Wear Your Baby with Sleepy Wrap (Giveaway)

by Kate on September 24th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Baby Shopping Guide, Giveaways

I’ve been very lucky to have the opportunity to review a couple NAP, Inc products, including the Sleepy Wrap classic and the Boba Organic Carrier. The Sleepy Wrap has since been passed on to a dear friend to use with her infant and the Boba Carrier is still a tried and true way to carry my daughter around on my back.

I’ve had such a great experience with Sleepy Wrap that it was a no brainer to include on the Baby Shopping Guide. And I’m thrilled to offer one of you the chance to win a Sleepy Wrap. (And, don’t tell anyone I told you, but keep your eyes peeled for your chance to win a Boba Carrier in the awesome Baby Shopping Guide Prize Package giveaway coming soon.)


About Sleepy Wrap

[The company's] mission is to provide comfortable and durable baby carriers to parents throughout the world and to give them a helping hand in raising confident, joyful and compassionate children. We hope to enhance the bond between mother and child by enabling both to be close and connected to each other in a practical yet magical sort of way.

Sleepy Wrap Details

  • natural sleep solution for your baby
  • one size fits all
  • hands free walking, hiking, shopping
  • secure comfortable fit
  • from premature/newborn to toddler
  • wrapping instructions enclosed

Whether mothering your first, second or fifth child, a method of carrying baby hands-free is essential. Moms need a way to comfort baby while having use of our arms, you know, so we can actually get things done. Not to mention the other benefits of babywearing. I love the Sleepy Wrap because it’s a simple, time-tested method of carrying baby. The design of the Wrap itself is simple and straightforward and the included wrapping instructions are great for beginner babywearers. The Sleepy Wrap is perfect for keeping wee babies nice and close and just as functional for toting around growing chunky babies.

More Information

To learn more about our experience, read the Sleepy Wrap review. (Don’t you love that blast from the past photo to the left? Look how little my baby was – and my hair is so short!) If you’re interested in learning more about the soft-structured carrier, read the Boba Organic Carrier review.

Shop! Sleepy Wraps are available in a wide array of color and in Organic fabrics. The classic Sleepy Wrap is $39.95 and can be purchased online directly from NAP, or our affiliates Amazon and Zoolu!!

Win! A Sleepy Wrap Classic!

How to Enter: Visit Sleepy Wrap and then leave a comment here with your favorite color wrap.

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

Giveaway ends October 8. Open to US mailing addresses only.

Disclosure: Thanks to Sleepy Wrap for providing the giveaway prize. Opinions are my own. Others may have a different experience.

Pocket Diapers: Happy Heinys Review + Giveaway

by Malia on September 24th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Baby, Baby Shopping Guide, Giveaways

Pocket diapers combine a waterproof cover with a stay dry layer of fleece that forms a pocket where you can stuff any variety of inserts. The pocket keeps everything in place, making it easier to get onto a baby who, for example, thinks flipping over on the changing table is the best thing EVER. What you stuff into the pocket is entirely up to you. Most pocket diapers come with standard inserts that are good for normal day activities. Doubling up on inserts or adding super absorbent hemp inserts helps the diaper last through long naps and nighttime.

Happy Heinys Starter Kit

For our pocket diaper review, we got to enjoy a Happy Heinys Starter Kit. This kit comes with 3 One Size Diapers (snaps, aplix, and mini available upon request) 6 inserts, 3 small ones and 3 large ones (3xs and 3 small will arrive with mini), 5 Hemp washies, 1 4oz bottle of Heiny Wash, all in a Reusable Wet Bag. This kit is great because it contains everything you need to try out cloth diapering and comes packed in the reusable wet bag. There is nothing to throw out and it doesn’t even have to be gift wrapped. Great for busy (lazy) moms like me. The Heiny Wash is so handy and I love using cloth wipes like the Hemp washies. Not only do they cut down on garbage, but they clean up messes better than disposable wipes.

