Looking Back on Year 1...Day 5

I am such a sucker for cute bedding, especially for kids rooms!! 

I have seen some of the cutest sets ever, at an Etsy Store called Birds Have Flowers. 


I originally featured them last Thanksgiving, click here to see the post.

Birds Have Flowers hand makes every one of their adorable items.  The store is owned by a very cool mom named Rebecca, when she isn't being a  mom and making cute sheet sets, she fronts a band!!

I can't wait to do my sons room, and get him some of these adorable sheets:)

You all don't have to wait though, because Birds Have Flowers has given us a special deal good through the end of the month. 

15% off fitted sheets....

Seriously could they be any cuter??

and 15% off blankets...

Just enter the promo code BLANKETSHEETS at checkout.

Head over and check these items out now.  They have so many fabrics and patterns to choose from.  You don't need to do much else to your room when you have bedding this cute :)

Adventures in My Shopping Cart...

So we have been really busy lately, but it hasn't kept me from a little of my favorite late night activity...throwing items in my virtual carts.  Here are some of the items on the top of my "to buy" list!!

Eco Kids Personalized Letter Pillows

I love these!!  I am a big initial and monogram fan, so of course I would love these.  But there is something about the colors and font, that makes these extra exciting.  I can think of so many things to do with these...write your child's name on their wall with them (pillows look cute hung on the wall), put initials on the family couch, give these to newlyweds, put the first letter of a child's name on their new "big kid bed", party favors for a sleepover party, spell out a sports team, get the entire alphabet for your playroom.... I could go on for hours! 

Needless to say I will be getting a few of these!! ...and they are upcycled, so you can feel good about buying them:)

Soda Can Magnets

Anyone that knows me, knows that I love my Coke a Cola!!!  I also love crafts, especially those that make something new and cute out of something else.  These magnets are adorable, and I love that they are made out of an old Coke can. 

There are so many cute shapes and designs to choose from at this store, head over and check them all out.  They use all types of drinks too!!

Eco Friendly Fort Kit

I have featured a few forts on here...my brothers and I used to build forts every day.  There is nothing better than hiding out in your fort, and having fun.  I really like this kit, because it helps you build one yourself.  It reminds me of the ones that we used to make, with old sheets and pillows.

Not everyone has an extra set of sheets and pillows laying around for fort construction, so this kit is fabulous.  It comes with everything that you need to make a fort like this one, and a great tote to store it all in.

Arizona Sunshine Girls

Before I start this special post, I wanted to clear something up...

Little Orso is for everyone!! True it is primarily a kids shopping blog, but I feature items for moms and things that "big kids" would like too. 

When I started my blog, my main reason was because there weren't many kids blogs that included boy items.  A lot of kids' blogs say that they are "kids shopping blogs", but then only showed girl clothes and accessories.  Not even one neutral toy or book on the page.  I am not sure why that it is!?!! 

I have a son (as you all know), and I love shopping for him (as you all really know:) )  Just because he is not the same gender as I am, does not make shopping for him any less special.  The sad thing is somehow this "only fun to shop for my daughter sentiment" seems to have hit the kids markets too. 

There is far less available for little boys:( I decided I would point out great items for little boys, and hopefully get the industry to realize that "boy moms" like to shop too.  Our boys are just as important!!  However I never intended for my blog to do the same thing that I complained about, leave people out!!  Everyone is welcome, especially parents of little girls.  Judging from my emails from current readers, many of you already realize this.  However I still get a random comment here and there, saying something to the point of "well I would read your blog, but I don't have a son."  That was never my intention at all, and if you actually ready my blog then you would see that 90% of my posts are non-gender specific. (which if I had more time or thought anyone would actually read it, I would go into why I do not believe that toys and kids accessories are gender specific anyway...)  Which brings me back to the point of this explanation...I just want a place where boys are not left out, not a place where girls are left out.  So please join me every day, and share us with your friends with girls.

I almost missed out on this special store, because of that misinformation.  They only sell items for girls, so it almost wasn't shared with me.  I do not plan on featuring very many items that are primarily for girls, but I definitely make exceptions for special ones like Arizona Sunshine Girls.

My friend Emalee shared this wonderful store with me, not because of their items but because of why the store was started.  The store is owned by her sister Sarah, who suffers from Scleroderma (Scleroderma is a connective tissue disease that involves changes in the skin, blood vessels, muscles, and internal organs. It is a type of autoimmune disorder, a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue***)  Due to her illness, she can not work out of her home.  She also recently learned that she will need to get a lung transplant sometime in the near future.  Such a scary diagnosis to hear, but even worse when you worry about the financial aspect involved.  Sarah decided to start her store, and start saving up now.

