Okay, so if you were one of us who watched Oprah on the day that she introduced us to her favorite turkey burger, you can understand why we had to go right out and get the ingredients to sample it ourselves!  It turns out that they ARE as good as they looked on-air, so move on over Oprah because Bellaziza’s Favorite Things now has an Official Favorite Turkey Burger too!  It’s not something we would have ever expected, but not all that surprising either at this point:).  Ooh, and P.S. - Oprah, we love you!

So this recipe will be the star of the show at your 4th of July fête with your family’s potato salad or maybe even some Freedom Fries (LOVE the irony…and the French!).  It comes from Donald Trump’s posh private club Mar-a-lago in Florida.  Thanks to The Oprah for getting the recipe out of The Donald.  Give it a try and enjoy your holiday!

• 1 Anjou pear, peeled and diced
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. sea salt
• 1 1/2 cups Major Grey’s Chutney
• 1/4 cup dried currants or raisins

Preheat oven to 350°. 
Toss the diced pears with the cinnamon and salt. Bake on a parchment-lined cookie sheet for 10 minutes. 
Cool and mix with the chutney and currants or raisins. 

Okay girls, get excited!!!  We are celebrating Mother’s Day in a very big way this year.  We have looked through countless resources and found what we believe to be the absolute crème de la crème just for you!!  Throughout the next few days we will be posting reviews on all of these fabulous products, so stay tuned for detailed info on just why these products have been added to the list of Bellaziza’s Favorite Things!

Imagine winning our Mother’s Day Spa Swag Giveaway…a box brimming over with wonderful products to help you, Mom, to relax and enjoy taking care of you.  

We begin your well-deserved date with yourself with an incredible facial using your new Clairsonic skin care system.  You feel refreshed and rejuvenated after experiencing the deep cleaning of a professional facial, but the peace of mind in knowing that it is available to you everyday from the comfort and convenience of your own home.  Finally, something that you can promise yourself to make time for!

You continue Bliss-fully with the spa-inspired anti-aging Bliss Youth Group Skincare Kit .  The Youth As We Know It moisturizer, concentrate, cleanser, toner and eye cream all perfectly packaged in a pretty pink cosmetic carry all.  You are worth the pampering, and you know it!

After your rejuvenating facial, complete with your new youthful glow , you slip into your cozy new pajamas, compliments of Hatley.  You are so happy and can’t wait to see how your little sweetie looks in their own set after Daddy gives kiddo a bath tonight!  PS - We love you Dads for that night off!!

As you look in the mirror, noticing how special you feel, you open the clasp to your beautiful custom-made Tiny Squares necklace by Lisa Leonard Jewelry.  It is so dainty and perfect for everyday wear, yet so special with the names of your loved ones artfully inscribed on individual squares.  Maybe it’s you represented by the delicate pearl hanging in front.

What’s the perfect date with yourself without a good book and something sweet?  As you open your fresh copy of every hot mom’s fave read, Rock Star Momma, by Skye Hoppus, you get ready to take that ‘me time’ that many times is forgotten.  You pause though remembering the box of one dozen decadent Sprinkles Cupcakes in the kitchen!  They are a Katie and Suri’s favorite and they sure are ours too!  

One hip, lucky and stylish momma will be taking all!  Just email us with ‘”SPA SWAG” in the subject line and let us know which prize you love the most.  Email reviews@bellaziza.com.  All entries must be received by Sunday, May 11th, midnight, PST.  You may enter once per email address per day.  Winner will be chosen on Monday via random.org.  Good luck to all and HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!! 

Just wanted to give you a little taste of what’s in store for you, our fabulous readers, over the next few weeks…

As you have probably noticed, we are posting more often than ever and have started doing some fabulous SWAG ALERT giveaways! If you like what you’ve been seeing, good because it’s only going to get better!

Coming up, we have our great in-depth reviews and SWAG ALERT giveaways including products from Boon, Phil&Teds, Lemon Loves Lime, Huddy Buddy, D-Mo Baby, Plan Toys, Klean Kanteen, Right Bank Babies, Italtrike and MANY more!!!

