Must Have Summer Travel Gear: Universal Stroller Roller

by Kate on June 22nd, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  On the Go

If you’re hitting the skies this summer, you’ll quickly learn they’re increasingly not-so-friendly. Considering one airline’s recent change in stroller gate-checking policy and the fact that many airline employees probably don’t value your $500 stroller the way you do, the investment in a the new Valco Baby Universal Stroller Roller is a good one.

The Stroller Roller easily wraps around your single stroller, providing padding to protect your tot’s ride. The Roller has a handle to make it easy to get it from point A to point B (and C and D and beyond). When you’re not using the Stroller Roller it packs up into a compact storage bag.

The Universal Stroller Roller is compatible with many strollers – not just Valco models. In fact, it works with all single Valco Baby models, Baby Jogger City Mini, Bugaboo Bee, Bugaboo Chameleon (without bassinet), Uppa Baby Vista (without bassinet), Icoo Pacific, Icoo Targo, Hauck Malibu, Mamas and Papas Urbo, Bob Revolution, Mountain Buggy Swift, Phil and Teds Explorer (single and with doubles kit), Bumbleride Indie, Baby Jogger City Select (single and double).

Shop! The Universal Stroller Roller Travel Bag is available for $100 from our affiliate Amazon.

Easy Cake Bunting {How To}

by Shannon on June 22nd, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Crafts with Kids

I’ve seen some adorable cake bunting decorations on the blogs I follow. They look amazing, adding color and personalization to cakes without adding lots of food dye to the frosting. Have you seen some of these?

Mini Cake Banner

Ruffled Cake Banner

Mini Cake Banner

They look great. They look amazing. They look like they require skills above and beyond what I have in my tool belt. Two of the three also require a sewing machine. Um, for me, a sewing machine is a deal breaker. So, here’s my super-simple attempt at cake bunting. For a unique twist, I attached mine to a diaper cake for a baby shower.

My bunting is super-simple because it is one long sheet of paper with a few cuts to produce the individual “flags”. I counted the number of letters for each word and (based upon the stickers I chose) gave each letter a half inch of space. Therefore, the strip of paper for the word “welcome” is 3.5 inches long by 1 inch tall. I then cut up at each half inch interval and placed my sticker letters on the paper. Now, I did get a little fancy and added fringe to the bottom of each flag. Fancy, meaning I used a pair of scissors specially made for that purpose. I also punched 1/16 inch holes in the top to thread my string.

Just like most craft projects, the special touches are in the details. For the string to hang my bunting, I chose three colors of DMC floss to match the colors of the shower and braided them together. I know, you can buy twine in all colors these days. However, when you can find the right color twine, you have to buy an entire spool for the 18 inches you need. The DMC floss for this project set me back all of $1.48 and it looks adorable (if I do say so myself).

To braid the DMC floss, cut each color to the same length and line them up. Tape one end to a surface and begin braiding. Once the braiding is complete, leave that end taped together, but remove it from the surface. Thread the non-taped end through a large needle and work the string through the banner. Tie each end to the skewers for your cake and… super-simple cake bunting.

New Video app Flixlab {with $25 iTunes Gift Card Giveaway}

by Malia on June 21st, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaways

I’m excited to be one of the first bloggers to introduce Flixlab, a FREE iphone app that makes making professional looking movies easy enough for busy parents. I’ve been playing with this app all evening and am very impressed with the results. Okay, the truth. I’m tearing up because I’ve been making “daddy and me” videos for dada who is out of town for father’s day and they are just too sweet. Disclaimer, I may be under the influence of pregnancy hormones.

About Flixlab

Flixlab instantly and automatically lets you transform the raw video clips and pictures on your and your friends’ iPhones into great movies that can be shared with friends and family on Facebook. Flixlab removes the burden from video editing allowing you to quickly and easily combine iPhone video clips and pictures with music, transitions, and text slides. Whether you’re capturing those precious moments of the birthday party, or recording the night out on the town, Flixlab helps to collect & share the best footage shot by all of your friends and family, not just what you shot.

You can learn more about Flixlab by visiting Flixlab.com or by joining theFlixlab community  on Facebook.

My Experience

Pros:

  • Flixlab is really, really easy to use. It walks you through making your video step by step. In minutes and with just a few clicks you have a professional looking video.
  • If you don’t like sharing videos on Facebook, or have a video you’d like to keep just between you and certain people, you can save your video to your iphone and email it.

Cons:

  • Facebook banned my sample Flixlab video. I think this was because I picked a song off my iTunes, which is of course under copyright. I’m glad that Facebook does this, but it was a bit of a bummer since it was my first time using the program. From now on I’ll stick with the songs available from Flixlab since I don’t want my Facebook page deleted (even though that might keep me from wasting as much time).

Shop! Download Flixlab Free: http://flixlab.com/download or by searching Flixlab in the iTunes store.

Win a $25 iTunes Gift Card!

Follow @flixlab on twitter and send a tweet answering this question: “What was the best thing you caught on video, or wished you caught on video recently?” Make sure you include the hashtag: #TheShoppingMama so you get credit for entering this giveaway. Come back here and leave a comment letting us know you’ve tweeted.

