Saturday evening, the newly-formed Mar Vista Chamber of Commerce will be meeting. 6 – 8pm, 12085 Venice Blvd. RSVP and more details here.

Sunday morning, at the Mar Vista Farmer’s Market (and all the rest of the Sundays in December as well), the Mar Vista Arts and Crafts Collective will be selling their wares — just in time for holiday shopping! 9am – 2pm, Grand View Blvd. @ Venice Blvd.

Sunday afternoon, I’ll be co-hosting, along with the moms from InspireThe Change, a holiday sale in a lovely private home here in Mar Vista. 1 -6pm, 3961 East Blvd. Click here for more details.

Come on by! This Sunday from 1pm – 6pm, at 3961 East Blvd., Mar Vista 90066.

{FULL DISCLOSURE} {If I don’t sell any towels, I won’t make any money on this sale or this post; I have received no compensation to post any of this information.}

All of these gracious companies have offered a limited-time discount to you lucky readers of Mar Vista Mom, which will last from Friday, November 27th through Saturday, December 12th, except where noted below. (Please note that this is only a guide; in order to buy any of these products, you’ll need to click through to their websites and use the coupon codes provided.)

Shop Local, Shop Happy!

Soaps and Scrubs by SoaptopiaI have such a special place in my heart for this store and this soap. I remember walking by the store when they were getting ready to open for the first time. I love how it smells when you walk by and how they decorate for the holidays. And boy do I love their soap! They’ve made up a special gift box with my 2 personal favorites for the holidays: Candy Cane and Red Hot Lover, all wrapped up in the Double Bubble Soap Box for $12.50. Plus they’ve got the Jingle Smells Good Box for $27.50. Either of these would make a great gift for teachers, Mothers-in-Law, or best girlfriends.

Use the coupon code MVMSMELLSGOOD for 10% off online orders. Also, from Black Friday 11/27 through Cyber Monday 11/30 ONLY, the coupon code JINGLESMELLSGOOD will get you free shipping. (Coupons may not be combined; pick the one that works best for your order.) Product information available at www.Soaptopia.com.

Spread Heads by Black LabI don’t know about you, but at my house we eat of lot of items that can be dipped in ketchup, so I buy it in bulk at Costco. And since my kids are boys, almost everything we do in life is an opportunity for a gross-out session. Enter the world’s best gift idea for little boys (and those girls who aren’t disgusted by it): Ketchup Charlie, from whose nose the ketchup emanates. Good ‘ole Mustard Marvin spits the yellow stuff right out of his mouth. It’s heaven on a plate for the picky-eater set. Perfect stocking stuffers for all the kids in your life.

Use the coupon code MARVISTAMOM to receive 10% off orders of $15.00 or more. Plus they’ve got Toothpaste heads as well! Check out their website for more product info: www.TheSpreadHeads.com

(Please note that although two of the heads have the same names as my kids (Charlie and Oscar), I was not influenced in any way by that fact when adding them to my gift list this year. Really, it was just a coincidence.)

Peppermint “h” Bark by Bake Sale Even though theirs is a virtual store, the owners of BakeSale are Mar Vista women, through and through. They make all kinds of delicious treats year-round, but at the holiday time they offer Peppermint “h” Bark, which is why it’s on my list this year.

It comes in milk chocolate or white chocolate, which is all the best kinds of chocolate as far as I’m concerned, and there are 2 sizes to choose from: their regular-sized bag for $22 or a holiday tin filled with a pound of bark for $26.50.  This is a wonderful hostess gift, especially when traveling; you can give a little bit of Mar Vista while you’re away!

Use the coupon code MARVISTAMOM to receive a 10% discount on all orders of peppermint “h” bark, while supplies last. (Prices do not include shipping.) More products and info available at www.BakeSaleOnline.com.

Chocolate Chip Cookies by Yvonne’s Gluten-Free Goodies These cookies are not just delicious, they’re gluten-free as well! Made by Yvonne, and also sold at the Mar Vista Farmer’s Market twice per month, these gluten-free, dairy-free cookies are made with the finest organic and natural ingredients. A basket of 18 cookies sells for $32.  A perfect hostess gift — or for the choco-holic you know and love.

Use the coupon code MARVISTAMOM to receive 10% off. More product and ordering information at www.YvonnesGFGoodies.com.

Elise Derby’s Massage Gift Certificates Elise is a local Massage Therapist and she can make the crankiest muscles feel happy and calm. She always smooths out all of my stress-induced jagged edges, and you know how the holidays can stress one out! (She’s also a blogger and a friend, just so you know…) She’s a fellow Mar Vista mom, and I highly recommend this gift — basically for everyone on your list. I mean, come on, who couldn’t use a little relaxation?

Use the coupon code MARVISTAMOM to receive the special holiday price of $50 for a 1-hour massage gift certificate (regularly priced at $70) — what a deal! Please contact Elise at (310) 308-3188 for more info and to purchase.

Carabeans by Mommy ToolBox Ever need an extra hand? Or two or three? Carabeans can help! These oval-ish rings snap on to a stroller or a car seat, or whatever you have around and hold onto other things that you just don’t have enough hands for. I’m all done with strollers myself, but back in the day, I could have really used a Carabean or a dozen: I routinely had multiple bags tied on the to stroller handles, and the kids’ toys were forever falling out and getting lost. Not if they’d been clipped with a carabean! Perfect gift for the new families on your list (or apparently for the hipster bike riders on your list, too – see their blog page!)

Use the coupon code MVHOLIDAY for 10% off. Please see their site for more product info: www.MommyToolbox.com.

