The Shopping Mama » 2012

Maternity & Mama-Friendly Fitness Gear & Apparel {Sales}

by Kate on January 6th, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  New Year New Mama

Gilt Groupe is hosting some great sales to help you keep your resolution to get in shape in 2012! The sales include everything from yoga gear to cleanse and weight loss systems to maternity fitness apparel. The sales are definitely worth checking out, and here are a few of our favorite finds

MBT Walking Shoes $99 (reg. $250)

Sigg Peaceful Journey Water Bottle $14 (reg. $22)

New Balance Yoga Pant $25 (reg. $35)

Stott Pilates Tone & Sculpt Package $59 (reg. 87)

Fit2BMom V-Neck Banded Tank $30 (reg. $57) & V-Front Capri Pants $30 (reg. $57)

Shop! Join Gilt Groupe to get access to these sales – and many more. Shop quick because when sizes and colors sell out they’re gone!

This post contains affiliate links.

The Coolest Nightlight Ever: boon Glo Review

by Kate on January 6th, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  Baby, Childrens Decor, Reviews, Toddler

We’ve come to expect innovative and refreshing design from our friends at boon. So it’s no surprise that the boon version of a nightlight is anything but average. In fact, it seems kind of silly to call Glo a nightlight because it’s really an art installation meets portable glowing baby-safe night lights.

Meet Glo

We’ve seen the light. And it’s awesome. Kids will beg you to turn off the lights because that’s when Glo really shines. This multi-colored, interactive nightlight has removable, illuminated Glo balls that turn a night time game of catch into something extraordinary. And there’s nothing electronic in them, so they don’t get warm and they won’t break. You can even tuck them into bed with your child. The glow fades to dark after 30 minutes, helping them fall asleep. Bonus: 95% effective at keeping monsters away all night long.

Glo Details

  • Removable glo balls act as portable nightlights
  • Select your favorite color with sliding lever or keep them circulating
  • Phosphorescent balls glow up to 30 minutes after removed from base
  • Glo balls and L.E.D. pedestals are cool to the touch
  • Low-energy L.E.D. base
  • 9 volt power adapter included
  • BpA-free, Phthalate-free and PVC-free
  • Recommended age: All ages
  • Dimensions: 8.2″ x 8.5″ x 9.8″

Glo in Our “Nursery”

At the ABC Expo in the fall we had a sneak peek of Glo. To truly show off the product, the fun folks at boon set up a little dark room so we could play with Glo in all its glory. Malia and I had so much fun. And, at the time, if you’d have asked me where Glo would fit in our home I would have suggested my son’s room. I immediately changed my mind when Glo arrived a few weeks ago and it is now firmly established in its place in our home: our master bedroom.

As you know, we’re moving a few months after this baby is born so we aren’t creating a true nursery. Rather, the baby will stay in our room until we move. Even though we’re not creating a true nursery I do want to make a little nursery corner in part of our room for this little one and it now includes the Glo. But, I’ll be honest, even if the baby wasn’t staying in our room I think I’d want Glo in our room anyway! The modern design looks great in our black and white bedroom and it’s just plain cool, don’t you think?

Glo features a sleek design typical of boon products. It’s all white and has three arms each with a round “glo ball” at the top of each. The white base and the glo balls stay cool to the touch so you never have to worry about burning little fingers. The lights change color, which is pretty freaking fun to watch. You can adjust the light on a small sliding switch on the bottom of the base to pick one color, clear or on an automatic color-changing setting. The white setting also charges the glo balls so that when removed from the base they glow in the dark. The glo balls are light weight, BpA-free, Phthalate-free and PVC-free – in other words, they are safe for use from birth. And I also appreciate that the glo balls are light because, heavens knows, as soon as my son realizes he can throw one he will.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… The boon Glo is more than your average nightlight. It’s a color-changing light that is a perfect fit in your modern space, whether a nursery or master bedroom. I love how it functions as a solid unit and the fact that the glo balls can be removed for little security night lights is pretty amazing. I really love glo and think it’s the perfect addition to our master bedroom nursery corner.

Or Not to Buy… Glo is definitely more expansive than your typical, plug-in-the-wall night light but it’s not a really fair comparison.

Shop! The boon Glo Nightlight suggested retail price is $85 – and it’s currently available from our affiliate Amazon for $69.

Thanks to boon for providing a sample for the purpose of this review.

Aquaphor Baby Care {Review & Giveaway}

by Laura on January 6th, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  Baby, Giveaways, Reviews

It looks like my son Charlie has inherited my sensitive dry skin.  We have been battling patches of scaly skin on his face and head as the weather gets colder.  The pediatrician assures us it’s nothing more serious, so we’ve turned to heavy duty moisturizers that are also safe for babies.  Aquaphor’s regular healing ointment has always been one of my standbys for my own dry and sensitive skin issues, so I was happy to see that they have expanded their line to include more products for baby.

