Get back to school with supplies from Tiny Prints.

With a preschooler and a toddler, back-to-school is still taking on meaning. Last year was my daughter’s first year of preschool, she went a whopping two days a week for a few hours a day. However, it was a huge milestone for all of us. School! And as a mom, I had no idea where to start. Besides the little list they gave us asking for things like a paint shirt and glue sticks, I knew there had to be something else I could do to start off the school year. Tiny Prints has the answers.

You know how kids have tons of stuff to take to school? From pencil boxes and folders to paint smocks and gym shoes, why not make them stand out with custom labels from Tiny Prints? Personally, I love the tags with the photo and the name. That makes it easier for little kids who can’t read yet to identify that something belongs to my little girl.

It doesn’t stop there.

Tiny Prints provides adorable allergy cards, play date cards, activity cards and even lunchbox notes, something that I can’t wait to stick in my daughter’s lunch box, neatly packed next to her peanut butter and jelly sandwich and little bag of sliced up apples. As a working mom, I can’t wait until she can read and I can leave her with little love notes to let her know I’m thinking about her even when I’m not with her.

The fun stuff isn’t just for the students. Why not send a little note to your child’s new teacher with the teacher appreciation card? Or get them ready for the school year with academic planners and even wall decor.

When ordering stuff for the students and the teachers, don’t forget yourself. Tiny Prints offers family planners, emergency contact cards, stationery for the family and photo books, a nice way to remember all those back-to-school photos you made the kids pose for on the first day of school.

Back-to-school isn’t just the time when my daughter heads back to her preschool room, it’s also the time my sisters-in-law move back to school for the year and we start prepping the care packages. Tiny Prints offers many personalized, creative gifts for us to send to them at school. With Tiny Prints moving postcards and business cards, they can share their school addresses with family and friends. The notebooks and notepads will make taking notes during class a little less boring. And what college student doesn’t have enough decor for the dorm room?

And now the fine print. I was compensated by Global Influence’s Tiny Prints campaign for my post, however the thoughts and opinions written here are my own. 

I really should have entitled this blog “Hey Husband! This would make an amazing Mother’s Day Gift,” but instead, I’ll put it in the first paragraph and hope he gets the hint. I’ll keep you posted.

I don’t know about you, but when I log in to Facebook, I’m so excited when my friends have posted new photos, especially when they tag me in them and I can see what a good time we had together. Do you know what’s even cooler? When those pictures come straight to your digital picture frame and you get that nice little surprise when you walk in the door from work.

The Kodak frame connects to your wireless network and provides a continuous stream of photos that you upload, import from you Kodak online gallery, share on Facebook or are tagged in and photos from Flickr. Your family and friends can even e-mail photos straight to a personalized e-mail address you set up for the frame.

At 7-inches (there is also a 10-inch frame), this frame lacks no size or resolution. Photos are big, bright and just as colorful as they were in person. It doesn’t take up much real estate, but it does require access to an electrical outlet and, of course, a wireless network.

The frame was easy to setup, though I had a slight issue connecting it to my wireless network, but I worked that out. Connecting to the Kodak photo site was really intuitive. Then connecting to my Facebook was a simple as a few clicks.

In order to check it out, I loaded some of my pictures to it and then sent out an e-mail to our friends and family with instructions to either tag us in Facebook photos or e-mail them directly to our frame (even from their cell phones!) and we would be able to see them. Some of my friends sent some really creative photos of how they spent their time at work. Our family members sent us pictures they took when we were all together. It was great fun to get the notifications that new pictures had arrived and take a look at them.

Overall, I loved this. As a mom, I want one. As a tech geek, I want one.

It’s reasonably priced at around $129.99. It’s available from Kodak retailers as well as Kodak.com.

For more information on the frame, check out my video above, or visit the Kodak website.

And now the fine print:
I was provided with a Kodak Digital Pulse Frame for review purposes (I miss it since I sent it back) but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

My husband loves sports!  He loves to watch and play most sports and his favorite way to relax and spend time with his friends is with a game of golf.  For Father’s Day, I can get him anything golf related and he will be a happy dad for Father’s Day.

