Be Colorful with Vera Bradley: Get Carried Away Tote Review & Giveaway

by Kate on August 31st, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  For Mama, Giveaways, Reviews

I can easily admit that I’ve been eying Vera Bradley bags for, literally, years. I’ve admired friends’ bags, carried them around the store trying to decide if I wanted to purchase one and played around on the Vera Bradley website checking out the hundreds of style and color combinations. Now that I have a Vera Bradley of my very own, I have to say I’m a convert.

About Very Bradley

Young, mature, sophisticated, playful… women of all ages love Vera Bradley! And our phenomenal growth rate for the past five years shows this!
Our Mission: To design, manufacture and internationally market a distinctive line of superior quality handbags, travel items, stationery, eyewear and accessories that convey the Vera Bradley image and unique lifestyle. Currently, we release new colors and styles each season.

Get Carried Away Tote

The ultimate in travel, our Get Carried Away Tote is designed to function as a travel companion. Unique, breakaway zipper gives the option of securely closing the bag (like a duffel or luggage item) or leaving it wide open! Tons of pockets (some plastic-lined!) and positionable shoulder pads make traveling comfortable and easy. Go ahead, Get Carried Away!

Tote Features

  • Breakaway zipper feature allows for wide, tote-like opening or snug and secure closure for travel
  • Softly quilted, positionable shoulder pads located on handles
  • Six interior slip pockets plus two plastic-lined pockets
  • Four outer pockets
  • Airline carry-on compliant

The Get Carried Away Tote is huge, like so big I can fit my 21 month old child inside. See:

Generous Sized Tote Bag

Technically, the Tote is 18¼ inches wide by 15½ inches tall and 7½ inches across with a 12½ inch strap. In mama’s terms, that means it’s plenty big enough to function as a diaper bag, more than enough room for a gym bag and perfect for a weekend getaway. I am already daydreaming about what I’m going to pack when I escape for a girls’ resort and spa night away in a few weeks, and it will literally be the only bag I bring. While it’s very roomy, the Tote isn’t overwhelming. Don’t you hate when you find a great bag, but the bag itself weighs a million pounds before you even put anything in it? Well, this isn’t like that. It’s made of 100% cotton so the material is lightweight (and machine washable!). And, if you pack heavy and fill this sucker up, there are padded shoulder straps to make it more comfortable to carry.

Great Organization

The pockets and storage on the Get Carried Away Tote are awesome. There are four outside pockets – one on every side. There are eight inside pockets. Two of the inside pockets are elasticized and plastic-lined, making them perfect for sippy cups or water bottles that may leak or sweat. The six interior slip pockets are about 7 inches deep, two are longer (about 7.5 inches) and four are about 4 inches wide. The bag can be zippered closed, which is a great benefit for traveling (and nosy kids).

Be Colorful

The only concern I’ve ever had about buying a Vera Bradley bag is what makes a Vera a Vera – the fabrics. I tend to go with more neutral, safe colors and patterns in my clothes and accessories. But, the funny thing is I always admire and like Vera Bradley bags when I see others carrying them. Now that I have one of my own, it’s totally grown on me and I love the blend of roses and pinks and purples in the Very Berry Paisley pattern. The paisley pattern that covers the majority of the bag is accented with a round flower pattern that also lines the inside of the bag.

Now, for those of you that shy away from the patterns, the Vera Vera Collection is made of solid black or brown microfiber. The collection has the same function and usefulness of all Vera Bradley bags, and a very different look.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… I think the conversion is official – I’m now a Vera Bradley Mama. (Next on my list? The Jewelry Box is perfect for travel.) I love how roomy the Tote is and really appreciate the pockets and storage options.

Or Not to Buy… I do wish there was an internal zipped pocket or an attached key fob or key hook. I tend to, um, misplace keys and that kind of helps me out a bit.

Shop! The Vera Bradley Get Carried Away Tote is $88 and the complete color collection is on VeraBradley.com. You can also find many Vera Bradley bags and accessories on Vera Bradley.

