Bellybum Boutique, Lincoln Square’s fabulous boutique for mom and baby, just opened a new store within their store for kids with developmental differences, The Sensory Kids Store.  I was lucky enough to get a personal tour with owner Ellen Sternweller, and was truly touched by her passion and compassion!

As a mother of children with developmental differences, Ellen was inspired to create a place where families can find what they needed in a warm, intimate, “typical” store.  Ellen and team have done all the legwork for families, and only carry the best in class tools and toys.  They’ve hand-selected their inventory with the help of therapist, doctors, other families and industry experts.

What makes them truly unique is that they are inclusive of all kids with or without developmental differences.  All kids can benefit from sensory development, and they offer a number of different toys any kid would love to find in their toy bin.  My two personal favorites were the Rock-Around Saucer and the awesome Spooner Board.

In addition to creating this amazing new store, Ellen has also been instrumental in the organizing of this weekends FREE Neighborhood Parents Network’s Developmental Differences Resource Fair being held at Gordon Tech High School on Saturday, February 4th from 10am-2pm.

Inside scoop:

• What – The Sensory Kids Store at Bellybum Boutique
• Where – 4347 N. Lincoln Ave.
• Insiders tip – If you have friends and family outside of the Chicago area with children with developmental differences, Bellybum Boutique has an amazing online store.

Looking for some fresh ideas for toys this holiday season?  I don’t know about you, but I can only buy so many “Cars” toys and Barbie Dolls.  One of the reasons I love shopping at my local specialty toy stores instead of the big boxes is because they always have a plethora of great specialty toys to recommend.

Not only are these toys a breath of fresh air from the over commercialized toys my kids seem to be bombarded with on TV and at school, but most of them focus on being creative, building, inventing, imagination and other developmental skills.  ASTRA, the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association, puts out an annual list of their top toys.  Here are 10 of the toys that made their list for 2011.

ASTRA Best Toys For Kids 2011

1. Big Bag of Science by Be Amazing (8+) – This giant kit whets the appetites of budding young scientists with more than 70 hands-on science activities.
2. Teaching Cash Register by Learning Resources (3+) – Cha-ching! Playing store comes to life with this talking, interactive cash register.
3. Shrinky Dinks Fairy Garden by Creativity for Kids (7+, but my 3-year old did it with their 5-year old cousin) – Color and bake these Shrinky Dinks, and transform a pop-up garden into a fun fairy hide-away.
4. Nanoblock by Ohio Art/Kawada (8+) – You don’t have to be an engineer to create 3-D buildings with Nanoblok.
5. Healthy Gourmet Salad for Green Eaters by Hape (3+) – Imaginative play gets nourished when children create a tasty salad with these wood vegetables.
6. Happily Ever After Jewelry Box by Orb Factory (5+) – Bring a little Happily Ever After to any girls’ room with this beautiful new decorate yourself jewelry box.
7. Fast Track by Blue Orange Games (3-7 years) – Ready, aim, score! With the Fast Track game the action is non-stop and fun is plentiful.
8. Safety Pin Bracelets by Klutz (8+) – Super-simple, fully illustrated step-by-step directions shows how anyone can craft an entire collection of sparkly jewelry out of garden-variety safety pins.
9. Potholder Kid by Harrisville Designs (6+) – Encourage life-long skills with this educational and fun toy.
10. Pathwords by Thinkfun Inc (12+) – Exercise your brain with PathWords, the exciting new game that combines the best of Tetris and Word Search!

All of these toys can be found at Building Blocks Toy Store (Lakeview or Wicker Park locations).  We love Building Blocks for their AMAZING customer service, generous return policy and free gift wrap (one less thing to do this season).

Plus, one lucky on the go reader can pick two of these toys to add under their tree this year for FREE. Simply leave a comment below or email me at cindymccarthy@onthegoChicago.com by end of day Tuesday, December 13th. The remaining seven will be donated to New Moms Inc, one of my favorite charities here in Chicago serving at risk and homeless teen moms.

If you are wondering why seven instead of eight, no my math skills are not on the fritz, my daughters had their cousin over and begged me to let them try out the Shrinky Dink Fairy Garden. I CAVED, and let them play with it.  The good news is, I can personally recommend this toy.  The girls had  hours of fun creating the fairies and hours of fun playing with them after.  GREAT activity for a cold winter day!

Disclosure – On the go was provided with all ten of these toys by ASTRA and the manufacturers as part of an event at Building Blocks Toys Store.  We were not paid to nor required to write a post about them.  All of the opinions in this blog are my own honest opinions!

Have you heard about the new SUPER store for families in Deerfield called WONDER?  It is a one-stop shop for kids birth to seven.  From diapers to complete nursuries, they’ve got you and your little ones covered!