ALSO, Mothers Day will be celebrated with some of  Bellaziza’s Favorite SPA SWAG!  So sit back, relax, and stay tuned.  Seriously, you won’t want to miss this one girls… Bliss Spa anyone?

We just wanted to pass this GREAT resource on to all of you online shoppers!  Did you have any idea that you can actually get PAID to shop online?  YES, and we are talking real hard cash!!  Okay, they send you a check in the mail, but that’s pretty incredible if you ask us!  Hooray Ebates.com!!!

It’s so easy too!  You can shop at any of the normal places that you would shop online, just get there through clicking their link to whatever site you are going to shop on at Ebates.com before you go!  You will then receive a percentage of what you spend into your Ebates.com account - that’s your Ebate Rebait!  You just sign into Ebates, connect to the website of your choice via their link, and you paid!  

There are also some super deals that you will have access to exclusively through Ebates.com like the $25 off code that they gave me at Bloomingdales.com.  It had no minimum purchase, so I bought my $45 sandals for only $20!  I also received 7% of the total of my purchase back into my Ebates account!  Now that’s an incredible deal.

Trust us when we say that it is definitely a must have for anyone that shops online!  Not only for the cash back, but for the access to the best online discount codes.  Could you ask for more?  YES!  For a limited time get $5 in your Ebates account just for signing up!  Just click on any of the links posted here to get going!

Be free to be green!  It seems that everyone is doing it these days.  It’s not only fashionable, but it really is something that we can all feel good about.  It’s Earth Day and there’s no day like today!

When it comes to our kiddos though, it sheds an entirely new light on going green.  We all want the very best of everything for our children, but when it comes to products that unknowingly pose a hazard, there is just no question.   With all of the recent toy recalls and now this issue with the phthalates and bisphenol-A in the plastic that even the so-called ‘best’ bottles are made of, you can’t help but be extra cautious.  Thank heavens for products that we can feel good about and at the same time not feel style deprived!  

We recently found a fantastic new store called GreenBaby.  They carry a wonderful selection of the hippest products out there.  The best thing is that every single item that they sell is 100% green and something that you can feel good about giving to your little one.

We are giving one lucky reader some fabulous Earth Day Swag!  GreenBaby’s Feeding Sampler Gift Set (retail $90) is the perfect gift for any new mom.  

Gift Set includes: 1 - green to grow 5 oz regular 1 - green to grow 5 oz wide 1 - Adiri Stage I natural nurser 1 - ThinkBaby 5 oz bottle 1- $50 GreenBaby gift certificate

So you get 4 different bottles that are 100% phthalates and bisphenol-A free, are super safe and also super cute!! You will also get a $50 gift certificate to GreenBaby so that after testing and finding the perfect bottle to fit your little baby bear’s preferences, you can stock up!

To enter, visit www.greenbaby-nyc.com and check out their incredible selection of all things green baby!  

Then, leave us a comment telling us what you would use the $50 gift certificate to purchase if you win!  You have until midnight PST Sunday, April 27th to enter.  Winner will be chosen via the random.org random selection tool and announced on Monday, April 28th.  Good luck and Happy Earth Day!

This just in from Jessica at My Vintage Baby…

Friends - LAST CALL for FALL - we have Spring merchandise coming in and this is the first and last time we will ever do this- but-we need space in the warehouse—so—all remaining Fall inventory (and there is a TON) is $10- does not matter what it is- it is $10. Load up on holiday gifts, baby gifts, etc!
Lisa’s email below says to call or email Kim- that is not necessary- if you come this week between 9:30am and 4pm we will be there for you to shop. NO CHECKS. We prefer cash- but we do take all major credit cards.

Hope to see you!

Jessica
My Vintage Baby Corporate

Our new address is:
403 Power House St., Suite 301
McKinney, TX 75071
972-548-9850

How many of you are certifiable Bag-a-holics? I know that I am. I can go without whatever, but as long as I have a reeeeally nice purse, I am good to go. When I had my daughter Isabella, I refused the idea of a diaper bag. I associated the term with those hideous character bags made of padded vinyl. I did a large super chic Isabella Fiore bag of my dreams instead:)! Did I have to dig in the bottom to find things? Yes. Did I end up overfilling it to the point of some damage? Absolutely. Did I even think to reconsider? NO! Not until I received the Maria bag by Mia Bossi! It is just as much a luxury handbag as any of the other big names, with it’s fine fabrics and rich leathers, and as it retails between $340 and $590 (depending upon the material), it’s a great buy!

