What’s better than Vincent Shoes for your little ones, you might ask?  Well Vincent Shoes at up to 75% off, of course!!!  Summer is definitely here and I know I was wondering there for a month or so, but good to see ya back old friend!  Time to break out the warm weather gear, and find the perfect sandals too!   As always, we’ve saved you a little bit of time with that and highlighted some pretty sweet discounts to boot!  (’Boot’, ah haa….ok, whatever!)

Vincent Shoes is a Swedish company that makes the most fantastic line of kids shoes! Beyond the great design and quality materials used, the price is also surprisingly affordable! I mean, doesn’t every parent get tired of dropping serious amounts of money on kids shoes and then they grow out of them before they’re even broken in? I know I do. That’s what’s so great about Vincent. You won’t ever really spend more than $50 on their shoes, yet you’ll get great quality and that chic European look for about half of what you would normally spend! We think their sandals are just spectacular!

We like the OLIVIA Sandal ($47.95 sale priced $33.55) for everyday running around since it’s basically like a sneaker with some cutouts for ventilation. Think happy toes that are covered and protected! The velcro closures are also a plus for those independent little ones who just HAVE to do everything themselves:)!! (No mention, Isabella!!)  The lining is leather too – so comfy sans socks!

For dressier (or even casual!) wear, we love the LISA Sandal in white ($44.99 sale priced $23.55!). The classic white sandal is always a must for every little girl, right? The closure is velcro, again (yayee!), and the lining is leather to keep those little feet nice and comfortable. The top is also velcro so this is a great choice for kids with wider feet. For more info and to shop the SUMMER SALE that’s going on right now, CLICK HERE to check them out online. Enjoy the summer and your Vincent Sandals!!

One of the things that I feel is very important with children is allowing them to express themselves. Being an artist, I have always done that not only through my art, but further expressed myself through clothing. Personally, I can never really settle on a specific style. I’ve always had a very eclectic wardrobe, so that when the mood hit me, I could wear whatever felt right. I would like to encourage the same expression with my own children, and in the children of my loved ones.

When I saw Hudson Threads‘ clothes, I was immediately intrigued. The girls’ spring dresses are funky, yet sophisticated, and many of the patterns seem to be Pucci inspired. The spring line of girl’s clothes come in sizes 2-8. Hudson Threads sent us the Isabella Ruffle Dress, a sleeveless polyester piece that can be dressed up or down – to be worn for a fancier event, or even for play. The smooth polyester is comfortable and allows for free and easy movement and the trim is reinforced with a complimentary fabric. My niece loves it – it’s now her favorite piece of clothing and she wears it as much as she can get away with. She loves twirling, swirling, skipping, and even playing her current favorite sport – soccer – in it.

Their spring line also includes boy’s clothing. With bermuda shorts, funky t-shirts, and even a light jacket, the clothes look like they are ready for the beach. The clothes come in sizes 2-7. We received the Riley Zip Up Jacket. It is an extremely soft sweatshirt jacket with a zip up front and a teal print. I was particularly impressed with the quality of the material, and the craftsmanship. You can just tell that this is going to hold up to anything your little boy is going to put it through.

The fall line is going to be exclusively for girls and available in sizes 2-14. We’ve seen the pictures, and we’re excited. The clothes are very retro, and Tina Barry (from James Girone) said it best with the description “There’s a strong 1960’s Liza Minelli, jet-set quality to the modern pieces in this fashion forward new collection” - The designs are very unique and I can’t wait to see them when they come out.

Hudson Threads are our favorite clothing line for children who like to express themselves with funky and retro clothes! And what’s more – the two moms behind these fashionable clothes are allowing us to SWAG TWO LUCKY READERS with ONE COMPLETE OUTFIT of their choice from Hudson Threads!

Simply visit Hudson Threads and leave your comment on this post letting them know which of their clothes you love, what you think about their company, or their website!!  You know how it works and what to do .  This SWAG ALERT will be open for daily entry we say so! Good luck!

Congratulations to Wendy, the winner of the Schoenhut Baby Grand Piano!!!  Thanks for everyone’s great comments!  Schoenhut is just spinning over all of the fabulous feedback and says THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

Congratulations to our Blue Avocado Shopping Bag Kit winners, Doreen and Suzanne P!!!   AND because of their ever so faithful (and sometimes very funny) comments about this SWAG that never ends, we are surprising three more loyal readers with full kits as well!!  Those three lucky ladies are ……  Jamaise, SpamGirl and Xenia!!  Congrats and thanks for hanging in there with us!!!!

