What’s better than a hot new look prancing down the runway?  The way it moves?  The way it catches your eye?  When it’s perfectly sized down to fit your sweetie, of course!  That’s exactly the essence of what we adore about Saurette!  It’s got the sophistication that we as stylish mommies love for ourselves, just sized down and sweetened up a bit!  That my friends, is the absolute best!

This season Saurette came back to follow up an impressive Spring 09′ with a Fall 09′ that takes us even farther into their exquisite look.  The Butterfly Cardigan is absolutely lovely with its delicate little neckline followed by a sweet line of buttons.  Butterflies were hot this season, but this was our absolute Favorite hands down.

Saurette is getting quite a bit of love from everyone too from great fashion magazines like Baby Couture and Earnshaw’s, to celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Gwenyth Paltrow!  Beautiful clothes like Saurette’s really are just too special to go unnoticed.  It’s the kind of collection that comes along once in a long while.  The kind that you can choose one or two pieces every season knowing that they stand so well on their own.  It’s that great blouse that you love or the skirt that you know looks so great on you… but sized down for your daughter.  Shouldn’t every girl have that experience even at a young age?  Saurette is all about that!

We absolutely adore the layered skirts.  Layer upon layer of detail whether it be the black tiered skirt with the delicate embroidered edges or the gorgeous chocolate tulle skirt.  These skirts are stunning and so very classy!  Sophisticated yet youthful, and so very unique, if there’s anything that stands out in this collection it’s got to be the skirts!

The other piece that we thought was so special this season is this charming little cotton knit dress.  After seeing the Butterfly Sweater and knowing that it’s the same knit, we’re smitten!  It has such a cozy look to it, but still so chic!  There are endless possibilities with shoes and accessories too!  We’ll need to snag one I’m sure!

For more info on Saurette, visit them online at www.Saurette.net.  At this time, their retail site is down due to technical problems so the following online stores carry Saurette and are happy to have you visit! {www.weechic.com – www.littleskyechildrensboutique.com – www.tuttibella.com}

Hey Girls:)!  Remember when you were little and had that favorite twirly skirt?  Wasn’t it just too TOO much fun to spin around and around in?  Aah, those were the days.  Cart wheel anyone?  BUT THEN you would have that little pest John (or whatever your little boy next door was named) who would tease you.  “I see London!  I see France!  I see Crista’s underpants!”  Kiss my Barrette John!  So in short, my life as a hand standing, cart wheeling, twirling-loving little girl would have been so much better if my mom had only known about this great little product!!!

Enter Francie Pants.  They’re made by our friend and fellow mom-designer Ciaran Blumenfeld who has two twirly girls herself!  (We think that she may have even been one once upon a time, but we’ll keep that between us.)  Francie Pants are the cutest answer for the girl who loves to twirl and play, but loves to wear dresses and skirts!  They come in an eclectic collection of delicious prints and are sized from a 2T up to higher girl’s sizes that maybe even mom will fit into!

The design is more of a boy-short or shortened biking short.  Really great to cover up those little cabooses… as Isabella would say!  We just love them and so does our Favorite little twirler!

Our Favorite print would have to be the Strawberries, but hurry before it sells out like it always does for us:)!  For more info, visit them online at FranciePants.com and remember that all orders over $100 ship for free!!!  Did I mention it’s the absolute cutest packaging ever with their own collectible paper doll inside every box?  Yes.  Absolutely Francie Pants.

Anyone wish they had a little more Bratt Decor in their life… and about 25% more left in their pocket afterward?  Ooh yeah!  They’re one of our Favorite Things, and a sale like this we just had to pass along!!!  Enjoy!

Is this for real?!?!

That was my first thought as I skeptically watched.  I thought it was just a very well produced practical joke.  Not real.  Just a spoof.  BUT, it’s not! It’s actually 100% real, and that’s just way too scary.   I thought I would post it since the vaccination issue is something that we are all so concerned about with our own families right now.

The topic of vaccination is something that we make a decision on whether we we want to or not.  “No decision is a decision” as my father always says, after all.

As of right now, we’re still a “no” here at Chez Bellaziza on the H1N1 and Flu vaccines.  We’re also careful of where we go and are trying to limit outside contact to a reasonable minimum since there seems to be an outbreak in our area within the past few days.  Lots of probiotics and hand sanitizer here!

I have to say though that I have never felt quite this way before. It could be because of the media circus surrounding the flu, vaccinations and/or H1N1, or because of being a medical statistic a little more than I’d like to have been over the past year.  Okay, perhaps both.  Pretty scary video though either way.   I just want to make sure my kids stay safe… oh, and healthy! Didn’t those words used to not go together that way?  Know what I mean?

