Kid’s love all things personalized for them.  It strokes their little egos and makes them feel special.  Knowing this from personal experience, I loved the idea of a personalized book.  Anything that grabs my daughter’s attention to read is a plus–quite frankly a must have!  I See Me children’s books are adorable tales tailored for your child.

With a quick questionnaire you are on your way to receiving a unique book to give to your child or another (they make great gifts).  Not only do they boost self esteem, they also can help your child to learn their name’s spelling faster. BONUS!

I received a book for my daughter that had a “Happy Birthday” theme.  Throughout the cute lyrical rhymes is her name and actual date of birth.  You also have the opportunity to add a quick dedication to make it just that much more special.  The illustrations by Mati McDonough are super sweet, full of color and texture.  Each page features a poetic piece of the animal-themed story by Jennifer Dewing.  You can choose books in durable board book style or full size hardbacks.

While “My Very Happy Birthday” is great for any child – hello birthday gift – there are many other topics.  From Little Brother/Sister to Holiday to Fairytale themes, you can find one perfect for the recipient child.

To purchase your own, cruise around the I See Me website.  There are many options available to you and the prices are great considering the personalization and quality construction.

New for May is the very adorable “Royal Birthday Adventure” that any birthday girl would love to have.  The book will take them on a winged unicorn to a magical kingdom where they will be crowned princess.  I mean, really.

I See Me has a referral program as well so tell your friends to order their books as well!  Keep in the know by following I See Me’s Twitter stream and also like them on Facebook.

Product was provided to facilitate this review.

Anytime you can make parenthood a little easier, you should do it.  I recently got hooked by a kids clothing delivery service and I’m loving the convenience.  Now there is a company to help you through the teething years by deliveries as well.  TeetheMe is a fantastic company that sends parents of toddlers crucial items.  While it is more than just teething products, they stay true to the stage.

Every month you will receive a box of 4-5 quality, hot baby products geared towards newborn-3 year olds.  Well known and respected companies provide the must have items and TeetheMe provides the to-your-door service.  This is a fantastic company for new moms, tired moms, busy moms–all moms.  Whether you do not know the baby product market well and need suggestions or you simply do not have the time to research and purchase, TeetheMe can be a lifesaver.  The baby market is a saturated one and can be very overwhelming to parents.  Simple tasks like choosing the greatest sippy cup can be nerve-wracking.  And since your box is customized, your 2 year old will receive different items than a newborn.

I received an April TeetheMe box and here is what it included:

• AqueDuck Facet Extender – helps little ones to wash hands independently
• Foogo Sippy Cup – BPA-free, leak proof, insulated sippy cup
• GreenLeaf Sachets – gives off a divine scent for a stinky diaper pail, drawer, beneath car seat, etc
• Nini Toy Bungee – keeps cups, bottles and toys from hitting the ground

Overall I was pleased with the selection and intrigued to see what may come next month.  TeetheMe is a useful service for your own family or as a gift.  In fact, it is very easy to gift a box to anyone, no commitment necessary.   With a membership you get more than just products, you get to be involved in a community of moms (coming soon) who are trying the same products as you, and therefore have kids the same age.  Purchase your membership for $24 a month (there is a prepay option).

Products were provided to facilitate this review.

It’s hot out where we live right now and that only makes my daughter want to be out there all the time. One of her favorite things to do, other than swimming in the pool, is drawing with chalk. I’m always looking for ways to keep it interesting and fun. I absolutely adore this idea from Infarrantly Creative. They made Liquid Chalk in a spray bottle! Who would want to try this?? Plus your kids will have clean hands since they aren’t touching the chalk. To see more photos of the spray in action, click here.

Project Essentials:

• 1 tsp washable tempera paint
• 1 cup of hot water
• 1/2 cup of cornstarch
• squirt of dishwashing liquid
• Squirt bottle

1.   Add cornstarch to one cup of hot water whisking to mix so that there are no clumps.

2.   Add one teaspoon of washable tempura paint and a quirt of dishwashing liquid.   Mix well.

3.   Pour it into your squirt bottles and shake well.

They recommend spraying your driveway down after the kids are done to avoid any staining.   Also, if your spray sits a while, it will separate. Just shake it up really well before you use it and you’re good to go!

