Tiny Oranges – Fresh, fun blog for OC moms

I know we have all probably seen a diaper cake in our time, but I can guarantee you have NEVER seen a diaper cake like  Chic Mama Diaper Cakes!   When Adriana the owner contacted me about sponsorship, I clicked on over to her site to check it out. Her diaper cakes were SO CUTE, STYLISH, HIP, TASTEFUL and UNIQUE that I immediately racked my brain on who I knew having a baby so I would have the opportunity to order one for someone!  And, now one lucky winner with have the opportunity to WIN one for someone with a fun Chic Mama Diaper Cakes giveaway…details below!

A diaper cake is not only a fun conversation point and beautiful display, but also a great practical gift as what new mom doesn’t go through a gazillion diapers?!?  And, the Chic Mama cakes are made with Pampers Swaddlers (my personal fave!) They use diapers to fit an average-sized newborn (8-14 lbs), however you may choose a different size to fit your needs.

I am crazy over this Gabriella one for girls and this Anthony one for boys and many of her designs also include useful items like receiving blankets, towels & stuffed animals. The cakes over $55+  also include a 5-pack of little J&J products like this GORGEOUS one. Loving that monogram!

If you do not see a design that catches your eye, they can put a Chic Mama touch on a customized cake.  Let her help you coordinate a design to match a new nursery, a parent’s hobby, a favorite place… the possibilities are unlimited!  Whether or not you have a particular theme in mind, or simply want pink, blue or “team green”, they can create the perfect cake that’s right for you.

You can also browse their line of chic, totally hip diaper bags and accessories!

Okay readers, I have two exciting things to  mention.  First, Chic Mama Diaper Cakes has extended a special coupon code for Tiny Oranges readers! Enter in “CMTO002″ in the section where it says “Voucher” on checkout and receive 10% off your order between now and 08/31/10!

Hooray! It’s a Tiny Giveaway!

Chic Mama Diaper Cakes is giving one lucky winner their choice of any of her $49 diaper cakes + free shipping!  WOO HOO!  Got a baby shower coming up??  New baby gift to send??  PERFECT!

Here are the entry options, please leave a separate comment for each entry!

1. Simply comment below and let me know YOUR favorite design!  Click HERE to browse her cakes!  Search by boy, girl, surprise or twins! – 1 Entry

2. {Like} Chic Mama Diaper Cakes on Facebook – 1 Entry

3. {Like} Tiny Oranges on Facebook – 1 Entry

4. Sign up to receive Tiny Oranges email updates – top right column “subscribe” – 1 Entry

5. Follow @TinyOrangesOC on Twitter!

Contest runs through Sunday, June 13th, 2010 at 5PM PST.  Good luck!

{Disclosure: Chic Mama Diaper Cakes is a Tiny Oranges Sponsor}

Sensitive Sweets is a newly launched Orange County company specializing in custom cakes and cupcakes for anyone with food allergies or sensitivities (and regular yummy cakes too!)

Is your child allergic to wheat? Egg? Dairy?  Or even all of the above?  NO problem! Sensitive Sweets will work with you to customize not only the PERFECT design to delight your child, but will customize the ingredients as well so that even a child with the most severe food allergy can have their own special cake too.  Because everyone deserves a treat!

Sensitive Sweets is the brainchild of my *SWEET* friend, Melanie, whose youngest son’s severe food allergies left both of them with very limited dietary options.   A natural in the kitchen with a passion for baking, Melanie has worked for years to perfect her recipes, so that her specialty creations not only LOOK like the cutest birthday cakes ever, but also TASTE good too!   Just check out her gallery – you will not believe the amount of love and detail that goes into each one.

Cupcake Decorating Party!

Sensitive Sweets is holding a special fundraiser coming up next month to benefit Generation Rescue, an autism foundation.  This is a super fun event for the entire family and 100% of the proceeds benefit Generation Rescue.  Here are the details!

Sensitive Sweets
Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free Cupcake Decorating Party!
Sunday, June 6th, 2010
11am – 2pm

Francesca’s Restaurant
2642 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa 92627

Cost: $5/cupcake

Reservations are required in advance so Melanie can plan for the right amount of yummy cupcakes!  Email her at WeLoveCake2@gmail.com to RSVP. Click HERE to download a flyer for this event.

www.sensitivesweets.com
949.371.6082
“Like” Sensitive Sweets on Facebook too for the latest updates!

{Disclosure:  I am posting this not only because Melanie a friend, but because I believe so strongly that you will love her beautiful cakes. Please forward this to anyone you know who has children with food sensitivities!}

One of my fellow OC mommy bloggers, Shanna Coady, creator of the ultra-fabulous, My Favorite Everything was kind enough to invite me to guest blog when she was on her maternity “leave” last month.  Shanna’s family recently welcomed her beautiful daughter, Piper, to the family and that makes Shanna a mommy of 3 little girls under age 2!

