You’ve heard that seasonal kids consignment sales have become THE places to shop. Especially in this economy.

You’ve been meaning to check one out. Now you can. High Cotton Kids is Savannah’s newest seasonal children’s consignment show specializing in gently used boutique and trunk show brand spring and summer clothes.

Even better. This sale is going to be VERY centrally located in Savannah.

The two-day High Cotton Kids sale will be at 6700 Waters Ave., next to Byrd Cookie Company, in the former spot of Carole’s Boutique, March 5 & 6.

Expect to find upscale brands such as Kelly Kids, Chez Ami, Hannah Kate, Just Ducky, Daisies and Doodlebugs, Orient Expressed, Hannah Anderson, Lilly Pulitzer. The sale will also include shoes, accessories, bedding, art work, baby necessities, toys, maternity clothing and more. New merchandise will be available from local vendors. Click here to learn more about the vendors.

To find out more about the show or how to become a consignor, click here. You don’t have to be a consignor or volunteer to attend the preview party. Send an email to at least 10 of your friends and copy High Cotton Kids on it at info@highcottonkids.com. Tell them about the show, when and where it is and you’ll receive two preview party tickets to shop early!

High Cotton Kids fine children’s clothing consignment sale, March 5-6;  6700 Waters Ave., next to Byrd Cookie Company, in the former spot of Carole’s Boutique.  Contact Paige Cook or Ashley Lewis at info@highcottonkids.com

SouthernMamas loves Tickle Bellies’ fun and whimsical stationery, birth announcements, stickers, notepads, labels, luggage tags, invitations and bookmarks.

You will too. From now until March 1, you have a chance to win a Tickle Bellies personalized bookmark of your choice  and a variety pack of personalized labels of your choice. (See the adorable examples pictured above)

To enter to win, sign up as a Tickle Bellies Facebook fan by clicking here and write a Facebook wall post telling Tickle Bellies you read about Tickle Bellies on SouthernMamas and which bookmark and labels you’d select if you won.

Tickle Bellies will pick a random entry and we’ll announce the winner March 2.

Win a $30 gift certificate to Coastal Kids Market, a seasonal children’s consignment sale specializing in high-end, gently-used boutique & trunk show clothing (similar to this cute dress pictured here) at a fraction of the cost.

The spring sale is March 11-13 @ The Shops at Godley Station, Pooler Parkway.

Here are the rules on how to win the $30 gift certificate.

Coastal Kids Market will donate a portion of this season’s sale to Haiti relief through the Presbyterian Mission in Haiti. This ministry aids orphans by providing hot meals, school uniforms, school supplies, and meeting other basic needs.

Sign up to be a consignor and turn your children’s outgrown items into cash! Learn how to sell your kids clothes by clicking here. Consignors can earn more based on volunteer hours. Consignors earn 60 percent of their item’s selling price, but can earn up to 75 percent based on how many volunteer shifts you work.

Anyone can volunteer to help, you don’t have to be a consignor. Non-consigning volunteers who work two shifts may shop the preview sale along with the consignors.

SPRING 2010 Sale Dates:
Thurs., March 11 6-8 PM
Fri., March 12, 9 AM – 5 PM
Sat., March 13, 9 AM– noon
*Select items will be half price on Saturday

Coastal Kids Market, March 11-13, The Shops at Godley Station, Pooler Parkway, Suite 202; 912.312.5800 or email contact@coastalkidsmarket.com

Tickle Bellies is a fun and whimsical stationery company that includes birth announcements, stickers, notepads, labels, luggage tags, invitations and bookmarks.

Check out their new line of notepads, vinyl labels and bookmarks. Free shipping on orders $75 or more.

Each notepad is 100 sheets of high quality paper in vibrant designs.

Tickle Bellies also has round address labels, big and just perfect for the back of envelope flaps. If you’re tired of rectangle address labels then give these a try.

Missy Cleland wins a $25 gift certificate to The Polkadot Patch Boutique, which specializes in unique baby clothes and unique baby gifts. Congratulations, Missy!