I took a tour of the store, and had a chance to chat with a couple of the founders the week after they opened. Their goal was to bring best-in-class products at every price point (Graco to Bugaboo) from the boutique and specialty world all under one roof.

The store is HUGE, open, modern, but most of all fun!  From the family lounge with a TV and books to entertain toddlers while you nurse, to the awesome arts & crafts classroom designed by Courtney Watkins; the store founders have seemingly thought of everything.

A few of my favorite features include:

• Tricycle Race Track – Yes, they actually have a mini-racetrack setup, where your little Mario Andretti can try out that scooter or new tricycle before you buy it.
• Toy Displays – TONS of Dollhouses, train tables, kitchens, tables and chairs and more are all setup so that your toy testers can play with and you can actually see the larger toys out of their box.
• Baby Registry – Instead of being handed a printed out list of items and sent on your merry little way with a registry gun, they actually do a one-on-one consultations with each expectant family.
• Classes – They offer everything from music classes to Zoology.  Lincoln Park Zoo will be brining live animals to the store.
• Nursery Design Center – They have 10+ nurseries setup, so you can touch and feel the furniture, and get inspired by the amazing decor and bedding paired with it.
• Indoor parking and kid-sized shopping carts.

I was really impressed, and thought it was well worth the drive to the burbs.  Especially if you have a lot of shopping to do, and want to combine it with some fun for the kiddos.  Between the tricycle race track and the indoor play area ($10 per child), your kids will never want to leave.

Want to check out WONDER for yourself?  Head on over this Saturday, November 19th, Steve Songs will be playing at 11am.

Plus, WONDER generously offered up a $50 gift certificate to on the go to give to one lucky  reader.  To be entered into the sweepstakes, simply leave a comment below or email me at cindymccarthy@onthegoChicago.com by end of day Tuesday, November 22nd.

Inside Scoop:

• What – WONDER
• Where – 250 S. Waukegan Rd. (23 miles from Chicago)
• Insider Tip – Free gift wrap, and keep on the look out for their loyalty program schedule to launch early next year.

I always love when I can multitask and get chores done, while still letting my kids have a good time.  That’s why I was especially thrilled to receive an invitation to try out the new Urban Mom Salon in Bucktown.  They offer manicures, pedicures, waxing and a full service hair salon coupled with an onsite supervised play space. Genius!

The Salon side has an urban, loft feel to it, but when you walk through the connecting doors to the play oasis, the vibe changes to something closer to your dream play room. They have dress-up, play kitchen, train table, arts and crafts and even snacks!

Not only did I have a nice, relaxing pedicure,but my kids were having so much fun they did not want to leave.  The childcare is provided by Chicago Nannies, and is surprisingly affordable too. For only $7 for the first child and $4 for siblings, your kids can play for as long as you are there getting services done.

There is FREE street parking, plus they have two secret spots around back. Add stroller parking, a super friendly staff; and you have one decidedly mom friendly salon!

I will definitely be going back. I love the idea of meeting a couple of my friends with kids for pedicures, while the kids play next door.

If you would like to try out Urban Mom Salon for yourself, send an email to cindymccarthy@onthegoChicago.com or comment below by end of day Tuesday, October 25th. One lucky on the go reader will be chosen to receive free childcare and your choice of a free manicure, pedicure or blowout. Prize must be redeemed prior to December 31, 2011.

Inside Scoop:

• What – Urban Mom Salon
• Where – 2143 N. Damen
• Cost – Pretty standard pricing for services (mani/pedi-$48, hair cuts-$60, brow wax-$20).  Childcare is $7 for first child and $4 for siblings.
• Inside Tip – You can book online at www.urbanmomsalon.com

Disclosure – I was invited to try Urban Mom Salon for free.  Although I did not pay for my pedicure or childcare, I was not required to or compensated for writing this review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Its that time of year again…Babies Tots n’ More’s semi-annual consignment sale is back in town!  Twice a year, Babies, Tots n’ More sets up a huge consignment store packed with everything from strollers and bouncy seats to clothes and shoes.  They stock clothes for infants through tweens, and even have a nice selection of maternity clothes.

They are still accepting restocking consigners.  So if you have some gently used clothes, toys, gear, books or furniture you want to sell, Click hereto learn more. The Best part is you earn 65-70% of the profit, and you don’t even have to be there.

This year they are offering shoppers the chance to purchase a “Sneak Peek” ticket.  This allows you to get early access to the best stuff before the general public.  Sneak Peek tickets are $10, but one lucky on the go reader will get two for free.  Simply email me at cindymccarthy@onthegoChicago.com or comment below before 5pm on Friday, October 7th. The Sneak Peek pre-sale begins at 6:15 pm on Thursday, October 13th.

On the go will be at the sale on Friday, October 14th from 10am to 1pm handing out stickers, coloring pages and tips on the best places to find kid-sized fun this Fall.

