Mommies With Style

How cute is Middle’s new Skip*Hop Monkey lunch bag from their Zoo Lunchies collection? The minute I opened the box, his boring, old lunchbag was pushed aside in favor of the monkey, for all its personality.

I was a little worried about the size, because it seemed smaller than his other bag. But it fits a sandwich, apple, side snack and a reusable bottle into the bag, plus a cooler pack, napkin and utensils.

In addition to its easy wipe-ability, I love that the carrier strap hooks on to other bags, like Skip*Hop’s Zoo Packs, as well as bags not made by  Skip*Hop.

Thanks to Skip*Hop fro providing a sample.

Petunia Pickle Bottom celebrates their 10th anniversary this year with a unique, limited edition bag – Heirloom by Petunia.  What makes it so special? On top of a rich, espresso background with light blue accents blooms gold and cream flowers filled with images of past Petunia fabrics – fan favorites and those most adored by Petunia owner/designer DeNai Jones.

I got a chance to see one up close and the final result is truly spectacular – you are bound to fall in love with it whether you’ve been a fan of Petunia for years and can spot all your past favorites or are new to the brand in search of a gorgeous and functional diaper bag. Yes, functional. This isn’t just a pretty piece of arm candy (though it will indeed turn heads).  This Boxy Backpack includes Petunia’s built-in changing station with detachable changing pad and large pockets to hold diapers and wipes, pockets galore inside and out, a pacifier pod, dirty diaper pouch, key clip and a coordinated wipes case.

The Heirloom is also part of the Glazed collection, Petunia’s newest fabric collection that consists of a non-shiny, PVC-free coated canvas that resists water, spills and spit-up with ease. If you’ve never seen one of their Glazed bags in person, don’t be put off by the coated fabric.  First, it’s matte unlike much of the competition that uses some kind of uber-shiny coating that makes your bag look like your grandma’s plastic-covered couch. Second, the Glazed collection means that you can sport to-die-for designer prints without worrying about sippy cup spills and stray ketchup squirts. Gorgeous fabric for you, kid-proof for the little one.

Heirloom truly is the perfect anniversary bag, celebrating 10 years of delicious prints and delectable designs from the company, and will be available throughout 2010 (hello birthday present!).  You can buy your own limited edition Heirloom Boxy Backpack online at Petunia or at your local baby boutique.  Even better? Become a Petunia fan on Facebook and get chances to win your very own Heirloom bag. Contest ends soon!

I recently went on vacation with my husband and two kids and we decided to test out a bunch of fabulous products that I will be reviewing over the next several weeks! I will be sharing my children’s and husband’s opinions as well.

The first product is one that we used over and over again and were thrilled that we had it with us. My husband was a bit skeptical about why we really needed it, but boy was he ever so thankful that we had it with us on the very first day of our 9-day vacation!

Minimus.biz is the leader in all things travel-sized and individual-sized. They stock more than 2,000 products including over 100 pre-packaged kits and gift sets. Products you couldn’t possibly imagine come traveled sized and Minimus.biz carries them all. All of their liquids and gels are TSA compliant (3.4 oz or less), which makes packing that carry-on all the easier.

The Traveling with Toddlers kit holds all of the essentials you could possibly want as a parent. It contains 21 travel-size products in a zippered 10″x8″x2.5″ clear vinyl bag which makes it a breeze to find what you need at any time! The kit came in handy when the following happened on our trip:

- My son fell on pavement and scraped his elbow pretty badly. Never fear – the handy first aid kit came to our rescue. The kit contained not only bandages, but towelettes to wash the area, alcohol prep pads to cleanse the wounds, anti-biotic ointment (bacitracin) to promote healing plus more!

- My son had developed a diaper rash and needed cream. I never carry cream anymore and was thrilled to have Boudreaux’s Butt Paste in the kit which instantly gave him relief and eliminated me from having to take a trip to the store.

- My kids’ hands needed disinfecting and washing a lot as we were very active with activities everyday. Hand sanitizer and the Candy wipes came in handy often.

- My kids’ noses were always running so the pocket tissues were a huge help!

- We forgot shampoo for my kids’ baths and were thrilled to find California Baby Shampoo/Bodywash and Bubble Bath!

- The stall in the airport was out of toilet paper so the Charmin To Go was perfect!

- We had a few spills in the car and the Bounty to go Mini Roll of Paper Towels was the best!

There is so much more inside the kit as well. It even came with a small flashlight with batteries included. We were so impressed with this kit and couldn’t get over how many times it came in handy and made travel easier! We were so thankful to have it with us on our trip. It has found its new home in my car and has been great to have on the go!

