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Lillybit Uptown Diaper Clutch Review + Discount

Kate — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:14:00 +0000

When your baby grows a little older and you now longer need to schlep the entire nursery (plus another clean outfit) every time you leave the house, you’ll feel a literal and figurative weight lifted off your shoulder. As much as that new found freedom is lovely, you will likely still need diapers and wipes until your baby is well past babyhood. This is the exact stage I’m currently in with Baby Girl. She basically eats what we eat so I don’t need to pack food, she doesn’t have blow outs (knock on wood), so all I really need are diapers and wipes and we’re good to go. Enter the Lillybit Uptown Diaper Clutch!

About Lillybit
LillyBit was founded by combining a long time passion for fashion with a new found love of motherhood. Lyssa Surface, the founder and owner of LillyBit, takes great pride in designing and choosing products that are unique, fun, practical and functional for fashionistas of all ages.

Functional Design
The Uptown Diaper Clutch is a tri-fold design with designated areas for diapers, wipes and diaper cream. The diaper section is netted mesh with secure elastic to hold everything in place. It is big enough to hold a couple diapers and a folded bib or disposable changing pad. On the other side is a fabric pocket to hold a wipes case. In the middle are no slip, elastic loops to hold a small diaper ointment tube in place. There is also a small zippered area on the outside perfect for cash, credit card and ID.

The handle on the Uptown Diaper Clutch is really what sets it apart as it can be adjusted to make a true clutch, a shoulder bag, or wristlet. The strap snaps on the inside of the clutch – depending on how you want to carry it – and clips to the small swivel snap hook. I love that you have the ability to easily transform the Clutch to suit your needs and preference.

Carry Necessities with Style
The Uptown Diaper Clutch is offered in four stylish and modern fabrics. Each Clutch is lined with a really soft and rather luxurious feeling chocolate velvet.

To Buy… A great alternative to a large diaper bag, the Uptown Diaper Clutch is stylish and compact but still holds the essentials. It’s VERY sturdy and not just a folded cloth – it has real form to it and will hold up well to frequent use.

Or Not to Buy… Well, if you’re a pack rat and can’t leave your house without tons o’ stuff, this isn’t for you.

Shop! The Uptown Diaper Clutch can be purchased online for $52, AND Lillybit is offering readers of The Shopping Mama an exclusive discount. Use the code SHO-452A9-82074 for 15% off your purchase – expires November 30.

Thank you Lillybit for providing a sample product for the purposes of this review. The opinions in this review are mine and uninfluenced by receipt of product. Others may have a different experience.

TGIF: Sales, Coupons, Discounts & News (10/30)

Kate — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:00:00 +0000

Totsy
Totsyis a new, flash sale invitation only site featuring flash sales of goods for moms and babies up to age 7. Each exclusive sale offers goods at up to 70% off retail price, but each only lasts for 48 to 72 hours. To give you an idea, right now there’s a sale for Liz Lange diaper bags that are gorgeous and 70% off and an Ed Hardy sale is coming up. I’m inviting you! Click this link to register – for free – and join Totsy!

ShopAtHome.com $1000 Facebook Giveaway
Hurry – it ends tomorrow! Learn how you can win $500 and $100 for 5 friends – just in time for holiday shopping. Read about the giveaway and enter to win – more info on this post on The Shopping Mama.

Sales
* momAgenda: 40% off 2009-2010 Mini-Dalies in six colors, the fun purse friendly size of a full momAgenda. PLUS, 25% off of all 2009-2010 Desktops, in six colors, plus two more colors in a faux crocodile finish!
* The Land of Nod: Purchase a Stokke crib by November 15 and get a FREE mattress and FREE SHOPPING on Holiday Decor.

Coupons
* The Simple Stencil: Celebrate the holidays with 25% off your order. Use the code SSMU25 at checkout.
* Happy Green Bee: 50% off online store with code BIGSALE through 11/5.

Exclusive Discounts
* Designs by Jessie: Get a generous 20% off your order with code SHOPPINGMAMA20OFF at www.designsbyjessie.com.
* SleepyWrap.com: Use the code shoppingmama for 10% off your order of Boba Carriers and SleepyWraps.
* Beba Bean: The Shopping Mama readers receive 20% off with code SM10/07/09.
* Onaroo: Get $10 off your purchase of any two Onaroo products at American Innovations. (Learn more about the products in this Teach Me Time review.) Use the code MAMA at checkout.
* The Studio: For $10 off your purchase use SHOPMAMA at check out.
* Belle’s Biscuits: Get 10% off your purchase with the code BELLES10.
* Macaroy Kangaroo: Save 15% with the code HAPPYFALL.

