Corolle Tidoo Bath Doll Review + Giveaway

by Monica on September 17th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Baby, Baby Shopping Guide, Giveaways, Reviews, Toddler, Toys

If you are the mom of a little girl, you are probably familiar with Corolle dolls. My daughter is only 7 months old, so we haven’t really gotten into the doll stage yet.  I have seen Corolle Dolls in the stores, and have always thought they are just too cute. However I had no idea just how cute until we had the opportunity to review one the Corolle Tidoo Bath Doll.

About Corolle Dolls

Tidoo dolls come in various varieties and are specially designed for bath time fun, they are soft, posable and so light they float.  All clothes are completely removable and they are filled with polystyrene beads that dry quickly. Tidoo is also a favorite out of the bath too, it can even suck its thumb. They are a 30cm doll recommended for 18 months +.

Corolle is already a popular brand, founded in France in 1979 and has appealed to children for years as the dolls are scientifically studied to render an aesthetically pleasing  face for the children of the day.  All Corolle dolls have a vanilla scent and ceramic eyes as children of this age communicate through their eyes and trust known scents.

Our Experience

This baby doll arrived at the perfect time! I think my son and myself were both getting a little bored with his current bath toy choices. I was actually planning on reviewing her and sneaking her away for my daughter when she gets a little older, but I had no such luck. As soon as he saw the new doll, he wanted to play with her. I think having a new baby in the house has really made him tap into his caregiver side. I immediately noticed the light, pleasant vanilla scent that all Corolle dolls have. It is very light and appealing.

As soon as he saw that the Tidoo doll had a rubber ducky, he was thrilled to take her into the bath with him. Toddler boy was so excited to give her a bath.  She has remained a part of our bath routine ever since.  She is the perfect size, dries very quickly, and is ready to go at the next bath time! Of course you don’t have to use her only in the bath, and once my daughter starts playing with her as well, I am sure she will spend time out of the bathroom as well.

Great Baby or Sibling Gift

The  Baby Shopping Guide is full of wonderful things for baby, and this doll is one that I simply love! When heading to visit a new baby, bringing this little one along as a gift for an older sibling is a great idea to help the big brother or big sister feel included, and learn how to take care of his or her own new baby! Or just bring it along for the new baby, she will love it soon enough. My seven month old even loves to smile and coo at baby Tidoo, though big brother seems to have claimed her for now.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… I really liked the Tidoo Bath Doll from Corolle.  I was amazed at how much fun my little boy liked her! She would make a great addition to your bath time routine. I love that she dries very quickly, and even has a little hook to hang her up to drip dry.

Or Not to Buy… If you have a bevy of dolls at home you may not need one more.  But, then again, buy her for a baby gift!

Shop! Corolle Tidoo is available at Toy Guru, Australia’s number one online toy store.

Win! A Corolle Tidoo Bath Doll from Toy Guru!

How to Enter: Visit Toy Guru and leave a comment here with a  favorite new toy you have never seen before!

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

Giveaway ends October 1st.

Disclosure: Thanks to toy guru for providing the prize for this giveaway. All opinions are my own.

Total Gym Total Mom Challenge

by Kate on September 16th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Blogging, Life

At this moment, I can’t believe that I’ve agreed to participate in the Total Gym Total Mom Challenge. Don’t get me wrong, I  really love using the Total Gym XLS and changing my getting a fitness routine and getting in shape is worth the embarrassment of sharing my measurements and weight. But, oh my, it is a little hard to put it all out there. Over the next 8 weeks I will be putting it all out there and sharing my experience using the Total Gym including photos, video and fitness updates.

About the Total Gym XLS

The TOTAL GYM XLS targets ALL major muscle groups with just ONE workout. Resistance training, cardio training and stretching – everything the body needs (with over 80 exercises) in just one machine. Individuals can work out in as little as six to eight minutes a day. The XLS makes at-home work-outs more efficient and effective. It is perfect for the entire family from ages eight to 80.

My Goal

I think I am very lucky to have the figure I do without much effort. But, the fact of the matter is, I’m not in good shape. I was in much better shape 4 years ago when I was pregnant with my son. I walked regularly, lifted weights and made an effort to stay fit. I was skinnier six months ago when I was nursing my daughter. But, now for the first time in 4.5 years, it’s my turn to focus on my body – for me. Not because I’m growing a baby or providing nourishment for one, but because I need to get in shape!

I don’t have lofty goals of completing a triathlon (like Monica) or losing 20 pounds in 2 months like my awesome husband. My goal for the Total Gym Total Mom Challenge is really about being fit. Over the next 2 months I want to maintain my weight, build muscle, lose a few inches and feel better about myself. I hope to accomplish my goal by using the Total Gym XLS at least 5 times a week.

