Thanks Mama – a sweet, online cloth diaper store – has a new giveaway up and running on their blog www.clothdiapertalk.com.

Thanks Mama is giving away a new Thirsties Duo Diaper. The winner will be able to choose size and color of the diaper. Duo diapers come in cute colors and in two sizes: size 1 fits babies 6-18 lbs; size 2 fits 18-40 lbs. So you can get a lot of use out of it while still getting a perfect fit. Each diaper comes with a double microfiber/hemp insert and provides excellent absorbency.

Click here to enter to win.

Thanks Mama has cloth diapers, diaper covers, potty training pants and more from top brands like BumGenius, Fuzzi Bunz, Blue Penguin and Bummis. The online boutique carries a variety of cloth diaper styles and accessories like prefolds, pocket diapers, inserts, flushable and washable liners and swim diapers.

Free shipping on orders over $60.

Thanks Mama believes cloth diapers a great choice because they are more natural, expose your baby to fewer chemicals and are more environmentally friendly. Visit the Thanks Mama Cloth Diaper info page for answers to common questions about going cloth.

Thanks Mama offers a 30-day money back guarantee return policy for unused and unwashed items and offers quantity discounts on many brands.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus is coming to Savannah Civic Center Jan. 21-24

This week SouthernMamas is giving away a family four-pack of tickets to one lucky reader!

Here are the rules on to win free tickets toRingling Bros’ Illuscination, a fantasy-filled world where thrills, wonderment, and unbelievable magic intersect with the outlandish fun of the circus..

Purchase tickets by clicking here or at Savannah Civic Center Box Office, Lester’s Florist, Savannah Mall Customer Service Booth or by phone at 800-351-7469 or 912-651-6556.

Tickets are $15 & $17 with a limited number of $28 VIP seats and $35 VIP Floor Seats also available.

Ringling Bros. Presents Illuscination invites you on a mystifying adventure as Illuscinator David DaVinci bridges the believable world in which we live, to the seemingly impossible one of the circus.

David entertains audiences with eye-popping illusions, mind boggling transformations, and unique up-close magic. This modern Houdini even attempts to escape a straightjacket while suspended three stories in the air over a den of lions.

In an intimate setting, where the action takes place just feet away from your seat, audience members’ eyes will witness astonishing acrobats, awesome aerialists, and amazing animals, including majestic Asian elephants, a pride of lionesses, horses, ponies, and even a rare white lion.

Ringling Bros. starts the excitement early with a FREE All Access Pre-show, which begins one hour before the show. The audience will have a chance to go onto the arena floor, try on costumes, walk the low wire and meet many of the show’s performers.

Performance Schedule
Thurs., Jan. 21 7 PM
Fri., Jan. 22 7 PM
Sat., Jan. 23 11 AM, 3 PM & 7 PM
Sun., Jan. 24 1 PM

GIVEAWAY ITEMS!

Totally Bowlicious – a brand new, ADORABLE online store – has a terrific SouthernMamas giveaway this week: tutu bow holder, three hair bows, and a fairy wand. Just in time for the holidays.

Totally Bowlicious specializes in fun hair accessories with a touch of whimsy for little girls. I can’t wait until my baby daughter’s hair is long enough to sport these oh-so-sweet embellished clips and bows and ponytail holders. The online, locally-owned boutique includes other unique children’s gifts including kufi hats; bows with matching belts; fairy-wand bouquets for newborns.

Here are the giveaway rules:

Totally Bowlicious also can do custom orders on just about anything! If you don’t see what you are looking for just email christina@totallybowlicious.com and she’ll do everything she can to make it just for YOU!

As part of Community Appreciation Days at The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, Chatham, Jasper, Beaufort and Bryan County residents will receive half off of their admission rate this week (Nov. 22-29 2009)

The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in Pooler is launching a new initiative to encourage local citizens to take advantage of what’s right here at home. The museum has dedicated November as Community Appreciation Month to the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry, and has reduced its regular admission rate of $10 for adults and $6 for kids to only $5 for adults and $3 for kids.

In addition to the reduced rate, guests will also receive a 10 percent discount in the Gift Store. Now is the perfect time to visit the museum and see the new B-17.

The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum is just minutes from downtown Savannah in Pooler at 175 Bourne Ave. off I-95, exit 102. For more info, click here or call 912.748.8888.

