Bellaziza - Pretty Precious. Exquisite Children's Accessories

Without further ado, we would like to present to you, our FABULOUS readers our Definitive 2008 Holiday Gift Guide!  Please check it out and stay tuned over the next 6 weeks for some of our best HOLIDAY SWAG ALERTS ever as well as many EXCLUSIVE discounts, tips and tricks!!!  Please make sure to sign our guest book, too, at the bottom of the page, and tell us what you think!

Happy Holidays from your Favorite Elves!!!

Here it is!  One very lucky and fabulous reader will take home the entire Boon Feeding Collection valued at over $60 for this week’s SWAG ALERT in your choice of color - orange and blue or the NEW pink and white!

Just visit www.BoonInc.com and send us an email with what you love most about their super innovative line of products. Email us at swag@bellazizasfavorites.com with ”BOON FEEDING SWAG” in the subject line.

All entries must be received by Monday, October 20th 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.

Get EXTRA ENTRIES for subscribing, blogging about us, referring new subscribers AND/OR adding our button to your blog!  Just send separate email for every extra entry to make sure they’re counted!

Little Violet Affleck has been pictured a few times recently in this adorable little Rainbow and Butterfly Joanna Hoodie by Juicy Couture!  As our sources tell us, it was purchased by her mommy  Jennifer Garner, at MilkShop.com.

It can be found HERE and sells as a set juicily including matching pants for $170.  Go ahead ladies, splurge!  After all, she’s worth it!!!

Photo Courtesy
Limelight Pictures.

Oompa Toys is our absolute FAVORITE place to shop for the best toys ever and we wanted you to know why.

We all love those adorably unique Euro toys, but finding a really great selection like theirs just seems impossible.  Oompa has made it so easy now though to shop from our side of the pond over to the other side and beyond!  They even have a little search feature on the side where you can shop by country!  Now how cool is that?!?

You’ll find all of your favorites there from Plan Toys, Italtrike, Haba, Djeco, Vilac and SO many more!  It’s truly an experience, so go check it out, explore and enjoy!!!  BONUS: Spend $65 or more and SHIP FOR FREE right now too!!!

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!!!

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.

Phil&Teds, oh how we love thee!  Anything that they make it seems, is a product of thinking outside-the-box combined with the experience of the challenges of stylish parenting.  Their products always impress and never disappoint!  The MeToo is no exception.

The MeToo is incredibly functional, as are all Phil&Teds products, but this one seems a little more versatile than most.  Have you ever gone out to a restaurant that was fresh out of highchairs?  How about if they do have one and then it comes to you but without the container of Lysol wipes that it really needs?  Have you ever needed an extra seat at the table for little Junior’s playdate?  Have you ever realized how much space the extra highchair at Grammy and Grampie’s house really takes up for only a few uses now and then?  The MeToo is a fabulously fashionable solution to all of these likely scenarios.

It is unbelieveably lightweight and portable at under two pounds and folds flat.  It is ideal for travel, and actually fits perfectly in the bottom of many strollers (including the Phil&Teds Buggies).  Its high-quality aluminum frame is lightweight yet strong and attaches easily and securely to almost any table.  We love the fact that it has these little foamy things to protect your tabletop too!  It’s a great little piece of equipment and one that you are sure to use regularly and unexpectedly.  It is recommended for children ages 6 months to 3 years or up to 40 pounds, and retails at $49.95.

We are excited to announce that over the next few weeks we will be featuring some fabulous stories on Petit Tresor - the hottest baby boutique in the country right now that ALL of the stars shop at out in LA!  We have insider information on who’s been shopping at the store and exactly what they are buying.  It’s all about the hottest new products that those in-the-know just can’t live without!

Be on the lookout for these exciting tidbits as well as all of the details of our recent interview with owner Nina Takesh!  We will also be reviewing many of their most luxuious products and of course doing some fabulous SWAG ALERTs too!  You will definitely not want to miss anything!!!

