The Shopping Mama

TGIF: Sales, Coupons & Discounts & News (12/4)

by Kate on December 4th, 2009 | 5 Comments | Deal & News Roundup, Weekly Features

The excitement and hype over Black Friday and Cyber Monday may be over, but there are still lots of great sales and deals to help with holiday shopping.

Sales

The Land Of Nod Holiday Sale is here! Save up to 30% on great gifts for babies, toddlers and kids.
Toys “R” Us: Exclusive Facebook Fan Sale! Fan Toys R Us on Facebook for 20% off items in the exclusive Facebook Fan Store. Today and Saturday only!

Discount Codes

giggle: the best in baby gifts and baby products. Use code INSIDER20 for 20% off until December 7.
Custom Made for Kids: great personalized books (read The Shopping Mama review). Save 15% with code HOLIDAY15. Expires December 15.
Goldberger Toys: check out the Holiday Catalogue featuring adorable dolls and save 25% with the Family and Friends code GTHOL09.

Exclusive Discounts

The Crazy Dazy: 10% discount off your purchase with code SHOPPINGMAMA.
BabyBond Nursing Accessories: Use the code SHOPMAMA for 25% off your purchase. Expires 12/15.
SleepyWrap.com: Use the code shoppingmama for 10% off your order of Boba Carriers and SleepyWraps.
Beba Bean: The Shopping Mama readers receive 20% off with code SM10/07/09.
Onaroo: Get $10 off your purchase of any two Onaroo products at American Innovations. (Learn more about the products in this Teach Me Time review.) Use the code MAMA at checkout.
The Studio: For $10 off your purchase use SHOPMAMA at check out.
Belle’s Biscuits: Get 10% off your purchase with the code BELLES10.

Be The Beat

The American Heart Association recently launched Be The Beat – an interactive website aimed at teaching teens the basics of CPR.

* The Basics: Three instructional videos that demonstrate conventional CPR with breaths, Hands-OnlyTM CPR and how to use an AED.
* The Heart Trek Experience: Virtual tour through a 3-D animated version of the heart in which participants earn points by playing video games and taking interactive quizzes.
* The World of Hearts: Users create unique avatars, track and compare their scores in the Heart Track Experience with other users and view profiles and testimonies of other participants.
* Music Playlist: A downloadable playlist of 100-beat-per-minute songs (100 beats per minute is the correct rate for chest compressions during CPR).
* Stuff: Free printable stickers, T-shirt decals and stationery, and free downloadable widgets and wallpapers.

This video is a great example of the kind of teen-friendly information on Be The Beat. If you have a teen, make sure you share the information with them. And, hey, you should check it out, too. You might learn something!

Bot Tots Boutique: Fun Robot Wear for Toddlers

by Kate on December 4th, 2009 | 5 Comments | Baby, Clothes, Reviews

Featuring original artwork on bright and colorful 100% organic cotton, Bot Tots prove that organic kid wear doesn’t have to be bland. The great robot characters on Bot wear are creative and fun and perfect for toddlers.

About Bot Tots

Bot Tots was founded with the vision of brightening children’s wardrobes around the World! As an environmentally and socially conscious company we offer 100% organic apparel and print our books on 100% recycled paper. We also pledge to donate 5% of all proceeds to In My Shoes, INC., an organization that provides mentors and social events to foster youth. Our books feature the adventures of loveable robot characters as they discover ways to positively contribute to the environment and the community’s well being.

Our Bot Gear

Bot Tots Robot Tee We generously received the Carter O’Geary Tee for Toddler Boy and the Doggy Bot Hooded Towel for Baby Girl. Available in jalapeno and tangerine, the Tee features a boy robot, frog and gears. I’ve come to expect organic kids clothes to be drab and very muted. This shirt breaks that mold. The colors are bright and the design is straight up fun. Toddler Boy loves his “wobot” shirt. I like that it’s unique, is soft ans washes well.

The adorable Hooded Towel features the orange Doggy Bot on a pale yellow towel. The towel is 100% organic cotton. It’s quite soft and comfortable for little ones and is a good size for Baby Girl. The website includes a photo of a child wearing the towel on the beach and I think it’s perfectly suited for that. It’s light and machine washable so it would be a great pool or beach towel.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… Bot Tots gear is unique, colorful and fun. I love that it’s organic and I appreciate Bot Tots’ focus on being environmental and socially conscious. The tees and Onesies are super cute and the robot characters are sure to to be a hit with the toddler set. Not to mention, everything is very reasonably priced for original artwork on organic materials.

