Tutus on sale today!

Get the camera ready cuz she will be SO CUTE twirling around in this tutu & headband set, reg $40, today only $11.99 but selling FAST.  In other colors too.  Fits sizes 2-8.  Happy dancing!  http://www.zulily.com/referafriend/?42119

Have Santa send your child a personalized video message!

This is so cool, and even better, it's free.  :)  Here's a brilliant way to blow your kid's mind: send a personalized (and pretty flipping convincing) video message from Santa, courtesy of Portable North Pole. Now available as an iPhone and iPad app, too. Santa Claus and his amazing PNP (Portable North Pole) will be online during the entire holiday season. With just a few clicks, this technological marvel will let your loved ones receive a personal message from Santa Claus, sent directly from his village in the North Pole. Rediscover Christmas with this immersive and unique experience that brings the holiday magic back to life.

http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/home

Appliqued adorableness for your little girl on sale today, over 50% off

Cute, cuter, cutest! This brown doe corduroy skirt is just one of many completely adorable appliqued things on sale today from Decaf Plush. Sizes newborn - 6T. Reg $48, only $23 today.http://tinyurl.com/2uczzpr

Looking for something festive to do this weekend?

Come experience magic in Moraga at the California Academy of Performing Arts' annual Nutcracker. This is a great way to introduce your children to the Nutcracker, as this Nutcracker is almost entirely performed by kids ages 6-18. It's a lovely production, with opulent sets & costumes, memorable characters, life size magical toys, an enchanted snow kingdom where it actually snows, and wonderful dancing from talented kids. Tickets are $20 and will be available at the door. It's at the Campolindo High School Performing Arts Center at 300 Moraga Road in Moraga. Performances on Saturday at 2pm & 7pm, and Sunday at 2pm.

Celeb fav Nowali moccasins on sale today almost 50% off

I love our Nowali mocs, so great for running around the house, keeping cozy, comfy & warm and not slipping on our wood floors.  No wonder celebs love them.  Reg $27, on sale for $14 today, in boys' and girls' designs, up to size 4Y, but selling FAST.  http://www.ecobabybuys.com/

Another great baby/toddler holiday gift idea

This is a great blanket...super soft on one side, water resistant microfiber on the other, perfect for lawn, beach, or as a stroller blanket on a drizzly day.  Good gift idea!  Everyone could use one of these.  Reg $48, on sale for $28.49, in a whole bunch of colors & cute patterns.  http://www.zulily.com/index.php/referafriend/?ref=71638

What to do this weekend?? Bay Area Kids Weekend Events: December 3-5

For full article with embedded links, go to: http://www.redtri.com/san-francisco/san-francisco-kid-friendly-weekend-events-december-3-5


Madeline's Christmas
It’s the first weekend of December and everywhere you turn, the holidays are sparking to life. At the Oakland Zoo, the ZooLights tradition lights up the Oakland hills sky by night, while the CA Revels fill the air with holiday song and dance by day. In Berkeley, the Gourmet Ghetto’s Snow Day means white stuff and hot chocolate in the parking lot at Andronico’s. Over in Concord, the First Annual Super Holiday Boutique kicks off with one-stop holiday gift shopping, free gift bags, a children’s activity zone, and pictures with Santa. And if you’re spending the weekend in San Francisco, how ‘bout making Holiday Crafts while ventriloquist Steve Chaney entertains the fam at the Randall Museum, or making your merry way to the Fantasy of Lights Celebration on Union Street.

Here’s more on the jolly deets throughout the Bay:

San Francisco

Urban Cottage SF Designer Shopping Event
15 fabulous designers like kid-focused creators Tala Bee, Giddy Giddy, and Dolce Mia make holiday shopping a cinch at this Richmond District event hosted by Bunny and Bee. More goodness: a portion of today’s proceeds will be donated to SF Public Schools.Sun., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Event details.

32nd Annual Celebration of Craftswomen
The gift buying continues at this giant Fort Mason fair when more than 200 craftswomen will sell decorative items, jewelry, home furniture, and more. Live music, gourmet food, and a benefit raffle are also on the itinerary. Kids under 12 are free! Sat. and Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $9 adults, $7 seniors, students and disabled, free for children 12 and under. Event details.

East Bay

Christmas at Ardenwood
It’s that time of year for music and carols. Celebrate with the kids in Victorian style, with country kitchen treats and crafting. Bakers, bring your cookie recipe and cookie samples to enter the baking contest. Sat. and Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m., $8 adults, $6 seniors (62+ years), $5 children (4–17 years), children 3 and under free. Event details.


