Tiny Talk and the Adventures of Plastic Mommy

Summer is just around the corner ....are your little darlings all set for picnics in the park and romp time in the back yard? Not to mention the countless expeditions and adventures we mommies plan for the best "tortured fun" you have all year. Don't get me wrong, the memories are priceless, but the " I have to go potty" when there is no bathroom in sight, "I'm hungry" in the middle of the guided tour (only after refusing to have anything but a drink box at lunch)or how about picking and pouting for the only stuffed animal at the zoo's gifts shop that cost $39.99??!( what about a cute little globe for 8.99? No way.) Yes, as moms we have to be prepared for everything! So here are a few tips for having adventures that go off without a hitch( okay that run a little smoother... lol)

1. ) Always, always have potty runs before you leave the house and at whatever spot you stop at that is clean and convenient. ( Take your own paper toilet covers with..if your paranoid about germs like me!)." I don't have to go potty now" Nope, not gonna fly little one. Try try anyway! Lastly limit drinking as much as possible to areas where children can potty soon after.

2) Always carry portable snacks; crackers, cookies, or even cut up fruit. Children are very finicky and will usually only want to eat when it is not convenient.

3) Help your little one make good decisions. Give him/her limits like ( only 1 toy or nothing over $10.00) then let them make their own choice like a big boy or girl.

These are just a few tips you may or may not already do, if not, hopefully this helps.

Here's to a fun and painless summer!

9:50 AM
Categories: Author: Tiny Talk

Hard economic times have caused many smart mommies to shop second hand stores. The great thing about moms is that we learn quickly how to be frugal, yet still keep our families happy and looking great! I for one believe that sometimes great things can come from bad situations. For example shopping second hand in hard times! Kids grow quickly and while their clothes don't grow, many times they are in great condition and have tons of wear left in them. Why not wear named brand clothes for less than half the price. Let's face it, even before these hard times many families could not afford certain brand names. Second Hand shopping allows you to wear the best for less. Stores like LittleHandsBoutique.com take pride in bringing you items that look great at a fraction of the cost you would have paid. Don't take my word for it.....Look for yourself. Shop LittleHandsBoutique.com Now.

8:02 AM
Categories: Author: Tiny Talk

If your like most mommies who have school- age children mornings can be SO chaotic. You have to get the little ones cleaned, dressed and fed all before rushing off to school. Here are a few tips to kick the Morning Chaos.

1. Try making a breakfast casserole at night. Prepare this quick meal before bed so all you have to do is warm it up in the morning.

2. Did you know that breakfast burritos freeze great? Prepare a batch and take them out to heat up for breakfast.

3. Try a quick breakfast like boiled eggs with toast and juice.

4. A great time saver is to set the table for breakfast at night with a vitamin by each plate and all. One mom said she even put the stopper in the sink with a bit of dish washing liquid in preparation for clean up.

5. Attempt to find hairstyles for girls that can last a couple of days at at time or if that's not possible, have all necessary bows and accessories to go with outfits already laid out.

6. Iron school clothes for the week on weekends.

These tips may not be for you, but consider your morning routine and take note to what task can be done at night or in a more efficient manner. Each minute shaves time wasted and gives you more control over the Chaotic Morning Blues!

Good luck

2:15 PM
Categories: Author: Tiny Talk

9:24 AM
Categories: Author: Tiny Talk

2:10 PM
Categories: Author: Tiny Talk

Second-hand. Used. Recycled.

What do you feel when you hear each of these words? 'Second-hand' might bring back painful memories of wearing an older sibling's (or cousin's) bell bottoms that were so last year, while 'used' might conjure up images of a slimy car salesman dishing up a lemon for your first car, yet once you throw the word 'recycled' into the mix, the whole mood changes. 'Recycled' has happy vibes, with images of sparkling clean water, green, green grass, and smiling children frolicking in bright sunshine. Truth be told, you are probably thinking that the day you don't buy your kid(s) brand-new off-the-rack clothing is the day you finally accept poverty as your fate. Sadly, this mentality can cause you untold dollars of un-necessary clothing costs as your little ones grow up, especially when they are in the toddler stage of outgrowing everything before it wears out. Today, I'd like you to go back and reformat your perceptions on gently-used clothing. Replace words like 'used' and 'second-hand' with 'recycled.' By purchasing recycled clothing, instead of new items from Big Box Retailers, you'll be saving a lot of green and supporting small businesses run by ordinary moms and dads, like Little Hands Boutique. Want to see how you could save by changing the way you think about second-hand clothing? Check out our Price Wars series:

• Price Check: Why Little Hands Beats Big-Box Discount Stores
• Price Wars 2: Essentials for Your Baby Girl
• Price Wars 3: Why Little Hands Has the Best Deals on Quality Outerwear
• Price Wars 4: A Holiday Showdown

11:53 PM
Categories: kid's clothing, saving money, the Budget Stretcher. Author: AJae

If you've been watching major retailers' new commercials for this holiday season, you might be noticing a theme- X retailer claims to have lower prices than their competitor, with slogans similar to this: "X retailer's prices will save Christmas." But I beg to differ- not only are they over-exaggerating real price cuts, especially when you are looking to outfit your little ones for the holidays, the reality is that the 'savings' you will get from shopping at X retailer(s)...will be practically nothing, because most holiday outfits are a one (or two) time use only item. Let's face it, why should you waste money on pricy little get-ups when your little munchkins will outgrow them long before they get another chance to wear them?