Wordless Wednesday: Family of Four

Kate — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:00:00 +0000

We went to the beach on Sunday to take some family pictures for holiday cards. My friend Andrea did a great job and this is one of my favorites.

I look forward to seeing your photos!

A Couple Updates

Kate — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:16:00 +0000

Just a couple updates on recent posts!

Lost and Now Found
Remember how I couldn’t find the container of Baby Girl’s fall and winter clothes? (Read that post here.) Just as I suspected, when my husband got home he found it. In my defense, it took him hours to find it AND the clothes were in a pink box and not the stinkin’ Rubbermaid trunk I was looking for. So, the plus is that the clothes have been found (woo hoo!), but the negative is that it wasn’t nearly as much as I remembered. I thought I had a TON of stuff but in reality there were several sweaters and only a couple outfits. And, to think of all the clothes I haven’t bought in recent months because I thought she was all set. Oh well.

TwitterMoms Samsung Contest
A few days after I wrote about the fiasco that was the TwitterMoms Samsung contest, a winner was announced. And the kicker? The random winner had no comments on her post – and originally the winner was to be the person with the most comments. Oh, the irony. (See my original post here.)

The funniest result of all that brouhaha? The woman that runs TwitterMoms BLOCKED ME on Twitter. I don’t know why I find that so hysterical and ridiculous, but I really do. As if by sharing my thoughts on a very public and very popular website and contest I’ve somehow gotten under her skin? Little ol’ me.

Sleeping Through the Night
Never fails… as soon as I posted some tips and resources to learn more about helping your baby sleep through the night, mine STOPPED sleeping through the night. Ugh. (And, I love that Sarah from The Ohana Mama mentioned just that phenomenon in the comments without even knowing my bad luck! See post and comments here) Baby Girl is barely a baby – she’s almost one (::excuse me while I sob::) – and she’s now waking once or twice at night. A couple times she’s been almost inconsolable and upset when I put her back in her crib. I’m hoping it’s just teething. Of course, the trouble now that I’ve started going to her and nursing her she’s going to get used to it and expect it.

If you haven’t yet, check out that post and join in the conversation by adding your suggestions and favorite resources to help baby sleep through the night!

Happy Tuesday!

TGIF: Sales, Coupons, Discounts & News (10/23)

Kate — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:14:00 +0000

BabyLegs Pumpkin Hunt
Join in the first-ever Pumpkin Hunt! Find the pumpkin on www.babylegs.com between October 26 – 30 and discover hidden coupon codes for special deals during the Pumpkin Hunt. Three pumpkins are hidden daily on the site, each with their own code. Happy hunting! Plus, Free Shipping on all orders through October 31!

pediped Stars for a Wish Extended
The auction to raise money for the Make a Wish Foundation starts October 25 and has been extended until November 5. You can bid on pediped shoes signed by celebrities like Halle Berry, Heidi Klum and Shaquille O’Neal (to name just a few). For more information and to see the list of celebrities involved, check out Stars for a Wish.

ShopAtHome.com $1000 Facebook Giveaway
Learn how you can win $500 and $100 for 5 friends – just in time for holiday shopping. Read about the giveaway and enter to win – more info on this post on The Shopping Mama.

Sale
* SnapTotes: Use the code octsale09 for 15% off. Great holiday gift ideas, but hurry the code expires October 25.

Exclusive Discounts
* Beba Bean: The Shopping Mama readers receive 20% off with code SM10/07/09.
* Onaroo: Get $10 off your purchase of any two Onaroo products at American Innovations. (Learn more about the products in this Teach Me Time review.) Use the code MAMA at checkout.

* The Studio: For $10 off your purchase use SHOPMAMA at check out.
* Belle’s Biscuits: Get 10% off your purchase with the code BELLES10.

* Macaroy Kangaroo: Save 15% with the code HAPPYFALL.

Crane Humidifier Review + All About Baby Giveaway (Closed)

Kate — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know flu season is upon us. Cold and flu season is always a concern for mamas, and, yes, this year with the fear of H1N1, it’s an even bigger concern. One way to prevent and treat cold symptoms is to use a humidifier. Indeed, earlier this year, an Oregon State University study found that in “low-humidity conditions, the influenza virus is more likely survive, possibly giving it a better shot at spreading from person to person and making its way to you.” In other words, keeping the air a bit humid, such as with the use of a humidifier, might help prevent the spread of the flu. (Read the article on CNN Health.)

