current obsession: bugalug plus a giveaway!

Bugalug is one of our favorite Canadian companies thanks to their collection of super cute accessories for baby, toddlers and girls! Why are we obsessed? We adore the non-slip grip clips, perfect for those tiny little hairs along with the exclusive ribbon designs. They are also non-toxic and lead free which is a major plus in every moms book. But most of all we love them for their stylish and fun accessories! Bugalug is always at the top of our shopping list! Whether it is for a gift or for our very own Littles - we always can find the perfect accessory!

cupcakeMAG for Littles Bugalug Faves!

{Cinch Clips ($15) perfect for so many uses.}
For attaching a blanket to a stroller or mittens to a jacket - they work as an extra hand for mom!



{They have so many cute little clips - we can't list them all!}

{Boys Caution Belt, $18 because well, what doesn't explain a boy better!}
We love that you can flip it over for a simple checker pattern in black and white too!

Lucky for you we are giving away a few of our faves! Read on to enter!

{All Things Bugalug}

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What are the STARS using on their baby bumps? Mama Mio

In the wake of the recent Hollywood baby-boom, the red-carpet at the upcoming Oscars will undeniably be flooded with a plethora of baby bumps. Pregnant celebs such as Kate Hudson, Victoria Beckham, Natalie Portman, Selma Blair and the newly pregnant Jessica Alba are sure to get plenty of notice for their maternity style. And how will they perfect their looks? With none other than celebrity skincare expert Mama Mio, of course!

While expecting Honor in 2008, Jessica Alba embraced her pregnant physique and notably stellar style by highlighting her assets on the red carpet. We know she’ll do the same this time around by using her favorite Mama Mio product: Boob Tube Bust and Neck Firmer ($45; www.mamamio.com). This crinkle-fighting formula promotes firmer, fitter, glowing, dewy, youthful skin from the neck down, a must when preparing for a revealing neckline on the red carpet.CoQ10 helps defy gravity while Omega 3, 6 and 9 keep your neck and décolleté looking firm and plump. Milk Thistle, Evening Primrose Oil and Sweet Almond Oil maintain moisture for healthy, brilliant skin.

The amazingly beautiful Selma Blair showed off her maternity glow at the recent Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. You too can achieve a soft sheen like Selma’s by using her favorite Mama Mio product: O-Mega™ Body Oil ($35; www.mamamio.com) Free of carriers and emollients, this formula is 100% replenishing moisture. Truly superfood for the skin, Mama Mio’s magic mix of natural Argan, Safflower, Sweet Almond and Jojoba oils delivers much-neededOmegas 3, 6 and 9 to nourish and elasticize the skin for a noticeable and immediate difference. Thirsty skin drinks up the quenching blend instantly as it quickly sinks in, locks in moisture and throws away the key.

The always fashionable Victoria Beckham never lets her pregnancies get in the way of style! Pregnant with her fourth child, the Mama Mio Skincare fan was recently spotted in Heathrow wearing her signature stilettos. At this year’s Oscars, other pregnant celebs can also brave the red carpet in heels with the help ofMama Mio Lucky Legs ($19; www.mamamio.com). Developed to relieve legs and feet when exhausted, swollen, heavy, and in need of intense refreshment, this mini-spa treatment glides on to instantly cool and ease weary limbs—from knees to tippy toes. Lucky Legs is formulated with V-Tonic, a blend of safe, essential oils handpicked to relieve pain and lighten heavy legs with a tingly cool sensation. 80% of women tested reported immediate relief! Menthol and Spearmint cool and refresh as Aloe Vera and Chamomile calm and Yarrow helps skin tone.

Spotted in People! Get the Look: Christina Applegate's Sweet Nursery

Have you picked up this week's People Magazine yet? Well if not, we got it covered. Christina Applegate shows off her new little babe and FABulous nursery and guess what we spotted? Oilo's Modern Berries Taupe Bedding. It is SO easy to get her exact look. 

The nursery is all about style and softness as it embraces sophistication with Oilo’s Modern Berries Motif crib set. Made from 100 percent fine woven cotton the bedding set includes zippered side bumper cover (foam filled for standing durability), 17” tailored skirt and fitted cotton percale crib sheet.  The bedding is machine washable and made in the USA. 