Little Hands has the best deals on holiday dress-up items this season, hands down! (No pun intended.:)

$6.99 (LHB)
$24.99 (BB-R)

Savings: $18

$7.99
$36.00
Savings: 28.01

Total Savings: $46.01

8:29 PM
Categories: Holiday 2008, price check, saving money, the Budget Stretcher, Toddlers. Author: AJae

Check out this cool recipe we found to tickle your little one's taste buds!

Meowth Peanut Butter Crisp Wedges

Ingredients: 4 cups rice cereal, 1/2 cup raisins, 16 oz. can of Vanilla Frosting, 1/2 cup crunch peanut butter. Line two 8 inch round cake pans with foil. In large bowl combine cereal and raisins; mix well. In small saucepan, combine frosting and peanut butter; heat over medium until mixture just begins to bubble, stirring frequenting. Pour over cereal mixture; mix until thoroughly coated. Press in foil lined pans. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Remove from pans; remove foil. Cut each round into 8 wedges.

Trying to think of new ways to help your little one recognize the alphabet? Try these two activities for educational fun....

My "A" Book -Staple several pieces of white construction paper together with a colored construction paper cover. "My A Book" and your children's name on the cover. Cut out magazine pictures of those things which begin with the letter "A", as well as actual upper and lowercase letters from ads or article titles. Let the children chose the pictures and letters they want, and glue them onto their book pages. Later, arrange a time for the children to read their books to you.

Feelie Box-Have a feelie box, that children can't look into, such as covered with a towel or sheet. Have them guess the object starting with the letter "A" that you have placed in the box.

Use these two cool activities to teach alphabet letters A-Z and numbers as well.

Want more?

Make your own Zoo!

"A" is for animals-Cut out magazine pictures of animals and laminate, if you wish. Have your child put them on a poster board or a wall in their room and create their own zoo! Talk with children about how animals walk, eat and sounds they make...and then when ready take your child to the real zoo for a more enhanced experience. Alternatively, photocopy animal coloring book pages for the children to color and make a picture book.

Animal Masks-

Make animal masks out of paper plates or grocery bags using decorative items such as stickers, tissue paper, markers, glue, yarn, etc. Have a puppet show or small play and let the children make up their own lines for their animal.

Hope you enjoyed these tidbits of fun....check back tomorrow for Wednesday's Humpday Giveaway!

7:14 AM
Categories: Author: Tiny Talk

Congrats to Zwriter you are the winner of the Easy Living Giveaway, Your are just one step from adding an a little extra time to your day! Please contact us within seven days to claim your prize!

3:00 PM
Categories: Author: Tiny Talk

Jacket and boots season is upon us and if you've been fretting over outgrown coats and jackets, we've got wonderful news for you-this season, give your wallet a break with quality, brand-name gear from Little Hands Boutique. The past two weeks, we've shown in a piece-for-piece match-up that gently used toddlers and infants clothing is often the better deal than the original, full-priced item, and this week will be no different. Little ones tend to outgrow items long before they wear out, so when you shop at Little Hands, you're definitely getting a bargain.

Take, for instance, this boys jacket from a BB-R (big box retailer):

Or, for your little lady:


Next week, we're starting the holiday magic early with a Little Hands-style celebration of how much money you'll saving on your dress-up items for your little ones this season (a.k.a. the "how to have more money for gifts without expanding your credit line" guide). Don't miss out!

10:38 PM
Categories: price check, saving money, the Budget Stretcher, Toddlers. Author: AJae

Last week, we compared three essential items for your little guy's wardrobe in a price check that pitted our prices against various big-box retailers. This week, we're proving that LHB has the best deals for toddler girls, too.

Exhibit A, the cute top:

$2.99, LHB

$16.50, BB-R

(Savings: $13.51)

Exhibit B, her new favorite boot:

$7.99, LHB

$29.99, BB-R

(Savings: $22.00)


Exhibit C, the adorable but durable jean:


$29.50

$4.99

(Savings: $24.51)

Total Savings: $60.02


Coats and outer gear are up for next week's pricing face-off, so to ensure you don't miss any of our budget saving advice, don't forget to hit that subscribe button before you click onward in your online travels today. See you next week!

9:34 AM
Categories: bargain hunting, price check, saving money, the Budget Stretcher, Toddlers. Author: AJae

The "Easy Living" Giveaway is just that, a couple of great items to make your life easier. Take a look at these great items! The Micro Grill "As Seen on TV" and The Automatic One Touch Jar Opener also "As Seen on TV"! These two items boast to save you time thus adding an extra few minutes to every day!( And what mommy couldnt use that....)

To participate in this giveaway you have two options to choose from

1. Post information about www.LittleHandsboutique.com anywhere and email us the link here in the comments section) Example- Check out this great site for upscale resale of infant and toddler clothes- www.Littlehandsboutique.com) It's just that simple once your link is verified - you will be sent an email verifying your entry!

2. Invite a friend to come along with you to www.littlehandsboutique.com, click shop now, scroll down and join our email list. Then send an email to customerservice @littlehandsboutique.biz naming the friend you referred! You will receive a verification email that you have been entered! Also don't forget to let your friends know that once the have joined the email list they may also refer a friend, send an email to the above address to be entered as well!

Contest ends Nov 12th at 12am( Open to the US only)


Good Luck

4:06 PM
Categories: Contest and Give Aways. Author: Tiny Talk

Congrats to Aimee(acirucci), you are the winner of our Think Pink GiveAway. Please respond to our personal congrats email within 7 days to claim your prize! Thanks to everyone for participating and get ready to participate in our next Humpday GiveAway on Wednesday the 5th this time the winner could be you!

12:58 PM
Categories: Author: Tiny Talk

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