Inside Scoop:

• What – Babies, Tots n’ More Fall Consignment Sale
• Where – 1505 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL
• When – October 13th 6:15 presale, open to the public on October 14th from 10am to 7pm & 15th from 9am-4pm
• Insider Tip – Most items are half off on the 15th after 1pm.

Like most parents, I am always looking for ways to shrink my green footprint.  Before kids I had a respectable size 9 shoe print, post children I’ve jumped to a Shaquille O’Neal’s size 23 green footprint.  Its crazy how much more trash you create once you have children.  According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average child creates 67 pounds of lunch waste in just one school year.

One of the ways I’ve tried to cut down on the trash my family produces is not using plastic bags, especially Ziploc bags for sandwiches and snacks.  Two good friends of mine and fellow Chicago moms are launching Hadley & Bex, a reusable bag line, this week.  The bags are stylish, multi-purpose, food safe and made in the USA.

Unlike other reusable bags on the market, these bags are gusseted at the bottom.  This allows them to stand up on a table, which prevents spills and makes it much easier for your toddler to reach in for snacks.  In addition, they are super easy to clean, and can be used for lots of things besides food (toiletries, crayons, etc.).

Hadley & Bex will be hosting a launch party at one of my favorite boutiques, Little Threads, this Thursday.  Enjoy food, drinks, discounts at Little Threads and goody bags.

Inside Scoop:

• What – Hadley & Bex Reusable Bag Launch Party
• Where – Little Threads (2033 W. Roscoe St.)
• When – Thursday, September 15 from 6-8pm
• Cost – FREE

If you enjoyed this article and the other reviews on the go provides, please vote for us on parents.com for Best Local Blog.  Thanks!

Whole Foods recently asked me and six other local bloggers to make a video about healthy back-to-school lunches and/or snacks.  With my eldest heading off to school for the first time this year, I thought it was perfect timing.

Since Grace is only in pre-school and gets out at 11am, I decided to pack us a picnic for an after school lunch at the park. My girls and I had a great time shopping for, making and of course eating our picnic lunch. I usually try to plan my Whole Foods shopping for Wednesday or Thursday mornings.  The Lincoln Park store has a FREE Bubbles Academy sing-along at 10am.  It is the perfect way to mix fun in with getting your grocery shopping accomplished.

Since it was Whole Foods, I knew I would be able to find lots of healthy snacks.  What I was surprised to find was the large selection of eco-friendly lunch box alternatives.  We picked up the Eco Kids lunch boxes and sandwich keepers.  I loved that the lunch boxes were compact, and had separate compartments for three different snacks and a sandwich.  We packed peanut butter and jelly on one side; Horizon Mozzarella Sticks, fruit and Annies Pretzel Bunnies on the other.  With the separate compartments, the fruit did not get the bunnies or sandwiches soggy.

To see my new cool lunch boxes in action and get more tips on packing healthy snacks and lunches, check out our video and our fellow local bloggers’ videos on the Whole Foods Facebook page.  (Mine is the second video on the bottom.) While your there, don’t forget to signup for their weekly specials and a chance to win a $500 gift card.

Disclosure – On the go was given a Whole Foods gift card and Sony Bloggie video camera for participating in Whole Foods Back-to-School initiative.  All opinions and reviews in this blog and in the video are my own honest opinions.

If you enjoyed this article and the other reviews on the go provides, please vote for us on parents.com for Best Local Blog.  Thanks!

We are fast approaching Fall.  For those of us with kids that seem to grow like weeds, that means time to go shopping.  I personally love to shop, and shopping for my kids comes in as a close second behind shoe shopping for myself!  Unfortunately my love of shopping and my budget don’t exactly match, so I regularly hit the local consignment shops.

I am always surprised at the selection of upscale brands available.  Plus, I regularly bring my higher end, gently used items in to consign, so I usually have credit to burn.  Its like getting clothes for free!

For those of you a little leery of or new to shopping at consignment stores, I say give it a try!  You have nothing to lose and LOTS to save!  Plus, there is a BIG difference between consignment stores and thrift stores.  Consignment stores carry only higher end and very gently used merchandise (in fact you will often times find things with the original tags still on it).  Plus, I can tell you from personal experience that they look over the merchandise they consign with a magnifying glass!  Sherlock Holmes could not find a stain on some of the stuff I’ve brought into Pish Posh and The Second Child, but the owners sure did…and then promptly rejected it!

