Little miss Leyna, baking up some love and smiles at our fun at-home Valentines photo shoot this morning. The new office we built (pics to come!) is the most amazing little natural light studio space. I’ll show off more of the pictures from the shoot next week, but I adore this dress from Tea Collection that she’s rocking here and wanted to share it now. Also? Look at her all standing up and stuff. And yes, that is a very big bow on her head, and I like it that way.

Now, for present number 2!

Tea Collection is giving a lucky one of you $100 to spend on some of their fabulous clothes! I have never seen clothes like this for babies and little kids before. The quality is outstanding. More expensive than your average baby clothes, for sure, but definitely pieces that will be worn and passed down for many years to come. We bought the kid’s Christmas outfits from them, too (Leyna is wearing her’s here), and received so many compliments on how nicely they coordinated without being matchy, matchy, and how unique they were.

They also have women’s clothes , which are really beautiful. I love me a pretty tunic.

If you’d like to win yourself a little Tea Collection shopping spree, all you have to do is comment below telling me what your favorite piece from their website is.

You can get an extra entry if you like Baby Rabies on Facebook
And another if you like Tea Collection on Facebook

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. I’ll use Random.org to draw a winner at the end of next week.

**Disclosure- I was not paid for this review, but I did receive clothing samples from Tea Collection at no cost. All opinions and pictures are my own.

Contest closed. Congrats to Laura, commenter #145, as chosen by Random.org!

So I thought I’d share some of my absolute favorite things with you all, in case you’re looking for some last minute gift ideas for yourself or someone else.

Also, if you stick around until the end, I’m giving away one of my favorite things!

Because I’m a Priss

Smashbox Brow Tech - I can have trucker hair, furry legs, and spit up on my shirt, but if I have a clean, moisturized face and groomed eyebrows, I feel somewhat put together. I’ve worn this stuff every day for the last 4 years. It is my absolute favorite thing in my makeup bag.

Murad Skin Perfecting Primer - I got this at Blogher this year, and I love it as a light foundation. I put this on and top with some pressed powder (and my Brow Tech, of course), and I’m ready for school drop off.

Mama Mio- I’ve had the opportunity to do some local brand rep work for Mama Mio and I am in love with their stuff. Their products are free of all “nasties” and smell amazing. Their “Lucky Legs” lotion feels great, especially after a long day chasing children. I used their OMega Super Rich Body Cream as a moisturizer for my face, and this bottle lasts FOREVER.

Mac Lipglass- I’m not much of a lipstick gal, but I love me a good gloss. Mac Lipglass has been my absolute fave since college. I love it in Nymphette. 

Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Touchable hairspray - A product of Texas, I’m a believer in the can of hairspray, but I can do without the sticky stiffness of the old school stuff. Soy Touchable, which I got at Blogher, is different. It holds back my fly-aways and helps me give some extra fullness to my hair, but it just doesn’t… feel like hairspray.

Vigoss Jeans from Nordstrom Rack - I thought I was destined to a life of ho-hum jeans since I really can’t bring myself to shell out $200 on a pair. Then my friend told me about the “cheap” jeans at Nordstrom Rack, which is basically Nordstrom’s outlet store. Every pair of Vigoss jeans I tried on looked awesome on my butt, was long enough for my lanky legs, and I’d say they run big since I fit in a size I haven’t worn since high school (vanity sizing, FTW!). The best part? TWENTY EIGHT DOLLARS.

Yummie Tummie Tank & Leggings- Last year at Blogher I was introduced to Yummie Tummie and I’ve been a believer ever since. This year, I’ve loved rocking my leggings, my nursing tank, and I just added a lace tank top to my collection, which looks great under a long cardigan, paired with my skinny Vigoss jeans. These are definitely a splurge, but keep an eye on sales and sites like Zulily for great deals.

Because I Like To Drink Things

Wine Soiree - Another awesome gift from a Blogher party (thanks Romy!). This thing makes the cheapest bottle of wine taste amazing. And since I’m all for stocking up on the cheap stuff, I can really appreciate it’s powers.