Thanks to everyone who entered. Look for another giveaway to be announced here Monday.

Reduce! Reuse! Recycle – including your children’s outgrown items. And make some money, too!

The Wee Ones Seasonal Children’s Consignment Sale in Rincon can help you clean out your closets. Don’t hassle with a yard sale. Sell children’s clothing, shoes, toys, baby gear, books, even hairbows at this upscale sale and they’ll do the work for you. Even better, 70 profit goes to the consignor (i.e. you!).

Plus, consignors get first dibs on the sale items. The Wee Ones sale is March 3-6 and includes a SPECIAL pre-shop/pre-sale time for consignors ONLY 4-6 PM Wed. March 3. To find out how to prepare your items for sale and to learn more about becoming a consignor, click here.

At the sale, expect to find speciality boutique items, smocked Easter dresses, a large selection of infant-12mths clothing and select quality maternity clothing as well as a rare find at consignment sales – cute boys items.

Sale dates:
11 AM-6 PM March 4-5
8 AM-noon March 6 when select items will be 1/2 off

Wee Ones Resale, 135 Goshen Road, next to Verizon and Baibry’s (next to Studio 21), Rincon
912-826-7019, email weeonessale@hotmail.com

This week, a SouthernMamas reader will win a $25 gift certificate to  The Polkadot Patch Boutique, which specializes in unique baby clothes and unique baby gifts such as this doggy back pack and pirate pictured here.

Polkadot Patch believes children’s clothing should be fun, unique, and let children express their individuality and their personality.

The Polkadot Patch hand selects every item and each product must match their philosophy.

Check out the Polkadot Patch Big Ole Sale currently under way here and new arrivals of spring/summer items here.

Here are the rules on how to win.

Island Child – a sponsor of SouthernMamas – will have a trunk show of First Communion dresses and accessories on Fri. Feb. 5 and Sat. Feb. 6. 

The show featuring lovely Joan Calabrese for Mon Cheri dresses will be just in time to place orders for the desired delivery for dresses that need to be ordered for Spring.

Check out the collection of dresses at the Island Child Web site here. You can order online or at the Island Child store in the Village at Wexford on Hilton Head Is. 1.888.705.5437 or 843.686.5437.

Island Child – owned by children’s clothing gurus Steve and Senny Powell, who have seven adopted children and have fostered seven children – has been dressing Lowcountry tykes for 25 years.

Joan Calabrese joined Mon Cheri Bridals to create a new collection for children, Joan Calabrese for Mon Cheri. A designer for the past 32 years, Joan Calabrese is known for her use of exquisite fabric and detail along with pristine lines.

Best of all, her premiere collection for Mon Cheri offers moderate prices while still providing the signature style and fine fabrication her design is known for. The Island Child collection of Joan Calabrese for Mon Cheri includes special occasion, flower girl and First Holy Communion designs. See some of the dresses by clicking here.

One of our favorite companies, JULIAN & Co., has handcrafted, personalized gifts for the whole family.

Including the $49 mini JULIAN & Co. customized charm for mom. The front of the sterling silver birth necklace is customized with your child’s name and either baby handprints or footprints, while the back can engraved with birth time, date, weight and height.

The personalized pendant is durable enough to endure tiny, tugging hands.

JULIAN & Co. is offering Southern Mama readers $10 off order. Use the coupon code: SOUTHERNMAMAS when ordering online to receive the discount.

The deadline for Valentines Day orders is Jan. 31.

Also, check out “Heart on Her Wrist,” a $79 sterling silver id bracelet, for babies or little girls.

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.

Lisa Maine wins the SouthernMamas giveaway from Totally Bowlicious – a brand new, online store that specializes in fun hair accessories with a touch of whimsy for little girls.

Lisa wins a tutu bow holder, three hair bows, and a fairy wand! The locally-owned Webshop sells embellished clips and bows, ponytail holders and other unique children’s gifts including kufi hats; bows with matching belts; fairy-wand bouquets for newborns.

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!

