The Shopping Mama

Just Buzzin’ By: FUNctional Accessories Review + Giveaway

by Kate on June 20th, 2009 | 5 Comments | Giveaways, Reviews

**Giveaway Closed. Congratulations, trixpixel!**

I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that feeding kids is messy. Food gets everywhere. Everywhere! All over your kid, all over the high chair, all over the floor… on the ceiling. You name it. Well, keeping your kitchen floor and table clean doesn’t have to be a total pain. Just Buzzin’ By baby accessories are really a gift for us moms – functional and totally cute, the Splat Mat, placemats and bibs are a must have for every kitchen with kids.

Tired of cleaning the floor several times a day while her daughter was learning to self-feed, Sriti Misra Fusillo took matters into her own hands and created the Just Buzzin’ By Splat Mat.

About the company:
At Just Buzzin’ By, we believe that function does not need to compromise style when it comes to baby products. Our goal is to enhance the modern lifestyle of the luxury-loving parent with innovative and functional baby accessories. Just Buzzin’ Bay offers a complete line of premium baby items which include splat mats, portable placemats and patent-pending bibs.

We’ve had the pleasure of using the adorable Coco Splat Mat. Like all Just Buzzin’ By products, the splat mat is made of totally cute laminated designer fabric. So, obviously it looks great, but it also works great! Here are a few of my favorite features:

* Size - The Splat Mat is a generous 36 by 44 inches. It fits under the high chair with plenty of room to spare so the floor is protected by flying food. Even with the large size, it’s great for on the go parenting. It folds easily and compactly and would make a great picnic blanket or during an art project.

* Safe - Just Buzzin’ By products are PVC, Pthalate and lead free.

* Sturdy - The Splat Mat is solid and not at all flimsy. It stays put under the high chair and doesn’t get bunched up or slide around on the floor.

I really do love the Just Buzzin’ By Splat Mat. It totally proved its worth during the Banana Experiment of 2009 when I let Baby Girl “feed herself” banana. Clearly, because she’s only a baby and had no idea what she was doing, way more banana ended up on the floor than in her mouth. I was so thankful that I only had to wipe down the Splat Mat and not get out a mop to tackle the floor. And, clearly, because kids are messy, messy, messy the Splat Mat can be used for years. There have been more many a night my husband and I have commented to one another that we need two – one under each kid at the table!

In addition to the Splat Mat, Just Buzzin’ By sells placemats and snap-pocket bibs. The placemats are 15 x 17 inches and machine washable! The patent-pending bibs are super cool, too. They have a pocket to catch crumbs and falling food, but then unsnap to lay flat for easy cleaning

To Buy… Just Buzzin’ By strikes a great balance of being actually cute, nice looking AND functional. Like I said, these are more than baby accessories – they are gifts for mamas.

Or Not to Buy… I honestly can’t think of an improvement to the Splat Mat. It serves its purpose well and looks good doing it. Can’t beat that.

Shop! The Just Buzzin’ By Splat Mat can be purchased at http://www.justbuzzinby.com/ for $50. The placemats are and bibs are $22.

Win! Just Buzzin’ By is offering on reader of The Shopping Mama a Vintage Childhood Placemat! Protect your table with this adorable, wipeable, machine washable placemat.

How to Enter: Visit Just Buzzin’ By and leave a comment here with your favorite product, including design name. (Example: coco splat mat)

Bonus Entries - leave one comment for each you complete:
* Leave a comment on a non-giveaway All About Eating series post and let me know which post in a comment on this giveaway. (Only one entry, please.)
* Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter and Tweet this: Just entered to win a Just Buzzin’ By placemat @TheShoppingMama All About Eating series http://tinyurl.com/losr6g #giveaway

* Follow The Shopping Mama
* Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in a reader or email
* Post the All About Eating button on your blog
* Blog about the All About Eating series, including a link to http://www.theshoppingmama.com/ for FIVE bonus entries into every All About Eating giveaway.

Fine Print: Please leave a valid email address in your comment so I can contact you. If you prefer, leave a comment and then send me an email. Open to US mailing addresses. Contest ends 11:59 pm July 8. Winner will be chosen via random.org and has 48 hours to respond or the prize will be awarded during a live giveaway.

TGIF: Sales, Coupons, & Discounts

by Kate on June 19th, 2009 | 5 Comments | Uncategorized

Things have been a little crazy this week with moving home after four months away and traveling to visit the in laws so I didn’t gather as long a list as normal. But, I do have some GOOD tips to share.

Crazy 8 is having their huge semi-annual sale. Denim for the kiddos is only $6.99! I bought three pairs of jeans for this fall / winter for $25, including shippping. Nice. Plus, if you spend $40, you earn $20 in Crazy Cash through July 5. If you’re not familiar with Crazy 8, it’s owned by the same company as Gymboree and Janie & Jack and it’s totally affordable. A great place to buy basic staple items, I think.