Giveaway Ends July 5th

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Flixlab through the Double Duty Divas.  All opinions are 100% mine.

Summer Swepstakes from LOFT and Who What Wear

by Monica on June 21st, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Shopping

I’ve mentioned before how much I love LOFT for finding affordable, comfortable stylish clothes for my daily look. I also look to Loft for special events as well. Recently I had an opportunity to go shopping for a bridal shower for my future Sister in-law. I knew immediately which store I would hit first, and that was LOFT. I was in and out of the store in less than twenty minutes because I found the perfect dress in no time. It was comfortable, and very versitile so although I bought it for a specific event, I know I will be able to wear it for many different events, even running around town on those days where I feel like I actually can pull myself together! Oh, and did I mention that I lucked out and bought my dress on a 30% off all dresses event?

Another reason I love Loft, they run endless promotions so you will always get a bargain. The white sweater I am wearing is also from Loft, though about 4 summers ago, and it is still my go-to white summer cardigan.

What do you think? Bridal Shower appropriate?  

Now it’s your turn to find a great look from Loft, and to visit them on Facebook on June 21st from 4-5 pm and participate in a Live Chat with co-founders of Who What Wear, Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power, who will answer all of your summer fashion questions. Lucky you will get a Loft Discount Code for participating! So head over to Facebook.com/Loft and “Like” them to get in on the action.  Personally, my big summer fashion question has to do with Maxi dresses. I am only 5’2 and am convinced they aren’t for me. Am I right, or can everyone wear this easy breezy chic look? Hillary and Katherine, I need your help on that one!  So read below for details as to how to get entered in the Summer Sweepstakes.

Summer Sweepstakes from Loft and Who What Wear

There’s always been so much to love about summer — barbecues, beach trips, beautiful days — and now there’s one more reason to love this season! LOFTand Who What Wear want you to enjoy an incredible June, so they’re teaming up to bring you their Summer Wardrobe Sweepstakes. All you have to do is ‘LIKE’ LOFT on Facebook @ Facebook.com/LOFT and enter your email address and you’ll be entered to win a $1000 LOFT gift card!

Even better: the duo will be giving away a $1000 LOFT gift card every week in June — so you have four chances to win! Just think about all the darling day dresses, sweet shorts, and chic sandals you can buy… Plus, if you ‘LIKE’ LOFT, you’ll get exclusive access to see Who What Wear’s first-ever live chat on Tuesday, June 21st from 4-5pm EST. Founders Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power will be answering all of your most important summer style questions – like how to wear this season’s hottest trends so you can look effortlessly cool.

Live chat viewers will also get an exclusive discount code to shop at LOFT for all of those must-have pieces. Now if that’s not enough of a reason to be excited about summer, we don’t know what is! Visit LOFT’s Facebook page @ Facebook.com/LOFT to enter the sweepstakes and submit your style questions now! Hillary and Katherine are so excited to hear from you!

All opinions are my own.

 

Silhouette SD Craft Cutter {Giveaway + Exclusive Awesome Discount Code}

by Kate on June 21st, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaways

If you’re a regular reader it’s no surprise at all when I confess that I am less-than-crafty. In fact, I pretty much stink at being craftalicious. But, when people and companies make products that are so simple that even I can use them, I know they’re on to something. Like party circles and printables? I can do that. Crafts using the Silhouette craft cutter? I’m pretty sure I can do that. Luckily, one of you will put my theory that the Silhouette SD craft cutter will help even the craft-challenged rival Martha with your very own machine. Read on to enter our awesome giveaway and for an amazing promotional discount!

What is the Silhouette?

The Silhouette is a digital cutting tool for personal use. Similar to the functioning of a home printer, it cuts paper and other materials like vinyl with a blade instead of printing onto it.

What Can You Make With a Silhouette?

What can’t you make with the Silhouette is a better question. Clothes, Etched Glass, Cards and Vinyl Decor, to name a few things.

Our very own Amy offered some fun tutorials for things she created with her Silhouette SD machine last fall.

Custom Halloween Shirt

Paper Gift Boxes

Temporary Tattoos!

In addition to all the current craft possibilities, Silhouette has recently added Temporary Tattoo paper to its shop. Just in time for summer fun, you can cut designs on paper specifically for temporary tattoos.

Shop! We have an awesome promo to share with you. From today through June 29 you can purchase the Silhouette SD and 2 Packages Temporary Tattoo Paper for $199 (U.S. only). That’s 120 bucks in savings! Use code MAMA at check out.

Plus, you can get 25% off all other products in the Silhouette shop (excluding gift cards and download codes) with code MAMA!

Win! A Silhouette SD – a $299 value!

How to Enter: Visit Silhouette and leave a comment with the very first thing you would like to create with a Silhouette machine.

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

Giveaway ends NOON EST June 28. Open to US residents only. CONGRATULATIONS ANGIE K.

Thanks to Silhouette for providing the giveaway prize.