On behalf of our lovely friends at Bonpoint, we would like to invite you to the hottest sample sale of the season!  Bonpoint is one of the most luxurious, most gorgeous and most definitely one of our very Favorite Things!  Don’t miss this opportunity to dress like Suri, Shiloh and all of your favorite celebutots at deep discounts of up to 75% off!!!  Everything will be there from our very Favorite shoes ever (!!!), to their elegant collection of coats and outerwear.  Find gorgeous dresses and cozy sleepwear too all in sizes infant through pre-teen!

Something for everyone, and definitely something not to miss this Wednesday and Thursday (28th & 29th) only at The Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea.

When I first saw the name Juliette Sunshine, I was instantly curious… and smitten!  Such a lovely name must have some equally lovely products, right?!?!  Yes!  I was right and very pleased to see that Juliette Sunshine’s fresh new line of girl’s clothes is every bit as sweet as their pretty little name.

It’s a very special collection.  Super eco friendly and boho-chic to boot!  Designed with comfort and versatility in mind, Juliette Sunshine’s dresses, tops, skirts & pants can be dressed up or down,taking your little fashionista from the playground,to play dates to parties.  An elegant and whimsical breath of freshly VINTAGE air!  Talk about a collection with character!  Each piece is lovingly hand-made with authentic vintage accents.  Repurposed fabrics are a true love of mine, so I was instantly hooked!  The other fabrics that Juliette Sunshine uses are all organic cotton and bamboo too so they’re very comfy and safe for your little sweeties too!  It’s all made here in the USA too, so feel good about that!

Wash well?  Absolutely!  I love it how thoughtful construction and quality materials always produces a good wash!  We do a good old cold water wash, a shake, and lay flat to dry and they continue to look new wash after wash.

Do you love that short Shirley Temple hemline?  You know, the vintagey short dresses that she used to wear?  Juliette Sunshine’s dresses are perfect for that look!  If you want a little longer hemline, just order the next size up.  Very cute with or without leggings!  These dresses definitely make a statement and scream unique!

What’s our absolute Favorite Thing about this collection?  Okay, we actually have two.  One, they have one-of-a-kind dresses available that are just to die for cute.  What a special gift for your favorite little girl!  One of a kind, the anti-Gap.  We LOVE it!  Also, these dresses bring some of the absolute BEST twirl factor ever!  Very cute and extraordinarily twirly.

For more information on Juliette Sunshine’s lovelies, we’re going to have to get you to be a little creative!  This line is SO fresh that their website’s not even up yet!  Their blog is up though and you can catch them on Twitter too!  Check them out there and we’ll let you know once their site goes live.  Just HAD to tell you now though.  It’s REALLY that cute.

SWAG ALERT: We’re giving TWO lucky readers their choice of any outfit from Juliette Sunshine!  Just check out www.JulietteSunshine.com which links to their Blog and leave a comment on this post about what you think of them, their website, their company, collection, etc.  You know how it works and what to do.  This SWAG ALERT will be open until we say so.  Good luck to all and have fun with our newest ways to gain EXTRA ENTRIES!!!

EXTRA ENTRIES for this SWAG ALERT:

• Become our NEW Fan on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter as a NEW follower
• Retweet this SWAG ALERT on Twitter (don’t forget the ‘#’ Hashtag!!!)
• Favorite us on Technorati
• Get creative and help us promote your Favorite site BellazizasFavorites.com!!!  You tell US how you do it (blog, social media, MckLinky’s at relevant sites, etc!!)

Make sure to enter all EXTRAS as a comment on this post or include the #SWAGALERT hashtag so we can track on Twitter!!  We always want to make sure that we get all of your entries!

Disclosure Statement: We did receive samples of this product… and love them!  We’re actually dizzy from twirling right now. 

Here’s a great idea of how to turn the corner of your little sweetie’s room into her own mini dance studio!  Just find a great old mirror to mount behind the door, put up some hooks to house the tutus, a few little decorations and *voila*!  Instant playspace!!

What other great ideas do you have going on behind your kids’ closed doors?

How are you keeping those pants up girls? Is your belt a little bulky? Is your little girl’s belt a little bulky too? We found the perfect remedy!  Beat the belt-bulge with InvisiBelt! Very light, very thin, but completely effective! It’s just a handy little belt made of plastic that really works wonders under tighter or more fitted shirts. It’s been featured in tons of fashion mags and worn by a long list of celebrities too!  Cutest packaging ever, and it makes a perfect stocking stuffer for mom or the little princess, coming in sizes to fit everyone!