Discount Codes
* Bebe au Lait: All baby and toddler hooded towels are 25% off with coupon code HT2009! (Regularly $40, now $30). Expires June 21.
* Green Baby Bliss: This month get 15% all Klean Kanteen reusable, stainless steel water bottles, sippys, and attachments! Just enter coupon code KANTEEN15 at checkout. As always shipping is free for orders over $39! Expires June 30.

Guest Post: Baby Sign Language at Mealtime

by Kate on June 19th, 2009 | 5 Comments | Uncategorized

I am pleased to introduce this very informative guest post from Elizabeth Sprague, a Baby Signs instructor and mom of three young boys. As part of the All About Eating series, I asked Elizabeth to share some tips and hints about mealtime signs.

We often think nothing of a baby crying for a bottle or while waiting for Mom to get his jar of food open and ready to go. And we’re all familiar with the process of elimination… Baby is crying, we have our list of needs that we go down one at a time, it has to be one of them right? But what if your baby didn’t have to cry to communicate that he’s hungry, thirsty or tired? With Baby Sign Language there is no need for tears or the process of elimination game for Mom.

Mealtime is an important part of every baby’s day. Teaching your baby some mealtime signs might not make it cleaner, but it can make it easier and quieter. Mealtime signs are often the first signs a baby learns.

Start with the signs for “eat” and “milk.”
* To sign “Eat” – Put your fingertips of right hand together and tap on your mouth.
* To sign “Milk” – Wave “bye-bye” sideways, like you are milking a cow.

These two signs alone can alleviate so many frustrations. Baby doesn’t have to get fussy to let you know she wants a bottle.

Some other great mealtime signs are “more,” “drink,” “all done” and “cereal.”

To teach your baby these signs simply make the sign every time you say the word. Be sure to say the word and make the sign. There is no need to take extra time out of your day to practice. Mealtime happens at least three times a day and is the perfect opportunity to talk to your baby and learn a way to communicate before they can speak.

Big thanks to Elizabeth for the awesome post. To read more about the benefits of teaching your baby Sign Language, go check out the Baby Signs With Elizabeth Blog. So, what do you think? Have you used baby sign language?

On a Jet Plane

by Kate on June 18th, 2009 | 5 Comments | Uncategorized

So perhaps I should save this photo for next week’s Wordless Wednesday, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to blog from a plane! Yes, the family and I are currently at 34,000 feet somewhere over Arkansas on our way to visit the grandparents!

Here’s Toddler Boy settling in for the loooong flight. He needs a nap and I need a valium, or something like that.

Wish me luck! And say hi so I have something to distract me from the wild child jumping around in the seat next to me.

Winners

by Kate on June 18th, 2009 | 5 Comments | Uncategorized

The winner of the Padalily Carseat Handle Pad is #70, Ali & Josh Holt who has the new Shopping Mama button on her blog.

And, from 391 entries, the Sophie’s Chic Boutique $30 Shopping Spree goes to #67, daerOn who follows the Sophie’s Chic Boutique Blog.

Giveaways Galore 6/18

by Kate on June 18th, 2009 | 5 Comments | Uncategorized

The All About Eating series is in full swing here at The Shopping Mama. Check out the current giveaways and keep checking back for more!

Two non-eating related giveaways end tomorrow, so make sure you enter!
*SmartMom Jewelry Gift Set*
*Pair of BabyLegs*

Now, get your link on so we can check out your great giveaways.

YoBaby Review + Giveaway

by Kate on June 17th, 2009 | 5 Comments | Uncategorized

If you’ve been following the All About Eating series, you know that I struggle with getting Toddler Boy to eat nutricious foods. That’s one reason I was really excited to review YoBaby yogurt by Stonyfield Farm. YoBaby yogurt is organic whole milk yogurt and we’ve been fans for a while. In fact, it was the first yogurt (and non mama milk dairy) Toddler Boy ever ate.

When I went to the grocery store the other day to get our pack of YoBaby for this post and the All About Eating series, I discovered that YoBaby has a bigger selection and more products than I realized. In addition to original yogurts, YoBaby also offers drinkable yogurt, plain yogurt and yogurt plus fruit and cereal. I also quickly recognized the packaging was redesigned and has a new look. I picked up the YoBaby Plus Fruit & Cereal Strawberry Banana and Raspberry Pear.

More About YoBaby Plus Fruit and Cereal, from Stonyfield Farm

Over half of all babies and toddlers don’t get the recommended daily amount of iron they need. YoBaby Plus Fruit & Cereal with Iron provides 30% of your little one’s RDI for Iron in a delicious yogurt with fruit and cereal puree on the bottom. Our new YoBaby Plus Fruit & Cereal with DHA provides your little one with a natural fatty acid essential for his/her mental and visual development in the first years of life.

When I opened the yogurt I immediately noticed that the fruit and cereal was on the bottom. I definitely recommend serving this in a bowl so that you can stir it and mix it up well. When it came time for Toddler Boy’s yogurt breakfast I crossed my fingers that my finicky fella would give it a chance. I think his face says it better than I can…

Success! He liked it, he really liked it. So much so that he asked for yogurt (or, “yodruit”) for dinner. I tasted it, too, and it is really good. The fruit taste is sweet but not overpowering and I barely noticed that there is cereal added.

