American Girl Bitty Baby House Party

We received products free from American Girl and House Party to facilitate this House Party and review.

My daughter Zari turns 3 years old on the 19th of October. I was fortunate enough to win a spot as a host for a American Girl Bitty Baby House Party. The Party was set by House Party to be on October 5th. I thought this to be fortuitous. The party day and her actual birthday were so close in dates. She was so thrilled when she opened her gifts from American Girl and House Party.

Exclusive American Girl Bitty Baby Party Pack

The party pack looked like so much fun! So many neat things were included. All the activities we did at the party were big hits!

Host Gifts

For me (the host):

• 1 American Girl Bitty Baby Doll Set (hair, skin and eye color based on my selection when I applied)
• 1 Additional picture story book (We received the hardcover Bitty Baby at the Ballet picture book.)
• 1 doll outfit (We received the Prima Ballerina Set: which included a tiny ballet dress, tiny ballet slippers, and pink tights.)
• 1 plush animal (we received Bitty's Hoppy Bunny)

Guest Gifts

For our guests:

• 15 American Girl $10 off coupons
• 15 Variety packs of Bitty Baby coloring sheets (45 sheets total)
• 15 Bitty Baby Wish Stars and 15 decorative sticker sheets
• 15 Bitty Baby puzzles
• 15 Bitty Baby bookmarks
• 15 American Girl bags
• 15 Tip sheets for Moms 
• 15 Keepsake illustrations and frames

Party favors and goodies: (sparkling pink lemonade, sandwiches, and sugar cookies)

Jaedan and I made sparkling (lemon-lime soda mixed) pink lemonade with real lemons and flower shaped ice cubes, heart shaped sandwiches, and homemade garden sugar cookies.

Zari's and Bitty Baby's first meeting

Hug

The all new American Girl Bitty Baby doll is a lovely 15" tall baby dolly that has a soft huggable cloth body with head and limbs of smooth vinyl. The eyes open when upright and close when put to bed. We picked a Bitty Baby with dark brown hair, brown eyes, and light skin because dark haired baby dolls are hard to find. It came with a white sleeper with scattered pink stars and a mock-wrap neckline trimmed with a ribbon ruffle, a soft cloth diaper, a hardcover Bitty Baby and Me picture book, and a sparkly wishing star that is just like the one from her book. We loved the Bitty Baby and Zari named her Maple because the dark brown color of her eyes reminded her of dark colored maple syrup.

Zari with the picture book that came with the doll.

These picture books that either come with Bitty Baby or you buy separately are beautifully illustrated by award-winning artist Sue Cornelison. The stories are written by Newbery Honor winner Kirby Larson to inspire girls to get over fears and struggles by problem solving. Each book includes a "For Parents" section that provides insight and tips that have to do with the story. I read the stories to the girls at the party.

Lemonade and sugar cookies with Bitty Baby

Zari and Teela loved their sparkling pink lemonade (lemon-lime soda and pink lemonade) and homemade sugar cookies. Even Bitty Baby joined in and had a "tea party" with them.

Zari said that the Bunny (not pictured here), which she named Violet, was hopping around looking for carrots and spinach. The Bunny is featured in the Bitty Baby and the Ballet picture book. The bunny is super soft and great for snuggling. Her fur is purple with fabric accents on the ears. She has an embroidered star shape with a heart cut out in the center of the bottom of her paw. She has a weighted bottom to help her sit.

Wish Star activity

The Wish Star activity involved the girls to, with the help of their moms, write a wish on the back of the provided star and then decorate it with the provided stickers. These wish stars could be punched out of the surrounding paper. They could then take their wish star home and hang their wish star in their bedrooms as a decoration.

coloring activity

The girls enjoyed coloring the American Girl Bitty Baby coloring pages that were provided. There were 3 different pages that they could pick from. I love the cute illustrations from the books that were on them.

Bitty Baby Ballerinas

The Bitty Baby Prima Ballerina Set is very well made. It is a fancy dance dress for the doll that is adorned with 10 rosettes and a silver ribbon tied in a bow with a puffy attached tutu. Includes pink ribbed sweater tights and satin ballet slippers with criss-cross straps. It is so adorable on the doll and is easy to get on and off. The slippers are made so that one will fit on the left foot and one will fit on the right.