Win! A Vera Bradley Get Carried Away Tote in Very Berry Paisley!

How to Enter: Browse around Vera Bradley and leave a comment here with another bag or pattern that catches your eye.

Bonus Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

Giveaway ends September 15. Open to US residents only.

I received a sample product and giveaway prize from Vera Bradley.

Infantino Balance Ergonomic Carrier Review

by Kate on August 30th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Baby, Carriers, Gear, Reviews

The theme of the second phase of the Infantino Test Drive program is carriers! If you are a mom, you know it is so important to find a carrier that both you and your baby like and are comfortable using.  Infantino has come up with some great new options to keep your little one close and happy while out and about.   We decided to give the Balance Ergonomic Carrier a try!

About the Balance Carrier

Our Balance carrier is ergonomically designed to lighten your load and keep you comfortably cruising all day long. The Balance is also a cozy place for baby, with a natural sitting position, front carry or backpack options and adjustable straps that grow with baby.

Our Experience

I was really excited to try out this carrier. I have never used a backpack style with either of my kids, and was looking forward to giving it a try. When I opened the box I was immediately impressed with the quality and thickness of the padding on the shoulder straps. I could tell they would certainly be comfortable, and I was right. I didn’t feel as if there was any strain put on my shoulders or my back when carrying baby in the front or back position, which is a huge deal for me, as many other carriers I have tried eventually start to hurt my back.

My little girl seemed to like the front position better, but I really think as she gets older, she will like the backpack position. My two and a half year old falls within the weigh limits (8-35 lbs!), and I did try it with him, and thought it was the coolest thing to be on my back.  I thought it was cool because he wasn’t straining my back!  The lumbar support that goes around your waist is really great support. Infantino certainly got the “ergonomic” part of the Balance Carrier right!

balance carrier reviewbalance baby carrier

Watch a great video demonstration of how to use the Balance Carrier here.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… I would certainly buy this carrier if you are looking for something versatile to use in many different situations, and for such a long period of time, 8-35 pounds!

Or Not to Buy… If you are planning on using this as a backpack, make sure you are able to have help putting it on. You will not be able to safely put baby in the backpack without the help of another adult.

Shop! The suggested retail price of the Balance Carrier is $59.99, and it can be purchased at Babies R Us and Amazon(currently on sale for $49.99). For More Information on Infantino Products, you can find them on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

LAST FEW DAYS TO WIN! If you haven’t yet entered, check out the Infantino Facebook page and blog to enter for your chance to win one of five bouncers. The giveaway will be live through 9/1/10.

Disclosure: “I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for Infantino and have received various Infantino products to as part of my participation.”


Celebrate with Style: SanLori Review + Giveaway

by Kate on August 30th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  All Things Birthday, For Mama, Giveaways, Party Planning, Reviews

While it’s grown increasingly popular to send electronic invitations and communicate by email, I remain attached to the idea of sending invitation cards in the mail, I love getting a notecard stationery in my mailbox and really it’s the only way to send an appropriate thank you card. SanLori shares the love of paper goods and invitations and has a wide selection to help you celebrate in style.

About SanLori

Staying connected. That is a central theme of how SanLori began and what they value Sandra Marbaise (San) and Lorraine Maxwell (Lori), friends from their college years, began with the premise that they could build a creative, thriving business and also have an active family life. (Have their Tiramisu and eat it too!) Beginning with twenty eight designs and whole lot of enthusiasm they ventured down this new path and haven’t looked back. What could be better than knowing our “art from the heart” has been around to celebrate some of the happiest moments in life? So stay connected!

Childrens Party Invitations

SanLori has a huge – HUGE! – selection of Childrens Party Invitations. In fact, I had a hard time picking my favorites to feature. If you have a theme in mind, chances are you’ll find a great invitation to go set the tone for your party right. And, better yet, if you don’t have a theme in mind you can browse until something catches your eye. Here are some of my favorite Kids Party Invitations.

