Shark Tank!!

Recently I bought my son the cutest shark hoodie from Old Navy.  I guess I should have shared it on here, because we have never gotten more compliments on anything!!

They appear to be sold out online, but maybe you can find one at your local Old Navy.

This made me realize that maybe it was time that I shared some fun Old Navy finds. They have so many great items for kids there...and you can't beat their prices!!

Here are are some cute fall items, that are sure to turn some heads:)

Performance Fleece Critter Hoodies

Leopard Print Mary Janes

Super Grover Tee

Astronaut Jr Captain Sleep Set

Button Front Cardi

Licensed Backpack

Knit Trapper Hat

Owl Trapper Hat for Baby

Flocked Dino Tee

...and the best part is they are having a 15% off sale right now.  Just enter the code ONFALL15 at checkout.

Custom Ink

Last weekend we attended the OC Walk to Remember, in honor of our daughter.  Attending something like this is so bittersweet.  Part of you is thrilled to get a day to remember your child publicly, and celebrate their life.  Then the other part of you is pissed that you are part of "this", and that the life you are celebrating was cut so short.  I definitely was torn, which is why I was "off of my game". 

Typically I plan for things about 3-4 months in advance.  Most of my holiday shopping is finished in August, and I plan my outfits days in advance.  However my sadness kept me from planning for the walk.  I knew we needed shirts for "our team", and that we needed to register for the walk.  My husband and I were actually volunteers for the walk, and passed out flyers months before reminding people to register ahead of time.  Yet here we were a week before with no shirts ordered, and registering last minute.

I quickly registered us...that part was easy. 

However now I was on a search for a place that I could custom design shirts, and have them delivered in 5 days!!  Did a place like this even exist??

Luckily for us it did.  I stumbled on this wonderful user friendly site called Custom Ink.  They made it so easy to design your product (in our case shirts), and had a 24/7 chat line.  I quickly designed a shirt, and then called them to see if there was any possible way that we could get it in time for our walk.

The woman I spoke to was sympathetic to why we needed the shirts, and quickly helped us get them ordered.  She also personally checked each shirt to make sure they were done the exact way that we wanted them done.  She definitely was one of the best customer service people I had ever spoken to....and as you all know I shop online a lot!! ...and have worked in retail the majority of my life!!  So this is a huge compliment to her, and her company.  I made a point of letting her, and her company know this!! 

She was so efficient that when I got off the phone, I knew without a doubt that they would arrive in time and be perfect.  And that they did...they actually came 2 days early!! 

We were thrilled with how our shirts had turned out, and even got some compliments from other families on them.  The quality of the shirts really stood out, they were thick and soft.  Shirts like this typically end up flimsy and see thru :(  Ours were white, and did not require any undershirts.  They also held up perfectly in the wash.  I washed them before the walk and after, and none of the ink faded.  They look as good as new!!

When it comes to things for my kids I only want the best!!  Custom Ink is definitely the best when it comes to custom made products.  I can't wait to get more items made by them.  They offer a lot more than t-shirts!! Head over and check out everything that you can make!!

I only recommend the best things to my friends (you all are my friends), but when it comes to infant loss items I am even more picky.  I know how much more meaning each item holds...the product symbolizes so much more!!  Anything that represents your child (ren) has to be prefect!!  I can honestly recommend Custom Ink to everyone.  Especially to those creating items in memory of their loved ones.  I am confident that you will be as pleased as we were!

Things I Don't Need, But Definitely Want:)

AKA things that my husband doesn't agree that I NEED;)
...although I added a few this week that I think he would even want!!  Can you guess which ones??

Handle Bar Grips

Polaroid attachment for Iphone (my friends that tease me for using my Polaroid still sent me a link to this lol)

A clutch for your bike:)

Bike Chalk Trail- You need sometime fun for their bike too;)

Good Wishes Maternity Voodoo Doll- I could have used one of these!!

Ipad arcade (I guess I should put an Ipad on this list first;) )

Construction Plate

Do you have a list of thing you want like this??  Items that you don't quite need, but know that they will make your life more fun:)  What is on your list??

Little Orso Rawrrr....Grrrrrrr Bookshelf

In honor of today being World Animal Day, I thought I would share some of the cutest little animals that I have seen in a long time.

These Jellycat animal books, are so cute!!.  My son loves them.  They have adorable illustrations, and each book has a tail. 

The books have very few words, so they are meant for younger kids.  However they are still engaging enough to keep parents involved in story time.

There are quite a few animals to choose from including; cows, bunnies, dinosaurs, ducks, elephants, giraffes, hippos, kittens, lambs, pigs, puppies, and sheep.  Each one cuter than the next!!

Jellycat makes some of the best stuffed animals, so grab a book and an animal and you have a fabulous gift:)

Chop, Chop, Chop!!

A while ago I wrote about one of my favorite items, my Boon Drying rack:)

I mean seriously could it be any cuter??  Well now I have a new favorite item from Boon, their Slicer.

Meal time can be such a handful, especially when you only have one hand and limited time to prepare it.  This Slicer makes things so easy!!  It cuts everything into perfect "kid sized" bites.  I wish I would have discovered this product, back when my son first starting eating "big kid" food.  However I still have to watch the size of his bites, especially since he tries to eat too much at once. 