I honestly agreed to do this post to help a person in need. As you all know my husband has cancer, and has received an amazing amount of support, and I love when I am be able to pass this same support forward. Something special happened when I visited her store, I realized I would have wanted to share her items anyway.  They are beautiful and delicate, and they have a vintage feel to them.  They are exactly the style of items, that I would have bought for my daughter.  I especially love the cuffs, and the delicate little hair clips.

Head over and check out Arizona Sunshine Girls today!!  Not only will you pick up some adorable items, but you will help a very special cause.





***http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001465/

Etsy Favorites Day 10!!

I saved one of the best for last!! 

 

TheLilybugBoutique is special to me, because it is owned by one of my close friends.  Jamie started her store right after the birth of her daughter Lily.  She makes the best taggie blankets out there!! (and the best brownies, she is a professional chef when not sewing).  Jamie sent us a Dr Seuss blanket when my son was born.  He loves it so much.  He is 9 months and still carrying it around.  We have seen others in stores, but none of them have the extra touches that TheLilybugBoutique puts into theirs.  Each one is backed with a snuggly minky fabric.  Jamie also heat seals all of the ribbons to prevent them from fraying, and triple stitches them to make sure that they do not come loose.

Her Dr Seuss and Hungry Caterpillar blankets are the most popular, but you can contact her directly to make any character or theme that you want.  Right now they have some holiday prints available.  Order now to take advantage of the special  $.99 shipping she has on all orders for Little Orso readers.  Just mention Little Orso at check out.

Etsy Favorites Day 9!!

Two more stores to go....and I saved two of the best for last:)

Our 9th favorite Etsy store is Little Monkey Doodles. They sell personalized door signs, growth charts, mobiles, clocks, frames, canvases, prints.  The store is run by Jennifer and her family. She is the mother of 4; and started her store because she had such a good time making things for her own kids that she decided it would be fun to make them for other kids too.  Her door signs are what drew me into their store, however once I started looking around I realized that I needed everything!!! Wrap up a door sign and clock, and now you have a great gift!!

There is always something new at Little Monkey Doodles, so check back regularly.  Right now they have offered Little Orso readers 10% off of their orders.  Just enter code LITTLEORSO at check out.  This code is good until they close for the holidays.  They have giveaways and sales all the time, so make sure you like them on Facebook too.

Etsy Favorites Day 8!!

Today's favorite is a special one for me.  I have always been extremely close to my grandmother.  Since I was young, she has bought me bags with my name or initials on them. Now that I have a son I wanted to get him started on the tradition.  I started looking around the internet, for a little bag or backpack that I could get for him to bring his toys in.  I should have started my search on Etsy, because I found exactly what I was looking for at a store called Inspired by Grands.  And how fitting that the store is run by a grandmother of 10 (soon to be 12)!!

Inspired by Grands makes personalized kids' backpacks, tote bags, diaper bags, and doll carriers.  The store is run by Terri, who has been sewing since she was 10 years old. It all  started when her oldest daughter wanted two small backpacks for a trip they were taking. She needed something small enough for her girls to carry on their own, but large enough to hold activities for the plane trip. This is when Terri started making the kids' backpacks featured in her store. Her daughter suggested that she start selling them on Etsy, and 2 years later her store is still going strong!! 

Head over and check out Inspired by Grands today.  If you want something for the holidays you need to get your order in before December 10th!!  I personally am going to get my son a backpack to take his sand toys to the beach in, or snacks and pacifiers for the park in:)  

 

Etsy Favorites Day 7!!

What kid doesn't love something cute and soft to snuggle with??

Mabelise, named after the owners' two kids Mabel and Elise, makes handmade lovies, blankets, dolls, and toys.  The owner, Gwendolyn, started making dolls after her second daughter was born.  Her daughter was having trouble sleeping through the night, and was waking up many times looking for her pacifier.  Gwendolyn decided that she needed to make something that would hold her pacifier, and that she could cuddle with.  This is when the "Blossom Baby" was born.  This doll solved the problem, and still remains her daughter's best friend (she is 3 years old now). 

Today Mabelise carries the Blossom Baby and tons of other cute items.  Gwendolyn's goal is to offer unique and special little lovies, that children will find years of joy and comfort in.  She has decided to offer Little Orso readers free shipping (domestic), so that you can find one of these items for your children.  Just enter the code THANKS2011 at checkout.

Etsy Favorites Day 6!!

Have you noticed that most of the teddy bears and dolls available in stores, are very cutesy and girl based??  Well Marijke did, and that is why she started her Etsy boutique. Littletinks is an Etsy store that offers hand knitted teddy bears and other unique baby gifts.