Or Not to Buy… The towel isn’t particularly thick and isn’t as large as some other Hooded Towels. I think it’s better suited for babies and young toddlers in warm weather.

Shop! Find your favorite Bot at Bot Tots! The fab Carter O’Geary Tee, Hooded Towel and Onesies are only $16 each.

Disclosure: Thanks to Sassy for providing the products for the purposes of this review. The opinions are my own and uninfluenced by receipt of product. Others may have a different experience.

Sassy Developmental Toys Review

by Kate on December 3rd, 2009 | 5 Comments | Baby, Reviews, Toys

Like many parents, I’m familiar with, and have many, products by Sassy. Indeed, I’m pretty sure every military family has a copy of the Who Loves Baby? Photo Book – a great baby friendly photo album to keep family faces familiar. Sassy products are affordable, colorful and incredibly useful during baby’s first year and include everything from bath toys to bowls to sippy cups and interactive toys. Sassy recently redesigned its developmental toy line in an effort to engage baby’s senses and improve learning.

Sassy Developmental Toys

Babies move from sensory development to perceptual development. That means that from birth to 4 to 6 months, babies are developing their primary senses – vision, hearing, taste, touch and smell. Beginning as early as 4 months, babies use those senses to learn about the world. They move from senses to perceptions. That’s why you’ll see Sassy toys for 0+ months identified with words such as, Inspire: Vision, Taste, Hearing or Touch. As development moves to perceptions, the products for babies 3+, 6+, 12+ are labeled, Inspire: Fascination, Communication, Imagination or Exploration. Those phrases reflect the transition to using the senses to learn about the world.

Our Experience

sassy developmental toy phone Baby Girl has been acting like a little CEO lately with her Phone Of My Own and Touch and Talk Laptop. The flip open Phone is intended to Inspire Imagination with lights, sounds and texture. There are four big buttons that say phrases in English and Spanish, as well as three small rings that rattle on top of the phone. It’s the perfect size for Baby Girl’s little hands. She can easily play with this toy all by herself and there’s something ridiculously cute about seeing her hold it up to her ear and say, “Hiiiiii” even if she does hold it backwards.

sassy devleopmental toy laptop The Touch and Talk Laptop is fabric covered and opens with 8 brightly-colored buttons and a large mirror. There are three different play modes for the Laptop so the “keys” on the laptop will say colors, music or rhymes. Designed to Inspire Communication, the Laptop says a large variety of phrases in both English and Spanish and, of course, Baby Girl gets to babble away and repeat the sounds while looking at herself in the mirror. I really like how bold and easy to use the Laptop is for Baby Girl. It’s soft sided so it doesn’t crash and clank about when she drops it, and its’ really easy for her to open and push buttons to get to work. Even Toddler Boy has gotten into the act and seems to like the Laptop, too.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… Sassy products are easy to find in major retailers nationwide and are very reasonably priced (the Phone is $4.99 and the Laptop is $14.99). My Own Phone is one of those toys you throw in your diaper bag and love to have on hand when you need to distract baby – and it’s perfect for that. The Laptop makes noise and is talkative without being annoying and Baby Girl really seems to enjoy both toys.

Or Not to Buy… The toys are pretty predictable baby toys. I’d love to see Sassy expand the selection to include some young toddler toys, too.

Shop! Browse Sassy’s website to find toys by age or category (playing, bathing, teething, etc). The Where to Buy search function will help you find a local retailer and you can order many Sassy products on Amazon.

Disclosure: Thanks to Sassy for providing the products for the purposes of this review. The opinions are my own and uninfluenced by receipt of product. Others may have a different experience. If you make a purchase through the Amazon link I receive a (very) small referral fee. Buying through my links is a great way to support The Shopping Mama.

Thursday Giveaway Linky

by Kate on December 3rd, 2009 | 5 Comments | Giveaway Linky, Weekly Features

Happy Thursday! Thanks for stopping by to link up and check out awesome giveaways. While you’re here, make sure you enter to win an awesome Anka by Svan Mini Furniture Set – the perfect holiday gift for a toddler.

Get your link on!

Sprig Toys Adventure Series Review + Giveaway (Closed)

by Kate on December 2nd, 2009 | 5 Comments | Giveaways, Reviews, Toys

I am so excited about this review and giveaway and I think you will be, too! I first learned about Sprig Toys at the ABC Kids Expo where I had the opportunity to meet one of the founders. What a pleasure – his enthusiasm was infectious and the dedication to making fabulous toys was obvious. Sprig Toys are kid-powered, earth-friendly toys that any kid is lucky to own.

