1. Make your own home organizer. The Home Organizer is a DIY project I found over at the Executive Homemaker Blog. They have so many creative projects, ideas, and free printables. See my post about the organizer here. The binder comes with several different printables, all available via PDF from Executive Homemakers. Printables include things like Important phone numbers, To-Do lists, Babysitter Info, Calendars, etc.

2. Stain removal tips. I found a great cheat sheet on stain removal tips at the Tight Bod With A Pod Blog. It has great tips for removing blood, ink, crayon, and more. I've found that for stains on white clothing, hanging them in the sun also works wonders! Buy a pumice rock to clean hard to remove toilet rings or rust in toilets/tubs.

Shop Cookie Lee Jewelry today and get 50% off of ALL of your items! Deal good until Dec 3 at midnight Mountain time!

• To take advantage of this offer, visit my online catalog at www.cookielee.biz/marciechavez.
• Pick out your items and email me your order - marcie@cookielee.biz
• I will email you an invoice so you can pay online through a secure site.
• You'll receive your order in 7-10 business days.

*Shipping charges are a flat $3.95.


SMOKY GLAM BOW NECKLACE - Was $28, NOW $14






DOUBLE DIAMOND HOOPS - Was $32, NOW $16






GLAM REBEL NECKLACE - Was $39, NOW $19.50






CRYSTAL BEZEL BRACELET - Was $34, now $17

I've been curious about baby sign language lately. As Jenna approaches 6 months, I've been more and more interested in finding out more about it and deciding if it will be something we'll try with her.

So as you can imagine, I was thrilled when Misty Weaver, Chief Editor from Baby Sign Language, offered to write a guest post to introduce new moms like myself to Baby Sign Language.

Baby Sign Language For Moms Who Don't Know Much About It
Baby signing is easy and it’s fun. You don’t have to be an expert to start communicating with your pre-verbal child, and the rewards are huge. To make a start just learn some basic signs such as mommy, daddy, milk and more. Signs for things that are interesting and exciting to your baby will be easier for her to learn. When you have mastered these first few signs you can include other signs, increasing your signing vocabulary.

Getting Started
To get started you need to learn your first sign, or signs. See below for instructions on how to make the most popular starting signs. It’s important to say the word that goes with the sign while pointing to the object you are signing.

If the item or object is not present you can use Baby Sign Language Flash Cards to help. Say the word and make the sign every time you encounter that object. Keep good eye-contact and a positive tone of voice. Make it fun.

The sooner you start signing to your baby, the sooner he will begin to communicate back to you. You can start at any time, even from birth.

Repeat, Repeat, Repeat
Repetition is really important for baby sign language. You will need to repeat the signs often before your baby begins to learn what they mean. One of the founders of baby sign language, Dr. Joseph Garcia, found that a baby who begins Learning Baby Sign Language at seven months old will need around two months of exposure and repetition of a sign before she starts using it.

When your baby has mastered her first signs you can begin to introduce new ones. Stick to groups of similar ideas or objects when introducing new signs, for example food, colors, or emotions. Remember: repeat, repeat, repeat. Only introduce a few new signs at a time, and continue with these for around two months.

Have Fun With Baby Signing
Remember when you start Baby Signing that it is supposed to be fun! Baby sign language is great for bonding, and for sharing special moments. Take it slowly, take it easy, and enjoy yourself and your baby.

Four Great Signs To Start With…

* MOMMY: To make the sign for Mommy, extend and spread your fingers apart on your right hand. With your little finger facing forwards, tap your thumb on your chin. Mommy.

Mommy from Baby Sign Language on Vimeo.

* DADDY: To make the sign for Daddy, extend and spread out the fingers on your right hand, then tap your hand on your forehead with your thumb. This is similar to the sign for Mommy but done higher up the head. Daddy.

Daddy from Baby Sign Language on Vimeo.

* MILK: The sign for Milk is a lot like the action of milking a cow without the up and down motion. Just pretend you are just squeezing the cow’s udder. Make both hands into a fist, relax and repeat. Milk.

Milk from Baby Sign Language on Vimeo.

* MORE: To make the sign for More, make an O shape with each hand by meeting your fingers and thumbs. Bring your hands together and separate them a few times. More.

More from Baby Sign Language on Vimeo.

Misty Weaver
Chief Editor, Baby Sign Language
http://www.babysignlanguage.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Baby-Sign-Language/135339096490587

With Christmas just around the corner I am on the lookout for gifts for those hard-to-buy-for friends and family. I had the pleasure of receiving a PriaVanda handmade notebook to review.

These awesome notebooks are a creative way to spice up your everyday stationery. PriaVanda's unique line of notebooks, journals, planners, wedding guest books, and memory books make great Christmas gifts for every member of the family.

PriaVanda hand weaves every notebook with beautiful colored satin ribbon. Each item is customizable - customers can choose from a wide selection of colors to tailor each product to their personality. PriaVanda offers cutomers a choice of 3 colors from 26 different selections, resulting in over 10,000 color combinations! Choose your favorite sports team's colors, your businesses' colors, wedding colors, or any other combination.

I love the notebook I received. It's a diagonal weave in navy, purple, and gold. I carry it with me in my purse to jot down notes, my grocery list, etc. I've gotten so many compliments on the notebook - it's unique design, textures, and colors are quite eye-catching.

