No Chimney? No Problem!

The Halloween decorations have just been put away and the turkeys are currently hoping we all become vegetarians before Thanksgiving. But that's neither here nor there because Christmas is pretty much gonna happen tomorrow.

And while I'm going crazy for the same reason all of you are going crazy, Buttercup is focusing on more critical issues...like how Santa Clause is going to drop off her presents if we don't have a chimney.

An entirely valid question, I would have to agree.

Rather than answer awkward questions and have to hire a therapist tomorrow, I decided to log into etsy and search a few key words. There's a lot if you decide to look...but I'll save you some trouble and tell you about the sweet little deal I found on One Strange Girl's shop. Prices vary greatly, but for a little $5 price tag, you get this cute little skeleton key and a wonderful little poem that explains the magic of they key to the little ones.

The shop owner was kind enough to send me an extra key with my paid order for one of my readers. I'm figuring there are probably three of you, so odds are pretty good, yes?

Good. So leave me a comment and make sure to include a way to contact you (email or twitter handle). Comments will be accepted through midnight, EST, on Nov. 15. Good luck!

Have a Very SweetPea Christmas

Remember this review? We tried the SweetPea3 out about a year ago and have been in love with it ever since. Buttercup might still prefer to throw tantrums when I don't give her Mama's Zune, but why make myself a nervous wreck when I can hand her a toddler-proof mp3 player and breathe easy?

I am so in love with the concept that I recently purchased one for my girlfriend's daughter for her first birthday. Mom and Dad report that they will eventually let their little girl play with it since Dad is having too much fun testing it out.

If you saw the original review or are falling in love with the SweetPea3 now, listen up because I've got a chance for one lucky reader to win a SwetPea3 of their own, in their choice of color, just in time for Christmas! Mr. Dan Lemay, the creator of the SweetPea3, has recently posted a video on YouTube.

Check the video out and if you think that your mom, sister, best friend, or neighbor might be interested in learning about the SweetPea3, forward them the link. You receive one contest entry for every single time you forward this link on to someone else.

All I ask is that you 1) CC me on every single email you send at (berriesweet dot info at gmail dot com) in order for the entry to count and be sure that the email contains your online ID so I can connect the dots. Rest assured I will delete every single one upon completion of the contest and that this is just a way for me to make sure that the contest entries are fair and legitimate, and 2) Leave comments on this blog post! Leave one for every round of emails you send out. Leave one telling me why you adore the SweetPea3 you already own or why you think your niecve or nephew would go crazy if you won the contest!

The contest is open to anyone 18 years and older and is limited to those living in the United States and Canada. You've got one week to email the world and the sky's the limit on this contest because if you email 500 friends, you've got 500 entries. Contest ends at midnight, Eastern Standard Time, on Dec. 14. Winner will be selected at random.

So get ready, get set, and win that SweetPea3!

The Jimmies rocked my House

I get requests to review kiddie music All. The. Time. But because the blog is called Berrie Sweet Picks and not Berrie Sucky Picks, I call my therapist after having endured the mind-numbing stuff I wouldn't force on my own child, let alone yours, and then wait patiently for something that doesn't suck to show up in my mail box.

And instead of having to try to figure out a nice way to tell a PR person and/or musician that I, um, didn't think their music was a "good fit" for my audience, I am instead trying to figure out how many times I can call The Jimmies "like, you know, totally cool" without sounding like a valley girl because they are just that good.

Here's the deal: We got to check out The Jimmies' brand-spankin' new DVD Trying Funny Stuff and their kickin' CD Make Your Own Someday. First off, the titles are catchy and fun. Second, I squealed a little too loudly when Buttercup asked for her new "Muskik Cho" to play again. Third, The Husband thinks they are "cool." And fourth, I get a lot of stuff for free and would more than gladly pay my own bucks to stock up Buttercup's musical collection with all things "Jimmies."

The group, fronted by mastermind and uber-cool Ashley Albert, is getting rave reviews from blogging parents who are as picky as I am and wining awards left and right. The collection features real songs that parents and kids will find themselves singing together, a 45-minute DVD that I may have liked more than Buttercup (and she liked it a LOT), a bonus live CD, and a "Film 101" behind-the-scenes documentary on how the videos were made.

