The Shopping Mama » 2010

Original & Affordable Baby Gift: Sticky Bellies Review + Giveaway

by Kate on October 8th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Baby, Baby Shopping Guide, Giveaways, Reviews

If you are heading to a baby shower soon, or have an out of own friend getting ready for a new addition, Sticky Bellies are the perfect unique gift to pop in the mail.

About Sticky Bellies

Taking pictures of your gorgeous baby is nothing new. People have been documenting their child’s monthly growth since the days of Polaroids and painted portraits. But with advanced technology you now have the opportunity to SHARE your photos, with friends and family all around the world, as often as you like. People can literally watch your child grow up in front of their very eyes……on Facebook, in e-mails, and on photo sharing websites. And those old-fashioned photos with your camera’s date stamp in the corner just won’t cut it. You need a creative, stylish and EASY way to document your child’s monthly growth….. You need Sticky Bellies.

How to Use Sticky Bellies

  1. Remove sticker from backing
  2. Apply sticker to baby’s onesie or shirt
  3. Take pictures…lots of them!
  4. Remove sticker
  5. Throw sticker away or save for your baby book
  6. Repeat each month
  7. Thank Sticky Bellies for making your life easier and your pictures cuter!

Great Baby  Gift

The  Baby Shopping Guide is full of wonderful things for baby, and this is one of my favorite items. Sticky Bellies are an inexpensive way to send a very unique baby gift that will help mom and dad create lasting memories with their little one.   They are extremely colorful and bright, and each month is a little bit different design.  It is great that they are also very gender neutral-perfect for your friend who isn’t finding out the gender.

I love that they have a stitched look around the circumference of the sticker, so it appears as if it was sewn on to the onesie like a darling applique.  I also love the idea of sticking the sticker in the baby book after you have taken the photos for the month, a great memento of those days that just go by way, way too fast!

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… I think this is one of those things that everyone should have a few on hand at all times to send out as a quick thoughtful baby gift whenever you need it.

Or Not to Buy… I guess if you are super crafty and a computer/graphic wizard you may be able to somehow make these on your own. But I’m not that crafty!

Shop! Sticky Bellies are available at StickyBellies.com for the fantastic price of  $14.99.  Take a look at some of the other unique items such as huggalugg leghuggers and photo keepsake items to purchase there as well!

Win! Your own set of Sticky Bellies!

How to Enter: Visit Sticky Bellies and leave a comment here about another item you think is just too cute or who you would give the Sticky Bellies to if you won.

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

Giveaway ends October 22. Open to US residents only.

Disclosure: Thanks to Sticky Bellies for providing the prize and sample for this giveaway. All opinions are my own.

Total Mom Total Gym Update: Check Out My Arms!

by Kate on October 7th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Life

We are officially in crazy-over-scheduled-preparing-to-deploy-trips-vacation-mode. And it is so stressful. I am honestly thisclose to having a total breakdown. Like I mentioned last week, this is one of the reasons I so enjoy working out. I’m nervous about the next several weeks because we’ll be traveling and I obviously won’t have the Total Gym with me. I’ll fit in walks and maybe a hotel treadmill, but I really don’t want to lose any of the strength or endurance I’ve built. (I’ve worked up to a level 4 on many exercises!)

Today we had a little farewell for my husband at his work. We took a family photo out by the plane. And, do you know what I noticed in this picture?

Not my son acting crazy, or my daughter distracted or my good looking husband. No, I am totally staring at MY ARM! Look, there’s, like, definition.

Okay, so I just showed my husband and he wasn’t all that impressed. Whatever. I can tell a difference in my arms – among other more muscle-y parts – and I like it.

Shop! Join me on the Total Mom Challenge! Click this link to get 15% off your Total Gym purchase.

Other Total Mom Total Mom Participants

You should stop in and visit the other moms on the Total Gym Total Mom Challenge.

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

Tike Tech & Valco Baby Jogging Stroller Recalls

by Kate on October 7th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Shopping

Yesterday, the Consumer Products Safety Commission announced two Jogging Stroller recalls due to a possible strangulation risk. Select Tike Tech and Valco Baby jogging strollers were recalled because the opening between the bumper/grab bar and the seat bottom allows for a child to pass through and get trapped at the neck, causing a risk of strangulation when the child is not strapped in. There have been no reported injuries or incidents, so the recall is due to a potential hazard.

If your stroller is included in the recall, stop using the grab bar immediately and contact the company for a replacement.

