Guest Post: Lisa Orman on Kidtropolis

Oh my, when I saw this arrive in my email as a guest post, I couldn't wait to share it. As someone who loves interior design and wishes she could create the perfect dream room for her daughter, I just love these amazing rooms by Kidtropolis. Enjoy!

If you're one of those parents who not only likes to, but can afford to spoil your kid rotten, then you've got to check out the incredible children’s bedroom décor created by Kidtropolis. This uber-talented group of designers is the favorite of Hollywood stars, corporate CEOs and international royal families because their jaw-dropping themes are literally where dreams not only become reality but stay real while a child grows up.

Trust us when we say that the ultimate dream weaver himself, Walt Disney, would have hired Kidtropolis to design rooms for his own children. Want your little princess to dream about ruling the realm in a royal carriage? A REAL castle? Well, one customer did and here’s what Kidtropolis came up with:



Another family hired Kidtropolis to give their young “Wyatt Earp” a way to sleep in the OK Corral every night. Here’s what they got, pardner (no spurs in the stagecoach, please!):


Another family, inspired by their child’s love of Mother Goose, wanted their little one to live in the shoe with Old Mother Hubbard... well, you get the idea:




And their latest creation is like a page out of the Swiss Family Robinson, with a few modern updates:



Okay, so maybe you’d prefer to send your kids to college rather than let them sleep in a fairy tale world. Who could blame you? But browsing the KidtropolisBuild.com website is still a ride worth taking… and a lot less expensive than four plane tickets to “The Magic Kingdom.”

Oh, the things that you'll see, the places you'll soar, you'll look at your child's room the same nevermore. The company's not-to-be-believed creative designs and custom-built doors, beds and themed rooms transform a child’s room into a truly unique, personal and functional space.

For information, visit www.kidtropolisbuild.com. For detailed examples of their work or work in progress, click on their website blog.

Guest Post: Kristin from An Ordinary Life

Kristin and I became fast friends after I won one of her contests and a simple email of an address turned into back and forth emailing. We have so much in common and I love her site "An Ordinary Life" -- it's a daily read for me. Oh, and congrats are in order for Kristin -- she just recently got engaged! Read on to find out some great tips and products for traveling with kids, and be sure to visit her site "An Ordinary Life" when you're through.

With all the talk about summer travel my own family is in the midst of leaving for travel. We actually take off on Kai’s very first plane ride. I have compiled some items we think are essential for our summer travel.

Since we are also currently potty training (the training is done now it’s all about getting to the restroom on time) I highly recommend Potette on The Go Potty it can either be used as an actual potty with disposable bags. Or you can take it along like we are, with tiny baby butts one might fall through a toilet. So use it as an extra seat to keep them comfortable. Hey it sure beats holding them over the toilet and at an easy $10.00 it’s a great companion to keep in your car. We are easily taking it with us and folds up nice and small it fit nicely in our suitcase.

And every child needs their very own luggage. We love the Trunki Towgo from Tots on The Go. This luggage is perfect for the airport since your little one can jump on for a ride. It is lockable and comes in cute colors, plus it even has a teddy bear strap to keep your child’s favorite friend safe and sound. We wouldn’t be caught in the airport without our Trunki Towgo from Tots on The Go.

I have one of the best family friendly pieces of technology, you will find yourself playing in the doctors office, or while waiting in those long lines at the DMV. The Nintendo DS is one gadget you will fight with your children about. It’s portable entertainment for your children, or even yourself. Check out this article for more information.
Don’t forget about Chic Shopper Chicks own article all about the CARES Harness. We will bringing this item on the plane with us and we have heard nothing but great reviews about it.
Last but not least every trip needs heathly snacks, and carry them along with you to keep those kiddos full. Junk food only makes them more cranky, so remember drink lots of water and have fun healthy snacks along the way.

Do you have any tips or items you think are essential for travel? Tell me all about it!

Guest Post: Jen from PPV on VPZ Designs

Today's guest post is from one of my favorite people, Jen, over at Posh Point of View. Jen is a mom who runs her own online store -- Lil Nola -- and her own blog -- A Posh Point of View. Jen is my only blogging friend that I have ever known in real life. When she and I caught up a while back we discovered that we had both been blogging and writing very similar websites. We graduated from high schools that were only 30 minutes away from each other and were sorority sisters at the same college. She really is one of the most fashionable people that I know, so I am sure that you will enjoy her post below. Thanks again Jen for helping me out while I am on vacation! When you are done reading her post here, be sure to check out all of the great posts and giveaways at Posh Point of View!


