Tiny Talk and the Adventures of Plastic Mommy

This week's Budget Stretcher was inspired by the current wallet-shrinkage crisis. With the economy looking ominous, you need to be sure that you are using your family's money wisely, and with that in mind, we've assembled a few essential items for a bare-bones price check that will prove for once and for all that Little Hands Boutique is the smarter choice.

Little Hands faces the lowest price budget brand from a big box discount retailer (W*l-M*rt, etc)

Jeans:

The Graphic Tee:






Bottom line? We've got the best priced gear to keep your little ones outfitted for any occasion.

9:53 PM
Categories: kid's clothing, price check, the Budget Stretcher, Toddlers. Author: AJae

Humpday GiveAways are back! Did you think we forgot??....Well no excuses...let's get down to business. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is quickly coming to an end, but that does not mean we should forget about health awareness. Continue to do your self exams. Stay informed and make a conscious effort to get in shape and to maintain a healthy state. Our next give away is meant to encourage you on your journey to become the best you that you can be. The Let's Get Fit/ Think Pink GiveAway

Included in this GiveAway is 1 Adidas (Pink & Black ) gym bag, 1 Pink -The Body Ball, and 1 lovely pink and white Breast Cancer Awareness sports cap.

To participate in this giveaway simply visit littlehandsbouitque.com, come back and post a comment letting us know what you enjoyed most about the site and what your favorite item is. That's it you're entered!

Bonus: If you have a website or blog, link back to us and this will count as two entries(you may also link back by adding us to your signature line(ex: Visit this cool site http://www.littlehandsboutique.com/)

Good Luck and please continue to educate yourselves as much as possible on early detection and ways to prevent breast cancer.

7:34 PM
Categories: Author: Tiny Talk

Or, 'You Know You're the Parent of a Character Fanatic if...'

• You're sick and tired of the words:

"Cars!"
"Dora"
"High School Musical"
"Hannah Montana"
"[Insert favorite t.v. show or sports team here]'"

• Your impulse purchase budget is always being spent on pricey brand-name versions of ordinarily inexpensive children's clothing
• You can't enter (and successfully leave) any clothing related store without (a.) purchasing said character items or (b.) witnessing a character-related meltdown from said fanatic child

As much as you are probably wishing that we are about to reveal a top-secret 10-step program to cure the character fanatic(s) in your family, but sadly, there is only one way we can soothe your pain while you wait for this phase to pass: find budget friendly solutions for your Character Cutie's apparel.


$9.99

$8.99


$0.99

$2.99

11:56 AM
Categories: Dora the Explorer, the Budget Stretcher, Toddlers. Author: AJae

More and more moms are taking the leap into the growing pool of Wahm's. It is a freedom that moms have found to be unmeasurable. Although working at home has great advantages, such as: creating your own hours, possibly forfeiting the cost of daycare and having the great privilege to teach and care for your little ones at home, as well as savings in the form of less gas and time traveling. Sounds great right? Well not so fast....this wonderful life also come with it's challenges, and when you have a toddler at home that is and understatement, but with thought and preparation it can still be a win/win situation. Here are some tips on successfully working at home when you have a toddler in the home.

1. Be realistic- Do your research and choose your work at home job or business wisely. Many telecommuting positions can still be time consuming and require constant quiet, therefore a child in the home during work hours would be inappropriate(ie: customer service). Be sure that your choice fits your needs.

2. Keep work physically separate from children. Create a viable workspace and keep children out of this area, this ensures the safety of the children as well as work related items. However as moms we know that it is always a good idea to childproof every area of the home as a precaution.

3. Muti-task- When possible take advantage of times when you are able to work and care for children at the same time. For example if there are some calls you can make with the children around, be creative and set up a play office area for your toddler, they love to imitate and this will keep them busy as you finish up last minute things. This is helpful as long as you are able to work and keep and eye out at the same time. Be careful to assess when the task does not allow you to work and care for your child at the same time. Know when you should set aside work to care for your child. Never step over this boundary.

4. Take full advantage of nap time: This is a valuable time, be sure not to get distracted and waste time on things that you can do when your toddler is awake

5. Try to arrange a play date with a family member or friend once a week if possible. This will give you some time to devote undivided attention to your work.

Being a Wahm is not to be taken lightly. It should be given careful thought and you should have a well laid out plan if you intend to be successful. But when all is said and done it can prove to be a great way to support your family without having to give up the care of your family to strangers. Good Luck!

3:51 PM
Categories: Author: Tiny Talk

If you have been wondering if Tiny Talk fell off the face of the earth...the answer is no, just fighting a mild illness and we won! So many apologies for not updating you with great info and prizes for the last week or so, but as mommies you know you have to take care of you or you wont be able to take care of anyone else. With that being said we're back and will be doing our best to stay on track and bring to you great info this last half of breast cancer month and promise to end the month with a great giveaway to remember! In the meantime please dont let the next few days get away without browsing this very useful site Breast Cancer Awareness Month It is a great site that will offer you tons of information and direction on breast cancer. Whether you are newly diagnosed, A survivor, or just curious about how you learn more and provide support for this great cause, This site answers all those questions and more.

Then after browsing that site, mosey on over to this great website . This cool website provides great must have products and guess what? All the proceeds will go to breast cancer research! What better incentive is there to Shop! You can shop and feel great about every penny you spend!

Remember to stay informed and take advantage of all the great information that is highlighted this month!