Tike Tech Recall

The Tike Tech recall includes the Single City X3 and X3 Sport Jogging Strollers, affecting about 800 products. See the CPSC announcement for more information and contact Tike Tech if you have a recalled stroller. You can reach Tike Tech at (800) 296-4602 between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or email the firm at recall@tiketech.com or visit firm’s website at www.tiketech.com.

Valco Baby Recall

The Valco Baby recall includes about 12,000 strollers and two models: Valco Baby Tri Mode Single and Twin Jogging Strollers. See the CPSC announcement for more information and contact Valco Baby at (800) 610-7850 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, visit the firm’s website at www.valcobaby.com or email at recall@valcobaby.com.


Go Play! Fun & Play in the Florida Sun

by Kate on October 7th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Blogging, Life

Fall is my favorite season. Without a doubt. And, living in Florida, there’s good reason to like fall. The weather cools down to a temperature where it’s actually bearable to play outside. Like people in cold climates get cabin fever, we get summer cabin fever in Florida and spend as much time outside goofing around as possible.

We usually head outside every afternoon after nap. The kids drag seemingly every bike or ride on toy from the garage and push, walk and roll up and down our cul-de-sac. I love that they burn a little energy while we all enjoy the fresh air.

My daughter often takes a detour to, um, pick and “smell” the neighbor’s fake flowers.

And sometimes they take a break to enjoy just laying in the grass.

It’s also fun to get out and about and enjoy what our local area has to offer in the fall, like an outdoor craft class.

Riding a horse at a local stable.

And, measuring pumpkins with yarn at the pumpkin patch.

Shout Go Play Mom

I love when I get to give a “shout” out (“shout!” – heh, get it?) to a product I’ve been using for years. Shout, the stain remover, knows that play is important and thinks parents should concentrate on having fun – not worrying about kid’s clothes. (I mean, if I worried about every bit of dirt or mess my kids make on their clothes… well, we’d never play outside or dig in the dirt or roll around in the grass. And what fun is that?) That’s why Shout has launched the Go Play! Initiative:

Shout knows play is so much more than fun and games. Studies show that unstructured play helps kids build fundamental skills like problem solving, coping, and conflict resolution. In other words: play is how kids become happy, healthy adults. Fall has arrived with crisp, cool air and new reasons to go out and play. So, let your kids take that rewarding jump into a pile of leaves. Take at trip to the park and watch their imaginations run free. The one thing you won’t do is worry about their clothes; play should get messy and Shout can help.

You can visit the Shout Go Play page on Facebook for tips on fall play and how to remove pesky grass stains!

How do you GO PLAY? What are your favorite fall activities with kids?

I am a SHOUT Ambassador through a compensated Mom Bloggers Club member program.

aden + anais Celebrates Two Years Working With the CJ Foundation to Prevent SIDS (+ Giveaway)

by Kate on October 7th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Baby Shopping Guide, Giveaways

Launched in 2006, aden + anais creates stylish and modern muslin swaddling blankets and sleeping bags. This year, aden + anais is celebrating a two year relationship with The CJ Foundation for SIDS, an organization dedicated to reducing the risk of infant deaths and supporting families who have suffered a loss.

Sleep in Safety, Grow in Style Campaign

Since 2009, aden + anais has supported the CJ Foundation for SIDS and their Sleep in Safety, Grow in Style campaign by donating a percentage of profits to the organization. The partnership is based on the desire to reduce the number of babies who die from SIDS and other sleep-related deaths.

The SSGS campaign is intended to educate and raise public awareness about what constitutes a safe sleep environment for infants and how to set up precautionary safe sleeping environments for babies that can cost less, be beautiful and comforting, grow with your child, and most importantly – significantly reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths.

The partnership makes sense because aden + anais’ products are made from 100% soft and breathable cotton muslin, which provides plenty of warmth without overheating – a leading risk factor for SIDS. (See risk reduction tips below.)

“We are extremely proud to be sponsoring the CJ Foundation for SIDS and their Sleep in Safety, Grow in Style campaign,” says Raegan Moya-Jones, co-founder and CEO of aden + anais®. “We are looking forward to creating more stylish, breathable products that reflect our deep commitment to the health and welfare of infants”.

