Star Spangled Mamas

my best made in america gift!

2012-02-14T12:18:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-07T10:08:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-30T08:09:00.000-08:00

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...

2011-12-22T05:04:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-14T05:09:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-12-13T06:54:00.000-08:00

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!

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:5Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Hopscotch Kids

2011-12-12T07:40:00.000-08:00

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.

Extreme Bubbles

2011-12-09T07:39:00.000-08:00

We are so excited about this American made find: Extreme Bubbles. The company motto is "Get outside and play" and their bubbles will provide hours of outdoor fun.

Our kids are all bubble fanatics and get extraordinarily frustrated if they blow on the wand and not one bubble is formed or they pop right away. Extreme Bubbles' Captain Bubbles is the best bubble mixture around...they last forever! Check out this video.

Captain Bubbles come in packs of 6.

Extreme Bubbles also has a ton of huge bubble wands to make x-large bubbles. Check out their Extreme Bubbles Family Pack: World Record Bubble Kit.

This kit comes with their Pro Wand (largest wand), a Starter Wand and 4 bottles of Beeboo Big Bubble Mixture. The Beeboo Big Bubble Mixture is a concentrate- one small bottle creates a gallon of bubble solution. They used this secret formula to set the first World Record for "Largest Free Floating Soap Bubble." Awesome!!! And they share their top 11 secrets for creating record breaking big bubbles with us all on their blog. All of their bubble mixtures are made in Minnesota as well as their wands. (except for the red and blue wand that comes in the Dip Stix Giant Bubbles Package)

These products are the perfect gift for both the children in your life as well as adults who enjoy having fun! Click here to shop their products online.

Cookie Making with Nordic Ware

2011-12-08T06:35:00.000-08:00

One of our favorite holiday traditions is cookie baking. Growing up we loved to help my mom bake bars and cookies in preparation for Christmas Eve. We would spend hours decorating cut-out cookies with the right amount of frosting and perfectly placing the sprinkles. Now we have started this tradition with our children (see picture below) and they love to eat the cookies as much as they enjoy the decorating. And I am pretty sure Santa loves the cookies as well!

One of the essential tools for cookie and bar making is the right pan. You need a good cookie sheet that evenly spreads out the heat so that all of your cookies, regardless where they are on the sheet, bake to a perfect golden color. Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturer of kitchenware products, has everything you need for baking, cooking, microwaving and barbecuing. Their plant is located in Minneapolis, MN and they have made a commitment to keeping jobs in the USA.

They have fabulous aluminum cookie sheets like the ones below in every size. Aluminum is essential to even baking!

Nordic Ware also has all of your holiday baking essentials. Here are a few more:

To find Nordic Ware products in retail locations near you, click here. To shop their extensive line of products online, click here.

Happy Cookie Baking!!!

Imagination Inspiration: Green Town Toys

2011-12-06T07:00:00.000-08:00

There is nothing more special than a child's wild imagination. They can transform into pirates or princesses and create intricate other worlds within minutes. Mine can stay in full character and costume for the entire day not caring a bit what anyone else thinks.

We have found the neatest ship and castle to not only spark a child's imagination but foster artistic creativity. Check out these products made by Green Town Toys, a company headquartered in Indiana that designs and manufactures all their products in the Midwest.

Each of their products are made from 100% recyclable SFI certified corrugated fiberboard that is super strong and can be cleaned with a wet wipe. In addition, children are encouraged to color or paint on the structures to personalize them. Another plus is each structure is easily assembled and disassembled for convenient storage.

Not only do we love these for our own kids, but think these structures would be perfect in elementary classrooms. Green Town Toys must think so too because they are receptive to giving discounts to teachers. We love companies who help our teachers out!!! If you are a teacher and want to read more about that, click here.

To shop all Green Town Toys, click here.

Tom Bihn Bags

2011-12-05T05:49:00.000-08:00

Candle givaway has been extended for one more week! Ends next Monday, December 12th at 11:59 p.m. Click here for more info.

Our husbands are pretty picky about the bags they use, ie. laptop bags, brief cases, etc. The bag must look manly, but with the travel they both do for work, they must be functional. We think that we have found the perfect brand of bags for men. Tom Bihn makes fantastic bags of all types: messenger bags, travel bags, laptop cases, brief cases, etc. Here are a few examples:

Ristretto 13" for Macbook/Air

Empire Builder

Brain Backpack

These bags are all manufactured at their plant in Seattle, WA. They say they are dedicated to quality products and quality jobs...we love that. One of their customers stated on their website: "Their products are tough as nails, with not so much as a thread pulling out despite daily use." AND, they offer a lifetime guarantee. If anything is wrong with the quality of the product they will fix it for free. Now that is quality control.

Don't tell our husbands, but these just might be under our tree this year!

To shop Tom Bihn bags online, click here.

Stay-On Mittens: Review

2011-12-02T06:05:00.000-08:00

Winter is back once AGAIN and it's time to get everyone's cold winter gear organized. One piece of outdoor clothing that always seems to cause a little more angst for us than others are the mittens/gloves. I can't tell you how many times I have come home from the store with what I think will be the perfect pair for my kids but once we get them on they don't fit right, they aren't warm enough, I can't keep them on my little one's hands or they end up being made out of cheap material that quickly tears...

When I found out about a company called Cozy Tots that makes what they call the "Stay-On Mittens," I was very excited to give them a try! Cozy Tots generously sent us a pair of their Toddler Mittens to try with my one year old.

First of all, before we even put the mittens on, we fell in love with this company. Cozy Tots was started by a Mom in Massachusetts who saw a need for warm mittens that would stay on her children's hands (read her story here). Not only are the products made from fleece Made in Massachusetts, but (this is the best part) Cozy Tots has paired with MoJo Manufacturing in Massachusetts, a company that trains and employs single Moms in the USA to manufacture products giving these women benefits and child care! Their slogan is "Helping The American Family Get Their MoJo back." We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this idea!!!

So, I was already rooting for these mittens and as soon as I actually tried the mittens on my 1 year old, I fell in love with them again!

First great thing about these mittens: they are made from super-soft, stretchy microfleece. It's not the thin, cheap kind you can sometimes find on kid's clothing, but rather the thick, plush, high-quality kind.

Next great thing: the stay-on mittens cleverly have elastic at the wrist and then more elastic at the end of a longer sleeve. Believe me they live up to their name...they stay on!

The design was perfect...easy to put on a child's hand because they are pliable and soft but once on they stay put. The other thing I really appreciated was that the thumb portion of the mitten was appropriately sized for the child. The pre-school size has a little bigger thumb area and a velcro finger pocket so fingers can come out to eat snacks, etc. The toddler size has a small thumb pocket perfectly sized for a one year old's tiny hands (see above picture). And from looking at the website, the infant size are very smartly thumbless. Seriously, who wants to be trying to get an infants thumb into a mitten. Bottom line is Cozy Tots has thought of everything in terms of making these mittens functional and easy to use, but oh so cute!