About Sprig Toys

Sprig Toys, Inc., is an eco-friendly company dedicated to making the best toys the right way. … Inspired by our collective desire to keep kids active and the planet healthy, Team Sprig is dedicated to infusing creativity, smart design, quality manufacturing, earth-friendly materials, product satisfaction and responsible business practices into a superior line of fun, kid-powered toys. … We help make the world a better place and we get kids off the couch. Pretty cool, huh?

Adventure Series

The Adventure Series centers on the excursions of the Adventure Guide figures. Available in non-electronic (great for bath time fun) and kid-powered electronic toys, Adventure Series toys are rugged and built for fun. We received the Discover Rig and Rally Racer for review and Toddler Boy and I love them.

Discover Rig is the cornerstone of the Adventure Series and features the adventures of Cap Farady as he leads you through a safari. Rally Racer is the artic racing machine of Rudi Tootin.

Favorite Features

There a lot of information and details of our experience in the video review, but here are some of my favorite features.

sprig toys adventure guid

Sprig Toys are made of Sprigwood, an earth-friendly, durable and child-safe product made of reclaimed plastic and wood chips. The toys even smell like wood! Dyed during production, Sprig Toys don’t contain paints or dangerous chemicals.
Every detail and lack thereof is very deliberate to encourage imagination. For example, the Adventure Guides don’t have facial features leaving them up to the mind of playing children. I also really appreciate that the Adventure Guides aren’t classified as male or female so girls can create their own adventures without limitation. All the Adventure Guides work in all the toys for mix and match play and can be purchased separately.
Kid-powered. No batteries required for these active toys designed to encourage your little ones to get moving.
Earth-friendly packaging. Sprig Toys arrive in simple, recyclable cardboard boxes. No styrofoam, unnecessary (and annoying) packaging.
Many toys are recommended for ages 3 and up and my nearly 3 year old is the perfect age, and I think he’ll enjoy them for many years.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… I am a big fan of Sprig Toys – truly unique, high quality and thoughtful toys. I just *love* them, and so does Toddler Boy. I love that they are eco-friendly, and the lack of batteries makes them pretty parent-friendly, too. Toddler Boy loves that the toys are rugged and that with his effort the Discover Rig tells a story.

Or Not to Buy… Sprig Toys are a tad more expensive than other gifts on your Christmas list, but they are worth the price tag.

Shop! Head over to Sprig Toys to see and buy the entire collection of toys. The Sprig Toy Store on Amazon has some *great* prices right now, like the Discover Rig for only $36.58 (normally $60) and the Rally Racer for $19 (normally $29).

Win! A Discover Rig and Rally Racer for your little adventurer!

How to Enter: Visit Sprig Toys and tell me another toy you love.

Bonus Entries - leave a separate comment for each.
* Follow Sprig Toys on Twitter
* Fan BabyBond on Facebook
* Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter and Tweet. You may do this once a day: Sprig Toys Giveaway! Win Discover Rig & Rally Racer ($89 value) @TheShoppingMama http://bit.ly/5G9gvV
* Add The Shopping Mama to your blog roll (use http://theshoppingmama.com/feed/ for blog address)
* Fan The Shopping Mama on Facebook
* Follow The Shopping Mama in Google Friends Connect
* Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or a reader

The Fine Print: Giveaway ends December 15. Open to US mailing addresses only. Thanks to Sprig Toys for providing a sample for this review and the giveaway prizes. Opinions in this review are my own and uninfluenced by receipt of product. Others may have a different experience. If you make a purchase through an Amazon link I receive a (very) small referral fee. Buying through my links is a great way to support The Shopping Mama.

Wordless Wednesday: First Birthday Party

by Kate on December 1st, 2009 | 5 Comments | All Things Birthday, Birthday Parties, Parenting, Weekly Features, Wordless Wednesday

Baby Girl’s official first birthday party was a couple weeks ago and I’ve been meaning to share photos and details ever since. I’m so glad I’m finally getting around to it! The party turned out great and I loved it. I think Baby Girl did, too!

first birthday party

pig girl birthday party accessories

The shopping details (YES, I bought and LOVED all of this stuff):

Tutu: Paisleys & Posies
Birthday Hat, Onesie and Bib: Jamie Powell’s Etsy shop
Pig Shoes: Bugaloo
Clarissa the Patchwork Pig: Pig and Company
Invitations, Stickers and Thank You Cards: Flossy Stylish Design (she’s now on Etsy, too!)
Cake and Cookies: local bakery

I look forward to seeing your photos!