About Crane

Crane was founded on the belief that design is an attitude and the home is a personal expression of an individual’s lifestyle. Our products are functional, efficient and communicate an appreciation for good design.

High Quality Humidifiers
If your little one has ever had the cold or flu, you know there’s often no antibiotic or medicine to treat it. I seriously think every time my kiddos have been sick, the doctor has suggested using a humidifier. It’s just one of those things you have to have for baby’s first year and beyond.

Before we received the Crane Cool Mist Humidifier, I knew it would look adorable, but I didn’t realize how much I would like the function of the humidifier. Upon opening the box, the assembly and user instructions were quite simple, and it was obvious this humidifier was different from the cheap-o ones we’ve used in the past. For example, the water tank fits easily under a typical bathroom sink, and then you screw on a top that only releases water when in place in the humidifier. So, yes, you can fill and prepare the humidifier for use without spilling water all over the house!

Another great benefit is that the Crane humidifier does not require a filter. It’s an option if you have hard water, but it’s not necessary. And, frankly, I’d rather not worry about when to change a filter if I don’t have to.

Additional Features I Love
* The Crane humidifier runs quiet! Like, very quiet.
* Adjustable output. All my other humidifiers have had on / off switches, that’s it. In addition to an on / off switch (in the back out of reach of little hands), the Crane humidifier has a knob that turns to adjust the output strength. The range of moisture output on this is pretty dramatic and is up to 2.1 gallon output a day. It’s really a nice feature.
* Auto off feature when the humidifier is out of water.
* No leaking. I’ve always put a towel under other humidifiers to protect the surface its on. Crane recommends NOT using a towel to avoid overheating and it hasn’t been an issue. It’s on my son’s dresser and there’s been no leaking or unwanted moisture gathering on the wood surface.

Adorable Style
Seriously, these humidifiers could not be any cuter. We have the Pig design and it’s just one of the cute animals from the Adorable Animals collection. The function is well integrated into the design and the cool mist comes from the Pig’s ears. It’s really quite adorable.

To Buy… If it’s possible to love a humidifier, I love this one. The style is adorable and perfectly suited for a nursery or child’s room, and the function is top notch. If you need a humidifier, which you probably will, you might as well get one that is high quality and looks good, too.

Or Not to Buy… I can’t think of a reason NOT to buy. Seriously, I tried.

Shop! The Adorable Animals humidifiers, including the Pig, are $39.99. You can purchase Crane products online or in various retailers across the country.

Win! A Crane Humidifier. Pick from one of the following: cow, pig, dragon, panda or penguin.

How to Enter: Visit Crane and take a look around. Come back here and leave a comment telling me your favorite style.

Bonus Entries – only valid after you complete the first mandatory entry:
* Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter and tweet this: Flu got you down? WIN a Crane humidifier @TheShoppingMama http://bit.ly/1oUfh8
* Blog about giveaway including a link to this post and Crane for TEN entries
* Post the Holiday Gift Guide button on your blog
* Add The Shopping Mama to your blog roll
* Follow The Shopping Mama in Google Friends Connect
* Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or a reader

The Fine Print: Please leave a valid email in the comments or your Blogger profile so that I can contact you if you win. If you prefer, you may email me directly with your contact information after leaving valid comments. Open to US mailing addresses. Giveaway ends November 4. Winner will be notified by email and has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Thank you to Crane for providing a sample for the purposes of this review and a product for the giveaway. The opinions expressed here are mine and uninfluenced by receipt of product. Others may have a different experience.

4moms Sleep Trainer: All About Baby Giveaway (Closed)

Kate — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:45:00 +0000

Sleep. Everyone needs it, new mamas want it and yet babies can’t seem to do it for long stretches. I’ve struggled through two kids who were not the best of sleepers. I’ve even blogged about being exhausted when my daughter was waking every two hours. The problem for many parents, myself included, is that many babies need to learn how to sleep through the night. I know I was so desperate for help when my little ones were waking frequently that I wished for someone or something to come teach me how to teach my baby to sleep. I really needed something to guide me when I was groggy and frustrated in the middle of the night.That’s where the 4moms Goodnight Sleep Trainer comes it. It was developed specifically to guide parents step by step to teach babies to sleep through the night.

About 4moms
Committed to making routine tasks easier for parents, 4moms is revolutionizing the juvenile products industry with dramatically innovative products. By leveraging the declining costs of technology, the company is able to develop products that are completely unique and revolutionary, yet would have been cost prohibitive just a few years ago.
(Just check out the Origami stroller!)