BONUS: As a special thanks to all of our readers, Blue Avocado is offering you an exclusive 40% off of their entire line of fabulously green products!!!  WOW, right?!?!  They sure did feel the love from you, our fabulous readers!  Just enter code ‘goodkarma40′ in the coupon code section upon check out!!!

Thanks to Blue Avacodo for the spectacular SWAG and for all you do to help us make the planet just a little greener!

It was only last year that Newell Rubbermaid, the company that owns Graco and bought Teutonia, started bringing the German stroller brand into the US market. Ever since, we’ve been dying to get our hands on one for review. There aren’t many reviews to be found, since the stroller is fairly new to the US. It’s a gorgeous stroller and the absolute smoothest ride. Not only that, but it is COMPLETELY CUSTOMIZABLE. As a designer, this is a huge plus for me. However, I’m sure most moms would love to design their own stroller. After all, when you’ve designed your own, you know that the chances of someone else you know having the same stroller as you with the same chassis, wheels, and colors, is highly unlikely. Your stroller will be completely unique.

We’re pleased to announce that over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing the entire process: From designing the perfect stroller, to a full review of the stroller itself. We’re excited – and you should be too! This baby surely is the original Mercedes Benz of strollers!

We’ve received the swatches, and the fabric choices are absolutely gorgeous. So much, in fact, that it is going to be very difficult to make a choice.  Visit their website to check out all of the customization you can do to this baby. And all those fabric choices!

What choices would YOU make?

Also, check out the great Teutonia review and giveaway on one of our Favorite Blogs, Celebrity Baby Blog!  They reviewed their own Teutonia model, so do click through for more info and another (hint, hint!) chance to win one of these magnificent strollers!  Would any of YOU like us to post some of our own TEUTONIA SWAG???

From the moment that you lay eyes on this baby, it’s got you. It’s look is very upscale and chic, but this stroller’s got magnificent functionality and adaptability as it’s best features.  It’s perfect for any family on the go… no matter where it is that you’re going!

The Micralite Toro as it comes out of the box is already assembled for the most part. Yayee! Simply snap on the wheels and it’s ready to roll.  It’s got a great braking system and is the best one-handed push that we’ve seen yet. SO comfortable for both you and your sweetie!   The recline is so smooth and goes from a full recline to straight up (with a few other options in the middle) without any effort.  By itself, it’s suitable from 6 months to 40 lb, but they also offer a carrycot for the little babies!

The wheels on the stroller are noticeably different than other strollers out there as well… not that you missed it!  Well it’s not just to set it apart in the looks department, this really adds so much to its maneuverability as well as it’s resistance to tipping!!  Way to go!  The front wheels are rubber coated, and the big rear wheels are pneumatic.  You can also switch out the small front wheels for pneumatic ones with the All Terrain Kit for those of you who prefer happy trails to sidewalks.  (Oh, look at yourself… sooo rugged!!!)

Micralite includes a waterproof foot muff that matches the canopy that is incredible for those cold and blustery days, and a rain cover for the wet weather.  You can also add on the Sun & Bug Shield for warmer and buggier weather… or just to keep anyone from reaching in and pinching those chubby little cheeks!

The Toro adapts to all major infant car seat brands, the under seat storage is quite reasonably sized, the bumper bar in the front is removable, and the fold…oh my, almost forgot the fold!!  The fold is utterly unbeatable!  It literally takes one hand and a second to fold and unfold this beauty!  One hand for the stroller, one hand for everything else!  Yayee multitaskers!!!  It’s available in four fabulous colors (orange, green, sand and black) and all fits very easily into its own luggage grade storage bag too!  This is a hard-core bag made for the goofballs handling your luggage, so no worries!  Special thanks to the airlines here for NEEDING a bag this sturdy to transport your premium stroller!

So wherever it is that you and your family plan to go this year, sun, rain, sleet, snow, plane, train, automobile… or just home, the Micralite Toro is the ideal choice as your single stroller.  It’s the all-in-one, all weather, on road / off road, smooth as silk, airport friendly, mega chic stroller that we’ve ALL been looking for!  CLICK HERE for more info or CLICK HERE to purchase from our friends at Let’s Go Strolling who ship for free!!!

