On The Go | Mommies With Style

Aerobed for Kids: A Must-Have Travel Item with Young Children

January 28, 2012 By Whitney Leave a Comment

This Aerobed for Kids (Amazon, $79.99) product has won my loyalty for life. We’ve been using this product since Nate (8) was two years old and continue to recommend it and purchase it when need be. (One recently popped so we’ve ordered a new one. Plus the grandparents have this as well thanks to our recommendation)

What can I say? This Aerobed makes sleepovers and travel very easy and very comfortable. And I’ll just note – in total times of desperation, if you aren’t that tall, adults can sleep on this bed too. (I slept on it once! I’m 5’6″ and my feet came to the very edge but it worked!)

A nice feature on this aerobed that you don’t get on others are the slightly raised sides that you can see in the photo – they help to encourage kids to stay sleeping on the bed and not to roll off. Score!

It inflates with an electronic air pump in under a minute. I just love it and always feel the need to review it every few years because we think it’s such a fabulous product and it gets such use in our house!

Get the Aerobed for Kids on Amazon for $79.99 with free shipping.

Filed Under: Family Travel, On The Go Tagged With: aerobed, Family Travel, toddler travel bed

My Entire Family is Obsessed with the Ezy Roller {Video}

January 12, 2012 By Whitney Leave a Comment

As you can see from the video, Cole (5) completely loves his Ezy Roller Riding Machine that Santa brought over Christmas. Beyond Cole though, I have to tell you guys, not only does Nate (8) love it, but I love it! There are extension pieces to make it fit up to 5’5″ and it’s for ages 4+.

No pedals, no extra parts and you propel the roller around using your legs.

Order the Ezy Roller for $129.98 from Amazon with free shipping.

Filed Under: Family Travel, On The Go, Toys Tagged With: Ezy Roller, riding machine

12 Days of iPad Apps: Day Three: Qwiki

December 28, 2011 By Whitney Leave a Comment

I continue to use Qwiki, which I reviewed within the first few days of getting an iPad earlier in the year. This app and website is like a Wikipedia for your iPad. You can query just about anything and it’ll bring back beautiful pictures and an audio tour of whatever you are looking for information about.

Use it online if you don’t have an iPad or download the Qwiki app from the iTunes store for free.

Filed Under: Entertainment, Family Travel, On The Go, Parents Tagged With: iPad, iPad apps, Qwiki

12 Days of iPad Apps: Day Two, Temple Run

December 27, 2011 By Whitney 3 Comments

My nephew told us about this one. There’s not much to it but it’s addicting, quick fun and free! You’re a treasure hunter being chased by crazy monkeys and you have to jump, slide and turn.

And the best part, it’s free! Get Temple Run on the iTunes.com store.

Filed Under: Electronics, Entertainment, Family Travel, On The Go, Parents Tagged With: iPad, iPad apps, temple run

Gifts to Keep The Family Warm

December 22, 2011 By kate 1 Comment

The holidays are a perfect time to bundle up and get cozy. Here are some great gift picks to keep the whole family warm this winter.

Sunbeam LoftTec Heated Throw – A good throw is great to snuggle down with. Even better? A heated throw. Available in two neutral colors – a dark brown walnut and creamy seashell – the LoftTec Heated Throw offers Sunbeam’s highest level of softness and comfort with a thick, lofty, polyester material and Sunbeam’s ThermoFine technology that “senses and adjusts to deliver consistent warmth.” In other words, a blanket that knows what you need and delivers. I love that the 50 x 60″ throw is big enough to share (when I have to) and has 3 heat settings on a 6 foot cord to provide the perfect amount of warmth. Plus, the 3-hour automatic shut-off ensures I don’t broil all night if I fall asleep in front of It’s A Wonderful Life. $50