You can also keep it simple with some Fill In Invitations.

SanLori also has very kid-appropriate notecards and stationery. I love having cards personalized with my kids names. It makes sending a thank you note more special and it motivates my son to “help” with his thank you cards. We received the Clubhouse Note for my son and the Lil’ Critters Note for my daughter. The quality is great – the colors are vivid and the paper is matte finish making it easy to write on.

Great Gifts & Stationery

The kids don’t have all the fun at SanLori. As you can see from the photo to the right, there are some great gifts and stationery for mamas, too. The new Hot Chicks! candles are the perfect little just because gift for a girlfriend. The packaging looks as good as the candle smells. And the notepads and the Notepads and Paper Cubes are great great for teacher gifts or inexpensive birthday gifts for a friend.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… Everything we received is a winner, and the prices at SanLori can’t be beat. I’m not sure what I like best: the selection, affordability or quality. I will definitely shop there again and recommend the site to friends.

Or Not to Buy… I honestly can’t think of a negative thing or improvement for the products I received.

Shop! SanLori birthday party invitations range between $8 and $13 for a set of 10. Notecards and Thank YOu Notes are between $8 and $10.

Win! $100 SanLori Gift Certificate so you can Celebrate, Gift and Say Thank You in Style!

How to Enter: Browse SanLori and leave a comment with at least two items you’d buy if you win the generous giveaway.

Bonus Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

Giveaway ends September 10. Open to US mailing addresses only.

Disclosure: Thanks to SanLori for providing sample products for the purpose of this review and the giveaway prizes. Opinions are my own.

Rice Krispies Recipe Challenge – Vote For Your Favorite + Win

by Kate on August 28th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Blogging, Giveaways

I love Rice Krispies Treats. Love them. But, when I was asked to participate in the Rice Krispies Recipe Box Challenge to come up with a new and creative recipe, I have to admit I was hesitant. Because, really? I’m not creative in the kitchen. I’m more of a follow a recipe gal than a make up a recipe gal. But I decided to go with the challenge full steam ahead and came up with several recipes that I think are delish.

Rice Krispies Treat Challenge

  • Theme: Make your Rice Krispies Treats Recipe an after school conversation starter.
  • Rule: Treat must contain fruit or nut.
  • On the line: Pride. And, the best recipe among the 10 participating bloggers will be featured on RiceKrispies.com!

After School Rice Krispies Treats

I need help picking THE BEST Treat to submit for the contest. Check out my four options and VOTE for the Treat you think looks like the best “after school conversation starter”. I’ll share the (very complicated ::cough::) recipe for the winning Treat on Thursday, September 2.

#1: Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich Treat

#2: Choco-Monkey Sandwich Treat

#3: Nutter-Monkey Sandwich Treat

#4: Lots of Love Lollipop Treat

[poll id="6"]

Win! If you leave a comment with how you voted in the poll, you’ll be entered to win Two Rice Krispies™ Snap Crackle and Pop™ Bowls. (Giveaway Closed – Congrats, Kathy K!)

This post is part of a compensated program for Rice Krispies facilitated by TheMotherhood.com. (Read the complete rules.)

TGIF: Coupon, Sales, Discounts & News

by Kate on August 27th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Deal & News Roundup, Weekly Features

FurReal Friends – Save $40! FurReal Friends Zambi the Baby Elephant is currently only $14 on Amazon (marked down from $55!). Stock up for birthday gifts or plan ahead for the holidays. (Thanks to Dealectible Mommies for the head’s up on this awesome deal.)

Bravado pre-Labor Day Sale: Use code LDAY-195 to save 20% off your purchase at BradavoDesigns.com.

LeapFrog Tag Books Sale on Amazon: Save $4 off select LeapFrog Tag Books with code LFAUG400 at checkout.

Exclusive Discount Codes

Citizenpip: Save 10% with code shoppingmama10. (Check out the Starter Lunch Kit Review)

The Crazy Dazy: 10% off with code SHOPPINGMAMA.