• The Second Child (954 W. Armitage Ave.) is an upscale children’s and maternity wear resale boutique.  They regularly have designer children’s clothes by Oilily, Jacadi, Cakewalk, Lilly Pulitzer, and Baby Lulu. I’ve bought a number of things at this store, and consigned here too.  On my most recent visit, I found this awesome Baby Lulu corduroy dress!
• Pish Posh (3950 N. Southport Ave.) carries certified pre-owned and new children’s clothing and accessories from birth to size 14.  The store is small, but the owners have great taste, so the shelves are stocked with super cute stuff. They regularly have gently used Hanna Anderson, Oilily, Janie and Jack, Ralph Lauren and more available.  They also have a nice shoe collection.  On my last visit, I found two adorable Fall coats by Oilily and Mini Boden.
• Kangaroo Kids (2701 N. Clybourn Ave.) is the new kid on the block.  The store is quite large, and they carry a nice selection of children’s clothes from birth to size 14.  They also carry diaper bags, toys, slings and other baby accessories.  They stock designer brands, as well as Gap, Gymboree, etc. On my recent visit, I picked up an adorable cream Oshkosh sweater with the tags still on for only $7.

All three stores carry Halloween costumes too.  I actually just dropped off for consignment  my last two years of costumes to Pish Posh.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mandy Moise, co-founder of vfish , at an Neighborhood Parents Network event recently. She is an urban mom of two, entrepreneur and full of spunk. My kind of girl!

The girls and I stopped by their flagship store in Lakeview a little over a week ago, and fell in love.  Her vfish line of dresses are adorable, chic and surprisingly afordable.  There are several I have my eye on!

Mandy recently started carrying a delightful selection of kids accessories in her store.  From super cute headbands and frilly leggings to the most adorable fedoras and ties, they have something fun for even the most discerning little fashionistas!  I especially loved their charm bracelet collection.  They would make the perfect gift.

Inside Scoop:

• What – vfish
• Where – 2937 N. Clark St.
• Insider Tip – Neighborhood Parents Network members can get 25% off all regularly priced merchandise for BOTH vfish women’s and Kids! If you bring your little one with you, they can have a FREE Rubber Charm Bracelet !  See NPN Parent Perks for details.

I was reminded that my girls are “city” girls as we drove to Aurora yesterday.  My youngest started pointing to the trees on the side of the freeway and screaming, “look mommy, a forest.”  This from a kid who just went to Yellowstone!  I was relieved later in our drive as we passed a corn field, and my oldest yelled out, “look mommy, corn!”  At least she realizes corn doesn’t just magically appear at the grocery store.

I was recently contacted by Illinois Farm Families.  They are hosting an event on Monday, August 8th at Little Beans Cafe to introduce their new Field Mom program and answer questions about where our food comes from.  They will be selecting five Illinois moms to visit farms, learn about how their food is grown and share their experiences.  For more information on the Field Mom program, visit www.watchusgrow.org.

I don’t know about you, but I certainly have lots of questions about my food.  Ever since I became a mother, I suddenly care a lot more about what pesticides and chemicals are used on my food.  In addition, being a mom has made me a bit greener.  Now I find myself checking labels to see where my food was grown, and I try to shop local as much as possible.

I’m looking forward to meeting some local farmers, and learning a bit more about where my food comes from.

Inside Scoop:

• What – IL Farm Families Field Mom Information Night – Meet local farm families and help continue the dialogue between city moms and the farmers that grow their food. Apply to become an IL Farm Family Field Mom as well and get the chance to go on a series of tours to Illinois Family Farms. Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere of wine and dinner while chatting with other like-minded moms.
• Where – Little Beans Cafe (1809 Webster Ave.)
• When – Monday, August 8th, 7-10pm)
• Cost  - Free.  Click here to register

Bebe Paluzza is back at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center next weekend (July 30th & 31st).  My family attended last year, and I was amazed at all of the great products and services exhibited there. Plus, my kids loved the kids zone.

Bébé Paluzza is the largest Maternity, Baby and Toddler Show in the USA.  This year the roster of exhibitors include on the go Chicago (Saturday), Sassy Moms In The City, BUY BUY BABY, Baby Mum Mums, Ergo Baby, Language Stars, Mabel’s Labels, Miracle Cord, My Gofer and many more.

Don’t forget your dancing shoes, because there will be a Bebe Boogie dance party.  Your kids will also enjoy live performances, face painting and story telling, Plus, there will be awesome give aways (Bebe Booty) including items from Disney, BUY BUY BABY, Munchkin, What To Expect, Dr. Sears Family Essentials, Boogie Wipes (love the name of this product) and more.

Bebe Palluza has provided on the go with four tickets for one of our lucky readers. To be entered into the drawing, simply leave a comment on this post (please include your email address so I can contact you).  For additional entries, email me at cindymccarthy@onthegochicago.com and/or tweet “I want to win tickets to #BebeFaire #Chicago from @Bebe_Paluzza and @onthegochicago”.  Winner will be drawn using randome.org at 5pm on Monday, July 25th.  Tickets will be held at will call for the winner.