Khombu Bell Tower Boots – My husband lives in sandals which surprisingly are pretty ineffective at keeping your feet warm in the winter. That’s why I love these fur-lined Khombu Bell Tower boots. They are similar to another well-known boot brand, but at a fraction of the cost. Available in black or brown, the durable PU exterior is waterproof and rugged though it also looks nice enough to pass as a mid-range shoe. The interior is insulated with soft, plush fur that gives the boots a cold rating down to 20°F and Khombu’s Therolite insole that is breathable, moisture-wicking, shock-absoring and anti-fungal. The end result? Toasty toes in a boot that can go from shoveling the driveway to dinner at the in-laws. $50-$70

Petunia Stroll - Instead of piling blankets onto your babe for your winter walks, encase your little angel in Stroll by Petunia, a luxurious bunting bag. Available in seven gorgeous chenille and printed polyester designs, Stroll is lined with uber-soft velour that will make you wish they offered adult sizes. Place the bunting bag into your stroller and weave through your stroller’s safety harness. Conveniently placed zippers make it easy to get your little one in and out while keeping them snugly and warm while bundled up. Plus, you can match your Stroll to one of Petunia’s chic diaper bags or accessories like the Adorn iPhone 4 case for a complete look. $149

Filed Under: Babies, Diaper Bags & Totes, Holiday 2011, Home Decor, Housewares, Strollers Tagged With: blanket, boots, bunting bag, electric blanket, Khombu, Petunia, Stroll, Sunbeam, throw, warm

Fashion Friday: The Card Cubby ($20) – A Must Have Holiday Pick for Women

December 16, 2011 By Whitney 6 Comments

Last week, I was out shopping with my good friend Jen (and Mommies with Style writer!) We were talking by one store when she remarked she had a $10 gift card from a few years ago that she wanted to go in and use. I’m all, “I can’t believe you still have that gift card. I always lose mine.” She proceeded to show me her Card Cubby, a product that’s actually sold Debbie, by another Mommies with Style writer on her website, Shopaholics Shop.

Now I had seen the Card Cubby before online but never in person and you ladies have to believe me, you NEED this. Because if you’re in any way like me, you may be carrying your coupons, gift cards and frequent buyer cards in something like this:

Total disaster, right? And that’s just the ones I was organized enough to put into two Ziplock bags. I also have gift cards randomly floating around in my wallet in various hidden pockets (and they inevitably sit there and NEVER get used because I forget about them!)

Now, all of my frequent buyer cards, business cards, coupons and gift cards that were totally disorganized in my purse are sitting inside of this, the Card Cubby:

I got it my Card Cubby in Lime Croc. It’s alphabetized inside with tabs so you can easily find everything.

Here I am pulling out a Children’s Place gift card from the C tab:

This is truly a must-have. It’s trendy looking, it keeps you organized and the price is right – $20.00. Get the Card Cubby at Shopaholic’s Shop for $20.00 plus shipping (which is around $5).

Guys, this is an AWESOME and affordable gift to get her this holiday season! Hurry and you can get it in time!

Filed Under: Diaper Bags & Totes, Family Travel, Misc, Mommy Time, On The Go, Women’s Fashion Tagged With: card cubby, Fashion Friday, women's accessories

Razor Spark Scooter – Hot Holiday Pick for Boys {with Video}

December 14, 2011 By Whitney Leave a Comment

Nate’s been asking for just a regular Razor Scooter for ages. For whatever reason, we haven’t had a regular scooter in the house and he loves going over to his friend’s house where he gets to ride on his Razor Scooter.

So when my mother in law asked what Nate wanted, I mentioned this as a great birthday or Christmas present for him. She gave it to him fir his birthday this past weekend and boy does he love it! But what she actually gave him was the Razor Spark Scooter and it has the neatest add on to it – it creates sparks as they scoot! The kids can depress a pedal in the back while scooting around and it’ll literally make huge sparks on the road/driveway as they scoot by. My boys just LOVE this. What boy wouldn’t?

The best deal I found online was at Walmart – Razor Spark Scooter – $49.94. Get it in-store or order online and ship to store for free. A fabulous gift for kids 5+!

Here’s Nate showing off how to use it:

Filed Under: For the Home, Holiday 2011, Kids, Misc, On The Go, Outdoors & Gardening, Toys Tagged With: boys toys, holiday 2011, razor scooter

Ride Your Way Into the Holidays (Winners Annouced)

December 13, 2011 By kate 25 Comments

Congratulations to our giveaway winners – Cari, Sonya and Tabitha!

