Bellaziza - Pretty Precious. Exquisite Children's Accessories

This recipe is from our wonderful web designer and right-hand techno girl Sarah at Bravos Media.  Not only is she an absolute genius with all things internet and design related, BUT she also has a secret arsenal of her grandmother’s best recipes!

Her grandmother always made these cakes for church bake sales and had standing orders at the cake and fancy work tables at church dinners.

mix in order:
1 lb. butter
1 lb. confectioners sugar (10x sugar)
6 or 7 large eggs
3 cups cake flour (sifted)
2 tsp. vanilla (or 1 tablespoon)

-Grease & Flour tube pan
-Bake about 1 hour (or until done) at 325 degrees

This cake freezes well and is very versatile either plain, iced, or as a base with fruit.

Congratulations to Tasha L. of KY who is the winner of our HATLEY SCHOOL SWAG giveaway! Please check back soon for more of the absolute best just for you, and of course more great SWAG ALERTS where you too can win!!! Good luck!!!

Matt Damon and his wife Luciana recently welcomed Gia Zavala, baby girl #3 into their family.  Matt must feel a little overwhelmed by all of that estrogen from our guess, but absolutely elated as well!  Congrats Matt and Luciana, and welcome little Gia!

Baby, we’re sure that there were tons of gifts, but we recently got some insider 411 on a nice little surprise that was sent from the uber-chic celeb favorite MilkShop.com!  The package contained some beautiful things and we thought we’d pass the info along just in case any of you have your own little new arrivalettes that need a little something extra special.

Arriving at Chez Damon: a Piggy Doll by BlaBla, a Pasha Silk Kurta in pink by Leaves of Grass, an ultra luxe Larucci Leopard Blanket in cream, the entire Kiehl’s Baby Product Collection, and last but not least, an absolute necessity for any little princess, a Mason Pearson Child’s Hairbrush in pink.

Last week we posted late, so here’s early!  To win your choice of your very own Backpack and Lunch Tote from Hatley valued at $50, visit their website and email us with what you love most about their super cute collection.  Email swag@bellazizasfavorites.com with ”HATLEY SCHOOL SWAG” in the subject line.

All entries must be received by Monday, September 29th at midnight, PST. You may enter once per email address per day. Winner will be chosen on Tuesday via random.org. Winner will be fetched using Prizey.net.

EXTRA ENTRIES are available for subscribing to our blog, blogging about us on your blog, AND/OR adding our button to your blog too!  Just email swag@bellazizasfavorites.com letting us know what you did for your extras and we’ll make sure to count them!

Congratulations to Elizabeth M. of MI who is the winner of our CHA BELLE BY RIGHT BANK BABIES SWAG giveaway! Please check back soon for more of the absolute best just for you, and of course more great SWAG ALERTS where you too can win!!! Make sure not to miss our HATLEY SCHOOL SWAG going on now just below this post! Good luck!!!

Hatley is one of our absolute Favorites for that indispensable genre of clothing that might not fall into the extraordinary every time, but that none of us can live without…Everyday Clothes!  Hatley’s new colors and patterns for this fall are beautiful and so much fun!  They are of course in keeping with their Nature theme, apples, horses, dinosaurs, the ever popular moose, and this time around there’s even some alien action!

Hatley’s new backpacks and lunch totes are pretty impressive.  They of course are made with the high quality that we would expect form all things labeled Hatley, but they spare no expense in the design and production departments!  It’s so great when something works and functions as well as it looks, right?!?!  That’s typically Hatley!

The backpack is very roomy without being oversized, and makes great use of its’ compartments.  The lunch tote fits very neatly inside too!  The zippers are made for kid-use and the canvas that they are constructed of is absolutely made for loads of loads and multiple washings.  We love the apple print the most but were a little concerned as it is mostly white…hmmm…SCOTCHGUARD, GIRLS!  It works fabulously and will keep people in wonder and amazement of how you could be that good to keep your little sweetie in a white backpack that always looks new!

The Lunch Tote is fabulous too and makes a great little travel cooler as well if your set hasn’t reached school age yet.  Again, it washes quite well and you can keep it looking new forever with a little Scotchguard.  The inside is lined in plastic, and there’s an elastic tether to keep things from bouncing around inside.