Inside Scoop:

• What – Bebe Paluzza
• Where  - Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center (1551 North Thoreau Dr. Schaumburg, IL)
• When – Saturday, July 30th, 10am-6pm and Sunday July 31st, 11am-4pm
• Cost – $10

Last Friday I had the opportunity to have a sneak peak of Chicago’s newest baby store, Urba Baby (1117 Armitage). The store is slated to open Tuesday, June 14th, and is a fabulous new resource for urban families!  Owner and fellow Chicago parent,  Marti Goyal, decided to open Urba Baby after having her son and developing a passion for everything baby.  She loved raising her family in Chicago (a girl after my own heart), and wanted to make it easier for other urban families to find all of the baby products they need, while also having access to community services to help them grow and learn.

As Marti walked me around the store, it became obvious that she had hand-picked and tested everything in her store.  She’s created a collection of baby and toddler products that are not only stylish, but that make life a bit easier on new parents.  From pacifiers that snap shut when they hit the ground (genius) to baby booties that actually stay on a newborn’s feet, she has focused her merchandise on the stuff you need and really works!  In addition, most of the items she carries are “green”.  She primarily focusses on baby gear, toys and accessories. Although they do carry some clothes, including their adorable Urbababy line of onsies.

Here are a few of the items they carry that I had never seen before and loved:

• Ju-Ju-Be Backpack Diaper Bag – Love that it is a backpack, all the cool pockets and that the straps are padded to make it more comfortable.
• Hold-on Handles – Awesome little handle that attaches to your stroller for your toddler to hold onto when you cross the street or alley.
• Westcoast Baby Booties – Cute little sock booties that stay on an infants footsies and are made of super soft bamboo!
• Keep-It-Kleen Pacifier – Coolest pacifier I have ever seen. It snaps shut when you drop it on the floor.

Urba Baby will also be hosting classes including yoga,pilates, baby sign language and toddler spanish. The Storybook Mom, one of our favorite Chicago storytellers, will be delighting little ones with stories every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. For a more information on their classes and upcoming events, visit Urba Baby’s online calendar.

Welcome to the ‘hood Urba Baby!

Building Block, one of my FAVORITE locally owned toy stores, is turning fifteen, and Elmo and Dora are coming to help them celebrate. I’ve been a loyal customer of Building Block since I became a mother more than three years ago.  In addition to their great selection of toys for kids of all ages, the reason I do most of my toy shopping with Building Blocks is their knowledgeable staff.  When I come in looking for birthday presents, the sales staff is always quick to offer their help.  After learning the age and gender of the recipient, they always guide me to several great options at  a range of price points.  I always leave with the perfect gift.  Plus, they do the gift wrapping for me, and have a very generous return policy.

When Katherine Nguyen McHenry, owner of Building Blocks, Chicagoan and mother of one adorable little boy, was asked recently what about owning Building Blocks brought her the most joy, she answered “…I mostly enjoy when I get to make a positive impact on the families who shop in my store, the schools and organizations I’m able to donate goods and resources to, etc.  I get to control what my business does in terms of supporting my community and my customers.  That’s really Super Duperly Fantabulous.”  We couldn’t agree more!

Elmo will be at their Wicker Park location (2130 W. Division) on Saturday, June 11th from 10am-2pm and Dora will be at the Lakeview location (3306 N. Lincoln Ave.) on Saturday, June 25th from 10am-2pm. In addition to taking photos with Dora and Elmo, your little ones will also enjoy face-painting, coloring, treats, balloons, raffles, goody bags and more.

On the go Chicago will be there celebrating with Elmo on June 11th.  We hope to see you there too!  If you can’t make it in for their big Birthday celebration, check out their free family crafts every Friday from June 3-August 27th at their Wicker Park Location.  Kids age 3+ are welcome to drop in any time between 3-5pm.

The girls and I spent this past Thursday morning shopping at The 900 Shops.  I always thought I would have boys and imagined myself as a mom to boys before I had kids, but I have to admit that I relish the fact that I have girls when I go shopping for them. To my husbands chagrin, I love shopping for them as much as I love shopping for myself!

In addition to offering some great kid-sized shops, The 900 Shops offers three hours of parking for only $13 with validation.  Parking is only $6 if you arrive after 5pm.  All of the shops and the concierge desk will validate your parking with any $10 purchase. Plus, the parking is attached, so you don’t have to brave the cold with stroller and packages in tow!

