....just as a happy little disclaimer, I received nothing for sharing how amazing this stuff is with you. However, most of them are small businesses (you'll know which one's are not) so I HIGHLY encourage you to check them out and find something you like!
SO, in no particular order.....
Kim's Favorite Things of 2013
1. My Amazon Prime membership. For a mere $79 a year, you can get just about anything delivered to you in two days for free. Have a non-sleeping newborn who eats every two hours, a four year old who doesn't like to be rushed, making errands a little bit rough? Order whatever you need and it will show up in two days. On. Your. Doorstep.
This also made Christmas shopping SUPER easy this year, since Shaner's duty schedule was crazy and T-rex does not allow for stealthy shopping with him around anymore. Most presents went from our doorstep to the garage and he was none the wiser. Check and check.
For more info on Amazon Prime memberships, click here.
I could just say that Etsy in general is my favorite shopping place of all time, BUT, that would mean you'd miss out on numbers 2 and 3.
2. Le Bijoux Bee is my favorite place for delicate jewelery that I have given as gifts a LOT this year. Katelyn, the owner/designer is amazing to work with and has always had a super-fast turnaround for all of my orders (some of which were super large). She is currently on vacation after the busy holiday season, but make sure you sign up to receive an e-mail notification of her return!
Le Bijoux Bee designed and produced the gorgeous infinity bracelets that all my lovely FRG ladies recieved at the end of cruise, as well as my sisters who helped me when Olivia was born, and Olivia's godmother's eternity and cross bracelets. Everything came gorgeously packaged and I can't wait to have another occasion that I need to give a gift to purchase from her again!
Infinity bracelet from Le Bijoux Bee.
3. MUST. BUY. ALL. THE. BOWS. People aren't kidding when they say that dressing a little girl isn't more fun. Case and point: the accessories. My favorite place to purchase bows and other cute head-wear for Olivia is AddiBug Designs. Not only is Kristin a small business she is also LOCAL if you live in the Tidewater area. Each of her bows, blooms and knit items are handmade to order and are of oustanding quality in materials and workmanship. We have already started to amass quite the AddiBug collection in our accessory drawer and I can't wait to build it up even more! Our favorite items are the knit turban hat with interchangeable blooms (although I foresee an order for some bows to switch it up in my future) and Olivia's holiday bow set.
above--Olivia in turban hat with Princess Pink Bloom
Above and Below--Olivia in two of her three glitter bow headbands from the Christmas set. (Third was an ivory that we got tons of use out of all season)
Bringing you number 4 is the item that is the number-one-baby-necessity-of-the-year. All friends having a child both now and in the future, you know what your gift is.....sorry to ruin the suprise:
4. For all my friends with houdini-babies like mine who will break free of every swaddle blanket imaginable, but still want to be swaddled, I give you: The Swaddle Strap
Olivia cannot break free from this swaddle and it really helps to keep her asleep all night. (We tried to wean from swaddling a few weeks ago and it was a big fat failure.) She just moved up to the larger size and has more than enough room to grow in it until she is ready to sleep at night without it. This thing truly saved my life while Shane was gone, especially when it came time for me to go back to work and getting some sort of sleep was essential.
5. One thing I did this year was take pictures. And get prints of pictures. And send birth announcements. And invitations. And holiday cards. Where did I go for all of my printing needs? mpix (yes, all lowercase intended. High, high quality and stellar pricing, turnaround and shipping. Recommended to me first by our amazing photographer, turns out this company is based in Shaner's hometown and his uncle used to work for them. When you go to make your holiday photo book or get some good prints of your favorite holiday memories, this is the place to go!
....ok, so the list isn't too long this year....but this stuff is outstanding! Go check it out!!
and I am off to hopefully finalize some details for a big change to come to this little blog for the New Year. You may or may not be able to look forward to THAT coming tomorrow.
Have a SAFE and Happy New Year's everyone!
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