Here are my Father’s Day gift ideas for the golf lover:

Pick #1

How would you like a life size image of John Daly in your living room?  You are probably shaking your head back and forth and mouthing the words, “No way!’  I’m right there with you, but if my husband wanted to put it in his office or his den, I wouldn’t mind it if that’s what he would enjoy.  Fathead has sports and entertainment wall graphics and you can even make your own custom wall graphic or laptop skin using a personal photo!  What a fun and unique Father’s Day gift idea for the golf lover in your life!

Pick #2

If dad is a golf pro or just a rookie golfer, he is sure to love a subscription to Golf Weekly!  Every week he will enjoy reading all the latest golf news.  What a great gift that keeps on giving all year long!  One year/45 issues is only $34.65!

Pick #3

If you live in Detroit, then you are sure to be a Red Wings fan and what could be a better gift than a NHL hockey stick putter.  Dad will be reminded of his favorite hockey team every time he hits the green!  Retails for $114.99

Disclosure: A copy of a Golf Week magazine was given to me for review.  The opinions expressed in this post are mine and mine alone and are not influenced in any way by anyone.

Looking for something special for your mother this Mother’s Day 2010?  Want something that screams elegance?  If you answered, “Yes” to either of these questions, then the Mama necklace by Tali Gillette will not only be the perfect Mother’s Day gift, but it will be her most cherished possession!

I’ve been a fan of the Mama necklace for a little over a year now and have actually had the fortune of meeting the designer and now have a much greater appreciation for the necklace that is also loved by celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Naomi Watts, Joely Fischer and Sarah McLachlan.

I love my Mama necklace because it is an elegant piece of jewelry that expresses what I love most in the world…being a “Mama.”  I also love it because it is a piece of jewelry that I can wear day to night and in between.  It’s a classic, timeless piece I will cherish forever!

Make your mother happy this Mother’s Day 2010 by getting her the Mama necklace that she will cherish forever!

Disclosure: A Mama necklace by Tali Gillette was provided to me for a tv segment I did for Mother’s Day Gift Ideas.  The opinions expressed in this post are mine and mine alone and are not influenced in any way by anyone.

Halle Berry wearing Lyric culture scarf

This Sunday morning, April 25  Detroit Mommies will be on Fox 2 Detroit sharing some very special Mother’s Day gift ideas!  Here is a sneak peek of what you’ll see in the segment:

Made By Me Sticker Recordable Frame

Kids will love creating their own, one of a kind gift with this kit.  They can decorate it with the included stickers add a photo and also record a personal message.  They will be so proud to give someone special a gift they made all by themselves.  2 styles available, comes with 6 sheets of stickers, easel back. Available at Werner’s Hallmark locations for only $12.95 through Mother’s Day – regularly $19.95.

I Love You Grandma Recordable Book

Whether she lives next door or in another state let Grandma know just how special she is with this recordable book.   A child records their voice while reading the story creating a keepsake.  When Grandma turns the pages the book will automatically follow along in the voice of the child.  What a great way to tell Grandma you love her even when you can’t be there.  Your child will be proud to create this gift that Grandma will cherish forever.   Hallmark Gold Crown Exclusive available at Werner’s Hallmark locations.  $29.95

KODAK SLICE Digital Camera (www.kodak.com)

We all love to SHARE our photos, and the KODAK SLICE Digital Camera offers a new way to share. With 2GB on-board memory, SLICE can hold 5,000 of your favorite pictures in the camera, and serve as your own portable brag book to share your favorite memories. Viewing the photos on the camera is fun and easy. The camera boasts a 3.5-inch touchscreen LCD interface that can be controlled with the slightest touch of your fingertip, providing you with a responsive, fluid experience. Sorting through your photos is easy with the SLICE Search feature which lets you quickly sort through thousands of pictures by person, place, event, location, or by any of the manual tags you create. Or use the Facial Recognition feature, which automatically recognizes up to 20 pre-tagged faces so you can easily locate them. And once you ready to share your photos off the camera, its unique “Share” Button allows you to quickly and easily upload and share photos via Facebook, KODAK Gallery, FLICKR, YouTube and email with the push of ONE button!

