virtual baby shower GIVEAWAY:

Hi. It's Kelli and Missy here (just like old times). We thought we would jump back in this once to throw a big party: lucky virtual baby shower GIVEAWAY #7! We're both expecting our boy or girl #2 (respectively) in the next month or several, have clearly reached that nesting/collecting phase, and wanted to pass along some of our very favorite baby gear to you- one very lucky you who will win this all!

Charles Lamb said, "Mother's love grows by giving." We like that idea and so did the 14 mother-run companies below, who together are offering nearly $1,000 (yahoo!) in modern parenting must-haves/wants all to one winner.  Let's celebrate:

baby bisou: one baby carrier of the winner's choice; $140

"Smart, stylish, good for your baby" is a tagline that every mother and father (because finally- a sling that caters to both!) hopes for when buying baby gear. Baby Bisou has done just that with their infant to toddler carriers that combine function and style with their sturdy, all cotton, Mei Tai influenced designs. They allow for front or back carrying styles, better support baby's hip, spine and pelvic development with a wide seat, are reversible, washable and easy to wear with only 2 buckles, a foam padded waist band and handy zippered pocket. And very pretty! Made in California with 10% of profits donated to charities for children. *Keep an eye out for new prints coming in October!

little uni: a gift certificate for 2 personalized tees; $64

Little Uni is the perfect product of 2 friends/moms/graphic designers who saw a need for the hip and modern that still embraced the simple and sweet. With the combination of "classic shapes and funky patterns," a business of baby tees, onesies, pants + hats was born. Sewn (non-cutesy) appliques on 100% cotton American Apparel garments that prove unique, handcrafted and have the option for personalization is a cherished find.. and I have yet to meet its match. Mix, match + personalize your favorite.

dee&lala: a set of 4 letterpressed wall prints; $100

It simply doesn't get better than letterpress... in modern animal prints... in mama + baby groupings, among many other refreshingly simple, colorful and unique designs. Dee&Lala provides a fantastic collection of cards, wallprints and housewares that merge the likes of beavers, candy jars, porcupines, ski lifts, cherry soda and worms to name a few of my favorites. Just plain charming.

blabla kids: the "Peeko" boogaloo and "Ukelele" birdie rattle; $67

They say it best: "Happiness fits in the palm of the hand." Blabla welcomes beauty, authenticity and laughter in their most lovely variety of hand knit plush (rattles, dolls, mobiles, purses, finger puppets, pillows, blankets and back packs) and clothing. Made by Peruvian artisans and of natural and amazingly soft fibers, it's just impossible to get enough of this whimsy. And a big hooray! for their newest product lines.

presto bingo: one framed print of the winner's choice; $75

We're all about modern art for modern kids. They promise, "whether your child loves creepy crawlies, sunny flowers or retro robots, you'll find them here." (They forgot to mention their cool collection of friendly aliens.) And I have to add that with (almost) two little boys, I want little more than simple, funky and affordable wall art that provokes imagination sans t.v., video games or computer. All prints are limited edition giclee prints, signed and numbered by the artist, and carefully reproduced with archival inks on 100% cotton paper. Available framed or unframed with cut mat included. "Colors and lines for growing minds."

one lucky baby: one 30x40 toddler blanket (winner will choose color scheme); $65

Fun, colorful prints and soft plush fabrics make One Lucky Baby products cozy and stylish. We've been a fan from the beginning, especially taken by the fact that each item is handcrafted for durability and years of love! Be sure to browse the shop- just recently re-stocked with minky baby blankets, bib and burp sets, hooded towels and toddler items. They make for one lucky baby!

cucuyo designs: one cucuyo travel set, including a matching ori (changing pad) and new! honu (travel blanket); $86

Meet a brand-new design-centric company founded by 2 moms and childhood best friends that saw a need for "on the go" products.. and delivered well. Cucuyo allows for flexibility and comfort for modern parents and babies with their Ori changing station that fits both infants and toddlers, opens into a soft, cushy pad with an adjustable pillow and an invisible bottom pocket that holds the diapers and wipes. But there's more than meets the eye: beyond the soft flannel interior and water proof exterior (machine washable), owners Ana and Laura show their love for the planet and the little people in it with their environmentally conscious designs. Cucuyo products are made in the USA in a fair work environment and with earth friendly materials. We're especially excited to hear more of the newest member of the Cucuyo family that has yet to even make its public debut: the Honu travel blanket (pictured above). Be sure to check pack for exciting product updates.

mango ink: a $75 gift certificate towards the winner's choice of announcements or thank you cards.