The Backpacks are $30 and the Lunch Totes are $20 and are available to ship immediately.  Check them out online to browse or place your order, CLICK HERE or on the button below to see their website.  All items ship from Canada, so give a little extra time for shipping.

Also, stay tuned for our upcoming reviews of their fabulous new outerwear collections including matching Rain Essentials (raincoats, rain boots, and the weetest little umbrellas you’ve ever seen) and Snow Essentials (fluffy snow jackets, snow pants and matching snow boots fit for the Canadian cold!).  They are all absolutely adorable!!!

Jennifer Garner was in Petit Tresor to look for nursery furniture but left with a few things for the new baby again in B-L-U-E!  It’s really looking like a baby brother’s on his way for their little sweetie Violet!

Jennifer purchased another Kensington Playmat in Chocolate from Plain Mary, this time with a blue monogrammed “A”, and also some matching Plain Mary “hunk” bibs, burp cloths and t-shirts.

Jen and Ben’s new baby’s entire layette is on order from Babycottons too, which is quickly becoming a favorite of celebrities in Hollywood because of it’s classic simplicity and because it is SO soft!  Stay tuned for our review of Babycottons coming up in a few weeks!

Photo courtesy of Retna, LTD.

Aren’t these dolls just the cutest?  Where do you get them?  You make them yourself and it’s really simple even if you don’t really sew.  It’s a little something we found on MarthaStewart.com and we are so in love with the idea.

Just imagine how June Cleaver-ish of you to sit down with your little princess and make her a doll!  OMG, right?!?  There are 3 tutorials to show you exactly what to do and a very simple pattern to download for free!  Go you, Supermom!

CLICK HERE for more info, and thanks Martha!!

Ryan Shawnhughes, Ethan Hawke’s girlfriend, visited Petit Tresor in West Hollywood last week and did a little shopping for the new baby!  She picked up a few blankets from My Blankee in all gender neutral colors, and an elegant Plain Mary Sideshow Changing Pad.

Subscribe to Bellaziza’s Favorite Things by email and be automatically entered to win all weekly SWAG ALERTS and MEMBERS ONLY SWAG!  This quarter, you can win your very own Phil&Teds Vibe with Doubles Kit valued at $800!!!  It’s really that simple!  Add your name to The List and we will give you the hook-up on all SWAG automatically!

We will of course have special promotions where you can gain extra entries for MEMBERS ONLY SWAG, but the main source of entries will be our subscriber list and all subscribers are automatically entered to win all SWAG ALERTS including our super exclusive MEMBERS ONLY SWAG ALERTs!  The first big drawing will take place on Tuesday, December 16th and one of you will roll away with a sparkling new Phil&Teds Vibe for two!

To win your very own gorgeous ensemble for a boy or a girl from Cha Belle by Right Bank Babies valued at $125 - $200, visit www.chabelleforrbb.com and email us with what you love most about their gorgeous collection.  (CLICK HERE to download their catalog.)  Email swag@bellazizasfavorites.com with ”CHA BELLE BY RIGHT BANK BABIES SWAG” in the subject line.

All entries must be received by Tuesday, September 23rd at midnight, PST. You may enter once per email address per day. Winner will be chosen on Monday via random.org. Winner will be fetched using Prizey.net.

EXTRA ENTRIES are available for subscribing to our blog, blogging about us on your blog, AND/OR adding our button to your blog too!  Just email swag@bellazizasfavorites.com letting us know what you did for your extras and we’ll make sure to count them!

We are absolutely in love with Right Bank Babies’ new couture line, Cha Belle by Right Bank Babies .  Right Bank Babies had gotten it right from the beginning in our opinion, but with Cha Belle by Right Bank Babies they have absolutely outdone themselves.

With Cha Belle by Right Bank Babies it’s all about the subtle details. It’s the luxurious fabrics, the delicate ruffles, the lush gathers and the flawless lines of the garments’ design…a true heirloom collection for boys and girls.  It’s all of this that makes Cha Belle by Right Bank Babies exquisite, yet at the same time it’s so not overdone like many lines attempting to do the same. The simplicity almost catches you by surprise. It’s the movement of the fabrics and the draping of the garment that make Cha Belle by Right Bank Babies such a unique collection, comprised of ‘finishing touches’.