“Before” & Starting Stats

  • Weight: 127.6 pounds
  • BMI: 18.8
  • Bust: 34 inches
  • Waist: 28 inches
  • Hip: 38 inches
  • Arm: 10 1/2 inches
  • Thigh: 20 1/2 inches

Other Total Mom Total Mom Participants

I’m not doing this Challenge alone – there is a great team of bloggers who are on this journey together. I’m so excited to share this journey, exchange exercise tips, and watch their progress.

Shop! Click this link to get 15% off your Total Gym purchase.

I am participating in the Total Mom Total Gym Challenge facilitated by Blog Friendly PR and received a Total Gym XLS.

Tea Collection – Free Shipping 2 Days Only!

by Kate on September 16th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Shopping

It’s no secret we’re big Tea Collection fans around here. And shopping Tea is a bit more affordable for the next two days as they offer FREE SHIPPING for a limited time.

You really can’t go wrong with Tea, but since we’re talking all things baby gift because of the Baby Shopping Guide, it makes sense to share some great baby finds.


Tea Collection I Love You 6-Piece Set (pink, gray or navy $145)


Tea Collection Keepsake Gift Boxed Set, (pink, gray or navy $75)

While you’re enjoying free shipping, don’t forget the bigger kids. Tea Collection sizes go up to size 12! Here are some great finds for fall.


Tea Collection Goran 4-Piece Set ($85)


Tea Collection Mikes Stripe Sweater ($59)


Tea Collection Citizen Cord Pant


Tea Collection Brigita 6-Piece Set ($129)


Tea Collection Matyas Tile Sweater Dress ($79)


Tea Collection Twill Trench Coat ($65)


Tea Collection Idae Chambray Dress ($49)


Tea Collection Trio of Leggings to Love ($51)

Shop! Enjoy FREE SHIPPING at TeaCollection.com today and tomorrow. No code necessary. Happy shopping!

This post contains affiliate links.

Thirsties Diapers: Prefolds, Inserts, and Covers Review + Giveaway

by Malia on September 16th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Baby, Baby Shopping Guide, Giveaways, Reviews

Prefolds or Inserts and Covers are often the most economical way to cloth diaper. For this portion of our series on reusable diapers I had a chance to try a Thirsties Duo Wrap, one of the most popular brands of covers, and a Thirsties prefold and insert. This is my first time using prefolds/inserts and covers. I’ve avoided them because, frankly, they reminded me of the old fashioned diapers and looked like waaay to much work. I’ve learned modern prefolds/inserts and covers are nothing like what I grew up with and are so simple to use.

The Cover

The icky rubber pants our mothers diapered with have been replaced by breathable and beautiful covers. Thirsties Duo Wraps (shown in blackbird) are knit fabric backed with a waterproof layer of PUL (polyurethane laminate). They fasten conveniently in the front with US made Aplix hook-and-loop (you may be more familiar with Velcro brand) and have gusseted legs for awesome leak protection. The two easy-to-adjust sizes fit from newborn to potty training. The fit is great for my little guy and the gussets prevent the gaping we get with some other diapers. I can see why they are so popular and I wish we had these for the newborn liquid poop stage.

Covers can be used more than once, as long as they don’t get poop on them, reducing laundry and saving you money.

The Prefold

Prefolds are thick, flat fabric that is folded, rolled or origamied into a diaper. Prefolds can be fastened with pins or plastic clips called snappies. But, they don’t have to be. Thirsties Duo Hemp Prefolds are made of uber soft hemp and cotton blend. (It reminds me of my favorite t-shirt and I kind of want to snuggle with it.) The prefold is simple to fold in thirds, fan out in the back slightly for extra coverage and lay in the cover. Secure the cover to the baby and you are good to go. Can it get any simpler than that?

Folding a Thirsties Prefold

The Insert

Actually, it can. With a Thirsties Stay Dry Duo Insert you just snap the bottom layer of super absorbent hemp to the stay dry fleece + quick drinking microfiber terry top and tuck the insert into the wrap. Ta da, diapered baby. I love fleece layers in diapers because they keep the wetness away from baby’s skin. Most of the time his tush is dry even though the diaper is soaked.

Thirsties Insert

To learn more about the Duo Wrap, Duo Hemp Prefold or Duo Insert go to Thirstiesbaby.com or request a catalog.

Thirsties The Company

I love this company. They are the type of company you can feel good about supporting. Our diapers even arrived in a biodegradable envelope.

Thirsties® is a small (but growing!) cloth diaper company committed to greener parenting and Eco Friendly solutions, not to mention 100% USA Made quality! Erin, founder of Thirsties, started this business with an old sewing machine and $100 5 years ago. Through her hard work and diligence, the company is now one of the leaders in the cloth diaper industry. Our diapers are now made by work at home mothers, and very close to our warehouse, reducing our carbon output. Our customer service reps are experienced cloth diapering moms, and offer our knowledge to our retailers and customers alike.