Mr. Coffee Keurig - I’ve been wanting a Keurig for so, so long. I just couldn’t ever justify the cost since we have a perfectly fine coffee maker- a very nice one, in fact. Well, this was on sale at our grocery store, of all places, for only $60 last week. Merry Christmas to me! I’ve only had it a week and I could French kiss it. If anything, I can use it to make myself some coffee so I’m awake enough to use the fancy coffee machine to make more coffee. It’s very basic, but does exactly what I need it to do- make me one cup of coffee with minimal effort on my part.

Because My New Obsession Is Photography

Pixelmator- I got this photo editing software for Mac last Christmas on Cyber Monday for super cheap. I had planned on getting Photoshop Elements, but for only $12, I figured I’d give this editing software a try first. It’s very similar to Photoshop in that it uses layers and brushes. I’m able to do basic things like smoothing out skin blemishes and cloning backgrounds. You can get the old version (the version I have) for $15 on Amazon. Since I have Lightroom 3 now, I have no plans of getting Photoshop or PSE anytime soon, especially since Pixelmator seems to do all the basic functions I need outside of Lightroom.

Image straight out of camera

Edited with Pixelmator and Clickin Moms Film Art Preset Platinum in Lightroom 3

Clickin Moms Film Art presets for Lightroom- These were an early Christmas gift to myself. They’re my first set of presets, and I love what they do to my pictures. They won’t make a terrible picture look perfect. I still need to work on my own clean edits in Lightroom first, but they are lovely, subtle changes to already good pictures.

Clickin Moms membership- Over the last couple years I’ve developed an aversion to online forums. (A few internet friends and I like to attribute this to “Post Traumatic Nest Syndrome”… many of you will totally relate and understand that.) So I was hesitant to sign up for another “mom” message board. Clickin Moms, however, has been nothing but incredibly insightful, educational, and supportive. It’s 95% photography talk, but in a language I understand and am not intimidated by. There are tutorials for weeks. I’ve been teaching myself Lightroom simply by reading through all the Lightroom tutorials. Half the time, I’m reading threads from my phone in bed with the help of their super simple to use iPhone app (.99 in the app store). It’s where I got the ideas and inspiration for our Christmas Twinkle Light pictures.

To finish off this post, I’m excited to say Clickin Moms is offering up a $120 gift pack for one reader that kicks a lot of ass. It includes:

1 year membership to Clickin Moms
One copy of their newest photo book Laughter
The ebook Blast Into The Blogosphere
& a Mom’s Gonna Snap t-shirt

To enter, leave a comment telling me where you’re at with photography. Are you a beginner? Hoping to get a new camera for the holidays? Have you been taking pictures for years?

You can get an extra entry if you do any or all of the following:

Like BabyRabies on Facebook
Like Clickin Moms on Facebook

Please leave a separate comment for each thing you do. I’ll use Random.org to draw a winner next Thursday, December 22nd.

Disclosure- Some of these things were given to me at no cost at Blogher and other blogging events, but I was never asked to write about them. They truly are my favorite things now. Some links may be affiliate links.

**Contest Is Closed. Congrats to Leah, commenter #118, as chosen by Random.org!

And because I want one of you to sparkle and shine in a beautiful new piece of jewelry.

I have a lovely giveaway for you for $100 to Olive Bungalow, the creator of beauties like these…

And all you have to do is comment to tell me what makes you feel beautiful.

If you’d like an extra entry, you can sign up for the Olive Bungalow newsletter.

That’s it. Enter a comment for each entry, so up to 2.

I’ll draw a winner this Friday, December 9th.

Olive Bungalow’s holiday order deadline is midnight, December 11th. All Baby Rabies readers can use the code BR10 for 10% off through the holiday deadline.

And yes, this was a shameless way to work in more beautiful pictures of my children. I just can’t help it. They are freaking adorable when they’re so festive.

**Entries Closed. Congrats to commenter 275, Katie, as chosen by Random.org!***

You all know I love me some momAgenda products for getting organized, and I have an awesome one to give away to you, just in time to try to put your life into some sort or order before heading into the new year. It’s really the best momAgenda product I’ve given away so far!

Behold, the All-In-One-Folio, the MOTHER of all home organizers.

Inside, you’ll find super handy tools for organizing an entire household like a very large monthly calendar (2011 and also a 2012 to replace it with).