We saw the entire collection at a trade show, but were able to test out their Babydoll Top, Pinafore, Toile Pants and Princess Pants here at Chez Bellaziza. All were truly magnificent (of course!) and had that great mix and match quality in true Right Bank Babies style!

We love the Pinafore with a great little pair of jeans underneath and ballet slippers, as pictured. It’s a very sweet yet unexpected look, very quaint but a little edgy. The Babydoll Top has to be seen and felt to really be experienced. This top is the true essence of the collection with its’ fine choice of fabrics (linen and cotton voile) and its’ beautiful details such as the generous pleating and hemline, and the sweet little bow in the front.

The Toile Pants are so classic and have the most beautiful cut to them around the waist. They perfectly accent that cutie pie baby belly both with their rich design and the luscious double-faced satin bow that sits just under your little one’s button. (Too too too too CUTE, trust us !!) They also cuff at the bottom so they will probably fit through multiple seasons! The Princess Pants are simple and very vintage with their light linen and warm vintage pattern, the perfect pant for so many occasions or just everyday!

Their more casual-esque pieces range in price from just under $30 to around $100.  Their more dressy pieces will be covered in a later review, so keep your eyes out for that and prepare to be amazed!!!

The care of the pieces is really easy too.  We have found them to hold up through multiple washes without looking washed at all, and ironing is optional for most.  They are a great example of why paying a little more for your children’s clothes should mean more wearings and less work for mom:)!

Please check them out online at www.chabelleforrbb.com .  It really is a very new line and they are still working out the kinks for their new shop online system.  We asked if it would be ok for you, our fabulous readers, to download their line sheets and contact them directly to place orders.  CLICK HERE to download their catalog, and contact them at 323.936.7296 to place your order.  They really are the sweetest girls in the world over there, so expect a fantastic experience when calling!  Shop online is so overrated these days anyway, right:)?!?!

Jim Carey and Jenny McCarthy shopped Petit Tresor yesterday while out and about in West Hollywood.  The cutie couple picked up two super snuggly animal print blankets from My Blankee, and also spent some time looking through Petit Tresor’s fabulous selection of children’s books and toys.

We’re thinking that  Jim played with the toys while Jenny perused the kid-lit, but who knows?

Just a quick note to say thanks to everyone for the overwhelming response for the launch of our new Members Only Swag, and the Phil&Teds Vibe!  We have everyone’s entries, extra entries, and even some extra EXTRA entries for those of you who really do pay close attention…and bravo for that!

Just to recap, the big drawing will be held in a few months on December 16th.  We will have some surprise extra ways to gain more entries coming up soon, so keep those eyes peeled and make sure that you’re subscribed!!!  From here on out it’s Members Only, so keep an eye on your emails from us for special ways for subscribers only to gain extra entries.  Good luck to all!!!

This just in…Keanu Reeves and his new girlfirend indie-film fave Parker Posey visited Petit Tresor in West Hollywood this weekend.  They picked up two Kensington playmats from Plain Mary, but we’re guessing that they were for other peoples’ babies since their monogram order for the mats read different last names.  Could the two have B-A-B-Y on the brain though?

They spent about an hour looking at nursery items and picked up several winter layette items from super sweet baby line Babycottons.  Who knows?  Maybe in the future, but it seems that this is a pretty new relationship for Baby to be added yet.  Come on, they don’t even have a blended nickname yet!  Keanuker maybe?

Photos courtesy of David Gabber / PR Photos.

Yes, it’s finally here!  After months of waiting we are finally ready to post our biggest SWAG ALERT ever, and just in time to celebrate our 100th post!

Happy 100th Post Bellaziza’s Favorite Things!!!

Enter to win our new quarterly “MEMBERS ONLY SWAG” for your very own Phil&Teds Vibe with Doubles Kit valued at $800!!!  This is in celebration of our 100th post on BellazizasFavorites.com, and also the launch of our hot new MEMBERS ONLY SWAG!  It’s some very sizable swag so we’re going to run it for a while, giving you lots of fun chances to enter!

So here’s the deal:  Just CLICK HERE to subscribe to our updates and as a subscriber, you’re automatically entered to win the Vibe as well as all of our weekly SWAG ALERTs!!!  Subscribe for as many of your different email addresses as you like too!  That’s right!  The source of entries will be our subscriber list and all subscribers are automatically entered to win all MEMBERS ONLY SWAG ALERTs and weekly SWAG ALERTs forever!  The drawing will take place on Tuesday, December 16th and one of you will roll away with a spanking new Vibe for two!