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I love the look on my kids’ faces when they see something with wheels under the tree. Here are my picks for some great ride-on toys for every age – and 3 great giveaways in a super short contest below!

Prince Lionheart Wheely Bug – Perfect for tiny riders over the age of 1, the Prince Lionheart Wheely Bugs are just as fun to ride as they are adorable to look at. Available in 6 unisex designs, choose from a ladybug, bee, cow, mouse, tiger or pig to take for a whirl. The seat is padded, easy to clean and resistant to potential “accidents” from over-excitement. The multi-directional coaster wheels and handy handle will keep your tiny rider amused ride after ride. Safe for indoor or outdoor use. (Also available with a large seat for kids 3+.) $50 at Amazon.com

Kickboard USA Mini and Maxi scooter – These 3-wheeled scooters definitely make it on my top 10 list of must-haves. My kids were riding the Mini version before they were two years old and now at 5.5 and 4, they can zoom around corners, jump off of curbs and do a handful of other head-turning tricks. And we’ve had no major wipeouts or ER visits! The scooters are durable, stable, easy to ride, come in a ton of fun colors and are fairly compact. The Mini Kick is geared for kids 2-5 years old while the Maxi Kick is best for kids 6-11 (or up to 120 lbs.) The Mini comes with a T-bar handle while the Maxi also has the option of the pilot stick which allows for the best performance and handling.

Kickboard has also been adding to their collection of accessories for the scooters including bags, bells, lights and plush buddies. But don’t let the kids have all the fun! Kickboard USA also makes 2-wheel and 3-wheel scooters for the 11-111 crowd. I recently tried out this 2-wheeled number and had a blast zipping around the block with my kids. Now if only it had a cup holder to make my walk to Starbucks faster…. Starting at $85 at Kickboard USA and totally worth it. (Scroll down for a giveaway!)

KaZAM Balance Bike – When your tot is ready to trade up, consider skipping the training wheels and going to a balance bike first. With my first, we did training wheels and it took some time to ween him off them. With my second, I’m hoping to bypass the transition by using the KaZAM Balance bike. What sets KaZAM apart?

It took a few minutes for my son to get a hang of it, but I’m hoping this will help us bypass training wheels in a few months and go straight to a regular bike. The KaZAM seems durable and is easy to steer. I only wish the seat was a little wider. KaZAM comes in red, blue, orange, green and pink and also comes bundled with a helmet for a complete ready-to-ride package. $100 at KaZAM (Scroll down for a giveaway!)

Trek Jet 20 – When your rider is ready for a real bike, Trek makes superb, sturdy bikes that will easily last through multiple children. I’m not a particular fan of cartoon characters plastered over bikes, and I love that Trek bikes look and are made like grown-up bikes. The Jet 20 is geared for kids 6 and older depending on height and ability. It features 20″ wheels, the option of either coaster or hand breaks (one of my fav features) and cool extras like a kickstand, fenders, plates, pads. The bike has a lightweight aluminum frame that means I can hoist it up on our bike rack, and a construction that will last through everything from neighborhood rides to off-road adventures AND still be passed down to younger brothers. The Jet 20 comes in blue or green though girls may prefer the color selection of the similarly designed Mystic 20. Like all Trek bikes, the Jet 20 has a lifetime warranty. Available for $220 at Trek Bikes.

** GIVEAWAYS ** Three awesome giveaways in this short contest! Enter once for all three items (if you’re only interested in one of them – mention that in the comments so I don’t send you something you don’t want!) Enter by leaving a comment below. Here’s what’s up for grabs:

1) a Kickboard USA Mini or Maxi scooter(color options may depend on available stock)

2) a Kickboard USA white 2-wheeled Kick Scooter for teens or adults (up to 220 lbs)

3) a KaZAM Balance Bike in any color (except pink)

Earn additional entries by tweeting about the contest with the hashtag #MWSridegiveaway or posting about the contest on Facebook. Be sure to leave us an additional comment for each extra entry you do.