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU Fisher Price!  Someone over there must have felt our recent disappointment in trying to find a truly exceptional swing, because they really delivered!

How many of you mothers went through more than one swing per child because you bought the wrong swing?  It’s not a good feeling when after 3 or 4 months of use a motor bites the dust or something cracks or it’s just no longer usable for whatever reason.  At that point both baby and mommy are liking the swing, so you have to go out and buy another one.  Feelings of buyers’ remorse aside - it’s a pretty important piece of equipment and we have been looking for the absolute best one for quite some time now.

Fisher Price’s new Zen Collection™ is truly breathtaking.  The attention to detail and the quality of the entire collection is really far above and beyond what we had expected.  The collection includes their Cradle Swing, Gliding Bassinet, Highchair and Infant Seat.  They are all aboslutely lovely and the functionality and design of this collection is truly divine!  We really love the earthy tones, real wood accents and luxurious fabrics that they used, setting this collection far apart from any other.  Take one look and you will understand.

The swing’s construction is very high-end and it’s built to last.  It is very simple to operate, and even when changing positions or removing the seat for easy portability, there’s one great button that does it all!  It swings both forward and side to side too.  The mobile is simple but cute, and the music that it plays is actually nice, rather than the techno-electro type of chimyness that most other swings subject everyone to.  It also has waterfall and cricket type nature noises that are quite interesting.

The swing’s cover comes off quite easily for cleaning.   After 3 wash and drys (inside out, delicate cycle, low heat) it still came out looking new with no pilling or shifting of the padding at all!  This makes us smile.  Fisher price will also sell replacement covers for the seat through their parts department eventually.  (It’s such a new product that they don’t have them just yet.)  TIP: buy an extra cover so that you can rotate them rather than washing and waiting!

The swing itself operates on 4 D-sized batteries, or the included wall adapter.  LOVE that!  No more batteries unless you chose to use them!  The D’s get quite expensive too, right?

Our favorite thing about this swing that makes it so unique is the fact that you can take the seat off of the swing base easily and smoothly with one touch to bring baby with you without any disturbance.  It makes such a great little portable baby seat!  There are also two little blankets that are attached, so no more falling blankets that slow the swing down and place extra strain on that motor.  Very smart, right?!?!

The only thing that we weren’t crazy about is that although the recline is fantastic and makes it very usable with tiny newborns, the sitting-up position of the seat is still very reclined.  Once baby is at the point that they want to see their surroundings and be a part of things more, really sitting up in it will be difficult.  Propping a blanket behind them may work, but we do wish that there were another click available in the seat adjustment.

Overall, it is by far the best swing that has probably ever been produced and we are highly recommending it.  Finally, Bellaziza has a Favorite Swing!!!  It retails at just over $200, but given the quality of its construction and magnificent design it is very well worth it.  We love this swing and so will you!

When we recently spotted this salsa recipe on Do Better, one of our favorite tips and tricks blogs, we knew you would love it! Doesn’t it look amazingly delicious?!? Well we whipped up a batch and it in fact is. Try it as the perfect addition to your Memorial Day feast!

Ramon’s Mango Salsa

1 ripe mango
1/2 red onion
1 bunch of cilantro
2-3 tomatoes
1 can of black beans
2 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 Tsp honey
season with salt and pepper
Chop all of the ingredients to roughly the same size. Stir. Drizzle in vinegar and honey. Stir again. Store covered in the refrigerator about an hour. Stir. Taste. Need salt and pepper? Add a little and taste again. Taste again. And again. Stop eating directly out of the container momentarily. Grab a fresh spoon. Eat again. Enjoy! Graciously accept the loads of compliments that are sure to come your way.

Okay girls, get excited!!!  We are celebrating Mother’s Day in a very big way this year.  We have looked through countless resources and found what we believe to be the absolute crème de la crème just for you!!  Throughout the next few days we will be posting reviews on all of these fabulous products, so stay tuned for detailed info on just why these products have been added to the list of Bellaziza’s Favorite Things!