Today I decided to whip up a fairly simple salad. According to Wikipedia, Fattoush is a Levantine bread salad made from toasted or fried pieces of pita bread combined with seasonal produce (usually tomatoes, cucumbers and radishes), mixed greens and herbs. The mixed green component is made up of Romaine lettuce and mache (purslane), which is actually a weed with a subtle lemon flavour. Sumac, lemon and olive oil are the key ingredients in a steller dressing that completes this salad perfectly, in this instance a little pomegranate molasses has been included to intensify the flavours and add a little sweet/tart kick.

So, if you are looking for a little Lebanese on your dinner (or lunch) plate then look no further, serve it with a few other Middle Eastern dishes and you will have yourself a nice little banquet.

And one more thing, don’t miss out coating the toasted pita in olive oil – it prevents the pita from getting soggy when mixed with the vegetables and dressing.

Dressing
2 teaspoons ground sumac, soaked in 2 teaspoons warm water for 15 minutes
2 tablespoons (or more) fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon (or more) pomegranate molasses
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon (or more) white wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon dried mint
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt

Salad Ingredients
3 x 8 inch diameter pita breads, halved, toasted until golden brown, broken into bite-size pieces
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Sea salt
3 medium ripe tomatoes, chopped, or 3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 pound Persian cucumbers, or one 1-pound English hothouse cucumber, quartered lengthwise, thinly sliced
6 scallions (shallots for those in Australia), thinly sliced
1 small head romaine lettuce, trimmed, cut crosswise into 3/4-inch strips
2 cups (loosely packed) flat-leaf parsley leaves
2 cups purslane (mache) leaves or additional 3/4-inch-strips romaine lettuce
1 cup fresh mint leaves
Ground sumac (optional)

Dressing
Combine sumac with soaking liquid, 3 lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, garlic, vinegar, and dried mint in a small bowl. Gradually add oil, whisking constantly, until well blended. Season with salt; add more lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, and vinegar to taste, if desired.

Salad
Place pita pieces in a medium bowl; pour oil over and toss to coat. Season pita to taste with salt.

Mix tomatoes and next 6 ingredients in a large bowl. Add 3/4 of dressing; toss to coat, adding more dressing by tablespoonfuls as needed. Season with salt. Add pita; toss once. Sprinkle sumac over, if desired.

Notes: Sumac is a tart, citrusy spice that is available at specialty foods stores and Middle Eastern markets. Pomegranate molasses can be found at some supermarkets (Wholefoods has it) and at Middle Eastern markets.

Cut flowers are pretty but they don’t last long, and if you or your mother has a black thumb, the potted kind won’t last either.  Here’s a novel idea: have the kids help you make paper flowers.  You can customize your own gorgeous bouquet or a single stem will do.  How great will they look served with breakfast in bed?  After mom’s big day is over, she can simply work the flowers into her existing spring decor.  I found quite a few different tutorials on making small to large flowers, my favorite being this one captured at Mon Carnet.  Yes, they are suggesting them for weddings or Valentine’s Day, but they will work for any occasion calling for florals.  Simple, fun, and bright–perfect for Mother’s Day.

With Mother’s Day quickly approaching, we are all thinking about being mothers and our own mothers.  We’re thinking about the special bond that only a parent can have with a child, and more specifically, the bond a mother has with her child.  I, of course, love that we have our own day as mothers and I hope you are all celebrating accordingly.  It’s also important to point out that being a parent is a year round job and should be celebrated and appreciated as so!

I cannot help it.  When I hear Mother’s Day, I hear jewelry clinking together.  While looking for some unique pieces to showcase for you I came across the respected Kranich’s Jewelers, who since 1903 have been a cherished jeweler and fine gift shop.  While I had previously known about their excellent variety of quality engagement rings, especially the Princess Cut Engagement Diamond Rings I had never looked into their Mother collection. No time like the present!

The first piece that jumped out at me was out of the Mother and Child Pendants, specifically the one you see to the right.  I love the connection and embrace that it symbolizes.  It captures the essence of that unbreakable bond so elegantly.  To make it the perfect gift, top it off with a gorgeous diamond.  Now mom can wear this pendant for any occasion.  You can find this same design in other jewelry styles such as by ring or earrings.  They are available in 14kt yellow or white gold and with the option of no diamond.

I’ve mentioned that I am a big fan of birthstone jewelry for parents and granparents before and Kranich’s has some beautiful (and customizable) options.  You can design your own Mothers Ring quite simply by making a few quick selections.  Choose up to 9 stones, depending on the size of your family.  Next you have the option of 10 or 14kt gold (in yellow or white).  With your custom options in, you can then choose from a broad selection of styles.

Order now and save 15% off your Mother’s Ring order with the code MOM2012 at checkout.  Make your purchase at Kranichs.com.