Contest is open to U.S. residents only. Sorry no PO boxes. Contest open until 11:59pm on Wednesday, December 14th!

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Note: MWS was not paid for this post. Some of the companies provided samples for review.

Filed Under: Giveaways, Holiday 2011, Kids, On The Go, Play Time, Toys Tagged With: balance bikes, bikes, holiday gifts, kazam, kickboard, ride-on toys, scooters, Trek, wheely bug

Staples As Your One Stop Tech Shop for Holiday Gifts

December 12, 2011 By Whitney 1 Comment

Earlier this month, I blogged about going holiday shopping at Staples. I talked about how traditionally, I had only really thought of Staples as an office supply store. It’s really evolved into so much more.

One of the product categories that they’ve become a superstore for is anything tech-related. I was in my local store today and truly the entire first half of the store is dedicated to products like laptops, e-readers, cameras, printers and more. It’s pretty impressive and the prices are competitive to any other store you’ll find out there.

As I don’t want to ruin the surprise because the giftee(s) may be reading this post, I’ll list a bunch of products here that you can get at Staples right now, awesome, right?

Vivitar ViviCam 7.1 MP Digital Camera – $39.99

Sony 4GB MP3 Walkman – $69.99

Kindle Fire – $199.99

Logitech Speaker Stand for iPad – $69.99

Nook Tablet – $249.99

Tony Hawk USB Drive – 10.99 (Great stocking stuffer!)

Lastly, can I tell you guys how helpful the staff was at Staples? I went in and was chatting with one customer rep who worked there and mentioning everyone I had yet to buy for. She was asking me insightful questions and really helped me find the perfect gift.

Disclaimer: I was provided with a gift card to check out Staples holiday technology product options. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Filed Under: Holiday 2011, On The Go, Parents Tagged With: Electronics, holiday gifts, Staples

Hot Holiday Pick: V-Tech InnoTab ($79)

November 3, 2011 By Whitney 1 Comment

While the iPad’s great, it’s expensive and can be a lot to handle for little hands. There’s where something like the V-Tech InnoTab comes in. This touchscreen handheld system is both educational and entertaining for preschoolers.

This multimedia tablet includes age-appropriate e-books that kids are sure to love. You can update and customize through your USB cable and the computer and you can buy cartridges for different games.

Age recommendation is 4-9 years old; the screen is 5-inches.

The V-Tech InnoTab is $79 with free shipping on Amazon.

Filed Under: Family Travel, On The Go, Play Time, Toys

On Sale Now: Lands End Women’s Hat & Gloves Set

October 31, 2011 By Whitney Leave a Comment

It’s official: after last weekend’s “Snowtober,” the winter coats and accessories are now out and in our closet. One of my new winter hat and glove sets are these Fair Isle Button Gloves and Hat. Cute, right? They’re warm too! Get the gloves on sale right now for $27.65 (normally $39.50)

Also, you can almost always find a great sale going at LandsEnd.com. Here’s a current coupon code for 10% off and free shipping:

Coupon code: PARENTSA11 PIN:8445

Lastly, don’t forget to join me for the Lands End Winter Warm Up Twitter Event this Wednesday! Here are the details. I’ll be on and chatting from 5-6 pm CDST. (I’m @WhitneyMWS and the hashtag is #landsend)

Date:               Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Time:              4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. CDST
Location:        #landsend

Filed Under: Misc, Mommy Time, On The Go, Women’s Fashion Tagged With: Lands End, snowtober, winter, winter gloves, women's clothes, women's fashion, women's gloves

BuggyLove: Organic Stroller Cleaning Kit

October 27, 2011 By Whitney 2 Comments

While neither of my boys are in strollers anymore, it feels like just yesterday that I pushed them along in one. And it’s not hard to remember how disgusting their strollers would get from a variety of baby-related things – spit up on the straps, crushed food on the seat.