And of course, there are always the lessons. It's kiddie stuff, so it's a given that they'd be part of the package. But it takes a genius to incorporate them in such a fun way that they kids don't realize they are actually learning. With the musical cherry on top of the proverbial sundae, The Jimmies are in the process of being immortalized in my Zune playlist and Buttercup's iTunes "Play Time" list. I can't do much about the DVD, since Buttercup thought it was so much fun she actually ran off with it and shoved it into her toy box so her toys and "Jimmies" could get to know each other.

And that my friends, is the highest compliment any two-year-old can bestow.

Stuff those stockings with Prima Princessa!

I love it when I'm right. Last year, right about this time, I had the pleasure of reviewing a brand new DVD produced by two moms called Prima Princessa presents Swan Lake. It's a sweet little production designed to introduce little girls to the world of ballet with a fairy princess ballerina named Prima Princessa as the star of the show.

What's not to like? So I was pretty excited when Prima Princessa present The Nutcracker arrived in my mail box. Ijust knew that this was going to turn into a successful series!

As in the original DVD, Prima Princessa transports a group of pre-school girls to see a professional baller performance. And what's better than The Nutcracker for the upcoming Christmas season?

Prima Princessa narrates the story (which makes it a lot more interesting for me, too, and now I actually can say I understand the story behind the performance!) and seems to know exactly when to break to allow her young charges time to practice the ballet moves they've learned. That little intermission gives Buttercup time to play, pretend, and laugh along with the girls on TV.

Prima Princessa presents The Nutcracker is definitely going to be played a lot as the holidays draw closer, and each time Buttercup gets more and more excited when the opening credits start up. Why not order now and stow it away for a sweet little Christmas stocking stuffer for your own little princess?

And an FYI from one mom to another---make sure the volume is turned off on your computer speakers before checking out the product site. I'm a huge Prima Princessa fan, but am not crazy about sites that automatically start talking to me (and Prima Princessa has a lot to say!), especially since I do a lot of online shopping when the family is asleep. So if you wanna keep it a surprise, and I'm sure you do, just hit "mute" and make it a Merry Christmas!

Take two: Metro Detroit-home of THE BEST COOKIE contest!

When is the last time you had a cookie so good that you wanted to hide it?

Here in Metro Detroit, we are lucky enough to have the homemade chewy goodness of Johnny B's Cookies, located on Mack Avenue in St. Clair Shores.And their cookies?

OMG. Seriously....they are almost indescribably good.

Their best-known cookie, of course, is the chocolate-chip chewy. With it's crispy outer edge and super chewy center, it's got to be the best chocolate chip cookie I have ever tasted. My other favorites include their peanut butter, peanut butter bomb. and betsey's lemon shortbread bars.The owners say they have the best cookies in the world, and I'd have to agree.

They use the finest ingredients, no preservatives, and their cookies are made fresh daily by hand.

I know.

For $18, they will ship a dozen of their cookies to anyone in the United States--now wouldn't that make a super sweet Christmas present for a special someone? Johnny B's cookies are also a wonderful idea for corporate gift baskets, special occassions, holiday baskets, and more.

Now for the fun part: if you live in Metro Detroit, listen up! I've got a great giveaway, courtesy of Johnny B's Cookies, offering one winner one dozen of a variety of cookies. It's a perfect opportunity to save yourself some time on preparing a dish to pass for one of your holiday dinners, or a great hostess gift for Christmas or New Year's Eve!

This is the SECOND one-week contest, so this is your last chance for 2008!

To enter, you MUST live in the Metro Detroit area and be able to drive to Johnny B's to pick up your prize. The first contest starts today and entries will be accepted until midnight, EST, on December 20. All I ask is that you leave me a comment with your city of residence, a valid email address or Twitter ID, and share with me what your plans for your cookies if you win! Are they a gift? Or are you going to hide them?

Go ahead-play with you food!

How often were you told as a kid to stop playing with your food? Too many times, right?


Well, what if I told you that it was okay, for you and your kids, to play with your food together?


I just finished my vlog review of the Shape-its Food forms and loved it! Check it out!

Shape-Its food forms are made from a high-quality aircraft aluminum that doesn't lose shape, works with any shapeable food, doesn't rust, is dishwasher safe, and oven safe to 350 degrees! And at only $16.99 per food shaper kit (I mis-spoke in the vlog review!) it's a great buy.

Now here's your chance to win a set of Holiday Shape-its for you and your kids!

To enter, visit Shape-its and leave me a berrie (read: comment) telling me which Shape-its set you are most interested in aside from the Holiday set.

