my best made in america gift!

As many of you noticed, we took a little break. We've been preoccupied with the holidays and family!  Here is a picture of my newest made in America gift.  What a happy new year it has been for us this year.  

He is so incredibly precious and I am enjoying every baby moment!  Don't forget about us- we will start posting again soon.  We are just busy with some family love!

White Noise

Our families have a secret to our children's good sleep habits- The Original Sleep Sound Generator made for Hammacher Schlemmer.  Our older sister found this gem years ago and her 14 year old still uses his every night.  We both have younger children and these white noise machines are essential.  One of us even owns 5 of them! 

This sleep sound generator drowns out the dog barking, the door bell ringing, the phone and the other loud children in our homes!  The noise is created by moving air through the holes instead of based off a sound card.  That is the key to the very relaxing, soothing and simple white noise.  There are 2 volume settings, which is really helpful when you need to drown out extra noise.  

I just ordered a new one in preparation for my new baby and noticed that it is made in the USA.  Now I love these machines even more!  

We have had our machines for years and they still run as though they are new...worth every penny.  We both always travel with them and boy do they make sleeping in hotels super easy!  They are perfect for any child or adult who wants a peaceful sleep. To purchase The Original Sleep Sound Generator click here.

Sweet Dreams

LA Made

Heading to a New Year's Eve Party and looking for something chic, comfortable and made in the USA?  We found a clothing line for you: LAmade. We agree with the company's website that the line is unique, understated, follows the fashion of today and translates to the fashion of tomorrow.   To read more about their fabulous clothes click here.

Just take a look at some of these perfect New Year's pieces:

We think LAMade's clothes all look so effortlessly chic and super comfy.  Pair them with a striking pair of boots or dramatic heels, some fabulous jewelry and Voila, you are set to go!

LAmade has clothing for women, children and even a fabulous maternity line.  To shop their line, click here.   To find a store near you that carries LAmade clothing, click here.

It's officially last minute...

We saw something posted that read: "Yes, it is officially last minute." 

  Do you have something for everyone on your gift list?  We will admit we are not totally done with our gift picking yet either.  Yes, we are officially part of the last minute holiday rush!

 If you're like us and still looking for one or two perfect gifts, we have a great idea: buy a certificate/gift card for a local business and support the local workers and jobs in your community.

Some great ideas that readers have shared with us:

*A certificate for a haircut, color or style at a local salon

*A certificate for a locally owned restaurant or coffee shop

*A gift card for the local gas station/car mechanic

*A certificate for a local handyman

*A certificate for tickets to the community theater program in your town

*A certificate for local lessons...piano, voice, guitar, a foreign language, knitting

You get the idea.  Be creative and get a unique gift for one of your loved ones and at the same time support local workers.  These gifts are different from the manufactured products in America we usually feature, but all the same, by supporting our local workers we/you are helping to keep and create jobs in our American communities.

 

Good luck with that last minute gift list.  Happy Holidays to everyone and feel free to share your ideas for locally-based gifts on our blog and facebook page!

A touch of spring in the winter

It is dark and cold today and we could use a touch of spring (although it is a long  way off).  I am sure many of you feel the same way.  Something fresh, bright and alive.  We found the perfect cure for the winter doldrums: Potting Shed Creations.

They sell plants that you can grow right inside your kitchen- such as Paper Whites, Organic Basil, Mini Christmas Trees, and Mini Tomatoes.  Each package is complete with the container to grow within, dirt, seeds, etc.  All you need to add is some water and love!  

All of their products have been made in Idaho for 14 years!   They started as a garage sale business and have grown into a much bigger company.  Throughout their growth they have made a commitment to keeping high quality, affordable and stylish products. These plants are the perfect gift for your mother, sister, best friend and child.  What a perfect activity for children during the winter!  Keep these in mind as a perfect holiday gift this season!  Check out our favorites...

To shop Potting Shed Creations products online, click here.  To locate a local retailer who carries their products, click here.

Enjoy a little springtime during the winter!

Congrats to our first giveaway winner!

Congrats to Mary Dalzell, our winner of the fabulous Inspired Home Candle.  Thank you all for entering our giveaway and stay tuned for another giveaway soon!  Mary, we hope you enjoy the incredible holiday candle!

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Hopscotch Kids

As mothers of girls, there is a lot of nail polish in our homes.  Our daughters love to paint their nails and toes, the brighter the color the better.  What concerns us about many children's polish on the market is they are not made in the USA and thus we question how safe is the polish?  If they are putting their hands in their mouth or biting their nails, what exactly are they ingesting?  

Then we found Hopscotch Kids nail polish.  Their kid friendly, water-based formula is vegan, cruelty-free, gluten free, fragrance free, toxin free, paraben free, biodegradable and hypoallergenic! And it comes in the most adorable colors...love it!

Hopscotch was created by a mom in Phoenix named Ginny Cardenas, who set out to make a safe cosmetic line for children.  We salute entrepreneurial moms!

This would be a fantastic stocking stuffer, birthday gift or incentive item for your favorite little princess.  To shop Hopscotch online, click here. To find a local retailer, click here.