You can get Christina's exact look with the three-piece crib set for $399. More colors are available too -- Spring Green and Tree Trunk! Check it out on  www.oilostudio.com.

Our Littles LOVE the BabyBjorn Babysitter Balance

Could we be more obsessed with a bouncy chair? Probably not. Let us introduce to you, the BabyBjorn Babysitter Balance. All we can say is, hello babysitter. 

Why do we LOVE it? Let us count the ways. 

Not only is it sleek & chic but we never thought we would call a "Bouncy Chair" stylish and it is oh-so-stylish, beyond functional & super safe. Who doesn't want a happy baby? With the BabyBjorn Babysitter Balance our Littles never stop smiling. 

It is perfect when you need that safe place for your Little. Have other Littles in the house? This is that extra arm all Moms need when cuddling with their preschooler or trying to get dinner on the table. What we LOVE is that the bouncy seat bounces with your Littles movements. No bells & whistles here -- just a nice relaxing motion as your Little wiggles and kicks! 

The Babysitter Balance also grows with your child as it offers a fully reclining position so when they bounce themselves right to sleep they are comfortable. But also, a seated position for older babes up to 29 pounds. It is easily adjustable so you won't have disturb the relaxing infant. 

Get it now! It SHIPS FREE on BabiesRUs.com & with a retail price of $179 - it is worth every penny!

Zuzii Baby Boots, Shoes, and Sandals - You'll Be Jealous of Your Baby's Feet!

By Lindsey Muth 

Hello, hipster baby boots. Seriously obsessed with you...

Zuzii Bijou Baby Boots in "Cocoa"

Petal shoes, get in my shopping bag. I want you in every color...

Zuzii Joli Petal Shoe in "Apple"

Baby sandals and mandals, you're so chic! And just the thing with spring just around the corner...

Zuzii Juju Baby Sandal in "Linen"

Not just beyond adorable, Zuzii footwear's hand-formed premium leather soles cradle your baby's feet. The extra soft hand dyed plush stretch cotton uppers allow for natural movement of the foot. Oh, and they're like the cutest thing that ever happened to baby booties.

Absolutely obsessed! 

Editors' Pick: Obsessed with the lobster from phil&teds! PLUS a giveaway!

Oh yes. phil&teds has done it again. Perfection is one word that describes the one chair we are absolutely obsessed with -- the lobster! With 3 Littles and one on the way space is a big thing we are loosing at our house. Luckily, we don't have to worry about making room for yet another high chair. The phil & teds lobster high chair attaches right to our kitchen island and the best part -- our Little loves seeing everything that is going on. In about less then a minute we can detach it and bring her over to our table. It is possibly the best, wait, scratch that - it is the best high chair around. Another reason I love it? I actually could "put it together" - so maybe I didn't assemble it (it came assembled) but it was one of the first products I could actually use myself and not call the darling hubs over for help. 

Unbelievably lightweight, with flat-packing portability and quick-smart clamping for easy of use with virtually any table. The lobster claws twist to grip the tables from 0.8 to 3.7 inches thick for a super secure, fuss-free attachment. Seriously, it is the easiest piece of baby gear to use! Weighing just under 4 lbs, the lobster is extremely travel-friendly, making it convenient to take to restaurants, on family vacations or to grandma's house. Just pack it and go.

As soon as your Little can hold up that sweet head they are ready to sit in the lobster and join the rest of the fam at the table. Or, attach it to your island and let them watch you cook. My Little adores her lobster and kicks her feet the whole time she sits in it.

Don't let the lightweight, aluminum frame deceive you - the phil&teds lobster is very strong and can hold children up to 37 lbs. And don't worry - no slipping out as the padded, adjustable 5-point harness keeps them from wiggling out. We also just love the easy to clean washable fabric and the removable, dishwasher safe food tray so they don't have to eat directly on their table -- they basically have their own.

Lucky for YOU we are giving one reader their very own phil&teds lobster which is completely sold out! 

Read on to enter......

Featured Etsy Designer -- Beth from The Bird & Elephant -- plus a giveaway!

