Although Laurel now revels in being old enough for bare feet or flip-flops, when I’m shopping for little loved ones, I still obsess over baby shoe cuteness. And the ballet criss-cross styles in IsaBooties’s new summer line are deliciously adorable. These kicks represent a bit of a departure from IsaBooties’s classic styling, but still share the super soft, breathable, easy to slip on and stay put construction. Your budding ballerina will look adorable in these soft-soled treads, whether she’s crawling, cruising, or “Frankenstein’ing” her way across the dance floor.

Want to be one of 4 winners to receive a pair of IsaBooties*? Here’s how:

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THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Congrats to winners Catherine, Leah O., Susan C., and Melissa B.!
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Visit the IsaBooties collection, then email contests@bostonmamas.com (with ‘IsaBooties’ in the subject), and name your favorite style.

If you would like to opt in to the IsaBooties email list for news about sales and new styles, include “OPT IN” in the body of your email.

One entry permitted per person; US & Canada entrants welcome to enter.

Entry period closes at midnight EST, Wednesday, June 11, 2008.

*Four winners will receive their choice of size/style, subject to availability.

Want to foster your child's love for learning letters while supporting a local, eco-conscious mamapreneur? Today, Jen reviews Lit'l Desi9s, a custom design line that uses your little one’s name for graphic inspiration. Read on for Jen’s review, as well as to learn how to win a Lit'l Desi9s custom name tee or onesie.

“Take one talented mama, add in a curious five-year-old and a spark of inspiration, and what do you get? Lit'l Desi9s, the fabulous clothing and accessories line by Debby Yennaco Peretz. It all started one day when Debby was doing what mamas before her have been doing since the beginning of time - trying to teach their curious little ones about the world around them. In Debby's case, she was teaching her five-year-old son how to spell when she started to see that the letters he was struggling to master could actually form shapes and even animals. The letter "L" could be a fin on a fish or even the neck of an elephant. The letter "N" could be the middle hump of a caterpillar or the hands of a seal. The possibilities were endless, and so was the potential.

Countless shapes and animals later, Litl'l Desi9s is sold online, in children's boutiques across the country, and locally at her cart store in Boston’s Prudential Center (across from the food court). Debby can take the letters of any name and form them into an adorable animal that can be printed on clothing, bags, note cards, hats, bibs, blankets, and even rubber stamps. Her clothing collection is organic, made in the U.S.A., and printed using water-based inks and no artificial chemicals. She even packages her products in reusable multi-colored bug catchers - just in time for firefly season!

What makes Debby's products so special is that she has captured part of what makes motherhood inspiring - the knowledge that your children are endlessly unique and creative. She took something that adults look at every day - their own name - and approached it with the eyes of a child. The result is both adorable and educational.”

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THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Congrats to winner Jessica S.!
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Now, want to win a custom Lit'l Desi9s name tee or onesie*? Here’s how:

Visit Lit'l Desi9s’s web store, then email contests@bostonmamas.com (with ‘Lit'l Desi9s’ in the subject), and name a Lit'l Desi9s product you would love to have for your little one.

One entry permitted per person; US entrants only.

Entry period closes at midnight EST, Monday, June 9, 2008.

*The winner will receive a Lit'l Desi9s custom name design printed on a tee or onesie in 100% organic natural or white.

And, for those who wish to shop now, mention Boston Mamas for 15% off your order!

And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

One Chic Mama features the affordable and eco-friendly household products by Charlie’s Soaps. Clever Parents offers guidance on “green” decorating and remodeling. Moms’ Buzz reviews content from April and May. The Nest Baby wants you to weigh in on a report of a grandma trying to breastfeed her grandson. And you could win: a $75 gift certificate to Vincent Shoes at Modern Mom, a Homedics Shiatsu Massaging Cushion for Dad from MomFinds, and a copy of the Sex and the City: The Movie book from We Covet.

In my opinion, every day is Earth Day, and if you love naturalistic homages to animals as much as I do, check out the amazing Salvor Fauna collection at the chic New York based boutique Estella. These ultra cool animal graphics are hand silk screened with water based ink on organic cotton tees, onesies, and pillows. And the onesies are particularly delicious: luxuriously weighty, soft, and ready to withstand plenty of play. These onesies also go an extra style mile via cute kimono fashioning and clever snaps to keep the wrap front in place.

