Playpants Modern Bloomers Review

by Kate on March 17th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Clothes, Reviews

Now that the weather is finally starting to show some signs of spring, I am so excited to get my baby girl into some adorable dresses. Which means she needs adorable diaper covers to go with them: Enter Playpants!

About Playpants

Playpants are proudly designed and manufactured in Vancouver, B.C. by Rachel Boguski, Anna Day, and Zoe Flower, longtime friends and mothers of two (each!). The idea was born during one of our summer playdates when we realized we couldn’t find diaper covers anywhere, and we were tired of looking at our children running around in their diapers. Bloomers have been around for decades. They sometimes accompany dresses, but are often ill-fitting and cheaply made. In our homes, they were an essential part of dressing our daughters (that’s a total of four girls between the three of us!) and we wanted to recognize them as an essential part of everyone’s wardrobe, and reintroduce them in a fresh and modern way.

Our Experience

We received these adorable Playpants a while ago, but weren’t really able to give them an official review for two reasons, a) baby girl’s heiny just wouldn’t grow to fit them, and b) the weather has kept her out of cute dresses since it has been so cold. However, now we are ready to rock these adorable bloomers! I love the quality of the fabric, and that they are made from organic fabrics.  Baby girl looked so cute, I hiked up her sweater dress so you could take a peek at her cute ruffled rear (see below). I can see us ordering these in many different styles and colors for this spring and summer.  Now if only she would start walking so we could truly see how adorable these little ruffles are!

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… With so many different styles and colors to choose from, you are sure to find some adorable bloomers to match many of your daughter’s outfits.

Or Not to Buy… These are a little pricey, but really with a few basic colors, you will put these on your little one everyday so they will be well worth it.

Shop! Visit Playpants and take a look at all of the wonderful different styles available and range in price from $12.95 to $24.95.

We received a sample to facilitate this post.

Thursday Giveaway Linky

by Kate on March 17th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaway Linky

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Thanks for stopping by to link up and browse some great giveaways. Before you take off, you should enter some of the fun giveaways we have here at The Shopping Mama, including these that end soon:

$75 to The Land of Nod * BabyBjorn Cups – 5 winners * ModTots $100 Gift Card

Make sure you enter your giveaways at Baby Loving Mama, too. And you should totally enter the Tanga giveaway for your chance to win a Wii!

Have a great day!

Jet Set Babies

by Kate on March 16th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  On the Go

Go With: Jet Set Babies

Why We Like It: Vacations are supposed to be relaxing, right? Instead of relaxing, how often do we find ourselves stressing over everything we have to pack and fitting it all in our bags? Talk about the opposite of relaxing. Bring back some of the pre-child vacations are for relaxing feeling with Jet Set Babies. They ship (almost) everything you need for a fun vacation right to your hotel, even overseas. I love the idea of walking into my hotel room and finding neat packages all set for each day of fun…and then running a bubble bath, pouring a glass of wine, and basking in my excellent planning skills. (Don’t ask me where the kiddo is in this scenario, I’m dreaming here. Hello, bubble bath.)

We live near the beach and this Beach Pack still makes me excited to go to the beach. It must be that time of year. The Weekend at the Beach pack includes all of the following for $110. For just $15 more you can make it a week pack.

  • 4 days worth of diapers (including swim pants), changing pads, wipes and sunscreen wipes.
  • disposable diaper sacks
  • sand pail and shovel
  • Neat Sheet ground cover
  • 6 disposable cups
  • 16 take and toss spoons
  • 6 take and toss bowls
  • Meal Time Tote for keeping food/drinks cool
  • Disposable bibs
  • Travel size bath products
  • Bath squirt toys
  • First aid kit

When you consider the $50 fee for the bag(s) on most airlines, that’s only $60 for all these supplies delivered to your hotel door. It might not be an every vacation purchase, but for the next big family vacation I know I’ll be considering one of these packages.

Go! Find the perfect pack for your travel destination at Jet Set Babies. Diaper day packs start at $10/day and vacation packages start at $70.

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We’re On the Go in March. Check out all of our travel picks.

Madagasar Live! Musical Adventure for Kids Review

by Kate on March 16th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Reviews

A couple weeks ago, Monica and I took our boys to see Madagascar Live! when the show came to Columbus, Ohio. Madagascar Live! is the stage production based on the Dreamworks movie and the show features familiar characters if you’ve seen the movie. We went into the show with different perspectives because my son and I have seen Madagascar and Monica and her son have not. Read on to see what we thought!

