News from BelleRinger PR

UNIQUE DECOR FOR THE KIDS' ROOMS Ready to update your child's room? Looking for something personalized to match the decor and bring a smile to the little one's face? Custom Banneramas from Gifts Define are unique wall art that will tickle your fancy. The hand stitched animals have letters attached and are strung from a satin or leather cord. Spell out your child's name on one side - reverse it to say something special on the other. There are 12 colorful animals to choose from, including monkeys, elephants, and more. Take a look at Irma's site to see her Tooth Guardian Angels , Conversation Birds and more cute stuff.

HELP BUSY MOMS STAY ORGANIZED Lately I've seen a lot of organizational tools and products for moms and families. What a great idea. I have trouble organizing my own rather quiet, child-free life. But what use is a tool if it doesn't meet all of your needs? The Mom's Plan-It Family Calendar covers all the bases. It has calendar pages and grids and the all-important contacts section for names and numbers of babysitters, favorite restaurants and more. Best of all, it comes with 442 (yes, exactly 442) colorful stickers to use as reminders. A great gift for only $14.00. Available at The Chocolate Cake Club .

JOIN THE CHOCOLATE CAKE CLUB! Membership in the Club is easy - just sit back, relax and shop! That's right. The Chocolate Cake Club's goal is to simplify the sometimes daunting process of shopping for little ones. I'm always clueless when shopping for nieces, nephews and rest of the kids in my life. And 4-year olds don't always enjoy opening a pretty box and finding a little plastic gift card. The Chocolate Cake Club is the perfect solution. The site is packed with original - and sometimes unique - toys and activities that you won't see anywhere else. And they're organized in convenient categories - by need (traveling), age groups, and type (kids games/puzzles). My favorite? The Playful Chef Kids Cooking Set . It has everything for the budding chef: apron, tools, recipes and more!

GOOD GREEN FUN What's a Stemcil you ask? The latest in fun for kids and adults alike! These pencils are made of recycled newspapers (vs. beautiful cedar trees) and have scented lead. Give your still life a strawberry scent or draw a picture of a bubblegum-scented dog! As someone who's trying to 'go green', I'm always on the lookout for fund and innovative ways to do so. Stemcils fundraising programs are great for enlightening kids while helping them raise money for their schools and groups. (Who wouldn't like to buy something other than a sugar-laden candy bar or more wrapping paper?) And there's even a Home Kit that allows you to scent your own Stemcil. A great rainy day or birthday party activity! Thanks to Great Green Goods for the find .

THE LOST POST You're looking at a picture of me searching for the post I spent an hour composing. My tears aren't visible from the back but I'm sure you can visualize them. The beautifully written post disappeared when I tried to publish it. Enough said - no more whining from me today. Rather than rewrite the entry I'll just summarize it for you. It was an eloquent piece about some of the excellent blogs I read daily. A shout-out to some great bloggers. So here's an annotated version. I start my day with a cup of coffee and Dooce , Heather Armstrong's ramblings about her interesting life. I then do some virtual browsing at Design*Sponge , Modish and Cuteable . Then I go to A Girl's Gotta Spa , SheFinds and Cool Mom Picks for savvy product reviews. Trust me, readers, the original post was eloquent, humorous and insightful. All things that this one is not. But the blogs I've named are outstanding. The authors are all great writers and creative thinker...

CHILD ADVOCATES NEEDED Many of us are familiar with foster care and group homes for abused, neglected, and abandoned children who are caught (through no fault of their own) in the over-burdened legal system. What some don't know about is Advocates for Children (or CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates), a non-profit organization that pairs these children with adult volunteers who spend time with them. These kids have social workers who represent them in the legal system and many have attorneys, therapists and other professionals who work with them. But what few of these children have is an adult who will be a constant presence in their lives, a person who will spend time with them on a regular basis. Child Advocates are court-appointed volunteers who fill that need. They spend a minimum of 10 - 13 hours a month with the child they work with, doing everything from going to the zoo, the movies and the library, to ensuring that the child receives any special assistance that may be n...