Enter BuggyLove. This Organic Stroller Cleaning Kit is ingenious. I would totally invest in one of these if I still had a child in a stroller because I think it’s just such an easy convenient way to keep your stroller clean. The Kit comes with FreshLOVE, PolishLOVE, FabricLOVE, WheelLOVE, Re-usable To-Go Bag, Wheel Scrub Bruch, and Re-claimed Microfiber Cloth.

You can basically use these products for air freshening in your car, to wipe down your stroller (and it’s organic, hence safe!) or even on the car seat for a quick wipe down.

I’ve already tucked away the spray bottle of FreshLOVE in my minivan. Because even though this product’s intended for baby smells, I’m finding it works nicely on stinky soccer boy smell too.

Get the Kit for $49.99 on BuggyLove.com.

Filed Under: Babies, Infant Car Seats, Strollers Tagged With: babies, buggylove, strollers

Photo Fun with Smilebox, Plus A Giveaway

October 15, 2011 By Whitney 26 Comments

How much fun is this slideshow that I made up from my cousin Emily’s wedding in Vermont last weekend? I used Smilebox, a photo sharing service that makes sharing photos and making cool slideshows like the one below incredibly easy. It probably took me no more than 15 minutes to put this slideshow together.

(Hit the arrow on the bottom right to play it once you are in there!)

Free slideshow design created with Smilebox

Neat, right? You can make scrapbook pages, holiday cards, invites and more. Print them, post them to Facebook, email them to a friend. As you can see, there are lots of options!

Smilebox also has an iPhone app – snap photos on your phone and edit them from there!

Giveaway: One lucky Mommies with Style reader can win a year subscription to the desktop service! To enter to win, simply comment below. One winner will be selected at random after Sunday, October 23rd.

Disclaimer: I was compensated for testing out Smilebox but all opinions and thoughts in this post are my own.

Filed Under: Entertainment, Family Travel, Misc, On The Go, Parents Tagged With: giveaway, smilebox

Best Travel Beds For Babies

October 14, 2011 By kate Leave a Comment

Though ghouls, goblins and gobs of candy may be the next holiday on your mind, the holiday travel season is just around the corner. You know the one where you brave packed plane flights or hours in the car to visit great-aunt so-and-so or cousins so numerous you can’t even count. Some of you may have the luxury of having ample space for your family to spread out at your travel destination, but if you’re like me, our family of 5 often gets packed into a single room with a queen bed and some floor space.

Travel beds – especially space-saving one – become imperative when the holidays roll around. Get a jump on your holiday travel planning now with our top picks for the best travel beds for babies.

KidCo PeaPod

The PeaPod is a pop-out, pop-up tent. Available in two sizes, the PeaPod comes with an inflated sleeping pad (self-inflating in some models) and a ventilated, enclosed space for your child to sleep. The PeaPod is one of my favorite travel beds and here’s why: 1) It’s portable. The PeaPod folds up similar to your car sunshade into a compact size that easily fits into suitcases, trunks and overhead compartments. It also opens in mere seconds. 2) It’s enclosed. When the entire family is sleeping in the same room, it’s a little hard when my 1-year-old can pop his head out of the travel crib and check out his surroundings at any hour of the day or night. The zippered panels of the PeaPod keep him from being distracted by his new surroundings which make it easier for him (and us!) to sleep. 3) It’s versatile. I recently took the PeaPod with me on a trip to Yosemite and was amazed at its versatility. My son slept in it every night in our VW van, used it as a play tent on the grass at the Ahwahnee while we picniced and took an afternoon nap on the sandy bank of the Merced while we lounged by the river. Visit www.kidco.com to see the different sizes, colors and mattress options.

