Tip of the Week: "Manolo Blahniks For Tykes"

I couldn't help but notice the adorable fuzzy booties on baby Adler at a Triple B meeting today. Dubbed "The Manolo Blahniks For Tykes", Yo My Booties are a favorite of new celebrity moms and are available for newborns and babies in 2 sizes: 0-3 months and 3-6 months.

Thank goodness these were not around when my daughter was a baby, she would have had a closet full of them! Although Yo My Booties is known for their fuzzy angora booties, I fell in love with the metallic booties and the fringed, suede ones, too. Check out all of their adorable styles here.

Tip of the Week: Kid-Friendly Pumpkin Patches

One of favorite times of year, Halloween, includes one of my favorite yearly traditions. Since my daughter was born, we look forward to our annual visit to a pumpkin patch!

My favorites include Geobbert's Pumpkin Patch and Sonny Acres:

Goebbert’s is located in Hampshire, Illinois. They won me over with their apple cider doughnuts, but my daughter loves it for the corn maze and the mechanical pumpkin-eating dragon! There is a little something for everyone, but it caters to families with younger children.

Trip Tip: Be sure bundle up if you choose Goebbert’s, it's located in an open field and the wind can be strong.

Visit their website here for more information.

Sonny Acres is located in West Chicago, and is my absolute favorite. It has everything from a petting zoo to corn on the cob, from face painting to hay rides and even small carnival rides. Of course, they have pumpkins too! Kids of all ages will delight in the fall festivities at this quaint must-see, just off of North Avenue.

Trip Tip: Beware, Sonny Acres can get pretty crowded. I recommend visiting early in the morning.

Visit their website here for more information.

Tip of the Week: Handmade Halloween Costumes (without hand-making them!)

As a child, I was fortunate enough to have a mother with sewing skills! She handmade my Halloween costumes every year. Unfortunately, she did not pass along her knack for sewing to me, yet I long to give my daughter the same experience that I had.

Problem solved! Visit Etsy.com to find beautifully hand-sewn costumes, just like your mother used to make. No one has to know that you didn't make them yourself, and your child will be the bell of the ball!