Baby Fashion Blog - Baby Gifts & Baby Boutique Stories

It's A Zoo Out There....Shop & Save from Home with PolkaDotWhale.com!

NatalieG — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 20:12:21 -0800

The holidays are fast approaching and the malls are starting to get a little crowded! I love a good shopping trip on a quiet weekday, but with this almost-two-year-old in tow, I am finding it harder and harder to actually "shop" when making a trip to the mall! Lunch, cupcakes, balloons, a spin on the carousel and playtime and Pottery Barn Kids--"Yes!", but holiday shopping for friends and family--"No!" This too shall pass, but in the meantime, I'm going to do my shopping online (from home) this year. Polka Dot Whale is offering some great savings promotions throughout the season. Sign up for our emails to get the inside scoop on Holiday Promotions at Polka Dot Whale !

My Advice: Do your shopping from home this holiday season and save yourself the trouble of braving the ZOO at the mall....Why not go to the actual zoo, like we did last weekend! Here we are at the Los Angeles Zoo....

Barefoot in the Kitchen--Holiday gift ideas for toddlers and preschoolers!

NatalieG — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:55:08 -0800

My Emme cannot get enough of pretend kitchen play! I didn't expect it to come on so strong until she was a little older, but it is her favorite part of our Mommy & Me classroom and she looks to be near me in the kitchen, digging in the drawers and playing with pots, pans, cups, plates...pretty much anything she can get her little hands on! I've been agonizing over what might be the best kitchen for her to receive on Christmas morning this year and have managed to narrow it down to my top 3 choices of Play Kitchens for Toddlers and Preschoolers! I prefer a wood set, with a little retro feel to it and some good spots for storing all of those play kitchen accessories. And, I also prefer a budget friendly alternative to the Holy Grail of Retro Wooden Play Kitchens at Pottery Barn Kids that will set the not-so-budget-concerned Santa Claus back $600+ this holiday season...WOWZER!

Here are the top 3 Play Kitchens of 2008:

1. Little Tikes Deluxe Wooden Kitchen & Laundry Center for $179.99

2. One Step Ahead Deluxe Big & Bright Kitchen for $199.99

3. Costco RetrKitcheno Red Play for $139.99 !

Prissy Poofs for Prissy Halloween Princesses and Trick or Treat Sale at Polka Dot Whale!

NatalieG — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:55:56 -0700

Emme hosted her first little Halloween Haunt party last Saturday and it was so much fun to watch the tiny tots galavanting around in their Halloween Costumes! We munched on the cutest little spiderweb cupcakes, pumpkin petit fours, and funny themed snack foods, like "monster mix" and "boo berries" while the kids played with Mr. Potato Head Pumpkins and made Halloween magnets. There is nothing like a breezy Fall day filled with pumpkins, home-made goodies and friends! This time of year always makes me want to have a party and having a little one sure gives me more reason to enjoy Halloween:)

Emme was adorable in her Prissy Poof Ladybug ensemble. Prissy Poofs creates some of the fluffiest, most creative tu-tu creations that I have ever seen! Emme seemed so comfortable in her Prissy Poof costume, she has probably logged about 8 hours in it so far and I have a suspicion she'll be enjoying this tu-tu in dress up play in the years to come! To really jazz up the outfit, I purchased this crystal-studded ladybug onesie from Tu Chae on Etsy and had to have the black and red striped Baby Legs!

Here she is celebrating in fine ladybug fashion!

If you're looking to get a jump start on your holiday baby gift shopping and are hoping to catch some early-bird deals, get to Polka Dot Whale. Enter Coupon Code TREAT 08 thru Midnight October 31, 2008 and you'll receive 25% off your entire order (new and sale merchandise included)!

Celebrity Favorites of 2008--Trumpette, Diapees & Wipees & More!

NatalieG — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:21:22 -0700

I've noticed new pics popping up everywhere of some of our favorite celebrity moms toting their babies around wearing Trumpette socks! We've got the best selection at Polka Dot Whale and I have to say, the Prince and Princess styles are brand new, hard-to-find, and flying out the door the fastest this Fall! We've spotted Tori Spelling and Jamie Lynn Spears with their baby girls donning the all-time best-selling Pastel Maryjane Socks by Trumpette.

We've also got the latest styles by Diapees & Wipees including the Punk Skulls in pink and blue and the Wallflowers pattern in sky and cherry. Both are really hip and designer looking. Gwen Stefani received the Punk Skulls Diapees & Wipees and Cuddlee Wuddlees baby blanket for her newest baby boy, Zuma this summer. I love their blankets just as much as I love their original diapers and wipes cases. The newest use I have found found for the Diapees and Wipees is to put a couple of diapers and travel wipes into the case and toss it in Emme's little pre-school size backpack that she has been toting around these days. No more diapers in mommy's bag and she's always got an emergency change ready anywhere she goes!