Thank you American Girl, House Party, and everyone who came to her party for making Zari's day so special! :)

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received product for free to facilitate my House Party and review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

Best Pals Review and Giveaway

My daughter Teela received two dolls, a tea set, and a music CD from Best Pals for free so that we may test and review them. Best Pals was created by Kathy and Janet Lennon, of the Lennon Sisters because of their lifelong friendship and love for a pair of handmade ragdolls they had as kids. Not only do they sell the newer versions of their childhood friends, but they have other wholesome dolls, toys and music CDs in their store as well.

I love the vintage looking fabrics and attention to detail the dolls have. The two dolls I received are exact replicas of the handmade ragdolls Kathy and Janet got as children. The 16" dolls have embroidered facial features, re-stylable yarn hair, and removable clothing. Each doll is also numbered as a limited edition and has its very own "Best Pals" baby bead bracelet. I love the nostalgic feel of the dolls. Ever since Teela got these dolls, they have been her favorites to carry around and give her hugs and kisses to.

One of Teela's favorite things to play with her dolls is her tea sets. The dolls love being her tea drinking companions. Teela loves playing pretend. The Best Pals Tin Tea Set she received she absolutely loves! This 15 piece tea set comes with a travel case that holds 4 plates, 4 saucers, 4 cups and a serving tray.

The Best Pals CD that we received Teela lovingly calls her "Tea Party Music". Kathy and Janet sing these 14 wonderful songs that were their favorite when they were young.

Songs included are:
1. We Are Pals
2. Won't You Come Over to My House
3. Dear Little Dolly
4. Rock-A-Bye Baby
5. All Aboard For Blanket Bay
6. Little Lady Make Believe
7. Christopher Robin
8. Are My Ears On Straight
9. Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ra
10. Shake Me I Rattle
11. Kentucky Babe
12. Love Is A Very Light Thing
13. Lullaby Of Love
14. All The Pretty Little Ponies (Hush A Bye)

BUY IT:
You can buy original Kathy or Janet dolls at $24.95 each. The Best Pals CD is $16.95 and the tea set is $29.95 in the Best Pals Gift Shop. They also have other CDs, multicultural dolls, Danny doll, mini dolls, other playsets, paperdolls and doll clothing.

WIN IT:
Audra from Best Pals PR has generously offered another Best Pals Prize Pack which includes: Best Pals Dolls – Kathy and Janet, Best Pals CD and the Best Pals Tin Tea Set to one of my readers to win.

Mandatory:
1. Go to the Best Pals website and tell me by commenting on this post something else you would love to get.

Additional entries:
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11. Tweet this: @finamoon: @BestPalsToys WIN A Best Pals Dolly Prize Pack #giveaway http://bit.ly/c6P0jU (Daily Extras are Available)

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Make sure you leave me your email in all posts so that I can contact you. If you subscribed, blogged about this, listed it, commented on another post, or faved me on Momfaves leave 2 entries saying you did. This contest ends on Friday October 08, 2010 at midnight (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada). This Giveaway is open to all 18 years and over in the U.S. Only!!

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Thanks to Best Pals for providing me with the products for free to test and review. This giveaway is also provided free from Best Pals. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

Victorian Station Review

Victorian Station is an Etsy store I came across when looking for items to review for my daughter Teela's 2nd birthday party. This wonderful shop has lovely things that center around vintage, Victorian, shabby chic, French, and cottage style. They have homemade albums, magnets, journals, notebooks, gift tags, cards, vintage photos, shadow boxes, burlap and collage art, purses and handbags, sachets and pillows.

I received a free set of 3 heart shape sachets filled with 1 cup of lavender buds from France and a touch of flax seed to review for the Princess Tea Party Birthday Blog Carnival that I hosted for my daughter, Teela, on my blog in April. The flannel material has cupcakes, strawberries and flowers on it and I love the fabric. They were great substitutes for bean bags to play games with at the party. They were all tied up with pretty pink satin ribbon when they arrived and smelled absolutely divine! These are perfect size for Teela to hold and she also loved how they smelled. They will go nicely anywhere there needs to be the soothing and relaxing fragrance of lavender. I think we might tuck ours in a: pillow case with a pillow at night, chest full of linens, and room that needs refreshing. I also love the Cupcake bag with vintage pompoms that matches the sachets that I received from her shop.