SWAG ALERT: We’re giving FIVE lucky readers an InvisiBelt of their own! Just check out www.InvisiBelt.com and leave a comment on this post about what you think of them, their website, their company, collection, etc.  You know how it works and what to do.  This SWAG ALERT will be open until we say so.  Good luck to all and have fun with our newest ways to gain EXTRA ENTRIES!!!

EXTRA ENTRIES for this SWAG ALERT:

• Become our Fan on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter
• Retweet this SWAG ALERT on Twitter
• Favorite us on Technorati
• Get creative and help us promote your Favorite site BellazizasFavorites.com!!!  You tell US how you do it (blog, social media, MckLinky’s at relevant sites, etc!!)

Make sure to enter all EXTRAS as a comment on this post or include the #SWAGALERT hashtag so we can track on Twitter!!  We always want to make sure that we get all of your entries!

Disclosure Statement: We did receive samples of this product… and love them!

Congratulations to Stacy M.  who is the winner of our Maxtrix SWAG ALERT!!!  You have our Favorite desk, chair and even a MaxPack headed your way!  Time to crack the books kids:)!!! 

Thanks to everyone who entered on behalf of our wonderful sponsor Maxtrix and do stop back soon for more of the best of the best for the family who has everything but deserves more!!!

HINT:  New V.I.P. SWAG posting soon!!!  *Oooh! Aaah!*

With all of the current controversy over the H1N1 Vaccine as well as vaccines in general, I found this video interesting.  Will you be vaccinating your kids for H1N1?  Will you not be?  Dr. Oz says his kids won’t be getting the H1N1 vaccine.  Do you vaccinate in general?  Do you wait?  Will you be getting the H1N1 vaccination yourself?  We’d love to know since as moms we all struggle with these tough decisions and could use each other’s support in frightening times like these.

An oldie but a goodie, right?  It’s no secret that from it’s earliest beginnings we have simply adored Lemon Loves Lime!!!  It’s one of those collections that keep getting better and better… even after you think it’s gotten as good as it gets.  This fall’s collection does not disappoint!  There are some classic Lemon Loves Lime pieces like their gorgeous silk skirts and some new (and FABULOUS!!!) additions like the gorgeous down-filled Ruffle Coats to keep your little princess in ruffled warmth all winter!  You’re wondering about the crochet though, right?  Ooooh yeahhhh, it’s there and absolutely scrumptious as usual!  (It’s our Favorite part too so I totally understand the question.)  Anyway, on to the details!

Let’s start from the outside in.  Need great outerwear for the girls?  Look no further.  Lemon Loves Lime has simply outdone themselves with the new coats in for this season.  They’re duck down filled and have so many ruffles that she’ll simply never want to take it off!  That’s how it happens to go around here at Chez Bellaziza anyway.  The coats have hats and scarves to match that are absolutely the perfect finishing touch.  The hats are the same pattern as last year’s little hats but are in a stretchy french terry.  So cozy, so chic!  The scarf is to die for, really.  The trademark crochet work that you simply won’t find anywhere else graces its ends and also provides a delicate little button closure.  Simply divine.

Inside the coats?  What to wear?  Yes.  We loved that too!  There are a great selection of special event dresses this season made of that gorgeous LLL velvet and new this year, embroidered silk!  AND I do mean embroidered.  It’s some of the most intricate embroidery I’ve seen yet.  Gorgeous too.  Perfect for holiday parties, any special event, or as Isabella calls it, Wednesday.  We do love to dress up here.

Got skirts?  Lemon Loves Lime does!  This year a great new addition is the ruffle skirt, perfect for everyday being made out of cotton jersey!  It’s the kind of thing that is great for the girls who love dressing up, but also for the moms who would rather not wear hand-wash or dry-clean-only clothes every SINGLE day *raises hand and waves!*.  The Ruffle Skirts have tops to match and come in five delicious colors.  They wash SO incredibly well too!  We do a cold regular wash with a regular tumble dry and they’re ready to go!  *YAYEE!!*

Want silk skirts?  Yes, they of course have some gorgeous new silk skirts too, which are an absolute Favorite here every season.  Our Favorite of these would have to be the bow skirts.  Adorable on the hanger, but absolute heaven on!  They really are stunning with the hand crafted touches and tulle underlayer!  Did I mention the down filled coats?  Aah, yes.  Well they’re completely over-the-top-gorgeous under the coats.  Really.

