Teacher Gifts

Teacher Appreciation Day is next Tuesday, May 4th. I was looking for some ideas when AmberLee of Giver's Log posted a great list of 50 gift ideas that kids can make (here).

My older daughter and I decided on the Vanilla Almonds (recipe and free printable here).

What fun things are you doing/giving to a teacher this year?

today {April 24}

(image via karina, ink.)

Hola Baby Giveaway - WINNER

Thanks to all who participated in the Hola Baby GIVEAWAY.

I am happy to announce the lucky winner is comment #2 - Sara! Congratulations! Hola Baby will contact you very soon.

snackTAXI

Earlier this week I read Kimberly's Earth Day post at Tippy Toes and Tantrums. I've been meaning to buy reusable sandwich and snack bags but hadn't done the research myself. My husband has been using these sandwich keepers from Tupperware for almost two years and has been very happy with them. Yet I still used plastic for my kids occasional sandwiches during the week. And a little plastic snack baggie nearly every day.

Well, after going to Kimberly's link to snackTAXI I decided that now, Earth Week, is the best time to make the switch from using the little plastic bags daily. Two cute sandwich bags and two adorable snack bags are one their way to me very soon!

Use promotion code EDAY2010 to get 20% off your order (shipping rates are reasonable).

Give a gift to Mother Nature, go reusable!

First Communion gift ideas

It seems like every April a First Communion invitation arrives in our mailbox. We are currently in the stretch of my husband's nephews and niece, before that it was my nephews and niece (yes, we still divide them by 'yours' and 'mine' - all but one were born before we were married), and before them it was extended family. It is hard to believe that in a few years it will be me sending out the invitations for my older daughter.

Here is my list of gift ideas for First Communions.

Boys and Girls:

• First Communion Felt Softie ($17 plus $1.50 shipping) from Saintly Silver's Etsy shop
• The Jesus Storybook Bible ($12, but prices change without reason) from Amazon
• Personalized Painted Cross on Canvas ($35 plus $7 shipping) from Sunshine by CK's Etsy shop

Boys:

• Hand Sculpted Stoneware Cross ($30 plus $7 shipping) from Lisa Marie Pottery's Etsy shop
• Sterling Silver First Communion Necklace ($42 plus shipping) from The Catholic Company, with a shorter leather cord

Girls:

• First Communion Dress to fit an American Girl doll ($16 plus $2.49 shipping) from ringsalad's Etsy shop
• 
  
  Cross Glass Pendant ($13.95 plus $2 shipping) from Cynthia Cool Beans' Etsy shop
• 
  
  Just about anything from the new Little Girls line from Stella & Dot (more details next week!).

Hola Baby GIVEAWAY!

Hola Baby is a cool Spanish t-shirt company designing for kids. Their designs are so fresh. I sometimes get bored with the same retail options for dressing my kids. Hola Baby offers a little more fun in each t-shirt design! Some of my favorites are Fresona/Girly Girl, Campeon/Champion (yes, still a fav! Remember this?), and Mijito/My Little Son. Any of the Hola Baby shirts would be perfect for a Cinco De Mayo celebration.

Well today I am super excited as we kick off another GIVEAWAY! Julie from Hola Baby has generously offered my readers a chance to win one of her adorable Spanish Tees! If you are the lucky winner you'll get the t-shirt and size of your choice shipped directly to you from Hola Baby.

You have 3 chances to WIN! Make sure to leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry, and leave your email address if it is not easily visible on your profile.

1. Leave a comment on this post telling us which of the fun designs is your favorite Hola Baby t-shirt.

Bonus Entries:

2. Become a fan of Hola Baby on Facebook HERE . Current fans are eligible, too!

3. Become a fan of Penguin's Gift on Facebook HERE . Current fans are eligible, too!

This giveaway will close on Wednesday, April 21st. Please leave all of your comments by 10:00 p.m. on that day.

House of Wisdom

Remember this post about my love of giving prints? Well, I can finally share with you the print that was waiting to be given ... its from hope ink on Etsy.

We gave the House of Wisdom print (8x10 for $25 and free shipping) to my husband's sister and her family as a housewarming gift. Needless to say they love it! I think its perfect for a newly built home as well as one that has been established by loving family for many years. This would also make a great Mother's Day gift because really, every mom is proud of the home she has created for her family.

While you are visiting hope ink's Etsy shop be sure to check out their other wonderful prints, including the Sweet Flower print that was featured here in February.

tune in next week ...

I'll paraphrase something I heard yesterday - 'Sometimes life is like a ball of inertia and the best we can do is hold on' - because that sums up my week.

I apologize for the lack of posting here at Penguin's Gift. I promise to be back next week with a new print to share and to kickoff a great GIVEAWAY!

Lilly Pulitzer Towels

Remember when I told you how I've missed the designer handbag boat here? And the the Pandora bracelet train here? I have one more confession to make - I'm not a fan of the Lilly Pulitzer clothes. We are lucky to find some in the bags of hand-me-downs from my daughter's older cousin but I'm not that crazy about the dresses. Yes, they are super cute! But are they worth all the money? Not for me.

Recently I received a catalog from Garnet Hill and oh-my-goodness I've fallen for the Lilly Pulitzer Home collection for Garnet Hill. Big time. I love the bedding! One set for me and one set for each of my girls.

I also love the towels! The color bands of blue, green, or yellow are bright and beautiful. The best part of Garnet Hill carrying the Lilly towels - free monogramming! I love the image of one with black lettering in a powder room. You can have a single initial, monogram, or last name embroidered onto a hand towel for just $24 plus shipping.

I think they would make a great Spring hostess or housewarming gift.