Private Sale Sites

* The Mini Social: Hula Mula, oeuf, Knuckles, Velvet & Tweed (pictured right) – all fab kids clothes!

* Totsy: Yellow Label, Tivoli Stroller Covers, and Vintage 66 jewelry.

* Zulily: Power Capes, Pink Vanilla girls clothes, Young Colors and Baby Nay. Expecting? Check out the Japanese Weekend sales. Cash Back Tip – click through ShopAtHome.com for 6% rebate on your purchase.

* Haute Look: Little Maven by Tori Spelling, Baby Lulu and Tadpoles.

Moon Dough: A Hypo-Allergenic Molding Dough for Kids

by Kate on August 27th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Reviews, Toddler, Toys

Last week when we were in Atlanta, the final thing we did was spend a morning at Imagine It! the Children’s Museum. My daughter spend a long time playing in their special molding dough – she absolutely loved it. And wouldn’t you know, when we got home that day we found a package of Moon Dough, a new molding dough for kids, waiting for us. The timing was perfect.

About Moon Dough

Moon Dough is an amazing new dough that is out of this world! Soft, light, wheat-free and non-drying. It comes in 8 great colors to play with again and again.

Our Moon Dough Experience

Moon Dough is unlike any other shape and play compound we’ve used before. It’s lighter than Play-Doh and drier than the compound we played with at the Children’s Museum. Not surprisingly, the children had  a blast playing with it and shaping animals and bales of hay with the Moon Dough Barn.

The Moon Dough has definitely benefits over other similar compounds, but it also has some drawbacks. I love that it doesn’t dry out so I don’t have to worry about setting up to play, only to disappoint the kids. It’s light and almost marshmallow-like. It’s fairly easy to mold and play with. But, it’s almost too light. It can be hard to pick up the small flaky bits that fall apart when you play and it doesn’t mold in small shapes. We could easily make big balls and such, but anything smaller is difficult without the help of molds or a tool like the Barn.

We set up shop at the kitchen table and cleaning wasn’t as difficult as I expected, but it did involve throwing away some moon dough. I just ended up sweeping the small remnants I couldn’t pick up and they ended up in the trash. But since we played over tile we didn’t encounter any major mess issues. And, if my kids ask, we’ll definitely set up and play again.

The Barn is really fun – you put Moon Dough in the top, turn the crank and small molded animals slide out of the barn door. My son was able to do this by himself after a bit and had fun creating a full barnyard using all our yellow and blue Moon Dough.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… Moon Dough is fun and a great option for children who have allergies because it’s hypo-allergenic and wheat-free. I love that it doesn’t dry out and will always be ready-to-play when my kids are.

Or Not to Buy… I found it more difficult to mold than other heavier doughs. You need to use some tools or molds to really create anything.

Shop! The Moon Dough collection including eight color refill packs and play sets are available at Amazon, Target, Toys R Us and more. The Moon Dough Magic Barnyard is $19.99.

Thanks to Moon Dough for providing a sample for this review facilitated by Team Mom.

The Mini Portrait by Blue Day Designs Giveaway

by Kate on August 27th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaways

If you’re looking for an unforgettable gift for a mom, dad, grandparent, or a little something extra special to add to your space, look no further than Blue Day Designs. Browsing through this edgy Etsy shop, I was taken aback by the possibilities offered not only to own a modern, chic portrait of your little one, but the opportunity to preserve your child’s artwork or even their handwriting.

About the Mini Portrait

The portraits are printed onto canvas using archival quality inks. They are 4″ x 3″, with thick 1.5″ sides, so they can stand up by themselves or be hung on a wall.

Couldn’t Be Easier

It’s simple: You provide the portrait and Emma, the artist behind Blue Day Designs, sends you your black and white mini portrait. A guide to choosing a portrait is available on the Blue Day Designs blog, so you’re sure to select the best possible photo for the process.