In order to try and get this in your hands by Christmas, entries will be accepted until midnight, EST, December 12 and the winner will have four business days from the announcement date to contact me with their information or an alternate will be selected. US entries only, please.

Additional extra entries are also available if you:

* 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 leave a comment with your username telling me what you said to your "tweeple"!

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? ;)

Tickatoo: I see you!

I love online boutique shopping, and have come to find some of the coolest little web-based businesses with stuff for mom and baby that I wouldn't be able to find at big box stores.

One cute little place tp check out online is Tickatoo.

1) The name is downright cute!

2) Tickatoo is bound to carry something you'd love to get for yourself, a new baby, a homeschooled-child, a breastfeeding mom...and the list goes on!

Well, hang on to your Santa hats, everyone, because Tickatoo is offering one lucky reader a $25 gift certificate goof towards the purchase of any item on the site! It is, however, important to note that this contest is open internationally, and some items cannot be shipped. So here's my public service announcement telling whoever wins to check with Molly over at Tickatoo on what you'd like to use your prize for. ;)

To enter, visit Tickatoo and leave me a berrie (read: comment) telling me which product you would use your gift certificate for if you won (and yes, you are allowed to change your mind later.)

Entries will be accepted until midnight, EST, December 16 and the winner will have four business days from the announcement date to contact me with their information or an alternate will be selected. US entries only, please.

Additional extra entries are also available if you:

* 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 leave a comment with your username telling me what you said to your "tweeple"!
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? ;)

Camping gear: one berrie sweet Christmas present

It's rare that I offer a giveaway here without having first tested out the product in order to give you all a head's up on the latest and greatest-but I had to make an exception with this one (and I am sure no one is going to be complaining. ;)

Landbridge Toys recently contacted me asking if I thought my readers would be interested in the Haba Terra Kids Camping Lamp . I said, "Um....YES!"

So here are the details on what looks like a pretty cool Christmas gift for one lucky kiddo!

The Haba Terra Kids Camping Lamp works without an outlet...all the kids have to do for camping trips and blanket tent adventures in their rooms is move the crank to get the generator to produce electricity. It also comes with a snap link alarm whistle, a compass, and instructions. All for $32.

So who wants in on the contest?

To enter, visit Landbridge Toys and leave me a berrie (read: comment) telling me which other product you think your kids would love. why you think your kids would love. Entries will be accepted until midnight, EST, December 16 and the winner will have four business days from the announcement date to contact me with their information or an alternate will be selected. US entries only, please.

Additional extra entries are also available if you:

* 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 leave a comment with your username telling me what you said to your "tweeple"!

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? ;)

Sloppy Baby = functional fashion

Anyone who knows me knows how sentimental I am. I've got my Curious George stuffed animal from my baptism; my baby shoes, dresses from Mexico I wore as a child, and the beautiful blankets my grandmother made for me.

And one day, I'll pass it all on to Buttercup. I would, however, like to include a few things that were "just for her" in her little hope chest of memories to look back on one day, and the gorgeously soft blanket and adorable matching burp cloth and bib set we just received from Sloppy Baby are definitely being saved.

Sloppy Baby designs and produces their line of baby gear for the-well, sloppiest-of babies and the hippest, coolest moms--like us (who happen to love machine-washable stuff!)

I have to admit that this one was a very pleasant surprise for me. I mean, I knew that Sloppy Baby was sending us a gift set to review, but not until I melted in comfort when I rubbed the luxe fabric blanket against my face and caress the satin-edge, did I realize how truly special this product line is.

Anyone can make a blanket for a baby or a toddler. But sloppy baby has done more; they've made a little bit of baby bliss that is big enough to cover a smaller baby and small enough for the bigger ones to drag around as their lovies. Dimensions are just 21 " x 21".

And the matching bib/burp cloth set? Yay for that! Now I finally have a bib worthy of covering up her special occassion and holiday outfits that I'm proud to have included in family photographs. And their functional, too. With a 100 percent cotton exterior that is lined with fleece for extra absorbency and the option to reverse it for a new look, it's a great Christmas gift idea for the new baby or new mom in your life.

We received the beautiful Samantha Deluxe Gift set, and I love the chocolate and pink color combination. And best of all, it's all made in the USA.
$68 for gift set.

PKRS: Rocking it out for the Holidays

I want to be a little kid again. In a princess gown, bopping to the funky beat at a PKRS concert, to be precise. (But I'd settle for a PKRS concert in town so I could take Buttercup and pretend to be enjoying the music solely for her benefit.)