One Size Pocket Diapers

One Size Snap SettingsHappy Heinys are one size diapers that have 4 lines of snaps in the front providing for easy adjustment to any of the 4 size settings and come with two sizes of 3 layer microfiber inserts, allowing them to fit from almost newborn to potty training. By weight, Happy Heinys (and most one size diapers) could fit newborns, but skinny newborn legs often don’t allow one size diapers to fit correctly. Happy Heinys solved this problem with Happy Heinys Mini One Size which cover newborn to 15 pounds. The Starter Kit is available in Mini One Size or Regular One Size making it a great option whether you are starting from birth or getting going a bit later on (like I did).

One of my favorite things about Happy Heinys Pocket diapers is the stay dry fleece lining (the part of the pocket that touches his bum). Not only is it incredibly soft, and I imagine comfortable, but it keeps him dry and helps him sleep longer. I also love that the waist tabs overlap in the front allowing me to tighten the waist as much as I need. I took this feature for granted until I tried a diaper that didn’t have it and he leaked out of the top like crazy (even when pointed south).

Happy Heinys also have one of the best selections of fabrics in the reusable diaper market making for some pretty cute diapers.

Happy Heinys

I keep saying how much I love these diaper companies, but I can’t help it. They are run by such wonderful moms and families and so committed to making the world a better place, how could you not love them? Click here to read more about Happy Heinys the company.

In addition to a great fit, the assurance of a high quality USA made product, and a company that promises the best in customer service, we also priced our diapers with your family budget in mind. Our diapers are designed with easy-to-replace elastic, meaning if your elastic wears out during the course of your diapering years, a few stitches and a seam-ripping tool is all it takes to make the diapers like-new again. Additionally, our snaps on the front of the diaper, to adjust the size, and also the enclosure snaps are under a lifetime guarantee by the original owner, we ensure your diapers are built to last from top to cute baby’s bottom

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… Pocket diapers are my favorite diapers and I really like Happy Heinys. Happy Heinys Starter Kit is possibly the best option I’ve seen for starting out and makes a great addition to our The Shopping Mama Baby Shopping Guide.

Or Not to Buy… Stuffing the pockets after doing laundry does take a little time, possibly more than other diaper options, but is balanced by the convenience of a diaper that stays together. You also have to pull out the used insert before washing the diaper. I think this makes for a cleaner diaper, but does mean you might touch pee.

Shop! Happy Heiny Starter Kits are list priced at $90 or the diapers can be purchased alone for about $19 each and can be purchased from a retailer near you or from Amazon.com. I’m seeing a lot of sales out there right now, so this may be a great time to buy.

Win! A Happy Heinys Starter Kit an over $90 value!

How to enter: Visit HappyHeinys.com and tell us your favorite feature of their diapers.

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

  • Fan Happy Heinys on Facebook. Leave a second comment if you Share this giveaway on their page.
  • Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter and tweet this giveaway. You may do this everyday, just leave the link when you do.
    Win a Happy Heinys Diaper Starter Kit valued at over $90 @TheShoppingMama http://bit.ly/9CynYJ
  • Fan The Shopping Mama on Facebook. Leave a second comment if you Share or Like this post on your Facebook.
  • Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or RSS

Giveaway ends October 8. Open to US mailing addresses only.

Disclosure: Thanks to Happy Heinys for providing a sample product. Opinions are my own. Others may have a different experience.

Total Gym Total Mom Challenge – Week 2

by Kate on September 23rd, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Blogging, Life

It’s been a week since I introduced you to the Total Gym Total Mom Challenge and provided my “before” stats. And, I’ve decided that I’m not going to torture myself (or you, for that matter) with weekly measurements and weigh-ins. I know that, even after some tough workouts, I’m not going to see immediate results. And, frankly, I don’t want to get discouraged if my measurements or weight aren’t dropping. So, this week, I want to share some of the ins and outs of working out with the Total Gym XLS, and next week I’ll do measurements to see how I’m doing.