Uncommonly Cute t-shirts have been on the celebrity baby scene for a couple of years now and Britney Spears was known to be a fan for her two boys! We were so happy to get to ship out the Miso Cool baby t-shirt design for Baby Max, son of Christina Aguilera a few months back! The election theme t-shirts have really flown off the shelves, but we might still have a few, if you're lucky! My little girl will certainly be donning her Lil' Democrat shirt on election day!

Hooray for Oompa Wooden Toys

NatalieG — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:49:19 -0700

Have to love this line: "No electricity required; only an imagination!"

Urband Cowgirl--Crib Couture Concert Tee's & Hautie Pants Bloomers for Baby!

NatalieG — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:12:12 -0700

Emme took a turn on the backyard catwalk modeling Crib Rock Couture Concert Tee's and Hautie Pants Bloomers with her new hand-me-down hot pink cowgirl boots! Crib Rock Tee's and Hautie Pants bloomers are top sellers for baby shower gifts at Polka Dot Whale and personal favorites of mine....if you couldn't tell!

What to get for that Natural Mama--Pampering Treats from Earth Mama Angel Baby!

NatalieG — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 11:29:53 -0700

I've always been a fan of the bath and body product stores...could never get enough of collecting scents and scrubbing, slathering and buffing to my hearts delight! As a new mom, my own beautification routine has been reduced to a 3 minute shower following by 5 minutes of wet hair combing and tying back with a rubber band, facial moisturizer, deoderant and the quickest slather of whatever lotion I can get my hands on! Where I take my time and pay extra attention to quality and safety in pampering these days is with my baby girl. Emme is Earth Mama Angel Baby's biggest baby fan!

I love the smell of freshly washed baby hair and my newest baby shampoo of choice is the Foaming Shampoo & Wash from Earth Mama Angel Baby has the most amazing orange oil scent that lingers for hours! After using the Earth Mama Angel Baby Pregnancy and Birth products when Emme was born, I was sold on the line and couldn't have been more pleased to find recently that they have received top rating from the Environmental Working Group for no to very low risk of toxicity and allergy. We are hearing more everyday about the high levels of potentially hazardous chemicals found in the cosmetic products we use in our households everyday. The Skin Deep Website by the Environmental Working Group will give you all the data you need to see whether your products stand up to rigorous safety tests. Check out this valuable information about your own and your child's sunscreen! Earth Mama Angel Baby is known for the exceptional quality of their products for Mamas and Babies, but also for their kindness to the earth. All products are made certified 100% organic. Ingredients you can trust---No phthalates, no parabens, no sodium lauryl sulfate, no 1,4-Dioxane, no DEA. Nearly every brand in your drugstore cannot say the same. Find all Earth Mama Angel Baby products at Polka Dot Whale, including their amazing giftsets perfect for the Natural Mama & Baby you want to pamper!

Happy Fourth of July!

NatalieG — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:35:46 -0700

Our new neighborhood holds the most adorable, down home, 4th of July Parade for the kiddos! A couple of Emme's best baby friends came over to help us celebrate with dinner and strawberry shortcake! We decked out Emme's trike and Evan and Isabella decorated their strollers in patriotic parade fashion. Turned out the strollers were a better option since Emme rode her bike (with Daddy pushing) for about half a block, then rode the rest of the way on Mom's hip while Dad carried the bike! Already looking forward to next year!
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Emme is wearing some of my very favorite summer fashions by Tea Collection Daily Tea. Anything by Tea Collection has a very distinctive style with a little bit of Asian aesthetic. I love the sophistated styles, in the soft, comfortable cotton fabrics that children can wear and play in everyday. And, talk about staying beautiful wash after wash--the quality is unmatched. The prices are great, too, and all the different prints and pieces mix and match to create lots of different outfit combination with just a few pieces. They recommend getting 6 pieces (for about $120) and making 9 outfits. Great option for summer travel! My favorite place to buy Daily Tea fashions for boys and girls (sizes 3 months-5T)each season is Emmy & Ally. Sign up for their news letter for special discounts and other promotions!

Park it! Taking advantage of nature's bounty in the big city!

