Homemade is perfect with Kidcards!

Since starting Berrie Sweet Picks, I've had the wonderful opportunity to come across a variety of incredible products for children. Sometimes, though, I'm just floored with the ingenuity of a particular product. There are a few stars that shine a little brighter in my opinion, and this little gem is definitely one of them.

I was recently provided with a set of KidCards, which of course, were invented by a very smart Ohio mom named Melissa Mara. So what is it (aside from super awesome?) KidCards are the very reason I'm no longer buying my Thank you cards, birthday cards, or even Christmas cards in the pharmacy Hallmark section anymore. Sure, it might take me 30 minutes to choose "just the right" card for the recipient, but anything I buy in the store is going to pale in comparison to the creative genius that Buttercup throws into coloring a card instead.

Sure, the item description says that the younger card set is recommended for ages three and up, but my two-year-old LOVES to color, and I see no problem with sitting by her and her art supplies while her face lights up at the chance to "make a pretty" for a loved one.

Recently, a friend of ours was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and my first instinct was to run out to the store and buy a "Thinking of You" card. With keys in hand, I was ready to run out the door. But then I remembered the KidCards, and turned right around and walked back into the kitchen. Buttercup had a chance to get creative, and our friend was ever-so-thankful when he called to let us know that he had received Buttercup's artwork in the mail.

It's really a great idea. For about $18, you get a spiral-bound notebook with pre-drawn greeting cards. All your little artist needs to do is grab their markers, crayons, or paint set and go to town.

What's really smart is the included envelope set, making it super easy to stick a stamp on it and throw it in the mail box!

Take a look and seriously order a set! Your kids will love it and so will each and every person you receives one of these sweet cards in the mail.

For more information visit www.kidcards.org or call the company at 216-570-5019

Change it up with Mag-tagz!

One of the coolest parts of reviewing new products is learning about the very inventive moms behind some pretty sweet stuff.

Take Mag-Tagz, for instance. This mom-invented interchangeable line of magnetic jewelery for young girls is fun, cute, smart, and makes me wish I had thought of it! Anita Wentworth (the mom in question!) is on to something here. Gone are the days where yesterday's favorite accessory is long-forgotten. Instead, girls can choose to change up their look with a variety of affordable tagz (or charms), trade with friends, play online games (with chances to win a Nintendo Wii! All participants receive a special, limited edition tag just for playing!)and even enter their own designs and possibly see their idea become a super cute Mag-Tag! Seriously, this woman thought of everything.

The idea is pretty simple: Just get your little girl a magnetic base of choice (like the super cute and limited edition green world flower design, which was a recent design contest winner), and then she's on her way. The interchangeable tagz come in small and large sizes and are priced just right, too.

Mag-tagz are a wonderful choice for girls five and up. Since Buttercup is too young, we had new best friend, "J", try it out, and the reaction was exactly what I am sure Wentworth was going for. Within seconds of putting the necklace on and being explained the concept, "J" was smiling from ear to ear as she made plans to share and trade tagz with a friend living thousands of miles away.

Here she is showing off her new Mag-tagz bling...



Cute, huh?

If you'd like to see this smile on your own kid's face, you can visit www.mag-tagz.com and start your collection now, or you can try and win a necklace and either a small green earth or bee mag-tag here! Mag-tagz is offering one lucky Berrie Sweet Picks reader the chance to win, and I think that's pretty sweet.

To enter, simply click here and post a comment sharing which tgag you or your daughter like the best. Make sure to include your email so I can contact you if you are selected as winner. Entries will be accepted until midnight, EST, on May 26, 2009 and winners have four days to respond or an alternate will be selected. Please note that the contest is limited to the United States and Canada, only. You must be 18 years or older to enter.

Adoitional extra entries are also available if you:
* Become a fan of Berrie Sweet Picks on Facebook
* subscribe to my RSS feed and comment letting me know you did so.
* Blog about contest and link to this post.
* Non-bloggers can email three of their friends about the contest at berriesweet.info (at) gmail (dot) com and CC me on the email. Girl Scout's honor that I will never bother these sweet people. I promise!
* Grab my Berrie Sweet Picks button and place it on your blog page. I'll check!
* Follow me on Twitter! (nickname: berriesweetest)
* Tweet the contest by saying "Mag-tagz giveaway at Berrie Sweet Picks!
* Vlog about the contest and post at www.newbaby.com!

Please note all entries MUST include a valid email address to be considered for the drawing! That means that well, all entries must include an email address to be considered valid. Simple enough, right? ;)

Only one person can win, but everyone can benefit from coupon code of "blogger20" which will get you 20 percent off an order of $20 or more! So what are you waiting for? Change it up!

Peekaru! I see you!

Before I begin this review, I'd like to thank Parenting By Nature for their patience in getting this one up! You all know I've been trying to recover from my recent cross-country move, and this particular review item was one I had to hunt for once I arrived in Arizona thanks to the movers mistakingly packing it up just a few days after I received it.

Now, it might seem out of season at this point, but trust me...it isn't. Parenting By Nature sent me and Buttercup the Peekaru Vest to try out, and we couldn't be happier with the product. Sure, I'm dealing with 100 degree weather right now, but I know for a fact that there are plenty of other states (like Michigan!) where Moms and their babies would get tons of year-round use for chilly evening walks and early morning outings.

The Peekaru is defintely one of the coolest and sweetest products I have had a chance to try out. It's a definite must-have for any baby-wearing parent, allowing you to keep you AND your child warmer without the hastle of trying to work around traditional jackets or extra blankets. Made from 85 percent Malden fleece, the Peekaru is also an eco-conscious parent's dream. Each 150 Peekaru's made save about a barrel of oil, with about 25 two-liter plastic bottles used to create each one. And what can be better than a product made in the USA under fair labor conditions supporting work-at-home moms?

I tried the Peekaru out with Buttercup hanging out in her Ergo, both front and back facing, and we both loved it. We also gave it a shot in her Baby K'tan, and were equally pleased. There's plenty of room under the vest for me to add a jacket for when it gets cooler, and with Buttercup at 27 pounds, I have no doubt this vest will last me as long as the Ergo!

The Peekaru comes in a variety of colors to suit your taste, and fit wonderfully. This is definitely one item I will be packing for family visits in Michigan!

Also check out Parenting by Nature for their great selection of cloth diapers, baby carriers and slings, and gift services, and more. It's the perfect online one-stop shopping destination for parents. And the site os mom-owned and operated!

Thanks to Parenting By Nature, I have one Peekaru Vest in choice of size and color for one lucky reader up for grabs. To enter, please visit their site and leave me a comment telling me what other item you'd love to see reviewed on Berrie Sweet Picks! Make sure to include your email so I can contact you if you are selected the winner. Entries will be accepted until midnight, EST, on May 13, 2009. Please note that the contest is limited to the United States and Canada, only.

Additional extra entries are also available if you:
* Become a fan of Berrie Sweet Picks on Facebook
* subscribe to my RSS feed and comment letting me know you did so.
* Blog about contest and link to this post.
* Non-bloggers can email three of their friends about the contest at berriesweet.info (at) gmail (dot) com and CC me on the email. Girl Scout's honor that I will never bother these sweet people. I promise!
* Grab my Berrie Sweet Picks button and place it on your blog page. I'll check!
* Follow me on Twitter! (nickname: berriesweetest)
* Tweet the contest and leave a comment with your username telling me what you said to your "tweeple"!
* Vlog about the contest and post at www.newbaby.com!

Please note all entries MUST include a valid email address to be considered for the drawing! That means that well, all entries must include an email address to be considered valid. Simple enough, right? ;)