Coquette Maman

Personalized Books and Gifts for Kids at My Chronicle Books + Giveaway

I plan on giving lots of books as gifts this holiday season and a lot of them are for the little kids I know. Every child loves to hear a fun story and a for a kid, nothing makes a story cooler than having them be a part of it!

Chronicle Books has just launched My Chronicle Books, a place for personalized books, gifts, and more. I just gave my daughter the Princess Chloe book today for her birthday and she wanted to hear the story again and again. She loved seeing her name and photo within the book, as well as the name of her favorite pony "Sparkle" which I added in. I also bought Speedster Mathieu for her classmate's birthday a few weeks ago and he loved that both his brother Alex and Chloe were other racers in the book.

The process is super easy. Just fill in the various form fields the child's name, birth date, and anything else that's asked for. Then instantly, you'll be able to preview the whole story with all the information page by page before you buy the book. Watch the video above to find out how easy it is to create a special book!

You can also personalize placemats, growth charts, wall art, lunch boxes and more. It's the perfect gift for the holidays and birthdays.

There's a Friends & Family Holiday Sale going on now! Get 35% off + free shipping. Use the discount code: FRIENDS at My Chronicle Books.

Giveaway
One lucky Coquette Maman reader will be able to win a personalized Speedster or Princess book. To enter, just leave a comment to this post. It's easy! You must be a resident of the U.S. or Canada. The giveaway ends on Friday, November 30, 2012 at 5pm PST.

Note: This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to everyone who entered!

Note: The Princess book was provided by Chronicle Books for review.

Halo & Aden + Anais Sale on Gilt

Aden + Anais are wonderful staples in a nursery. I love their soft muslin that is perfect for baby's delicate skin and their wonderful prints and soft colors. Halo sleep sacks are also a necessary staple and now that the weather is getting colder, it's time to stock up on some warmer ones for the winter.

Gilt is having a sale on these pricey nursery essentials where you can get a set of 2 Halo sleep sacks for just $30. If I remember correctly when I bought them back in the day for Chloe they were around $25 each. You can also get Aden + Anais Swaddling Wraps (set of 4) for just $50 and their muslin washcloths (3 pack) for $20.

Shop Gilt today and get up to 50% off Halo and Aden + Anais in the Baby & Kids section on Gilt.com.

John Varvatos Boys Collection

Boys sometimes don't get as much of a fashionable clothing selection when it comes time to shop. I always seem to see the same old sports themed casual wear or dressed up preppie boy. That's why I felt so refreshed to see John Varvatos' new boys collection that features dressed up little hipster wear that is party perfect for the holiday season. I love the look of a black blazer mixed up with a t-shirt and even a vest.

The prices aren't cheap for kids clothing but if you could only get one thing, I would recommended this John Varvatos Boys' Velvet Two Soft Jacket ($175) that could be paired with simple black pants and t-shirt. If anything, the collection is inspiring to give us a fresher model of style for little boys.

Wee Wonderful Dolls at Land of Nod

I have been a long time fan of Hillary Lang of Wee Wonderfuls blog and have a lot of her doll/toy patterns. She's just launched her new Wee Wonderful dolls ($39 each) with the Land of Nod, just in time for the holidays. Choose from Winx, Fern, Skip, Bertie, or Charlie. Each doll is handmade and measures 11" wide by 17" high.

For crafters:

If you want to make your own dolls, pick up this PDF pattern or booklet to make Kit, Chloe & Louise ($15 at Wee Wonderfuls). I have this pattern and love it. I plan on making the Chloe doll for my own Chloe some time soon.

Hillary also has a fabulous book called Wee Wonderfuls: 24 Dolls to Sew and Love ($18.15 on Amazon) where you can learn how to sew up 24 dolls and clothes.

Aerin - Essential Beauty for Busy Moms

Sometimes after a long and sleepless night there's no better pick me up than a little splash of makeup from a little blush to that cool lip gloss you just bought to give you a reminder that you are you, and not just a mom. I love the concept behind Aerin Lauder's (granddaughter to Estee) new cosmetics line that is simply called, Aerin. She presents limited colors for palettes, powder, lip gloss and lipsticks that universally work well on every woman and enhance her natural beauty.

For an every day look, here's the items I'd get:

Aerin Pretty Bronze Illuminating Powder ($45 at Estee Lauder)
A great way to add some color and vibrancy to your face is sweeping it with this light bronzing powder. It will give you a natural glow.

Aerin Multi Color for Lips & Cheeks ($42 at Estee Lauder)
When you need a little extra help to look like you have some energy, create a healthy glow on your cheeks and match it to your lips with this double duty product.

Aerin Lip Gloss in Sweet Pea for Weekend ($30 at Estee Lauder)
I am pretty much a sucker for lip gloss because I love the shine it brings to my lips. This one in a soft coral nude is perfect for everyday, even if you are just going to the grocery store.