Marijke has been knitting since she was 8 years old.  When her friends started having babies, she had a hard time finding gifts that were "special enough".  She decided that she could make a better teddy bear, than she could find in a store.  Her friends loved the bears, and suggested that she start selling them. So earlier this year she started Littletinks.  They have cashmere teddy bears for that luxurious room, but also carry a wool version that is washable and as she puts it "boy proof". 

Littletinks is happy to offer our readers a 10% discount.  Please mention that you are a Little Orso reader at checkout.

Etsy Favorites Day 5!!

Today's feature store is all about keeping your head warm, while still looking adorable!! 

Marigold Baby makes some of the cutest hats I have seen. It is run by Erin, a stay at home mom of twin boys.  She has a background in apparel, specifically historic dress.  However when she had her twins, she decided to take a break from her studies and start a custom hat store. Since her background is in historic dress, she loves to mix this influence into her work.  This is why her hats have a vintage feel. 

Marigold Baby has offered Little Orso readers a 15% discount.  Just enter code LITTLEORSO at check out.  This promotion is good until December 15, 2011.

Happy Thanksgiving!! Etsy Favorites Day 4!!

We have a Thanksgiving treat for you today...a great Etsy store.  

Today's pick is Birds Have Flowers.  The store is filled with amazing custom made bedding. The store is run by Rebecca, a mother of two from Arkansas. When she was pregnant with her son, she realized that there was a lack of cute boy bedding.  She decided the only way to get what she wanted, was to make it herself!!  After that she started making bedding for her friends too.  Her friends were so happy with the bedding, that they suggested that she start selling it.

Check out the adorable bedding today!!...and if you do not find any patterns that you like, feel free to contact  Rebecca directly she makes custom sets with your own fabric choices too!!

Birds Have Flowers is offering us free shipping on all orders.  Just let Rebecca know that you are a Little Orso reader when you place your order.

Etsy Favorites Day 3!!

Today's favorite is a store called Supersockmonkeys.  They take sock monkeys to a whole different level.  They do have sock monkeys, but they also have bears, dogs, chicks, cows.....

Supersockmonkeys is owned by a woman named Becky.  Becky worked in the UK garment industry for many years. She was working at a sock store when she became pregnant.  She bought a book on how to turn the beautiful socks she was selling into toys for her unborn child.  The hobby turned into a career, when she learned that her child would require surgery and medical care.  Happily her daughter pulled through and is happy and healthy today!!  Becky says her store reminds her to never give up, even if things look difficult at first:)

Supersockmonkeys is offering all Little Orso readers 10% off their purchase.  Enter promo code LITTLEORSODISCOUNT at checkout.

Etsy Favorites Day 2!!

Today's featured store is BudsnBranches.  They offer custom shortalls and longalls reversible outfits, matching brother/sister outfits, coordinating birthday hats and bibs, dresses, shorts/pants, t-shirts sets, and blankets.

BudsnBranches is run by Sabrina, a stay at home mom.  Her son is the inspiration for her store.  She started the store because she realized there was a need for unique, cute, classic, & reversible clothing for boys.

Their stuff is so cute, and reminds me of an expensive line from my childhood.  My mother used to like to dress us all in outfits like these for the holidays.  Whether you have one child or ten, these outfits are perfect for the upcoming holidays or a casual day at home.

Sabrina has shared her special Black Friday promo code early with us. Enter BLKFRIDAY2011 at checkout to receive 10% off of your order.  This code is good until midnight on 11/25.

Etsy Greats!!

I am sure many of you spend a few hours each week searching Etsy for great finds!!  I know I do!!  That is why I have decided to feature some of my "little boy favorites" over the next week and a half.  Each day I will feature another Etsy favorite (in no particular order).  Check back every day to find out about another great store, and see what special offer they have for Little Orso readers!!

Let's get started!!



My first favorite is Stylin and Profilin. It is a baby accessory store run by Abby Dreyer.

Abby recently became an aunt, and had trouble finding items that weren't "too babyish."  She decided that the only way to get what she wanted was to make it.  She features pacifier clips, hats, bows, and wipe cases.  Her pacifier clips are what initially drew me in.  I couldn't find any brands that offered boy appropriate ones.  Many of the lines just made plain colored ones that could be used for boys too.  Abby had great sports prints, polka dots, solid color with trim etc...I had to order the monkey one immediately!!  The ribbon is a great quality, and the clips keep the pacifier in place without ruining clothes.  Not to mention that her shipping was extremely fast.  This makes her a great option for baby shower gifts!!  She just added wipe covers, and I can't wait to order one. Head over to Stylin and Profilin today, and grab some great baby accessories!!

Abby has decided to offer Little Orso readers 15% off,  from now until December 10, 2011.  Just enter code LITTLEORSO at checkout.