A couple of savvy readers emailed us about the free Santa’s Wonderland 2009 at the Bass Pro Shop at the Savannah Mall

Now through Dec. 24, children can have a FREE photo with Santa, enjoy holiday decorations, a model train and remote-control cars, games, and, on weekends through Dec. 20, participate in free holiday crafts. Click here for more info. PLEASE NOTE: SANTA ISN’T THERE UNTIL 5 PM ON WEEKDAYS, but the free activities are still available – just no Santa photos until 5 PM weekdays.

Thanks to readers for the great suggestion and keep those tips coming.

For more children’s holiday activities, visit the SouthernMamas Ultimate Holiday Guide here.

See Jane – a modern apothecary at 323 W Broughton St. in downtown Savannah – now has butter LONDON, an amazing line of nail care/lacquers.

One of butter LONDON’s new hot colors is Yummy Mummy, a favorite of expectant mom Heidi Klum.

The butter LONDON line is “Three Free” – meaning there’s no formaldehyde, DBP, or Toulene; therefore, perfect for expecting mummies who want products free of carcinogens.

butter LONDON's Yummy Mummy color

Shelley Smith, owner of See Jane, is so thrilled to have butter LONDON line, she’s offering all SouthernMamas readers A FREE MANICURE WITH THE PURCHASE OF A PEDICURE.

Just mention that you read about See Jane and butter LONDON on SouthernMamas to receive your free manicure.

See Jane is also Savannah’s hottest socializing space for group bookings such as bachelorettes, bridal showers, girls’ night out. For all bookings, the hostess gets a free pedicure.

For more info on See Jane, click here.

Tel. 912.234.1080. Email: info@seejaneshop.com

Savannah baby and child photographer Nicole Williams loves children.

Which is why her popular photography business – Memories for Keepsake Photography – is sponsoring a family in need. Nicole, who in addition to being a talented photographer is also a mother of seven, believes the joy of Christmas should be experienced by EVERY child. And the spirit of Christmas should be in every adult who has children of their own.

Memories for Keepsake will sponsor a family by purchasing items on the children’s lists, stockings, perhaps a Christmas dinner etc.

From Nov. 7 – Dec. 4, 10 percent of all proceeds on portraits, growing plans and giftcards will be put into a special fund for a family in need, or a family who has been hit by the recession.

Memories for Keepsake is taking nominations from now through December 4. The family will be notified by Dec. 6, so they will have time to collect Christmas lists from their children.

To allow all families the opportunity to contribute to this family AND to purchase quality portraiture for themselves, family and friends, Memories for Keepsake is offering 30 percent off of ALL giftcard purchases made from now through November 21 to be redeemed Jan. 1-May 30 2010.

What a fabulous gift to give someone for the holidays AND help another family. So, if you purchase a $100 gift certificate from now through Nov. 21, you’ll pay $70 for $100 worth of portraiture and you’ll be donating $10 to the family Memories for Keepsake sponsors.

To book a session or nominate a family to sponsor, contact Nicole Williams 912.596.0832 or email info@memoriesforkeepsake.com. Click here to see more examples of Nicole’s extraordinary work.

Yes, there’s still time to have professional portraits shot for your holiday cards – without blowing your budget.

Savannah photographers Heather Shiver and Siobhan Egan are offering mini-photo sessions this weekend in Forsyth Park, Sat & Sun. Nov. 7 & 8.

The 30-minute sessions cost $50 and include the session and a CD of edited images.

To book a session, contact Heather, a SouthernMamas sponsor, via email at info@heatherimagery.com or call 912.844.6379.

Check out Heather’s amazing work here.

This week, a lucky SouthernMamas reader will win a free Kindermusik semester of classes for her baby.

Kindermusik  has three new parent-and-me music classes starting this month at three locations – Mondays in the Sandfly area, Tuesdays on Wilmington Island and Saturdays on the Southside.

These particular classes in the giveaway are open to babies ages newborn to 20 months, although Kindermusik has classes for ages 0 to 7. This week’s giveaway is for one of the three 0-20 mth. old classes, which start in November and run through January 2010. It can only be used for one of those sessions and can’t be redeemed for cash.  A minimum of five children are required for each class.

Children and parents in the class will move, fly and dance with an exciting curriculum called ‘DoSiDo’. The value of the giveaway is $104, which is the cost for the class and includes tuition through January 2010 and home materials. Find out more here.  