BabyBjorn Travel Light

Travel crib, pack-n-play, portacrib – whatever you call it, many parents are used to lugging one around when traveling with baby. BabyBjorn made this easier. Their Travel Crib Light took the basic pack-n-play and made it lighter (only 11 lbs compared to the 25-35 lbs of traditional pack-n-plays), more compact (19″ x 24″ x 6″), and much easier to set-up and take down (no locking sides to battle with). The frame sets up in just ONE step (well, two if you count pushing the mattress down) and in about 30 seconds. The mattress is not bulky, but is plush enough to provide a comfortable cushion which is good since the mattress does rest directly on the floor. The wider base keeps the Bjorn Travel Crib Light steady and sturdy despite being lightweight, and the mesh sides allow for easy airflow. The Travel Crib Light can be used from newborns up to about a 3-year-old depending on the size of your child (the mattress size is 24″ x 41″ x 4″). Visit Bjorn at www.babybjorn.com to learn more and purchase.

philandteds Nest

I’ve written about the Nest here before. For the right age baby and travel circumstances, the Nest is in incredible 2-in-1 bassinet and suitcase. The pop-up bassinet is easy to assemble in seconds and provides a safe and soft sleeping area for babies up to 9 months or 20 lbs. When you’re ready to travel, fold down the bassinet and slip it into the included travel bag that has a second compartment on the other side to hold clothes, diapers, blankets and more. Especially for overnight trips, the Nest allows you to save space, forgo the diaper bag and make do with just one bag for all your baby’s needs. Unpacked, the Nest is also lightweight weighing in at 5.5 lbs. The bag will undoubtedly get heavier if you’re loading the other side with clothes, toys and other necessities, but the total weigh will still likely beat the heft required to lug most traditional pack-n-plays. Visit philandteds.com to learn more and purchase.

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Mommies With Style was not paid for this review. Samples were provided by the companies to facilitate the review.

Kate Bayless is a writer, editor and one day dreams of traveling without baby gear. Her work has appeared in Parents, American Baby, Fit Pregnancy, iVillage and other publications. Visit her at www.katebayless.com or @katebayless.

Filed Under: Babies, Baby Bedding, Family Travel, On The Go Tagged With: best pack-n-plays, best travel bed, holiday travels, travel bed, travel cribs, traveling with baby

Currently Reading & Loving: Memoirs of Cleopatra

October 8, 2011 By Whitney 1 Comment

It’s been awhile since I’ve read a book that makes me actually think. I know that sounds horribly tragic, especially seeing as I was once quite the book worm. But these days my book of choice is usually some teen fantasy book that involves vampires and teenage angst.

But the latest I picked up was a borrow from a friend – the Memoirs of Cleopatra by Margaret George. Margaret George writes historical fiction that’s based on fact. I had heard of her because of her Mary Queen of Scots book. She’s also written a novel about Helen of Troy and an Autobiography of Henry VIII.

I’m only partway in (warning: it’s long) but I’m engrossed. While I know that the conversation and back and forth stories are fiction, it’s all based on fact and I’m learning all sorts of amazing facts I never knew.

Like did you know Cleopatra had no actual Egyptian blood in her? She was of Greek descent and since her family believed in sibling marriages they hadn’t yet mixed with the natives!

And also of interest to me being in Philadelphia, the word “Philadelphia” comes from a Greek word that means sibling love (hence the above statement about all the in-breeding) Kind of gives a whole new meaning of the “City of Brotherly Love”

Get The Memoirs of Cleopatra on Amazon for $13.03 with free shipping when you purchase $25 or more worth of eligible products

Filed Under: Books for the Family, Family Travel, For the Home, On The Go Tagged With: Books, cleopatra, margaret george, mom books

Travel Album: A Little Slice of Heaven in Puerto Rico

October 6, 2011 By Whitney 3 Comments

Last month, my husband and I took a kid-free trip to Puerto Rico. We were celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary. Now that I’ve been back two weeks, it feels like we never left! But I thought I’d bring back a little piece of heaven by sharing some photos of our wonderful trip.

If you’re ever looking for a place to visit in the Carribbean- I can’t recommend Puerto Rico enough! It was beautiful but the best part, in my opinion, is how nice and friendly all of the locals are! It makes such a difference.

We stayed at the Ritz-Carlton in San Juan. It was a beautiful property although they charge you an arm and a leg for every little thing.

Best meal? In Old San Juan at a place called Marmalade. It was recommended on Open Table and my mouth is watering just thinking about how amazing that food was.