For those of you wondering what I am rambling about, PKRS is short for Princess Katie and Racer Steve, the coolest, hippest, funkiest, swingiest (it's a word, people...at least for this blog post), sweetest kid rock band in the history of rock bands with princesses and race car drivers who happen to, in a word, rock.

Buttercup and I got to check out their Fast & Feisty CD a while back, and I am not ashamed to admit that I "Woot Woot"-ed with glee when I opened the most recent delivery, containing the "Princess Katie & Racer Steve Live! Revved Up & Ready to Rock" DVD! I was wearing my last clean shirt, the dishes were about to topple out of the sink, and my vaccuum was wondering when, if ever, it was going to feel useful again, but I forgot about all of it and immediately swooped Buttercup up and ran to the TV with the PKRS DVD in hand.

And wow.

You've got drop-dead incredible singing. real musicianship dressed up in whimsical and fun costumes that appeal to their fan-base, tons of laughs, and enough audience participation to make me feel like we were really there.

We LOVED the live concert DVD, and Buttercup (who happens to be a princess in training) certainly had her share of bopping in her 18-mth-old-signature style while Mommy sang along to most of the songs and danced alongside her.

If you are wondering what to get your kids or are searching for a stocking stuffer, I really, really, REALLY recommend this DVD. Even if it is your first introduction to the rockin' world of PKRS, you will not be disappointed. Instead, you and your kids will be coming back for more.

Because until we get a chance at a live, in-the-flesh, PKRS concert, Buttercup and I will be wearing this DVD out.

Oh, and before I forget, stop by and check out Princess Katie's blog!

Get Excited about Books!

Everyone is asking me what to get buttercup for Christmas and I have two set answers: Clothes and books.

"Okay," said one of my sisters. "What books do you want for her?

Well, I wasn't expecting to have to provide specific answers, so I pointed my sister to Excite Books and told her she could buy Buttercup a monthly membership. I'll have to wait until Christmas morning to find out if she took my advice, and can honestly say that I am really hoping she did.

So what's Excite Books? It's the brainchild of a pilot-turned-business man that combines the thrill kids get out of mail addressed just to them with the love of reading a new set of books each and every month. You sign up for one, two, or three age-appropriate books to be shipped to your door each month, and then when your kids tire of the books or their interests just change, the books can be donated to a needy library with Excite Books pre-addressed and pre-paid envelopes! Donate some or all of the books, or keep them if you wish--the point is to spread and keep the love of reading alive in our children.


Talk about a win-win situation (and a gift you can really feel good about giving for Christmas!)

Monthly prices are $4.99 for one book, $9.99 for two, and $15.99 for three and shipping and handling is $4.95 no matter what package you decide on.


Buttercup is too young to know what who Blake Michael, the 11-yr-old host of Cartoon Network's Fried Dynamite is, but older children will certainly relate to Excite Books celebrity spokeskid! He appears on the Excite Books site wearing a large exclamation point to signify the excitement of reading books.


The Excite Books introductory package offers 3 excite books, 1 educational activity, and 8 free gifts. And except for the $4.95 shipping, it's all free! You can choose a package for infants to teens, plus puzzle and cookbooks for all ages. And you can chart your child's reading progress with Excite Books reading completion stickers in their own Reading Progress Calendar!


Buttercup is an avid little reader, so this is all perfect for her and a great way for me to keep her busy and stimulated. We got to try out the toddler introductory package, and Buttercup received a matching items book, a bath-time book, and a book with the characters from Monsters Inc.


Her favorite right now, of course, is the bath-time book. Check out how the book is already helping her grasp the concept of colors!

So...anyone else wants to get their kids excited about reading? Excite Books is offering one of my lucky readers the chance at an introductory package with three free books in the age-group of your choice plus the eight free gifts!

To enter, visit Excite Books and leave me a berrie telling me what you think about the program. why you think Your entry also must include the age group you'd like your prize to be for, if your comment is selected the winner. Entries will be accepted until midnight, EST, December 13 and the winner will have four business days from the announcement date to contact me with their information or an alternate will be selected. US entries only, please.

Additional extra entries are also available if you:

* 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 leave a comment with your username telling me what you said to your "tweeple"!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? ;)

Building character with Life's Building Blocks

Remember how effective the ideals of Jiminy Cricket were in helping us distinguish right from wrong when we were kids? Well, today's kids have a ficticious friend to help guide them-their own little angel on their shoulder.