Want to see it in motion?  CLICK HERE to check out our friend Candace’s video review of the Micralite Toro on her fabulous blog Mom Most Traveled!

SWAG ALERT:  To win your very own Micralite Toro Stroller, simply visit Micralite’s Website and leave your comment here letting them know what you think about their fabulous products!!!  You know how it works and what to do .  This SWAG ALERT will be open for daily entry until  we say stop, so enter while you can:)!!!

Whether you know it or not, you’ve heard the sound of a toy piano before. Kids love them, but they’re not just toys. They’ve also been used in countless recordings by artists such as Radiohead, Tori Amos, Evanescence and Dresden Dolls. Classical musicians have also embraced their distinctive, bell-like sound, recording entire solo toy piano albums.

Chances are, when you’ve heard a toy piano, it was a Schoenhut. Their name has become synonymous with the toy piano sound. In fact, the modern form of toy piano it was created by Albert Schoenhut in 1872, when he was only 17 years old (ambitious much?). He took the old German toy piano (which was made with brittle glass bars), and substituted strong metal bars, which changed the sound considerably as well as making the instruments far more durable. And a classic was born.

All Schoenhut pianos come with the Schoenhut patented Learning System, which includes a color-coded overlay for the piano and a songbook with corresponding color-coded notes, which makes it fairly easy to teach your child some songs, even if you’re not Beethoven.

My First Piano II

This adorable shiny red piano immediately conjured images of a tiny Elton John, wearing tiny glasses, singing Tiny Dancer. It’s compact two-octave range means that it’s pretty portable, and my 2 year-old son, Noah, is drawn to this piano’s glossy finish in the same subliminal way that I’m drawn to shiny red sports cars. This is not a precision-instrument however, it’s a toy, so keys occasionally trigger the wrong notes. For instance, when plunking the middle C several times in a row, an occasional B would sound. This of course, will never matter to Noah. The tone is glorious for such a tiny instrument. As is the phenomenon with full-size upright pianos compared to grand pianos, the sound is dense from reflecting inside the smaller cabinet… which means you hear less attack and more sustain on the notes… which means (how technical can we get when talking about toys?) the sound is a bit less percussive and more melodic than the grand. Everyone still with me? A very fun unit to play.

My First Piano I

This “My First Piano” is very similar to the red model reviewed above, but comes in a smaller 18-key size. This means less range, but more portable. Still shiny!

Traditional Spinet

This model earned the distinction of being the only toy piano ever played in Carnegie Hall. The sound has more depth than the “My First Piano” series, because of the larger cabinet. It bridges the gap nicely between the little guys and the Baby Grand Piano.

Baby Grand Piano

Beautiful, spacious and (once again) shiny, the baby grand is a full three octaves, meaning Noah can brush up on Moonlight Sonata… just as soon as he learns what that is. The lid even raises, and it comes with a music stand. All it’s missing is a tiny candelabra. Because it can be with the lid raised, the tone is airier than the upright, as the sound has more room to spread out. This unit didn’t have the wrong-note trigger issue that the upright did, but because there are more extreme high and low notes here, the notes on the fringes were harder to keep in tune. But this piano was also very fun to play, and it is more than enough keyboard for Noah!

Bottom Line

I highly recommend any Schoenhut piano, but as far as these models go: the uprights are great for smaller children (1-3yrs), the Spinet would be well-suited for 2-5yrs, and the grand is one to grow into (3 & up), as Noah is currently a little intimidated by its scope, though he loves running over to it, hitting some keys, and running away.

In the studio, they are all very useful. I prefer the smaller models for their portability, and will use them when I need a more “singing” tone, while the grand is a bit hard to find a spot for in a little recording booth, and suited more for percussive passages.

All are fun, sound great, and are (most importantly) VERY SHINY.

SWAG ALERT: Win your very own Schoenhut Model 3005 Baby Grand Piano in your choice of black, red, or white!!!

To enter, visit www.ToyPiano.com leave your comment on this post letting Schoenhut know what you think about their wonderful products! You know how it works and what to do . This SWAG ALERT will be open for daily entry until we say so, so enter away:)!!!
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Congratulations to Emily who is the winner of our Favorite Things for sick kids! We hope your family stays healthy enough to not need to use your new sick kid products too much!!