Here is a quick review of The 900 Shops kid-sized offerings, which are all located on the 5th floor with the exception of Bloomingdale’s kid’s and toddler’s departments:

• Preggers - What makes Preggers different from other maternity boutiques is that they carry a nice selection of infant and toddler clothes and toys too. You can shop for yourself, as well as your new bundle of joy at the same time! They have a particularly nice selection of maternity/nursing pajamas, designer jeans and the all so important, but hard to find transition wear (clothes for the way up and the way down). They carry a lot of local designers and unique items like Chewbeads (fashionable teething jewelry). I also loved their Glamourmom tummy control nursing tank tops. Who doesn’t like a little help smoothing out their lumps and bumps after having a little one!
• Galt Toys + Baby – The merchandiser of this Galt location is a master at making the best use of their limited space. I was shocked at the variety of items carried. You can buy everything from a stroller and swaddling blankets to your kid’s first bike. The toy selection goes from infant to school age, and they even carry some bigger toys like rocking horses and kitchens. They have a full lineup of strollers, and their staff’s knowledge is as vast as their product lines. Even with all of this merchandise, the store is surprisingly easy to navigate with a stroller.
• Mini Me - If you have a girlie girl, she will love this store. There is more pink, tutus and sequins than a princess loving girl could dream of. They do carry a small selection of boys clothes, but the store is definitely targeted to girls. The majority of the clothes are designer European brands.  There is a small selection of books and toys in the back, and they carry an adorable and sparkly collection of bows, purses and other accessories.
• Glove Me Tender – Looking for summer hats for your Florida winter trip or a winter kid’s hat past January?  This is the place!  Even in March they had a dizzying array of hats, gloves and scarves for kids of all ages and adults.  I was thrilled to find kid-sized scarfs.  I seriously looked all winter at LOTS of different stores for scarves for my toddlers, but never found any.  They had a wide variety, as well as a great selection of rain boots, rain jackets and umbrellas.  They carry summer hats year-round too.  In addition to a fab selection of kids-sized merchandise, they have a astonishing selection of adult merchandise at all price points.
• Bloomingdale’s – This Bloomingdale’s has a VERY large kid’s department, with many small designer boutiques within the kid’s department.  Unfortunately, they have a limited selection of shoes for toddlers and kids, but do carry some seasonal shoes.  The kid’s department is conveniently located just off the parking garage elevator. They also offer a nice dining option called Forty Carrots.  You can grab a light and healthy snack, or sit down to a full meal in their dining room.  They also sell Bloomingdale’s iconic frozen yogurt.
• Potbelly’s – Next to Galt you’ll find a nice size Potbelly’s.  I am a huge fan of their sandwiches, plus if your kids are little and don’t eat much you can get a “big” sandwich for only $1 more and split it with them.  My kids always love the live music they feature a few days of week too.  This Potbelly’s has live music every Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

For more downtown, kid-sized shopping, check out the post I did on the Shops at North Bridge.

Are you in the midst of Spring cleaning, or do you need a little nudge to get you started?  Well next week there is a HUGE consignment sale here in Chicago, Babies, Tots n’ More. Not only can you find amazing prices on a staggering array of clothes, gear and toys for infants to school age kids, but you can also become a consignor and make some cash off your unwanted items.  As a consignors, you make up to 76% on your items, and you don’t have to promote, display or even be there!

In addition to tons of infant and baby clothes, gear and toys, the sale also has a large selection of maternity clothes, toddler toys and clothes and even school age clothes and toys.  Kristin, the organizer of Babies, Tots n’ More, said they have a large quantity and wide selection of clothes for kids through 5T, and a smaller but still substantial selection through size Youth 16. She also shared that they have a nice selection of ride-on and push toys perfect for toddlers and young school age kids, and even offer toys like easels and golf clubs for older kids. Her team of volunteers inspects all of the items to make sure they are in good condition (no stains, holes, missing parts, etc.).

With Earth Day right around the corner, this sale presents the perfect opportunity to clean out your closets and toy rooms, make some extra money, save some serious cash on some “new-to-you” spring clothes and toys and be green by re-using!

Inside Scoop:

• What – Babies, Tots n’ More Spring Consignment Sale
• When – April 7th-9th
• Where – 1647 W. Chicago Ave. (behind Mr. Flower floral shop)
• Consignor Info – Click here to get all the details.
• Give Back – Shoppers are encouraged to bring diapers to donate to Bundle of Joy Diaper Bank, one of on the go’s fav charities!
• Inside Tips – Added bonus for consignors, they get early access to the sale Wednesday night!  Plus, most remaining items go to HALF PRICE on Saturday.

I am thrilled to introduce a guest blogger today, Amanda Marijanovic.  I met Amanda through Moms of Multiples (MOMs), a local support group for parents of multiples.  She is on their resale committee (You may remember the post I did on their Spring Resale that took place this past weekend.  Next sale is schedule for September 17th).  In addition to being a mom to active twin toddler boys, she is also an Independent Stylist with Stella & Dot.  We asked Amanda for some tips on how to spruce up Spring wardrobes for on the go moms.  Take it away Amanda...

Stop right there, mama: step away from the sweatpants and get your style mojo back! Looking and feeling like a hip mama is much easier than you may think. Take cues from the runway for color and style then shop your own closet before investing in new clothes – you’ll be surprised by how “old” outfits become new again with a little creativity and inspiration. Undoubtedly, one of the easiest ways to refresh your wardrobe from season to season without breaking the bank is by accessorizing. Flip through the pages of your favorite fashion mags (ie., Lucky, InStyle) for ideas. Here are some top trends for Spring 2011 and five ways you can apply what you see in the mags into everyday, oh so wearable clothing and jewelry concepts while you’re on the go.