We also received some travel games such as Candy Land Travel Fun On the Run and Tangoes which my kids loved playing on the plane and when we had down time. They were both the perfect size to travel with. Also, with airplane food a thing of the past, we were well-prepared on the plane with great travel friendly treats. My kids enjoyed the Squeezers Peanut Butter & Jelly combo and individually wrapped Ritz Cracker packages while my husband and I had the Wild Garden Hummus To Go and Cracked Wheat Wafers which were delicious. We all liked the Kool-Aid 2 Go packets which we just dropped in our water bottles!

With over 2,000 items and 15 categories to choose travel products from, you’ll be sure to find what you are looking for. The next time you travel or just want some simplicity for the travel sized products you tote around town the most, check out Minimus.biz – you’ll be thrilled you did!!!

Save 5% off the Traveling with Toddlers Kit or the Toddler Travel Kit (smaller version of the Traveling with Toddlers Kit) by entering code mommieswithstyle at checkout until March 31, 2010. Free shipping is offered on orders over $20.

jill-e makes designer camera bags for women.  At first I was thinking, what would I use a camera bag for?  I have so much to tote around on a daily basis (and I’ve been out of the diaper bag stage for over a year).  But when delved into my bag, I realized that much of what I carry is electronic. 

Currently in my purse:  wallet, iPhone, iPod touch, Flip (camcorder), digital camera, bag of Animal crackers, a pair of sunglasses and a couple of sticks of lipstick.  Such is the life of a Mommy blogger.

So I became kind of excited to check out a jill-e small red leather camera bag when they sent me one to test out.  We’re headed off to Disney shortly and I’ll certainly be carrying a lot of electronics – it fits all of my daily items, plus some.  I’m able to use it as a camera bag and purse as I didn’t want to be carrying two bags.  I would imagine that those of you who use the big SLR cameras would be thrilled with this kind of bag. 

jill-e is also running a special for the entire month of February.  Any of the red and pink bags that carry the above 14% off tag are on sale for the month.  A portion of the proceeds from the sale will also be donated to the American Heart Association.

Do you have gift cards, coupons or frequent buyer cards laying around in your purse or wallet? I have several and get so annoyed when I realize that I forgot to use them after I’ve left a store!

They’re unorganized and seem to get lost in my purse which is the primary reason why I never remember to use them. Wouldn’t you love to have all of these types of cards stored and organized all in one place? I certainly would!!!

Let me introduce you to the Card Cubby-my new favorite purse accessory! I received it as a gift from my sister-in-law over the holidays and it was the best gift I received all year! This must have accessory will keep your “cards” completely organized in style. The Card Cubby is an alphabetized mini-card file that fits right into your purse, diaper bag or car console thanks to it’s compact size at 5” wide x 3” high and 2” deep. It holds approximately 80 cards and is available in several patterns. Put your driver’s license in the clear pocket on the backside and put some cash and credit cards inside and you can use it as a wallet as well! There’s even room for your cell phone or iPod.

You can use the Card Cubby to Alphabetically File:
■Gift Cards
■Coupons (Fold and File)
■Frequent Buyer Cards
■Discount Cards
■Business Cards
■Player Cards
■Important Contact Info
■Insurance Cards
■And on and on…

The Card Cubby will save you money by having all of your frequent buyer cards, discount cards, coupons, gift cards, store cards, etc. with you all the time in an organized fashion so they get used! Don’t stand in the checkout line anymore digging in your purse or wallet for that particular store card. Purchase one today for yourself or for a friend you need a gift for! As seen in People Magazine’s Holiday Gift Guide.

I know that when February rolls around I’m going to have to tuck away my clutches and purses, handbags and wristlets.  They’ll be stored in long, plastic containers under my bed and exchanged for the required accessory of all new moms - the diaper bag.  Now I’ve been told by several kid-carting ladies that a large purse would suffice, but as someone with a passion for organization I can’t wait to separate all of baby’s necessities into the countless pockets found inside diaper bags.  For its organizational convenience and carrying capacity, I was willing to sacrifice a little bit of style, but now I know better!