Check out the rules below to enter to win:

Don’t want to wait for the giveaway to register for Kindermusik? Enrollment is limited, so sign up soon. For exact details on times and dates or to enroll online TODAY, visit the Coastal Empire Savannah Kindermusik Web site and click on the Kindermusik for Ages 0-7 button. Or call 912.728.KEYS (5397)

A Kindermusik session makes a great  gift. Kindermusik “gift certificates” are available for a semester of classes. Click here more information.

Check out Kindermusik’s sister site 88 Keys, for piano tuning, piano service, sales/rentals, even piano moving. The family-owned business also buys, sells and RENTS pianos. You can rent a spinet piano for $1 per day. That’s right $30 a month for a piano. For more info, click here or call 912.728.KEYS.

Check out the fabulous prices @ See Jane’s Beauty Bar, Savannah’s ultimate chic and cheeky destination for exceptional manicures, pedicures, waxing, brow grooming and facials.

Custom facials from as low as $20. Brow shape waxing for $15. Custom built lashes for $20. Plain Jane Manicure for $15. Signature manicure for $20.

Almost as enticing as those prices: BEAUTY BAR HAPPY HOUR is every Thursday night. Receive a complimentary cocktail with every service, treatment or purchase from 5-9 PM.

See Jane Apothecary + Beauty Bar is @ 323 W. Broughton St. Click here for more info. Tell them SouthernMamas sent you! Tel. 912.234.1080. Email: info@seejaneshop.com

See Jane is also Savannah’s hottest socializing space for group bookings such as bachelorettes, bridal showers, girls’ night out. Click here for more info on excusive use of See Jane. For all bookings, the hostess gets a free pedicure.

Tamara Cordero!

Tamara wins a free Gift Account entitling her to send five free cards from SendOut Cards, which allows you to select cards and personalize them with your own message.

Thanks to everyone who entered to win. To inquire about setting up a card account, contact Tina Barefield at 912-897-0010 or cardcentral@comcast.net.

When those gift and card giving holidays start to sneak up on you, it only means one thing: time to buy or fish out some cards and get them mailed.

Even just a few personalized holiday cards can take up to an hour to complete, address, stamp and seal for delivery. The process is time consuming and SendOut Cards has noticed.

With SendOut Cards, you choose the card and personalize it with your own message. SendOut Cards does the rest!

This week one lucky SouthernMamas reader will receive a free Gift Account entitling her to send five free cards. To be eligible to win, visit this SendOut Cards website and Send A Free Card. Then click on comments below this post and tell us your favorite card!

Can’t wait for the giveaway? To inquire about setting up a card account, contact Tina Barefield at 912-897-0010 or cardcentral@comcast.net.

Lowcountry photographer Cecillia Berger loves to create emotion that inspires memories when someone views her photographs.

A recently transplanted photographer from San Diego now serving the Beaufort, SC and surrounding Lowcountry areas, Cecillia is considers the world as your studio, with a thousand and one backdrops from which to choose your perfect setting. In the Lowcountry, we are blessed to have a variety of location choices from which you may select; from old buildings, to beautiful parks, forests, and sunny beaches. Or you have your session in the beauty and warmth of your own home.

Mention SouthernMamas when you book your session with Cecillia B Photography and receive 1 sheet of wallets and 1 5×7 print. Become a fan of CecilliaB Photography on Facebook here receive a $20 print credit with your session.

Primarily a natural light photographer, Cecillia specializes in families, maternity, newborn and children’s custom lifestyle portraiture. She loves capturing , energy, emotion, family connections and children’s true natures in her photographs.

The perfect photographer for those of you who want be able to look at pictures and relive happy and fun memories for years to come.

To see more examples of her work beyond those posted here, visit the Cecillia B Photography Web site and her blog.

Cecillia B Photography, 843.263.5971 or email CecilliaBPhotography@gmail.com

EmmAva Photography is offering a special Christmas portrait studio sessions just in time for the holiday card season.

The 30-minute sessions for $30 will be 1:30-5:30 PM Nov. 7 and 9:30-2 PM Nov. 14.

To book your session, email EmmAvaPhotography@yahoo.com or call 912.429.7454.

Click here to view more photos by EmmAva Photography, which also is available for newborn, children, family, engagement, bridal shoots and weddings

This week a very lucky SouthernMamas reader will win a family four-pack of tickets to Disney On Ice presents Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo, which will be playing at Savannah Civic Center November 5-8!