Total Gym Storage

When I got the opportunity to review the Total Gym, the first thing I said to my husband is “Where are we going to put it?” We have pretty much outgrown our house and are busting at the seams as it is. But, we knew the opportunity to get in shape at home was worth the space challenge. As it turns out, we decided to take advantage of the fact that the Total Gym folds in half for easy storage and we put it away in our hall closet every night. It would be much easier if we had a makeshift gym for the Total Gym, but the hassle of taking it out and setting it up nearly every day is totally worth it and is definitely faster than driving to and from a gym.

Long and Lean Workout

The Total Gym comes with a variety of workout information including DVDs and the Total Gym Training Deck. The Training Deck consists of cards that describe every imaginable exercise possible with the Total Gym, as well as workout programs grouping various exercises together. There are 30 different workout programs in the Training Deck, like the Starter Workout, Women’s Lower Body Strength, Men’s Upper Body Strength and, my favorite, the Long and Lean.

The Long and Lean Workout includes a training program for two different days so you can alternate between the two. The exercises workout the arms, shoulders, abs, legs – total body, really. The best part for me is that entire workout takes about half an hour. I thought I would prefer using the DVDs but, to my surprise, I really like using the Training Deck. The photos and descriptions on the exercise cards offer plenty of instruction to get the movement right and get a great workout.

Shop! Total Gym wants YOU to be a part of the Total Mom Challenge, too. Order now, through this exclusive link and get 15% off your order of the Total Gym.

Total Mom Total Mom Participants

Check in on the other Total Gym Total Mom participants and see how they are doing with the Total Gym!

Crafting Made Easy With the Silhouette – Review + Giveaway

by Kate on September 23rd, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaways, Reviews

I have been over-the-moon excited to tell you about this giveaway! Whether you are a crafter or not, this machine will change the way you think about craft projects, from making paper crafts, custom apparel, and even home decor. It’s all at your fingertips with the Silhouette, and one lucky TSM reader will win their very own Silhouette (valued at over $300!)

About the Silhouette

The Silhouette is a digital cutting tool for personal use. It connects to your computer just like a printer, but instead of printing designs it cuts them with a small blade. With the machine connected to your computer, you’ll get access to all of the fonts on your PC plus the thousands of cuttable designs found on the Silhouette Online Store.

So what can you make with the Silhouette?

Custom Apparel

Etched Glass

Cards

Vinyl Decor

…and the list goes on!

My Experience

Right out of the box I was impressed with the slim and sleek look of the Silhouette. It’s lightweight and compact, so it doesn’t take up precious real estate on your tabletop. I connected the machine to my computer (as you would a printer), and installed the included software within minutes. There is an Instructional CD-ROM included with the package, and I found it helpful to take a look at it before I started playing around with the machine. I was able to check out the full range of amazing projects I could complete with my cool new machine, and it helped me to select which projects I wanted to do first!

With each and every project, the simple process is roughly the same:

1. Select your design from “My Library” or create your own with all of the tools included in the software. (Included library shown below)

2. Attach the appropriate media to the cutting mat (if needed) and into the Silhouette (examples of media are paper, vinyl, heat transfer material, etc)

3. Attach appropriate cutting blade, if needed

4.  Cut your image by pressing only a couple of keys on your computer

Silhouette makes crafting easy and fun by including detailed instructions on how to operate the software and the machine, as well as lots of step-by-step images, online support, and even toll free customer service! I found the images to be most helpful and really all that I needed to get the hang of it. For inspiration, visit the Silhouette Blog at http://silhouettemachine.blogspot.com, as well as the ladies over at How Does She?

Over the next couple of days I will be sharing two of things I have made with the super sleek Silhouette, so stay tuned!