3:35 PM
Categories: family life, pamper yourself, Plastic Mommies. Author: Tiny Talk

Whether you are dressing up your little ones for Halloween or just for fun, costumes can be an unnecessary strain on your budget, but that shouldn't mean they'll have to sit out the party. This year, instead of wasting your money on cheap, ill-fitting costumes from a major party retailer, set aside an afternoon with your little munch-kins and get creative. Stock up on some cheap craft supplies like loose dyed feathers, glueable gemstones, pompoms, finger paints, and other small, lightweight objects. Add some large paper bags, construction paper, disposable paper plates, or paperboard for the mask base (for a sturdier base, you can make a paper mache mask), glue, a bit of thin elastic or regular string to secure the mask(s), markers and crayons, and get ready to get messy!

First, using the pencil, mark the approximate locations of the mask-wearer's eyes, nose, and if desired, mouth. Cut away the material to leave holes and punch out two small holes right around eye-level on either side. Next, glue, paint, feather, and decorate to taste. Allow to dry fully and then tie the string or elastic to the mask.


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Other Fun Costume/Dress-up Ideas:

This little dress ($6.99) combined with a dollar store tiera and wand could be the perfect outfit for a princess or belle of the ball:


Your budding jungle explorer, safari kid, or Indiana Jones treasure hunter will appreciate this accessory (and at $2.25 , so will your budget).

This hat would be the perfect for a soldier or hunter costume:

9:09 AM
Categories: craft projects, the Budget Stretcher, Toddlers. Author: AJae

Keep those adorable little toesies warm this season with affordable, quality shoes at bargain prices from Little Hands Boutique. Check out a few of the shoes and boots we've found so far:

10:00 AM
Categories: bargain hunting, shoes, the Budget Stretcher, Toddlers. Author: AJae

DINOSAURWICH - KIDS TREAT

3 1/2 c. (8 oz.) Cool Whip (thawed)Box of Dinosaur Graham CookiesGarnish: M & M's, Reese's pieces, sprinkles, chocolate chips, chopped nuts, etc.
Spread Cool Whip about 3/4 inch thick on one cookie, place another cookie light on top.
Roll or lightly press edges of cookie into any of the above garnishes (M & M's or Reese's pieces you have to place into Cool Whip edges).
Freeze until firm, about 4 hours. Wrap in Saran Wrap to store in freezer up to 2 weeks.

Easy Nesquik Butterfinger Dessert

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
1/2 cup NESTLÉ NESQUIK Chocolate Flavor Syrup, divided
3 (2-oz) bars NESTLÉ BUTTERFINGER Candy Bar, finely chopped, divided
30 graham cracker squares

Directions:BEAT cream in large mixer bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in 1/4 cup Nesquik until stiff peaks form. Stir in 1 cup Butterfinger pieces. SPREAD about 1 heaping teaspoon whipped cream mixture evenly onto each of 6 graham cracker squares; stack. Place stack on side on long platter or baking sheet. Repeat with remaining graham crackers and whipped cream mixture until 5 stacks are assembled. Press stacks together to form a loaf.SPREAD remaining whipped cream mixture over top and sides of graham cracker loaf. Top with remaining Butterfinger pieces.REFRIGERATE for at least 2 hours or overnight. To serve, slice diagonally across loaf into 1-inch slices. Place each slice on plate and top with remaining Nesquik.

Do you have a favorite dessert you make for your little ones? Please share!

7:23 PM
Categories: Author: Tiny Talk

If you are one of those people that have some organizational challenges then this article may be for you. For a busy mom the at some point or another the laundry just seems to pile up. For me this time or another comes about every week. It seems that in a family of Six the phrase "caught up on all the laundry" is just a wonderful dream. The more laundry I do, the more the laundry fairy delivers to me daily. My laundry room is quite small and discouraging, thus my excuse for the clutter and constant feeling of chaos that comes over me when ever I walk into this area of the house. Am I alone on this one? I have to believe that someone out there who relates and feels my pain! With four teenagers and a toddler constantly in tow, organizing my laundry room became much more important than some will ever understand.

The more organized you are the more time you waste and the more time you have to do things you love and to spend time with the people who mean the most to you. Without further ado, here is the coolest article on getting rid of the chaos in your laundry room!

1:39 PM
Categories: kid's clothing, laundry day blues. Author: Tiny Talk

1. Get ready for cooler weather and save energy costs by making sure your furnace and other appliances aren't inflating your utility bills unnecessarily.

2. Buy in-season fruits and vegetables, and trade in those name-brand toaster pastries for the generic kind. Most brand-name products aren't much better than the grocery store's brand, anyway.

3. Play the money jar game.

4. Cancel all those expensive cable movie packages, and tune in to the basic channels' newest delights. (Psssttt...a little secret-fall's series are definitely worthwhile!)

5. Shop at Little Hands Boutique!

This Baby Togs button-up is only $3.99.

An IZOD zip-up hoodie is $3.99.

2:54 PM
Categories: kid's clothing, saving money, the Budget Stretcher, Toddlers. Author: AJae

5:41 PM
Categories: Author: Tiny Talk

Congrats to Idahomom! You are the winner of the Automatic Jar opener! Please contact us within seven days (customerservice@littlehandsboutique.com) to claim your prize, you will also receive a special Congrats email! Thanks again for participating.

Well I know normally this is the time where I introduce a new giveaway, but today I decided to do something a little different. To kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month I decided to have a special give away that I will announce on Fitness Friday. I want to provide as much useful information as possible about this great cause and offer you some nice give aways as well. So those of you who have subscribed watch closely this month not only for great giveaways but great information. If you have not subscribe please do so right away! Up next a great link to check out. I will be posting this link separately, it is a very detailed guide on doing self breast exams, eating to prevent cancer and even awareness in men. This is one guide you don't want to miss.

Much Love and Support to all our mommies out there and especially to those who have been directly touched by this terrible disease.

5:11 PM
Categories: family life, pamper yourself, Plastic Mommies. Author: Tiny Talk