Shop! You can find YoBaby (recommended for babies 6 months and older) and other Stonyfield Farm products for the whole family it in the dairy section of your local grocery store. You can request coupons at the Stonyfield Farm website.

Win! Stonyfield Farm is offering a generous gift pack to one reader of The Shopping Mama that includes
* YoBaby bowl with lid
* Organic YoBaby bib
* Bundle of FIVE (5) FREE Yobaby coupons!

How to Enter: Visit Stonyfield Farm and leave a comment with your favorite product OR a recipe using yogurt you’d like to try.

Bonus Entries - leave one comment for each you complete:
* Leave a comment on a non-giveaway All About Eating series post and let me know which post in a comment on this giveaway. (Only one entry, please.)
* Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter and Tweet this: Just entered to WIN a YoBaby prize package @TheShoppingMama http://tinyurl.com/ma38yu #giveaway

Fine Print: Please leave a valid email address in your comment so I can contact you. If you prefer, leave a comment and then send me an email. Open to US mailing addresses. Contest ends 11:59 pm July 1. Winner will be chosen via random.org and has 48 hours to respond or the prize will be awarded during a live giveaway.

Anka High Chair Review

by Kate on June 17th, 2009 | 5 Comments | Reviews

While we’re talking eating and babies, we obviously need to talk high chair. I had the great and very generous opportunity to review the Anka High Chair by Svan and I.Am.In.Love. The Anka High Chair is a convertible high chair that is suitable for children from 6 months until 5 years old that sits right up to the dining table! This is clearly more than your average high chair.

About Anka, from the website:

For parents with an eye for style as well as value, Anka by Svan® offers the perfect furnishings for babies and young children. A natural outgrowth of Swedish style pioneer Svan, Anka shares the same commitment to functionality, safety and design. With a clever blend of innovation and simplicity, Anka represents a clean and timeless look with a more economical price tag.

(Are you ready to place your bid on the Showcase Showdown? I mean, could I possibly use more product modeling hand motions? Okay, back to the high chair.)

Most of my favorite features of the Anka High Chair are covered in the video, but here are some more details.

Easy Assembly
Let’s start at the beginning, when the box arrived I was initially thrilled and wanted to rip it open and get started. But, I was intimidated by the idea of putting it together with the kids awake and without my husband. Um, yea, that was silly. It was super easy to assemble and, literally, took 10 minutes from start to finish. Even though it was simple to put together, it is VERY solid and sturdy.

Convertible High Chair
The Anka High Chair is appropriate for use with kids as young as 6 months old. Babies are restrained with a 3-point harness and kept safe and supported with a wooden safety guard that goes between the legs. As babies grow, the safety guard can be removed and the foot rest can be lowered to accomodate children up to 5 years old or 50 pounds. The leg rest provides ergonomic support for little ones allowing them to focus on learning to eat rather than learning to sit. I just love the idea that we will literally be using this chair for years.

Simple to Clean
The high chair is easy to clean. Simply wipe the wood with a damp cloth. The plastic tray cover can be removed and is dishwasher safe. The seat cushion can be removed and is machine washable. We put the easy to clean factor to the test after an event I like to call “The Banana Experiment of 2009.” Baby Girl was super fussy at dinner so I decided to put some mashed banana directly on the high chair tray for her to “feed herself.” Clearly, at 6 months old, she was incapable of feeding herself and, instead, played, smooshed and smeared banana all over the high chair. The Anka High Chair survived – we just put the tray in the dishwasher, the cushion in the washing machine and wiped it down and we were good to go.

Looks Great
Really, I love the way the Anka High Chair looks. It has modern lines without being cold. It is a wooden high chair without being old fashioned. It’s available in three finishes: espresso, honey and natural. In addition to looking great, the chair is safe and environmentally-friendly. It’s made of sustainable wood and phthalate-free and bisphenol-A free plastic.

Folds for Storage
Another great feature of the Anka High Chair is that it folds for compact storage. The tray hangs securely on the back of the chair.

To Buy… This is a GREAT high chair. We honestly LOVE it. Baby Girl is comfortable and happy. I think the chair looks great and is very well made. It’s a great investment for long term use, and hey, you’ll be feeding your kid for a long time so it’s worth it to buy a good high chair.

Or Not to Buy… The only improvement I can imagine to the Anka High Chair is to make it easier to switch between the high chair and the booster seat setting. It’s not difficult, but it does take some unscrewing and fiddling and I’d love to be able to it for Toddler Boy, too. (Which even as I write I realize is kind of silly because only one child can use it at the table at a time. Maybe I just like this idea because this chair looks so much better than Toddler Boy’s current booster!)

Shop! For more information about the Anka High Chair including at cool interactive demo, check out http://www.ankababy.com/. The Anka High Chair retails for $179. You can search for a local retailer or purchase online.