Remember the unique character tees and dresses that usually grace the Lemon Loves Lime Spring/Summer collections?  They’re back this fall in full force!  Adorable and so very special, you have your pick from frogs with pink kissy lips to peacoks in full display.  Lots of that incredible Lemon Loves Lime crochet work and hand crafted detail here too!  Oh, and the Patch Pocket Pants.  They’re back too in an assortment of juicy colors!  So comfy, made of the always fabulous french terry that we always love from Lemon Loves Lime.

For more information on one of our very Favorite Things, Lemon Loves Lime, do visit their website at www.LemonLovesLime.com.  There are lots of online retail options on their site too, but buy now as this incredible line is always sure to sell out… if it hasn’t already!!!

Images courtesy of Lemon Loves Lime and Chasing Fireflies

I just spent the last twenty minutes putting a doll back together.  Cherry is her name.  It’s one of the Madame Alexander dolls like I grew up not playing with.  You remember the small ones jointed by rubber bands, right?  As a girl, mine sat on top of my dresser.  Germany and Spain.  That’s where they were from, of course.  Germany wore a black tuffet hat and a traditional peasant shawl.  Spain had the prettiest flower headpiece and an embroidered gown that I just loved.  I dusted around them each week, playing with them a little bit but remembering that they weren’t really to be played with.  They weren’t that kind of doll.  So there they sat, and there they sit now.  Still in my childhood bedroom at my parent’s house.

Not much has changed there or here with the Madame Alexander dolls.  Isabella knows that that doll in particular isn’t really one that we play with.  She likes to hold it and asks often for her father or I to take it off of her dresser for a hug and a kiss.  So we let her.  It’s a little treat, and then Cherry goes back.  Back on the dresser.  So you can understand my surprise as I found Cherry in pieces tucked underneath the sheets in my bed just a little while after we put Isabella to bed earlier tonight.

I knew I could fix it.  Well, me and a hair pin and a paperclip, that is.  Mommy can fix anything!   Sometime between the doll’s head popping off and getting everything back on I started to think of more than just this doll.   I wish she had just come to me and asked me to fix it.  Maybe we could have done it together, teaching her to be a little handier like her mommy in the process.  Did she really have to hide it from me?  (Well not so cleverly hidden on my side of the bed, but you know what I mean!)   I don’t want Isabella and Camilla to feel that they have to hide their mistakes from me,  and especially when they need help to fix those mistakes!  It wasn’t a broken doll for me.   It was realizing that because of my rigidity, my little girl couldn’t really come to me with her problems.   She knows I’ll just get mad and tell her she shouldn’t have done what she did.  Sorry, but *DUH!!*   She knows she shouldn’t have done what she did at that point.  The mistake was made and she didn’t know how to fix it, so she hid it from me.  Right now it’s broken dolls, but later it could be more important things.   I don’t want to be that kind of mommy or friend.  My husband and I always tell her that she’s out best friend and she says it back, but we need to be a little more best friend-ly I think.   You can tell your friends things, you know.

So I’m starting a new tradition with the Madame Alexander dolls starting tomorrow morning.   No more dolls you can’t really play with.  You’re all fair game now, so watch out my pretties!   All dolls are meant to be played with from this day on at Chez Bellaziza.  Oh and something else, we’re going to rescue the other dolls at Gram and Grampy’s house too.  There’s Hansel and Gretel, the Bride and Groom, Cinderella who even lives in a glass house to keep her really pretty (COME ON!!) and of course Germany and Spain!  I think that Madame Alexander would definitely approve, and as a mom these little dolls are teaching me a valuable lesson.   I can’t wait to see the look on her face when I tell her about freeing the dolls!

How about you?  Have you ever learned so much from a broken doll?  Was it a truck perhaps?   I’d love to hear!

Crista

There are some things in life that you simply fall in love with at first sight.  Right Bank Babies is absolutely one of them for me.  From the first moment I laid eyes on their collection a few years back… they had me in a ’shut-up-you-had-me-at-hello-Jerry-Maguire’ kind of way.  It was the French inspired design and unique vintage-y fabrics that drew me in in an instant.  It was all the fun you could have with layering and the reversible bonus in so many of their lovely pieces too!  This Fall’s collection does not disappoint!  Here’s what we thought…

Our absolute favorites are the dressy dresses!  (Shocking, right?)  I absolutely adore the bubble-hemmed Marnie Dress (above) with its very intentional zipper and tailored Jackie O fit.  Perfect for any little royal… or just yours!  This season’s ever lovely Ruffle Dress in Grey (below) is also just as fabulous as ever.  To. Die. For.  I love the muted colors as they allow your eye’s focus to be the garment’s design and gorgeous fabrics.  The fabric is a très luxe polyester (that washes so well too!!!) and the design produces such an airy looking babydoll silhouette!    Something to wear to the playground?  No.  Other than that, we love it for simply everywhere!  {Looks unbelievable with the jeans below too!!!}

The reversible dresses, or Flip Flop Frocks as RBB calls them (below), are absolutely adorable this season again, as expected.  The mirrored buttons are always a nice touch and it’s really the garment that keeps on giving as it can be worn for multiple seasons / sizes by layering.  Sundress?  Yes!  Uber cute instead of a vest over a cozy long john shirt with jeans too!  Absolutely!  It’s so versatile and something that we truly look forward to seeing every season from Right Bank Babies.