Check out the rules below to enter to win:

Join the ocean-sized adventure of the curious clownfish Nemo, his overprotective father Marlin and their absent-minded yet lovable pal Dory as Disney On Ice immerses you in a vibrant aquatic world in Disney On Ice presents Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo.

Follow alongside Marlin and Dory on a daring search of the big blue. Ride the current with “super-dude” turtle Crush and make waves with Nemo’s new friends – the Tank Gang – as they plot an escape from the dentist’s aquarium in this whale of a tale full of laughter and fun!

Tickets are on sale now. For those who can’t wait for the giveway, tickets are available @ etix.com OR 1-800-351-7469

Pumpkins? Check. Costumes? Check? Gourd decorations worthy of a Real Simple magazine cover? Check.

A family photographer who specializes in natural light to document how much your children are loving autumn this year? OK, so maybe you need a little help in that area.

Fortunately, SouthernMamas sponsor LeeAnn Ritch Photography is offering a fall special: a photo session, online proofing and a high resolution CD for $250 ( a $575 value)

LeeAnn’s shoots aren’t about poses. Think of her as an invisible observer of your family, recording both the ordinary and the extraordinary (because the ordinary will one day be extraordinary).

So capture your little ones as they are this fall. Before it’s over.

LeeAnn Ritch Photography, 912.308.9327 or email leeann@leeannritchphotography.com

This week, a SouthernMamas reader will win a Savannah Square Platter, from the Savannah Collection at The Dish.

The black and white china platter brings the beauty and history of Savannah to the table, featuring hand-drawn illustrations of 15 of Savannah’s squares. Franklin Square, Calhoun Square, Oglethorpe Square and Forsyth Park are among the places chosen to reflect the spirit of Savannah.

Check out the rules below to enter to win:

• Visit the ongoing online “Ferst Things First” auction for childhood literacy here. To enter to win the Savannah Square Platter, just click on comments below this post to share which auction item you’d like to bid if you decide you want to take part in this online auction to raise funds for the Chatham County branch of the Ferst Foundation. Funds raised in the auction go towards providing registered children with a FREE, age-appropriate book mailed to their home EVERY MONTH from birth to age 5.
• Entry period closes 9 pm Thurs. Oct. 8. Please tell us your name. We’ll pick a name at random and announce the winner Fri. Oct. 9.
• You have to be a SouthernMamas subscriber to participate. Subscribing is free. Click here to subscribe. . 

Savannah native Susan Wimberly – owner and designer of the Atlanta-based company The Dish –
created the Savannah Collection, which consists of the square platter in the giveaway as well as an oval platter, salad plate, small square plate, coffee mug, wine glass, ornament, tea towel, tote bag, and apron. Items are sold separately or in sets, and prices range from $17.95 to $42. The china is dishwasher and microwave safe and available locally at Kitchens on the Square, Missing Pieces, Kitchenware Outfitters, Cadre Shops, CJ’s Hallmark and at www.mulberrygirls.com.

The Dish offers collections for more than 40 cities and 20 states, as well as six universities.

Hooray! Your tot’s finally hit the birthday circuit. Too bad gifting is now a never-ending chore.
Make it fun with a visit to Four Kids, Savannah’s hippest new store for children.
Toy connoisseurs Doug and Debbie Haupt pack the store at 10 Whitaker Street in downtown Savannah with everything from wooden toys to dolls, shoes and accessories.
There something for everyone on your list – even some “green” product toys and classic toys.
Hurry before the holiday rush.
Mention you saw Four Kids on the Southernmamas and receive a 10 percent DISCOUNT before Dec. 31, 2009 (Sale items are excluded).
912.238.1919

Playhouse Disney Live! has two shows at the Savannah Civic Center this Sunday, Oct. 4, 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM.

You can win a family-four pack of tickets to the show and blast off to adventure with the Little Einsteins and all your child’s  favorite Playhouse Disney friends from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, My Friends Tigger & Pooh, and Handy Manny.

Because the show is Sunday, there isn’t enough time to get the tickets to the winner. So the show’s promo folks will leave the winner’s name at the will-call at the Savannah Civic ticket office. If that’s cutting it a little close for you, this might not be the giveaway for you. However, if you’re OK with that, then read on…

Check out the rules below to enter to win:

 Join the fun with Handy Manny his Tools, and your child’s favorites from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, My Friends Tigger & Pooh, and Little Einsteins. Playhouse Disney Live! tickets range from $14-$40. To order tickets: 912- 651-6556 or click here

Jingle bells, twinkling lights, blah blah blah.