There are several sheets for you to fill out important information, birthdays, doctor’s info, even directions for the babysitter.

But, my favorite part has to be all the very sturdy, large plastic pockets that you can organize in a way that works best for you and your household. I finally have a logical place for all my coupons! (Extreme couponer, I am not, but I hang onto a few every month and have a heck of a time finding them when I need them.) I also now have a logical place to put paperwork that needs to be filled out and returned so I’m not sending it back with crusted mashed potatoes on a corner from that time that stack of mail was between my plate and the stove.

And no organizer is complete with out a place for notes and LISTS. I’m trying to put less demands on myself these days. My to do lists used to be 20 items long, and made me feel like a failure at the end of every day. Now? I simply strive for this:

Everything else is gravy.

Here’s how to win:

1. Leave a comment telling me where your favorite place to stash “stuff” currently is. You know, like do you shove everything in a junk drawer? A basket? In your fireplace… and then light it on fire?

Extra entries for:

2. Tweeting I’m getting organized with @momAgenda for the holidays! I entered the #giveaway @BabyRabies http://www.babyrabies.com/2011/12/5482/  #momAgendaCOMM

3. Following @BabyRabies on Twitter

4. Following @momAgenda on Twitter

5. Liking Baby Rabies on Facebook 

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. I’ll use Random.org to draw a winner Monday, December 12th.

Disclosure: I received a momAgenda All-In-One folio to review. All opinions are my own.

**Contest Closed. Congrats to Andrea, commenter #16, as chosen by Random.org!**

I am thrilled to be one of the very first to help Rockin’ Green Cloth Diaper Detergent help announce this year’s LIMITED EDITION Holiday Scent.

Red Hot Apple Cider

I mean, I know it’s detergent and all, but YUM. If I were pregnant (and craving rocks and soap), whoo boy!

Now, you can go purchase this lovely scent over on RockinGreenSoap.com today, as part of the Jingle Bell Rock Holiday Gift Bundle. So if you really, really want it, you better get there pronto. This stuff (limited edition holiday bundles) typically sells out in just a few days.

If you’re too late to order it before it sells out or you want to try to win a Red Hot Apple Cider Holiday Bundle, then I’m your favorite person right now! Because I’m giving one away.

Here’s the scoop. (Get it? Scoop? Detergent… scoop? Ha! Turkey makes me… amusing to only myself.)

Includes:
One bag Rockin’ Green Soap in the limited-edition Red Hot Apple Cider or Bare Naked Babies (unscented)
One Melody odor neutralizer and air-freshener room spray in Red Hot Apple Cider (not sold separately, only included in bundle)
One limited-edition red laundry detergent scoop
One reusable Rockin’ Green tumbler
One Rockin’ Green ornament
One Rockin’ Green reusable tote bag
One gift tag
Retail Value $44.95 

To enter:
Tell me why you want to win a Red Hot Apple Cider Holiday Bundle!

Extra entries if you:
Follow @BabyRabies on Twitter
Like Baby Rabies on Facebook
Like Rockin’ Green on Facebook

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. I’ll use Random.org to draw a winner on Friday, December 2nd. Only open to people with US mailing addresses.

Let the holiday fun begin! Rock on.

** Contest Closed. Congrats to commenter #114, as chosen by Random.org, Jacklyn!***

We got to see real, live jousting and sword-fights. Seriously, there were sparks.

Click through from my homepage to read more about our trip to Medieval Times, Dallas.

We had excellent, front row seats to enjoy Medieval Times, Dallas’ new show, and the entire family had a blast.

Yup, even this one:

I was a little concerned when I discovered there were no high chairs, but Leyna (10 months old) loved every minute and was either fixated on the horses and knights in front of us (literally squealing in delight as they rode past) or stuffing her face with chicken…er… I mean, “baby dragon” and veggies the entire time.

And this guy:

Let’s just say, at 3.5 years old he totally got it. He was enthralled and fully invested in our yellow knight.

This picture needs no caption:

Medieval Times was always one of those places on our list of “Maybe Some Days,” but I’m so glad we had the chance to experience it sooner than later. We went to a 5 pm show and we were out in time for both kids to crash, with full bellies, on the way home. Fun was had by all.

