down and still be fashionable like the ones my mom saved for me. The market was filled with itchy import overpriced dresses. I wanted to be the opposite- I created and modeled my store after what I would want: quality fabrics, age appropriate/ fashionable/ timeless designs, and affordable price points. I specialize in one niche area: Special Occasion wear for children from newborn to pre-teen (and plus sizes)."

Audrey is also an advisory board member for Catholic Charities Los Angeles- the San Pedro Region so The Bella Bambino donates 3% of all sales to CCLA for underprivileged and homeless children’s clothing in addition to granting wishes for Wish Upon A Wedding- LA/OC. 

While The Bella Bambino is primarily an online store, they do have a showroom in Downtown Los Angeles and one coming in early 2012 to NYC.  (Both by appointment only.)  Ground shipping is free to anywhere in the U.S., and returns or exchanges to unworn items with tags still attached are accepted for 30 days after purchase.  

After looking at the selection of dresses, I am not sure which one I will choose for my daughter.  But I do know that it will be adorable and well-made.   They even have 5-piece suits for boys priced at $48.50.  Unless my son has to wear a tux, it looks like he will be getting his wedding couture from The Bella Bambino as well!
 

1.  Adorable clothing
2. Affordable prices
3. Made in the USA 
4. Free Shipping
5. Customer Service 

What more could you ask for? 

A Giveaway, that's what!



(1) lucky Houses, Couches and Babies' reader will receive a $75 gift certificate to The Bella Bambino!


To enter, please leave a separate comment for each entry option:

• Comment and tell me your name, location, and your favorite item from
  The Bella Bambino - 1 Entry
• Subscribe to Houses, Couches and Babies email updates - 1 Entry
• Follow Houses, Couches and Babies via Networked Blogs - 1 Entry
• Like Houses, Couches and Babies on Facebook - 1 Entry
• Like The Bella Bambino on Facebook - 1 Entry (and remember, every 50th "like" gets a $50 e-gift certificate!)
  
• Follow @HousesCouches on Twitter - 1 Entry
• Follow @thebellabambino on Twitter - 1 Entry
• Tweet "Enter to win a #$75 gift certificate for @thebellabambino on @HousesCouches! http://fb.me/va3wbwQy"
   - 1 Entry

This giveaway runs through 11/8/11 at 11pm PST. 


The winner will be selected at random and posted on Houses, Couches and Babies (blog, Facebook, and Twitter) shortly after the giveaway ends, so please check back to see if you are a winner!


Good Luck!

Tea Collection - I Love Their Fall Line

I must say, I am falling in love all over again with Tea Collection children's clothing. Last spring I bought my daughter the most adorable dresses with matching leggings that she still wants to wear now, even though they are not weather appropriate at all.

So I decided to check out the fall line and there are some adorable items for girls and boys. I adore the drop waisted dress on little girls. (I so wish I could pull off the same look, but it doesn't work as well for this old lady!)

Here is Lauren rockin' the Zagreb Floral Drop Waist dress ($28) with the matching leggings in Prune ($19). And here is something great about the Tea Collection. I also got my daughter the Zizi Banded dress ($28) that conveniently matches the leggings from her spring dresses.

Mixing and matching seasonal clothes...how fabulous!

One thing I did learn since the last time I bought Tea clothing - they have started to pre-shrink items. What a relief. Some of my daughter's dresses from my last order seemed to get shorter much faster than she was growing. Although, according to someone in the ordering department, that shrinking issue has been resolved. However, they do recommend that many of the items, like girls' dresses, that you just hang dry. These days, I hang dry most of my daughter's dresses anyway!

Be sure to check out TeaCollection.com for all their latest styles and items on sale, too!

Pockets of Dreams Surprise Giveaway Winner

Thank you to everyone that entered the Pockets of Dreams giveaway. Pockets of Dreams is truly a great company with a great mission and great products.

Now, on to the lucky winner. Congratulations, Kimberly from Milwaukee, WI, you have won the $50 Pockets of Dreams gift certificate. Kimberly, please contact us at info@housescouchesandbabies.com to redeem your prize.

And don't forget, Pockets of Dreams is still offering a 10% to Houses, Couches and Babies' readers with the promo code HCB10. Hurry, the promo code is only good through September 10.

SURPRISE GIVEAWAY: Pockets of Dreams Clothing Gift Certificate

Earlier this spring, my mom bought my daughter the most darling dress(as pictured above with her beautiful aunt!) , that she continually gets compliments on. Along with the dress came an adorable tag and information piece that only took me a few months to actually examine and realize that my mom had purchased much more than a dress. The tag was something very similar to what you see below:

Talk about stopping me in my tracks!