Madagascar Live!

All of your favorite crack-a-lackin friends from Madagascar are out of the zoo and onto the stage in Madagascar Live – a wild new musical adventure based on the blockbuster DreamWorks film. Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the hip hip Hippo and of course, those hilarious, plotting penguins as they escape from their home at New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar. This celebration of friendship is brought vividly to life by imaginative sets and costumes, action-packed adventure and spectacular new songs that will inspire you to MOVE IT MOVE IT in the aisles. Get ready to go wile at MADAGASCAR LIVE!


Monica Says…

I was really excited to take my 3 year old to see Madagascar Live. I really wasn’t sure if he was ready for a live performance on this scale, and thought this was a good one to try. He absolutely loved it! As a huge fan of lions, he loved Alex the Lion, and I found that he really did follow the story much more than I thought he would. It’s been a few weeks now, and if he sees a Lion, Giraffe, or Zebra, he asks when we are going to go see them in a play again.

I personally liked the set design, and the fun songs that the characters performed. There were definitely a few lines thrown in for the parents entertainment, and I certainly appreciated that aspect of the performance. I also thought that the show was the perfect amount of time for a preschooler, about 90 minutes, including a short intermission.  I hope that we get to see more performances like this, as I think it was a great experience for my little boy!

Kate Says…

My son is a fan of the Madagascar movies so I had high expectations for the stage show. Despite familiar characters, I think the show started a bit slow and took a while to really get the crowed involved and interested. But, at the end of the first half when Alex and friends met up with King Julien in Madagascar – the fun really started. The cast sang “I Like to Move It, Move It” (or whatever that song is called) and the first act ended with a major dance party. The second act seemed to move much quicker than the first and the show ended with another great musical number that had everyone dancing. And, the cast seemed to be having fun and was encouraging everyone to do the same.

There were a few lines – from King Julien, in particular – that I found a bit inappropriate for younger kids like my 4 year old. (Like calling someone “stupid,” or something to that effect.) I loved Melman the Giraffe and thought the performer who was Maurice was awesome. Really, all the actors did a great job and I have so much respect for all the singing and dancing they packed into the show.

Shop! Madagascar Live is on tour NOW and visiting cities throughout the country. The official Madagascar Live webpage has show date and location information. Tickets start at about $25, but obviously vary depending on the venue and seat location.

We received complimentary tickets to see the show.

Child Hunger Ends Here.

by Kate on March 15th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Blogging, Life

child hunger ends here blogger correspondentChild Hunger in America

  • In 2009, 17.2 million children under the age of 18 are living in food insecure households compared to 16.7 million in 2008.
  • That means that nearly one in four children in the United States (23.2%) live in food insecure households.
  • Feeding America serves nearly 14 million children through its network of member food banks every year. 3 million of these children are aged 5 and under.

As the economy tanked, the number of families facing hunger grew. Feeding America, the nation’s largest network of food banks, reported a 50% increase in the people they’re serving because of the economy. Many people visited for the first time as they had to choose between paying the mortgage and buying food. What a devastating decision for any parent.

ConAgra Supports Feeding America

ConAgra has a long-standing commitment to Feeding America by providing assistance for nearly 20 years. The majority of ConAgra’s donations are dedicated to ending child hunger by direct support to children or families. The Child Hunger Ends Here campaign is an extension of the company’s commitment to Feeding America and an effort to raise awareness and provide much needed support to children facing hunger. 17.2 million children in the United States don’t get enough food to live active, healthful lives – that’s one in four kids who don’t know where their next meal is coming from. That’s why ConAgra Foods is encouraging people across the country to rally together to help end child hunger in our communities.

How You Can Help

With all that is going on in the world (and the crisis in Japan weighing heavy on our hearts), there are many little things YOU can do to help support the Child Hunger Ends Here campaign. If we all do a little, the impact will be great!

  • Go Grocery Shopping – From March through May 2011, ConAgra Foods will embark on its largest branded initiative to fight child hunger in the United States. You can purchase select ConAgra Foods brands and, when you enter a code online, the company will donate one meal to Feeding America – up to 2.5 million meals this during the time period. Visit www.childhungerendshere.com and enter the eight-digit purchase code found on specially marked packages. Participating brands include: Banquet, Chef Boyardee, Healthy Choice, Fresh Mixers, Kid Cuisine, Marie Callender’s and Peter Pan. Every code entered is another meal that ConAgra Foods will enable Feeding America to secure through local food banks. Codes on specially marked packages can be redeemed through August 2011.