Risk Reduction Tips from The CJ Foundation for SIDS

We don’t know what causes SIDS, so we cannot say how to “avoid” it, but we can provide you with the most up-to-minute guidelines for reducing the risk of SIDS and other sudden unexplained infant deaths (SUID). First and foremost, educate yourself and everyone who cares for your baby on how to reduce the risks by following these guidelines:

  1. Don’t smoke while pregnant and never smoke near your infant.
  2. Don’t let your baby get too hot.
  3. Lay your baby to sleep in an approved crib, on a firm mattress.
  4. Create a healthy lifestyle for you and your baby.
  5. If possible, breast feed your baby.
  6. Offer your baby a pacifier at all sleep times.
  7. Put your baby on his or her tummy to play when your baby is awake and supervised.
  8. Don’t share sleep surfaces.
  9. Share these tips with everyone who cares for your baby.
  10. Always lay your baby to sleep face up.

aden + anais Original Swaddles

I admit that I was not particularly good about swaddling my babies, even though it may contribute to a safer night’s sleep – and it works wonders for getting baby to sleep longer. I was often discouraged by my lack of swaddling technique and, looking back, I wasn’t using blankets ideal for swaddling (like the aden + anais swaddles). aden + anais has some great resources for those moms like me who aren’t experience swaddlers. You can read why muslin blankets are good for swaddling and how to swaddle with a muslin blanket.

Shop! In addition to the popular Swaddles, aden + anais makes several products perfect for baby including the Sleeping Bags (which we love), Towel & Washcloth Sets (which we also love), and other muslin blankets. You can purchase aden + anais products directly from the website and on Amazon. A set of 4 Swaddling Blankets is $44.

Win! A Pack of aden + anais Classic Muslin Swaddles!

How to Enter: Visit aden + anais and leave a comment with a product or Swaddles design that catches your eye.

Bonus Entries – please leave a separate comment for each you do:

Giveaway ends October 22. Open to US residents only.

Disclosure: Thanks to aden + anais for providing the giveaway prize.

Thursday Giveaway Linky

by Kate on October 6th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaway Linky, Weekly Features

Happy Thursday! Thanks for stopping by to link up and browse giveaways. We have some awesome giveaways to celebrate the Baby Shopping Guide  so make sure you check the list of current giveaways on the sidebar.

And, seriously, before you leave… you MUST check out the Baby Shopping Guide. Not to totally brag, but it’s freaking awesome. We’d be grateful if you shared it with friends!

There’s even an amazing prize package including some of our favorite Shopping Guide picks. Check out the exclusive Baby Shopping Guide Prize Package giveaway!

Make sure you stop by Baby Loving Mama to link up there, too!

First Fitness Hop Ball Review + Aqua-Leisure Giveaway

by Kate on October 6th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaways, Reviews, Toddler, Toys

Kate mentioned the other day that her little guy isn’t the most coordinated when it comes to sports. Well, we seem to have the same problem in our house! However, I think we have found something from First Fitness by Aqua-Leisure that both boys can do easily, all while learning to love exercise!

About First Fitness by Aqua -Leisure

Today kids are not active!…and it has become a national epidemic. Children are increasingly spending more time indoors in front of computers, television and video games than ever before… Inactivity is the major reason for the growing rate of obesity among children.  The government along with numerous health professional organizations universally agree that today’s children are not getting enough daily exercise. Studies have shown that the impact of keeping children active is remarkable.  But children, not unlike adults, associate exercise with “work”. But exercise doesn’t have to be “work” – it should be fun!

That’s why Aqua-Leisure is introducing First Fitness. Designed to let children play and along the way take their first steps towards a lifetime love of fitness.

First Fitness Hop Ball

  • Helps build child’s leg strength and balance as they bounce around
  • Large, flexible square handle
  • Recessed inflation valve for safety
  • Great for indoors or outdoors
  • Shipping Weight: 3 lbs.

When the First Fitness Hop Ball arrived it instantly reminded me of something similar I had as a kid… and absolutely loved! So I was really excited to see if my little boy liked it as well. The only mistake I made was leaving it on the counter when I wasn’t prepared to blow it up and get started hopping! Daddy was out of town and is the only one in the house who knows where the electric pump is to inflate things! So, we waited, me having to explain, “No, we can’t play with that big ball yet” for a few days.

Once Dad came to the rescue and blew it up in a matter of seconds with the electric pump, we were ready to hop around. On the package it says for ages 4 and up. My son is a few  months shy of 3, and he was still able to do it.  He will be able to bounce a little better once he is a bit taller, but still had so much fun bouncing around. This is a toy that can be used both inside and outside. While we played with it on a nice fall day outside, I have a feeling this may keep me sane during the long winter months when my little person needs to get nice and tired burn off energy!

Oh, and did I mention that I found it’s the perfect size for me to use as an exercise ball to do my sit-ups on?

This truly is a fun way to introduce the idea of being fit and healthy while really just playing!

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… This is a great gift idea for the toddler that has everything!   Not only is it fun, your little one is learning the benefits of being active!  Not to mention at a price that can’t be beat,  $13.95, it’s a great value.