Eco T-Shirts from Inspire The Change Founded by two local moms, Inspire The Change aims to create a supportive online community with local flavor to inspire the greening of Los Angeles families. These T-shirts are made of 100% organic, soft/lightweight cotton and come in a variety of sizes and styles for men, women and children. Wear one and Inspire Change! Perfect gift for the Greenest on your list. Use the coupon code MARVISTAMOM to receive 10% off. More product and ordering info at www.InspireTheChange.com.

Klean Bath and Body Kandles This gift idea is last on the list ONLY because the company’s not actually located in Mar Vista (*shudder*). But I couldn’t help myself: These candles make a wonderful gift and I wanted you all to know about them. And trust me, normally the thought of a scented candle has me running out the door the other direction. These candles are amazing. They’re made with all-natural soy wax and eco-friendly wicks, and the frosted glass container is so pretty, but the best part is they actually smell fantastic. My favorite, and it’s absolutely made for the holidays, is Perfect Pumpkin. There are plenty of other scents to choose from on their site, including Let it Snow and Holiday Glow. All the candles come in different sizes and the company actually makes tons of other stuff as well, including soaps, scrubs, lotions, etc.. Check it all out. Perfect gift for the moms you know who need a little aroma-therapy in their daily lives!

Use the coupon code MARVISTA20 to receive 20% off all orders on their whole website! An Awesome deal, people! Product info available at www.KleanBathand Body.com.

All images used with permission.

{FULL DISCLOSURE} {These merchants and manufacturers have offered a limited-time discount on their products to readers of this blog who use the coupon code provided. I have received no compensation for this post, nor will I receive compensation if you buy them; I just really like these products.}

The GoodByn lunch box: The Laptop lunch box Bento system: Snack Taxis platsic bag alternatives (3 sets of 1 sandwich size and 1 snack size): The Tasty Lunch Tote by Built: A ScrappyNap placemat and napkin set: (Donated by Emily Carey) A bottle of Rebel Green Fruit and Veggie Clean spray: (Donated by Jennifer Taggert, who also sells it on her website.) And 2 Klean Kanteens (an 18-oz. and a 12-oz.): (Donated by BuyGreen.com, where you can buy them any time.)And now for the RULES:

Just leave a comment below letting me know which item you want to win. If you want to win several of them, list them all in the same comment, please. The contest will run through next Monday, October 26th at 11:59pm Pacific Time. Winners will be chosen at random and announced next Tuesday, October 27th right here. Be sure to leave me an email address so I can contact you for shipping details when you win.

Disclosure Statement: I do not work for any of the companies that donated products. They have not given me anything in return for mentioning their products. I simply wrote to them, asked if they would send me something to show off and then giveaway, and they said yes. (Those who said no are not being mentioned here.) I’m grateful to those who donated these cool products! Now, LET THE CONTEST BEGIN!

UPDATE: The contest is now closed. Thank you for entering!

Today in the Green Booth I co-hosted (along with Annie Barnes of Inspire The Change) a group of Mom Bloggers presenting ideas for No-Waste lunches. This is us: Me (Mar Vista Mom), Emily Carey of ScrappyNaps, Jennifer Taggert of The Smart Mama, Melissa Davis of Melissa’s Food Blog, and Annie Barnes of Inspire The Change.) Elizabeth Rietz of Whining N Dining joined us later as well. We had many donated products on display (which we’ll be giving away next week — check back on both our blogs), as well as products we currently use in our own kids’ lunches. Check back Tuesday for the contest to begin! We’ll be giving away a GoodByn lunch box, a GoGreen Lunch box, a Laptop Lunch box, 3 sets of Snack Taxis, a ScrappyNaps placemat and napkin set, 2 Kleen Kanteen drink bottles (courtesy of BuyGreen), a bottle of Fruit and Veggie Clean spray from Rebel Green, a Tasty Lunch Tote by Built and 2 Rubbermaid Litterless drink bottles.

Save The Dates: The Farmer’s Market will be holding TWO festivals on the next TWO Sundays. Next Sunday (10/25) is their annual Halloween celebration and November 1st is their Day Of The Dead extravaganza. Don’t miss either one!

Saturday morning 10am E-Waste recycling at Whole Foods on National Blvd. First 25 people will receive a gift bag!

Saturday afternoon Mar Vista Walkabout. Come help design the future of our neighborhood! 1pm – 4pm. Details here.

Sunday at the Farmer’s Market Annie Barnes of InspireTheChange.com and I will be in the Green Booth all day presenting options for No-Waste lunches. Come by and say hi! 9am – 2pm.

Ongoing throughout the Weekend the old Fox Hills Mall has been reborn as Westfield Culver City and they’re having a Grand Opening this weekend, plus fun family events all through next week. KCRW will be there. It’s also Macy’s Shop for a Cause on Saturday: special deals and money donated to deserving non-profits.

The eggplant caviar begins with an eggplant that you roast whole, then let cool a bit so you can handle it. You scoop out the still warm pulp and toss it with chopped onions, garlic and tomato and a little salt and pepper.

The salad uses chopped figs and cantaloupe, added to arugula and dressed with a vinaigrette of fresh orange juice, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper, from the Greens cookbook. Thanks, Annie! Delicious!

The Green Committee Booth today hosted Bikrowave (previously profiled here on MVM) and we’re very excited to say they’re doing great in their new space here in the neighborhood!  They encourage us all to use our bikes when possible — and to learn how to maintain them ourselves.

Market Update: First of the season Asian pears and Gala apples!