Cars 2 Fun: Part 2

by Kate on June 20th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Shopping

Shannon posted the other day on her little ones’ excitement over the upcoming Cars 2 movie.  Well, my house is abuzz with the same excitement!   My husband and I are both so excited to take my son to see the movie next weekend that we have argued about who gets to go, and finally decided to get Grandma to stay with baby girl so we both can join in the fun!

My three year old spend countless hours playing with his Cars “guys” as he calls them, and is so excited to go see the movie. I resisted introducing him to the Cars franchise until last Christmas, as I knew as soon as he discovered them, he would be hooked, and to be honest, “character-y ” stuff for kids gets on my nerves a bit.  But, I will admit, the look on his face of sheer joy when he plays with them, and the excitement he gets for a new car is worth my little annoyance with being sucked in by the retailers for everything and anything Cars and Cars 2. And suck me in they have! Anywere you go you find fun little Cars themed things that will bring a smile to your little people’s faces.  Here are a few of the thngs I have seen out and about!

Recordable Storybook

I love the Recordable Storybooks from Hallmark! When I saw that there was a Cars one coming out, heck yes, we will have to have it! Word on the street is these will be available June 2oth for a limited time.

Kelloggs Cereal

I have never bought my kids a true “kids” cereal…but I might be inclined to purchase this to celebrate movie premiere day. He would flip! Kellogg’s Disney Pixar Cars 2 cereal.  Plus, they have 10g of sugar, which isn’t the worst out there.

Puzzles

My three year old loves puzzles! He will sit and do a puzzle for a long time all by himself, I love how they make him think and problem solve. Plus, they are great for travel. Find a few on amazon for $11.99 for a 46 piece XL puzzle.

Plates

If this set gets my little one to eat great meals, it’s worth the $21.99 price tag.  Available at Target.

Plush

Disney has adorable plush Cars 2 characters in two different sizes. We took a special first trip to the Disney store and my little guy picked Holley Shiftwell, because she is purple…his favorite color. On sale now for $8-13 dollars!

As frustrating as it is to give in to these random impulse buys here and there for these silly things when you find them, they really do give little ones such joy when they see their favorite characters in new places.  Watching their excitement is the absolute best, so a few sugary cereal mornings may be worth it!

What fun Cars 2 themed things have you seen out and about?

New BabyBjorn High Chair Debuts

by Kate on June 20th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Shopping

One of the reasons we love BabyBjorn is because they are always improving and updating their product collection. The newest addition is the BabyBjorn High Chair. The high chair made its debut last month in New York City and here’s a quick video introduction. (Look for our friend Nicole from Momtrends.)

BabyBjorn High Chair Key Features

  • Ergonomic design facilitates feeding and eating. The curved backrest and the rounded, adjustable safety table hug your baby for a snug fit.
  • Securely seated thanks to smart safety solutions. Along with the safety harness the high chair features a foldable and lockable safety table to keep your child firmly in place.
  • Easy to clean with detachable tray. Designed with smooth surfaces and dishwasher safe, detachable tray for easy cleaning.

This is just a sneak peek! We’ll have a full review (and a fun giveaway) next month during our In the Kitchen with Kids series.

Shop! The BabyBjorn High Chair is currently available for pre-order from Giggle. It will ship toward the end of July.

Toys & Games to Celebrate Cars 2

by Kate on June 17th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Shopping

“One week away…”

With my husband in Iraq, I have started the countdown to his return.

But when I say, “It’s one week away!” I’m not referring to his return. If you’re a mom, you probably know the other countdown taking place in my house. Next Friday, June 24, Disney/Pixar releases Cars 2 in theaters. Both preschool girl and toddler boy are huge fans of the original Cars and cannot wait to see Lightning McQueen and Mater in their latest international exploits. Truth be told, I’m probably just as excited.

And retailers? Retailers are really excited as well. Go to any big box store and you can find Cars 2 paraphernalia filling the toy and clothing sections. I have to admit, my little ones already have a Lightning McQueen, Francesco and Mater toy car each (that’s six toy cars, if you’re counting). If you have a fan in your house, there are some really fun and unique offerings in addition to toy cars to indulge them in their Cars 2 obsession.

GeoTrax

Your little one can create an international raceway right in their own house with the Fisher Price Cars 2 World Grand Prix RC Set ($60.00), Escape from Big Bentley ($33.00) and Eiffel Tower Crash ($33.00). For ages 2-7, this battery operated raceway features racing sounds and phrases from the movie.

Mighty Beanz

If you are a collector of the Mighty Beanz series, you can find your Cars 2 collectibles starting at $2.99 from Amazon and Toy Wiz.

Board Games

Do you want your children to play some classic board games you loved as a child? You can order Cars 2 Monopoly Race Track Game and Operation Mater for $19.99 each from Hasbro and on Amazon.

Cars 2 Printables

Planning a Cars 2 birthday party or scrapbooking page? Esty vendors have a variety of image packages, invitations, posters, and favors like those above starting at just $1.50.

LEGO

LEGO is known for producing high quality manipulative toys. They don’t disappoint with their selection of Cars 2 kits available in a number retail outlets. ToysRUs.com is featuring Cars 2 LEGO kits, which range in price from $6.99 to $89.99, at “buy one, get one 1/2 off”.

Now, start your engines… and get shopping.

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