Camp Classic Play

If you're like most parents I know, your children's planned summer activities are coming to an end.  Almost every parent I've talked to the past few summers have their children participate in organized camps and classes at some point in June and July, but leave the month of August open for spontaneous fun and family time (my family included). 

Camp Classic Play is a week-long list of classic activities put together by some of my favorite fellow bloggers.  If your family completes the activities, there are badges and a downloadable certificate to print out in the areas of Science + Nature, Athletics + Games, Gardening, Arts + Crafts, and Cooking. 

To get your family started on this classic play adventure, visit classic-play.com.  Now go and make some summer memories!  

Citrus Lane

Last week I wrote about my love for Birchbox, a service that delivers samples of amazing high end beauty products to your door each month.  I didn't want to leave little ones out of the fun, so this week, I'm introducing ya'll to Citrus Lane.

For $25 a month (shipping included), Citrus Lane will send you a box full of age appropriate products geared towards your child (ages birth through 3).  Products in each box are valued at a combined $30-45 each month.  They also have gift subscriptions; what a great gift for grandparents or aunts and uncles to give!  What child wouldn't love a box full of goodies delivered just for them?!

Each month's box has a theme...and almost all I've seen include a book, which I love!  If this amazing service had been around a couple of years ago, I would have most certainly subscribed...or strongly hinted that my family combine resources to gift this to Hazel.  But alas, my baby turns 4 in just a few days. 

To register or shop the amazing items on their website (which are all discounted!), visit citruslane.com.

If It Looks Like a Duck...

You never know what you'll stumble across online (which is why it's good to have your computer in a high-traffic area when you have kids old enough to use Google).  And today's example of this fact is the website This Peanut Looks Like a Duck.

I was Googling something (I can't remember) yesterday, when I went from one site to another to another...and before I knew it, I was looking at baked goods, fruits, vegetables, and of course, peanuts, that all resembled ducks.  My kids got a kick out of it...so I thought I'd share.  It's always fun to view everyday objects in a different way.

Visit thispeanutlookslikeaduck.com with your kids to enjoy the fun images...and send in your own quacking finds.

Ugga Mugga Events

My how time flies! As many of you have noticed, I've stepped away from the blog this past month...for many different reasons. With Thanksgiving, and now the countdown to Christmas, things have been busy. I've also started teaching some preschool art classes in my area and creating those lesson plans and projects on top of the homeschooling curriculum for August has taken some getting used to (although I've got that all down now). But the main reason for my step back from Ugga Mugga, the blog, is to focus on Ugga Mugga Events!

My new project is a culmination of all things I love: art, children, and creative event planning (my job prior to being called MAMA). I'm thrilled to say that I am now for hire if you're looking for some assistance planning your child's birthday party, or simply want me to help with the entertainment...in the form of a special craft keepsake!

If you live in Southeastern Wisconsin and want to work together (although I'll travel anywhere if you want to fly me out of this bitter winter weather!), visit www.uggamuggaevents.com to learn more! And for the rest of you, the blog will be back up and running now...I'm off to write a few posts now! Many exciting things to come!

Picasso Head

Hazel has been a bit crabby all day today and turned in early for the night leaving August and Martha alone with Mr. Mugga and me. We split up for some quality one-on-one time while it rained cats and dogs outside. In our time together, Martha and I discovered Picasso Head.

This free site allows you to click and drage Picassoesque images to the black board to create your own masterpiece. You can flip them, rotate them, change their size and even their color. When you're finished, you can save them by a random name or email them as an e-painting!

We had a great time picking our eyes, ears, noses and hair and talking about what expression we saw and if our fantasy people resembled anyone we knew. It was a great time using our imaginations and laughing together.

Visit picassohead.com to create your own work of art with your mini Picasso!

LEGO Magazine

My children (and my husband and I) LOVE anything Lego, as many of you already know. For years August has been receiving the Lego Magazine and spending countless hours studying the designs and doing the activities. Martha just started receiving her very own copy and is quickly following in her big brother's footsteps...and I couldn't be more pleased!

Lego is currently offering a free 2-year subscription to Lego Magazine...and I thought I'd share it with you to use with the little Lego lover in your life.

To sign up, click here to visit lego.com. Then, click on PLAY at the top of the page. Next, click on LEGO CLUB on the right side...and then LEGO MAGAZINE. Then, to start the quick sign-up process, you click on US or UK and Ireland at the bottom of the page. Enter your and your child's information and you're all set! Enjoy!