This is a sponsored post.  All opinions are solely those of the author.

If you love the classic baby scent, you will love Live Clean (Baby).  Upon opening a package of these eco-friendly baby bath products, the aroma took me back to when my daughter was a newborn.  It was a wonderfully nostalgic moment.  The difference from those old school products is that Live Clean products are environmentally friendly.

This Canadian favorite has recently launched its baby line in the United States.  With all of the scary ingredients around that have moms and dads alike in a tizzy, you cannot be too careful when it comes to baby beauty products.  Live Clean Baby uses only natural, non-irritating, gentle plant-based ingredients in their products.  Sensitivity is always a concern, but if everything is natural, you skip out on all the irritating, drying ingredients from the past.  Instead of using unnecessary additives, Live Clean Baby lets the natural fragrance shine through.  They are enriched with certified organic botanicals of chamomile, lavender and aloe for their medicinal purposes and natural fragrance.

The current collection consists of:

Tearless Shampoo and Wash – a non drying formula that gently cleanses the hair and scalp

Moisturizing Baby Bath – a gentle cleanser for the tub

Moisturizing Baby Lotion – a quick absorbing moisturizer that leaves skin smooth but not greasy

Non-Petroleum Jelly – provides a protective barrier where needed without petroleum

Diaper Ointment – soothes irritated bums while also providing a barrier against wetness and further irritation

Moisturizing Bar Soap – Shea butter infused soap that also moisturizes as it cleans

I mentioned before that Live Clean Baby is also easy on the environment, not just your baby’s precious skin.  Their products are formulated without commonly used chemicals that are currently damaging our environment.  You will find these chemicals in products you may use and not realize their damaging effects.  Live Clean is free of SLS, a common chemical surfactant used in most shampoos, as well as DEA, an ingredient added to create more lather and higher viscosity.   All products are also free of parabens and any other harsh preservatives, as well as phtalates (used to make fragrances last longer).  Live Clean is also free of phosphates, which are a known contributor to water pollution.

Keeping with their promise to be green, Live Clean carries their thoughtfulness through the packaging.  The containers are recyclable and are made from “virgin” materials, making recycling an easier process than other plastics.  The shipping cartons are made from recycled materials and the inks are eco-safe. You can find all of these products now exclusively in Walgreens across the US at very reasonable prices.  They are the perfect bath set for any baby and also a great addition to any baby shower gift basket!

Products were provided for review purposes.

I love small crafty projects that make a big impact. Many people love loose leaf tea, but find it a little messy to work with. What a great present for someone you care about. For example that teacher that does so many wonderful things for your child. Don’t forget it’s Teacher Appreciation week!! If this sounds like something you’d love to do, head over to A Beautiful Mess Blog to read the full tutorial on how you can create these adorable tea bags filled with loose leaf teas and spices!

Step stools are a bit of a necessity in our home. My five year old is full of independence, but too small still to do all of the things she’d love to do on her own. When I look for a stool for my daughter, I require safety, durability, lightweight and appeal. I want to be sure that if my daughter is standing on it and leaning forward to try and reach the soap or her toothbrush, that it’s not going to wobble on her. Trust me, several are wobbly. I’m a traditional girl who is definitely turning a little more modern. It’s fun to add some bold colors to our home especially for my daughter. Jahgoo is a company founded by a Dutch entrepreneur and father. He was on a mission to create price-sensitive, practical and design-conscious baby gear items that everyone would want.

Jahgoo’s Step Stool does not disappoint. This completely stable stool has an anti-slip top to it so that even if your child spills water on it, you have peace of mind knowing that they won’t slip off of it. It’s also 8 inches high, which is the perfect height for your child to reach the sink or toilet. It’s extremely light, so they can also easily move it from room to room when they need a little boost. Another stool we used to use is made from solid wood and is extremely heavy for my daughter to move, so she wouldn’t! This meant she’d try to use her desk chair to stand on to reach her dresser drawers or shelves in the closet. Completely scared the heck out of me! I want me daughter to be on a stable surface that she’s confident using and moving around. Plus I adore the lime color. Even though I have one girl and another girl on the way, I can’t stand pink. I prefer modern, gender neutral colors, so I love that this stool comes in white or lime. Perfect!

Head over to Jahgoo to read more about their Step Stool and other great products. Did I mention that the stool is only $14? I told you they were price-sensitive! Like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter to be sure you’re in the know of special promotions, new products and much more!

Special thanks to Kastel International for providing a sample to facilitate this review.