Back in December we met Beth - a multi-tasking momma with a FABulous little shop. The Bird & Elephant specializes in 100% organic cotton bodysuits, organic cotton appliques, and hand-carved & stamped designs. We just adore this eco-chic shop full of super soft baby & toddler wear. Read on to learn more about the designer and to enter  a giveaway -- thanks to Beth! 

{1} What made you begin your shop?

It was all really good timing during a really bad time period. The economy was great, my husband's job was great, my newborn son was great, and then came the recession. I had just said goodbye to benefits, retirement plans, and an okay salary, when I quit my full-time job as the Supervisor overseeing equipment and lab space in the Photography Department of a local arts & design college where I had graduated with a BFA. I was a full-time stay at home mom who needed to find a way to add to the household income. But never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd be in this line of work. I was the one gal in my family that preferred the wood shop, big loud tools and working with metals. I loved getting my hands dirty with charcoals and my clothing always had splatters of paint. But none of those things are safe for baby and baby was always with me.

Strapped for money, I was tired of the clothing available for my son, so I began knitting cute, urban style hats and started appliqueing his infant tee's and bodysuits. I used fabric remnants from old art projects, leftover balls of yarn, and recycled his onesies and other clothing to use in my applique designs.  The knitting was pretty easy, but I had absolutely no idea what I was doing with the sewing. I come from a family of great sewers, quilters, seamstresses and doll makers, but I never paid close attention, and never learned the rules. Through trial & error, and a lot of research, I taught myself embroidery and then I began having some success with my appliques. I enjoyed what I was making, because I was transforming my sketches and doodles into wearable art. From there, I became addicted. My fabric stash grew, my threads grew, and my skill was developing to the point that I felt someone may actually purchase one of my creations. And that's where things took off. Since I loved what I was making and had a lot of fun doing it, I decided to give Etsy a try. From there, I've received several requests from brick and mortar shops to carry my products and I have chosen a couple to carry my goods. The making has been the easiest part; learning the ins and outs of online selling and marketing is hardcore.

cupcakeMAG for Littles pick: the Baby Sea Turtle Bodysuit in Pink 

{2} What are some of your other favorite Etsy shops? 

Oh my, that's a tough one! 

I love the artwork of corid: http://www.etsy.com/shop/corid

Amazing lampshades by umbu; quite unique & beautiful: http://www.etsy.com/shop/umbu

Rabbitsmoon has clean, crisp photography to show off the cute plushies and change pouches in her shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/rabbitsmoon

I love the authentic clothing of LittleHouses: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleHouses 

Miniatures: http://www.etsy.com/shop/saysthetree

Jewelry: http://www.etsy.com/shop/RootsJewelry

Vintage: http://www.etsy.com/shop/elmstreetmarket

Photography: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Maddenphotography

Knits: http://www.etsy.com/shop/TickledPinkKnits

That's a pretty big sampling of my favorites. I could go on forever.

One of Beth's favorite designs: Hand Embroidered Heart Onesie

Another of the designer faves: red heart + tree limb onesie

{3} What is your favorite item currently in your shop?

It's a toss up between these two:

Organic bodysuit with a red heart + tree limb and the sweet little Valentine's heart on a pink bodysuit. I had a lot of fun with the embroidery on this one. 

{4} What is up next for you?

Mommy to 2 is up next for me, with my baby girl Lila arriving mid-March. My son inspired me to create this business, it will definitely be interesting to see what a baby girl will inspire. I plan to eventually add gift sets to my shop that would include hand-carved, hand-stamped stationary to match some of the designs; knitted/crocheted booties & shoes in coordinating colors; and maybe diaper covers. I'd love to expand the wardrobe options to include pants and dresses. Right now, I'm developing an organic line of clothing. I have a background in printmaking, and would love to begin transforming some of my designs to silkscreens and hand-carved wood stamps for printing directly onto fabrics, bodysuits and tees. My hand-embroidered goods can take a few hours to create just one, so finding a way to simplify my work without affecting the work is a future goal. As for down the road, I plan to open a bricks & mortar shop of my own. 

Perfect for the little man in your life - the Red Elephant Onesie

READ ON TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!