Coquette Maman

Stylish Backpacks for Mom

I tried to resist it as much as I could but I realized the field trip backpack is a definitely essential for mom. It's the only way you can hold a few lunches, jackets, and water botttles. How can you still look chic without looking like you're ready to go camping? Enter the Marc by Marc Jacobs Pretty Nylon Backpack ($198 at Shopbop) in Black, Quartz Gray, and Dark Magenta. The front zip compartment can hold your keys and essentials while I also love the top tote handle options for times you just want to carry the bag on your arm.

Here are more cool backpacks for mom:

Juicy Couture Trinity Nylon Backpack ($228 at Shopbop)

LeSportsac Voyager Backpack, Heartbeat ($102.99 at Amazon)

LeSportsac Voyager Backpack, Bronze Lightning ($120 at Amazon)

Baggu Canvas Backpack ($34 at Nordstrom)
Also in black, cobalt, and stone

Ivy and Bean Blog-A-Bration! Week 5 Giveaway

Wow can you believe it? We are already on to week 5 of the Ivy and Bean Blog-A-Bration! Only four more weeks to the launch of the new book, Ivy and Bean Make the Rules and the Grand Prize!

Last week's winners:
Janelle from North Manchester, IN has won book #4 in the Ivy and Bean Series, Ivy and Bean Take Care of the Babysitter as well as a set of mini notes.

Jasmine from Chula Vista, CA and Nancy from Berkeley, CA have also each won a set of the Ivy and Bean Mini Notes.

Let's get going with the Ivy and Bean Week 5 Giveaway on Coquette Maman!

Ivy and Bean Giveaway: Week 5
1 winner will receive Ivy and Bean Bound to Be Bad (Book 5) + Ivy and Bean Mini Notes
2 winners will each receive an Ivy and Bean Mini Notes

Bound to Be Bad (Ivy and Bean, Book 5)
The two girls decide to be so good and kind and pure of thought that wild animals will befriend them. When this doesn't work, they decide that perhaps a little badness can be good.

To enter the Ivy and Bean Week 5 Giveaway, just leave a comment to this post below. All entries will close on Saturday, September 15, 2012 at Noon PST.

9/15: This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to everyone who entered!

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

Disney On Ice in the Bay Area - $1 Tickets On Sale Friday, September 7th

(Photos courtesy of Feld Entertainment)

If you're a mom like me, you probably have a little one who is either obsessed with the Disney Princesses or Toy Story. I'm excited to take Chloe to see Disney On Ice which comes to the Bay Area this October. Shows will take place at the Oracle Arena in Oakland from October 17-21 and HP Pavilion in San Jose from October 24-28.
The Disney on Ice production features a cast we all know and love: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Buzz Lightyear & Woody, Pinocchio & Jiminy Cricket, Nemo & Dory, Belle & The Beast, The Incredibles and features exciting moments from Aladdin, Mulan and The Lion King.

In honor of 100 Years of Magic coming to the Bay Area, for one day only - 100 tickets per show will be available at the special $1.00 offer for all 19 performances at both Bay Area venues (while supplies last per show). These Zip-A-Dee-Deal tickets will be available starting at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 7th. There is a limit of 4 tickets per person for your chosen show; offer is only valid on select $20 seats in the upper level and is not valid for multiple shows.

Note: Customers may begin forming a line at the box office no earlier than 8 a.m. on Friday, September 7. The box offices for both the Oracle Arena and HP Pavilion will open to the public at 10 am and the special Disney On Ice discount ticket offer begins at 11 am.

Once the Zip-A-Dee-Deal tickets are sold out, you can still purchase tickets at a special one-day-only $5.00 off discount rate (excluding VIP and front row seats). The box offices close at 5 p.m. Tickets for all Disney On Ice shows to the public will go on sale on Saturday, September 8th.

Oakland Oracle Arena
Wednesday, October 17 – 7:30 PM
Thursday, October 18 – 7:30 PM
Friday, October 19 – 10:30 AM & 7:30 PM
Saturday October 20 – 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM
Sunday, October 21 – 2:00 PM & 6:00 PM

HP Pavilion at San Jose
Wednesday, October 24 – 7:30 PM
Thursday, October 25 – 7:30 PM
Friday, October 26 – 10:30 AM & 7:30 PM
Saturday October 27 – 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM
Sunday, October 28 – 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 6:30 PM

Ivy and Bean Blog-A-Bration! Week 4 Giveaway

It's week 4 of the Ivy and Bean Blog-A-Bration! Here are the winners from last week's week 3 giveaway. Congratulations to Kimberly from Miami, Flordia for winning Ivy and Bean: Break the Fossil Record (Book 3) as well as a set of mini notes. Holly from Lebanon, OH and Carol from West Orange, NJ have also each won a set of the Ivy and Bean Mini Notes.