Last but not least because this could be the best part of the whole design, the mittens are ingeniously made with an extra layer of fleece sewn into the fingertips to keep little fingers extra warm. The entire part of the mitten above the decorative stitching you see in my pictures is double layered. What a fabulous idea! On our walk, not only did the stay-on mittens keep my little one's fingers toasty warm but my heavily teething baby also enjoyed biting on the extra layer of fleece too.

The mittens come in cute colors with various contrasting colored stitching, which adds some extra detail.

We give Cozy Tot's Stay-On Mittens two (very warm) thumbs up! We will most definitely be buying some extra pairs (because some always get lost as winter carries on) and look forward to trying their hats (they are also double layered with fleece). We think they would make great gifts too.

Thanks Cozy Tots for sharing your fabulous Made in the USA product with us!

our favorite monsters

2011-12-01T07:37:00.000-08:00

Many children find monsters scary, but we have found some that are sweet, cuddly and many a child's best friend. These colorful, soft, stuffed monsters help children scare away all those other monsters lurking in the closet or hiding under the bed! As the creators of Lyla Tov Monsters describe: "a single snuggle from your Lyla Tov Monster can ward off the most frightening of dreams and make you feel safe and secure in the comfort of your bedroom." Children are drawn to these and so are we...

Lyla Tov means "good night" in hebrew and they are the "perfect protector for a good nights sleep." Each Lyla Tov monster is individual and unique, as they are all hand made in New York with love and attention. Lyla, 5 years old, is the creative force behind the monsters and her very talented mother is the head seamstress, click here to read their bios.

We also love that the makers of Lyla Tov Monsters will be donating a portion of the proceeds to a children’s charity to help ensure that children the world over might have a better night’s sleep...great idea!

We think these monsters would make the perfect, unique gift for children. To shop all the Lyla Tov Monsters, click here.

Did you watch last night?

2011-11-30T13:18:00.000-08:00

Last night on World News with Diane Sawyer, they highlighted The Great Made in America Christmas: Are You In? If you missed the segment click here to view. It was Diane Sawyer's reporting this summer on Made in America goods that inspired us to begin this blog, so we were interested in hearing what they had to report...

According to the newscast:

"The average American will spend $704 on holiday gifts and goodies this year, totaling more than $465 billion, the National Retail Federation estimates. If that money was spent entirely on US made products it would create 4.6 million jobs. But it doesn't even have to be that big. If each of us spent just $64 on American made goods during our holiday shopping, the result would be 200,000 new jobs."

Pretty incredible numbers, don't you think? If everyone spent $64 on American made goods, it could REALLY make a difference for our fellow Americans. One other thing the news segment pointed out is that with the $5.1 Billion of Chinese made goods we purchase at the holidays, we as Americans are supporting and holding up the exploding Chinese middle class...what's wrong with that picture?

We are taking the challenge, and hope you do too, to purchase at least one "Made in America" gift this season. If you need ideas check out our categories on the right hand side of this blog that will automatically categorize our blog entries and give you some great leads on American made products.

And we ask you that as you shop this holiday season to comment on our blog or Facebook page when you find something you love that is Made In America...we are always looking for ideas!

The Original Bench Swing

2011-11-29T15:58:00.000-08:00

This picture is worth a thousand words. What child (and many adults) wouldn't love swinging in an old tree on a perfect swing? Can't you just smell the fresh air and feel the breeze blowing through your hair?

Living in Phoenix, this is our best time of year to be outside and this swing looks perfect for our tree out back! It is made by the company The Original Tree Swing. Not only do they make this fabulous, perfectly crafted tree swing, but they create a bunch of wooden toys made primarily from reclaimed wood. So, Made in America and eco-friendly...two of our favorite things. We think this would make a fun and unique holiday gift for those little ones in your life!

This swing is made of ash or elm and 20 feet (each side) of 100% natural fiber rope. To purchase this swing online, click here. To find a local retailer that sells this swing, click here.

Nalgene

2011-11-28T06:11:00.000-08:00

Portable water is big business and all the rage! The environmentally-friendly notion of being able to re-use one container for sipping water during the day instead of purchasing and disposing of multiple plastic bottles each day is an idea we think is great...

That is why we love Nalgene bottles. We use them, our spouses use them and our kids use them. They are great to throw in the car so you can sip as you run errands, great to send with your kids to sports practices or school and great to pack with your lunch for work. Best part is they are Made in the USA (you can read about the history of the company here)! We also appreciate that they are made with FDA compliant colors and BPA free materials.

They come in tons of fun colors and styles and we think they would make a great gift this holiday season. They are affordable and there is something for everyone in their product collections. Here are some of our favorites:

Please note, there are a few items that Nalgene imports from China: the tops on the on-the-go, on-the-fly and multidrink bottles as well as the stainless steel bottles.

You can find Nalgene bottles at many common retail stores (I bought mine at Target) or shop Nalgene's online store here. Happy sipping!

Giveaway - Inspired Home Soy Candle

2011-11-21T07:23:00.000-08:00

We blogged earlier this month about the most delicious, hand poured, Made in the USA candles. In case you missed our review of Inspired Home's soy candles, click here. These candles are made with pure soy wax, a lead free wick and have an incredible scent that fills a room almost immediately. They would make a perfect gift for a teacher, your mother, your sister or anyone who loves a lovely smelling home.

Catherine Powers, artist and candle maker extraordinaire, has generously offered to give one of our readers a candle to enjoy for the holidays. The winner can choose either a Chocolate scented candle (decedent and delicious) or a Cranberry scented candle (welcoming and spicy).

To enter, leave a comment below that you have completed the following (see below for all the steps) and include your email address so that we are able to contact you (only one entry per person).

1.) Like Inspired Home on Facebook and post that Star Spangled Mamas sent you.

2.) Like Star Spangled Mamas on Facebook if you haven't already.

3.) Click Share under our Facebook post about this event to share on your wall.

Giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. ET Monday December 5, 2011. For complete rules, see our

giveaways page.

A great big thanks to Catherine Powers of Inspired Home!

Alex and Ani

2011-11-18T06:21:00.000-08:00

I recently was on vacation with one of my husband's cousins who lives in Boston. She had on the most adorable bracelet set and now I am coveting these fabulous bracelets. She also told me that they were made in the USA...even better! Living out west, I have not come across them yet, but out east she said they are all the rage! Alex and Ani make these adorable bangles that are meant to be layered. Here are examples of the layered look.