BabyBond Nursing Accessory Review + Giveaway (Closed)

by Kate on December 1st, 2009 | 5 Comments | Baby, Giveaways, Reviews

In case you’re wondering, yes, I’m still nursing. My one year old, walking, not really talking but very opinionated daughter still breastfeeds. A lot. While she can go a long time between nursing because she eats solids and drinks a bit from sippy cups, I do find myself in situations where we are in public or with company where I want to be modest. Not always easy with an older nursing baby. Given our situation, I was really intrigued to try the BabyBond. Unlike many covers, nothing goes over baby’s head and the focus is on covering mama’s breast and not covering nursing baby.

About BabyBond

I love the story about why and how Missy Reder founded BabyBond. Not surprising to moms out there, the design idea came to her during a 2 AM feeding. Here’s an excerpt, but definitely read the About BabyBond page for the full story.

After having four babies, my closet was full of nursing tops that were not flattering and quite pricey. In December, 2006 during a 2 am feeding, I envisioned a nursing accessory that would cover mom but not her baby. The next morning, I cut and sewed one of my husband’s t-shirts into the prototype for the Slurp & Burp®. Since then, I have designed three product lines to meet the needs of a variety of nursing moms and babies. We have since rebranded to BabyBond™, a name that highlights the primary benefit of our products.

BabyBond Styles

The main objective of BabyBond nursing accessories are to cover mom and not cover the baby. It helps a nursing woman to maintain her modesty without hiding baby, but still allows mom and baby to make eye contact and interact while nursing, not easily obtained with many other cover options.

There are three styles of BabyBond:

Original: Worn like a sash, functioning like a nursing top. Nurse from the top of your shirt.
Flex: Worn like a sash, functioning like a nursing top. Comes with removable 9 x 12? double layer terry velour burp cloth and you can attach any cloth or wear without one.
Couture: Adjusts to create a custom fit as your body changes after baby arrives. A hybrid between nursing top and belly band.

Our Experience

Like I mentioned, I was really intrigued by the idea of the BabyBond and the ability to cover myself without hiding Baby Girl. The website only added to my interest – it’s very informative and includes a video demonstrating how to use a BabyBond. We received the BabyBond Flex – the style that includes a very absorbent removable burp cloth. If you’re not using the included burp cloth, there’s an inconspicuous strap where you attach your own. I imagine that feature is particularly useful with newborns and young babies. The material of the BabyBond itself is very soft and light so it’s quite comfortable and won’t make you hot.

The BabyBond Flex is available in 4 sizes and based on my height I picked the size 2 – that means the BabyBond is a 44 inch sash. The fit is different from what I expected; I expected it to fit like a tight belly band, but it is much looser. The loose fit means it’s really easy to get on and adjust over your clothes. It’s easy to separate the two pieces around your breast to reveal yourself so baby can latch on. I can’t decide if I would like it better with a tighter fit or not. I think if it was more fitted it might stay in place better, but it would be harder to get on and in place. At my daughter’s age, this cover is nice because she pulls at other covers and uses them to play peek-a-boo. With the BabyBond nothing is on her head so she’s not distracted by it at all. It’s a little more effort and adjusting than the traditional blanket nursing cover, but the end result is great once you’re comfortable with it.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… Overall, I really like the idea and concept of the BabyBond. It’s a great alternative to a nursing cover and has benefits for new babies and for older nursers as well. My favorite feature is that I can see my daughter while nursing her without anything between us. Also noteworthy? Each BabyBond comes in a great

Or Not to Buy… BabyBond is not for the most modest of nursing mamas because while it does cover the majority of the breast, it does not cover the entire breast – that’s left to the nursing baby.

Shop! All three style BabyBond nursing accessories are available in a couple colors and can be purchased at BabyBondNursing.com. The BabyBond Flex is $35. PLUS, use the discount code SHOPMAMA for a generous 25% off your purchase! (Expires 12/15)

Win! A BabyBond of your choice!

How to Enter: Visit BabyBond and leave a comment here the style and color you’d pick if you win.

Bonus Entries - leave a separate comment for each.
* Follow BabyBond on Twitter
* Fan BabyBond on Facebook
* Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter and Tweet. You may do this once a day: Win a BabyBond of your choice – Nurse Converse Bond @TheShoppingMama http://bit.ly/7bZARv
* Add The Shopping Mama to your blog roll (use http://theshoppingmama.com/feed/ for blog address)
* Fan The Shopping Mama on Facebook
* Follow The Shopping Mama in Google Friends Connect
* Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or a reader

The Fine Print: Giveaway ends December 15. Open to US mailing addresses only. Thanks to BabyBond for providing a sample for this review and the giveaway prize. Opinions in this review are my own and uninfluenced by receipt of product. Others may have a different experience.