1. Running Errands – Even workout pants and a light top look fantastic with a little something around your neck. Layering several delicate necklaces together allows you to create your own signature look. Choose pieces in a range of lengths and textures and add to your collection over time. Or personalize the look with a custom charm necklace that incorporates the initials or birthstones of your children with other whimsical pieces.
2. On a Play Date – Go Boho Chic and add flair to skinny jeans, a T, and cardigan with a long, ethnic-inspired necklace. Created for Stella & Dot by celebrity designer Nancy Liebowitz, the Revival Tassel Necklace is a favorite of my customers and trunk show guests.This style looks great over nearly anything in the season’s “it” color palette – what editors are calling the “new neutrals” – white, khaki, olive and navy and even stripes, animal or ikat prints. Once the weather warms up, try it over a silver tank. Pair it with the matching bracelet or layer up your arm with other mixed material combinations to complete the look.
3. At the Office – Key style statements for career wear should be all about versatility. Look for lariat styles that can  be worn long or wrapped for a shorter length, or even tied as a stunning statement bracelet. Wear them now over a light sweater dress or long, belted khaki cardigan. Finish the look with a combination of stacking leather wrap bracelets and bangles.
4. Date Night – Catch your hubby’s eye with another runway trend: vibrant, bold color. Think hot pink, red, orange, yellow and green. Strapless sundresses, maxi dresses and boldly colored tops are perfect for showing off your festive, joyful attitude this Spring. Keep it simple when wardrobing these bright hues and let your jewels make a show-stopping statement!
5. Vacation Getaway – Headed to an exotic locale this Spring for a little getaway? Pack your bags full of colorful dresses, wide-leg shorts, boldy patterned tops and a few pairs of espadrilles. Complete your ensembles with jewelry in rich, gold tones.

Whenever the going got tough when I first had my second daughter only 13 months after having Grace I would always give myself a little pep-talk. It usually went something like…”people have twins, and they manage, so you can figure this out too!”  Somehow knowing there were other women out there who could manage twins, made my daily dilemmas seem far more managable.

Well, these super-moms and masters of multi-tasking know a little something about (and have A LOT of) baby gear, toys and clothes too.  Moms of Multiples, a local support group for moms with twins and triplets, is hosting their Spring Resale on March 19th.  This sale is well known for its HUGE selection of gently used Children’s clothing (NB-5T), toys, books, baby gear, strollers, high chairs, maternity clothes and much more!

Inside Scoop

• What – Moms of Multiples Semi-Annual Resale
• Where – Unitarian Church of Evanston (1330 Ridge Ave.)
• When – Saturday, March 19th from 9am-12pm
• Cost – $1 (cash only)

Ever since I stopped working in the Loop, I find that I rarely go downtown to do my shopping in the winter.  Although I love the CTA, I have to admit that I don’t generally take it with my kids when the mercury drops below freezing.  Given the crazy cost of parking (close to $30 in most lots) and the limited metered parking, I tend to head to the burbs when the girls and I go shopping.  That is why I was particularly excited  when Lindsay Pinchuk, owner of of Bump Club & Beyond, shared with me that The Shops at North Bridge offer $12 parking for 3 hours (with validation). The rate is good at two garages, including the one underneath Nordstrom.

If you haven’t checked out Nordstrom’s kids shoe department, you should.  They  have a HUGE selection of shoes, especially athletic shoes (New Balance, Puma, Nike, Sketchers, Converse, etc.).  The staff is friendly, and your kiddos get a free balloon. Plus, if it is your little one’s first time getting a pair of shoes, they will take their picture in their new shoes and give them a Nordy doll to take home!  I would be lying if I did not admit that part of the reason my girls get all their tennis shoes at Nordstrom did not have something to do with the fact that it gives me the opportunity to cruise the women’s shoe department too!  Hey, mama needs a new pair of shoes too.  Well maybe not needs…

There are a number of other great kid’s stores in The Shops at North Bridge too including:

Kooky Kids Shop – Kooky is an awesome kids store that carries lots of one-of-a-kind toys, gifts and clothes by local designers, as well as some well known national labels.  The prices were surprisingly reasonable, and the staff was very helpful.  I particularly liked the personalized superhero capes/towels, adorable handmade corduroy skirts and the rocker t-shirts.  Don’t miss the 60% off rack in the back!

Sanrio – My daughters (and I) are obsessed with Hello Kitty.  Maybe it’s nostalgia, but I still love Hello Kitty. The Sanrio store is located across from Kooky, and is packed with everything from purses to candy.  They also have LOTS of in-store events including appearances by Hello Kitty every 3rd Saturday, Game Day every Saturday, a monthly coloring contest and loyalty program.