The bangles can be bought individually and are meant to be layered. Here are a few that we love:

Alex and Ani also has a philosophy that we think is fantastic:

"Alex and Ani is a company dedicated to creating products of unparalleled quality and beauty that promote consciousness and unity. Manufacturing in the United States and re-using and recycling materials is an integral part of Alex and Ani's mission as a conscious and eco-friendly company. Alex and Ani's collections are not only eco-friendly, they are made up of powerful, meaningful, and spiritual pieces, which uplift and inspire all who wear them."

What a fantastic company: creating American jobs, eco-friendly and most of all inspirational!

To shop their entire collection, click here.

I See Me books

2011-11-16T11:07:00.000-08:00

When my son was born five years ago (where does the time go?), I received the most adorable book that spelled out my son's name.

It was so personal and special and to this day he loves this book. Then, when my daughter was born, she received the same book, but a girl version (see below). Again, it is a family favorite.

I See Me Books creates these adorable stories. They have 13 books, all unique and delightful, that are personalized to include your child's name. And great news, they are made in the USA (Minnesota, in fact). They are hard backed, excellent quality books that will last a long time. They even have some super cute ones about the holidays:

Every child loves to be read a story about themselves. As the author of I See Me Books writes, " Our mission is to increase self esteem in children through personalized books that celebrate the uniqueness of each child. The goal of our books is to show each child how absolutely unique and special he or she is, to teach the child how to spell his or her name, and to build vocabulary skills."

What a perfect baby gift or holiday gift for your favorite little one. To view their collection and shop, click here.

Cream City Ribbon

2011-11-15T07:18:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again when gifts start creeping into the mind. I always try to get organized before the shopping rush begins by stocking up on wrapping essentials: tape, paper and ribbon. There's nothing worse than needing to wrap a gift last minute for someone and not having what you need!

This year I am so excited to try a new ribbon I found, Cream City Ribbon, that is made in the USA by a woman owned company (love that) in Milwaukee, WI (love that too, we grew up there). Not only is the ribbon American made but it looks fantastic AND it's environmentally friendly (made from renewable, biodegradable cotton fiber, grown and processed with water based dyes and without chlorine bleaches). You can actually recycle it or compost it after you use it.

It curls, it shreds, it strips and it folds...what more could you ask for!

Here are some examples of Cream City Ribbon used...can you say super cute?

So, this year I am so excited to report that I will be moving up in the world of aesthetically pleasing wrapping from my usual stick-on bow to Cream City Ribbon! I've ordered the holiday spool kit. Can't wait to get wrapping...

You can read more about the Cream City Ribbon's history here and you can shop for it online here.

Inspired Home: Candle Review

2011-11-08T07:47:00.000-08:00

There is nothing as pleasant as walking into a home and catching the waft of a fabulous scent reminding you of a holiday, a vacation, or a special memory. With the right aroma you can be transported to a different place or season instantly. That is why we love candles and tend to be very picky about which ones we purchase. So, when Inspired Home generously sent us 2 candles to try, we were hoping for the best. The result: we are in love with them both!

First of all, they come in the most beautiful boxes. Add a bow to the top and they make a perfect gift...no wrapping necessary. Here is a picture of the modern and elegant packaging.

Next, the candles themselves are gorgeous and smell divine even before being lit. We experienced the Lemon Fig and Coconut Lemongrass candles and both were fabulous. The Coconut Lemongrass immediately took us back on our last beach vacation, laying on the beach sipping a Pina Colada. The entire family loved the smell, even one picky husband! Within a short period of time the entire bathroom smelled like the Caribbean. If you closed your eyes you could almost hear the waves crashing...wishful thinking! This would be a perfect candle to light while taking a hot bath (especially in the dead of winter as a little pick me up).

Then there was the Lemon Fig candle: absolutely delicious. This would be the most perfect kitchen candle, as it has a clean, yet appetizing scent. Out with the lingering smells from last night's dinner, and in with the fresh, pleasant scent of lemons and figs. A girlfriend stopped over the other day and could not get over how great not only the kitchen smelled but how great the entire family room also smelled all from this one simple candle. We think this scent would really be perfect for any room of your house.

We loved the two scents we tried but there are many more to choose from. Here are a few other scents we think would be totally yummy, not to mention a perfect holiday gift...

Catherine Powers is the artist behind these luxurious candles and her talent is abundant. She not only hand pours each candle here in the United States, but she is also a poet and an artist. Check out her Inspired Home website to view her other art forms. It is Catherine's hope "that others will find inspiration within the worlds of fragrance, color and words as these elements have been blended and created with the intention of adding joy to your life and home." We love her philosophy!

To purchase one of these fabulous candles, click here.

Thanks Catherine for sharing these beautiful candles with us!

Superheros

2011-11-07T10:55:00.000-08:00

My son just turned 5 this weekend and it was all about superheros. Little boys (and girls) love superheros and want to save the world! I love the imagination little ones have when they are in costume. I have been searching for a superhero costume for my little superhero. Something that is good quality, cute, personalized and made in the USA. I found the perfect one and plan to order it immediately for Christmas! Does it get any cuter then this?

The company is called BabyPop Designs and it is owned by Sherry Aikens, a mom and superhero creator! She started her business after leaving the corporate world for motherhood. To read about her story, click here. They make the cutest superhero products: masks, capes, gloves, tee-shirts, etc.

And for the little ladies...

To shop BabyPop Designs for your own little superhero, click here.

I cannot wait for my son to open his this Christmas. (shhhhhh....don't tell him, it's a secret) He is going to be the cutest superhero!

Zipfy

2011-11-04T11:06:00.000-07:00

Zipfy pronounced zip' fee

Now this looks like FUN! "This is the easiest, safest, most exhilarating downhill sport ever!" (Zipfy's website) We have had an abundance of holiday toy magazines clogging up our mail lately and the Zipfy sleds keep showing up on the pages. Clearly they are the hottest luge/sled right now! And the coolest part is that they are manufactured in New York. They are lightweight and they claim to be very safe since they are easy to stop and steer. The Zipfy Classic comes in many incredibly vibrant colors that stand out in the snow. It is recommended for ages 5 and up, and can hold an adult up to 250 lbs. Wow, the whole family can enjoy! Now the question is, who will have more fun: the kids or the adults?

Here are a few examples of the fabulous color choices:

To get your cool Zipfly, click here! Have an exhilarating time!

32 Degrees Hats

2011-11-03T12:06:00.000-07:00

It is downright blustery in the Midwest today. A wet, windy chill is in the air reminding us that winter is just around the corner...ugh! That means getting out all the full-blown winter garb...hats, boots, gloves, etc. All these scattered pieces of clothing will soon take over front and back hallways everywhere.