Over the years, bands of new moms must have united to make their voices heard and demand a more stylish way to lug around everything baby needs.  The diaper bag industry has responded with some fabulous new designs and I’m excited to carry them.  Here are three favorites that I’ll be sporting next year:

Pinnington Bags – These unique bags are designed with unexpected combinations of texture, pattern and color.  They are handmade with luxurious home decor fabric making them very durable and stylish at the same time.  When I first saw them I was immediately impressed with the pattern and color pairings – fabrics that really stood out and were so unlike most other diaper bags I had previously seen.  You can tell that a lot of attention has been paid to detail, even on the inside.  The coordinating (but of course different) fabric inside is a wipeable material that is easy to clean.  It also has several inner pockets for organization.  Pinnington Bags come in three distinct styles each with a variety of color and pattern options.  My favorite is the August Diaper Bag.  I just love the ruffles stitched in to dress up the zip closure.  Order your favorite bag by Valentine’s Day (2/14/10) and you’ll receive 30% off when you use coupon code: mommies.

timi & leslie – This collection of diaper bags is not only convertible to serve for several other functions, but it also comes with an assortment of matching accessories that all busy moms need.  The roomy bags include a removable shoulder strap, a bottle tote, stroller straps, changing pad, wristlet, and an easy access key fob.  The inside is made of a waterproof lining - a huge plus – and has several elasticized pockets so you can quickly find everything you’ve packed.  The timi & leslie diaper bag collection is designed for “the woman in every mom”.  I could easily use my Jane Bag for the office or even as a carry-on when I travel.  It has a real vintage look with the double-handle tote design and patent leather exterior; not at all what I would envision as a typical diaper bag.  timi & leslie bags can be found at retail locations nationwide.

Amy Michelle – The “Go Tote” or all in one tote serves as a purse, work bag and diaper bag in one.  Amy Michelle’s diaper bags definitely reflect today’s styles and really look more like a purse than a diaper bag.  Unless you were pushing a stroller, I really don’t think anyone would ever guess that you had a diaper bag slung over your shoulder.  In fact, I’ve even considered switcihng to my Sweet Pea as my winter puse!  For baby – the bag includes a washable changing pad, internal and external bottle pockets, pacifier holder and attaches to a stroller.  For mom – there are credit card slots, a zippered pocket and an easy to find key ring.  Use coupon code: Poppy to receive 15% off of your purchase.  As an added bonus, up to 5% of Amy Michelle’s profit goes to The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Denver.

Samples of these products were sent for review by MWS.

Baby wipes are one of those products that are necessary but have always been just plain boring.  Sure, there are countless brands and you can even buy devices to warm them.  Other than that, baby wipes don’t get too interesting.  Not unless you move outside the wipes.

Designer baby wipes cases are just one more way that you can snaz up the diaper-changing process.  And JelliBee Baby offers a line of unique, handmade wipes cases and clutches.  There’s one to coordinate with almost any diaper bag!  My favorite is the Daisy Doodle pattern.  It’s simple black and white floral pattern matches all of my diaper bags and is still gender neutral.  And the bright blue stitching adds that extra little flair.

JelliBee Baby was created to “break out of the bland” of the common pastels, cartoon and animal motifs of most baby products.  They celebrate motherhood with whimsical yet practical designs.  The wipes clutches are made of durable plastic and covered in beautiful, quilted fabric topped with vinyl to make clean up that much easier.  They are designed to hold standard replacement wipes packages and come ready to use!

They also offer a variety of other unique handmade items for mom and baby.  When you’re looking for something just a little different, just a little prettier, just a little sassier than your run-of-the-mill baby gift, look no further than JelliBee Baby.

The JelliBee Baby Travel Wipes Clutches retail for $32.  Place an order by December 15th and you’ll receive 20% off when you use coupon code BeeStyle.

JelliBee Baby provided a sample of their wipes cases for review on MWS.

This review was written by a friend of mine named Melanie who is an OBGYN and the mother of a one year old daughter. She saw the Baby Boodle and couldn’t wait to test it out! A sample was provided by Boodlebags.

Now that I’m on the go much more often with my daughter, a portable diaper changing kit is a must. I just love having something with all the essentials to grab when we’re going out for a quick trip. That’s why the Baby Boodle is great! At 12″x8-1/2″x3″ closed, it is so small that it can fit in my pocketbook, or just looped over the handle of my stroller with the convenient wrist strap.

The Baby Boodle is an attractive wallet-style kit, which unfolds to reveal a large (26” x 12”), flannel-lined changing pad, great for the cold days of winter to come. The essentials are kept in the “wings” at the bottom. A travel-size size wipes container is secured on one side, easily accessible under 2 elastic straps. On the other side, there is another elastic strap which holds up to 3 disposable diapers, or one cloth diaper and wrap, and will also hold a couple of plastic bags for messy clothes! With its Velcro closure, it can also be opened and closed with one hand, a must for diapering on the go!

The Baby Boodle is handmade, is 100% cotton and machine washable. It comes in many whimsical, traditional and modern patterns, something for everyone! Use code MSTYLE15 to save 15% off of your order until December 31, 2009.

