This morning, I shared with you some of my fave finds for girlfriends, gal pals, and soul sisters. And all about why I am doing these Gift Guides and Giftaways this year. The quick story is::
I have received immeasurable goodness since being diagnosed with cancer three months ago and now, it’s time for me to pay it forward. And because I was so focused on the emotions of being diagnosed, I lost myself a bit and my therapist, nurses, and friends all gave me the same advice: find a project to focus on that isn’t cancer. Something that will have an outcome. Something that will make you happy. Soooooo the GREAT GOODNESS GIFTAWAY idea was born. And slowly, as I asked people to donate they were amazing good and said, “ABSOLUTELY!”. Because, PEOPLE. ARE. GOOD.
So… Tonight I share with you the second half of the GIFTAWAY action… some fun baby finds! And why? Because we have a thing for NICU babes in our house. The parents of three preemie boys and having had one 3 lber who had a six week NICU stay at the Holidays, we know how special it feels to receive goodness from so many.
So, to keep up with the theme of the GREAT GOODNESS GIFTAWAY theme {because everyone keeps giving us sooooo much goodness these days}, I will talk about each of these shops and their items each afternoon on my Facebook page and then YOU will nominate families who you know have a babe in the NICU this holiday season and they will receive a basket with all these items.
And, all the links are shared for the shops and the items right here in this post. So check out their weekend deals!
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{1} InStitches ::
Baby blankets | $29.95
Super Hero Capes | $28
Super hero big blankets | $54.95
{Why I love this}: The owner of InStitches is a kickass woman named Mary. Miss Mary was my sewing teacher growing up and also my hairdresser. That’s how amazing she is at making clean cuts, every time. And now, she makes these beautiful soft baby and adult sized blankets. Every single grandchild in our fam has a baby sized one and an adult sized one for night sleeping. Aaaaand Mary gifted me a rocking Wonder Woman one after my diagnosis that I take to every chemo sesh. She will make them whatever theme you’d like AND monogram them! Additionally, she makes the cuuuuutest super hero capes. Made to order as well. I will be showing you full-sized versions of Mary’s creations when I do my video blog so stay tuned to see the goods!
+ to work on your custom creation with Mary yours before Christmas. Follow her on Facebook or email Mary directly. Orders must be placed by 12.12.15.
{2} Hello Neverland ::
{Why I love this}: My friend and sorority sister, Kenzie, and her husband “C” have an incredible ability to make beautiful wood creations including monogrammed letters just for your babe or grown kid. Heck, I would even love a B for me! They have a great Etsy shop with other items and Kenzie’s blog is to die for. She is going to create a special letter for the nominated NICU babe that will be a forever keepsake and a treasure as he/she grows. These letters can be made for any name and have six different color options for dipping.
+ to order from her Etsy shop and make the creations yours by Christmas, place orders no later than 12.6.15. Follow Kenzie on her Facebook Page and on Instagram.
{3} The Stately Shirt Co ::
Nebraska Stately Bodysuit | $17.99
{Why I love this}: Nebraska based company, The Stately Shirt Co. has offerings for every state in the land. I have their Nebraska breast cancer tee and it’s fab.u.lous. And the fact that they are creating it all right here in the Cornhusker State makes my heart happy. These guys also made my Girlfriend’s guide because their products just totally rock. I love love love this little baby onesie. Almost gives me baby fever. Almost. You’re not a Nebraska fan? Search through all their products on their website and find your favorite state and style.
+ to make this yours in time for Christmas, on-line orders should be placed by 12.13.15
Follow them on Instagram or like them on Facebook for regular updates.
{4} MarbleSpark ::
Custom books | prices range from $29.95 to $32.95
{Why I love this}: You know when your kid gets a gift and you loooooove it? And then, they love it just as much? Well, last year for the Oldest’s birthday he received a personalized MarbleSpark book complete with his name woven throughout the story and we all adored it. And he still loves to read it. The best part is that the creators of MarbleSpark, Phil and Stacey, live in Omaha and write the books out of their home. I adore the stories and I love Phil and Stacey even more. You are sure to make a kiddo so happy to gift them something written just for personal!
+ to work on your custom creation, place orders for Christmas no later than 12.13.15 to receive standard shipping prices. Follow their Facebook page for updates!
{5} Peek-a-whoo ::
Jellycat Elephant | $39.95
{Why I love this}: I love love love love love soft, cuddly, stuffed snugglies for kiddos and I could not possibly love any more than I love Jelly Cat brand stuffed animals. Each of our boys have a Jellycat friend and I adore them. The GIFTAWAY family will get a fantastic elephant to call their own but if elephants are not your jam, they have plenty of perfect finds for the tot in your life. Oh… And even better, their items can be personalized with monograms or names. How. Stinking. Cute.