About Aquaphor

You are a protector.  You are a provider.  When it comes to your most precious priority, the value of purity can’t be measured.  Pediatricians recommend Aquaphor Healing Ointment and Aquaphor Gentle Wash & Shampoo to safely care for your baby’s skin.  It’s the skin therapy that works wonders.

Use it for whatever ails you (or whatever ails your baby)

Aquaphor’s website recommends that the healing ointment can be used on everything from diaper rash to eczema-related skin issues.  Between drool rash from teething and dry, chapped skin from cold winter winds, it has worked wonders for Charlie.

The gentle wash & shampoo is one product that can be used as both bath soap and shampoo.  Charlie’s skin feels so soft after a bath with Aquaphor and he has lost the dry flaky patches that dotted his scalp as the weather turned colder.  Since it’s soap free, it doesn’t leave anything behind on his skin that might irritate it.  Finally, the fact that it’s tear free makes for a much more pleasant bathtime.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy…  Aquaphor’s healing ointment has a long history as a reliable way to relieve dry skin and its newer products do not disappoint.

Or Not to Buy… The healing ointment is not cheap, but neither are any of the competitor brands.  If you suffer from dry and sensitive skin like I do, the price is well worth it!

Shop!  You can find Aquaphor products at your local pharmacy or online at most major retailers including our affiliate Amazon.

Win!  Aquafor Baby Products Set!

How to Enter: Visit the Aquaphor Facebook Page, click the “like” button, and write on their wall about how Aquaphor can help your baby’s dry, sensitive skin in the winter. Come back and comment on this post to enter to win your own Aquaphor baby products set!

True Resolutions with Tropicana Trop50 {Coupon}

by Kate on January 5th, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  New Year New Mama

What are your resolutions for the new year? Trop50 wants to know, but they want you to keep it real with no sugar-coating. In the clever words of Trop50, give your “True Resolutions: no artificial sweetness. Just the truth.”

True Resolutions

Tropicana Trop50, the juice beverage that delivers the goodness of fruit juice with 50 percent less sugar and calories and no artificial sweeteners, wants to help you keep it real in the new year. The idea behind the True Resolutions program on Facebook is to share your resolution and WHY you really want to do it. There are some pretty fun examples, too, like “In 2012 I want to get a new job to avoid doing the one I have.” Or “In 2012 I want to save more money to afford a full time stylist.” My resolution is a little less clever and a little more serious:

In 2012 I want to organize more art activities and play outside more with my kids so they’ll watch less TV and develop their creativity.

My secret motivation for my resolution is that I think my kids enjoy the TV a little too much and I wish they watched less of it. Hopefully, if I can stick with my resolution and provide more alternatives they’ll watch less and enjoy other things more.

Coupon & $1000 Giveaway

Join the fun on the Trop50 True Resolutions Facebook page! Share your new year’s resolution and secret motivation and you’ll earn a coupon for $1 off Trop50 for yourself and $.50¢ off coupons for up to 50 of your friends. Plus, whether you submit a resolution or not, you can also enter a sweepstakes to win one of four $1,000 prizes. Just think of how far $1000 would go in helping you to keep your resolution…

 

Thursday Giveaway Linky

by Kate on January 5th, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaway Linky

Happy Thursday! Thanks for stopping by to link up and browse some great giveaways. Before you take off, make sure you enter to win the brand new Boppy Travel Pillow.

Link up your giveaways at Baby Loving Mama, too, and enter the $300 AmEx giveaway from Ragu!

Happy linking!

Keep on Track with momAgenda {Sale}

by Kate on January 4th, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  New Year New Mama

Is getting organized on your to do list for 2012? How about being on time and never missing an appointment? Well, momAgenda to the rescue!

The momAgenda Mini Daily – a great size to keep in your purse or diaper bag is currently 50% off making it $21.50. It’s available in pink, turquoise and soft gold and can be personalized for an additional $4.95.

If you’re looking for something larger, save 35% off the Faux Crocodile momAgenda Desktop (now $29.90) and the momAgenda Desktop (now $27.95).

Shop! Hurry To Get 35%-50% Off Select Items at our affiliate momAgenda.com!

BabyBeat Fetal Doppler Rental

by Kate on January 4th, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  Life, Pregnancy, Reviews

As you know we’ve been keeping up with the growing baby at home with a BabyBeat Fetal Doppler. I’ve loved being able to grab the doppler and take a listen to the little baby whenever I need a little reassurance. It’s also been a really great way for the kids to bond with the baby. After learning of the pregnancy using the doppler, they’ve loved hearing their little sibling’s heartbeat. My daughter, in particular, requests we listen at least every other day. She went with me to my last doctor’s appointment and when the nurse got out the doppler to get the baby’s heart rate, my daughter said, “We have dat at our house!” I didn’t tell the nurse that, in fact, our doppler is nicer.