A BOOK FOR EVERY PARENT'S SHELF I just have to share this book with you - and hope you tell a friend about it. As a child-free woman I've always wondered how parents explain tattoos to their children. It can't be too difficult if Mom has one on her ankle or Dad's is on his arm. But if, like James in Mommy Has A Tattoo , a child only sees them on strangers it must be more difficult. Author Phil Pawde saw the need and wrote this darling book. He and his friends believe in teaching children to respect individuality in others and sum up their mission by "Teaching Tattoo Tolerance". Visit their site and read the story behind the book - it may sound familiar to some of you. (And make sure to look at the photo of Phil and his tattoos.)

A BAG TO BRAG ABOUT Tired of your kid's artwork cluttering the refrigerater? Do you want to keep it forever but don't know where to store it? Does your little one need to be reassured that yes, Mommy loves his/her art? A custom bag from Scribble Couture may solve these problems. Each one is as unique as the child who designs it; the artists take your child's artwork and embroider it onto the item of your choice. Choose from a tote, clutch, or bag made of leather or a leather/canvas combination. It's guaranteed to be noticed - hopefully by a gallery owner!

FUNKY SHOES FOR HIP BABIES AND KIDS The folks at Soft Star Shoes appreciate how unique each child is. And how much they may dread wearing shoes. However one look at the Taz (pictured here) may give your most stubborn little friend second thoughts about how much fun shoes can be. The company prides itself on making soft soled shoes that that help build strong feet in babies and toddlers. Each pair is handmade of the highest quality materials. And the choices please even the most discriminating fashionistas. You can design your own shoes from the sole up - from leathers, styles, soles, decorations - or choose from styles already in stock. Caution - your child's passion for shoes may surpass your own!

DRESS-UP FUN My niece went through the ubiquitous Barbie phase recently. Nothing against Barbie and her anatomically impossible body (not to mention that hair!), but my childhood obsession made me cringe when I had to play with her again. How I wish I'd known about these charming little mice. They and their eight outfits come in a little wooden box; maybe our budding stylists will want to put their clothes away! I found these cuties at PADiLLY - a great site that's full of high-quality, fun, and educational European toys.

CLASSIC BUILDING BLOCKS - WITH A TWIST Ever dream of your child growing up bilingual? Or able to communicate through sign language? Building blocks from Uncle Goose make it possible for your child to learn while playing. The company's beautiful basswood blocks are also available in sign language symbols, Braille and 12 languages. The aesthetics of the blocks are also pleasing; they feature bevelled edges, embossed letters/numerals/signs, and non-toxic inks (see the site for more details). And the price is right - $30 will get you a bag of blocks that should last at least two generations. (Seen on babygadget .)

IS THERE A BABY BLOGGER IN YOUR HOUSE? Caleb and Debbie recently launched fadiddle , an online shop for t-shirts and onesies for babies and toddlers. This husband and wife team embroiders and silkscreens their original designs in their home in Oregon state - while trying to keep up with their own little guy. I love the groovy designs - they're neither too cute nor too cool. And the couple will also do custom work! They're currently sewing as the orders come in; I'm sure this situation will change when word gets out about their line. I have only one reservation about fadiddle - the grumpapotamus shirt doesn't come in adult sizes! (Shipping is free through 12/15/06 for orders over $40.)

WHAT'S YOUR SIGN? Liz at Cool Mom Picks recently shared these hip receiving blankets she found on Sparkability . Designer Susan Lazar's Zodiac Baby Blankets are made with ultra-soft cotton (for the babies' comfort) and soothing muted colors (for mom's frazzled nerves). Though some p arents seem unconcerned about matching their babies' blankies to their home decor, all parents are concerned about their babies' sense of identity. Can there be a better way for them to discover their true selves than by being literally wrapped up in their astrological symbols?

THE DIAPER BAG GRADUATES No need to restate old news but here I go - bags are hot! Fashionista slouches, crystal-encrusted clutches, cool laptop bags, design-your-own bag parties . . . The ladies at Cool Mom Picks just gave us another great find - Diaper Clutches! These stylish little clutches hold up to three diapers and a wipe case and can also be used for purses when your little one outgrows diapers. Take a look at bykimlane.com and pick out your own cute little clutch!

ANOTHER WAY TO WEAR YOUR BABY I've seen a rash of fashionable and functionable baby slings and carriers lately. But my favorite is the EllaRoo Mei Hip carrier. Instead of wearing your baby you plant her on your hip - the strap that crosses your body actually cups your opposite shoulder. This distributes the weight evenly for you and eliminates pressure points for both of you. Clever! Take a look at doulashop.com.