Well, here's a little good news to balance the cold weather...we found the cutest hats EVER made by a company called 32 Degrees. They are soft, cozy and adorable! The material is high-quality and some of them (including the one I have for my infant daughter) are adjustable in the back. We love that it is a company started by a mom in her kitchen in Massachusetts and that she continues to be committed to manufacturing in America! They make hats for kids but also a OSFM (one size fits most) size so adults can join in the fun too.

Here is the one we bought but in aqua:

Here are some others we love:

You can shop their website here or look for a retailer here

Stay warm out there!!

For All Your Little Bobby Flays

2011-11-02T05:04:00.000-07:00

We know that Christmas is a ways off, although with Christmas decorations on display in the stores since before Halloween how can the holidays not be on your mind just a little bit! You may have already begun to consider what gifts to buy your children/grandchildren this year and in the next few months we will try to offer great ideas of Made in America holiday gifts. To start off, here is one for the kiddos...

All of our children, boys and girls, love(d) play kitchens. Our favorite (which is the one in our home) is the Little Tikes Grillin' Grand Kitchen and I would highly recommend it for your kids. My kids love this kitchen set. And I love that it keeps them busy and happy, it's pleasing to the eye and it's Made in the USA!

Some of the my kids' favorite features are: the grill lights up and makes a "sizzling" sound when the knobs are pressed, the burner makes a cooking sound when the knobs are turned, the grill rotates at a 90 degree angle, the ice machine in the fridge dispenses fake ice, there is plenty of storage for the other accessories, and the coffee maker has a little pot.

Here are a few more pictures of the kitchen set:

We have had ours for a few years now, it has been played with almost everyday...and it is still in excellent condition. These kitchens are sold at Toys R Us stores. So look for a coupon and get one early!

Happy Halloween!!!!

2011-10-31T04:46:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween! We wish you all a fun and safe Halloween with lots of sweet treats!

color your toes fabulous

2011-10-28T05:19:00.000-07:00

As I have stated in the past, we love pedicures! It is a simple self-treat in life and so, so worth every penny. An hour by yourself, some much needed quiet time and the gossipy magazines we never have time to read...what a guilty pleasure! I am very particular about my color choices on my toes (living in Phoenix my toes are often exposed). I recently wanted to have the perfect color for our beach vacation and found a fabulous light pink at my local pedicure spot. Here it is:

Constant Craving

I am happy to report the polish I picked is made in the USA. Total bonus! The polish is made by Deborah Lippmann and her nail lacquers do not contain toluene, formaldehyde or DBP, nor are they tested on animals. Deborah started out as a manicurist and now has an entire line of fabulous nail lacquers...a truly American story. To read about her journey, click here. Here are a few other colors that I love.

Dark Side of the Moon

My Old Flame

Do You Think I'm Sexy

All of her nail lacquers are made in the USA (some of the treatments she sells are imported). To shop the Deborah Lippmann line online, click here. To find a store near you who sells Deborah Lippmann nail lacquer, click here.

Color your toes fabulous!

smARTWORKS!

2011-10-27T05:02:00.000-07:00

Temperatures are beginning to fall (how can it be almost winter again), and wearing something warm and cozy is starting to sound so delightful.

Our mom found these adorable scarves at a local boutique and both of us loved them. They are made by smARTWORKS and are made in the USA. Each scarf is hand crafted in Massachusetts with exquisite wool, cashmere or cotton. They are big and small and the colors are vibrantly beautiful. You can wear them in so many ways, whether it be with a winter coat or a cute shirt. Here are some of our favorites:

The Mckenzie

The Shannon

The Willow

My favorite: The Trinity

To shop the entire collection, click here. We love them for ourselves but think they would make a fabulous, unique holiday gift too.

Here's to being cozy!

Bread Basket

2011-10-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

I have been to Williams-Sonoma a little too much lately...love that store! During one of my last trips I saw the neatest serving piece. It was a beautiful Oval Stoneware Bread Basket.

The basket is made in California, which we love. The neatest part about this basket, though, is that you put it in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes before lining it with a cloth napkin and warm bread. Then you place it on your table and the thick base radiates heat keeping the bread warm. How cool is that? I am thinking that this will be a great addition to my Thanksgiving table. How about the caramel color? I think that it would be perfect!

Here's to keeping your buns warm!

Supergoop!

2011-10-20T07:34:00.000-07:00

My husband and I just got back from the most beautiful vacation in the Turks and Caicos. We had the most wonderful and relaxing time. Expecting #3 this winter means this will be the last trip like this in a looooong time (better save up that relaxing feeling)! We were there for a wedding and it really was just a breathtaking island of beauty. Here is the view from our room.

First thing I wanted to share with you all is that the hotel had Tervis Tumblers in all of the rooms. Those are made in Florida- how cool is that? And I wanted to share with you a new product (made in the USA) that I fell in love with while I was on vacation. Supergoop! The bride left in our welcome bags a a few packets of Supergoop! Sunscreen Wipes.

They are awesome! I have never seen sunscreen in a wipe form until now. They were perfect at the beach when you needed a little extra coverage! And so easy to apply. I think this will be a new necessity for my children next summer. What I also love about this company is that their sunscreen is free of parabens, petrochemicals, fragrances, and phthalates. They have a variety of products that are all made in the USA (with the exception of one- Save Face Serum). Here are a few of Supergoop!'s awesome products.

To shop Supergoop! online, click here. To find a retailer near you, click here.

Keep your skin safe!!

Epicurean Cutting Boards

2011-10-17T05:19:00.000-07:00

We love to cook, and what makes cooking more fun than having some new kitchen gadgets and utensils.

This summer at a group cooking class in Door County, Wisconsin we were turned on by the founder/owner of The Savory Spoon (quick plug for the cooking school, it was fabulous!!) to Epicurean cutting boards.

They come in simple, modern designs made out of eco-friendly materials that we have fallen in love with! They are knife-friendly (they won't ruin your knives like glass or stone will), non-porous (won't harbor bacteria), AND you can throw them in your dishwasher to clean (this scores big points with us). We are hooked on these boards, which is why we were so excited to find out they are Made in America.

There are a variety of different designs to choose from. We like these too:

Click here to find a retailer near you.

Blocks, blocks and more blocks

2011-10-13T07:48:00.000-07:00

As children, we used to build castles and cities, roadways and train tracks all with wooden blocks. We had a huge blue jean bag that was filled with all sizes and shapes of blocks. Our imaginations did all the designing and our hands did all of the construction. Most of the time we built these castles right in the middle of the kitchen floor. What better place then to be than right under our mom's feet? Sorry mom!

Now days everything is plastic and imported. But one company has perfected the good old wooden blocks and has stayed true to production in the USA. The company is Beka It was started by three brothers in Minnesota. To read their story, click here. Here are a few of the sets that they sell.

And they make other great products as well such as...

puppet theaters

and art tables.