Want to win a Salvor Fauna onesie from Estella*? Here’s how:

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THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Congrats to winner Katie M.!
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Visit Estella’s Salvor Fauna collection, then email contests@bostonmamas.com (with ‘Estella’ in the subject), and name your favorite Salvor Fauna design.

One entry permitted per person; US entrants only.

Entry period closes at midnight EST, Thursday, June 5, 2008.

*The winner will receive a Salvor Fauna onesie from Estella, subject to availability.

And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

Clever Parents offers tips to help children cope with separation and divorce. Moms’ Buzz features a last minute family travel deal from Norwegian Cruise Line. We Covet loves the Pin Up Girls handmade clear resin bracelet. And you could win: a Playskool Rose Petal Cottage from Classy Mommy, Kids’ Cobian sandals at MomFinds, “Moms Rocks” tees from One Chic Mama, and gifts for daddy from The Nest Baby.

While Laurel certainly has experienced her share of mommy or daddy-centric phases, these days she’s truly happiest when planted squarely between us. So it’s no surprise that she loves the clever Mom & Dad Butterfly Tee from Vera Plum. Offered in a variety of shirt shades for boys or girls, and also in onesie or tee format, the metallic silver graphic print is subtle yet sweetly representative. And given the way this design lovingly bridges the family unit, I also think it would be cool if Vera Plum eventually morphs this butterfly into Mom & Mom or Dad & Dad styles too.

Want to win a Vera Plum tee or onesie*? Here’s how:

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THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Congrats to winner Dawn G.!
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Visit Vera Plum, then email contests@bostonmamas.com (with ‘Vera Plum’ in the subject), and name your favorite Vera Plum design.

One entry permitted per person; US entrants only.

Entry period closes at midnight EST, Thursday, May 22, 2008.

*Winner will receive a tee or onesie of their choice, subject to availability.

Despite my classical training, I was a closet rocker (left truly speechless when I saw a live electric violinist for the first time), so it’s no surprise that I dig the baby rock revolution. And whether or not your kid plays a mean triangle, parents who dig a little edge will love Baby Rock Apparel. Offering everything from tunes to top to bottom designs for tots, Baby Rock has plenty of trendy, super comfy tees to carry your kid through spring and summer. Especially cool are their detailed graphic tees; we like giving props to Laurel's grandmas with the My Grandma Rocks design.

Want to win a Baby Rock Apparel tee or onesie*? Here’s how:

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THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Congrats to winner Sara S.!
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Visit the Baby Rock Apparel collection, then email contests@bostonmamas.com (with ‘Baby Rock’ in the subject), and name a Baby Rock product you’d love to get for your little rocker.

One entry permitted per person; US entrants only.

Entry period closes at midnight EST, Wednesday, May 21, 2008.

*Winner will receive a tee or onesie of their choice, subject to availability.

And for those who wish to shop now, use coupon code BOSTONMAMAS for 15% off your order!

And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

Mommies with Style reviews Chilly Jilly’s wrap-in-a-bag. MomFinds features the latest crop of Crocs for kids. Vote for your favorite bump at The Nest Baby - the winner gets a babymoon in Jamaica. One Chic Mama is giving away an iRobot Roomba 560. Moms’ Buzz is offering up a $100 Toys R Us gift card + Veggie Tales DVDs. And visit Modern Mom to enter to win a Celebrity BUMP Bag valued at over $3600.

The seasons are, blissfully, officially about to change, and no doubt your child’s wardrobe is due for some spring cleaning. It’s the perfect time to check out the fresh designs of Little Lark.

Based out of Portland, Oregon, Little Lark’s collection includes a variety of designs, most of which show clear inspiration from nature. Designs are letterpressed onto note cards, or are hand silk-screened onto snuggly soft, sweatshop free, 100% cotton shirts, onesies, pants, and hats (for babies and toddlers; big kid and adult sizes are forthcoming). Onesies and shirts also come with a gift-ready, reusable muslin bag that adds to the rich, organic feel.

With plenty of snow and ice still on the ground, the spring promise of the Geese Tee (shown, $24-$26) is especially welcome.