A shopping blog of cool gift ideas

After attending a recent showcase of eco-friendly products, it seems the cloth diaper is making a big comeback. No longer composed of threadbare cloth and scary safety pins, these diapers are cute, comfy and best of all, won't be filling up landfills anytime soon. 

These Bumpkin Diaper Bundles are a great alternative to a gift basket when attending a baby shower. The set includes three diapers and three inserts and a quikee bag that comes in a decorative box. Besides the obvious environmental benefits of cloth diapers, they're better for baby in general. They reduce diaper rash, accelerate potty training, save money, and reflect when a baby needs changing sooner than disposables. If you're not convinced by now, check your diaper bills at the end of each year and you do the math. They're great gifts for eco-babies. For a complete guide to cloth diapers, click here.

Bumkin Boy Diaper Bundle & Bag starting at $69.99.

It may sound old fashioned to get the bride-to-be some cookbooks, but it’s usually a much needed gift that is rarely asked for. This Bride & Groom Cookbook: Recipes for Cooking Together from Williams-Sonoma includes everything to get the couple acclimated to cooking on a regular basis. 

There's also book on entertaining – from Holiday Dinners, to barbecues, and cocktail parties. There's practical checklists and even tips for musical accompaniment. So even though they're newlyweds, they can be old pros at entertaining. It's the perfect Bridal Shower gift for the couple.

Williams Sonoma Bride & Groom Cookbook: Recipes for Cooking Together starting at $34.95.

The perfect soundtrack is essential whether they’re chilling at the beach, the backyard or a foreign country for Spring Break this year. Let them listen to their tunes in style with these sweet headphones from Wesc and their week off just got exponentially cooler.

Say bon voyage to those disposable ear buds, and enjoy quality sound. The unisex print makes it ideal for any guy or girl and the leather ear cups block out any outside sound, so they can enjoy their vacation without any interruption. Check out the other cool styles from WeSc to match their style.

WeSc Unisex 's The Stash Bongo Headphones starting at $95.00.

With Fashion Week behind us, I'm itching to update to my spring wardrobe. But just because you can’t afford those $700 Christian Louboutin shoes this spring, doesn’t mean you can’t find some affordable accessories to shake things up.

If you are looking for an affordable accessory to buy as a gift – or a treat for yourself – a pretty scarf is a great answer. I am loving this Serena Scarf by Elie Tahari. Tie-dye, dip dye, watercolor, whatever you want to call it, it's HUGE this season. Layer it with any basic tee, and you have an instant new look. It's perfect for the Frugalista on a budget.

Elie Tahari Serena Scarf starting at $64.00.

When you got up today, did it feel like just any old Tuesday? Well, time to check your calendar, because today is not just any Tuesday- it’s Fat Tuesday, as in Mardi Gras. I realize it might be tough to jump on a plane and get to New Orleans in the next hour or so, but there’s not much of an excuse to at least do a little celebrating today.   

For the over 21 crowd, just gather a bunch of friends with the same “Laissez les bon temps rouler” attitude as yours and imagine yourself a part of one of the biggest parties in the world at you local watering hole. As for party suggestions, think over-the-top costumes, lots of beads, a large non-descript drinking cup, and throw in a fun drinking game (I vote for the Party Ice Luge) or two.

One other hint, you should think of your “I’m going to be a little late for work today” excuse now. They work a little better when you have some prep time.

Party Ice Luge starting at $24.50.

When a new baby arrives, it's the most special day of all, and when that baby is baptized, it's one of the first milestone's of a baby's life. While Christening gowns are usually the parents picking, there are other ways to give your blessing with this Sterling Lamb Pacifier Clip.

Not only does this serve as a beautiful keepsake, but it's functional as well. You can choose from three different designs, a heart, a cloud, and my favorite and the most symbolic, the lamb. It's cute design is sure to please the baby and it's symbolic shape will show the parents that you share their joy for their little one joining their faith.

Sterling Lamb Pacifier Clip starting at $48.00. 

At this year’s Toy Fair, I found something I wish I could have had when I was a kid. Does this sound familiar? When I was a kid, I would completely dismantle my room and construct the most elaborate (or at least elaborate to a kid…) fortresses using pillows, chairs, furniture, books, you name it, all covered by bed sheets and blankets. Building bedroom forts is so much fun!

Fast forward to 2009 Toy Fair and you can imagine my minor freak out when I stumbled upon the Crazy Forts booth. The best way to describe Crazy Forts is it’s basically a Tinker Toy-like set that enables you to construct internal frameworks to create awesome bedroom (…or any room) forts. Tall forts…easy. Long tunneling forts…piece of cake. These forts will be so much fun to make, it will be hard to take them down.   

I love Crazy Forts for kids of all ages who love to play pretend. One hint, from Crazy Forts creator Jim Whitney, they older the kid, the more Crazy Forts they’ll need.  So I guess you should put me down for three sets.

Crazy Forts starting at $46.95.

There's monsters in my room! This is a common complaint most parents are all too familiar with. So when ALEX Toys teamed up with textile designers CHF, the result was monstrous!

The kings of crafts, ALEX introduced over 100 new items at Toy Fair this year, each one cooler than the other.There's a monster theme in a lot of the new items, for big kids, and their preschool "Little Hands" line.

Plus all kinds of amazing craft kits to keep kids occupied on rainy days. Check out other Alex kits that are out now, and soon you too will be a devoted fan of their wacky and whimsical creations. Stay tuned for more guru picks from this year's toy fair.

Monster Clompers starting at $14.95.

America's favorite "It" girl turned 50 last week, and like most media moguls she's popping up everywhere. Both young and old have memories of Barbie, and to celebrate her staying chic throughout the years, there's the Barbie Loves Stila Paint Can. 

Each set represents a different decade of style, I love the classic Ponytail Tail Doll from 1959. There's also the Malibu Doll and Foxy Doll from the 70's and the Jewel Doll for the new millennium. Each set includes everything you need for your new look and a collectible tin to keep it all together. For the collectors, there's the 50th Anniversary Doll to mark this cultural milestone. See Barbie strut her stuff at the Barbie Runway Show at New York City's Fashion Week.

Stila Loves Barbie Paint Can Ponytail Doll starting at $40.00.

Skaters don’t want to be boxed in by traditional (dorm) room decor. Luckily, they don't have to. Board up their books and magazines with these awesome skateboard speaker shelves from PBteen.

These skateboard-esque wall hangings have more than enough room to contain your shredding teen's copies of Thrasher Magazine. And has a iPod dock up front that plays all their tunes through two 3 inch speakers. These are a great gift for those who love hanging in their rooms just as much as hitting the pavement in search of new rails. Finally, their rooms will be as cool as they “know” they are. 

PB Teen Skateboard Speaker Shelves starting at $59.99.