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… The Silhouette is compact and sleek, and takes the guess work out of creating one-of-a-kind pieces. Over time the machine will pay for itself because you can customize your child’s birthday party (think banners, cupcake toppers, invitations, thank yous, etc), make personalized and customized apparel, as well as custom home decor. It’s so simple that you don’t have to be a crafter to craft like one! The folks at Silhouette have created lots of tutorials, FAQs, and have a help line you can call if you’re stumped!

Or Not to Buy… The hefty price tag can be a turn-off, but if you are a crafter or would love to start creating your own pieces, this machine is worth every penny.

Shop! The Silhouette, as well as supplies and accessories can be purchased online for $299.99.

Ready for another surprise? We have a discount code that you can use for LOADS of savings on a Silhouette and Silhouette goodies! Simply enter the promo code MAMA in and all of the freebies and discounts will show up in your basket!

1) AWESOME PROMO (running from September 23rd through September 30th at midnight)
Buy a machine and receive the following:

  • $50 off the Silhouette Craft Cutter
  • fuzzy white vinyl (Valued at $7.99)
  • light blue smooth heat transfer (Valued at 14.99)
  • yellow flocked heat transfer (Valued at $14.99)
  • Home Décor CD (Valued at $50)
  • $10 Gift Card to the Silhouette Download Store (Comes in the box)
  • Cutting Blade (Comes in the box)
  • 2 Cutting Mats (Comes in the box)

All for $249.99! A Savings of $137.97.

2) GOOD PROMO (running from October 1st through October 4th at midnight)
Buy a machine and receive the following:

  • $50 off (receive for $249.99)
  • 2 rolls of Heat transfer ($29.89 value)
  • $10 Gift Card to the Silhouette Download Store(Comes in the Box)
  • Cutting Blade (Comes in the Box)
  • 2 Cutting Mats(Comes in the Box)

All for $249.99! A savings of $79.98.

Win! A Silhouette to call your very own!

How to enter: Visit Silhouette and tell me the very first thing you would like to create with your new Silhouette.

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

Giveaway ends September 30. Open to US mailing addresses only.

Disclosure: Thanks to Silhouette America for providing a sample product for the purpose of this review and the giveaway prize. Opinions here are my own and uninfluenced by receipt of product.

Thursday Giveaway Linky

by Kate on September 22nd, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaway Linky, Weekly Features

Thanks so much for stopping by to link up and browse giveaways on The Shopping Mama. While you’re here make sure you enter these great giveaways ending soon:

Hobby-Bike Learning Bike * Kodak Digital Photo Frame * tiny giraffe Blocks

Don’t forget to head over and link up at Baby Loving Mama, too! And make sure you check out the Zoolu! $50 Gift Card giveaway.

Kissaluvs Marvels One Size Fitted Diaper: Review + Giveaway

by Malia on September 22nd, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Baby, Baby Shopping Guide, Giveaways, Reviews

Fitted diapers are sewn to fit your baby like a glove without folding and are the best when it comes to leak protection. Fitted diapers are super absorbent, but don’t contain a waterproof layer. To keep wetness in its place most people use a cover, although there are a brave few who use fitteds without covers for maximum breathability. The combination of fitted diaper and cover contains virtually anything your little one’s tush can create making them an excellent choice for infants.

Kissaluvs Marvels

For our fitted diaper spotlight I had the pleasure of testing out Kissaluvs Marvels One Size Fitted Diapers. I was so excited about these adorable diapers that I had them in the washer to start the prepping within minutes of opening the package. After admiring the cute 100% cotton designer print outer and petting the super soft bamboo velour lining, of course. Natural products like bamboo, hemp and cotton have to be “prepped” by washing (with soap) several times to remove the natural oils that would otherwise repel pee. Most diapers reach acceptable absorbency after 3-4 washes and keep getting more absorbent for at least the first 10 washes.