Imagine winning our Mother’s Day Spa Swag Giveaway…a box brimming over with wonderful products to help you, Mom, to relax and enjoy taking care of you.  

We begin your well-deserved date with yourself with an incredible facial using your new Clairsonic skin care system.  You feel refreshed and rejuvenated after experiencing the deep cleaning of a professional facial, but the peace of mind in knowing that it is available to you everyday from the comfort and convenience of your own home.  Finally, something that you can promise yourself to make time for!

You continue Bliss-fully with the spa-inspired anti-aging Bliss Youth Group Skincare Kit .  The Youth As We Know It moisturizer, concentrate, cleanser, toner and eye cream all perfectly packaged in a pretty pink cosmetic carry all.  You are worth the pampering, and you know it!

After your rejuvenating facial, complete with your new youthful glow , you slip into your cozy new pajamas, compliments of Hatley.  You are so happy and can’t wait to see how your little sweetie looks in their own set after Daddy gives kiddo a bath tonight!  PS - We love you Dads for that night off!!

As you look in the mirror, noticing how special you feel, you open the clasp to your beautiful custom-made Tiny Squares necklace by Lisa Leonard Jewelry.  It is so dainty and perfect for everyday wear, yet so special with the names of your loved ones artfully inscribed on individual squares.  Maybe it’s you represented by the delicate pearl hanging in front.

What’s the perfect date with yourself without a good book and something sweet?  As you open your fresh copy of every hot mom’s fave read, Rock Star Momma, by Skye Hoppus, you get ready to take that ‘me time’ that many times is forgotten.  You pause though remembering the box of one dozen decadent Sprinkles Cupcakes in the kitchen!  They are a Katie and Suri’s favorite and they sure are ours too!  

One hip, lucky and stylish momma will be taking all!  Just email us with ‘”SPA SWAG” in the subject line and let us know which prize you love the most.  Email reviews@bellaziza.com.  All entries must be received by Sunday, May 11th, midnight, PST.  You may enter once per email address per day.  Winner will be chosen on Monday via random.org.  Good luck to all and HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!! 

How to be your preschooler’s hero this weekend:

Just pick up a 6oz box of blue, yellow and red Jello plus a box of knox gelatin. To get these fabulous layers, mix the blue jello with an envelope of the knox gelatin. Pour in two cups of boiling water. Dissolve the gelatin. Add 1/2 cup of ice. Stir until thick. Remove any remaining ice cubes and any bubbles that may have formed. Pour into a 9×13 inch pan. Let set in the refrigerator.

Repeat with the yellow jello and pour it over the set blue. Repeat with the red jello and pour it over the yellow. And there you have it, Rainbow Jello!

We won’t go into the whole primary and secondary color thing, but these colors, when stacked upon each other, create other colors. There is not an orange or green layer. It just looks like it when the red and yellow layers touch and then yellow and blue layers touch.  Pretty cool!

Oh, and these can be made and cut a day ahead:)!

Thanks to Do Better, one of our fave online resources!

We just wanted to pass this GREAT resource on to all of you online shoppers!  Did you have any idea that you can actually get PAID to shop online?  YES, and we are talking real hard cash!!  Okay, they send you a check in the mail, but that’s pretty incredible if you ask us!  Hooray Ebates.com!!!

It’s so easy too!  You can shop at any of the normal places that you would shop online, just get there through clicking their link to whatever site you are going to shop on at Ebates.com before you go!  You will then receive a percentage of what you spend into your Ebates.com account - that’s your Ebate Rebait!  You just sign into Ebates, connect to the website of your choice via their link, and you paid!  

There are also some super deals that you will have access to exclusively through Ebates.com like the $25 off code that they gave me at Bloomingdales.com.  It had no minimum purchase, so I bought my $45 sandals for only $20!  I also received 7% of the total of my purchase back into my Ebates account!  Now that’s an incredible deal.