The last 2 months have been so much easier, since I got my slicer.  It is also great for traveling, and going out to eat.

Just like my drying rack, this item is not only for babies...it makes a great chopped salad:)

In the Mood for Fall!

Despite that fact that we are still in the 90's, I am in the mood for Fall.

Here are some great Fall looks that I love....

Benetton- Seriously how cute??

Slouchy Beanie-  I wish they looked this good on me:)

Toms Cord/Fleece- My son loves his Toms

Wrist warmers- adorable!!

Gucci- This one can be filed in "dream"...for so many reasons;)

Suspenders!!

Gap- Fall in California (raincoat and shorts)

Gap- Now we just need rain!!

Ralph Lauren- ears get cold too!!

Did you get your kids anything new and exciting for Fall??  I'd like to add all of these items to my son's closet. We do have the rain boots, they are even cuter in person.  Now we are hoping for some rain:)...and cooler temperatures!!

♥ Barrett's Blankets ♥

We figured we would start off Infant Loss Awareness Month, with a fabulous organization!!

Staci was 18 weeks pregnant, when she learned that her beautiful son had gone to heaven.  Her biggest regret was that she didn't get to take the blanket that her son was wrapped in home with her.  It would have given her a piece of him, something that touched her baby.  Something she could hold on to and cuddle with, when she missed him most. I was lucky enough to get my daughter's blanket, and even have a piece of it in my locket that I wear every single day.  I can not tell you how much comfort it brings me.  I grab my locket every time the pain starts to be too much.

Staci and her husband decided that they wanted every parent to have this comfort, something they unfortunately did not receive.  The love in this community blows my mind!!  These parent's first concern was comforting other parents.  That is what drew me to this organization. 

Staci of Barrett's Blankets

Barret's Blankets donates their beautiful handmade blankets to hospitals.  These blankets are given to families that have lost a child, so they can wrap their baby in them... and then take them home.  So beautiful:)  They also have started providing blankets for babies staying in NICU. 

You can also request a blanket for a child that you have lost in the past, by contacting them directly. These blankets may never get to be wrapped around your child, but hopefully they can be wrapped around you for comfort.

The blankets are all handmade with love, and Barrett's Blankets runs strictly on donations.  If you know how to knit or crochet and are interested in helping them make blankets, please contact them here.  Also they need supplies (yarn, shipping materials, money....), if you can help out please contact them.

Losing a child is so difficult, if you know someone that has lost a child or if you have, please check out this organization and our infant loss directory.  Being surrounded in support helps so much.  Also if you know of another great organization that you think I should share please email me directly. 

Let's work together to make infant loss no longer a taboo subject.  Together we can save babies, and comfort those that have lost a child!!

Get involved this October, and be inspired by organizations like Barrett's Blankets.  The smallest thing can make the biggest difference...

Hammer Time!! Orso Daddy Post

I know my wife did an Ikea product yesterday, but I couldn't help but jump on today and share my favorite new toy.

Toy Hammering Block

In the past couple of weeks, I have had some time to play with my son during the afternoon.  I usually come home during dinner and bed time, so I miss out on playing with him.

Typically we play with a modern toy or sports item, but now we are addicted to smashing things with a hammer...and it couldn't be more fun!!  My wife always said that old toys are the best, and I finally agree. 

Who would have thought a basic wooden toy would bring my son and I so much fun?  The best part about this toy is that I bought it for $5.99.  Ikea is seriously the best place to buy kids things!

I don't post often, but when I find something I really like I like to share it.

It is also great for big kids too, because I get a lot of daily stress out with it.

Maybe The Best $19.99 I Have Spent In A Long Time??!!??

As I have mentioned in previous posts, my son is obsessed with crafts...especially coloring!!  I used to let him color at his highchair, but then he started wanting to color during meals.  I realized it was time for a craft table. 

For months I had been putting different tables in "my carts", so that I would be ready for this day.  Most were fun and expensive tables.  Just like every other child/baby item, I got caught up in needing the best one that I could find.  Then you have a moment of clarity when you remember that expensive doesn't equal best. 

I figured I would search Amazon and a few others sites, for tables with high customer ratings, but still affordable.  However first I needed to run out for a few items.  One of my stops happened to be Ikea, I figured why not check out what they have.

...and then I saw this adorable little table and chair set (it comes with two chairs), for $19.99.

Seriously $19.99, how sturdy could it be??  I checked it out and it seemed to be great.  I asked my husband what he thought, and he said "how bad can it be"??  So we bought the set, and figured we would give it a try.

Four weeks later, and it has become one of my favorite buys.  My favorite things, always seem to be items that I stumble upon.

I can't say enough good things about this table; it is the perfect height for my son to sit at, it is easy to wipe Crayon off of, it is not too big or small, it is a neutral color (does not over power the room like most kids furniture does)... The chairs are sturdy too, my husband and I can even sit on them.

Anyone in the market for a table and chairs set, I would recommend heading to Ikea.  They have so many cute kids' items. (and stuff for mom, like the candles and $1 dark chocolate bars... they are unusually good)


***Find out more about the "crayon truck" here or purchase it here

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.