Do you love personalized gifts? I do! I have found a great site VPZ Designs that has great personalized gifts that are a must have. Victoria P. Zurcher is owner and designer of all these great products. VPZ Designs has everything from personalized lunchboxes to handpainted step stools.
I personally love her personalized lunch boxes. VPZ Designs has just introduced their new line, the Flipside Retro Lunch Box. On the front is a cute little monster with personalized name and on the "flipside" is the backside of the monster and name. Cute concept right? The also have some other really trendy lunch boxes like the Dots and Blocks Lunch Box. You gotta love the old school metal style lunch boxes! This would be perfect for your little one starting school next month...can you believe it's that soon? You can get these lunchboxes for an affordable price of $25.

Dont worry mom...VPZ Designs has something for you too. The Avocado Travel Cup would be perfect for that morning latte. You can get these personalized three different way: your name, single letter, or three letter monogram...you decide! While you are there get one for dad to take on his morning trip to work. They have a great golf cup. These retail for $19.

I am so glad I found this fabulous little shop. Please visit VPZ Designs and take a look around. Come back and tell us what product is your favorite!

I wanted thank Chic Shopper Chick for inviting me to guest post while she is in Europe. Hope you are having a great time!

Guest Post: Sarah from Bio-Girl on Crocs

Bonjour a tout le monde a Paris! I am having a blast in Europe -- today we traveled from London to Paris and even on my fourth visit here I am as taken with this enchanting city as I have ever been. Little AG had her first bit of the famous Berthillion ice cream tonight in Paris and I was so proud!

Ok, so on to the blogging, shall we? Today's guest poster is Sarah from Bio Girl -- a daily must-read for me. I don't even know how I stumbled upon Sarah's blog in the first place, actually, but I've been following her blog now since April and I feel like we're old friends, even though we've never even met. Funny how blogging can make friends of perfect strangers, isn't it? Anyway, I begged and pleaded and she finally agreed to guest post for me, if nothing else but to make me be quiet! After you read her review here make sure to click on over and catch up on all of the happenings at Bio-Girl!


So when Chic Shopper Chic asked me be a guest blogger while she was in Europe I was amazed! She actually thought I might have things I like that are worth sharing! Then I started to think...do I have things I like that I want to share with the CSC readers? Things I consider cool enough to pass on?? Well, I am a pretty big fan of the Chic-fil-a breakfast burrito...yep, that's a winner. Then again, I am not sure I want my first guest post to be about my love of fast food breakfast...so never mind that one. Then I thought I could tell you all about my new love of Guiness beer...kinda tastes like iced coffee...yum yum....but then I remembered that Chic Shopper Chic isn't known for blogging about her love of alcoholic beverages...really think I should take another angle on this...THEN I thought I could write a review on my Kitchen Aid Mixer...I mean, the love that is there is intense. I had the post half planned in my head when I realized I might be stealing it from The Pioneer Woman...and plagiarism is bad. So...I finally settled on Croc's.

Yes, it's true. I will be reviewing the horrible big clunky nursing shoes with the holes in them which I have always deeply hated. At one point my mom told us she had got my dad a cute pair of Croc's for his birthday, and my sisters and I screamed in protest. "Those shoes are only okay on small children and people in the medical profession!! Return them! Return them NOW!!" I heard rumors that Croc's were incredibly comfortable, but I was not caving. The hate was deep. That was...until...have you seen the OTHER Croc's?? The ones like these....
Yeah. I didn't think so. With all my Croc hating I didn't take the time to realize that they don't all look like the hole filled nursing shoes. Nope. Some of them are down right adorable. My sisters and I all have the pair pictured above, and not only are they incredibly comfortable, they look adorable with simple summer dresses or capri pants. They are the perfect middle shoe. You don't want to bother with actual heals, but a simple flip flop is just to casual, then it is time for the Malindi Crocs!



While looking for pictures for this post I actually found what will most definently be my NEXT pair of Croc's. This is the Alice style, and it has offically melted my hear with it's cuteness...

In addition to that cute little closed toed number, they have some of the most comfortable flip flops you will ever put on your feet. Now, they have two styles, one has a wider heal that the other. You need to find the Baja style with the slimmer fit, which is a little harder to come by, but it will be worth the search. They have them with the rubber thong, or the cloth, which my mom bought my dad (after yelling at us for not allowing her to purchase them two years ago...oops) and they are wonderful. Honestly from the outside you would never really notice they aren't just typical flip flops, but your feet will know, and they will be so very happy.

Croc's typically run $30 a pair. Seems a little high for flip flops I know, but when you realize how comfortable they are, and that you will be living in them summer after summer it will totally be worth it. As for the , $30 is a steal! I have paid way more for shoes that are not as cute, useful or comfortable. You can find Croc's at most department stores, but for some of the more specialty pairs like the ones I have talked about you may need to order online or go to a Croc store.