If you are a local Madison mom, sign up for email updates on Madison MomAppeal so that you can also stay on top of local finds and events for families that have MomAppeal! In fact, do it now after you check out today’s Madison MomAppeal post about the fun Purse-onality night we are having with the girls from Bean Sprouts  and Patricia Shoppe , a hip local boutique, on January 17th.

Mama Jen

Mom Appeal has been quiet lately and that’s because we are busy holiday-ing with our family and friends and doing some behind the scenes tweaks to our site.  We will be in full swing again shortly after the start of 2008 and look forward to that!

Until then, search our site for products, services, businesses, and people that we moms here love!

Wishing you a wonderful end to the year and beginning of another!

Just a reminder that you have a smidge of time to still reserve a spot at our Spa-la-la-la-la event this Thursday evening at 7pm at Bean Sprouts in Middleton. http://madisonmomappeal.com/2007/11/30/mommy-mojo-spa-la-la-la-la-thursday-december-13th-at-bean-sprouts/  See you there!

Luca Bleu makes a point of uniting the chicest and finest of finds for mom and baby at one hip website. 

I recently received the Yuzzles, a handmade faux fur boot accessory from Luca Bleu , and they have literally shot up to the number one favorite thing I have for my daughter to wear. 

Yuzzles are a look transforming accessory for Ugg boots, or any boot for that matter!  Mine jazz up a hot pink pair of random snow boots that my daughter still fits in from last year, and my my my, are they ever my favorite things to see her in—she  is equally dazzled by them!  They truly turn her everyday utility snowboot into a high fashion statement- instantly.  Everytime we go out, just about every woman and even a few men, fawn over her boots when she has her Yuzzles on them…she adores the attention, and it makes our outings fun and social!

When they came, they were so beautifully wrapped in tissue paper with the most amazing ribbon AND  a handwritten note which is just how they do it at Luca Bleu—high style, perfect customer service, and a personal touch— hard to find these days!  On their website, they also have a drop down menu of designers they carry so that you can shop by either category or designer which.  Love that feature!

Check out Luca Bleu to find Yuzzles in infant and toddler sizes along with a beautiful little collection of chic items for mom, dad, and child…  Mama Jen

In case you can’t read it, this tshirt says: I Love Aunt Jessica. My lucky nephew is getting one this Christmas from yours truly. My brother and sis in law should be “thrilled”…

And seriously, how cute is that?? CafePress is an online shopping source where you can find just about anything printed on a shirt, mug, sticker, hat, stationary, and more!

You can buy on CafePress and if you have a creative side you can design and sell there too. Many clever products with quick and really reasonable shipping rates. If you have someone on your holiday gift giving list that has everything, browse CafePress and you’ll likely find a thing or two you can’t resist!

Renae H.! Congrats, Renae, on winning your very own (adorable!) hat from Bluemchen! Renae’s fav hat is the dual colored white/periwinkle/green/orange stripe and red/pink/orange/brown stripe in size 0-3 mos!

Thanks to everyone that participated and hopefully we will have another giveaway soon!

Just a note to our local MomAppeal readers to make sure they check out our post on Madison MomAppeal to read about the next Mommy Mojo event at Bean Sprouts that you won’t want to miss…Spa la-la-la-la!!!!

Mama Jen

When it rains it pours (so they say), and another mama-preneur has contacted us with verry cute products that everyone needs to take a peek at. The company is called Bluemchen, and the products are handmade hats (and burp cloths) that are really, really unique and cute! All products are designed and handmade by a mom, and all hats are made from recycled materials…isn’t that a neat twist? Sizes come in 0-3 months and 3-9 months…so consider these cute accessories for the baby in your life!

One lucky reader will receive the hat of their choice, compliments of the designer! All you need to do is visit the Bluemchen Etsy site and pick the hat you like best. Then log a comment into this post, noting your fav. Or, you can email us your entry at momappeal@gmail.com. Be sure to put “hat giveaway” in the subject line. A random name will be chosen on Friday, and the designer will coordinate sending you your product!

Happy shopping and good luck!

There are so many people who absolutely adore spicey food and hot sauce.  When looking for a fabulous spicey gift, Hot Peppers of Key West is where you’ll find the selection and the friendly service.

The store and website offer interesting award winning sauces such as Goin’ Bananas Hot sauce that Mike and Tom, the masterminds behind the Key West collection, whipped up! 

There is a Hot Sauce of the Month Club, gift baskets, marinades, condiments and rubs as well. 

Not only are there some hot hot sauces, there are also tons of not so hot sauces that the whole family can enjoy!  So much depth in the sauces here—they are not just tongue burners(of course there are those if you are looking for them)! Great care is taken in choosing which sauces to carry at Hot Peppers of Key West.

PSSST!!  When visiting this store in Key West, bring Mike and Tom some beer to share with you, and they’ll take you on a guided tour of the great products they offer!  My husband and I learned this tip while in Key West, and we had such a fun time in that store!  If like me, you can’t get there anytime soon and you have questions, just call!  They are such knowledgeable and friendly guys!  Mama Jen

We are known at the hair salon. Note I didn’t say we are well known, because I think the staff wishes we never showed up the second we pack up and head home! My son has a really, really, really hard time getting his hair cut. No specific reason that I know of, but as soon as he hears the scissors sound by his ears, all heck breaks loose. By the end, I am covered in hair (itchy!) and sometimes (most times!) he has tossed his cookies (that’s the best way I can think to say it this morning). I am proud to say I know when that’s coming and I have always removed the stylist from harms way before the real mess begins!

A family friend is opening a new location of the kiddy hair salon Snip-its today in Brookfield, and I can’t wait to get my son in for a fun (and much needed!) haircut. This salon totally caters to kids…colorful decor, cartoons, toys, games, computer games, treats, and a prize at the end…I want to get a haircut there!

Snip-its is a franchise, so check the site to see if there is a location of this hip kiddy salon near you. If you will be in the Milwaukee area, the new Snip-it’s that opens in Brookfield today is offering haircuts for $9.99 until the end of the year…good deal!

My son will likely be in the Snip-its chair next Friday…I’ll let you know how it goes…