No matter how bad the economy is, there are things that working mamas like me must insist on buying or owning. Educational toys, tools, books and programs are of utmost importance to kids, therefore they are must-have items.

I will cut down on buying acne cream products, but I won’t stop buying educational books for kids. Reading is a good habit that should be cultivated in kids as early as possible.

I remember I ordered “My Very Own Name”, a personalized children’s book for my niece some time ago to help her learn to recognize letters and spell her names.

My sister is glad that her daughter has started having interest in books. Whenever they are at the bookstore, my niece wants my sister to buy her one or two story books.

Tags: educational books, educational tools, personalized storybooks, reading habits

With increasing gas and food prices, working mamas like me have to exercise strict control on spending ranging from grocery to travel health insurance.

When it comes to baby gifts, I always check out if there are cheap bargains or discounted brands on sale first.

To me, baby gifts should be unique. They don’t have to be expensive, but they must not look cheap.

If you’ll take some time shopping online, you will find good quality baby gifts that save an extra 10% off already reduced sale items at BabyCenter Store with code SAVE10MORE thru 7/6.

Tags: already reduced baby gifts, baby gifts, cheap bargains, control on spending, extra 10% off, shopping online, working mamas

Hot mama Angelina Jolie has given birth to twins! The twins were finally named Knox Leon Jolie Pitt and Vivienne Marcheline Jolie Pitt. Guess that Jolie needs baby stuff such as baby carriers, baby clothing and strollers — for twins.

There were collective groans from reporters and commentators the world the moment they learned the names of Angelina Jolie’s twins. Jolie and partner Brad Pitt didn’t go for “Jack and Jill”. Instead Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline.

Cool names! Unique baby names.

Tags: baby carriers, baby clothing, discounted baby stuff, hot mama Anjelina Jolie, Knox Leon Jolie Pitt, strollers, Vivienne Marcheline

Another week in the city. Hubby and I are going home tomorrow. But before heading home, we will check out some mega sales around the city.

There are two stuffs that I must remember to order online. One is the HDMI cable and the other one is an essential baby care gadget, DEX Products Sound Sleeper SS-01.

Many baby experts seem to agree that newborns crave the swooshing sounds of the womb, and that silence, for them, is startling. Newborns will cease screaming as soon as you turn the womb sounds on.

This DEX Products Sound Sleeper comes with an AC adapter so it can be turned on to play continously–other models shut off automatically after a 40 or 60 minute period. The sudden absence of noise wakes some babies up.

Tags: baby care gadget, baby screaming, mega sales, newborns, womb sounds

I came across this Melissa and Doug Deluxe Standing Easel after buying a flash drive at a shopping mall.

My nieces have been playing with the easel daily especially the chalkboard. They play with this easel more than any other toy they own.

I love the adjustable size, durability and ease of use. Assembling is a breeze.

The eraser of the Melissa and Doug Deluxe Standing Easel is most definitely made of very good material.

I can’t get over the quality of the chalks, it really has surpassed my expectations on quality even the colors are nice. The chalks are not as messy as I thought they would be and seem to last long too!

Tags: adjustable size, durability, Melissa and Doug easels, shopping mall

Most girls love Barbie Girls. My nieces are of no exception. I even bought them Barbie Girls MP3 players.

The Barbie Girls MP3 players came with all of the clothes, shoes, and hair that my nieces could clip on and off. Plus, they also came with an extra set of fashions.

I remember my nieces told me that they stored 240 songs in their MP3 players.

Tags: Barbie Girls, Barbie Girls MP3 players

I miss some of my buddies whenever I see the Beanie Babies given by them. We have the same hobby — toy hobby.

But after they successfully found themselves good jobs in San Francisco, they moved there and left behind some Beanie Babies for me. I kept some and gave some to my nieces and nephews.

While I may not be as obsessed as last time with Beanie Babies Max the Rabbit & Ruby the Rabbit, I still buy one once in a while.

You can find Beanie Babies in every type of animal you can think of.

Tags: Beanie Babies, Max and Ruby, Toy Hobby

It’s undeniable that hubby is a better shopper than I am. Whenever he goes shopping, he makes sure that he utilizes some of the money saving tips he learned online when shopping or hunting for cheap bargains.

Just yesterday, he bought 2 pairs of eyeglasses. He has got 4 pairs of eyeglasses now! As for me, I have only a pair of eyeglasses.

Tags: better shopper, cheap bargains, Money Saving Tips

My sister bought this Car Seat two weeks ago for her six-year-old while searching for popcorn machines for her company. Her daughter’s pretty close to 40 pounds and was about to outgrow her current seat.

She had installed the Car Seat in her Camry with the shoulder seatbelt and it went in like a dream.

I myself like Graco Products too. Be sure to pay attention to the specifics. Children must be one year old and weigh 20 pounds (both, not either/or) to use this seat and it’s forward-facing only.

Tags: baby gifts, car seat, Graco Nautilus, shoulder seatbelt

It’s a temporary relief to have heard that my uncle will be discharged from the hospital today. He has been in the hospital for 3 weeks and has found staying in the hospital very boring.

Hubby suggested that we celebrate my uncle’s discharge from the hospital by having a small party and bringing along some wine from the California wine clubs.

Though my uncle still has to be admitted into the hospital again a week later for his chemotherapy, going home for a week is still a boost to him. It’s depressing to see sad-looking patients, doctors and visitors all the time in the hospital.

It’s also a relief to family members who have been in and out of hospital these few weeks. I think I can finally spend some spare time shopping for cheap bargains at some mega shopping malls in the city.

Tags: cheap bargains, shopping malls