I'm obsessed with shopping for my kids. While I don't typically spend big bucks on their clothes (Target! Old Navy! Gap!), I can't resist a cute outfit and as my little girls get bigger, they wear their clothes a little bit longer and a little bit better. I don't know why. It's probably that upright position that makes their clothes hang better. So as much as I loved their little mini dresses as babies, as preschoolers (yup - both of them!) they are still treated to great style.
In fact, they have better clothes than Mom. Shocker.
But we don't do ducks. Or puppies or turtles or bears. Never did. I'm cutesy animal-averse when it comes to dressing my kids. I think ALL kids look best in stylish outfits that aren't adorned with wildlife.
So when we received an adorable organic outfit from Canadian retailer Mini Mioche for review, we (I) were super stoked. Actually, I'm usually reluctant to opt-in for reviews that involve clothing since I am forced to relinquish control of the pieces that my daughter will undoubtedly have to sport (no ducks! no puppies!), after visiting the Mini Mioche site I was sold. Look at what we got!
I totally would have chosen this outfit myself. It's super soft and features NO animals. It's simply a matching tunic and leggings that is made from organic cotton fleece. I don't have to beg my daughter to wear it - and if you have a preschooler you know what I mean. She actually loves it.
WIN IT! Check it out for yourself. Check out the fall collection at Mini Mioche and win an item from the Toronto-based retailer! Simply leave a comment below telling us which item you love and why it strikes you. One lucky winner will be randomly selected on Friday, November 12th 30th!!
BUY IT! Can't wait? Until November 30th, readers are invited to save 20% on purchases made at Mini Mioche.
I am participating in a mini mioche ambassador program by Mom Central on behalf mini mioche. I received an outfit as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.
If your family is anything like ours, your kids have 200 pairs of random, cheap sunglasses that a) don't stay on if they so much as toss a ball in the air, and b) don't protect their eyes from, well, anything at all. This is why I love Baby BanZ, a really revolutionary company that combines style with function in kids sun protection. But this company is not new on the scene. In fact they've been protecting kids for 10 years and you may remember them from our introduction last summer.
What I recently learned is that until about eight or nine years old, children have no filters to block out UV light. So if you're going to put sunglasses on your kid, it's important to choose some that actually serve this purpose. Baby BanZ does that, and they have thought of virtually everything else your child needs in sun shades. For example, the frames and lenses are made from polycarbonate material which make them virtually unbreakable. Also, the strap that actually keeps the glasses put on your child's face is made out of wetsuit material, so they're stretchy, super simple to clean, and they'll float should they be tossed into a pool. They are also adjustable to your child's head, with a velcro hook and loop closure system.
And if your child wears prescription glasses - no problem. The Baby and Kidz Banz ar RXable up to +/ – 8 diopters. Just buy them and bring them to your optician to be RX'd.
While Baby BanZ originally started out by specializing in functional sunglasses for kids 0-5, they now offer a more mature version called JBanZ, for kids 4-10. The Mo. based company also makes awesome adjustable sunhats (they last for more than one season thanks to the Velcro adjust), swim goggles, and sunglasses to suit kids with special vision needs. Cool, right?
As the lucky recipient of a partial BlogHer sponsorship from this great company, in a few weeks I will have the opportunity to give dozens of you a pair of Baby or KidZ BanZ to try on your kids. If you're not NYC-bound, don't worry. Two lucky readers will win a pair of either BanZ in the color of their choice. Simply let us know which pair your love or a cool fact about this company, in the comments below. Tweet "I entered to win a cool pair of @BabyBanZ from @alexcaseybaby and you can too! http://tinyurl.com/39axv85" for an extra entry. Winners will be chosen on Friday, July 23rd. Sorry, US entries only!
Special thanks to the folks at Baby BanZ for helping to send me to BlogHer 2010 in NYC!
All products reviewed were provided to me at no cost by Baby BanZ All views and opinions reflected on this blog are my own and were in no way influenced by any outside party.
So I've been the proud owner of my hot new Affinity washer/dryer for about a month now, and aside from its undeniable beauty, I'm actually noticing that its beauty is not just metal deep. These machines might be nice to look at, but they're also doing a fabulous job and they are helping my family save not just money, but also time and energy.
Speaking of agitators, if you know anything about laundry machines (which I didn't), the mere fact that this machine doesn't have one is great news. Agitators do exactly that to your clothes - agitate them. They result in quicker wear and tear on your stuff, so a top-loader will treat your cute clothes (and linens) better too.
The only real downside to this is that front-loaders are typically more expensive to purchase. But here's the thing - if you invest in a solid front-loading machine now, you are GUARANTEED to save money (not to mention energy and water) over the course of the life of the appliances.
And the last cool feature for today - you can save your settings on the machines so you don't have to fiddle with them every time you throw in a load of laundry. I admit that this is my favorite feature in my car as well (re-setting my seat each time I get in is annoying!).
Stay tuned for more on my fabulous Affinity appliances as they get more use.