Aerin Rose Hand & Body Cream ($40 at Estee Lauder)
I'm pretty obsessed with lotions and creams and this one is perfect for it's silky and lightweight texture to moisturize your dry skin.

I also love her site/blog at Aerin.com that shows her inspirations and behind the scenes.

Ivy and Bean Blog-A-Bration Comes to An End

It's Week 9 and we are at the end of our Ivy and Bean Blog-A-Bration giveaway!

Last Week's Winners
A big congratulations to Tania from Elkins Park, PA for winning Ivy and Bean No News is Good News (Book #8) and a set of mini notes. Also, congrats to Erin from and Halle from Fairbanks, AK for each winning a set of Ivy and Bean Mini Notes. Thanks to everyone who entered all these eight weeks!

And now.... the moment we have all been waiting for:

The Grand Prize Winner is Becky Wilson of Flint Hill Elementary School! She was one of the weekly winners at Colby Sharpe's Sharp Reads Blog. Woohoo!

This Saturday, October 13th, we will celebrate the 1st Annual Ivy and Bean Day along with the launch of the 9th Ivy and Bean book in this NY Times bestselling series: Ivy and Bean Make the Rules.

Check the Ivy and Bean web site for events happening all around the country at your local bookstore, library or school.

Here are the other participating blogs in the Ivy and Bean Blog-A-Bration:

Media Darlings
There's A Book
Kid Lit Frenzy
In the Pages
The O.W.L.
Ruth Ayres Writes
Watch. Connect. Read.
One Page to the Next
Van Meter Library Voice
The Family That Reads Together
Roundtable Reviews for Kids
Sharpread
The Children's Book Review

Ivy and Bean Blog-A-Bration! Week 8 Giveaway

It's now week 8! We are so close to the end of the Ivy and Bean Blog-A-Bration! Next week is the launch of the new book, Ivy and Bean Make the Rules and the Grand Prize giveaway that could be yours! (See below for more info on the Grand Prize.)

Last Week's Winners

A big congratulations to Halle from from Fairbanks, AK for winning Ivy and Bean What's the Big Idea? (Book 7) and a set of mini notes. Also, congrats to Jasmine from Chula Vista and Vanessa from Ontario Canada for each winning a set of Ivy and Bean Mini Notes. Thanks to everyone who entered!

Let's get going with the Ivy and Bean Week 8 Giveaway on Coquette Maman!

Ivy and Bean Giveaway: Week 8
1 winner will receive Ivy and Bean No News Is Good News (Book 8) + Ivy and Bean Mini Notes
2 winners will each receive an Ivy and Bean Mini Notes

Ivy and Bean No News Is Good News (Book 8)
Ivy and Bean need some money. Ten dollars, to be exact. Never mind what for. Okay, it’s for low-fat Belldeloon cheese in a special just-for you serving size. Don’t ask why. How are Ivy and Bean going to make ten dollars? Hey, maybe they should write a newspaper about Pancake Court and sell it! Great idea! And easy, too. All they have to do is snoop around the neighborhood. Wow...It’s very interesting what they can find out. It’s even more interesting when the neighbors read about it in the newspaper.

To enter the Ivy and Bean Week 8 Giveaway, just leave a comment to this post below. All entries will close on Friday, October 5, 2012 at Noon PST.

About Ivy and Bean
The Ivy and Bean series of children's books by Annie Barrows and illustrated by Sophie Blackall (published by Chronicle Books) cover the enduring and hilarious friendship between two seemingily opposite personalities. Ivy and Bean are very different and it's because of their differences, they become best friends.

This October 13th, we will celebrate the 1st Annual Ivy and Bean Day along with the launch of the 9th Ivy and Bean book in this NY Times bestselling series: Ivy and Bean Make the Rules.

Grand Prize

For Week 9, a Grand Prize Winner will be chosen from all of the previous winners and will receive:

• A complete set of Ivy and Bean hardcover books signed by Annie Barrows
• 1 set of Ivy and Bean Paper Dolls
• 1 Ivy and Bean Button Factory
• 1 Ivy and Bean READ Poster signed by Annie Barrows
• Set of Ivy and Bean Silly Bandz
• Set of Ivy and Bean stickers

AND – the super-secret really cool prize are these Madame Alexander Ivy and Bean plush dolls!

Coquette Maman is so happy to be a part of the select group of bloggers here to help celebrate everything Ivy and Bean! Every week until October 13th, I'll be giving away 1 book in the series as well as 3 Ivy and Bean Mini Notes.