To shop Beka products, click here.
Get building!

Little Giraffe

2011-10-11T08:18:00.000-07:00

The softer the better when it comes to babies! With my first child I received as a gift the most deliciously soft blanket I had ever come across. It was made by Little Giraffe. It was a simple blanket made with the plushest chenille and a satin boarder. I fell in love with the blanket and so did my son. So when I had my daughter, she had to have one as well. And, I just finished ordering a blanket for baby #3. Can you tell I'm a fan?

I'm even more of a fan now that I recently found out these awesome blankets are made in the USA!

They come in multiple colors, sizes and patterns, and they are all super soft and luxurious...click here to shop.

When I first received a Little Giraffe blanket, I thought wouldn't it be awesome to have one of these blankets for adults? Little did I know, they make those too! Maybe a holiday gift this year pour moi!

American Pumpkins

2011-10-07T07:13:00.000-07:00

We love this time of year- the cool air, football season, the smell of pumpkin and cinnamon, carmel apples, etc. This year we suggest that you support your local farmers and buy some pumpkins from a local patch- American pumpkins! Carving pumpkins is such a fun family tradition and brings us a lot of great memories. And if you are not into carving this year, check out some of these ideas from Real Simple magazine. We think they are too cute!

Perfection in a pillow

2011-10-06T07:25:00.000-07:00

We have found "l'oreiller parfait"...the perfect pillow! These pillows are tres chic and would be a fabulous addition in everyone's home. Petit Coterie is a company based right here in America and they have the most beautiful products: pillows, napkins, totes, etc. They have a french country feel to them and are selling fast! Here are a few of our favorites:

Wouldn't these be great together?

And we love these for the holidays!

Best of all, we love that Petit Coterie has made a commitment to manufacturing their products in the USA and that their business has helped other small American businesses expand. The fabric they use is printed by a family owned business that has expanded along with Petit Coterie's increase in sales. As Michelle from Petit Coterie put it: "I think it is like a chain reaction. One small business helps another small business and each has been able to hire more employees."

This is exactly what American businesses need. Thanks Petit Coterie!

To shop their collection, click here.

Get Organized!

2011-10-04T08:23:00.000-07:00

It has arrived! My new Erin Condren life planner and I am obsessed. I know a lot of you keep your calendar on your iphone or outlook, but I still love the planner that you write in. I have been searching the Internet and stores for the perfect planner that would keep my family organized, be chic and not be the size of a coffee table book. Not only did I find one- it is made in the USA. Bonus! Erin Condren makes the most adorable note cards, invitations, calendars, etc. as well as the "life planner". Here are a few examples of the front covers.

I ordered mine in Multi Taffy Stripes. You could have pictures added to the front- so cute!

Here are a few pictures of the inside of my planner.

Check out this video that tells you all about the life planner! I am so excited to fill this planner up with all my life's activities!!!

If you would like to Shop Erin Condren's products, click here.

Get a plannin'!

Batter Bowls

2011-10-03T08:39:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love a big, yummy weekend pancake breakfast? My kids love helping make pancakes- chocolate chip, banana, pumpkin- yumm! After making pancakes, the stove looks like a tornado hit it. The tricky part is getting the pancake batter onto the griddle carefully without a huge mess. So I thought wouldn't it be great to have a bowl with a spout? Well there is one already out there and made in the USA! Bauer Pottery makes the absolute cutest batter bowls!

Their pottery comes in a ton of bright colors that are so cheerful and bright! And they have a ton of other products as well from plates to butter dishes. Check a few out here.

To shop Bauer Pottery, click here.

Coloring with Crayola

2011-10-01T05:52:00.000-07:00

Call me strange, but I love the smell of a new box of crayons! I love when you open the top and view all the beautiful colors with their sharp, untouched tips. It brings back such great memories of coloring as a child. The crayons these days come in so many different shapes and sizes...hours of fun in a box!

I went searching for a Made in the USA set of crayons not long ago and was surprised to find that Crayola manufactures crayons in America!

And then I realized that a lot of their products were made in America...

Their watercolors

Their bath drops

I contacted Crayola to inquire about their Made in the USA products and they responded, "At our manufacturing facility near our global corporate headquarters in Pennsylvania, we manufacture the majority of our products, including Crayola crayons and markers ~ 3.5 billion crayons and hundreds of millions of markers."

Wow, that is a lot of crayons and markers! So when you see a Crayola product check the back to find out where it is manufactured, but many are made right here in America

Have a colorful weekend!

Wonderous Wikki Stix

2011-09-28T08:09:00.000-07:00

We love Wikki Stix! Not only do our kids flex their creative muscles creating masterpieces with these simple yet magical waxed yarns, but we have also had fun creating figures and pictures with them. Who'd have thought that a bunch of stix could provide such entertainment?

They are definitely on to something...here are some examples from their website of what is possible with these stix:

Ours tend to look more like this:

Regardless of your abilities, they are a great toy for all ages...and happily they are Made in the USA!

We also love Wikki Stix because according to the company "they do not contain latex, gluten, nor peanut or other nut oils or byproducts which makes them an ideal creative activity toy for children with allergies." You can read more about Wikki Stix here.

Shop their Website here or click here to find a retailer near you that carries Wikki Stix.

Sassy Cook

2011-09-26T07:48:00.000-07:00

We grew up in a house where our wonderful Mom cooked a homemade dinner every night. The entire family sat together and ate at the kitchen table. Now that we are Moms, we appreciate the care, effort and planning this took and we try our best to cook for our family a few times a week.

When trying to throw together a healthy and delicious meal, it is always nice to feel a little "chic." We started a search some time ago to find a perfect apron and found some super, sassy ones made in the USA: Sassy Chef Aprons. Here are a few that are so cute...even if you are donning your everyday sweats underneath:

And she makes kids aprons too...

To shop her collection, click here.

Lunchskins

2011-09-22T08:53:00.000-07:00

Over the years, we have found ourselves using a ton of plastic baggies for snacks on-the-go and started to feel bad about contributing to the landfill problem in America. Wouldn't it be great if there were a super cute, easy to clean, reusable baggie? Well, there are: Lunchskins. The patterns are adorable and they are dishwasher safe. That's right, throw them right on the top rack of your dishwasher! And best of all, they are manufactured in America!

It doesn't get easier than this to help Mother Earth, support American jobs and keep your family chic. Here are a few adorable Lunchskins:

To find a store near you that carries Lunchskins, click here. Or to shop online, click here.

Snack away and feel good about it!

Burt's Bees

2011-09-21T12:41:00.000-07:00

This time of year the weather is becoming crisp and dry, leaving our skin and lips to suffer. For a long time, we have both loved Burt's Bees lip balm and always carry a tube in our purses. We also love that it is an all natural product and made in Durham, NC. Burt's Bees has many, many more products than just lip balm and I can tell you the ones we have tried, we have loved! Here are a few of our favorites:

Honey Lip Balm

Lip Shimmer in Raisin

Baby Bee Diaper Ointment

Baby Bee Shampoo & Wash (smells sooo good!)