Holiday Sights & Sounds Parade
Take part in a downtown Livermore tradition, when families gather to see the line-up of festive holiday floats. Afterwards, three stages of entertainment will keep the whole family amused. >Sat., 6 p.m. Free. Event details.


11th Annual Comcast America’s Children’s Holiday Parade
Be one of 100,000 locals watching this Oakland parade. The kids are sure to be wide-eyed from the floats, balloons, marching bands, and number of spectators. Sat., 2 p.m. Free. Event details.


Peninsula

Madeline’s Christmas
It’s the night before Christmas in the old house in Paris, where Miss Clavel, Madeline, and eleven other little girls will captivate the young ones at this musical Sunnyvale Theatre play.  Sat., 7 p.m. $11–$12. Event details.

Breakfast with Santa
The Menlo Park Rotary will serve up the pancakes, and Santa will be there to enjoy them with the kids. Enjoy holiday crafts and music, too.  Sat., 7:30-11:30 a.m. $5 kids 12 and under; $7 adults. Event details.

Marin

Stapleton Ballet Nutcracker
As you and your family enjoy the 50 foot Christmas tree and the largest cast of Nutcrackers dancers (228), know that the price of your child’s ticket will also support Stapleton’s scholarship fund.  Sat. and Sun., 1 p.m.-5 p.m. $18-$30. Event details.


Tiburon Holiday Festival 2010
It’s a one-night celebration in Tiburon, with an outdoor ice-skating rink, a Tree Lighting Ceremony, gingerbread house decorating, Main Street shop discounts, costumed characters, caroling, and more.  Fri., 5:30 p.m. Free; ice-skating is $5 per person, gingerbread houses are $25 each. Event details.

—Renee Rutledge

Need a cute baby gift this season? I've got you covered.

Need a cute baby gift this season? I've got you covered. Loving this sweet blanket & pull toy from Piccolo Bambino, also in blue horse & ivory sheep, reg $45, on sale today for $22. Makes an adorable gift presentation.http://www.hautelook.com/invite/176189

Make her face light up on Christmas morning...darling fairy dresses on sale for 50% off today

This magical dress is what little girls' dreams are made of. She'll flutter, spin and sparkle in the fluffy bead-trimmed tulle skirt and sequin-studded bodice. Best of all, it's topped off with perfect pixie wings.  50% off today, $34.99 (reg $70), in sizes 15mos-7yrs & available in a bunch of colors.  From Fairy Dreams, http://www.zulily.com/index.php/referafriend/?ref=71638

Here's a cute gift idea...Mommy & Me matching apron sets

Here's a cute gift idea...Mommy & Me matching apron sets from "Challenge & Fun."  100% hand woven cotton with puffy applique, handmade in Europe, reg $50, on sale today for $19.99 for the set (in 3 designs).  http://www.zulily.com/index.php/referafriend/?ref=71638

More great baby & kid Christmas gift ideas from Imagiplay

I love Imagiplay toys.  They are made from earth friendly and sustainable rubberwood, not cheap plastic from China, and they are simple and elegant to look at while being fun for your little one.  They remind me of toys I imagine Santa's elves making in their workshop a long time ago...toys that are ageless and can be passed down from generation to generation.  Lots of great items on sale today (look at their 3D wood puzzles, adorable), but my fav are these building blocks which double as a multi-sided puzzle.  Best part...only $6.99! (Reg $14.99).  Great gifts.

http://www.hautelook.com/invite/176189

Lucky Jade on sale today!

Lucky Jade is hands down my favorite brand for baby & toddler clothes & blankets.  Made from either a snuggly cozy (and eco-friendly!) bamboo cotton blend or a lusciously soft cashmere cotton blend, everything we have of theirs gets used and worn to death, making it worth the high price tag.  It's no wonder it's a celeb favorite.  Their cashmere cotton coveralls (like this pink bird coverall, also avail in a cream colored giraffe design) are regularly $88, on sale today for $40, up to 12 mos.  Their snuggly bamboo stroller blankets (which are wonderful b/c they fold up really small for the diaper bag) are on sale for $32 (reg $68!), and there's a darling hat & mitten set for $16 that is regularly $28.

Great Holiday Gift Item, only $12

This is a great wooden pull-along, stacking combo toy, and it looks darling, too. Finley loves hers. On sale today for $12 (reg $20), from Melissa & Doug.www.onekingslane.com/invite/AnnaBrown. Great Xmas gift!