Reduce, Eco-use, Recycle

I've been coveting oh-so-stylish Sigg bottles for some time now but haven't had the stomach to drop 20 bucks on a water bottle. Aren't I glad I didn't splurge because I recently stumbled upon a similar product that retails for half the price of Siggs, ecowaterbottles

Ecousable's Ecowaterbottles come in fashionable designs and colors. My favorite is Purple. I also like that they offer what they call Water Wrapz to enhance the design and comfort of the bottles. The Flower Power design pretty cute. Some of them look a little juvenile, but there are gems to be had.  

Asthetics aside, ecowaterbottles are reusable, making them an Earth-friendly choice. Its interior is tasteless, non-leaching, and toxin free. Recyclable themselves, the bottles are made of lightweight, stainless steel, perfect for busy moms on the go. 

Best part of all is the price - just $9.99 per bottle. 

Jet Setter

We have not dared take Olivia on a plane. I've been on too many a trip when an infant screams Bloody Mary from wheels up to wheels down and do not want to be responsible for putting trapped passengers through that torture. However, that does not mean I can't plan for the trips we will eventually take by buying some chic kids luggage.

Busquets is a nearly 100-year-old company from Spain that offers stylish rolling duffel bags for tots. Available in several colors and designs for $119 at Little Jet Set, the suitcases are perfectly sized for little hands. Matching accessories are also available such as the toiletry bag complete with toothbrush holder and brush for $37.95.

Busquets products are giving me the itch to book a trip... Now where too?..

Sprout a New Web Site to Bookmark

I recently stumbled upon Sprout Child, a cool boutique out of Royal Oak, MI. They have a great line up of children's clothes brands. Founders Amy and Lauren have been best friends for many years, and always dreamt of opening a "cool, funky kids boutique." CMM thinks they've succeeded.

Hard to believe fall clothes are starting to arrive at retail as summer is just getting underway, but Sprout Child has fab new fall fashions from Cotton Caboodle, Flowers by Zoe, and Baby Bean among other labels. My credit card is having hot flashes as I sit here and plot my next purchase. I want the red and yellow floral Baby Bean dress ($64... for a special occasion, okay!), Flowers by Zoe alphabet long sleeved tee ($40... don't judge... you'll want it too when you click the link), and Hi Ho Batik pants with heart design ($34... if you divide the number of times she'll wear by the total cost it's practically free!). 

If you can't stand a splurge and are okay on last year's fashions, check out their fall/winter 07/08 clearance. You'll get 30% at checkout by entering the code SCWS30. 

Raga Mama

Sometimes a simple toy is all a baby needs. Let me rephrase: simple and stylish. Parents can easily get wrapped up in the bells and whistles of toys available in today's busy marketplace (I'm guilty as charged!), they forget that a ball does the trick to pass a few minutes of a baby's day. 

Enter Little Poppy Shop, a new adorable shop on Etsy that sells super stylish rag balls. Ever since the sample came in the mail, my daughter hasn't stopped playing with it. Hand sewn with beautifully patterned fabrics (not too matchy-matchy making it uber hip), it is filled with soft cotton and has a bell in the center for a rattle effect. The balls are bigger than they look in the pictures. I'd say one is about as big as my one-year-old's head.

The ball's packaging is as nice as the product itself; it comes wrapped in netting tied with a complimentary bow. I can't wait to give this as gifts for upcoming baby showers! Product retails for $12. 

Do Some Good While You Shoe Shop

Now through June 15, Pediped will donate 50% of the sale price on select sale styles to Make-a-Wish foundation. Pediped is an outstanding shoe brand for pre-walkers and walkers. They're sturdy enough to wear outdoors but flexible enough for developing feet. 

I bought Olivia the Lola metallic pink shoes, and we love them. She likes how the light catches the shinny finish and is obsessed with the velcro - easily amused that child is. They normally retail for $30 but are on sale for $20.

If I had a boy, I would order Liam orange/brown - so hip. And I'm thinking about ordering another pair for Olivia - probably the Madeline chocolate brown/pink. 

Hurry. Supplies are limited and time is running out! Order today.

Modern June

Being a hip housewife is an art. I'm hardly a traditional housewife bringing home more than half the bacon (sorry, honey, but it's true). When I am in domestic mode, I want to do it in style - like any other cool midwest mom. 

Modern June's Splat Mat makes a trendy addition to your tot's tabletop. Made from retro-pattern oilcloth, Splat Mats are versatile to solve many a messy woe modern moms endure. Cringe when you're kid eats off the restaurant table? Take a Splat Mat and put your mind at ease. Hate scraping art projects from the crevices of your kitchen table? Put down the Deluxe Splat Mat and voila! The best part of Splat Mats is they wipe clean easily, no matter what mess your little one creates.

Splat Mats also come with matching bibs and art smocks making them a fantastic, unique baby shower or birthday gift. Each order is customized to your fabric color and pattern specifications. Prices start at $18.

I've Got a Golden Ticket!

Baby Legs is taking a page from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. From June 1 to July 15 at participating retailers, consumers - that's you! - can look for specially marked packages of Baby Legs to win fabulous prizes. Grand prize winner will receive a trip to uber chic Seattle worth $3500.

The specially marked packages of Baby Legs will have a golden overlocking stitch sewn around the inside seam closest to the signature "BL" logo. 

Other prizes are from some of CMM's fav sites. See list in the graphic above or by clicking the first link. Click here for contest rules. 

Good luck!