Can I tell you how nice it is to make daily use of something that is SO functional, yet absolutely gorgeous!?!? It really makes your life better! Now, I don’t search around for all of the necessaries of leaving the house, for one thing. It’s all in there and in such an organized way that it just makes me smile:).

The other totally unique feature is that the lining zips out and can be washed very easily. SO smart! Also, once Junior is out of diapers, you can get the Computer Case Insert ($70) and it completely converts into the most beautiful and functional computer bag / briefcase that you could ever imagine!!

The Maria is our new Favorite Thing and is sure to be one of yours too! Mia Bossi also offers seven other different styles and many colors to choose from. There is even a matching baby carrier - Mia (Look for this to be reviewed by us later) - and some bags that work for Dads - Rex and Tobey (not purse-ish at all)! To purchase one or for more info, go to www.miabossi.com , or google them to see all of the great things that everyone else is saying about their super chic and innovative line of must-have products!

I have a great resource to all of the moms out there! It is called “Work It, Mom! ” and can be found at www.workitmom.com . I really love this site and have found so many cool tips and tricks for moms who balance family and career.

They have lots of great information on everything including career and money, family and parenting, managing your business, and ways to simplify and take time to relax. I know that I could use a little more of that last one. I also find the stories and interviews especially encouraging and inspiring!

Please check it out. They are doing such a great job supporting and inspiring moms like you and me! I know that you will love what they are doing!

Bellaziza is being featured at a very exciting event that is sure to be an evening to remember, Ladies Night Out with the Designers at Baby Grace Baby Planner in Rockwall, TX! One of our favorite lines, Lemon Loves Lime is also a big part of the evening, and the entire Spring / Summer 2008 collection will be there to preview and purchase! VERY exciting!!!

It will be a great night to get out of the house, socialize and shop at beautiful Baby Grace Baby Planner ! There will be so many incredible door prizes (trust us on this one - F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S!!!) and complimentary gift bags from Baby Grace Baby Planner and their generous sponsors with a value of over $100; yours just as a thanks for coming!

Celebrity Bakery and Cafe will be catering the event, so there will be lots of yummy treats! They are even custom designing cookies with the Bellaziza and Lemon Loves Lime logos:)!!! We are absolutely excited about that!

For more info, please contact us at reviews@bellaziza.com or you can go to www.babygracebabyplanner.com. Hope to see you there!

How many of us wish we could actually purchase more time in the day? I know that I have frequently been known to say that! It’s frustrating when we have too many things to do and just not enough time! I have found that when I am highly organized I do not run into that problem nearly as much, AND I live at a level that is closer to what I know that I am capable of. MomAgenda has been a big help with this and is a fantastic product that we would like to recommend not only for it’s tremendous functionality, but for it’s delicious design!

The pages are set up so that you can manage up to four children’s schedules - play dates, homework, doctor’s appointments, soccer practice, etc… - along with your own schedule! There are also plenty of bonus spaces to incorporate other details of your life such as a removable address book. They were really thinking for this one! Who wants to rewrite all of their contacts and all of that other information that doesn’t really change when the year does? Just slip it into your new MomAgenda when the year changes and you are ready to go!
Check out momAgenda’s new Kitchen Folio too! It is another great product that will save you lots of time and frustration! Think: how to organize all of those little paper odds and ends that we can’t throw away but that clutter our wallets, desks, drawers, counter tops, and LIVES!

MomAgenda has been an absolute breath of fresh air! The original MomAgenda Desktop sells at www.momagenda.com for $42 and the Kitchen Folio for $29.95. I hope that you will try their products out since we are sure that it will bring you the same fantastic experience that we have had! Visit www.momagenda.com for more information.