Go to Thirstiesbaby.com or Thirsties’ Facebook Page to learn more about this environmentally minded company.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… Thirsties products are well made and economical. I love how trim yet absorbent the diapers are and how I can easily add more layers for extra leak protection during nap time. The quality of the products is evident and it’s nice to know that work at home moms are sewing them. These diapers are a The Shopping Mama Baby Shopping Guide Pick.

Not to Buy… Prefolds/Inserts were easier than I expected, but I didn’t find them as easy as some other cloth diapering options. If convenience is worth more than the bottom line, prefolds/inserts may not be for you.

Shop! Thirsties Diapers can be purchased from retailers world wide. Wraps will run you from $12.75-13.75 and the inserts are $7 each. Thirsties encourages purchasing locally . The diapers can also be purchased directly from Thirsties by calling 1-888-315-2330 or at on-line retailers like Amazon.com.

WIN! A Duo Wrap, Duo Hemp Prefold and Stay Dry Duo Insert!

How to enter: Visit Thirstiesbaby.com and tell us your favorite thing about their diapers and what color wrap you would want to win.

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

  • Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter and tweet this giveaway. You may do this everyday, just leave the link when you do.
    Thirsties Modern Cloth Diapers Giveaway – win a Duo Wrap, Duo Hemp Prefold and Stay Duo Dry Insert @TheShoppingMama http://bit.ly/dlp9HJ
  • Fan Thirties on Facebook. Leave a second comment if you share this giveaway on Thirsties’ Facebook page.
  • Fan The Shopping Mama on Facebook. Leave a second comment if you Share this post on your Facebook.
  • Follow The Shopping Mama in Google Friends Connect (link at the bottom of the page)
  • Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or RSS

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


Disclosure: Thanks to Thirsties 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 15th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaway Linky, Weekly Features

Happy Thursday! Thanks for stopping by to link up and browse some great giveaways. While you’re here enter the awesome Baby Eggi Children’s Clothes giveaway with 2 winners.

Don’t forget to stop by and link up Baby Loving Mama. While you’re there make sure you enter the Zoolu! giveaway – it’s $50 to spend at a fabulous online boutique that has everything for babies, kids and moms.

Reusable Diapers: the Baby Shower Gift that Keeps Giving

by Malia on September 15th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Baby Shopping Guide, Parenting

Welcome to our five part series on reusable diapers. In this series, we’ll cover the main categories of reusable diapers with reviews and GIVEAWAYS! Reusable diapers are good for the environment, good for baby, less expensive than disposables, and just down right cute. They make great baby shower registry items or gifts (you may want to make sure Mom is on board first) making them a pick for The Shopping Mama Baby Shopping Guide.

Reusable Diaper Categories

1. Prefolds and Inserts with Covers

2. Fitted Diapers

3. Pocket Diapers

4. All in One Diapers

5. Hybrid Diapers

My Favorite Things about using Reusable Diapers

I never in a million years thought I would use reusable diapers and now I love them. Here are a few reasons why:

  • I never have to worry about running out of diapers in the middle of the night.
  • I don’t have to lug a bag of stinky diapers out to the trash every few days.
  • When my little guy imitates a sprinkler in the middle of a diaper change, I’m not wasting a diaper as I scramble to duck and cover.
  • I haven’t had an exploding poop diaper since switching to cloth.
  • I may be protecting my guy’s “boys“ from disposables. I may also be protecting him from diaper rash (it’s never been a big problem for us) and toxins contained in disposable diapers.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What about the poo? Do I have to dunk the diaper in the toilet?

You do NOT have to dunk a diaper in the toilet. Conveniences like diaper sprayers and flushable liners help you keep poop at a distance. (You do still have to wipe you little one’s tush, sorry.)

Is it hard to use reusable diapers?

I find reusables as easy to use as disposables and I’ve caught my husband telling his friends how great reusable diapers are. Thirsties Diaper Company interviewed 300 cloth diapering families and 87% of them said using cloth diapers is as easy or easier than they expected. 65% said using cloth diapers is SO much easier than they expected.

Am I really going to save money?

How much money you save depends a lot on which diapers you choose. It’s likely that you will save at least $1500 per child using reusable diapers from birth.

Are reusable diapers really better for the environment?

Yes. There are some old studies that said no, but they were done when washing machines were not as efficient. Recent studies have found that reusable diapers are better for the environment.

I don’t have a lot of time, do reusable diapers take a lot of time?

I was curious so I timed myself. It took me 25 minutes to “fold” my diaper laundry (while watching Project Runway and sipping an ice coffee). Add a minute to load the washer and 30 seconds to transfer everything to the dryer and you’ll see it takes me under 30 minutes 2-3 times a week to cloth diaper. Still too much? You can also hire a service to wash your diapers or use hybrid diapers.