Her blog is one of my FAVORITE blogs!  I look forward to receiving her daily email with the update each morning.   Her site is  full of fun finds, simple tips, great recipes and lots of ideas for making a mom’s busy life just a little bit easier.  So, click on over, bookmark it, and subscribe!

Here are the links to the 3 guest blogs I did for her…one on my all time favorite panties, the SUPERSOFT HIPHUGGER, feminine and comfy!

One on my favorite BEAUTY FINDS post-baby.  The best cosmetic discovery of my adult life, seriously!

And, another on my MOST USED BABY TOY in the 3 years and 10 months so far that we have been parents!

I guarantee you will love Shanna’s blog & it will for sure become one of YOUR favorite everythings!

If you haven’t read my About page yet, one of my 25 Random Facts I listed about myself is I am a stationery freak .I love, love, love cute stationery, personalized cards & darling invitations.  In fact, I get a little rush when going to the mailbox and see I have some sort of fun social mailing.

Therefore, when Jill, the owner and creator behind  Social Butterfly Designs contacted me and introduced me to her boutique stationery company, I was instantly intrigued by her eclectic assortment of beautiful vintage and modern designs.  In the words of Fancy Nancy, “Ohhh la la!”  I spent a long time browsing each page and admiring her lovely cards, labels and invitations.   You will love them too, so  make sure to read below on how you can enter to win a $100 gift certificate!

This card one has to be one of my favorites!  It says “Peace, Love, Happy Birthday” with a little birthday cake in the middle.  You can even enter in your family name in the “Special Instructions” box, and get a personalized card that is ready to mail for any special birthday!    And, when you buy a box, it usually comes out cheaper (and cuter) than buying a store bought card for $3 or $4 each.  I don’t know about you, but sometimes I have the hardest time finding decent birthday cards in the store.  This is the perfect solution.

Also make sure to peruse her “Everyday” designs where you can personalize your own stationery or do a family card.  I love this design with the flowers.  The retro circle ones also allow you to put your family member’s names in each of the circles.  Perfect for a note of thanks or any other sentiment you want to send.  I am such a fan of the written word and written thank you note in today’s world of technology.

I also love these labels for birthday gifts!  No need for a separate card & so cute and personal! Not only for children’s gifts but for ANY gift!

And what little princess wouldn’t love receiving a cute sticker label like this on her birthday gift?

So, click on over, say hello, and fall in love yourself with her whimsical designs and custom possibilities!

Hooray! It’s a Tiny Giveaway!

Social Butterfly Designs is giving away a $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE to one lucky winner!!!  Here is how you can enter!  One entry for each, please leave a separate comment for each one!

1. Simply leave a comment and tell me which card caught your eye?  Click HERE to browse her cards. – 1 ENTRY
2. Become a fan of Social Butterfly Designs on Facebook – 1 ENTRY
3. Follow @SocialBDesigns on Twitter – 1 ENTRY
4. Become a fan of Tiny Oranges on Facebook – 1 ENTRY
5. Follow @TinyOrangesOC on Twitter – 1 ENTRY
6. Subscribe to TO emails (top right column) – 1 ENTRY

Contest runs through 5pm PST on Sunday, May 2nd, 2010.  Good luck everyone!

{Disclosure: Social Butterfly Designs is a Tiny Oranges Sponsor and I received two sets of complimentary note cards – which I am in LOVE with! This one and this one! Thanks Jill!}

Being a personalized stationery and paper product fanatic, I have been a HUGE Erin Condren fan for years. It all started with a thank you note.  It was there on my parent’s kitchen island and caught my eye.  It was SO CUTE and bright and colorful and happy.   It was a thank you for a baby gift my mom had given a neighbor and had both of the woman’s girls names personalized on the card in a darling pink and green combo. I immediately turned it over to see which company created such a cute card, which lead me to the website, and the rest is history.

If you are struggling with what to buy anyone this year, I guarantee any woman on your gift list will go crazy over her stuff!   A personalized gift in my opinion is one of the best gifts to give (and receive!) as it shows you went that extra step to make it personal. And, something like a personalized note card or calendar is something everyone can use!

One of my all time favorites are her gift labels.  Little colorful, personalized stickers that dress up a gift and serve the purpose in lieu of a card.  Practical and yet sometimes they get more attention than the actual gift!  They are THAT cute!  I just noticed they now have photo gift labels – can you imagine how the relatives would flip over those this holiday?!

Erin is doing my Christmas cards this year.  I am so excited to get them next week, I feel like Christmas is coming early!

** Use Erin Condren coupon code TINYORANGES and receive $20 off an order of $100 or more!   Perfect time to stock up on gifts and save!**

Hooray!  It’s a Tiny Giveaway!

Erin’s motto is “Make Every Day a Happy Day!” and she is about to give two LUCKY readers a VERY happy day with a $50 gift certificate to shop!    To enter, simply leave a comment below.  You can enter as many times as you like, just have your entries in by 5pm PST next Wednesday, 12/9/09.  I will post the winners on Thursday AM!  For fun, click HERE and browse around her products.  Tell me, which item/design do you love??