ba·by (ba-be) | back-up childcare

When it comes to parenting, everyday you learn something new.  Something that I've quickly had to learn was what to do when I need emergency back up care.  Whether you have a nanny, caregiver or send your child to daycare, be prepared with a list of options to call or reach out to if your primary child care provider is sick, daycare is closed for break or what happens more often - your child is sick!

For our family, we're very lucky to have a fantastic nanny, but when she started we never had a "contingency plan" in place should she ever get sick or want a day off.  Unfortunately we don't have family around so for us it's about calling in favors.  So if you're like us and need some back-up help last minute, below are some great places to start:

• UrbanSitter
• UrbanSitter provides an opportunity to post last minute jobs.  We did this for the first time recently and got a great number of responses.  The other great thing about UrbanSitter is that it is really integrated with your social feeds.  If you log on using your Facebook account it will pre populate your friends who have also used UrbanSitter's service.  When you look for sitters, it will tell you if anyone from your network has used them and if they are recommended. 
• Bright Horizons Back-Up Care Centers
• When I was a previous Time Warner employee one of the amazing benefits we had was a service through Bright Horizons Daycare where we had discounted day rates at any daycare center (that had room for Liam) or discounted service for in-home care.  I would HIGHLY look into your work benefits and see if this is one that you have available to you.  The service is absolutely amazing and they are 24-hours...trust me I know.  I've called at 1:30am (true story)!
• If this isn't a benefit, local Bright Horizons facilities will let you discuss emergency drop-off situations.  You have to contact each location individually, but trust me this is great to be set up for in emergency situations.  Just know that your child has to be registered ahead of time (with up to date medical records from your doctor's office).
• SitterCity
• We found our nanny and some babysitters through SitterCity.  We have been extremely happy with the online service provided and is another great place to post a complimentary job to other sites just to ensure you are reaching the best candidates.
• Nanny Poppinz
• This is a service my sister in law used when she was scrambling last minute for temporary child care as she was preparing to go back to work.  This is a national service that specializes in last minute care and serves like an agency minus all the fees.
• Local and national placement agencies
• There are several placement agencies out there dedicated to placing in-home care for elderly care and early childhood care.  Take some time to research ones available in your area, but specifically in Chicago we've been placed with someone from College Nannies and Tutors.  They are a great service and placed us with a wonderful temp who has asked us to consider her as a consistent babysitter for Liam.

I'm one to rarely give any advice, but I highly recommend having a number of emergency back up childcare options.  Whether you're a full-time or part-time working mom, or even if you're a stay at home mom, you never know when something might come up and you need someone to care for your child last minute - so I say be prepared before you find yourself in a desperate situation like we were in.  And to make things a little easier for you in getting your back-up childcare options ready, I'm hosting a giveaway for a $50 gift certificate to UrbanSitter.  The service has truly been a life saver in my 11th hour and I know I'm not the only one who has truly benefited from this service. 

Fill out the form below for a chance to win and be sure to check out their Facebook page filled with great tips on child care.  The giveaway will end on Wednesday, June 5th and the winner will be announced the following day on the Defining Tabitha Facebook page.  Good luck!

give•a•way (give-wa) | $50 shabby apple gift card

I'm dying to get my tush back into the gym so I can get back down to my pre-pregnancy weight.  I've told (nay promised) myself that until I get back down to my original size that I will refrain from shopping for anything but workout clothes.  Until then I am window shopping - lusting over some favorite fall finds.  BUT just because I'm not buying anything doesn't mean I shouldn't motivate you from buying something new for yourself.  So to give you a little incentive, my friends over at Shabby Apple are offering one of my readers a $50 gift card towards anything of your liking.  I can't think of a better way to kick start your Fall wardrobe.  Can you?  Below are just a handful of my favorite items currently available at Shabby Apple.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Are you intrigued?  Great!  Entering is easy and there are chances for multiple entries.

• For one entry "LIKE" Shabby Apple's Facebook Page and leave me a comment (with your email address) letting me know that you're a fan of Shabby Apple on Facebook
• For an additional entry, check out the Shabby Apple website and let me know what you would buy with the gift card by leaving me another comment (with your email address)

It's as simple as that!  Entries will be accepted until August 23rd.  A winner will be selected at random and will be notified via email.  Giveaway is open to US residents only.  GOOD LUCK!

give•a•way (give-wa) | randolph street market passes

One of my favorite things about Chicago summers is the Randolph Street Market.  It's not only the place that I score one of a kind jewelry pieces that always have my friends asking, "Where did you buy that?", but it's a great way to enjoy the wonderful Chicago weather and soak up some of the most unique finds in the city.  At the market you not only can walk away with great one of a kind pieces, at amazing prices, but you'll enjoy great food by local restaurants and live entertainment.  Even though I do have a handful of my favorite vendors, I discover something new with every visit and never walk away empty handed.

Typically entrance to the market is $10 per person at the door and $8 if you order in advance, BUT the Randolph Street Market is giving one of my lucky readers a set of FREE passes to the next event June 23 & June 24th.  That's a $20 value for a set of tickets to one of the hottest outdoor events in Chicago that gives access to over 250+ of the best vintage vendors in the Midwest. 

Entering is simple.  Fill out the form below for one entry.  Additional bonus entries if you follow me on Twitter and/or Facebook.  So mark your calendar, save the date and cross your fingers that you win these passes!  

A winner will be selected and notified on Monday, June 18th.  Good luck!  Giveaway open to local residents who are able to attend the market only.

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | brooklyn bakery giveaway

I'm constantly in search of the perfect accessory to distinguish my iPhone from everyone elses. Whether it be cases, trinkets or gadgets, I'm always looking for an upgrade. So when my friends at Brooklyn Bakery gave me the opportunity to host a giveaway for one lucky winner to get a the stylish Gold Deco iPhone Back, how could I resist? I like you guys enough to share some of the things I love.

So here's how you win.  Fill out the easy to fill out entry form below and know this:

• Your name and address automatically counts for one entry (yippee)
• Follow Defining Tabitha and/or Brooklyn Bakery on Twitter to get bonus entries
• Follow Defining Tabitha and/or Brooklyn Bakery on Facebook you get more bonus entries
• That's a total of up to 5 entries...good luck!
• Contest open to US residents only.

Contest ends Sunday, February 12th at 11:59pm (CST)...but just in case you can't wait til the end of the week to see if you've won, you can use the discount code "tabitha25" to get 25% your next order on Brooklyn Bakery...and trust me you'll want more than just the iPhone back.  Check out some of their other leather goods including my personal fave, their wrap bracelets.