Just For Baby & More at 7701 Waters Ave. carries Guardian Sleepers.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission recently released information regarding the recent press around the tragic deaths of infants in defective cribs and bassinets. The Guardian Sleeper maintains the baby in the correct sleeping position to reduce the danger of SIDS. It helps to prevent the baby from slipping down under the blanket by means of a soft harness and therefore helps to protect the baby from overheating and suffocation.

This product positions the baby at the foot of the bed and away from the sides reducing the danger of suffocation while allowing airflow around the baby as it kicks to help maintain a healthy body temperature.

Cost of the Guardian Sleeper is $43.95.

For more info, call Just for Baby and More , a sponsor of SouthernMamas, at 912-355-4455.

On Saturdays Dec. 5 and Dec. 12, drop by Just for Baby & More to visit Santa and have your pictures made and learn everything on your little ones’ wish lists

Avoid the long lines and chaos at the malls and take advantage of the convenient parking and complimentary gift wrapping at the locally-owned children’s store at 7701 Waters Ave.

All Santa picture proceeds will go to Saint Mary’s Children’s Home, a Savannah home that provides a loving and nurturing environment for children who cannot currently reside with their families

The $20 donation includes visit with Santa; two 5×7 Prints; treat for your child; 15 percent coupon at Just for Baby & More, a sponsor of SouthernMamas.

For an additional $10, a CD with images can be purchased. Contact Casey@justforbaby.net with any questions about visiting with Santa.

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

This Thanksgiving week, a SouthernMamas reader will win a new book from Random House/Clarkson Potter, entitled “WHAT I KNOW: Uncommon Wisdom and Universal Truths from 10-year-olds and 100-year-olds.”

The autographed hardcover is a collection of life insights from opposite ends of the life spectrum, compiled as the author traveled all across the country to meet and interview centenarians and children alike.

Among those centenarians featured are Savannah’s own centenarians, Eloise Rogers and Lois Fisher, whom I spotlighted in my Savannah Morning News Sunday column shortly before their 100th birthday in 2008. Last year, things took a turn for the sisters. Fisher fell ill and Rogers moved to Greenville, S.C., at the urging of her daughter. On July 27, 2009, Fisher died at the age of 101.

Twins Eloise and Lois were among dozens of 10-year-old youths and 100-year-old sages interviewed by author Roger Emerson Fishman of Los Angeles. The book consists of short quotes and profiles of people from around the nation.

Check out the rules below to enter to win:

This book would make a lovely holiday present. It highlights unique perspectives on life and the stories behind them.

Check out the book Web site here and watch the video trailer on the book’s home page to get a sense for the tone and content of the book.

Emily Moody!

Emily wins a page-a-day pre-k readiness skills calendar that focuses on the parent’s needs FIRST. The Ready To Learn Calendar was developed to equip the caregiver/parent with a way to impart needed skills to their child during normal household routine (laundry, household chores, fixing dinner, or going to the grocery store.)

Each calendar gives the parent 2 or 3 simple daily exercises (10-15 minute total) for pre-k readiness. readytolearncalendar@gmail.com”

To order, call 865-429-2627 or email  readytolearncalendar@gmail.com. The calendar is sold as a wholesale item at $5.00/calendar and there is a minimum order of 64. The shipping runs from $.50 to $1.00 per calendar. Orders can be taken to assure that calendars are presold. For more info, click here.

Amy Stinson Keaton, who left a wonderfully descriptive post on the SouthernMamas Facebook page.

Amy wins a Tasty Lunch Tote from BUILT NY, which also sells other reusable bags and unique kids’s lunchboxes. (BUILT’s Munchler’s Kids’ Lunchboxes are adorable.

BUILT’s products are made of neoprene (no vinyl or PVC used), are machine washable, affordable, fun and stylish.

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

Lunch always tastes better eaten outside.

Especially when it comes in my Nolita Stripe Tasty Lunch Tote – proof that good things do come in small packages. I love my Tasty Lunch Tote from BUILT NY, which also sells other reusable bags and unique kids’s lunchboxes. (BUILT’s Munchler’s Kids’ Lunchboxes are adorable.