NatalieG — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:04:20 -0700

My mom lives just a couple of miles from the coolest little city park...tucked back in a large neighborhood, next to an elementary shcool. The trees are mere saplings, so shade is scarce, but the brand new equipment and spongy ground surface make it modern and so much fun for the little ones. Last time I checked out the park, Emme was only old enough for the infant swings, but, this past weekend, she proved that she is really off and running! She explored every nook and cranny, which made for some excellent photo ops...and, in spite of the nearly 100 degree temps at 8 o'clock in the morning, she still managed to have a good time. Living in an urban setting, parks are a gold mine for exercise, relaxation and outdoor fun. A friend just forwarded me this link to a really cool park in Southern Calfornia called Atlantis Play Center in Garden Grove, CA. Aagghhh--I can't wait to go and wish that there were more parks like this in our area! My mom recently visited the Fairytale Town Park in Sacramento, CA and had a ball with my sister and her 2-year-old son, Russell.

We'd love to hear about your favorite park---send us the link in a comment, so that your fellow readers can get in on the action if they live in the area!

Check out Emme at the park, 15 months old:

GIVEAWAY: FREE BABY SHOWER INVITES & THANK YOU NOTES from Lil' Sweet Prince!

NatalieG — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 07:35:00 -0700

The tagline says it all...."Lil Sweet Prince...The cutest cards, like ever..."

They really are some of the cutest ever and one lucky winner will receive 30 FREE BABY SHOWER INVITATIONS and 30 FREE BABY SHOWER THANK YOU NOTES from Lil' Sweet Prince! Are you throwing a Baby Shower this summer? Please leave a comment and let us know about a very special mom-to-be for whom you are hosting a baby shower and you'll be enetered to win the chance to send out fabulous custom Baby Shower Invitations by Lil' Sweet Prince and gift the Mommy-To-Be with a set of darling matching custom Baby Shower Thank You Notes by Lil' Sweet Prince! You will have the opportunity to choose from several amazing designs of baby shower invites and thank you notes to suit your shower's theme! Learn more about the Vanessa, the Super Mom behind Lil' Sweet Prince, and view her latest and greatest work by visiting her blog!

Get hopping and let us know about the Mom-To-Be you have in mind for this very special Baby Shower Giveaway Prize Package valued at over $120.00! Don't forget to fill in the field for your email address when leaving a comment...We want to be able to notify you right away when you are selected as the winner and give you all the info on how to order your free custom cards! Please enter to win the Lil' Sweet Prince Baby Shower Prize Package by Sunday, July 6th, 2008.

Celebrity Favorite Baby Socks bow to the thrown with NEW Prince & Princess Styles!

NatalieG — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 20:29:16 -0700

Just when we thought that Trumpette had given us the cutest options for baby socks with the Johnny's and the Mary Janes, the Cowboys and the Cowgirls, the Ballerina and the Pixies, they have come out with these precious little Prince Crown and Princess Tiara baby socks! Trumpette Baby Socks are a favorite of celebs like Gwen Stefani and our very own Baby Emme. They make an adorable and affordable baby shower gift at just $24.00, for everyone from your best friend, to the family next door, to the peppy little mama-to-be in the cubicle next to yours. I can picture these new Prince and Princess Trumpette Socks on the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony's twins, Halle Berry's new baby girl and Tori Spelling's newest addition! Afterall, these folks are Hollywood royalty and in the good ole U.S.of A., that's as close as we get! Prince and Princess Trumpette Socks are flying off the shelves at Polka Dot Whale, along with just about every other style of Trumpette Baby Socks...all are in stock and ready to ship, free giftwrap and all!

Home Sweet Home wtih Sweet Mady's Paper!

NatalieG — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 21:18:42 -0700

So, we just moved after living in the same place for nearly 6 years! I haven't had to think about a change of address for quite some time, but being my style conscious and paper loving self, I felt that I needed some really cute moving announcements to mail out. I recently had the good fortune of coming across Sweet Mady's Paper Studio online and knew that I just had to have those little Birdie Moving Announcements. The very sweet designs at Sweet Mady's Paper will have you lusting after everything from invitations to baby announcements to thank you notes and personalized stationery. Michelle is quick and easy to work with when designing your custom paper creations. The finished product is a very lovely quality that does not disappoint! As a mom of 3, Michelle really has the pulse on what parents are looking for in paper products, invites, announcement and stationery in terms of functionality and style. Click here to read more about Michelle & Sweet Mady's Paper.

I must say that one of the best features of Sweet Mady's Paper is that the price is right. Especially in today's economy, moms, like myself, are looking for the best quality and style at reasonable prices. Sweet Mady's definitely meets that expectation. For about $1.25 for most card selections, you, too, can capture the beauty and class of personalized stationery with Sweet Mady's Paper, without spending a small fortune! I adore the calling cards for kids and adults. I have calling cards that declare I am "Emme's Mommy" and they come in handy at the playground when I meet a new mom and want to hand off my contact info without making a scene digging for a pen and all....the perfect gift for new and veteran Mommies! I also love the idea of the Boutique Boxes that contain an assortment of Sweet Mady's Paper greeting cards and note cards to suit any occasion. Another great gift for yourself or a friend at just $18.00.