Printable Car Games

Is your family planning a road trip this summer? If so, you'll want to head over to MomsMinivan.com where they have a whole slue of games to print...for free!

Your kids will love becoming familiar with Tic Tac Toe, Battleship, Car Bingo, lines and dots games, the License Plate game, a travel scavenger hunt, coloring pages, and all of the sing along songs at the site!

My family is headed to Lake Delton for a week in July and you can bet your bottom dollar that I'll be printing my share of games for the three hour drive there...and the even longer (or so it seems) ride home!

Visit momsminivan.com to get printing!

The Copper Ewe

I am on a first name basis with not only my postal carrier, but the UPS and FedEx delivery men as well due to them delivering packages to my home almost daily. Very rarely am I disappointed when I open a package. And even less often is my breath taken away when I unfold the top of a box and reveal it's contents...as happened today.

Because today my package from The Copper Ewe arrived!

The Copper Ewe is run by a talented artist named Roisin who I've had the pleasure of exchanging emails with over the last week. She is as lovely as her work....which is quite a feat in itself! I mean, just look at the intricate beauty of each letter above!

So when I opened my package, I first spied my daughter Hazel's name in the natural twig letters and then August's name in silver...each beautiful in their own unique way and each fitting their personalities. And then I saw the jewelry...an intricate silver bird nest with three little eggs inside and then the initial pendent for Martha. We both put our necklaces on at once!

Since this afternoon when the art arrived, my mind has been racing with more uses for the twig letters and people I can gift with The Copper Ewe jewelry. I could picture the twig letters spelling out FAMILY over a wall of photographs, LOVE over a bed, EAT in my kitchen, and SISTERS in my girls' shared room. And the meaningful necklaces and rings Roisin creates are perfect for modern mothers as they are subtle in their representation of children.

Another favorite product of mine that I plan on purchasing in the very near future for my fairy lover Martha is the Faerie Kits! These amazing kits come partially assembled and are to be completed by the recipient. I can imagine the hours of fun Martha and our family will have creating an intimate wonderland.

The Copper Ewe has products available at Chasing Fireflies and Viva Terra...two of my favorite online retailers. However, if you're like me, if you have the opportunity to purchase directly from an artisan, you jump at it! And here is that opportunity because all of these great items I've mentioned, and more, are available on Roisin's website located at copperewe.com. Although I do understand if you want to add a few twig letters into an order with one of the before-mentioned webshops!

Private Sale Sites

I have been taking advantage of a few private sale sites lately and thought I'd pass along the savings. Many upscale and boutique brands are partnering with sale sites and offering some incredible prices on a very limited quantity of products. Many of the sites have members logged on and ready for sales to go live and within just 3 minutes, everything can be sold out. The deals are that amazing.

Here are my top five sale sites: The Mini Social, bTrendie, Zulily, HauteLook, and Gilt Groupe.

The Mini Social

The Mini Social stocks only baby, toddler and children items and is great for little ones. They have many organic clothing lines, wooden toys, and other natural products along with diaper bags and even art work. They also advertise what sales are coming up a few days ahead of time which is nice for planning. The Mini Social offers a $10 credit incentive for each friend you invite who makes a purchase.

Join now at theminisocial.com.

bTrendie

bTrendie has the following slogan: Be Mom. Be First. Be Trendy. And their offerings will help you be just that. And with products from Crane (great humidifiers), Graco, and other necessity brands, you'll get great products at great prices! They currently have shoes, clothes, Pack 'N Plays, burp cloths, clothes and other products offered. bTrendie will reward you with a $10 for each friend you get to join and make a purchase.

Join now at btrendie.com.

Zulily

Zulily is another site that offers many high-end products such as Cybex strollers, Lässig diaper bags and Tori Spelling's clothing line Little Maven. The deals are incredible and products move quickly so it's best to keep an eye on upcoming sales so you don't miss out. And Zulily will give you a $10 for each friend you recruit who makes a purchase.

Join now at zulily.com.

HauteLook

HauteLook is the site I've purchased from most regularly because they not only have products for children, but also women, men and home goods...and they're usually some of my favorite brands. Just yesterday I purchased a Jane Marvel tote for only $35! That's a HUGE savings on a bag I had been looking at for a year. I just couldn't pass it up at that price.

And a great plus to shopping with HauteLook is that if you're logged on when sales go live (which you need to be if you stand a fighting chance of getting anything), once you add it to your cart that product is on hold for 15 minutes. And if you spy an item you want that is currently on hold, you can reserve it for if and when it becomes available. HauteLook also offers a $10 credit for each friend who joins and makes a purchase.