The Tasty Tote keeps soup warm and carrot sticks cool. Even better, BUILT’s products are made of neoprene (no vinyl or PVC used), are machine washable, affordable, fun and stylish. The totes are so roomy and have such sturdy zip closures, I can stuff my son’s water bottle inside, with a few juice boxes and both our lunches with no trouble closing it.

This week, a SouthernMamas reader will win the Tasty Lunch tote in the color of her choice.

Check out the rules below to enter to win:

Island Child – a sponsor of SouthernMamas – wonderful selection of Corolle and Madame Alexander dolls and accessories in time for the holidays.

Check out the collection of dolls and accessories at the Island Child Web site here. You can order online or at the Island Child store in the Village at Wexford on Hilton Head Is. 1.888.705.5437 or 843.686.5437.

Island Child – owned by children’s clothing gurus Steve and Senny Powell, who have seven adopted children and have fostered seven children – has been dressing Lowcountry tykes for 25 years

Send Island Child a favorite photo of your Island Child and he or she could become ISLAND CHILD’S NEXT TOP MODEL.

Attention Savannah and Hilton Head Is. moms groups!  Here’s a fun idea for an event: have a Tippy Toes Pottery party.

Tippy Toes is an amazing concept developed by local mompreneur Amanda Reed, who uses your child’s footprints, hand prints and finger prints to create a whimsical painting on pottery.

Think large lobster serving platter, which the claws of the lobster are a child’s footprints or a magical garden with flowers made of a child’s handprints. The artwork includes the child’s name and year.

I was thrilled to attend a Tippy Toes open house today, where Amanda made prints of my two children’s hands and feet to create creative and sentimental presents for the grandparents!

Check out some of the gifts Tippy Toes can create for you here.

Tippy Toes Pottery travels around to events. Hosting a tippy toes event is a great way to get your friends together to make precious memories.

Hostesses receive 10 percent of all event sales toward the purchase of their pottery. Find out more here.

Become a fan of Tippy Toes Pottery on Facebook here.

Alison Zielenbach!

Alison wins a $25 gift certificate to SproutBaby, an online source for organic, affordable baby food and products for eco-conscious parents.  SproutBaby sells Sprout Foods, the organic baby chow created by celeb chef (and dad) Tyler Florence.

Thanks to everyone who participated. There’s also another to chance to win big from  SproutBaby,

To celebrate SproutBaby.com’s first birthday, the online store is kicking off  its new referral program with a $2,500 giveaway.

SproutBaby.com will award one lucky winner a $2,500 cash prize in a random drawing for all customers making purchases between Oct-15 (today) and Dec. 15.

SproutBaby.com is also launching a new referral program for parents and families to earn unlimited cash back for referring their friends, relatives and colleagues. For more information, contest rules and referral program guidelines, please visit: store.sproutbaby.com/birthday and store.sproutbaby.com/referral

This week, a lucky SouthernMamas reader will win a $25 gift certificate to the new planet-friendly online shop SproutBaby, which sells Sprout Foods, the organic baby chow created by celeb chef (and dad) Tyler Florence.

Check out the rules below to enter to win:

•Visit SproutBaby.com, click on Shop and tell us what product you’d love to buy by commenting below this post.
•Entry period closes 9 pm Thurs. Oct. 15. Please tell us your name. We’ll pick a name at random and announce the winner Fri. Oct. 16.
•You have to be a SouthernMamas subscriber to participate. Subscribing is free. Click here to subscribe.

SproutBaby.com is the brainchild of parents and professionals that saw an unexplored area of parenting and shopping and wanted to bridge the gap between making healthy choices and making easy choices.

As SproutBaby.com grows to include more options to fit more needs, the company will provide comprehensive, eco-conscious, e-commerce and social shopping which is centered around making it easy to make mindful decisions about the products parents choose to put on, in and around their children and families.

Love your baby. Love the planet.

Tracy Cummings wins 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.

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.