LEGO Store – If your wee ones are getting tired of shopping, stop by the LEGO store.  They have LEGOs available for the little ones to play with and a huge LEGO mural of the Chicago Skyline. On the first Tuesday of every month they offer a Mini Model Build where you can learn to build a mini model and take it home for FREE.  Plus, join the LEGO Club.  Once a month the LEGO Club has the store to themselves and learns to build a themed project with a  master builder.  Club members receive a free t-shirt and a $5 off coupon.  Cost is $25 per child.

Candyality – All that shopping worked up a quite an appetite, so we made our last stop Candyality.  I particularly love Candyality because they carry the candy I use to buy as a kid, plus I can get a bag of just my fav Jelly Bean flavors!  Their selection is truly staggering.

One of the reasons we chose to raise our family in Chicago is that there are such diverse neighborhoods here, and there are so many friendly, locally owned businesses within them. From donuts at Dinkel’s Bakery to toy shopping at Building Blocks, we have tons of amazing shops within walking distance of our home. So when I heard that Wal-Mart was considering a site in East Lakeview, I felt a bit of panic, and decided to write a guest post for Time Out Chicago’s Hipsqueak blog.  Click here to read more about the benefits of shopping locally!

One of my favorite places to shop with and for my family is Roscoe Village.  I was in the Village Paperie & Gifts last week ordering my daughters 3rd birthday invitations, and one of the owners, Frankie, told me about the 12 Days of Christmas promotion they were doing with some of the other merchants.

Basically you sign up to be on one of the twelve stores’s email list, and they will send you exclusive discounts for each store for twelve days (December 8th through 19th).  These are not your average sales either.  We are talking big discounts.  Plus four of my favorite stores are included – Village Paperie (great for unique and personalized gifts), Little Threads (something for the little ones), Kickin’ (stylish gifts  for the mom’s to be in your life) and Cinnamon (a little something chic for yourself).

Inside Scoop:

• Participating Stores: Village Paperie & Gifts, Little Threads, Suckers Candy, Kickin‘, New Discoveries, Heilios Center for Movement, Roscoe Village Bikes, Fixture, Cinnamon, Glam to Go, Chicago Lash Lounge and Personal Space Fitness.
• When – December 8th – 12th
• How – Join one of the stores mailing lists
• What – Huge discounts at 12 stores for 12 days!

Just in time for the holiday shopping rush, Play opened in Logan Square.  The girls and I decided to check it out for ourselves this morning.  Play is located about one block East of Dunlay’s (one of our favorite family friendly restaurants in the Square).  The store is bright, well organized (books, arts and crafts, science, baby, toddler, school age toys all have their own section), has plenty of toys available for your little ones to play with while you shop and has an amazingly friendly staff (thanks Stacy for all your help).

They have a nice dress up section that included a lot more than princess costumes (fireman, doctor, etc.), a solid selection of science and arts and crafts related toys and some items I had never seen before like there birthday party kits.  These themed kits (pirates, princess, butterflies, etc.) include invitations, thank you notes, cupcake toppers and wrappers and even matching goodie bags.  They also have a book where your child can note their wish list for upcoming birthdays or holidays.

• Where – Play (3109 Logan Blvd.)
• Insider Tip – Check out their free storytime on Tuesday at 11am.  Plus, they offer free gift wrapping!

I recently visited BabyDolls Boutique in Lakeview (3727 N. Southport) and loved it.  They describe themselves as every little girl, woman, and mommy’s Magical Queendom. Which I would have to agree with.  In addition to having great gifts, accessories and some of the most sought after and popular baby gear, they also had a gorgeous selection of costume jewelry and handbags.  Rarely do I shop for me and my kids in the same store, but at BabyDolls, I found myself ping ponging from an adorable bracelet for me and a cute little skirt made from vintage fabric for my daughter.

This weekend is their three year anniversary and launch party for their new, handmade clothing line, Pink & Blue.  In addition to crafts and snacks, there will be a visit from Woody!

• Where – BabyDolls Boutique (3727 N. Southport Ave.)
• When – 11am-2:30pm
• What – Woody, Fall Craft Table, Sidewalk Chalk, Fun Dessert Treat Table, Live DJ and Raffles

If you are looking for the latest trends in baby and toddler services, furniture, gear and toys, then check out Bebe Paluzza this weekend. They have over 125 vendors, educational seminars and even a Mommy Pampering Lounge.  They will have licensed babysitters available to watch the kids, while you get to enjoy a manicure and spa treatments.

They will also have live music including Mr. Singer and the Sharp Cookies on Sunday at 11:30 on the Mamapalooza stage.

• Where – Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center
• When – July 31-August 1
• Cost – $10 (kids under 5 are free)