Have you thought about reusable diapers? What questions do you have? Cloth diapers users, what advice do you have for parents considering making the switch?


{photo happyheinys.com}

Bugaboo Unveils Double Stroller: Meet the Donkey

by Kate on September 15th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Shopping

If you are into strollers, then chances are you are more than familiar with the top of the line, Mercedes of strollers: Bugaboo. For years I’ve admired and drooled over the Bugaboo family of strollers. But, until now, the collection has been lacking a double stroller. Today, Bugaboo announced its first double stroller. Meet the Bugaboo Donkey.

About the Donkey

The Bugaboo Donkey is the first stroller on the market to be fully convertible to offer parents three possible configurations: mono, duo and twin. It offers the possibility of transforming a mono stroller to a duo configuration with the same comfort for all children. It is also the first stroller to be designed specifically to meet parents’ needs for flexible and multiple storage space, courtesy of an expandable side shopping basket and underseat basket.

Donkey Transforms from Single to Double

As I understand it, the stroller above on the left is the mono - a single stroller with side shopping basket. The mono is 23 inches wide – the same as the Bugaboo Cameleon. The frame expands to create enough width to accommodate a second seat to create the duo (pictured on the right), which is 29 inches wide making it a very narrow side by side double stroller.

Learn More About the Donkey

To learn more about the Donkey – from someone who’s actually seen it! – read the Spilling the Beans blog about the Bugaboo Donkey at Magic Beans. They also have a great video to see the stroller in action.

Bugaboo is also slated to be at the ABC Kids Expo in October so hopefully I can catch up with the representatives and get some more info on the Donkey. (That sounds so weird to type. “Donkey”, really?)

Updated: Here are some photos of the Donkey in Mono mode from the ABC Kids Expo.

 

The Donkey expands with the flip of a few switches – the expansion mechanism is pictured below on the front frame. It also expands at the back of the frame and on the handle.

Shop! The Bugaboo Donkey is available from our affiliate Magic Beans. Pricing is as follows: Mono configuration (for one child): $1199, Duo configuration (for two children of different ages): $1499, Twin configuration (for two children of the same age): $1659. As of September 2011, you can purchase the Donkey directly online.

Information and photos via Bugaboo Facebook page.

Bebe au Lait Nursing Cover & Hooter Hider: A Breastfeeding Mama’s Must Have (+ Giveaway)

by Kate on September 15th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Baby Shopping Guide, Giveaways

“Featuring a rigid neckline and signature design prints, Bebe au Lait nursing covers allow you to breastfeed anytime, anywhere and in style.”

A few months before my son was born, my friend Amy emailed to tell me about the awesome nursing cover her friend was wearing in the hospital – a Bebe au Lait. I ordered one on the moment I found the website and literally used it for three years – with both my son and daughter. The design is genius, it folds to easily ffit in your diaper bag and provides enough coverage to allow you to breastfeed with some privacy and confidence. If I had to do it over, I would have bought more. Not because mine didn’t stand up to use, but because the prints are so unique and colorful that it would have been fun to use the nursing cover like a stylish accessory, matching and accenting different outfits.

Nursing Covers

Not surprisingly, Bebe au Lait has made some slight changes to the version I purchased in 2006 (another reason I should have bought more!). The nursing covers are now larger and have wider straps. The newest generation of Hooter Hiders feature sweet details like ruffles (picture on the Siena below) and a pocket.

One thing for certain about all Bebe au Lait products is that they look great. The fabrics used are gorgeous – colorful, original and modern.

If you are looking for something more subtle, the Black Eyelet and Ivory Eyelet are simple and sweet but still have interest with the textured fabric.

Gift Sets

Because we’re talking about the best gifts for new moms and moms-to-be, I have to mention the Bebe au Lait Gift Sets that include Nursing Cover and Bebe au Lait Burp Clothes for $50. The Burp Clothes are 100% Cotton Terrycloth and feature signature Bebe au Lait fabrics.

Shop! At $35, Bebe au Lait Nursing Covers and Hooter Hiders are a great, affordable for a nursing or expectant mom. Gift Sets start at $50. For the green mama, consider the Simple Organics line. For a limited time, get FREE SHIPPING from BebeAuLait.com. Bebe au Lait is also available our affiliate, Amazon.

Win! A Bebe au Lait Nursing Cover or Hooter Hider!

How to Enter: Visit Bebe au Lait and check out the range of products for new moms and young babies. Leave a comment with your favorite product.

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

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

Disclosure:  Thanks to Bebe au Lait for the giveaway prize. Opinions are my own. Others may have a different experience.
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