Every holiday season you pray for a little gift-giving inspiration, only to buy another boring CD for Dad, another book for Mom.

Here’s a solution: Savannah photographer Britt Anderson – who specializes in newborns, children, teens and families – is offering special holiday sessions. Find out more about the specials on Britt’s Web site here.

Mention that you read about Britt on SouthernMamas and you will receive a free 8 x 10 portrait of your session.

Britt is an on-location phographer who enjoys photographing at the beach, local park or at the clients’ home. As a mother and photographer, Britt seems to tell an entire story through each picture. As you can see from her photos, Britt’s work is hardly one-dimensional.

To keep up to date on Britt’s regular photography specials, become a fan of Britt Anderson photography on Facebook here or visit her Web site

A lovely photographer, a free portrait and special gifts for all.

The perfect thing to make holiday gift-giving a little less blah.

Contact Britt via her Web site.

This week, a lucky SouthernMamas subscriber will win a free session of Savannah Celtic’s  Early Goals soccer program, which caters to players ages 2, 3 & 4.

The toddler soccer session starts the week of Sept. 28 and runs through Nov. 2. Normally, registration costs $50. But you can win a free soccer program for your toddler.

Check out the rules below to enter to win:

The $50 registration fee includes a 6 week program, practice t-shirt, end of the season finale with a medal and certificate.

All session will be held at the Salvation Army fields on the corner of Washington and Bee Rd. (3000 Bee Rd). All practices are approx. 30-45 minutes.

Savannah Celtic already offers programs for older children. But also has a this fun, action-packed toddler program for players ages 2-3 & 4. There are no games. Instead, coaches work on simple motor skills and ball familiarity.

Enter to win even if you already registered your child. If you win,  Savannah Celtic will give you a refund and your tot will play for free.

Early Goal players will attend one practice session a week. Days to chose from:

5 PM Mondays
9 AM Tuesdays
5:30 PM Tuesdays
5:30 PM Thursdays

To register your toddler for Early Goals, contact Michell Laing michell@savannahceltic.com, call 912.495.9996
or click here.

Alyson Beasley-Spinks and Deanna Marie

Congratulations.

Each wins a Friday ticket to The 62nd annual Junior League of Savannah Thrift Sale. The sale is 10 AM-2 PM Fri., Oct. 2 and 10 AM-3 PM Sat. Oct 3 at the Savannah Civic Center.

Admission to the sale $5 on Friday and $3 on Saturday. Items sold on Saturday are half-price. Parking is free.  

Tickets can be purchased at the Civic Center box office or online here.

EmmAva Photography will host several pint-size autumn picture sessions.

Pint-size sessions are just a smaller versions of portrait sessions. These pint-sized sessions are 30 minutes for $30. They will be in Forsyth Park on 2:30-5:30 PM Oct. 4 and 9:30 AM-2 PM Oct. 10.

With your session, you will receive 20 pictures in color and in black and white, with a copyright release, along with a free 5×7 print. If you refer someone new, you will also receive a 5×7 print.

EmmAva Photography also is available for newborn, children, family, engagement, bridal shoots and weddings.

For prices, click here or email EmmAvaPhotography@yahoo.com.

This week two SouthernMamas subscribers will each win a ticket to The 62nd annual Junior League of Savannah Thrift Sale. The sale is 10 AM-2 PM Fri., Oct. 2 and 10 AM-3 PM Sat. Oct 3 at the Savannah Civic Center.

The giveaway is for tickets to the Fri. Oct. 2 sale.

Check out the rules below to enter to win:

Admission to the sale $5 on Friday and $3 on Saturday. Items sold on Saturday are half-price. Parking is free.

Can’t wait for the giveaway? Tickets can be purchased at the Civic Center box office or online here.

Merchandise include appliances, children’s clothes and toys, holiday decorations, books, CDs, housewares, linens, exercise equipment and furniture. In addition, a limited number of tickets are being sold to the community for the Preview Party and Auction on Thurs. Oct. 1 at 5:30 pm. Guests have the opportunity to shop before the sale opens to the public. Cost is $35 and includes hors d’oeuvres. Items are sold at twice the price.

Throughout the two day sale, the League raises thousands of dollars, all of which is returned to the community through various League projects. League sponsors are Publix Super Markets Charities, Levy Jewelers and SunTrust.