Thanks to the award-winning company,Life's Building Blocks, Buttercup and I have spent the last few days playing with Zaki, the character chameleon. He's cute,he sings songs and tells stories about character and making the right choices, and speaks in an Australian accent that sure got Buttercup's attention.

Zaki also has color-changing fins on his back which help kids, ages 3-6, determine when they should stop, slow down and think, or just go for it!

Buttercup loves her Zaki, and trust me when I say that I have listened to his rhyming stories and character-building fables so many times in the past few days that I have them memorized now.

Zaki retails for $30 and Buttercup approved for Christmas-gift giving!

Life's Building Blocks also offers other age-appropriate products for older kids with stories and activity books about a group of friends in the thirs grade known as The Spruce Street Six. With stories and activities about the common ethical issue that kids face everyday-like why telling the truth is so important-the Spruce Street Six and Zaki are a great way for connecting with kids and helping them make better decisions for themselves.

With characters like Honest Jake, Jessica the Brave, Calm Carlos, Lauren Never Wuits. Jarrett the Just, and Kind Shawnie, it's easy to set a good example for our kids to follow.

Spruce Street Six books, geared for kids ages 6-10, retail for $5.99 and activity books, for ages 6-9, go for $5.99.

Now for the really cool part. I have three great contests to announce in just this post alone! Thanks to Life's Building Blocks, I am offering up one Zaki, one set of Spruce Street Six Chapter Books, and one set of activity books! I will be selecting one winner for each, so make sure your comment indicates which you would prefer if selected the winner.

To enter, visit Life's Building Blocks and then let me know why you think this would make a great gift for your child. Entries will be accepted until midnight, EST, December 12 and the winner will have four business days from the announcement date to contact me with their information or analternate will be selected. US entries only, please.

Additional extra entries are also available if you:

* 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 leave a comment with your username telling me what you said to your "tweeple"!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? ;)

Metro Detroit: Home of the Best Cookie in the World

When is the last time you had a cookie so good that you wanted to hide it?

Here in Metro Detroit, we are lucky enough to have the homemade chewy goodness of Johnny B's Cookies, located on Mack Avenue in St. Clair Shores.

And their cookies? OMG. Seriously....they are almost indescribably good. Their best-known cookie, of course, is the chocolate-chip chewy. With it's crispy outer edge and super chewy center, it's got to be the best chocolate chip cookie I have ever tasted.

My other favorites include their peanut butter, peanut butter bomb. and betsey's lemon shortbread bars.

The owners say they have the best cookies in the world, and I'd have to agree. They use the finest ingredients, no preservatives, and their cookies are made fresh daily by hand.

I know.

For $18, they will ship a dozen of their cookies to anyone in the United States--now wouldn't that make a super sweet Christmas present for a special someone? Johnny B's cookies are also a wonderful idea for corporate gift baskets, special occassions, holiday baskets, and more.

Now for the fun part: if you live in Metro Detroit, listen up! I've got a great giveaway, courtesy of Johnny B's Cookies, offering two winners one dozen each of a variety of cookies. It's a perfect opportunity to save yourself some time on preparing a dish to pass for one of your holiday dinners, or a great hostess gift for Christmas or New Year's Eve!

I am running two separate contests for one winner each, with each contest lasting for a full week. To enter, you MUST live in the Metro Detroit area and be able to drive to Johnny B's to pick up your prize. The first contest starts today and entries will be accepted until midnight, EST, on December 11. (I'll repost this contest on December 12 to mark the start of the second contest!)

All I ask is that you leave me a comment with your city of residence, a valid email address, and share with me what your plans for your cookies if you win! Are they a gift? Or are you going to hide them?

Joobles...the Fairest of them all

Joobles.

Just the word itself makes me giggle like a little kid.

But the story behind it makes me one proud momma knowing that Buttercup is cuddling with a 100 percent organic knit-toy whose purchase benefits fair trade.

The founders of Fair Indigo have a new line of soft and squeezable pals for your little ones-just in time for the holidays! Meet Mel the Monkey (Buttercup already did. You can see our vlog below!) and his sweet little playmates, all of which are handcrafted in Peru where artisans have hand crafted a menagerie of stuffed animals under fair trade conditions. The company tagline-Responsible, Sustainable, Adorable-is proven time and time again in the environmentally-friendly dyes and organic cotton grown right in Peru!

And if that isn't enough to warm your little green heart, the Joobles are made with cotton grown free of pesticides, insecticidess, herbicides, fertilizers, or other harmful chemicals; workers are paid fair wages; and free breakfasts and school supplies are donated to workers' children!