Getting Started with BabyBeat

When you rent a fetal doppler from BabyBeat, the package arrives with everything you need to get started immediately, including ncludes a 2 ounce tube of ultrasound gel, recording cable, instructional cd, manual, and 3 AA batteries. (The tube of ultrasound gel does make a difference, by the way. I’ve tried to listen without it and it just doesn’t work nearly as well.) There’s even a due date wheel so you can double check your due date. One of the nice things about the process is that the package also arrives with prepaid return shipping so you get free shipping and free return with your rental. In addition, if you’re not satisfied for some reason, BabyBeat also offers a 10-day guarantee so you can return the doppler without hassle.

Display & Recording Baby Doppler

We’ve been lucky to be using one of the nicest doppler’s available from BabyBeat. It’s a Display and Recording Doppler which means it displays the baby’s heart rate so you don’t have to count old school style and you can record the heart beat sound. We haven’t experimented with recording yet, but I can’t wait to do that. I mean, how many people have a digital recording of their baby’s heart beat in utero? I know I don’t have one of my other kids and it’s such a unique thing. Can’t wait to do that and share it with you!

Here are the features of the BabyBeat Display/Recorder Doppler

  • Large, backlit display – This BabyBeat fetal Doppler offers a large backlit display with accurate heart rate readout. This display is the largest on the market and easier to read than the competitors units. It also signals remaining battery life and signal strength. It has an extended (50 to 220 beats per minute) heart rate indicator.
  • 3 MHz probe – BabyBeat fetal dopplers use 3 MHz probes, proven to pick up those small fetal heart tones earlier in pregnancy than a 2 MHz probe. Over 90% of OBs, hospitals, and midwives choose 3 MHz over 2 MHz (just ask your doctor what type of probe they use).
  • Built-in recorder – BabyBeat’s recording Dopplers are the only Dopplers that let you record your baby’s heartbeat by simply pressing a button.
  • Excellent sound quality – The speakers inside this Doppler provide a crisp, clear sound while searching for and listening to baby’s heartbeat.

Shop or Rent! BabyBeat offers a range of options for renting or purchasing a fetal doppler to use in your home. You can rent dopplers month-to-month, a 3 month rental or a 6 month rental. The price is more economical to start with a multiple month commitment than a month to month rental and the prices vary depending on the doppler. The doppler we’re using is $49 month-to-month, $44 a month for 3 month rental and $39 a month for 6 month rental.

Thanks to BabyBeat for providing a sample – and a unique bonding experience for our family.

What I Wore {30 Weeks}

by Kate on January 4th, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  Fashion & Beauty, Life, What I Wore

I really like the challenge of coming up with outfits – ensembles, if you will – that are cool enough to actually photograph and share every week. And, it is a challenge. If I’m being honest, getting on any clothes at all is starting to feel like a challenge as my belly continues to grow. But, this week was particularly difficult because the entire family came down with the flu. One by one, even our house guests dropped like flies. Except me! Seriously, how amazeballs is that? I think it’s karma making up for the fact that I felt like vomiting for a solid 20 weeks – figured there was no reason to put me through that again. My role in the disaster was care for my sick peoples and do lots of laundry.

Anyway, enough of the excuses. Here are a few outfits from this week.

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And, this outfit, my friends, is why I should photograph myself every morning before leaving the house. It’s freezing here and I wanted to keep warm, but I don’t like the way it looks all together at all. Oh well. Part of the reason I’m sharing is because I wore the same sweater at 22 weeks so it’s fun to compare the two.

30 Weeks:

22 Weeks:

Sweater: Old Navy
Shirt: LOFT
Jeans: Slim Fit Motherhood Maternity
Boots: UGG Classic Cardy

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I am IN LOVE with this sweater from Seraphine. It’s the same company that sent me the beautiful navy dress I wore to my husband’s holiday party. I’m telling you, check out this company for fabulous maternity and nursing clothing. I’m totally smitten and would get one of everything if I could.

It’s a very easy to wear maternity shirt, but it’s also made for nursing mamas. The button accents on either side of the top of the shirt unsnap, allowing baby easy access to the goods. As my husband said, “It’s functional fashion.” Who knew he was such an expert? I foresee a lot of this lightweight sweater in my future!

Top: Seraphine Breastfeeding Sweater
Jeans: Motherhood Maternity Slim Fit (again)
Boots: UGG Classic Cardy (again)
Bracelet: lia sophia

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And now… because covering it with real clothes does not do the belly justice: I present 30 weeks belly photos.

To see how the belly grows, check out 28 weeks belly photos, 24 weeks belly photos, 20 weeks belly photos16 weeks belly photos and a 12 weeks belly photo.

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This post is happily linked with What I Wore Wednesday on The Pleated Poppy blog and the weekly Monday Mingle hosted by Momtrends, BonBon Rose Girls and Glamamom