Another super cool thing about the Burt's Bees company is that they have implemented a "zero waste to landfill" program. They don't throw anything out; they reuse everything. Click here to read more about it!!! To shop Burt's Bees products, click here.

Enjoy some soft skin this season!

Fall is in the Air

2011-09-19T08:31:00.000-07:00

Though it is still 105 degrees in Phoenix, it is time to say goodbye to summer and hello to fall. What is better than the scents of fall...apples, cinnamon, pumpkin! Williams-Sonoma is well-known for its hand soap and lotion combos, and they make the most divine smelling, autumnal pair known as Spiced Chestnut. One whiff of it makes me think crisp, cool weather and family holidays. They only carry this scent in the fall and early winter so if you like it as much as we do, stock up.

Best news is the lotions, soaps and candles are made in the USA!

Visit your local Williams-Sonoma store or to shop online click here.

Tailgating

2011-09-16T11:08:00.000-07:00

College football season is upon us and we love it! Of course we are partial to one particularly awesome team- The Wisconsin Badgers!

We grew up going to games with our family and tailgating in the parking lot ahead of time. There is something special about the feeling of fall, brats on a grill, a nice cold beverage and a good football game. One of the essential tailgating items is a cooler! One of the best coolers on the market are Igloo coolers! These coolers are top quality and come in every size and color. We have old ones and new ones- they seem to last forever! And the best part about Igloo is that they are made in TX- that's right all of their products are American made! Here are a few coolers we love.

If you would like to find a local retailer that carries Igloo coolers, click here.

Enjoy a little college football this fall! We hope your team does well, maybe not as well as the Badgers...

Bear Feet

2011-09-15T12:28:00.000-07:00

Is there anything sweeter than shoes for babies and toddlers? We have to say, buying shoes for our littlest ones is almost as fun as finding the perfect shoes for ourselves...well, almost! In looking for children's shoes that are Made in America, we came across Bear Feet Shoes.

We think you'll agree they are ADORABLE!

Here are the ones I ordered and they are well-constructed, simple and oh so baby-stylish:

Here are some of the other styles and colors we love (there are many more on their website):

These shoes are handmade in the USA of mostly US and some European materials. You can read more about Bear Feet Shoes here.

tavern puzzles

2011-09-13T11:51:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love a good puzzle? A few Christmases ago our mom gave us all Tavern Puzzles and family members of all ages had the best time figuring them all out. To give you an idea of what a Tavern Puzzle is see below:

Object: To get the ring off

Object: To remove the shuttle

As you can see, some of them are trickier then others! Believe me they can keep your attention for hours. Tavern Puzzles have been around for ages...to read about the fascinating story of how they began click here. They are all made in the USA by Tucker Jones House, Inc. They make excellent gifts for any adult or super talented child! To shop the Tavern Puzzles, click here.

Solve Away!

In memoriam

2011-09-09T11:23:00.000-07:00

In memory and honor of all those who lost their life on 9/11.

We shall never forget.

Pyrex

2011-09-08T08:40:00.000-07:00

Whether we are baking a batch of brownies with the kids, assembling a pan of lasagna for company or marinating the chicken/beef/pork our husbands will be grilling for dinner, our Pyrex glass baking dishes are one of the most used items in our kitchens...and they were in our Mom's kitchen too.

Great news is that Pyrex glassware is manufactured in the USA and has been since 1915. This is something we didn't know, but we're sure glad to hear since we LOVE our Pyrex! You can read more about Pyrex here.

There are tons of different shapes and sizes and now they come with colorful lids too for storing and transporting:

Happy Cooking!

Thanks for your support!

2011-09-07T08:45:00.000-07:00

A big, red white and blue "Thank You" to all of you for supporting us! We hope we are helping to awaken an American awareness regarding consumer habits. And, if we can help create American jobs...even better! We love hearing that so many of you share our passion about supporting American made products.

And, by the way we were nominated for a Parents Magazine "Best Blog Award 2011" in the category of best gear and toys blog. How excited are we? Very! And we could use your help. Please CLICK HERE and vote for us!

Thanks again for your support!

Cozy Coupe

2011-09-06T04:45:00.000-07:00

When your child turns 16, buying them a car is a huge commitment that comes with a lot of stress for many parents. When your child is 2, buying them a toy car is an easy, stress-free decision. We like those types of decisions!

What child doesn't love a toy car that they can open the door, get on in, steer and beep a horn? Little Tikes has made the beloved "cozy coupe" for years and it has always been a childhood favorite!

Little Tikes cozy coupes are sold at many large, national retail locations such as: Walmart, Target, Toys R Us, and K Mart. Or to find your favorite cozy coupe online, click here.

While not all Little Tikes toys are made in the USA, many are. They are making a commitment to manufacturing many of their toys in the USA. To shop all Little Tikes toys made in the USA, click here.

Happy Flag Flying

2011-09-02T08:31:00.000-07:00

What is more American than baseball, apple pie and an American Flag? An American flag is a staple in many houses, we fly ours most every day...and Monday (Labor Day) is a National Flag Flying Day. Whenever you choose to fly your flag, you want one that will last through all kinds of weather and still look great. Annin flags do!

The Annin Co. start making flags in 1820 in New York. Click here to read their interesting history of producing flags in America.

And good news...Target sells these flags.

To find an Annin flag near you, click here.

Have a restful and relaxing Labor Day!!!!!

Slow Cookin'

2011-08-31T12:55:00.000-07:00

If any of you are on facebook you might have heard about a page that has gone viral regarding crock pot cooking. Sparked an idea...can we find a crock pot made in the USA? We have searched and searched and searched. We called many of the well-known brands and found out that while some of them years ago were made in America they are now made in China. Then we called many lesser-known brands and most of them were made in China too! Seemed most electric cookware is made in China these days. Hmmmmm...

And then we came across another issue while we were searching to find a crock pot made in America. LEAD!!! Many current ceramic glazed crock pots still contain lead. While those levels may be within the FDA regulations, lead can still be present. So when you cook with these items you are releasing small traces of lead into your meal...yuck! Many of the old ones definitely have lead and may not be in the current FDA regulations. If you already have a crock pot, we would suggest you call the manufacturing company and ask if your model contains lead.

Now, here is the great news!!! We found a crock pot that is not only MADE IN THE USA but also LEAD-FREE!!! The company is called 360 Cookware and they manufacture all of their products in West Bend, WI. They take pride in not only manufacturing all of their products in America but also they hold themselves to the highest of safety standards.

