Recently I came across Jack and Lily shoes at a retail store, and I have to say, I really like them.   The ”Original” designs are a bit like Robeez, but seemingly better made.  The “My Shoes” line for infants and toddlers is also uber-cute.  They are similar in price to Robeez, made in Canada, and as a big bonus, are machine washable.  Here are a few of my favorites…

*I was given no compensation for this review. I shelled out my own dough for these shoes.

I love me some OPI, and I was at a store looking for some polish for my toesies when my eyes fell upon this display of new nail colors from OPI based on the Shrek motion pictures. 

I’m not sure when it became a good idea to make nail colors based on children’s movies, but I will say that the greens in this collection are truly hideous.  I was discussing them with the salesgirl and she said they reminded her of boogers.  Personally, they remind me of a fungus.

Yeah, there might be some ten year old who thinks it’s a good idea, but I’m not sure anyone else will.

Have you ever been just going along, thinking your life is pretty A-OK when blam! Something or someone or a combination of  somethings and someones happen to throw off your mojo?  Well, today that is me, and what can I say, I’m a bit verklempt.  And damn it, I can’t blame post-partum mood swings because after five months, those should pretty much be gone, right?

So, as a distraction, I went looking at some spring/summer shoes for the young ladies, and found some that lightened my mood a bit.  Ahhh, shoe therapy always works, doesn’t it?

Camper Kids – 80181

Stuart Weitzman Kids – St. Tropez (Youth) (Fuchsia) – Footwear

You know, because being pregnant isn’t already uncomfortable enough.

At least, that’s what Heidi Klum thinks that a pregnant woman needs, and will be charging you a cool $550 for the privilege of wearing them.

She’s got maternity collections out at both Pea in the Pod and Motherhood Maternity.

I’m looking at them both, and frankly, she’s not really making it work.

When my daughter was first born, she began to get little red bumps all over her face, probably due to exposure to the detergent on our clothes.  Then, because it was dry and cold, she began to get flaky, dry skin everywhere, but especially her face.  Using the humidifier wasn’t helping.

So I went to my local Mother’s Market and asked the nearest salesperson about the best baby cream to use for infant “skin issues” as I delicately put it to her.  I wasn’t about to say that my daughter looked like a molting, pimply teenager.

She directed me to the California Baby products, and also mentioned a few other contenders as well.  I have used California Baby products before, namely their sunscreen, and have been happy with the results.

So, I chose the Calendula Cream, and it has been nothing short of fabulous. It hydrated her skin and cleared up the rashes overnight!  If only we adults could find something so effective.  Although I’m sure her newborn-ness has something to do with it as well.

I’m also currently using it for her chin and upper chest area, where she can get a little bumpy since her number one goal in life is to chew her fingers as much as possible now that she has the arm control to do so.  I’m also using it after bathtime on her diaper area, mostly just because I can.

In short, I highly recommend this good-smelling, lightweight, all natural cream.  The jar says that Mom can use it as a night cream, and I have to say I’m highly tempted!

*I did not receive any samples or fees to review this product.

From a swear-to-god true craigslist ad: 

BOWS FOR DOGGIES OR BABY- SO ADORABLE – $1

I AM STARTING A BOW BUSINESS FOR PETS AND WILL BRING THEM TO YOUR SHOP

$1.25 EACH ( MIM – OF 10 )

SO CALLING ALL GROOMERS – CALL ME FOR THESE ADORABLE HANDMADE BOWS

LIL*DJ* LOVE IS LIFE – DOGGIE JEMS

If you are going to go for some sort of dual marketing ploy, at least do it in a different ad! Just imagine how embarassed my daughter would be to have the same bow in her hair as the Yorkie down the street.

Why is it that so many parents in my area think they are justified in pricing their used kid’s items on craigslist for almost retail?  When the things are goodness knows how gently used?

I have no problems buying used baby items because man, some of it is damn expensive. 

But why in the world would I buy a used item for over half of what it retails for in the store?

For example, I would like a new stroller for the Munchkinette.  We have a MaClaren, and I wanted another.  The one we have is still very functional after six years of use, but I was thinking that it wasn’t necessarily going to last another six. 

My husband disagreed, but said I could get one off of craigslist if the price was right.

After searching for a while, I became not a little outraged at the prices people wanted for used baby things.  Yeah, I know it was expensive when you bought it, but it isn’t new anymore!  This stuff is like a car, once you open it up and put your baby in it, it loses half its value and it just keeps dropping from there.

But no, for a two year old stroller, one woman wanted almost half the retail price.  She was unwilling to negotiate, and after two weeks, it is still unsold.   I find that people wh0 want outrageous amounts of money for their crap often have an inflated sense of self worth to go along with their inflated prices, and this laday was no different.  If I wanted to pay that much money, I would just get a new one.

So, for all you parents out there who think that you should charge a premium for your used things, get over yourselves!