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.

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.

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!)

Let's get going with the Ivy and Bean Week 4 Giveaway on Coquette Maman!

Ivy and Bean Giveaway: Week 4
1 winner will receive Ivy and Bean Take Care of the Babysitter (Book 4) + Ivy and Bean Mini Notes
2 winners will each recieve an Ivy and Bean Mini Notes

Ivy and Bean Take Care of the Babysitter (Book 4)
The two girls hatch a plan to prove that Bean's big sister is the world's worst babysitter. Of course plans go awry, but fun ensues!

To enter the Ivy and Bean Week 4 Giveaway, just leave a comment to this post below. All entries will close on Friday, September 7, 2012 at Noon PST Saturday, September 8, at 11:50pm PST. (Deadline extended!)

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

New Splendid Store Opening in Corte Madera, CA + Crafty Grand Opening September 8th

I can't wait to visit the new Splendid store in Corte Madera, CA and stock up on some cozy tees and clothes for myself and Chloe.

Don't miss their grand opening event on Saturday, September 8, 2012 from 12-2:30pm where crafty fun will be provided by Crafting Community. Projects include: Fun with Fabrics, Succulent Gardens, and Button Making. There will be blocks for the little ones and a lounge area where you can relax and enjoy sips + snacks. Bring the whole family!

Splendid
The Village at Corte Madera
1618 Redwood Hwy
Corte Madera, CA 94925

Ivy and Bean Blog-A-Bration! Week 3 Giveaway

Welcome to week 3 of the Ivy and Bean Blog-A-Bration! Here are the winners from last week's Ivy and Bean Week 2 giveaway. Congratulations to Rachel from New York for winning Ivy and Bean: And the Ghost that Had to Go (Book 2) as well as a set of mini notes. Meganne from Marshfield, MA and Vanessa from Ontario, Canada have also each won a set of the Ivy and Bean Mini Notes.

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.

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.

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!)

Let's get going with the Ivy and Bean Week 3 Giveaway on Coquette Maman!

Ivy and Bean Giveaway: Week 3
1 winner will receive Ivy and Bean Break the Fossil Record (Book 3) + Ivy and Bean Mini Notes
2 winners will each recieve an Ivy and Bean Mini Notes

Ivy and Bean Break the Fossil Record (Book 3)
World record fever grips the second grade, and soon Ivy and Bean are trying to set their own record by becoming the youngest people to have ever discovered a dinosaur. But how hard is it to find one.

To enter the Ivy and Bean Week 3 Giveaway, just leave a comment to this post below. All entries will close on Friday, August 31st at Noon PST.

Note 8/31: This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to everyone who entered!

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

Honey Maid Grahamfuls - Perfect Snack on the Go

I'm not one to blog about food products but having a little one who's particularly picky with snacks makes me love these new Honey Maid Grahamfuls even more. Graham crackers are already a favorite of Chloe's and don't get me started on peanut butter. The little girl is obsessed. I used to actually carry little peanut butter containers with me and crackers for long car trips or day trips. Now it's easier than ever for me to carry a quick snack for Chloe with these individually wrapped crackers that are packaged with a little cardboard too so they don't break. Another plus is that they fit easily into my handbag too.

There are three flavors of Honey Maid Grahamfuls to choose from: peanut butter and chocolate, peanut butter, and banana vanilla. I like that it's made from 100% whole grain with no high fructose corn syrup and no artificial flavors.

I am excited I've found the perfect snack for her to eat in the car on the drive back home from school. One less thing for me to worry about when school starts next week!

Note: Grahamfuls product samples were provided by Kraft Foods for this review.

Bernat Baby Month: Modern Knitting & Crochet Patterns for the Stylish Baby

When I first started knitting around 12 years ago, one of the things I loved to knit was baby projects. I thought of them as great gifts but that they were very small and fast projects I could use to practice knitting, learn new stitches, and try out different kinds of yarn. It's fun to think back on all the baby gifts I knit for my friend's babies. These were the days way before Ravelry so I never thought to take pictures of all my completed projects. It has been even more special these last few years to knit projects for my little girl and show her now the things I've made for her when she was just a baby.