One Size Fitted Diapers

The Marvels use a unique, patent pending, snap design to allow them to fit most babies from 10-40 pounds. The diapers have two rows of snaps, one along the top of the outside (patterned side) of the diaper and one along the inside (bamboo velour side) of the diaper. To be more accurate, it’s actually one line of snaps with half the snaps facing in and half the snaps facing out. This allows the front of the diaper to be folded down for smaller babies or folded up for larger ones. I was very skeptical of this at first because I forgot that fitted diapers aren’t waterproof. Folding over the top won’t cause leaking like it would with the diapers I usually use because the waterproof cover goes over the entire Marvels diaper. It actually functions very well and fit snuggly on my 19 pounder in the folded down setting.

Super Soaker 2000 Level Protection

The Marvels Fitted has three body layers with a micro fiber soaker that provides excellent absorbency. I’m not ready to go cover free, but we had a nice long play time plus nap (3.5+ hours) in the Marvels with zero leaking. The proprietary, latex-free elasticized waist and legs kept in the messiest poop we’ve had for a long time (why does he save these for new diapers, seriously). I did have a little trouble getting one little piece of the poop off the bamboo velour. I’m not really sure why, but it just wanted to stay there. After a little help from the diaper sprayer we got it off and decided a entire jar of prunes is not a good breakfast selection.

About Kissaluvs

Kissaluvs is a family centered company that makes treating their employees right a priority. They make an effort to purchase locally and all their fabrics are made in America.

Kissaluvs is a family-owned and -operated company dedicated to creating and providing excellent natural family products. Our diapers are enjoyed throughout the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, and other areas far and wide. Started in a dining room with a fitted diaper for baby “Kissa,” Kissaluvs products are now produced by professional seamstresses with top-notch equipment, fabrics and supplies. We take family ownership quite seriously. The whole family — Tashi, Randy, the spirited 5 year old Sumair and the lively 3 year old Saheb– share in the work and are all thrilled to be part of the Kissaluvs team.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… Fitted diapers are great for containing mess, especially newborn liquid poop. Kissaluvs Marvels are beautiful, high quality fitted diapers with excellent leak control.  I also highly recommend the Kissaluvs Diaper Lotion Potion. Smells great and makes clean up easier.

Not to Buy… Even though Marvels are one size diapers, they may not fit a newborn. Kissaluvs does havefitted diapers designed to fit tiny newborns (and they are some of the most popular available).

Shop! Kissaluvs Marvels can be found in six great patterns for $24.95 and can be purchased from retailers near you, from the Kissaluvs website, or from Amazon.com. These diapers are a The Shopping Mama Baby Shopping Guide Pick.

Win! A Kissaluvs Marvels Fitted Diaper!

How to enter: Visit Kissaluvs.com and tell us which Marvels print you would want to win.

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

Giveaway ends October 8. Open to US mailing addresses only.

Disclosure: Thanks to Kissaluvs for providing a sample product. Opinions are my own. Others may have a different experience.

Zoolu! Name-Brand & Personalized Baby Gear for Less (+ Giveaway)

by Kate on September 22nd, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Baby Shopping Guide, Giveaways

Zoolu! Name-brand and Personalized Baby and Mommy Items. Free Shipping Stateside and APO.

Zoolu! is an online retailer focused on marrying the benefits of a big box store with the convenience and customer service of a small, neighborhood boutique. There are so many reasons to shop Zoolu!, but let me mention a few of my favorites: huge selection of the best of the best in baby and children’s products, highly competitive prices, personalized goodies and, for all us military mamas, super-military friendly.

About Zoolu!

Zoolu! offers an extensive line of name-brand and personalized products for both Mommy and Baby! We offer our customers the convenience of a big box store with the welcoming feel of a small boutique — all in one place!