{6} Fat Brain Toys ::
SpinAgain | $29.95
Poke-a-dot book | $14.99
EZ Grip Massaging Teether Star | $4.95
NogginStik | $21.95
Poke-a-dot book | $14.99
EZ Grip Massaging Teether Star | $4.95
NogginStik | $21.95
{Why I love this}: Locally grown and nationally known, Fat Brain Toys is my go-to for birthdays and holiday gifts for all the kiddos in my life. The first reason I dig is because my boys can play in the store while I shop. The second is because Sharon and the other staff are more like your best friends than like someone trying to sell you something. They totally know they’re products and they make the perfect recommendations for every age. Oh. And the best part is that they do free gift wrap in store. I can’t say enough good things. Don’t have a Fat Brain in your city? Hop online and peruse all of their products by age, gender, and more. And the Polk-a-dot books top my list of faves. Because we looooove books at our house and because we once drove two and a half hours with a rear-facing two year old who entertained himself with the book the ENTIRE ride. No. Joke.
+to make this yours by Christmas, stop into their stores or check out dates on-line.
Jonathan Adler assorted sock set | $34 for set of 6
{Why I love this}: I know… I already sang Jori’s praises yesterday but did I mention that she also carries some baby items at The Mix and at Pattino? And you guys, they are presh. These little Jonathan Adler socks are not only stylish but promise to keep tiny tootsies toasty {and once I know the winning baby’s gender, I will include either the pictured set or a blue set}. Pattino also carries kid’s TOMS and other adorable stuff for wee ones. Treasures waiting to be yours in both stores. Stop into The Mix at Omaha’s Countryside Village {or order their adult shoes on-line} and stop into Pattino in Lincoln’s CollegeView area. Both stores will not disappoint!
+ check out The Mix hours here and Pattino hours here. Follow The Mix on Facebook or Instagram. And also, Pattino on Facebook and Instagram.
{8} Crayola ::
My first crayola: Color Me a Song | $24.99
{Why I love this}: I know. I know. They are not local. But here’s the thing… My boys loooooooove to draw, color, and create that when my cousin Kat sent us TWO massive boxes of Crayola items, they were a Godsend and continue to be, making them some of my fave products. For the Giftaway item I will be including something for the babe as it grows but if there is a bigger sibling in the fam, check out these cool finds just fresh on the market: Thread Wrapper {available through Target.com} or Crayola Crayon Carver. Both very fun, interactive finds!
+ follow them on Instagram or like them on Facebook. Check order by dates to through Target.com to make these yours by Christmas.
{9} Tiny Prints ::
Beary Thankful thank you notes | starting at $19.90
{Why I love this}: Oh, Tiny Prints, you are my sunshine. They truly have something for everyone and the littles are no exception. I love love love their custom thank yous for kiddos because it makes sending thank yous and sharing gratitude easy peasy lemon squeezy. And when you are dealing with Holiday gifts and birthdays and new baby thank yous, it is fun to have it come directly from the recipient. Even when they’re just a tiny tot and can’t actually write yet.
+ follow them on their Facebook page or on Instagram.
{10} It’s Really Ten Months ::
Book | It’s Really Ten Months: Special Delivery | $15.95
{Why I love this}: This is the perfect gift for the mama of the babe to peruse while sitting in a NICU room or during breast or bottle feeding seshes. Hilarious stories from mamas who have been there done that will give a giggle for the moms who have just been through delivery and all the drama! Also, shameless plug, yours truly, has a published piece in the book about my delivery of the Oldest. So, this book will be receive my John Hancock inside the cover!
+ order this book today through Amazon.com. Follow these hilarious authors on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and their blog.
Bonus Item // Pampers Preemies ::
{Why I love this}: This is a bonus item. If there’s one thing we know in our family, it’s preemies. At least the boy varietal. And so, if there’s one thing I have a love affair with, it is Pampers Preemies Diapers. Soooo… I had to go purchase a package to include in this basket because they are, in my opinion, the bomb diggity.
So, here are the deets, once again for the GIFTAWAY portion::
:: I will post a video blog in the evening about the Baby Guide Giftaway item. If it is an item from same store who has also donated a Girlfriend’s Item, I will do one video blog and blog post about the store. Additionally, there will be posts each evening here at BotB about stores.
:: You do not need to like my Facebook page or the store’s page to be included in the giftaway drawing. This is straight up, no strings attached, friends. It’s pure goodness. I will never spam you. Believe me, I wouldn’t even know how to do that.
:: You need to help me by tagging a NICU family that you want to win the GIFTAWAY basket.
:: I will draw randomly at the end of the GIFTAWAY out of all nominees names.
:: Then, the nominator will pick up the basket from me and deliver it to the family! YEP! You get to spread the goodness. You will love it! {Omaha or Lincoln NICU families… unless you want to drive from New Mexico to pick up the basket;)}
I hope hope hope that this is so much fun for all of you. Because after getting so much goodness, I so want to share it with you. No strings attached. So help my donors out by checking out their stores, websites. And social media accounts. These are just good people doing what they love and sharing it with you. And outside of the Pampers, every item was gifted to me! And no, I am not getting paid a cent to share about these brands or items. Not one cent.
Spread the goodness people. Pay it forward. Love this life and this season. Give goodness.
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