Or Not to Buy… If you don’t have much room indoors, or not much of a yard, this will be a hard toy to use.

Shop! Aqua-Leisure has a wide variety of beach toys, water floats, sun shades, and fitness items for kids. Make sure you check out the selection of toys and games when shopping for the holidays or planning your next vacation to the beach! They can be purchased at a variety of different retailers.

Win! Your Choice of either the Pop Up Cabana or Baby and Me Combo Floatie from Aqua -Leisure!

How to Enter: Visit Aqua Leisure and leave a comment with another toy that looks like fun.

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

Giveaway ends October 20th. Open to US mailing addresses only.

Disclosure:  Thanks to Aqua Leisure for providing a sample product for the purpose of this review and the giveaway prize.

Baby Shopping Guide – Exclusive Prize Package Giveaway

by Kate on October 6th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Baby Shopping Guide, Giveaways

You’ve seen our stamp of approval on posts over the past month:

And now it’s time to check out the actual Baby Shopping Guide, sponsored by Sweet Paper Lane!

Yes, The Shopping Mama’s Baby Shopping Guide is LIVE. And it is awesome. We are very proud of it. We think you’ll find it to be a comprehensive collection of the best baby gifts and gear. Whether you’re expecting your first, pregnant with your fifth or attending countless baby showers, the Baby Shopping Guide will serve as a great resource for the products you want to give – and receive.

To celebrate the launch of the Baby Shopping Guide we have an awesome prize package featuring some of our favorite products from the Guide.

Baby Shopping Guide Prize Package

basq fully loaded gift box set: Give her a gift developed just for her during pregnancy. Real Beauty with Real Results wrapped in a gorgeous gift that tells her you care. Hand tied gift set includes Full sizes of our basq favorites that will care for her from head to toe: Resilient Body Oil, Rebalancing Face Cleanser, Energizing Body Lotion and Sweet Dreams Aromatherapy. $115 value. Read our basq review. Find basq on Facebook.


Bravado The Essential Nursing Bra Tank: With a full bra inside, (no scrawny shelf “bras” here), the Essential Tank will make you feel fabulous inside and out. New colors include Jade, Lagoon Blue and Passionate Pink. $49 value. Read our Bravado Nursing Tank review. Find Bravado on Facebook and Twitter.


The Funky Bee Monogrammed Baby Set: Simple monogram in your choice of color will adorn a premium quality burp cloth, organic cotton onesie, and premium bib.  This set makes the best baby gift… and what baby isn’t even more precious sporting their new initials? $25.50 value. Read our The Funky Bee review. Find The Funky Bee on Facebook.


Boba Classic Carrier: Boba is a Soft Structured baby carrier (SSC) that is intended for toddlers 15 pounds and up. Boba has a few extra inches of height to keep your center of gravity closer to your body and support your little one’s back. The innovative thing about the Boba carrier is that there are foot straps attached to the waist belt for the child’s feet to sit in enabling a healthy sitting position for the child. $100 value. Read our Boba Carrier review. Find NAP on Facebook and Twitter.


Boppy Nursing & Support Pillow: The Boppy® Pillow has become the essential, must-have item for every new mom. It’s no wonder! The Miracle Middle® stretch panel stretches to fit most waists. And with so many slipcover fabrics, you can match your nursery, home, or personal style. For baby’s first months, our Newborn Lounger is uniquely designed with a recessed interior perfect for baby’s bottom. Baby has an ideal place to lounge safely while mom’s hands are free to take more photos! $40 value. Read our Boppy review. Find Boppy on Facebook and Twitter.

How to Enter: You must Sign Up for Our *New* Newsletter.

This is different than subscribing to posts. It’s brand new – and we promise we won’t spam you. You’ll only hear from us when we have great things to share (probably once or twice a month). Just click here to provide your email address.

Extra Chances to Win - Valid only after signing up for the newsletter.

  • Visit one of the prize package sponsors and tell us something you learned.
  • Check out the Baby Shopping Guide and tell us a product you’d love to give or receive.
  • Share the Baby Shopping Guide on your Facebook or Twitter. Perhaps something like this:
    Check out The Shopping Mama’s Baby Shopping Guide – the best gear and gifts: http://bit.ly/9dC3Md
  • ReTweet, Share or Like this giveaway using the buttons below.
  • Like all the sponsors on Facebook and leave one comment letting us know.

Giveaway ends November 3. Open to US residents only.

Disclosure: Thanks to all the awesome sponsors for providing prizes for this giveaway and for making products we love!
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