Oh, and the food? Uhm, surprisingly good, I must say. And SO much of it! We actually brought 2 boxes of leftovers home and had lunch off of it the next day.

I’m not sure if there are any vegetarian options at Medieval Times, though. So if you don’t want a big fat plate of meat in front of you, maybe look into that before going.

We got to watch the new show, which officially rolls out in the Dallas Medieval Times location on November 18th (the other 8 locations are soon to follow). It was very action-packed, without being too difficult to follow along with while stuffing our faces.

And really, those knights are crazy talented and must rehearse often because that is some REAL fighting going on! It was very exciting to watch.

I only had a couple small issues:

1. There were only 2 drink choices- Pepsi or Tea. Meh. I had tea, the boys had Pepsi. It’s not a huge deal, but I had to make a special request for water for Leyna (and the “wench” was more than happy to get it for me).

2. This place is very commercial, which is fine. I mean, I’d expect as much. Just know when you get there you will be bombarded with various ways to spend your money, beyond what you shell out for your ticket (which includes your dinner). Either plan an extra spending budget ahead of time for things like costumed pictures and light up swords, or maybe try to get there as close to show time as possible* so you limit the amount of time you have to spend saying no to the kids.

*The RSVP says to get there up to 2 hours ahead of time because seats sell out, but I’m not sure if it’s only like that if you buy your tickets at the door. It’s worth checking to see if you can buy tickets ahead of time and maintain your reservation without getting there so far in advance. We only got there 45 minutes before and didn’t seem to have any issues.

You DO get to bring home a really cool hologram souvenir cup, so you won’t come home empty handed even if you don’t buy anything additional.

The experience, overall, was wonderful, and I think it’s the first dinner we’ve had in 3.5 years that we didn’t have to worry about Kendall yelling at the table. Really, this is the perfect place to bring children with awful table manners.

Medieval Times invited my family and me to dinner at no cost to us. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. To learn more about Medieval Times click here.

Click through from my homepage for tips on baby feeding magic.

Thanks to Plum Organics for sponsoring my post about tips for baby feeding magic. What if you let baby choose what’s for dinner? Check out their cute “Quest for Yum!” video and see what happens!

I’ve never understood the rush to get babies started on solids, and that’s purely for selfish reasons. Baby food is a freaking mess and a hassle! And it can be stressful. At least, that’s my experience.

Alas, babies eventually have to eat something beyond breastmilk or formula, so here are a few techniques I’ve adopted over the last few years that make baby feeding a little less hectic for me:

1. Bananas, avocados, and sweet potatoes for the win!

I’m never without these in the house. Any one of them makes for the perfect, fast, easy baby meal. Avocados and bananas are great because you simply peel and mash (or not, if you’re baby led weaning). They’re easy to throw into a diaper bag and take out with you, too.

Sweet potatoes require the extra step of microwaving (poke holes in the skin with a fork, put on a plate with a tiny bit of water, cook about 8 minutes, cut open and cool before serving), but they can be a quick option, too. And while avocados and bananas don’t keep very well from one meal to the next, it’s easy to refrigerate the leftover half of a sweet potato for lunch the next day.

2. Keep the plates and cups to a minimum.

Because, really, who wants to do more dishes? Actually, we don’t even feed Leyna on a plate. We just wipe down the table before we feed her and lay the food directly on it. And cups? Don’t go nuts and buy a ton of sippy cups. Kids really only need a couple, and at the table, while you’re there to assist anyway, try helping them drink water from a regular cup with no lid. Less pieces to clean and great practice for them. Just make sure you have a hand towel near by for any spills.

3. Skip the white rice cereal.

Have you heard of Dr. Greene’s White Out movement? Dr. Greene states that feeding your baby white rice cereal is like feeding them a spoonful of sugar, and he’s working to eliminate the traditional idea to start baby on white rice cereal as their first food. Instead, the campaign slogans is “Let every child’s first food be a real food.” The idea is to start babies on either whole grain cereals (brown rice or oatmeal) or skip cereals altogether. You can learn more about it here.

We didn’t start either of our kids on solids until 6 months old, so we skipped the cereal altogether.