Notebook Features:
- Front cover is hand woven in satin ribbons: Navy-Purple-Gold
- Back cover is lined in Navy paper
- Hard cover, 6 by 8.5 format including binding
- Wire binding allows book to open flat
- 2-year reference calendar
- Important holidays
- Ribbon bookmark in matching color
- Integrated Folder in matching color
- 140pages printed on 28lbs archival paper


I would love to get one of the Baby memory books. These beautiful books come ready with dozens of pages to capture baby's special memories and photos.


The designer of this fabulous stationary is PriaVanda. She began designing her own line in New York City in 2009. Her sense of color draws inspiration from her Indian origins and culture. She explains the meaning behind her name, "My first name was chosen by my father, who combined two Indian names. Pria in Indian means beloved and historically used for royalty. Vanda in Indian means orchid. His interpretation is that I am his royal flower."

PriaVanda sells her unique items at her Etsy shop online. She is working on expanding her collection with the addition of home accessories such as placemats, napkins, table runners, and coasters. Future products in development include clutch bags, recipe books, and travel accessories.

Visit PriaVanda's shop to order your handmade notebooks and planners. Products range from $15 to $59 and production time is 3-5 business days. PriaVanda also donates 25% of proceeds from her fuchsia/pink/white covers to breast cancer research.


I received a complimentary product from PriaVanda for review. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest opinions of the product. I was not compensated for this review.

I'm having a fabulous Cookie Lee jewelry sale! This deal is only good on BLACK FRIDAY, November 26, 2010.

Buy ONE item get ONE item 50% OFF!
**Plus get FREE Shipping!**

To take advantage of this awesome deal:
1. Browse the online catalog at my website http://www.cookielee.biz/marciechavez & pick out your items.
2. Email me your order: marcie@cookielee.biz. Once I have your order, I'll email you an invoice and you can pay online through a secure site and I'll order and ship the jewelry.
3. You should have your jewelry in hand within 7-10 business days!

Here are some photos of my best sellers. These make great gifts for friends and family or something nice for yourself!

This week I decided to sew a car seat cover for Miss Jenna. It's gotten pretty cold here, so I've been draping blankets over the car seat. I'm tired of blankets falling off and dragging on the floor.

I found an awesome tutorial at the Make it Do Blog. I'm still learning to sew, but I felt like this project is totally do-able for any beginner.



I used flannel for more insulation, but cotton would work as well.

I thought I'd put together a holiday gift guide directed specifically for new moms and moms-to-be!

Tommee Tippee - Closer to Nature Bottles- $5.00 - $50.00 (Found at Babies R Us or Toys R Us)
- Nipple mimics natural feel, flex and movement of breastfeeding
- Allows for easy transition between breast and bottle
- Anti-colic, anti-gas, advanced easi-vent™ valve
- BPA & Phthalate Free

Seven Slings - $39.00 (Right now they are running a promo for a FREE sling when you pay shipping $12.00 using promo code TURKEY)
- 97% Cotton 3% Lycra - making it comfortable to wear for both you and your baby- not losing shape over time.
- Infants to toddlers (35 lbs or less).
- Machine washable.





Fisher Price Zen Collection Cradle Swing - $149.00 to $189.00
- Removable seat (so you can use the seat w/ out swinging and move it from room to room)
- Variable speed & direction
- Battery or plug in
- Sounds and mobile





Bebe Au Lait Nursing Covers - $35.00 & free shipping for a limited time!
- Stylish & practical nursing covers
- Boning in the neck lets you see your baby while you're nursing
- Folds up and fits in your diaper bag
- Thin and breathable, baby won't get hot!







Kiddopotamus SwaddleMe Microfleece - $10-$15 on Amazon or Wal-Mart, Target, etc.
- These are a must!
- The strong velcro prevents babies from busting out
- Comes in cotton, or microfleece





Bright Starts Baby PlayPlace - $59.99 at Target
• Walls easily reconfigure for baby's development: Newborn, tummy time, crawling and sitting
• Electronic Bumblebee has over 20 melodies and nature sounds
• Colorful Rattle for auditory development
• Spiral bead chaser
• Extra large Mirror for self discovery
• Water-filled Bee Teether soothes gums


Book: YOU Having a Baby - $17.00 at Amazon
- By Dr. Oz & Dr. Roizen
- Great images/charts/illustrations
- I enjoyed this better than "What to Expect"








Instep Suburban Safari 2008 Jogging Stroller - $130.00
- I have the 2008 model, but there are newer models which I'm sure are just as good!
- The 2008 comes w/ bug net, plenty of storage, an Ipod storage box, & swivel wheel.
- You can buy a carseat adapter to fit on the top so you just put the carseat in the stroller (great for babies under 4 months old)




Prego Planner - $24.00
- Calendar
-Journal
-Birth plan creator
-Doctor info
-Paperwork pocket
-Nursery checklist




Boppy Nursing & Maternity Pillows - $30-$40 at Target & Babies R Us
-Maternity pillow is a godsend when your having trouble getting comfortable
-Nursing pillow also works as a newborn lounger

The winner of the $40.00 Jewelry Giveaway is....

tyson2468!

Congrats!