Bernat yarns celebrates all things baby this month with some new stylish knit fashions for babies and toddlers. From knit leg warmer to crochet cardigans, little ones will be oh so cute, while you get to practice your knit and purl stitches or double crochet.

One tip: if you are just starting out, don't try and tackle a large baby blanket. As easy as it is with it's simple garter stitch, it will be tedious. I have seen many a newbie knitter get discouraged because it shows uneven knitting more clearly and they aren't sure how to fix mistakes and have gotten to far down the road to "start over". Baby blankets are fun to knit but wait until you have at least a few knitting projects under your belt first.

Personally, I like starting small with socks or a hat because they are instant gratification pieces and will allow you no pressure time to finish. These knit socks pictured above are fun to knit with the added touch false intarsia. This yarn does the color change for you and will make you look like a knitting pro when you give these bagy socks as gifts. The pattern features Bernat Baby Jacquards Yarn (acrylic, machine wash and dry).

For this month only, shop online and buy 4 balls of yarn and get 1 free with the promo code: BERNATBABY. (Promo expires August 31, 2012)

Here are more of my favorite knitting and crochet patterns for Bernat Baby Month that super stylish and are fast to make. Sign up on the Bernat site for access to all of these free patterns.

Baby Jacquards Baby Legwarmers (knit)
Yarn: Baby Jacquard

Kitty Hat (coming soon)
Yarn: Cottontots

Helmet Hat (coming soon)
Yarn: Softee Baby

Softee Baby Top Down Cardigan (knit)
Yarn: Softee Baby

Giggles Flutter Sleeve Vest (crochet)
Yarn: Giggles

View more Bernat baby patterns online at Bernat.com and visit the Bernat Blog.

Ivy and Bean Blog-A-Bration! Week 2 Giveaway

Welcome to week 2 of the Ivy and Bean Blog-A-Bration! First off, the winners from last week's Ivy and Bean Week 1 giveaway are in. Congratulations to Bee from Somerville, MA for winning the first book in the Ivy and Bean series as well as a set of mini notes. Jamilee from Coralville, IA and Heidi from Logan, UT have also each won a set of the Ivy and Bean Mini Notes.

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.

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.

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!)

Let's get going with the Ivy and Bean Week 2 Giveaway on Coquette Maman!

Ivy and Bean Giveaway: Week 2
1 winner will receive Ivy and Bean: And the Ghost that Had to Go (Book 2) + Ivy and Bean Mini Notes
2 winners will each recieve an Ivy and Bean Mini Notes

Ivy and Bean and the Ghost that Had to Go (Book 2)
Now that Ivy and Bean are friends, they do gymnastics club together, sit together in Ms. Aruba-Tate's second grade, and tell each other their darkest secrets. And when Ivy discovers a ghost in the school bathroom, it will take both girls' courage and imagination to make it go away. Another entertaining installment in this series about two mischievous, funny, clever girls.

To enter the Ivy and Bean Week 2 Giveaway, just leave a comment below to this post. All entries will close on Friday, August 24th at Noon PST.

Note 8/24: This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to everyone who entered!

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 1: Book 1 Giveaway + Grand Prize Giveaway Info

The Ivy and Bean series of children's books by Annie Barrows (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.

From author Annie Barrows' site:

Bean is loud and wild and goofy. She loves to be involved in games and poke her nose in other people’s business. Ivy is quiet and full of ideas. She spends most of her time learning how to be a witch. Each girl thinks the other one is weird. Each girl thinks she could never be friends with the other.

Barrows, along with illustrator Sophie Blackall have continued the girls' friendship over a span of 9 books over the last 6 years. 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.

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 for the next 9 weeks, I'll be giving away 1 book in the series as well as 3 Ivy and Bean Mini Notes.

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!)

Let's get going with the Week 1 Giveaway on Coquette Maman!

Ivy and Bean Giveaway: Week 1
1 winner will receive Ivy and Bean Book 1 + Ivy and Bean Mini Notes
2 winners will each recieve an Ivy and Bean Mini Notes

Book 1: Ivy and Bean
Both girls were sure they would never like each other, but when Bean finds herself in a pickle, Ivy helps out with a magical spell. The results are glorious: Bean’s sister Nancy loses her mind, and Ivy and Bean become forever friends.

To enter the Ivy and Bean Week 1 Giveaway, just leave a comment to this post. All entries will close on Friday, August 17th at Noon PST.

Note 8/17/2012: This giveaway is now closed. Please come back on Monday for the winners as well as a chance to enter the Ivy and Bean Week 2 giveaway!