4. Behold! The baby food pouches!

Okay, obviously this post is sponsored by Plum Organics, who happens to make our favorite baby food pouches, but that’s precisely why I agreed to this sponsored post in the first place. We love them!

These things weren’t around when Kendall was in the baby food stage (at least, not readily available where we are). With Kendall, I’d pack coolers with frozen cubes of homemade baby food when we went out (because as a mother of one, I had time for that).

Now? No way was that happening. I felt a smidge guilty about it until we tried some Plum Organics baby food pouches. Leyna LOVES them, they are SUPER easy to take with us, and way, way less mess. Not to mention, they are made with organic ingredients. At first, we got a couple Plum Dispensing Spoons by Boon (which, by the way, have worked on all brands of baby food pouches we’ve tried), and they were great for that early baby food stage. Now, though, we don’t even need that. She’ll just suck the food right out of the pouch!

5. Dress baby in a rain coat so you can hose her off.

I kid. Sort of. That thought does cross my mind, though, as I change her outfits about 4 times a day.

Now, what would you add as a tip for baby feeding magic? I’m always open to new ones.
I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. To learn more about Plum Organics, visit their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/PlumOrganics.

And the last year working with them has. been. awesome.

NOT just because they send us new Wii games (like Kirby’s Return To Dreamland) before they’re even available for purchase, or because they’ve sent me on 2 vacations work trips this year (more on that in a bit), but because they 100% respect and value me as a blogger, consumer, and businesswoman. That’s a very hard to find unicorn in this blogging business.

(Click through from my homepage for the rest of the story, including pictures of breastmilk alongside bottles of liquor.)

I’d originally planned to go the Blogher Writers conference last week, but when I got the invite to join Nintendo in L.A. at the same time for a little work and a little fun, I couldn’t pass it up. There will be more writers conferences, but will I ever get to go to the Zelda 25th Anniversary symphony again? I don’t think so.

So that’s what I did last week. I kept asking myself, “Is this for real?” as I checked into the W in Hollywood…

It was so fancy, I couldn’t even figure out the light switches. And yes, that is my Hygeia breastpump on the nightstand. And yes, this is my breastmilk in the mini-bar…

Because it’s not real-life travel for me unless I’m the woman shouting, “It’s a breast pump!” and “Yes, yes, that’s my breastmilk,” to TSA, and moving bottles of tequila around to make room for it in the refrigerator.

I was excited to travel, to go out to dinner and drinks, to go to the symphony, but I was really excited to sleep.

The last time I slept 6 uninterrupted hours was at Blogher. This time, I got to sleep EIGHT WHOLE HOURS, and I don’t think I even moved an inch.

Of course, I still missed my family, and I had to laugh when I opened my laptop bag to discover a stowaway pacifier…

Never too far from a little reminder.

The goal of the trip, beyond me getting to sleep in a fancy hotel, was to discuss some things with Nintendo, and to go to The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony. 

I’ve never been to a symphony before. I don’t know how closely this experience resembles a typical symphony experience, in that I’m not sure typical symphony go-ers come dressed in green cloaks and pointy ears. Nor am I sure if they exclaim “YEAH!” and enthusiastically clap every time an image of a video game battle scene plays on a giant screen. Or, you know, if they even play video games at regular symphonies. I’m guessing no.

Marcy Massura, Sugar Jones and I attended the symphony sans cloaks and pointy ears.

That said, it was pretty amazing. I felt lucky to be there among all these people who were so….er… passionate about Zelda.

A couple exciting bits of info to share with you all:

1. Hulu Plus is coming to the Wii and Nintendo 3DS!!! This just made our cable-free life 100x easier.

2. The Wii bundle, including the Super Mario Brothers Wii game, is now only $149. I know I’m an ambassador and all, but honestly, I’ve mentioned before, our Wii has been a great source of active entertainment for the entire family. Totally worth it!

3. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword will be released for the Wii on November 20th, 2011.

Now, back to real “real life” where I spend my days chasing my nearly 10 month old as she pulls herself up and tries to fling herself back onto sharp objects.