Thanks to our sponsors Crane, EarCheck and Graco Baby!!

Never did we think that we would have a favorite triple stroller here at Bellaziza’s Favorite Things! I mean, really, what comes to mind when you think triple stroller? Something wide, something plaid, something that beeps when it backs up? Well UPPA Baby has upped the ante on triple strollers with their VISTA stroller and ugly is most certainly not what you get.

The VISTA makes walking through the park with even one baby a, well, walk in the park! With a single click, your baby can face forwards or back towards you…and in such a stylish way! Sleek and silver, with many fabric color choices, this stroller is easy on the arms as you fold it and lift it into your trunk and easy on the eyes as you enjoy the fashion consciousness of it all.

Don’t you just love when things make your life easier while looking like eye candy!? I know I do!

So back to the UPPA Baby VISTA serving as a triple stroller. You know, without the need for a wide load sign. It’s a snap to go from walking in the park with one baby to two babies…or toddlers…or children…I think you get the idea. With a simple twist, the lightweight rumbleseat attaches to the front of the stroller. Just toss another kid in there and off you go.

This stroller is perfect for families that plan on having more than one child, as you can add components as you need them. To use the VISTA as a triple stroller, simply add on the piggy back board and your older child is set to ride! Of course, this wouldn’t be suitable for triplets, but if you have three children close in age, it’s a PERFECT FIT!!

Did I mention that the handlebar height is adjustable? And that it folds to an extremely compact state of being? And the sun canopy really comes all the way down? And the storage compartment underneath is actually accessible? And that this bad boy is sweet to look at?

Oh, yes. I did mention that. I remember now.

So, friends, no need to grab your earrings before you go out with the kids. The UPPA Baby VISTA stroller is all the accessory you’ll ever need! It makes you look good, and it works so well it makes you feel good, too!! It is Bellaziza’s Favorite Triple Stroller, and we’re going to SWAG one lucky V.I.P. reader!

To enter, FIRST, you must be a Bellaziza V.I.P.! This is done by subscribing to our updates via email. Most of you already are, but without subscription and that V.I.P. status, you will not qualify to win this SWAG. You can CLICK HERE to sign up.

UPPA BABY has asked that you, our fabulous readers, let them know what you think of their products, company and website! Maybe suggest what you would like to see included in their products, their website or any other efforts made by their incredible company. How would YOU suggest they improve? To enter, please visit www.uppababy.com and comment on this post answering their request.

This V.I.P. SWAG ALERT will be open for daily entry until Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at midnight PST. We will announce the big winner on Wednesday, September 30th. Our same fabulous SWAG ALERT rules apply, including EXTRAS for referring new confirmed subscribers only. If you need a refresher on the details just CLICK HERE or visit our “SWAG INFO” page by clicking the tab at the top of this page.

Thanks in advance for your feedback on behalf of our wonderful friends at UPPAbaby, and GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!!

Ring, Ring

Me: “Hello?  Oh HI!  Yes, he’s right here, just a moment!  Sweetie, someone is on the phone for YOU!”

The Most Stubborn Child in the World: “No, I don’t want to talk on the phone!”

Me: “But it’s someone who wants to give you a million dollars and every toy you have ever wanted!  Here…talk!”

TMSCITW: “I said, NO!!  I don’t want to talk on the phone!”

Me:  “Seriously?  This one phone call could give you everything your greedy little four-year-old mind has ever wanted and you don’t want to talk?!”

TMSCITW:  “NO!!!!!  Do you hear me saying NOOOO!?!?!?”  (Did I mention he is also The Most Sarcastic Child in the World?  I have no idea where he got that from…I mean, no part of this post is sarcastic or exaggerated in any way!  Sheesh)

Me:  “Fine, don’t talk to the one person in the whole world who can fulfill your every wish and dream…whatever…”

The Most Stubborn and Sarcastic Child in the World:  “Fine!  I WON’T!  Now stop talking to me!”

Me:  “Hey!  You can’t talk to me that way!  Now go sit in the naughty chair for four minutes!”

TMSASCITW:  “OK, I wanted to sit down for a little while anyway.”

Me:  Grumbling under breath something about wait-until-your-father-hears-about-this-one-you-miserable-little-poop…or something like that.

Sigh...post full of wisdom about how to tame the most stubborn and sarcastic child in the world coming soon…until then…please pass the sedatives…