*According to the EPA and U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Star qualified appliances conserve 20 to 30 percent in energy costs over the course of one year. An Energy Star qualified washer uses 16 to 25 gallons of water per load, compared to 40 gallons used by a standard machine. Top loading energy efficient qualified washers can save 10,000 gallons of water per year and Front Loading energy efficient washing machines can save up to 12, 584 gallons of water per year.
** Based on dryers 36" or less in height and 27" or less in depth
It's been quiet around here, I know. The reason is because we've been traveling to see our family in Montreal, Canada. If you do the math, from Boston this involves a five-hour drive and with two kids in tow, it can get hairy at times.
Naps are an integral part of any long-distance trip. If the kids nap for two hours, that's just three hours left for snacks, movies, books, whining, crying, and whatever else is typical of being strapped into a seat for a long drive. Thing is, my kids never napped well in the car because those carseats are classically uncomfortable thus resulting in the drooping head syndrome and sleeping tussy disorder. No fun.
Luckily, I recently received Safety 1st's brand-new Air Protect™carseat. So, the thing about this carseat is that it is designed to protect kids from side impact collisions, a major factor in crash fatalities. In doing so, Safety 1st invented Air Protect™ Technology which essentially consists of two soft "wings" intended to protect the head in the event of a crash, using the release of air in these wings. This is cool for two reasons:
Check it out:
All this, while my other daughter did the head-bob for her little nap, as a result of the minimalist carseat we chose for her (note: we're seriously considering investing in one of these babies for her too).
Your child will remain cozy in her mini-Cadillac until he/she reaches 50lbs in the forward-facing position. You can use it rear-facing from 5-40lbs as well. Only thing I thought could be improved upon was that there was no velcro allowing me to keep straps out of the way while I put her in, leaving me to dig for them under her once she was seated. I did find a solution however, in placing them behind the cushiony wings that are on the bottom of the seat as well (COZY!!). The other thing was that on a super-hot day, I worried that she was hot in the seat before the AC kicked in. It was just as easy to install as any other carseat we have had, and can be installed using the LATCH system or the vehicle belt. For instructional videos, visit here.
I didn't test out how the seat would hold up in a crash (thankfully), but if looks are any indication, this carseat appears to have all the workings of a supreme seat. For all the official safety stuff, check out the Air Protect™ website.
Based on our experience so far with this product, I would (and actually have) definitely recommend it to my friends. But since this is a big purchase ($249.99), you'll want to visit the company's website and read other reviews before heading out to buy it.
So, we've talked about how aden & anais makes the perfect swaddler. And we talked about how aden & anais makes the perfect sleep sack. But guess what? There's more to this adorable line than what meets the eye.
Consider this: you've just had a baby and you've received dozens of blankets, each more special than the last. But what in the world will you do with them all?
The smart folks over at my favorite blanket making company have come up with half-a-dozen new ways you can use your aden & anais swaddling blanket, so you can use your tired brain for more important tasks, like how to get as much milk out of your right boob as your left, and how to pack 6 hours of sleep into 2.
So you see, it doesn't have to be all swaddling all the time, especially since aden & anais blankets are so stylish. Don't be afraid to show 'em off!!
And what's more is that the award-winning company has just launched a new line of certified organic muslin swaddles so now baby's blanket is not just cozy, but also good for Mother Earth. So really there's no excuse, since aden & anais now really offers something for every family.
WIN IT! One lucky reader will win one of these new organic blankets from aden & anais. Simply visit their website and come back here to let us know which is your fave. A winner will be chosen on Thursday, July 23rd at midnight. Please, only one entry per person! Open to US residents only.
Summer is finally (almost) here and at last we've traded our mittens and winter hats for accessories far cooler - shades and sun hats. But you know how we're constantly searching the stores for sun hats and glasses that are not only safe but also stylish? Well, prepare to use that time on other, more fun activities, since the folks at Baby Banz have your kids' needs covered.
Originally designed in Australia, all Baby Banz products are intended to stand up to the toughest UV environments. Included in their superior line-up are wrap-around sunglasses with 100% UV protection for babies and kids up to age 5, which even feature cool straps with adjustable Velcro. Consider it a little insurance! Their sun-safe apparel includes wide-brimmed sun hats,cool head wraps and flap hats, and UV swimwear. All clothing is UPF 50+ so you can enjoy your summer days without worrying about sunburns.
This 9-year-old company takes sun-safety seriously, and has even included tips on their website for staying safe in summer. Any parent would agree that this info in invaluable, as are these products. In a move to perfect their already awesome offerings, Baby Banz recently paired up their awesome sun hats with their superior sunglasses to create a great combination gift for anyone who cares about keeping kids skin safe from harmful rays. For a mere $25, the truth is that all children should be sporting these adorable goods.
Win it! One lucky reader will win a sun hat and Banz glasses combo for their little one! Simply visit the product page and tell us your favorite set from the choices (located under "choose a color"). For a second entry, subscribe to their newsletter. Contest ends Friday, May 29th at midnight.