To maximize chances of winning our MEMBERS ONLY SWAG giveaways make sure you’re A.) subscribed to our blog, and take advantage of our EXTRA ENTRIES!!!

EXTRA ENTRIES are available for referring new confirmed subscribers, blogging about us on your blog, AND/OR adding our button to your blog too!  Just send separate emails to swag@bellazizasfavorites.com letting us know what you did for your extras and we’ll make sure to count them in!

Winner will be chosen via random.org and fetched using Prizey.net.  Good luck to all!  Click HERE to return to www.BloggyGiveaways.com.

It’s no secret that we are absolutely in love with two gentlemen from New Zealand by the names of Phil and Ted.  How cool are their products?  It’s not just a few either, but ALL OF THEM!  In our opinion the only ones qualified to out-do this dynamic duo are themselves…and they sure have with the Vibe!!!

How many mothers use a double stroller?  How many are lucky enough to have a Phil&Teds Double Inline?  Wouldn’t it be great if all of that rugged functionality came in one uber chic and luxurious package?  Wouldn’t it be even better if you could fold the whole thing up quickly and easily without any disassembly or breaking a nail?  What if it drove like a dream and had the lines of a thoroughbred?  What if the minute you started the engine you just knew you had arrived?  HALT!  Okay, must be dreaming about the Maseratti Quatro again *sigh*…or not?  It’s actually the new Phil&Teds Vibe that we’re describing and we know you’ll just love it.

All of you Bugaboo wheeling moms with #2 on the way please do pay close attention!  This could end your misery and pre-heal your impending Bugabooectomy.  Girls, you just shouldn’t have to give up your chic-factor over needing to upgrade to a double stroller.  Now you don’t, so don’t be another casualty!

The Vibe features super cushy removable padding that is both durable and easily washable.  The harness even has a slick little adjustment so that when Junior grows and needs to have his straps moved up a bit, it doesn’t take you forever trying to thread and re-thread.  Who’s been there moms?!?!  The main seat fully reclines in true Phil&Teds fashion to very comfortably accommodate an infant or snoozing toddler, and the whole thing folds up, doubles seat and all, with ease into one very compact unit.  It also features their new and improved braking system that sets itself in as little as the push of a button that is located right on the handlebar.

This is it!  Drumroll please!  Our NEW Favorite Pick for Best Double Stroller goes to the Phil&Teds Vibe!  For more information, please check out www.philandteds.com.  The Vibe retails at just under $800 with the doubles kit, or $679.00 without.  They can be purchased HERE.

Also, this is our 100th post at BellazizasFavorites.com and what could be more appropriate than our review of the most amazing product ever from Phil&Teds for the occasion?  It has been such a pleasure partnering with them over the past year!  We really appreciate their support for what we do and their absolute commitment to innovation and excellence within the industry.  We heart Phil&Teds!

A big congratulations to Minnie Driver, who gave birth to baby boy Henry Story Driver on September 5th!  She had picked out her layette from Petit Tresor, and when sweet Henry was born at 9 lbs 12 oz., she quickly had to exchange quite a few items for larger sizes.  You know how those lovely boutique brands run small!

Little Henry will be feeling cozy in lots of Kissy Kissy as well as Baby CZ, which we will be reiewing in detail for you in a few weeks.  Stay tuned!

Congratulations to Carolyn N. of MI who is the winner of our TEACH MY TODDLER SWAG giveaway!   Congrats to the little genius in her life too who will now undoubtedly make the next edition of Oprah’s Amazing Kids!

Please check back soon for more of the absolute best just for you, and of course more great SWAG ALERTS where you too can win!!!  We are working hard on the launch of our new MEMBERS ONLY SWAG…a Phil&Teds VIBE!!!  Check back soon for more details!

Okay, so when you have a cookie that starts with the words “Gluten Free”, if you’re like us you’re thinking ‘Thanks honey, but I’d rather have less of the real thing…gluten and all!”  This cookie is a very rare exception though.  It’s fantastic and you would never even know it’s completely flourless!  It only takes about 15 minutes too, baking time included!