  • Text to Donate – Make a financial contribution to Feeding America through a mobile giving campaign. Simply text “FEEDKIDS” to 50555 to make a $10 donation directly to Feeding America through June 30, 2011.
  • Watch “Child Hunger Ends Here: A Special Report” – On March 19 in select markets, “Child Hunger Ends Here: A Special Report,” a 30-minute special hosted by Al Roker with Natalie Morales, will premiere on NBC highlighting the personal stories of families struggling with hunger and showcasing how Americans can work together to tackle this issue. Check local listings for viewing times. During the special, you can also participate in an online event that will shed additional light on the child hunger issue. By following #ChildHungerEndsHere on Twitter during the broadcast, participants can ask questions from an expert panel, as well as learn about ways to get involved.
  • Spread the Word – Get more information on the child hunger issue by following ConAgra Foods on Facebook and Twitter.  When you become a fan at facebook.com/ConAgraFoods, you can see how your donations are making a difference and share your own photos and stories. You can also follow the issue and get the latest information at twitter.com/ConAgraFoods.

Over the next couple months, I’ll be sharing more information about the Child Hunger Ends Here Campaign through a sponsored partnership with ConAgra Foods. I’m so honored and excited to be a part of this worthwhile program.

Personalized Reusable Snack Bag

by Kate on March 15th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  On the Go, Ten Dollar Tuesday

Go With: Personalized Reusable Snack Bag

Why We Like It: “On the go” doesn’t have to mean cross country trip. As you know, sometimes a trip to the park is just as daunting as anything. That’s why we love Bleu Roo reusable snack bags – we first shared them two years ago! – they are just as useful for day to day excursions as they are for longer trips. The bags are made of 100% unbleached cotton, lined with water resistant nylon and have velcro closures. And, now Blue Roo bags can be personalized. It can be hand embroidered with your little one’s name – or your family last name.

Go! Bleu Roo Snack Bags are available in a number of styles. Personalized Bags are $8.

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We’re On the Go in March. Check out all of our travel picks.

Partum Me! A perfect baby shower.

by Laura on March 15th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Partum Me

An update to last week’s entry:  I haven’t had my ultrasound yet, but my blood sugars have been so good that the doctors think everything is a-okay and are optimistic about a normal delivery.  In fact, I did so well that I was given permission to “cheat” during my baby shower this past Saturday, and boy did I.  There was an indulgence in my favorite sandwich (a rare and special treat even when I’m not on a restricted diet) and some delicious cake.  But the food wasn’t even the best part.  My baby shower was so perfect that I knew it had to be the focus of today’s post.  Enjoy!

Yes, that is a picture of me cuddling a cat when I was 8.

I’m a hard person to surprise, especially since I live almost two hours from most of my family and oldest friends.  So even though I knew when my shower would be, the party planners still kept alot of the fantastic little details to themselves.  The entire shindig was orchestrated by two of my oldest and dearest friends, plus an aunt and cousin with whom I am very close.  My dad pitched in by providing a location and much-needed shuttle service from the train station for friends who were coming out from the city.

My dad's handpainted bookshelf

As this weekly column progresses, it will become obvious that I’m a big fan of DIY and handmade things.  The amount of handywork that went into this event, from the party planning to some of the gifts, was astonishing.  The theme of the shower was birds and nests.  It was carried out from the invitations, through the flowers and table decor, and even through the party favors!  The flowers were arranged by the hostesses and contained branches from the woods of my family’s large property in northwestern NJ.  A perfect piece of home at every table.  Instead of a wishing well gift, guests were asked to bring unwrapped books and they were provided with labels to tell me who the book was from and why it was chosen for me.  All of the books were placed on a wooden bookshelf that my dad had primed and painted himself.  I sat on my couch until very late on Saturday night reading every inscription.  Even my husband got in on the crafty action, providing baby pictures of both of us for display around the room, as well as an iPod loaded with our favorite music to play during the party.