This led me to do more research about Pockets of Dreams, the company that my mom bought this dress from, but more importantly, the company that is helping women around the world that they don't even know.

Here are some interesting things that I found out about Pockets of Dreams:

• Profits go to help women and children in struggling economies, including the Philippines and Tanzania.
• For many of their seamstresses, sewing is the sole source of income for their families.
• Pockets of Dreams is owned and operated by four women with families and jobs and a heart for the poor. (see http://susansagun.blogspot.com/2010/06/give-it-up-you-cant-make.html)
• Clothing is of high quality with adjustable straps, serged edges and completely machine washable
• Purses and totes are of high quality, durable materials that will stand up to daily use.
• Matching purses are available for all little girl outfits.
• Mother/daughter aprons are available as a set or sold individually, while supplies last.

Having said all that, the wonderful founders of Pockets of Dreams are generously offering (1) lucky HC&B reader a $50 gift certificate! (That certainly will come in handy for back to school shopping or a birthday gift!)

Here's how to enter:

• Check out the Pockets of Dreams website and post a comment right here letting us know what item you like best
• Be sure to include your name and location (city/state)
• Please post your comment by Friday, September 3rd at 11:59 PST
• Become a Follower of Houses, Couches and Babies to receive an additional entry (those that are already followers automatically receive an additional entry)
• For a third entry, "like" Houses, Couches and Babies on Facebook (again, if you already like HC&B on Facebook, you will automatically receive the third entry)

The winner will be randomly selected shortly after September 3. Please check back to see if you have won, as winners will not be contacted.

If you want to buy something from Pockets of Dreams now, please be sure to use the promo code HCB10 to receive 10% off your purchase between August 27 and September 10.

Good luck!

Surprise Giveaway: $100 Gift Certificate for Kids' Clothes From Tea Collection

Last week I came across some of the cutest kids clothes from a company called Tea. The clothes are referred to as the Tea Collection and the designers have travelled the world picking places of inspiration for their seasonal clothing lines.

This spring, the inspiration is Korea, and I have to tell you I love so many of the items for both girls and boys. Many of the clothes have a variety of matching pieces, and you can even buy them in sets (a great way to go to save some dough!).

But don't just take my word for it, check out there clothes for yourself. And thanks to the wonderful people at Tea, (1) lucky HC&B reader will win $100 gift certificate for the Tea Collection. Here's how to enter:

• Visit the Tea Collection website and pick an item (or outfit) that you would love to have
• Post a comment here including your name, location (city, state) and your favorite Tea Collection clothing item
• Please post your comment by 11:59 p.m. PST on Sunday, February 28
• For an extra entry, become a follower of Houses, Couches, and Babies (those of you that are already followers, will get an additional entry)

The winner will be announced shortly after February 28, so please keep checking back to see if you are the winner.

Good luck and happy shopping!

(shown above: Hahoe Plaid Shorts, Bulguksa Print Shirt, Paeja Vest, and Circle Geo Banded Dress)

30% Discount at Banana Republic, Gap and Old Navy

These three fabulous companies are offering a friends and family discount, and I want to pass it on to you. From March 12 through 15, you can save 30% off your entire purchase at Banana Republic, Gap and Old Navy.

Click here to get the bar code that you will simply print out and bring in-store.

Oh, and 5% of what you spend will be donated to Feeding America. Saving money and someone else donating on your behalf...what could be better?

Happy Shopping!

Saucy Little Onesies

With the new baby's arrival in 16 days (or less! Oh please God, let it be less!), I suddenly started thinking about clothes for this child. Sure, since we don't know what we are having, we have plenty of unisex clothing to get by. And since I still can't think about boy or girl clothes yet, I found in Pregnancy & Newborn magazine some cute (and funny) onesie ideas...that can work for a boy or girl!

Here are just a few:

"Poo Factory" (comficozy.com, $25)

"I drink until I pass out" (cafepress.com, $12.99)

"Mommy & Daddy + Martini = Me" (psychobabyonline.com, $28)

You can find these and many other cute onesies and t-shirts on their respective websites. Of course, these are always cute gift ideas, too!

Adorable Holiday Clothing for the Kids

How cute is this Camo Cord Blazer?



Or this velvet blazer black?

The Children's Place has released some of their super cute holiday gear and I can't wait for my son to get studded out in one of these blazers. And if you have a little girl, these glittered mary janes garnet for infants ($10.50).


Save an extra 15% by using the online code HMF97.