Visit www.Kodak.com / $349.95

Tali Gillette “mama” Necklace www.taligillette.com

After hearing her son utter the words “ma, ma, ma”, Talli Gillette decided she wanted to wear the memory forever by designing a chic, unique line of jewelry inspired by her baby’s first words.  Celebrity moms that have been spotted wearing the Mama Collection include Gwyneth Paltrow, Naomi Watts, Joely Fischer and Sarah McLachlan.  The Mama Collection is made from 18K white gold and 14K yellow or rose gold with G VS diamonds, on 16″ chains.  Custom orders are available as well.  Give your mother something different than the traditional Mother’s Day jewerly.  Give her a gift from the Mama Collection.

Visit www.taligillette.com, Large 14k yellow gold mama necklace 1″diameter. $550.00

Hammitt Los Angeles – http://www.hammittbags.com/index.html

In a sea of satchels, clutches and totes, Hammitt Los Angeles boasts a unique, classic style that has caught fire with fans in NY, LA and Tokyo while gracing the arms of celebrities along the way. Created by a California girl at heart who sought to blend European high fashion with laid back SoCal style, each bag is named for a famous LA neighborhood such as Westwood, Brentwood, Santa Monica and Robertson, and embodies the unique essence of each location. Using a fresh approach to modern classic design, their bags feature a signature rivet detailing that instantly identifies a Hammitt handbag and tells others you are in the know. Local Los Angeles artisans hand-craft every piece in the collection, one at a time, using the finest imported leathers and suede, thus creating a beautifully designed handbag that will be on your arm for years to come. Hammitt Bags retail $150 and up and can be purchased nationally at Bloomindales.com.

Lyric Culture – www.lyricculture.com

Lyric Culture is a premium rock n’ roll apparel line driven by the lyrics of the most legendary musicians of all time including The Beatles, Madonna, Pat Benatar, Janis Joplin, Queen, The Rolling Stones and countless others. Each item in the collection reflects the personality, style and flare of the artist and song through its design. Lyric Culture fuses high fashion and music in a ground breaking way, allowing the wearer to express themselves through lyrics of classic song. Lyric Culture sells everything from vintage tees to scarves, jewelry and hoodies. Celeb fans include Halle Berry, Nicole Richie, Katharine McPhee and Kate Beckinsale. Items retail $49 and up and can be purchased from Lyricculture.com.

Urban Bratz Tees/Onesies www.urban-bratz.com

Urban Bratz is a new cool line of children’s clothing that is geared towards hipster parents who like to rock cool clothes on their infants and toddlers. Since launching last year, Urban Bratz has been featured in publications such as Earnshaw’s, Kid’s LA, Celebrity Baby Blog and has been picked up by the hippest boutiques around the world including celebrity favorite Kitson in LA and the trendy boutique Stomp Stamp all the way in Japan! With hilarious tees, dresses, long sleeve two-fers and onesies with sayings that read, ‘ Mommas Boy’ and ‘ I’m with the Hottie’, Urban Bratz would make the perfect Mother’s Day gift … What mother wouldn’t want one of these funny little reminders of just how loved they truly are!

Tees: $24 Onesies: $22 Dresses: $30 Two-Fers: $30 www.Urban-Bratz.com

Vosges Haut-Chocolat’s

Les Fleurs du Chocolat combines organic fruits, flowers, chocolate and cream to beckon your mind and palate into spring. This limited edition collection of chocolate truffles is topped with roses, nasturtiums, orchids and marigolds and then tucked in our signature purple gift box. Be sure to peruse the dainty guidebook tucked inside to discover the health benefits of each edible organic petal. Collection includes:
Siam (jasmine tea + lemongrass + fresh coconut + white chocolate + marigold petal)
Mirabelle Orange (mirabelle plums + orange flower water + dark chocolate + nasturtium petal)
Rose Vert (tarragon + rose water + dark chocolate + red rose petal)
Platanos y Orchidus (orchid vanilla + caramelized bananas + Jamaican rum + milk chocolate + purple orchid flower)

16pc $42 Visit www.vosgeschocolate.com

Two Tinas’ Personalized Blankets

Simply darling! Two Tinas offers gorgeous Snapsuits, Hoodies, Signature Blankets, Classic Blankets and My Name Receiving Blankets for your little
prince or princess. You will go ga-ga over these adorable personalized baby essentials!