Trust us when we say that it is definitely a must have for anyone that shops online!  Not only for the cash back, but for the access to the best online discount codes.  Could you ask for more?  YES!  For a limited time get $5 in your Ebates account just for signing up!  Just click on any of the links posted here to get going!

Be free to be green!  It seems that everyone is doing it these days.  It’s not only fashionable, but it really is something that we can all feel good about.  It’s Earth Day and there’s no day like today!

When it comes to our kiddos though, it sheds an entirely new light on going green.  We all want the very best of everything for our children, but when it comes to products that unknowingly pose a hazard, there is just no question.   With all of the recent toy recalls and now this issue with the phthalates and bisphenol-A in the plastic that even the so-called ‘best’ bottles are made of, you can’t help but be extra cautious.  Thank heavens for products that we can feel good about and at the same time not feel style deprived!  

We recently found a fantastic new store called GreenBaby.  They carry a wonderful selection of the hippest products out there.  The best thing is that every single item that they sell is 100% green and something that you can feel good about giving to your little one.

We are giving one lucky reader some fabulous Earth Day Swag!  GreenBaby’s Feeding Sampler Gift Set (retail $90) is the perfect gift for any new mom.  

Gift Set includes: 1 - green to grow 5 oz regular 1 - green to grow 5 oz wide 1 - Adiri Stage I natural nurser 1 - ThinkBaby 5 oz bottle 1- $50 GreenBaby gift certificate

So you get 4 different bottles that are 100% phthalates and bisphenol-A free, are super safe and also super cute!! You will also get a $50 gift certificate to GreenBaby so that after testing and finding the perfect bottle to fit your little baby bear’s preferences, you can stock up!

To enter, visit www.greenbaby-nyc.com and check out their incredible selection of all things green baby!  

Then, leave us a comment telling us what you would use the $50 gift certificate to purchase if you win!  You have until midnight PST Sunday, April 27th to enter.  Winner will be chosen via the random.org random selection tool and announced on Monday, April 28th.  Good luck and Happy Earth Day!

I just wanted to forward around a really fantastic site to help all expectant and new mothers who are breastfeeding.

This site, www.awomanswork.com is an absolutely wonderful resource for breastfeeding mothers and even has a center located in Houston, TX that offers different classes and support groups for all sorts of mom-ish things. I remember when our little Isabella was born and I would have found this to be extremely useful, so enjoy:)!

Not only are they one of Houston’s premiere children’s and maternity boutiques, but they also offer lots of very unique and useful services that I never would have known where to find like…

• Telephone and in-person lactation consultations with a board certified lactation consultant.

• Personal assistance with the purchase of nursing supplies and clothing.

• Custom fitting of Houston’s largest selection of nursing bras.

• Personal assistance with the rental or purchase of breastpumps.

• Scheduled appointments available for personal breastpump set-up and use.

• In-store baby weighing 7 days a week and weight tracking software for the first 2 years of life.

How helpful! Great job Woman’s Work team! If I had only known about you 20 months ago, and lived in Houston;)!

Visit them at www.awomanswork.com for more info.

Hello everyone! We just wanted to tell the exciting news that we just found out - Parenting Magazine’s website www.parenting.com has written a nice little spot about Bellaziza! We met with one of their contributors at the ENK Children’s Club Show in New York City this past October that really loved our line and she wrote a nice little piece about us, highlighting barrettes Funky 2 and Butterfly 3 . It is a big plug for us and many thanks to her for the kind words and incredible exposure!! Visit www.parenting.com for more info.

I have a great resource to all of the moms out there! It is called “Work It, Mom! ” and can be found at www.workitmom.com . I really love this site and have found so many cool tips and tricks for moms who balance family and career.

They have lots of great information on everything including career and money, family and parenting, managing your business, and ways to simplify and take time to relax. I know that I could use a little more of that last one. I also find the stories and interviews especially encouraging and inspiring!

Please check it out. They are doing such a great job supporting and inspiring moms like you and me! I know that you will love what they are doing!