Mango Ink creates photo cards with personality: "sweet, tasty and unique" like the owners' very own love for mangoes. Design expertise plus incredible mom-inspired vision and fashion has yielded quality, reasonably priced, hand-mounted cards with quick and reliable service for those occasions that matter most. Be sure to browse the catalog for dozens of styles we're tempted to promise may fast become solid favorites.

little pharo: $50 gift certificate for purchase of your favorite Little Pharo products.

We always say we want the best for our babies and Little Pharo (just launched this month) has materialized this hope. They provide the ultimate in luxury layette with 100% Extra-Long Staple Egyptian Cotton. It's known to be unmatched- the best in the world with extraordinary softness and durability. The designs are simple, as layette should be, with an ancient Egyptian logo symbolizing eternal life, said to bestow immortality to anyone who posses it, sewn onto each garment. Like we said- giving your little Pharo the most hopeful of starts. Better yet, a portion of the proceeds from each garment sold goes to benefit underprivileged and orphaned children in Africa.

klt works: kiki the kitty onesie and (new) kiki the kitty plush pillow set; $58.

KLT Works embodies all that a true family run company is- reinstating the values that now prove hard to come by. Kristin, artist and new mother, makes wearable (and play-able) art inspired by her love for humor, curiosity and son Sayer. She awakens any child's creative spirit through the colors, textures, modern design and likable characters that make up the mobiles, plush, onesies and pillows of KLT Works. New organic and eco-friendly designs available!

nix baby: 3 sets of socks (6 pair); $48.

Praise Nix Baby owner who saw a void and filled it: one size fits all infant and toddler socks that stay on. These "all star socks" strut old school style in both boy and girl colored sets. So simple. So genius. Make your baby's outfit a "smash hit."

b simple designs: set of 35 personalized notecards of the winner's choice; $54.

"Eco-Smart cards with a conscience" is exactly what Bsimple Designs has created in their collection of baby, children, holiday and wedding invitations, announcements and stationary. Printed on the nicest, 100% recycled archival papers with the lowest impact by companies with sustainable business practices, you're not only getting modern cool and custom, but clearly and thoughtfully green. They're so good in fact that with every order, a tree will be planted in the Atlantic Rainforest.

md moms: one baby silk to-go travel set and one packet of (all-new!) gentle all over clean cleansing towelettes; $40.

Gentle, pure, effective, hypoallergenic, clinically tested, and developed by board-certified pediatricians and moms "who were inspired by the needs of [their] patients and [their] own children to create Baby Silk," we're confident in bringing you a trusted product formulated just for them- the babes. From the carefully chosen ingredients to the thoughtful packaging and their ongoing charitable efforts, MD Moms have a fan in us. Wanting to start your own collection? The "to-go travel set" pairs a sampling of their four diaper bag "must haves."

chittypulga: under the nile organic cotton baby gift basket; $46.

Chittypulga knows how to find tasteful, safe and quality for your little flea- proof in this Under the Nile baby basket: hand-made out organic palm tree leaves and filled with a beautiful newborn sized natural color 2-piece pant-set, hat, swaddle blanket and a teething bear. Not familiar with Chittypulga boutique (and magazine)? Be sure to search their "casual elegance for extraordinary kids".. for the best of brands and frequent sales.

Phew! Quite the lineup.. yes!  Take a moment to browse these fantastic companies and tell us how you're left inspired.

And to win (good luck!), simply:

*comment on this post with your name

*answer the challenge above
*please only enter once
*entry will be open until midnight Sunday, August 31st
*winner will be announced Monday morning
note: winner must contact tangledandtrue@gmail.com within 3 days to claim their prize.


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deals and discounts:

baby bisou: 15% discount through 9/26 with code "tangledandtrue"
chittypulga: 10% off with code "TRUEDEAL"
klt works: receive the kiki onesie + pillow set for $40 (an $18 discount!) with an email mention of tangled and true
little pharo: free shipping through December 31st (no code necessary)
md moms: free shipping and handling through 9/30/08 with code "MDTRUE"
nix baby: buy 3 sets for the price of 2 with an email mention of tangled and true immediately after placing your order of 2 pair. Be sure to include your name, coupon code: "TAT" and your choice for your third free set.
presto bingo: 10% off all purchases over $50 with code "tangled"