Last but definitely not least, do your kiddos wear jeans?  Do you love premium denim for the kids, but without the hefty price tag?  We do too, and we were thrilled when Right Bank Babies told us about their new premium denim line made just for the smaller set!  They are every part as nicely cut and uniquely finished as any of the major children’s premium denim labels, but at a much more reasonable price.  Will you still wince (or cry!) over little Billy’s fingerpainting mess all over them?  Probably.  But that’s just because you’re you.  Not because there’s no replacing them at that price!  (MSRP around $70!!)  They wash really well too, looking almost better with time, and pair perfectly with almost anything for a real mini style statement.  Adjustable waist too.  We’re in love!

There’s something for everyone at Right Bank Babies as their sizes start from baby and in selected pieces go all the way up to 12 years!  Their boy’s line is equally as cute as the girls, so moms-of-boys go take a look for sure!!!  Visit them online at www.RightBankBabies.com, be their fan on Facebook or follow them on Twitter!  I know they’ll be so very happy to see you!  Also visit their brand spanking new boutique (set to openlocated directly across from the Kodak Theatre in the heart of Hollywood!

SWAG ALERT: One lucky reader will receive their choice of any complete outfit for a girl or boy from Right Bank Babies valued at up to $150!!!  Just check out www.RightBankBabies.com and leave a comment on this post about what you think of them, their website, their company, collection, etc.  You know how it works and what to do.  This SWAG ALERT will be open until we say so.  Good luck to all and have fun with our newest ways to gain EXTRA ENTRIES!!!

EXTRA ENTRIES for this SWAG ALERT:

• Become our Fan on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter
• Retweet this SWAG ALERT on Twitter
• Favorite us on Technorati
• Get creative and help us promote your Favorite site BellazizasFavorites.com!!!  You tell US how you do it (blog, social media, MckLinky’s at relevant sites, etc!!)

Make sure to enter all EXTRAS as a comment on this post or include the #SWAGALERT hashtag so we can track on Twitter!!  We always want to make sure that we get all of your entries!!

Congratulations to Xenia who is the winner of our Barn Dandys SWAG ALERT!!!  Xenia used Twitter to gain an extra entry that won her big:)!!  Click here to follow us on Twitter too @Bellaziza!

Thanks to everyone who entered on behalf of our wonderful sponsor Barn Dandys and do stop back soon for more of the best of the best for the family who has everything but deserves more!!!

HINT:  New V.I.P. SWAG posting soon!!!  *Oooh! Aaah!*

I have three boys.  Thankfully, God also gave me three-fold patience!  I love my boys, but BOY are they a handful!  A little example…

I Knew I Had Boys When:

There is pee…everywhere…forget toilet seats, it’s everywhere people!

There are numerous daily conversations about underwear, snot and butts…in a completely serious manner.

There are numerous daily conversations about underwear, snot and butts…in a completely ridiculous and silly manner.

There are underwear strewn about the house in very strange places for no particular reason whatsoever.

We use the word underwear a lot.

I am ALWAYS out of food.  They are like little garbage disposals.

There is no pink to be found, except for the clothes on my back.  And I barely get away with that.  (”Mom, that’s a girl color!”  HELLO!  I’M A GIRL!!)

I have more hot wheels in my purse than I do cosmetics.

I break up at least 2-3 wrestling matches a day.  Some with tears, most with screaming.

I can quote Star Wars…this is not something I am proud of, it’s just a fact.

I can make shooting noises, differing between pistols and bombs and such…again, not a super proud moment.

It only takes two dressers completely emptied to cover a small bedroom floor with clothes.  This fact has been proven numerous times and you will come to find out all kinds of things that can cover the floor when you have boys.

Body parts…don’t get me started on that one.

Lego pieces can not be easily found in vacuum bags…or dog poop.  Just sayin’.

Bath time is about the same as  the “Will It Float” segments on the Late Show with David Letterman.

Photo shoots look like this:

I can’t complain though.  I really DO love being a mom of boys.  Dirty underwear and all.

So tell me, how did you know when you had boys?