DISCLAIMER: Thanks to Victorian Station for participating in the the Princess Tea Party Birthday Blog Carnival on my blog and for providing me with the 3 heart shape sachets for free to test and review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

Flutterbye Dreams Review

Flutterbye Dreams is a small shop on Etsy that makes hair clippies, felt finger puppets, mitten clips, soother clips for binkies, felt cookies, felt crowns, felt tooth fairy pillows, and other creations. These creations are handmade and hand sewn in Canada and are very well made.

I received a colorful assortment of 5 felt cookies (one red, purple, orange, pink and blue) and a felt princess crown for free to review for the Princess Tea Party Birthday Blog Carnival that I hosted for my daughter, Teela, on my blog in April. The felt cookies looked good enough to eat! They are embellished with felt icing & sprinkles that are little sparkly beads! The beads are very securely stitched so they won't come off easily. They are a great addition to any play kitchen. This was Teela's first felt food and she thought it was great! The felt pink princess crown was so adorable on Teela and I know she will love to play dress up with it a lot. Flutterbye Dreams definitely pays attention to detail. The crown and the cookies are both perfect for pretend play.

DISCLAIMER: Thanks to Flutterbye Dreams for participating in the the Princess Tea Party Birthday Blog Carnival on my blog and for providing me with the felt cookies and a felt Princess crown for free to test and review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

AddieBugs Review

I was searching for the perfect fabric banner for Teela's 2nd birthday party in April and found one at AddieBugs on Etsy! AddieBugs gave me a free Princess Happy Birthday Re-Useable Fabric and Felt Banner to review for the Princess Tea Party Birthday Blog Carnival that I hosted for my daughter, Teela, on my blog in April. Not only did it have Disney Princesses on it, but it said Happy Birthday too :)

Teela loved it too and recognized some of the Disney princesses on it. Click on the picture and you can see it better. It was such a nice touch to her princess tea party theme! I hung it where everyone could see it in our living room as they came in for the party. It was a big hit! I think these fabric banners are so much better than the paper or plastic ones that you can get because you can re-use them and they are very well made. These are such a great decoration for any party, birthday, celebration or holiday.

DISCLAIMER: Thanks to AddieBugs for participating in the the Princess Tea Party Birthday Blog Carnival on my blog and for providing me with the Princess Happy Birthday Re-Useable Fabric and Felt Banner for free to test and review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

Danbury Lane Review

If your searching for some unique and beautiful tutus and tutu sets take a look at Danbury Lane on Etsy! They specialize in tutus for all occasions and you can even order one custom made! Buy now and you can get a Free Matching Fairy Dust Wand with any tutu order! Include message: I HEART FAIRIES along with your color choice at checkout or by conversation. Offer ends May 31st, 2010.

They sent me the Birthday Bonanza Collection Tutu Set from their party and birthday tutus in Pink Taffy that included a tutu, party hat and wand for free to review on my blog for the Princess Tea Party Birthday Blog Carnival that I hosted for my daughter, Teela, on my blog in April. Danbury Lane also threw in a flower hair clip that matched. My Teela looked so darling in this for her birthday party in April and everybody kept commenting on how cute she was :) Teela loved the tutu the most! She pranced around and twirled like a little ballerina. I loved the wonderful craftsmanship. This was such a great addition to her party and because of Danbury Lane she became the bell of the ball :)

Follow the Danbury Lane blog to know about special discounts and giveaways! Fan/Like Danbury Lane on Facebook. Follow Danbury Lane on Twitter.

DISCLAIMER: Thanks to Danbury Lane for participating in the the Princess Tea Party Birthday Blog Carnival on my blog and for providing me with the Birthday Bonanza Collection Tutu Set in Pink Taffy for free to test and review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

Oh Nelly Review

Oh Nelly is a great little shop that I came across on Etsy when looking for homemade and handmade items for my daughter Teela's 2nd birthday party in April to review on my blog. My daughter was having a princess tea party theme and so I ran across Oh Nelly's fabric tea sets and thought they looked like fun!

