I like the looks of these Mommy & Me Hair Clips made by Lil’ Sugarplum because they’re not so flowery like many hair accessories for children are. These dragonflies are cool enough for Mom to wear and delicate enough for baby to wear as well. With velcro, the clips provide a more secure hold on both Mom’s and Baby’s hair. Available with pink and blue wings, lavender wings, or yellow wings, the clips sell for $17 per pair at LilSugarplum.com.

It’s a bone of contention in our house that I won’t let my girls wear flip flops. While I can appreciate some aspects of that summer favorite, I just don’t feel like my girls’ feet are safe in them. I like these sandals from bathing suit favorite Kate Mack because they incorporate the practical elements of flip flops–easy to get on and off, water proof, etc., with safety features such as an ankle strap. They are pretty darn cute, too. Whether they are paired with a coordinating Kate Mack bathing suit or with shorts and a tee shirt, these are sure to be a hit with moms and kids alike. You can purchase a pair for $26 at bestdressedkids.com.

One of the best things about having a daughter (I’m guessing) is being able to buy her all sorts of cute hair accessories. I love this Crocheted Hat with Flower Clip by Woobie Wear. Babies, toddlers, and young children can get away with wearing beautiful hats like this one. It’s handmade, just like all of Woobie Wear’s hair accessories, and the flower clip is interchangeable, allowing for several different looks. Another great thing about these hats - they’re one size fits all, from newborn to age 12, as they come with an adjustable ribbon. So even though you might spend $20 for a hat, you know your child will be getting years of wear from it. You can view this gorgeous hat and all of Woobie Wear’s products at HeyBabyDesigns.com, and you can purchase this hat for $19.59 at Image-DesignInc.com.

Fawn and Finch makes handmade pacifier holders designed to make life easier for both mom and baby. I wish pacifier clips had been popular when my son was little - would have saved a lot of crying and shrieking for the pacifier by baby and frantically running to wash off the dirty, dropped pacifier by mom or dad! These handcrafted pacifier holders are really cute, and come in a variety of styles. I particularly like this one - Monster Mania. With its teal blue and chartreuse green colors, it works for a boy or a girl. Measuring 6.75″ x 3/4″, you can purchase this pacifier holder for $9.00 and view the entire line at FawnandFinch.com.

My baby is the first of my three girls to take a pacifier. She developed the habit after starting daycare at four months and is now an addict. Luckily, she is able to hold it, pick it up, and put it in her mouth without too much trouble at this point. The littlest pacifier users often struggle with this, however. A friend of mine bought one 0f these Wubbanubs for her son for this very reason and was very pleased with it–so much so in fact, that she soon bought more for her son and gave them as new baby gifts. The idea is simple. the binky is attached to a soft toy that is easy for little hands to grasp and manipulate. The weight and size of the toy also help to keep the pacifier in place near baby’s mouth. Several different animal pals are available. You can purchase one for $14.99 at Goores.com.

Here’s a wonderful gift for the eco-conscious parent-to-be on your gift-giving list. This Organic Swaddle Blanket Gift Set from ja-lu organics features an organic swaddle blanket and coordinating infant cap. The blanket trim is available in a number of fun fabrics perfect for boys or girls. The set is sewn in the USA and comes wonderfully-packaged for gift giving (if you aren’t tempted to keep it for your own little one). You can purchase a set for $60 at twolittlewhales.com.

Moms of boys will want to check out Chloe In Style’s adorable line of neck ties. These extra-wide ties are both practical and fun. You can easily dress them up or down. They are made from 100% cotton, are available in a range of sizes, and retail for $32 each. You can check out the entire line at chloeinstyle.

When we moved into our current home 4 years ago, one of the first updates we made was to install ceiling fans in every room possible. I was surprised what a difference they make, especially in the upstairs bedrooms. In my son’s room, we installed a sports-themed ceiling fan, similar to the Sports Fanatic Ceiling Fan by Suite Life Kids. Suite Life Kids carries a variety of ceiling fan styles and designs to coordinate with any nursery or child’s room decor. They sell coordinating Ceramic Fan Pulls separately on their site. With three globe lights, three speeds to the fan, and the ability to cool a room of 400 sq. feet., these fans are just the right size for a child’s bedroom. While the price on this one is a bit hefty, at $239.95, if it lasts from your child’s babyhood all through his childhood, it will have been well worth the price. You can view all styles available at SuiteLifeKids.com.

Everyone seems to be creating new iPhone apps these days. Here’s one that has a real, necessary purpose: Baby Brain, by Maternia LLC. Created by parents of two babies ages 6 months and 22 months, Baby Brain allows parents to time and record breast or bottle feedings, diaper changes, and sleep habits with just a tap/touch on the iPhone/iPhone touch. It allows you to email reports to spouses, caregivers, or doctors, view daily/weekly/monthly stats, and see your baby’s natural patterns. Recently featured in Forbes magazine, Baby Brain can be purchased at iTunes app store for $4.99.

One Lil’ Cupcake was founded in 2007 by a stay-at-home mom who designed hair clips for her daughter to ensure that others knew she was a girl. This hobby grew into a business, and now One Lil’ Cupcake carries a wide variety of handmade hair clips for babies and bigger girls. One of my favorites is this Red, White & Blue Star Hair Clip, perfect for the upcoming Independence Day holiday. It is made of 100% wool felt, hand-stitched and contains a 1 1/4″ snap clip. Measuring 1.5″ x 1.5″, the hair clip sells for $6 each at OneLilCupcake.com.

Recently I came across a fabulous idea while browsing the Internet - Pork Chops. These are thigh-high coverings for babies (they cover baby’s “pork chops”). Easier to navigate diaper changes than tights or leggings, plus providing extra cushion on the knees for early crawlers, Pork Chops are fashionable and functional. Baby can’t remove them either, as with regular socks. All Pork Chops have non-skid bottoms on the feet as well, for added safety. I especially like these Bright Stripe Pork Chops. The company also sells them in Argyle, Neapolitan Dot, and Red Dot. Pork Chops are available in sizes from 6-12 months to 6-8 years. Each pair is $18 at PorkChopKids.com.

Know someone who is expecting a baby this fall or winter? This sweet little pair of elephant booties by Little Chums would make a very thoughtful and budget-friendly gift. This cute pair of footwear is crocheted for a great homemade look. Each pair comes packaged in a felt box perfect for gift-giving. You can buy a set for $19.99 at babytango.com.

While cold-weather comfort is probably the last thing on your mind as temperatures climb, now’s a great time to get great deals on high end winter gear. Right now these Swedish Moccasins from top-brand Nowali are on sale for less than half price. You can pick up a pair for next winter for just $12 at BeetlesAndButterflies.biz.

I swear by Trumpette’s adorable line of socks, which are one of the few to stay on my baby’s feet. I was shopping the site recently and spied these adorable My Little Maryjane slippers. Available in sizes from 4/5 to 10/11, they are designed for a slightly older child, who will no doubt feel extra special wearing them. You choose between a daisy or pearl accent. Purchase a pair for $15 at trumpette.com.

In order to promote their line of baby body care products by JASON, Earth’s Best is offering a free trial promotion. If you buy $15 worth of Earth’s Best products, you can send in your receipts and labels and get this cute little travel kit.

My little one is getting ready for solids, and Earth’s Best is the only brand I buy, so I know we’ll  have no problem collecting $15 in receipts. I’ve previously used the diaper cream and liked it, but I’m excited to try the rest of the collection. You can get all of the details at earthsbest.com.