Check out Michelle's blog for contests and updates! She made a fun collage from selected May orders! See if you can spot my moving announcement on the May Customer Collage and pick out something fun at Sweet Mady's Paper for yourself today!

Let's Get Political with Baby Tees by Uncommonly Cute!

NatalieG — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 09:30:50 -0700

Uncommonly Cute has been one of my favorite lines of funny baby t-shirts for a few years now! With the 2008 Presidential election nearly in full swing, I thought I'd let you all know about the darling Lil' Democrat and Lil' Republican Tees for sale at Polka Dot Whale! We can hardly keep them in stock as they make a great new baby gift for a politico friend or make a statement with your own little one.

Personally, I take my politics pretty seriously and was so excited to take Emme with me to vote for this year's primary....regardless of who you were rooting for, you gotta admit that it's pretty amazing to take your baby girl in to vote in an election that could have resulted in the 1st Woman President...Anything is possible Baby Girl!

Here is Emme at the polling place, where they gave her the "baby star treatment"...

Nursery News--Real Life "Crib" of a Baby with Style!

NatalieG — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:24:00 -0700

Lots of folks have asked me what my baby girl's nursery is like...Well, the truth of the matter is that Emme's nursery was a darling little corner of my own bedroom until our recent move where she has set up shop in the room next to ours. Spare white walls initially made me nervous, but Em's bright bedding and accessories have really made it all come together quite nicely. I thought I'd share a few pics of what I've pulled together in the 3 weeks since our move, white walls and all, and let you know where you, too can track down some of the fantastic finds for your own little one's nursery!

As you can see, the overarching theme is little birdies! I was already jumping on the "bird" bandwagon and wanted to have Emme's bedding made when Pottery Barn Kids came out with their Sweet Birdie bedding for 2007. I was delighted and went crazy with the theme. Many of the pillows and accessories you see here are from PBK. I have since collected little birdie items here and there to jazz things up a bit. Before I move on--Birdie theme aside, my all-time favorite must-have nursery item from Pottery Barn Kids is the silky soft CHAMOIS fabric for sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers and changing pad covers.

My sister Leslie painted this incredible wall hanging with my birdie theme and Emme's name. I love to sit in my rocking chair and stare at it day after day. I never get tired of that gorgeous mural and I hope Emme will one day treasure it as much as I do! The white walls are just begging for something more, so I searched online for weeks for the perfect wall decals that would be removable causing no damage to the walls and allowing for changes in style and theme as time goes by. I finally decided on Elephannie Wall Decals when I searched Etsy for something custom and handmade that would perfectly match Emme's existing nursery decor. I emailed pictures of Em's nursery decor to Elephannie and specifically requested this style of bird and the 3 color set-up. My every wish was granted and within just a few days, I had this branch with leaves and a little birdie....and, 3 more birdies to fly around the room and perch above the door. I have found nothing cuter for the price and quality that you get with Elephannie. Scroll down to see what was custom created for Emme's Under the Sea Theme Bathroom! Emme walks up to the wall and oohs and aahs at the mermaid before every bath...it is sooooo sweet! Such an easy way to create the fantasy bedroom or bathroom you are dreaming of for your little ones! Shop Elephannie...

When looking for a little something sweet to give Emme for her first birthday, I perused Etsy for a few weeks and came up with this little name pillow, matching quilt and little hanging birdie! Emme loves them (okay, maybe not as much as I love them, but she will:)).I adore the way that Etsy allows you to search for lovely, handmade, heirloom quality gifts direct from the source. Not to mention, the great prices and personalized service I get each time I work with an Etsy seller. If you haven't checked out the world of Etsy yet, do so today! The little name pillow was custom handmade by Marie at Belle Marie Designs. The matching patchwork quilt was custom handmade by Oh Sew Fresh Baby. Both the pillow and quilt (seen on the chair) feature the fantastic Freshcut Fabric designed by the one and only Heather Bailey. It is plain to see that I can't get enough of the sweet pink & green color combo! Don't you love the little hanging birdie? It is a dreamcatcher made by Tamar at Nest Pretty Things. The most precious little pink bird hangs from the ceiling and greets me each time I enter Emme's room. I love the way she smiles when she sees it, too!

Emme's Under The Sea Bathroom Wall Decals by Elephannie! Super Cute Custom Designs start at under $20, so start dreaming and see what they can create for you!