Here are the other participating blogs in the Ivy and Bean Blog-A-Bration:

Media Darlings
There's A Book
Kid Lit Frenzy
In the Pages
The O.W.L.
Ruth Ayres Writes
Watch. Connect. Read.
One Page to the Next
Van Meter Library Voice
The Family That Reads Together
Roundtable Reviews for Kids
Sharpread
The Children's Book Review

Paper Sack Halloween Costumes by Wee Society

Turn a paper grocery bag into a chic costume with Wee Society's Paper Sack Halloween Costumes, inspired by their Wee Alphas. Download the how-to PDFs for a fox, lion, owl, and gorilla. The PDFs also include templates for you to trace and cut out pieces for the costume.

Post up a picture of your little one in a Wee Alpha's costume to Facebook/weesociety by October 31st and you'll be automatically entered to win a Wee Alpha's art print.

Ivy and Bean Blog-A-Bration! Week 7 Giveaway

Wowza! We are now on week #7 of the Ivy and Bean Blog-A-Bration! We are so close to the launch of the new book, Ivy and Bean Make the Rules and the Grand Prize giveaway that could be yours! (See below for more info on the Grand Prize.)

Last Week's Winners:
Congratualtions to Beth from Alexandria, VA for winning Ivy and Bean Book #6 and a set of mini notes. Also congrats to Tania from Elkins Park, PA and Cheryl from Kaneohe, HI for each winning a set of Ivy and Bean mini notes. Thanks to everyone who entered!

Let's get going with the Ivy and Bean Week 7 Giveaway on Coquette Maman!

Ivy and Bean Giveaway: Week 7
1 winner will receive Ivy and Bean What's the Big Idea? (Book 7) + Ivy and Bean Mini Notes
2 winners will each receive an Ivy and Bean Mini Notes

Ivy and Bean What's the Big Idea? (Book 7)
It's the Science Fair, and the second grade is all over it! Some kids are making man-eating robots. Some kids are holding their breath for a very, very long time. Some kids are doing interesting things with vacuum cleaners. The theme, obviously, is global warming. But what should Ivy and Bean do? Something involving explosions? Or ropes? Somethingwith ice cubes? Or maybe . . . maybe something different.

To enter the Ivy and Bean Week 7 Giveaway, just leave a comment to this post below. All entries will close on Friday, September 28, 2012 at Noon PST.

About Ivy and Bean
The Ivy and Bean series of children's books by Annie Barrows and illustrated by Sophie Blackall (published by Chronicle Books) cover the enduring and hilarious friendship between two seemingily opposite personalities. Ivy and Bean are very different and it's because of their differences, they become best friends.

This October 13th, we will celebrate the 1st Annual Ivy and Bean Day along with the launch of the 9th Ivy and Bean book in this NY Times bestselling series: Ivy and Bean Make the Rules.

Grand Prize

For Week 9, a Grand Prize Winner will be chosen from all of the previous winners and will receive:

• A complete set of Ivy and Bean hardcover books signed by Annie Barrows
• 1 set of Ivy and Bean Paper Dolls
• 1 Ivy and Bean Button Factory
• 1 Ivy and Bean READ Poster signed by Annie Barrows
• Set of Ivy and Bean Silly Bandz
• Set of Ivy and Bean stickers
• AND – a super-secret really cool prize we’re working on (stay tuned!)

Coquette Maman is so happy to be a part of the select group of bloggers here to help celebrate everything Ivy and Bean! Every week until October 13th, I'll be giving away 1 book in the series as well as 3 Ivy and Bean Mini Notes.

Here are the other participating blogs in the Ivy and Bean Blog-A-Bration:

Media Darlings
There's A Book
Kid Lit Frenzy
In the Pages
The O.W.L.
Ruth Ayres Writes
Watch. Connect. Read.
One Page to the Next
Van Meter Library Voice
The Family That Reads Together
Roundtable Reviews for Kids
Sharpread
The Children's Book Review

Tsu.ya by Kristi Yamaguchi

I never knew why workout and active wear always made me look and feel like a big slob. That's why I love Kristi Yamaguchi's new activewear line called Tsu.ya. The Olympic gold medalist who's a mom of two girls created the line merging modern designs with comfortable fabrics. A portion of Tsu.ya sales supports children's education and inspiration through Kristi's Always Dream Foundation. Tsu.ya is also available at select Lord & Talor stores.

"My lifestyle is demanding. As a mother, as an author and as an athlete, the clothing that I wear needs to be functional as well as fashionable. Up until now there wasn’t an activewear line available to me that met those needs so I created Tsu.ya to fill the void. Moms like me know that our attire needs to live up to our standards and to our activities and Tsu.ya does just that - and with style," says Kristi.

My favorite piece from the collection is the SLIK Jacket ($149) that features satin details and cinched waistline that's flattering to a woman's silhouette. It's perfect at the gym, yoga class, or school drop off. It's definitely a way cuter version of a typical sporty jacket. Her collection not only features outerwear but also tops, bottoms, and dresses.

Here are more Tsu.ya looks from the Fall 2012 Collection Lookbook. Shop online at Tsuyabrand.com.