Join now at hautelook.com.

Gilt Groupe

Gilt Groupe is a great private sale site because it offers deals for the whole family: children, women, men, and gifts. And the offerings are high end...not your everyday products. At least not in my world. There are handbags, shoes and other pieces I'd never even be able to entertain the idea of purchasing that all of a sudden are in my splurge price range.

And unlike other private sale sites that offer $10 for each friend you get to join, Gilt is generous enough to give you a $25 credit once each friend's first purchase ships. Now that's incentive to spread the word!

Join now at gilt.com.

Twsty

I just received word on Twsty...an up and coming private sale site for clothing, accessories, and toys. It looks great with upcoming sales for many brands I know and love. I've been told the sales will go live in about 4 weeks. But you can already join at twsty.com. And for each friend you get to join and make a purchase, you'll receive a $20 credit.

Paper Snowflakes

My children and I have been crafting up a storm...due to the winter storms hitting the Midwest. My little town is a real live snowglobe. It's quite beautiful and makes for cozy crafting.

Today, suitably, we started work on snowflakes. We've been cutting them all off the top of our heads using only our imaginations but tonight, after putting the kids to bed, I thought, "I bet there are some great patterns online to reference." And sure enough...I found some great ones! I think tomorrow we'll try some of these patterns and see how they turn out.

Here are some of the child-friendly ones:

• PaperSnowflakes.com
• KinderArt.com
• HighHopes.com
• Marcels-Kid-Crafts.com
• NoelNoelNoel.com
  

And if you want to help your children master the use of a computer mouse and work on their hand/eye coordination while sticking with the snowflake theme, you can have them visit the Make A Flake site where they can create some virtual flakes.

HauteLook.com

I just finished ordering quite a few things from HauteLook for the kids and thought I'd let you know about the site. It's a one-stop online shopping location for all upscale things at an unbelievably steep discount. The brands available today for children, for example, are Nest and PaigeLauren Baby...two of my favorite brands! There are items for children, women, men, your home, as well as beauty products. Like I said, one-stop shopping!

Some of the Nest pieces I ordered for the girls for this upcoming summer are sure to be go-to favorites...and the clothing for August will be for this winter and next year (I ordered up a size). He helped pick them out and is really excited for them. Nothing makes getting the kids dressed in the morning easier than when they're happy with their clothes.

But the best thing about HauteLook is that you never know what deals are coming next. This week Tuesday Riedel wine glasses will be on clearance. I may be Christmas shopping for myself then!

Register online at hautelook.com to stay informed about upscale sales coming up...and to start taking advantage of the amazing deals currently available!

Bella & Boo

I just received an email from a friend who had received an email from her friend about that friend's friend opening an online boutique specializing in organic, fair trade, and eco-friendly products. Whew, did you follow all that?

The shop is called Bella & Boo and it is run by a mother in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. The site is full of many of the products you've see mentioned here on Ugga Mugga, so I feel pretty comfortable directing you there! It's open for business at bellaandboo.com.

Lonny Magazine

I was so sad when I found out Cookie magazine was closing up shop two weeks ago. I'll miss receiving it in the mail and paging through the perfectly styled houses where I know children reside...but where I see none of the messes that frequent my own home.

Now where will I find a balance of high-end and affordable products to make my house a home? Oh, wait! Lonny!

Lonny is a new online magazine similar to Domino (remember that other now closed publication?). The first issue just hit the web and I must say, I'm in love!

Here's what they say their mission is:

"...to reopen the doors of accessible design. By embracing an online platform we provide inspiration at the click of a finger, directly connecting our readers to their favorite products and resources. Our freedom from page limits means that we can share more content in each issue, delivering an intimate look into the way people really live.

At Lonny, we value independent thinking and believe not in following trends but rather in making choices that lead to happiness. We believe that good design and affordable design can coexist and that true inspiration can be found in the teeniest of homes or in the grandest of spaces."

Visit lonnymag.com to view the publication online.

Oliebollen Halloween Fun

Oliebollen has done it again! They've added some great new FREE downloads on their site, this time for Halloween.

If you're planning a party for next month, you won't want to miss their adorable invitations! There are even iron-on decals with the cute illustrations for your child to wear!

And to keep your children busy until the party, Oliebollen created a Dress the Candycorn game where kids can have their candycorn don mermaid, pirate, princess, and cowboy costumes! What a fun craft to help your little ones practice fine motor skills like cutting and gluing!

Visit oliebollen.com to see all of their latest Fun Stuff! And don't forget to check out their costume shop while you're there!