Some of my most favorite gifts were the ones that were handmade by friends and family.  Three gifts were hand-knit, which makes them extra special to a fellow knitter like me.  I am in love with a yellow seed stitch sweater (see picture) and matching hat that were knit by my cousin Jane.  I think our little guy will be making his first trip home in that ensemble.  Another cousin made a beautifully intricate baby quilt.  I invison lots of cuddles and tummy-time with that item.  We also got a couple gifts for the nursery from Etsy, as I was able to register for them at MyRegistry.com.  They will look great in the space, as our bedding was another handmade Etsy purchase , and the nursery’s art collection includes two pieces of needlework that were created by my grandmother and great great great grandmother when they were young girls.

Clockwise from top left: handknit sweaters/booties/hat/bib, handknit baby blanket, handsewn quilt, crib bedding from Etsy, needlework made by my grandmother and great great great grandmother.

Of course the best part about a baby shower is looking around the room and seeing the faces of the women who will be my biggest support system, offering advice or just a listening ear when I need it most.  My mother passed away when I was a teenager, so I know I will be turning to these women to advise me on everything from breastfeeding to what to do when he has a case of the sniffles.  Pregnant women and new mothers endure alot of judgmental commentary from strangers, and I’ve felt especially sensitive to it throughout my pregnancy.  My shower reinforced to me that I have plenty of women in my life who know me very well and will be there to help me through the stressful times, as well as the fun ones!  And that’s better than any gift I could have unwrapped on that perfect day.

Tea Collection Mix & Match Sets are Perfect for Travel! ($100 Giveaway)

by Kate on March 14th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Clothes, Giveaways, Reviews

Tea Collection children’s clothes are something special. The style and aesthetic factor is obvious just by looking at the beautiful clothes. But, more importantly, the quality is phenomenal and they are easy for kids to wear on the move – from the airport to the park to the zoo to the beach. Tea Collection clothes are a good buy for parents and a comfortable, stylish option for kids.

Tea Collection Mix and Match Sets

The Mix and Match wardrobe sets from Tea Collection range from four to six piece sets of coordinated children’s clothing. The beauty of the sets is obviously that all the tops or dresses can work with all the pants, skirts or leggings. So, while you get a five piece set you actually have infinitely more possibilities and flexibility. Colder than you expected? Throw on coordinated leggings under the dress. Did your little one spill something on his shirt at lunch? Wear another shirt from the set instead.

And, of course, the best part is that buying a Mix and Match Set is financially savvy. When shopping, many sets indicates how much it would cost to buy each piece individually – you can save as much as $25 buying as a coordinated wardrobe!

Girls Clothing Set

We’ve reviewed and purchased (a lot) of Tea Collection clothes, but I admit this is our first experience with a Mix and Match Set. My daughter has been sporting many of the six pieces in the El Gatito Set for the past couple weeks and I’m a convert. I am hooked on the Mix and Match set concept.

The “little cat” invited along some of her fun friends (leggings, a top, a dress or two). Put them together and you’re set for imaginative adventures. Individually $154, the set for just $129. This set includes the:

  • El Gato Layer Sleeve Tee
  • Flores Layer Sleeve Tee
  • Solid Skort for sizes 2-4 yrs / Solid Skirt for sizes 5-12 yrs
  • Stripe Skinny Leggings in Indigo
  • Almond Blossoms Drop-waist Dress
  • Cargo Gypsy Pants

The Skort even made an appearance in ballet class where my daughter insisted on wearing it!

Mix and Match for Summer

Mix and Match sets are available in boys clothes, girls clothes and baby clothes, too. Here are my favorites for this summer.

Las Aves 6-Piece Set

Urban Tiger 5-Piece Set

Sunny Days 5-Piece Set

Urban Tiger 5-Piece Set

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… Tea Collection Mix and Match Sets are a smart buy no matter how you look at it. The clothes are stylish, cotton clothes that are easy to wear and easy to clean. Add in the bargain factor and the sets are perfect.

Or Not to Buy… My only complaint? There’s a set I want to buy for my daughter and it’s sold out.

Shop! Tea Collection sets start at $95 (5-piece set) and go up to $135. Discount Scoop – if you sign up for the Tea Collection newsletter, you get 10% off your first order.

Win! $100 Shopping Spree at Tea Collection!

How to Enter: Visit Tea Collection and check out all the great clothes. Leave a comment telling us what you’d buy if you win.

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

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

Disclosure: Sample products and giveaway prize provided by Tea Collection.
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