I'm aggravated. I'm aggravated because there's this great little line of blingy t-shirts that I want to add to my product offering at Alex Casey Baby and I can't. I can't because due to the new regulations set forth by the CPSIA, the work-at-home-mom who produces these adorable t-shirts will be closing her doors come February. And she's not the only one. Once the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) goes into effect, small businesses all over the US will be put out of business.
To quote directly from the Handmade Toy Alliance:
The issue:
In 2007, large toy manufacturers who outsource their production to China and other developing countries violated the public's trust. They were selling toys with dangerously high lead content, toys with unsafe small part, toys with improperly secured and easily swallowed small magnets, and toys made from chemicals that made kids sick. Almost every problem toy in 2007 was made in China.
The United States Congress rightly recognized that the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) lacked the authority and staffing to prevent dangerous toys from being imported into the US. So, they passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)in August, 2008. Among other things, the CPSIA bans lead and phthalates in toys, mandates third-party testing and certification for all toys and requires toy makers to permanently label each toy with a date and batch number.
All of these changes will be fairly easy for large, multinational toy manufacturers to comply with. Large manufacturers who make thousands of units of each toy have very little incremental cost to pay for testing and update their molds to include batch labels.
For small American, Canadian, and European toymakers and manufacturers of children's products, however, the costs of mandatory testing will likely drive them out of business.
As a mom, I'm all for safe products. As an entrepreneur and a mom who sells handmade products, I share the same concerns as other small business owners. This law is, in effect, too far reaching in that it doesn't distinguish between products that could potentially contain a dangerous lead level, and a product that couldn't possibly contain a dangerous lead level (like my towels for example). That said, if you are a small-business owner or if you want to help protect the businesses that bring you beautiful handmade and mom-made products, please click the link below and save small businesses from CPSIA.
Recently I was walking a tradeshow floor looking at all the new (yawn) stuff for the upcoming season. The truth is, after three shows inside of two months, I was getting a little bored with seeing the same products, some labeled with a different name, but essentially touting the same "must-have" recommendations. And then I actually DID come across a new and inventive product, that not only is completely unique, but could potentially be life-altering, as all the others only claim to be.
Introducing Baby MedBasics - the essential what-to-do guide during infant emergencies. I know, we all remember so much from the infant CPR class we took before giving birth, when we had about 400 other things on our minds. MedBasics puts at your fingertips the tools you need to give your infant the care he or she needs during an emergency, while help is on the way. The study, bound guide offers step-by-step instructions to a variety of emergencies, including CPR, Choking, Fever, Bleeding, Burns, and Poison. Color-coded and clearly tabbed, each section features very simple, easy-to-read instructions that could save a child's life.
It's great for the babysitter and Grandparents too - since accidents can happen anytime. Tara and Luke, inventors of MedBasics, learned this quickly when their infant began choking one day. Fortunately, because of her training as a nurse and his training as an emergency room doctor, this family knew how to react in order to save their son. And they though it would be a good idea to arm other parents with these tools should they ever be in this, or a similarly terrifying situation. The result - Baby MedBasics. The instructions in the guide are geared toward babies birth to 1, but many can be applied to older children as well.
With a more comprehensive home pack and an on-the-go travel pack to choose from (or a combo of both), these people really did think of everything. It's literally the product that might save a life - and one worth giving to everyone you love.
Since we love you readers, we are giving away one Baby MedBasics guide. Simply leave a comment telling us either why this would come in handy in your house and/or a story of a time when this might have come in handy. Also tell us which color is your fave. A winner will be chosen on Wednesday, November 5th. Open only to US residents.
But it just might help save the planet.
Before becoming a Mom, I didn't spend too much time worrying about "green", or recycling, or even which products contained more natural ingredients than others. But when my kids started crawling around the floor and putting every and anything in their mouths, it occurred to me that using cleaning products with more natural ingredients might be a good idea. Who knows how many toxins are ingested by our kids (and us) inadvertently? So I started buying natural, environmentally friendly cleaning products.
One of the products I purchased was Green Works All-Purpose Cleaner containing Clorox. I admit - at first I felt the words "Green" next to "Clorox" were a bit, well, surprising, but I got over that pretty quickly after trying the product. It worked! Not only did it work, it smelled really good, and I was not spreading toxic chemicals all over my house. In fact, the Green Works products, which include dish soap, toilet cleaner, bathroom cleaner and more, are all plant and mineral based and at least 99% natural. Though the Green Works products don't disinfect, they are working on incorporating it into future products.
It seems like everyone I talk to is "going green" inside the home. The topic is hot, both in the political arena as well as at the dinner table. The idea of becoming more green is wonderful, but also puts another task on our already over-flowing to-do lists. For this reason, Green Works put together the 30 Days to Green website, devoted to providing practical tips for households at all stages of greenness. Whether recycling additional items, using eco-friendly cleaners, or walking to the store once a week instead of driving, the site offers suggestions to take just a few additional, easy steps every day.
If you have been thinking about becoming more green in your life, a perfect first step is to check out the 30 Days to Green site. At the very least, it's a step in the right direction.