I mean, really, did you ever imagine that one toy could make such a difference in the lives of so many?

And as I look around our house, I see exactly what I promised myself would not happen: Too much junk. Too many overpriced and forgotten toys and stuffed animals I will gladly give away to charity when the time comes.

But sweet little Mel the Monkey here with his friendly little heart-shaped face and adorable blue limbs and tail? Oh no,...he's staying for as long as I can help it. And I hope to explain to Buttercup why he's so important when she gets old enough to understand.

Joobles retail for $29 each and can be found online at Fair Indigo or at Oompa Toys.

(You can stop holding your breath now because we do have a contest!)

To enter, visit Fair Indigo and click on the Fair Trade button (look for it-it is there!). Your entry will consist of leaving me a comment about what you have learned about the concept and why it is so important to patronize businesses who practice it. You must also include your first and second choice Jooble in your entry for it to be considered valid. Entries will be accepted until midnight, EST, December 10 and the winner will have four business days from the announcement date to contact me with their information or analternate will be selected. US entries only, please.

Additional extra entries are also available if you:
* 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 using the term "fair trade" leave a comment with your username telling me what you said to your "tweeple"!

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? ;)

See Buttercup fall in love with Kai

I love shoes. And I have a major addiction to baby shoes.

Seriously, Buttercup has had more shoes in her short life than I probably have purchase in the last 10 years! And while I was totally devoted to a certain brand who shall remain nameless until a short while ago, I am now a total convert to the See Kai Run line of shoes for little feet.

These shoes really are the cutest, most modern, most flexible, and highest quality I have come by in my 18 months of devoted research. And it certainly helps that I love the story of Mom Creates Hip Namesake to Meet Needs Even Hipper Son. Just two years after getting the company up and running, See Kai Run was a hit in children's boutiques across the country and continues to win over parents and tots alike when they try them for themselves.

I hate spending full price on anything clothing-wise for Buttercup, and many of her clothes are hand-me-downs or bargain-basement specials. But I won't skimp on her shoes. It's too important to me to ensure her little feet are given the flexibility essential right now, and See Kai Run shoes are honestly so easy to flex I can bend the shoe in half with one hand without any effort at all! the soles, which are made from an extremely flexible rubber, are perfect for outdoor use allowing for little feet to flex in all the right places, and Buttercup loves the easy on velcro-straps.

For our review, Buttercup and I got to try the beaut-ee-us Elaine Mary Janes ($40), which are absolutely adorable with their mismatched line of silver stars on each shoe. These are perfect for the holidays, and go with everything.

I've had them since October, and so far have used them for family pictures in early November and then again on Thanksgiving. Buttercup will wear them again for Christmas, and then all bets are off and she can use them anytime her little heart desires.

We also got to take a look at the new Smaller line of soft-soled booties made specifically for babies 0-18 months. The Mazi style ($32)arrived on our doorstep and was a perfect choice for my nine-month old nephew, and will fit him for quite a while. My sister loves that her little man has a kickin' pair of shoes with a major dash of style and I love that little Aiden's feet are just as flexible as if he wasn't wearing a thing!

And perhaps my favorite feature of all the See Kai Run shoes is the butter-soft leather used in their design. It looks classy, expensive even, and yet they are priced no higher than many of their competitors who use lesser materials.

Bottom line? I heart See Kai Run. And I know you will, too.

Thanks to my new fave shoe company, I've got a great contest for two winners to win ONE PAIR each of either the regular See Kai Run line and the Smaller line. And it['s winners choice on style and size! To enter, visit See Kai Run and leave me a berrie (read: comment) telling me what style and size you would prefer if selected a winner. And remember, this is a two-in-one contest for one winner each for the two styles I just reviewed! Entries will be accepted until midnight, EST, on December 8 and will ONLY be considered if they include a valid email address. Winner has 4 days to contact me after the announcement has been made, and please-U.S. entries only.

Additional extra entries are also available if you:
* 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"!
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? ;)

(Oh, and PLEASE forgive the awkward positioning of the photos above. Blogger would not cooperare with me today and I was running out of patience. :-)

Smart-e-Bear and pals are perfect for Christmas!

We love the UPS man over here, and his latest delivery is now one of Buttercup's all-time favorite toys. And for those of you with kids ages 2 and up, take me advice and keep reading. You won't be disappointed.