It comes from our dear friend Katie who we are crowning Our Favorite Queen of Simple Chic.  Yayee Katie Cakes Cookies!

Katie’s Flourless Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies

1 c chunky peanut butter… “A certain national brand rhyming with ‘hippie’ works best” :)-Katie
1 c packed golden brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 c chocolate chips.

Mix all ingredients in order. Drop onto lightly greased cookie sheet and bake at 350F for 10 minutes.

To win your very own Teach My Toddler system, visit www.Teach-My.com and email us with what you love most about this innovative product and why.  Email reviews@bellaziza.com with ”TEACH MY TODDLER SWAG” in the subject line.

All entries must be received by Monday, September 8th at midnight, PST.  You may enter once per email address per day.  Winner will be chosen on Monday via random.org.  Winner will be fetched using Prizey.net.  Good luck to all!

EXTRA ENTRIES are available for subscribing to our blog (click on ’subscribe’ tab at top right of page), blogging about us on your blog, AND/OR adding our button to your blog too!  Just email reviews@bellaziza.com letting us know what you did for your extras (or to request a button) and we’ll make sure to count them in!

We recently came across the best ever way to teach your little one all of the numbers, letters, colors and shapes!  It’s called Teach My Toddler and it really is fabulous.  Mom-inventor Christy Cook came up with the idea after being disappointed by the selection of products available to help her to teach her 18-month old son Finn.  We are so glad to have found Christy and her fantastic product and we know you will be too!

The system includes the case which is separated into four sections - Letters, Numbers, Shapes and Colors.  Each section is filled with flashcards, board books, posters and puzzles that relate to each.  Everything is made to be handled and will hold up to your toddler’s repeated use.

Our Favorite Thing about Teach My Toddler is the fact that it is so much fun!!!  Kids do love to learn, and it ’s a great way to bond with your child.  Take it as a special time with them for about 20 minutes a day (as suggested by Christy) and you will see just how excited they get, and how great you feel too, Super Mom!!!

The entire system retails for only $39.99 plus s/h and makes a wonderful gift.  Here at Chez Bellaziza, we particularly enjoy the puzzles and are happy to say that we now know all of our letters and colors!  It’s a fabulous educational tool, and one that will really bring you and your child closer together.  Please visit www.Teach-My.com for more info on the product, a video tour and how to order.

Halle Berry, sweet baby Nahla and daddy Gabriel Aubry visited Petit Tresor in Los Angeles on Saturday to purchase a copy of Joel Harper’s Fit Pack DVD, and skincare products by Belli which have become all the rage for moms dealing with pregnancy skincare issues including those pesky stretchmarks.  They also have a fantastic line of skincare products just for baby too!

Photo courtesy of Flynet.

We have been doing some behind the scenes work here at Bellaziza’s Favorite Things and wanted to make sure that none of you are left behind.  Please be sure to use the address www.BellazizasFavorites.com exclusively from this point on, disregarding www.bellaziza.com/blog ( which many of you may have set to your browser’s favorites or bookmarks).

We are doing lots of great techno-type things here to improve the functionality and usability of the site and promise to continue to deliver only the absolute best to you, our fabulous readers!  It’s only going to get better!!!

HINT: Be on the lookour for our new MEMBERS ONLY SWAG section where you can be automatically entered as a subscriber to win our MOST incredible Favorite Things ever, starting very soon with a Phil&Teds VIBE Double Inline Stroller…GASP!!!

Congratulations to Laura C. of WA who is the winner of our LUNA LULLABY SWAG giveaway!   Laura is definitely going to enjoy her swag since she has about 4 months left to go with her pregnancy and is really looking forward to the Bosom Baby support pillow for more restful comfy nights!  Yayee Laura!  You hang in there girl, and send us some pics of your beautiful baby after it’s born!

Please check back soon for more of the absolute best just for you, and of course more great SWAG ALERTS where you too can win!!!  We have another one on its way, so see you soon!

Jennifer Garner is probably nearing the halfway mark with her pregnancy by our guess.  No clues yet from the Ben and Jen camp on whether a boy or a girl though… or are there?

Saturday she was spotted out at Petit Tresor in Brentwood, CA with a girlfriend.  Perhaps the Plain Mary playmat in chocolate brown with a light blue monogram is a good enough hint?

Photo courtesy of JustJared.com