Shop! The mini portraits at Blue Day Designs are priced at $70 each, with larger sizes available. Be sure to check out the Mini Da Vinci and Your Handwriting. On the Wall.

Win! Your very own mini portrait by Blue Day Designs! Open to entries worldwide.

How to enter: Visit Blue Day Designs and tell us your favorite item in the shop.

Bonus Entries - Valid only after completing first mandatory entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

Giveaway ends September 15. Open to all worldwide!

Disclosure: Thanks to Blue Day Designs for providing the giveaway prize. Opinions here are my own.

Pack a Waste-Free Lunch with Citizenpip (with Discount Code + Giveaway)

by Kate on August 26th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaways, Reviews

I’m pretty sure I’ve said it before, but I’ll go ahead and say it again. I don’t enjoy packing a school lunch. I dread it every school morning. But when I find a product that helps me pack a lunch, is good for the environment and makes my son smile – it’s all good. Enter Citizenpip.

About Citizenpip

Created by a mom of three who found herself packing and tossing out a few too many plastic baggies one day, Citizenpip® offers an easy alternative to the disposable lunch. By making it easy to pack a waste-free lunch, our goal at Citizenpip® is to encourage more families to ditch the disposables and go reusable.

Citizenpip Starter Kit

The Starter Kit is a complete lunch set ideal for kids of all ages. It includes an Insulated Lunch Box, Stainless Steel Water Bottle and FOUR Airtight Food Containers (one 20 ounce sandwich size, one 8 ounce, and two 5 ounce containers). The Airtight Containers snap open and closed easily, and still seal tightly to make the container leakproof and watertight. Because I am terribly uncreative when it comes to packing lunches, I have yet to figure a way to even use all of the containers that come with the set and I consider that a good thing. Another big plus? The containers are dishwasher safe.

At 10.5 by 9 inches, the Citizenpip Lunch Box is larger than others we’ve used, but it is also the only set we have that holds a drink inside. I love that I can pack up my son’s ENTIRE lunch in one container. Because, obviously lunch includes a drink, and I really appreciate that the Starter Kit comes with a Water Bottle and is large enough to actually contain it. And, speaking of the Water Bottle, it is stainless steel and holds 16 ounces of liquid. It keeps water quite cool and even helps keep the other food in the Insulated Lunch Box cool. Should your child drip or make a bit of a mess (never!), the Lunchbox wipes clean easily with a damp cloth.

You can see the Lunch Box size in comparison to my small closing-in-on-4-year-old. He was proud (and easily able) to carry it to his first day of school this week. (And please ignore his goofy faces. He was woefully uncooperative during my first day of school picture session.)

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… Citizenpip has really thought of everything – and done it all right – with this lunch box system. From being “muck free” (no lead, no BPA, no phthalates) to the spot to write your child’s name on the outside of the Lunch Box to claim it forever to the functional and easy to use food containers, it’s really a solid product.

Or Not to Buy… I’d really like to see a Toddler or Junior size Citizenpip Lunch Box. A smaller lunch box with smaller water bottle and less containers would be plenty for a preschooler. I also hope they expand the Insulated Lunch Box selection.

Shop! The 6-piece Starter Kit is $42. For older children, tweens and teens, check out the Soup to Nuts Kit for $69 which also includes a stainless steel food jar, knife and fork and cotton napkins. If you already have a Lunch Box you like, you can purchase the Airtight Containers separately. SAVE! Use code SHOPPINGMAMA10 for 10% off your purchase!

Win! Citizenpip Starter Set of Your Choice!

How to Enter: Check out Citizenpip and the Insulated Lunch Box patterns. Leave a comment suggesting a new pattern or design you’d love to see them add to the collection.

Bonus Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

Giveaway ends September 10. Open to Continental US mailing addresses only.

Disclosure: Thanks to Smitten NYC for providing a sample product for the purpose of this review and the giveaway prizes. Opinions here are my own.
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