#NintendoEnthused, Official Nintendo Brand Ambassador, I was not compensated for this post

Crunchy VT Mommy Veronica isn’t actually living in Vermont anymore, but she still blogs about a greenish lifestyle, with a healthy dose of sass, snark, and a blog page peppered with gorgeous pictures of beautiful children.

Liberating Working Moms is a blog for, obviously, working moms. With several contributors, they write about topics from childcare and balance, to routines and easy recipes.

FreshGraNOLA Myndee makes natural and safe laundry soap that SMELLS LIKE HEAVEN. I swear, I’m obsessed with Wash Day. I bought a bag a couple weeks ago and loooooooove it.

The Vintage Chain Jennifer makes beautiful, sentimental, hand-stamped jewelry. Great for celebrating life’s occasions or honoring those you love. She’s also incredibly sweet and from the Dallas area.

Stringing Along Wendy uses all non-toxic materials to create beautiful jewelry and keepsakes, like tiny footprint and paw print pendants and gorgeous bridal jewelry.

Jumping Jax Designs This girl’s got all your design needs covered. Whether it’s a custom holiday card or a new blog design you need, she can handle it, and her prices are great!

Olive Bungalow Michele designs one-of-kind jewelry, like those stackable birthstone rings she sent me last year, using all eco-friendly, recycled and reclaimed sterling silver and gold. I still wear those rings nearly every day and get so many compliments on them.

Lifes Candy My lovely friend Mae quit her job earlier this year to find a new path in life. Part of that journey lead her to opening her own shop where she sells the sweetest cloth napkins and pillow covers. Simple & sweet, just like candy.

I hope you’ll take a minute to check them out if any of them pique your interest. And if you’d like to advertise with me, let me know! I have a few spots open for November. I have great, low rates especially for bloggers and small shop owners.

We use purees around here for a few things. Leyna still eats them (she actually prefers them to solid food at this point) and I like to throw them into things like bread and pancakes. This puree is what I like to call semi-homemade babyfood (a nod to the drunk cook Sandra Lee there). It’s ridiculously easy to make, and there’s no cutting or steaming involved.

I start with:

1 can pureed pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

(If you want to go the really homemade route, you can always make your own applesauce, and I like the Pioneer Woman’s method for pureeing your own pumpkin.)

Combine them all and you’ll get a fragrant, lightly sweet, perfectly fall-ish puree. Leyna gobbles this stuff up.

I’ve teamed it up here with some Greek yogurt, mixed with baby oatmeal in her Dandelion natural tableware (stay tuned for a giveaway for these dishes made of corn at the bottom of this post).

While Leyna eats mostly purees at this point, she is slowly transitioning to table food, and the rest of the family loves pancakes, so we all get to enjoy this next part.

Turn your Pumpkin-Apple-Smash into Pumpkin-Apple-Pancakes by mixing together the following:

2 cups of your favorite pancake mix
1 cup of Pumpkin-Apple-Smash
1/2 cup of milk
2 eggs

Cook them as you usually would your pancakes. I like to make them small and refrigerate them for snacks (though they rarely last longer than a day).

There you have it! A handful of super-simple ingredients makes every member of our family something delicious to get into the fall spirit. (The house smells amazing right now, by the way.)

As I mentioned earlier, Leyna’s food is in her Dandelion natural tableware. It’s an awesome alternative to traditional plastic bowls, plates, and utensils for babies and toddlers because it’s all made from corn (meaning it’s BPA, phthalate and PVC free). We’ve been using these for a couple months now, and have enjoyed them. I don’t ever put them in the microwave, but I have put them in the dishwasher a few times (though Dandelion advises you not to). The dishwasher warped one plate just a little bit, but it’s not a big isssue. I hand wash them most of the time now.

Dandelion wants to give the winner of this giveaway their choice of 3 natural tableware products. The winner needs to have a US mailing address. All you have to do to enter is:

1. Comment below telling me what your favorite “fall” food is.

For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following:

2. Follow @DandelionEFGoods on Twitter
3. Follow @BabyRabies on Twitter

Please leave a separate comment for each thing you do, and allow time for moderation. I’ll use Random.org to draw a winner Friday, October 7th.

Entries are closed. Congrats to Jennifer @ Also Known As The Wife, commenter #39, as chosen by Random.org.