I was thrilled when I received one before my daughter's party and my daughter who saw it wanted to play with it right away...so I gave in and let her :) I received the Jacobean Red and Pink set from Oh Nelly to review on my blog for free for the Princess Tea Party Birthday Blog Carnival that I hosted for my daughter, Teela, on my blog in April. These tea sets are made of fabric and superbly sewn. They are great for pretend play and you never have to clean dishes after a tea party with it. My daughter, Teela, loved pretending to pour the tea into the fabric cups and sip the tea in a ladylike fashion. Along with a fabric teapot she received two fabric tea cups, two fabric saucers, and two fabric heart shaped cookies. This set will be a great heirloom to pass down.

Oh Nelly not only makes these great fabric tea sets, but other handmade things as well. Other things include: baby bibs, baby onesies, games, aprons, etc.

DISCLAIMER: Thanks to Oh Nelly for participating in the the Princess Tea Party Birthday Blog Carnival on my blog and for providing me with the Jacobean Red and Pink fabric tea set for free to test and review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

Planning a Fancy Nancy Tea Party

From the day we learned about Fancy Nancy we have been fans. Especially my youngest, Teela, who loves to dress up and have tea parties with her little friends and her dollies. Teela is two now. She loves the Fancy Nancy series of books. My boys would blush if I told you, but they love to read them to Teela.

Anyway, I am here to tell you some tips on how to have a wonderful Fancy Nancy Tea Party.

1. Dress up is a must! Have a box of fancy clothes such as tutus, boas, crowns, tiaras, wands, etc. that the girls can dress up with. Candy necklaces and bracelets are great party favors and so fashionable!
2. Make name place cards that rhyme. Like: Dandy Mandy or Tutu Sue. Although, Teela's name would be a tricky one. (Let me know if you can think of one for her.) You could decorate them with glitter, small beads, lace, ribbon, or other notions.
3. Make a creative cake or cookies. It could be in the shape of a castle, crown, or Fancy Nancy herself :)
4. Decorate the place to be fit for a queen...or princess :) Use all kinds of boas and streamers, balloons, etc. to make the party posh!
5. Have the guests decorate their own cookies. Icing, sprinkles, etc. will make the cookies sparkle.
6. Have a tea party...with juice and the cookies they have decorated.
7. Paint nails. Piggy Paint is great!
8. HarperCollins Fancy Nancy printables and party recipes on their website you can use. Their fun and games also has some printables that are great.
9. Read the books and make up role playing to go along with it.
10. Make your own fancy hats or crowns. There are a lot of neat ideas out there.

DISCLAIMER: I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms blogging program to be eligible to get a Fancy Nancy prize pack. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Princess Tea Party Birthday Blog Carnival (Need Review Items For April)

My youngest daughter who is almost 2 will be having a princess tea party for her birthday on the 9th of April. All of April I am throwing a big bash for her on my blog! So, anything that I could review that you think would go along with the theme of princess or tea party or really anything girly and suitable for 2 year olds please get in contact with me by either email, websurfergirl19 AT hotmail DOT com, or commenting on this post.

We are currently looking for a *tutu, *princess crown, *homemade fabric happy birthday banner in girl colors and patterns, tea party tea set that is preferably unbreakable, castle bunt pan, decorations, party favors and any other princess/tea party items for a 2 year old Birthday party :)

*We now have this covered.

Also, looking for items for gifts for her Birthday (I love homemade, handmade items...Etsy is my friend!!) and Easter items for all my kids!

I will be reviewing each item on my blog and if you would like me to host a giveaway for a similar item then I can also do that.

If you or someone you know might want to be in this blog carnival please let me know and what you would be willing to contribute to it! Thanks!!

HERE are some of the reviews I have done.

Who Is Participating So Far:
Oh Nelly is sending a fabric tea set. Arrived!
Danbury Lane is sending a Birthday Bonanza Collection Tutu Set in Pink Taffy - includes tutu, party hat and wand. Arrived!
AddieBugs is sending a Princess Happy Birthday Re-Useable Fabric and Felt Banner. Arrived!
Flutterbye Dreams is sending some felt cookies and a felt Princess crown. Arrived!
ZeeBree is sending Cupcake crayons and Crowns and Castles crayons.
Victorian Station is sending some Heart Shaped Cupcake Lavender Sachets. Arrived!
Sweet*Peanut*Boutique is sending a Custom Fairy Princess Dress.