Let me start with the fact that I love my iPod. But since Buttercup has come along, it has kind of been taken over by her playtime and bedtime play lists. I don't even remember the last time I downloaded anything that wasn't made just for kids! And like any kid, Buttercup also loves stuffed animals. The bigger and softer to cuddle with, the better.

So what does that have to do with anything, you ask? Well, what if I told you there was a great new kid's product that basically combined the best of the iPod world with the best of stuffed animals (and got mommy her iPod back?)? That's where Smart-e-Bear (and his friends Smart-e-Cat and Smart-e-Dog) come into the picture.

This award-winning, technology-friendly from Intellitoys is amazing, and I highly recommend one for any savvy kiddos. Moms (and Dads) just connect the Smart-e-Bear and friends to your computer, click for uploading your choice of "playdate" and then hand over for fun and cuddling!

Smart-e-Bear and friends are designed for non-reading 2-6 year-olds, and I really can see the appeal. First of all, you can actually set up your Smart-e-pal of choice to greet your child BY NAME when you turn him on for playtime. I was shocked beyond belief to see my daughter's real name in the selection, and Buttercup just cracks up with a big ol' smile every time her Smart-e-Dog says "Hola!" and invites her to play in Spanish! (also a very appreciated option for this bilingual mommy blogger!)

Her faves? Singing along to "Head, shoulders, knees, and toes," and bopping along to "Five Little Monkeys." She's also enjoying playing games, hearing stories, and interacting with her super smart dog! And the best thing is that Buttercup's interests change, I only have to hook back up with the USB and change up her listening options, guaranteeing that this is a toy that will truly grow with her.

Check out our vlog of Buttercup and Daddy playing with her new Smart-e-Dog:

Smart-e-Bear and friends retail for $79.99 and are available at Toys R Us, Target, and Amazon, as well as specialty toy stores. stores. But before you go out and buy one, why not try to win one here?

I am so happy to offer my readers the chance at one Smart-e-pal of choice! To enter, click here and then click "Learn More" to take a tour that explains Smart-e-Bear, and then leave me a berrie (read: comment) telling me what feature interests you most. You also can enter by checking out the "Musical Artists, Games, and Stories" section and telling me what you'd download if you had Smart-e-Bear home right now. Entries will be accepted until midnight, EST, on December 8 and will ONLY be considered if they include a valid email address. Winner has 4 days to contact me after the announcement has been made, and please-U.S. entries only.

Additional extra entries are also available if you:

* 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"!

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? ;)

You Can Make This: A gift from the heart

I can't sew a button. Seriously. My poor Mexican grandmother would be ashamed of me, with all the crocheting and knitting she put into my treasured baby blanket collection. But it's true: I am sewing-challenged!

And yet, I have high hopes that everyone on my Christmas gift list will get a personalized pillow with the help of an easy-to-follow e-book from YouCanMakeThis.com from me and Buttercup in 2009. That's right...I'm going easy on myself and giving myself a pretty large margin for error.

Seriously, aren't they adorable? I'm already picking up fabrics and can't wait to work on Buttercup's pillows (she'll get one with "Buttercup" on it and one with her real name) as soon as I have more than five minutes to myself and I figure out how to use a sewing machine.

I'll be sure to let you know when that happens.

But just because my life is crazy-busy doesn't mean I have to make you wait for a chance at an e-book of your choice from YouCanMakeThis.com, does it? They've got some great Christmas gift and craft ideas with over 700 e-books in 34 categories, like the Duet Apron set for Adult and Child, or the Donut and Cupcake Felt Food set!

The e-books are very affordable, but every little bit helps, right? Through December 1, you can score 10 percent off your order with code MakeGifts!

So here's the deal: In order to make sure my TWO winners get the time they need to go out and buy their supplies for their e-book of choice ($20 value or less) and still have time to get the gift under the Christmas tree, I'm running a live contest via Twitter for FOUR hours only! That means that at 3:20 P.M. EST, time's up!

To enter, all you have to do is stop by YouCanMakeThis.com and find your favorite e-book, then stop back here and leave me a berrie (read: comment) telling me which one you want emailed to you if you win AND a comment sharing your thoughts on the site. You know, do you like it? Is it easy to navigate? Do you like the selection of e-books? Will you be back?

And make sure that your comment included a valid email address, cuz if my email gets bounced back, I'm moving on to the next winner. One extra entry are available for retweeting the contest link.