Sweet and stylish, the Signature Blankets pair designer fabrics with super-soft luxe backing, for extra cuddles at nap time. Available in 12
designs, from Fleur Pink & Flutterfly to Zoo Mocca & Rocketman.

For a timeless choice, your little one will love the Classic Blanket, offered in Classic Pink, Classic Blue, and Classic Green, personalized
with baby’s initial. Same plush fabric – simply beautiful styling! Or choose a My Name Receiving Blanket – perfect for swaddling precious
newborns. All blankets are machine washable on the delicate cycle. Tumble dry low. Do not bleach.

Visit www.twotinas.com, $48

Shabby Apple Dress www.shabbyapple.com (worn by Courtney)

Simple lines descending from a high-waist are contrasted with playful ruching just above the bustline giving this dress an overall flattering silhouette. Flowing ruffles at the cap-sleeves and a sophisticated v-neck make this dress both playful and elegant. Made from a soft, flowing jersey fabric and done in a gorgeous blue, you can see why this dress was named after the sea.

Visit www.shabbyapple.com, $66

Circle of Sentiments, www.circleofsentiments.com

Circle of Sentiments offers an extensive collection of personalized hand stamped jewelry. Perfect for any proud mama, our “mommy jewelry” is
custom made with children’s names, initials or favorite phrases. We have a large selection of hand stamped necklaces. Or, for those who prefer to
show their sentiments on their wrist, check out our cuff bracelets and disc bracelets.

Visit www.circleofsentiments.com

mijo-a’ beauty salon, www.mijo-a.com

Located in beautiful downtown Rochester is an elegant salon where Courtney had her hair cut and styled in preparation for her Mother’s Day appearance on Fox 2 Detroit.  Visit by April 24, 2010 and receive 10% off any product or service.

Visit www.mijo-a.com for more information

Grand, romantic gifts and sweet little sentiments should be as unique as the recipient, so skip the malls and big box stores this Valentine’s Day and try giving a gift that gives back.

WWJ Newsradio 950 and The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) are launching an online auction to raise donations to help local families keep warm this winter. All auction proceeds will benefit the 7^th Annual Winter Survival Radiothon for THAW and there are dozens of items available that would make the perfect Valentine’s surprise. Samplings of ideas are listed below. All items are available for bid from Feb. 2-11 at www.wwj.com.

For the Romantic:

· Learn to cook as a couple with a cooking class for two from J. Baldwin’s Restaurant & Premier Catering.

· Travel to Boyne Highlands Resort to enjoy a ski package including one night’s lodging, a pair of unlimited lift tickets and breakfast for two.

· Take dance lessons with a four-session package from Arthur Murray Dance Studio.

· Check out dozens of additional gift certificates from area restaurants to theaters available for grabs.

For the Single and Ready to Mingle:

· Laugh yourself silly with 10 admissions to Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle in downtown Royal Oak.

· Gather 10 friends for a walking bar tour of Detroit (tour provided by Inside Detroit).

· Roller skate your worries away with 10 friends, courtesy of Skate World of Troy.

· Enjoy a private wine tasting and tour with 12 friends at Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery in Traverse City.

For Families:

· Have a musical experience with 4 admission tickets to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.

· Cuddle up to a new furry friend with a $300 certificate toward a puppy or $100 toward supplies from Petland in Twelve Oaks Mall.

· Bid to win other great gifts for the whole family including tickets to the Detroit Zoo, Ann Arbor’s Hands On Museum or to see “Elmo’s Green Thumb” live at the Fox Theater.

If you bid and win any of these items, not only will your friends or sweetie be impressed with your gift, but you will feel great knowing that the money was spent on a great cause!