I don’t know about you, but I always have a tough time shopping for the men in my life.  If you’re struggling to find a gift for an expectant dad this holiday season, here are a few ideas to get you started.

Kalencom Daddy Diaper Bags – The “man bag” has been given a bad rap.  But when it comes down to it, a new dad planning any type of excursion with his newborn baby needs some way of transporting all the necessities.  Kalencom has some great daddy diaper bags that look like something he’d carry his laptop in.  In fact, unless you opened the bag and saw the contents, no one would ever know it was a diaper bag.  My daddy-to-be will be sporting Kalencom’s Urban Sling when our little one arrives next year…and he’s kind of excited about it!  Kalencom is offering a special 15% off discount for the next week.  Just enter coupon code STYLE4MOM at checkout.

+ECO Clima Control – For the gadget guy in your life, Oregon Scientific’s +ECO Clima Control would make a great gift.  This environment-friendly, weather-monitoring clock converts solar energy into its source of power.  The sleek design of this “weather station” is made up mostly of a large LCD display showing time and date, outside temperature and humidity, inside temperature and humidity for up to three separate rooms, and (my favorite) the weather forecast for the next 12-24 hours.  This device is extremely convenient for a variety of reasons.  1) It doesn’t need to be plugged in.  2) I know the outside temperature without stepping outside.  3) I can plan how to dress myself (and the baby) for the day based on the forecast.  4) I’ll be able to always know the exact temperature in the nursery without opening the door.  That’s a definite plus!  The +ECO Clima Control retails for $119.99 and comes with the base unit which is a sensor, an outside sensor as well as one additional sensor for another room. 

What to Expect When You’re Expected: A Fetus’s Guide to the First Three Trimesters - Most guys appreciate a good laugh.  And I’m pretty certain that all guys would prefer some good comedy over reading an informational guide to pregnancy.  What to Expect When You’re Expected: A Fetus’s Guide to the First Three Trimesters isn’t going to give dads-to-be much medical information or the science behind what’s going on inside your body.  It does however provide a very entertaining and often times jaw-dropping guide to pregnancy… for the baby.  Written by The Daily Show’s producer David Javerbaum, this book opens with a foreward by the Stork and answers such pressing questions as, “My mother just took a sip of white wine.  Am I going to end up looking like some Chernobyl baby now?” and “I know I live in mommy, but am I in one of her nicer neighborhoods?”  Sprinkled with totally irrelevant charts, statistics and photos of Antonio Banderas (strange, I know), this book is a hilarious and quick read – though only for those with a great sense of humor.

Rebel Ink Baby - New dads love trying to make their kids look cool.  And for those of you who have seen “The Hangover”, Carlos is all I can picture as I’m writing this.  This year, if there’s an expectant dad on your gift-giving list, help him out with a newborn onesie from Rebel Ink Baby.  Their collection of classic black and white onesies and tees sport sassy expressions like, “Beastie Babies – Fight for Your Right to Potty”, “For Those About to Walk, We Salute You”, and “Party Tonight My Crib 3am”.  Rebel Ink Baby’s stylish tees are 100% super soft cotton and available in a short-sleeved snapsuit or a long-sleeved tee and come in sizes 0-24 months and toddler tee sizes 2T-5T.  There are also pants, hats and pacifiers to match!  Unleash your baby’s (or daddy’s) inner rocker today!  Enter code MOM15 at checkout to receive 15% off.  Offer is good through 2/28/10.

These companies provided samples of their products for review on MWS.

No matter the time of year, I am always up for a pedicure. The chance to sit back and relax (especially during this hectic time of the year!) while my toe nails are painted and become pretty is the best!

Now that it is cold out and I’m not walking around in flip-flops all day, I risk ruining my new pedicure by slipping on my shoes. But this is no longer a problem, thanks to my recent experience with Flexflops, the first emergency flip-flop that folds in half and stays in it’s own matching pouch.

Simply throw your Flexflop pouch in your purse or leave them in your car, and you are always ready for a pedicure! Unzip the adorable blinged-up pouch, unfold your Flexflops, and off you go! The Flexflop is extremely comfortable and made of a terry material. It’s available in a number of different stylish colors and styles (check out the great holiday selection). Some of my favorites include “Chic Feet,” “Pedi, Please,” and “Paint, Primp, Polish” with adorable heart bling. At around $20 each, they make great gifts for girlfriends, a trip, bridal party, maternity, and more!

Many of the Flexflops are on sale right now for 20% and more. Plus use code TWITTER for an additional 10% off your order.  Shop the adorable selection and enjoy!