That's it! Why are you still reading? The clock's ticking, people. Let's get crafty!

Thank you Grace and Sugarplum Dreams!

The best thing about reviewing products for this blog is learning about items I otherwise never would have had the chance to discover...and then, of course, sharing these great finds with my readers!

I am pretty picky about what makes the cut for Berrie Sweet Picks, and even then, there are only a handful of products that have made me get all giddy and wish I was a kid again so I could play with it myself.

My current fave is the 20" tall Oopsy Daisy Zebra from Sugarplum Dreams. I'll admit that the $65 price tag might be a bit shocking for a stuffed animal, but it is more than worth it when you learn the story behind this adorable and visually stimulating plush pal.

The Zebra that I can't wait for Buttercup to fall in love with is a Kenana Knitter Kritter, which means it was hand-knit by a group of rural women in Kenya. These women utilize their knitting skills to support their families in developing economies where life is much tougher than anything I can even begin to imagine. And the money earned by the Kenana Knitters directly benefits the women involved, helping them better the quality of life for themselves and their families.

Our little zebra was hand-knit by a woman named Grace Nanyeit', and it brings a smile to my face knowing that there is an actual person who breathed life into this adorable stuffed animal instead of the usual factory line of machines. I don't know if Grace will get a chance to read this, but I'd like to thank her for the time and care she put into this project.

You can learn more about the Kenana Knitter group here, and I really do recommend taking a few moments to read!

And thanks to Sugarplum Dreams, I not only have a chance for one reader to win an Oopsy Daisy Zebra of their own, I also have a discount code for 15% percent off a $50 purchase or more through December 31. Just enter code berrie15 at checkout!

To enter to the contest, please visit Sugarplum Dreams and then leave me a berrie (read: comment)telling me what item ($50 or more) you'd like to purchase with the help of the offered discount code. You have until midnight, EST. on December. 2 and the winner has four days from the announcement date to respond. U.S. entries only, please.

Additional extra entries are also available if you:
* 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"! 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? ;)

Go on a Poingo reading adventure!

Check out my vlog review of the Poingo Reading System!



The set I reviewed retails for $34.99, and additional books are available for $9.99 each. Poingo is available at Target, Walmart, Toys R’ Us, Costco, Sam’s Clubs, and BJ’s Wholesale Clubs, and at www.mypoingo.com. Your readers can also purchase the product at Amazon.

And just in time for Christmas, I've got a great contest for on lucky reader to win the same Poingo set I reviewed! To enter to the contest, please visit My Poingo and then leave me a berrie (read: comment) telling me which additional book you would most likely buy for your child to supplement the starter set if you were selected as the winner. You have until midnight, EST. on November 30 and the winner has four days from the announcement date to respond. U.S. entries only, please.

Additional extra entries are also available if you:
* 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"! 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? ;)

Get green and cheeky with Cheekeyes wooden toys

There's just something extra special in the simplicity of a wooden toy. No bells and whistles and batteries and flashing lights--just add a little imagination and magic begins to happen.

And when those wooden toys are made from eco-friendly rubberwood, that's just taking the power of green to a whole new level.

Buttercup and I have had the great pleasure to take an up-close-and-personal look at the sweetly simple Cheekeys Farm Animal set from Oompa Toys. And I am in love. The sheep, cow, horse, goat, and pig are easily recognizable in shape, smooth to the touch, and just plain cute. One thing I love about the Cheekeyes is that they are handmade and only partially painted, making each figurine unique.

Dutch designer Rogier van Zijp created his line of dinosaurs and forest, African and Arctic animals with a unique red cheek and painted eye (which is, of course, reflected in the Cheekeyes name.)

And if my opinion isn't enough to get you to order a set for every pre-schooler on your Christmas list, then how about the knowledge that the 2009 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio honored the Cheekeyes line with its prestigious Platinum Award for one of the year's best preschool toys?

The animals sets retail for $29.99 and are geared for children ages three and up. For added fun and imaginative open play, we added the farm fence and tree sets, sold separetly at $16.99 each.

I'd like to thank Oompa toys for offering my readers a chance to win one Cheekeyes set of choice! Perfect timing for Christmas, right? To enter to win a pair, stop by the site and then leave me a berrie (read: comment) telling me which wooden toy set you'd choose if selected the winner. You have until midnight, EST. on November 29 and the winner has four days from the announcement date to respond or an alternate will be chosen. U.S. entries only, please.

Additional extra entries are also available if you:
* 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"!

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? ;)