2.3 Quart Gourmet Cooker

4 Quart Gourmet Cooker

To shop 360 Cookware Products online, click here. They are more expensive than many other brands of crock pots, however you will be supporting American jobs and keeping your family safe!
Cook on!

Ready For School?

2011-08-30T07:29:00.000-07:00

Even though it is 114 degrees in Phoenix today (insert exasperated sigh here), summer has ended. After a fabulous summer of pool time, lake time, play time and all around fun time, it is now time for us to get back into "school mode." Over the summer we tried to keep the kids up to date on school skills and to do so we used School Zone workbooks. They have workbooks that focus on skills from pre-k to grade 6.

Here is the one my pre-k child is working on.

The kids loved doing them and as a mom and a former teacher, I was really impressed with the way the workbook (pre-k) is orgnized compared to a lot of the others on the market. It covers numerous skills from generic fine motor skills (mazes, tracing, connecting the dots) to understanding language (similar, different, bigger, smaller, etc.) to letter, number and color recognition. From what I have seen, I would assume the other grade levels are organized well too!

I bought my workbooks at Target, but they retail at many locations (Walmart, Walgreens, etc.)
Or you can shop online: click here.

Note: Just as an FYI, there are a few School Zone products that are not made in the USA including all of the write & reuse workbooks, all of the think and blink flash cards and the animal alphabet pop-up flash cards.

Happy Back to School Everyone!

Color changes everything

2011-08-29T08:23:00.000-07:00

One thing we've learned over the years is that a new hue in a room can change the entire feel of a room (and make it feel brand new) for a low cost. We both have recently decorated nurseries for new babies and there's nothing as fun as picking the prefect color and beginning with a fresh coat of paint! It was easy to decide what paint to use: Benjamin Moore.

Benjamin Moore paints are made in the USA and are top quality. They are easy to find, just head over to your local Ace Hardware. Or to find another local store that carries Benjamin Moore paints, click here.

Their website is really helpful with an enormous color gallery and a new app they have to color match. You take a picture on your iphone or android of any color you find in nature. Then the app will let you know what Benjamin Moore paint color is closest to your color.
Talk about cool!

Green Toys

2011-08-26T07:22:00.000-07:00

For my son's second birthday he received this truck from some friends.

This truck is now 3 years old, has taken a beating, and yet still looks new. Talk about a well made toy! This is how I came to know Green Toys. Since then I have been a huge fan! They use recycled milk jugs as the main ingredient for their toys and all their plastic is BPA free. They truly are a "green" company and completely American made. To read how their toys are made click here.

My kids love to play 'restaurant' and Green Toys makes the best kitchen toys. All of the toys are dishwasher safe, making my job as Chief Germ Destroyer much easier. Check out some of the kitchen toys.

If you want to shop Green Toys online click here. To find Green Toys at your local store click here.

The Perfect Chair

2011-08-24T14:15:00.000-07:00

There's nothing like the perfect, comfy outdoor chair to lounge in and enjoy a good book...or to snuggle up in with your little ones and just watch the time go by. Well, an interior decorator friend of ours turned us on to these awesome Adirondack chairs made in the USA. They are made by Manchester Wood and come in an adult size and a kids size (not to mention a fun array of colors). All of Manchester Wood's furniture is made in the USA in upstate New York from eco-friendly timber...click here to read more about their story.

View their outdoor chair collection here...in the meantime here's a sneak peak of some of our favorite colors:

Cinda B

2011-08-23T07:16:00.000-07:00

One of our small joys is having a chance to shop "sans" kiddos. While on our summer vacation together, we had the chance to do just that and we discovered Cinda B! Her handbags and totes are a new love of ours. The prints are adorable and fresh! All of her bags are water-resistant, stain-resistant and best of all machine washable. Everything that carries the Cinda B name is Made in the USA. It was important to Cinda that she not only create beautiful handbags, but also create American Jobs. Way to go Cinda!!!! Click here to read her story.

I bought the cutest little zip up pouch that I use for some makeup to throw in my larger purse.

Happy- Sweetleaf Navy

I love my new pouch so much that I am going out to buy the City Satchel! It is the perfect size for a woman on the go who needs a purse big enough to hold a few extra things (like a calendar, diapers) but doesn't feel like you are lugging around a suitcase.

Here it is in Bella Fiore Cocoa

Here are a few more bags we covet:

Beach Bag- Casablanca Sky Blue

Overnighter- Empire Sand

To shop the Cinda B collection online click here. Or to find your local boutique that carries Cinda B, click here.

It's Slinky, It's Slinky

2011-08-22T06:45:00.000-07:00

The simplest of toys has lasted through the ages and is still a best seller. Who doesn't love a Slinky! We can still sing the silly Slinky song...

It's Slinky, It's Slinky

for fun its the best of the toys

It's Slinky, It's Slinky

the favorite of girls and boys

We loved them as children and now our children love them. Whether you have kids or need to tuck away a good gift idea for your favorite child, don't forget about this oldie but goodie! Fabulously enough they are made in the USA (with the exception of their new Light Up Slinky and Slinky Dog Products) Click here to find these slinky products online or you might find them at your local toy store.

tees for everyone...and we're not talking golf

2011-08-19T07:13:00.000-07:00

Finding the perfect white t-shirt can be as satisfying as finding the right jeans. We love a fabulous white tee for the summer that is not only stylish but also really comfortable. For years, we have loved our Three Dots tees. In our minds, they have perfected the essential tee in most every color for every woman! Over the years their collection has also expanded to include adorable dresses, leggings, skirts, men's tees, etc.

Little did we know, until recently, Three Dots manufactures all of their clothing right here in America....Yeah! Check out their latest blog post about their commitment to celebrating the USA and American production. If you want to shop Three Dots collection at your nearest boutique click here. If you would like to find them online click here.

These are a few of our favorite essential, everyday tees.

essential play girl scoop neck 3/4 sleeve- $44

essential v-neck short sleeve tee- $44

essential british neck 3/4 sleeve tee- $44

A New Balance

2011-08-18T06:15:00.000-07:00

Whether we're running after our kids or trying to lose post-baby weight, a good pair of athletic shoes is a must! One of our favorites is New Balance's 993. They are simple, not too flashy and by far one of the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn...the cushioning and support is awesome.

And, one of the best parts is New Balance still manufactures a portion of their shoes in the USA. Not all of New Balance's shoes are Made in The USA, but they have made a commitment to American Workers (you can read their statement here) and according to their website they employ 1,300 workers in New England who manufacture approximately 7 million pairs of shoes each year. Click here to find which New Balance shoes are produced in the USA (the 993's are!)

Here is the pair I own:

They also come in pink, which is a cute option:

Get out there and get moving!