Facebook – Zoolu! Style

Zoolu! knows how to make Facebook fun. Once you “Like” Zoolu! on Facebook, you are automatically entered to randomly get a Zap – a $20 gift card. Another great perk is the Zoolu! Zing – a Facebook-exclusive short term discount count. For example, earlier this week, Zoolu! offered a code to a generous 40% off Petunia Pickle Bottom and Bumble Collection diaper bags. Seriously. You can’t beat that for current top of the line products.

Baby Shopping Guide

A number of our favorite baby products that will be featured on the Baby Shopping Guide are available at Zoolu! Want some examples? aden + anais Swaddling Blankets, Bebe au Lait Nursing Covers, SleepyWrap and Bumbo Baby Sitter to name just a few.

That is just a tiny sampling of the awesome products that would make any new mom’s day. Don’t take my word for it… head over to Zoolu! where you’ll find everything from personalized stamps to the Boon Flair High Chair to phil&teds strollers.

Shop! Zoolu! is a great one-stop shop for all things baby and mom. All items ship to APO boxes FREE and shipping on orders over $75 is always free. I truly think you’ll shop Zoolu! because of the selection, buy because of the prices and return because of the customer service.

Win! A $50 Gift Card to Zoolu!

How to Enter: Visit Zoolu! and leave a comment with something you’d love to get if you win the gift certificate.

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

Giveaway ends October 8. Open to US mailing addresses only.

Disclosure:  Thanks to Zoolu! for providing the giveaway prize. This post contains affiliate links.

Simple Steps to Protect Your Skin (with Target Gift Card Giveaway)

by Kate on September 21st, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaways

As September is National Skin Care Awareness Month, so it’s the perfect time to take small steps to put the health of your skin first. According to Eucerin, “neglecting our skin not only leaves our bodies exposed to infectious bacteria that can permeate damaged or malnourished skin, it also costs US consumers nearly $42 billion a year in direct medical costs on the 22 most common skin diseases.”

Four Simple Steps to Protect Your Skin

This month’s Eucerin Skin First Update is focused simple steps and changes you can make to protect the health of your skin. It is your body’s largest organ, after all!

Tip #1 – Cleanse Gently

If you’ve ever felt like your skin is a little too tight, it may be a sign that you have not cleansed properly. Clean skin is the first step in keeping skin healthy. Whether your skin is dry, oily, or somewhere in between, dermatologists recommend using a mild, non-irritating cleanser rather than a harsh soap. Otherwise, you run the risk of striping your skin’s natural oils, which can lead to overly tight-feeling skin.

Tip #2 – Moisturize Properly

Moisturizers bind water to the skin so that it doesn’t evaporate as quickly. The right moisturizer can also help bring the right pH balance to your skin and enhance its natural defenses. A product like Eucerin Daily Skin Balance Body Lotion can help accomplish this by providing a pH buffer and all day moisturization while strengthening your skin’s protective barrier against external elements like pollution and climate changes.

Tip #3 – Take Time to Relax

If you’re under a great deal of stress, chances are your skin is too. Stressed-out skin can eventually become thin and less able to regenerate itself. You can help prevent this by taking take time to focus and center yourself every day. This can aid not just your mental health, but the health of your skin and body as well.

Tip #4 – Feed Your Skin Right

Finally, the old adage “you are what you eat” is never truer than it is with your skin. For instance, foods with high antioxidant levels, like blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and plums, can help neutralize free radicals that can damage collagen and elastin, proteins that help maintain skin’s elasticity and tone.

Free Sample

For a limited time, when you “Like” Eucerin on Facebook and take the Skin First pledge you get a free Eucerin product sample.

Win! A Eucerin Gift Bag, including a Target gift certificate!

How to Enter: Take the Eucerin Skin First Pledge on Facebook or the Eucerin webpage. If you’ve already taken the pledge, just leave a comment letting me know.

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

Giveaway ends October 6 – open to US residents.

Disclosure: Thanks to Eucerin for providing me with a goody bag and one for the giveaway prizes. Others may have a different experience. Opinions are my own.
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