How It Works
* Teach Baby to Sleep Longer – Yes, this system does involve baby crying. It’s painful and can be hard on mamas, that’s for sure. Trust me, I’ve been there, I know. The Goodnight Sleep Trainer uses a timer that indicates when you should check and console baby. I like that the timer says “Hang in there” and tells you how much time you have left to wait – any encouragement is comforting to mama when baby is upset. The timer gets progressively longer between check and console times so that baby will learn to soothe herself to sleep.

* Develop a Consistent Routine - The Goodnight Sleep Trainer interactive website has an allows you to track sleep patterns, get sleep tips and see your progress. This is a lot more clear and easy to read than the scribbled notes I kept while trying to help my little ones learn to sleep through the night! I think this would be especially helpful when trying to find your child’s natural nap pattern.

Check out this short and very informative video where a pediatrician and “one of the moms” explain the theory of the Goodnight Sleep Trainer and demonstrates how it works.

Award-Winning Product
The 4Moms Goodnight Sleep Trainer has been awarded the National Parenting Seal of Approval and the iParenting Media Award. I’m not surprised… I really could have used one of these when my babies and I were struggling to sleep for more than a couple hours at a time. If you’re (luckily) past this phase, I think the Goodnight Sleep Trainer is a great, affordable and useful baby shower or new baby gift. Every mom wants the gift of sleep, after all!

Shop! The Goodnight Sleep Trainer is $29.95 and can be purchased on Amazon and in select retailers like Babies R Us and Target.

Win! A 4moms Goodnight Sleep Trainer!

How to Enter: Leave a comment about babies and sleep – that’s it!
You might share how many hours of sleep in a row did you get last night? Or, when your little one slept through the night? Or what’s your favorite feature of the Goodnight Sleep Trainer and why do you think it’s a great product for moms?

Bonus Entries – only valid after you complete the first mandatory entry:
* Register to be a 4moms Insider: test products, get deals, be heard, win stuff.
* Follow 4moms on Twitter
* Fan 4moms on Facebook
* Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter and tweet this: Win a Goodnight Sleep Trainer and help baby sleep through the night @TheShoppingMama http://bit.ly/1Jisj
* Blog about giveaway including a link to this post and 4moms for TEN entries
* Post the Holiday Gift Guide button on your blog
* Add The Shopping Mama to your blog roll
* Follow The Shopping Mama in Google Friends Connect
* Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or a reader

ShopAtHome.com $1000 Facebook Giveaway

Kate — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:03:00 +0000

Yes, you read that correctly – $1000 with 3 zeros. One lucky person will get $500 and $500 to give to 5 friends from ShopAtHome.com ($100 a friend).

How to Enter - it’s super easy and well worth a couple minutes:
1. Register with ShopAtHome.com.
If you haven’t done so yet, what are you waiting for? It’s a great cash back shopping site where you can earn money for doing what you’re already doing – shopping online at your favorite stores. And you get $5 just for registering.
2. Fan ShopAtHome.com on Facebook.
3. Share your best Holiday Shopping Tip (what saves you the most money, what days are best to shop, or any other ideas you want to share) on the ShopAtHome.com Facebook Wall.

On November 4, the folks at ShopAtHome will select the top 30 tips and from those a random winner will be selected. You can find more information on the ShopAtHome.com Facebook page and the complete list of rules here.

So, get thinking and share your best tip for your chance to win! Good luck!

Wordless Wednesday: School Picture Day

Kate — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:00:00 +0000

My handsome little man all dressed up for Wee School Picture Day.

Want to see what a difference a year makes? Check out pictures from 2008 School Picture Day.

I look forward to checking out your photos!

SIDS Awareness Month & All About Baby Upcoming Reviews + Giveaways

Kate — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:00:00 +0000

October is SIDS Awareness Month so it’s a great time to focus on the importance of safe sleep for baby. And, it’s a natural fit for the All About Baby giveaway series on The Shopping Mama.

I just want to give you a head’s up that over the next couple weeks I’ll feature a couple different brands of baby sleep sacks and swaddling blankets. Typically, I try not to spread out posts about similar (and competing) products, but given the relevance (and importance) of SIDS Awareness I think it’s important to share as many products to help prevent SIDS as I can.

So, as always, I’ll give you my honest feedback including my favorite and least favorite parts about a couple different brands so you can decide what is the best fit for you.

In the meantime, if you want a sneak peek of what’s coming up check out aden + anais, BabySleepBags.com and Halo.