Wooden Wonders

2011-08-16T05:42:00.000-07:00

We have both bought wooden toys for our babies...they are durable and the kids have always loved them. A friend told us about Maple Landmark Toys that are made in Vermont. We haven't tried them out yet, but they make a ton of different toys (from blocks to teethers to rocking horses). My son adores trucks, cars, planes and trains of any kind and Maple Landmark makes some great ones that we're going to try! Click here to find a store near you who sells Maple Landmark Toys. Or click here to purchase online. Here are a few of our favorite wooden vehicles and planes (keep in mind as they mention on their website that the toys below have small parts and the company lists they are not appropriate for children under 3):

Semi Truck, Racing

Made By Me Truck (love this!)

Classic Bi-plane

Classic School Bus

Enjoy these toys made for you in the Red, White and Blue!

Nailpolish is Paradise...

2011-08-15T06:39:00.000-07:00

We love getting pedicures! Escaping to the local mani/pedi salon is always a SO appreciated hour of peace and quiet. Plus, who doesn't like to have pretty toes! I always bring my own color with me to the salon, because there is nothing more disappointing than being there and not being able to find a color you like. I happened to be shopping at a local boutique this spring and found a brand of water-based nail polish with seriously delicious colors. I immediately bought a few and then noticed that they were not only Made in the USA but also non-toxic and eco-friendly. Talk about hitting the jackpot! The company's name is Scotch. To find a local retailer click here, or to purchase online click here. We love all of their colors, but here are a few of our faves:

Whisper

Tarten Swizzle

Stiletto

Blood and Sand

Enjoy!

Wearable Cupcakes

2011-08-12T06:35:00.000-07:00

We discovered these leggings last spring and have since fallen deeply in love with them. Little girls we know covet them and all the moms ask where they came from. They are called Bon Bon Cupcakes. These microfiber leggings have ribbon ruffles on the bottom, come in all different colors and they will even custom make a pair for you. And, they come packaged up just like a cupcake...so cute! They are made in the USA by two cousins who started the business (read their great story on their website).

You can buy them at your local boutique- click here to search for retail locations in your area. Or you can purchase them online by clicking here. These are a few of our favorites.

Double Layer Leggings- Light Pink and White Dot

Holiday Leggings- Candy Corn

Cream Puff Leggings- Hot Pink on Pink

Hope your daughters love wearing these adorable cupcakes!

Sip Away

2011-08-11T07:36:00.000-07:00

We LOVE Tervis tumblers! They are pleasing to the eye, yet so incredibly functional...you can drink your hot coffee and iced lemonade from the same cup (at different times of course). These tumblers keep the hot hot and the cold cold and they are double-walled so they won't sweat and leave a ring on your new wood coffee table. We've loved bringing them to the pool (no glass) this summer with a cool drink. They come in a huge variety of colors and patterns, from your favorite NFL team logo to fun prints. And the best part is that all of their products (tumblers, tops, etc.) are made in the USA. Oh yeah, they are also BPA free and dishwasher, freezer and microwave safe. There are many stores that carry Tervis products- click here to find one near you. Or if you would like to order them online click here. Here are a few of our favorites.

Tervis Tumbler- Fiesta Sunny Dots

Tervis Tumbler- Green Bay Packers

Tervis Tumbler- Jewel Ruby

Sip Away!!!

aroma-rific!

2011-08-10T06:36:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love a beautiful smelling home? The Capri Blue Candle collection at Anthropologie is one of our absolute favorites...and they are made right here in the USA! The scents are incredible, fill a large room, and the containers are elegant. You can purchase them at your nearest Anthropologie store or click here to purchase online. 'Volcano' is our personal favorite scent and Anthropologies' signature scent. Here are a few candles in the collection.

Capri Blue Candle Tin- $12.00

Capri Blue Frosted Mercury Glass Jars- $24.00

Capri Blue Etched Jar Candle- $25.00

Enjoy these candles made for you in the Red, White and Blue.

Dots

2011-08-09T12:01:00.000-07:00

Our daughters love art...absolutely love it. My son, however, not such a fan. We found though that all the kids love dot art, which is a great variation from painting and coloring. My son loves pounding the dotter on the paper, probably because it's like hammering a nail, and the girls love creating colorful designs. Me, I love any art they all enjoy (and that keeps them busy)! We have a lot of dotters in our house, and the best ones I have found come from a company called Do A Dot Art. Fantastically enough, they are made right here in the USA. Do A Dot Art makes both dotters as well as activity books for kids. Here are a few pictures of items they sell.

Do A Dot Art Markers- 6 Pack Rainbow Colors $14.99

Do A Dot Art Markers- 6 Pack Mini Jewel Tones $14.99

Picture Me a Princess Activity Book $4.99

Mighty Trucks! Activity Book $4.99

Your local "learning/teaching store" will often carry these items or you can order them online by clicking here.

Note: While the dotter markers and all of the activity books are made in the USA, their Glam Art products (not found on the website) are not made in the USA.

Happy Dotting!

Bubbles, Bubbles Everywhere

2011-08-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

What kid doesn't love bubbles in the summer? If your families are like ours, you always have a stash of bubbles on hand. Bubbles pass the time, make children laugh and turn smiles upside down. I went out in search of bubbles made in the USA and found some.

Imperial Miracle Bubbles- you can find them at Walgreens or click here to buy them online.

Note: While Imperial Miracle Bubbles are made in the USA not all toys made by Imperial Toys are manufactured in the USA.

Enjoy your bubbles made for you in the Red, White and Blue!

Made in the Red, White and Blue

2011-08-07T19:29:00.000-07:00

Diane Sawyer of ABC news recently did a series entitled “Made in America”. They shared facts such as 90% of toys sold in the US are made in China. We were shocked. We know toys sold here are imported from other countries as well, which means less than 10% of our toys are made in America. We started looking at all the products in our homes. Made in China-Made in China-Made in Hong Kong. Even the mandarin oranges we fed our kids were products of China. And we know that other countries do not have the same regulations as American made products. So shouldn’t we question if over 90% of our products are safe?

What does this mean for our job market here in the US? We found a statistic which stated that if we each spent $64 more a year on American made products when available, it would create 200,000 new jobs a year. Wow- that is a lot of jobs! We are not 'anti-importing' products made in other countries. We understand that it is not realistic to throw out everything and only purchase “made in the USA” products. But if we have the chance to buy crayons made in America vs. another country, why wouldn’t we? Buying American when we can helps us do our small part to help our job market grow.

Most modern parents do not have the time to look through every product on the shelf trying to find one that is ‘made in the USA’? This is where our idea started. Why not create a blog where we show you products that are made right here in the US and make it easier for you to shop ‘made in the USA’. We plan to not only show you the product, but also let you know where you can find it to purchase. That way it will be more convenient for you to help do your part!