Use coupon code "mommieswithstyle" for 20% off your order at Hatley Nature. How great are some of the men's tees for a holiday gift for the guy who likes the outdoors?
My favorites are, "does a bear sit in the woods," "the end of the rainbow" and "back to nature." Check out the pictures to get a laugh. Spend more than $55 and get free shipping.
I couldn't resist posting this one. Normally you want hubby to try and work off that beer gut, right? Well in case you like hubby with a little more spare tire around the waist... or if you are just looking for a great gag gift... or if hubby's looking for a way to smuggle in some beer into the stadium for the next game, look no further than the Beerbelly, for sale at the Succulent Wife.
Seriously, it's a strap-on beer gut complete with a "bladder" to store the beer, and a tube to dispense it (presumably into hubby's mouth.)
If nothing else, this is sure to provoke a number of laughs. It's currently on sale for $39.95 (normally $49.95) and ships for free.
It's a slide! It's a plane! It's a spaceship! No wait, it's a sofa. Or a chair. Except when you are tired, when it is a nap nest, nestled high in the imaginary treetops. And this is just the beginning. Because with a Sumo Lounge Omni, the possibilities are endless.
So what is a Sumo Lounge Omni? Really it's just a big (very generous - 4 5' x 5 5'!) ballistic nylon pillowcase filled with polystyrene balls. AKA - a "bean" bag. But these are not to be confused with the bean bags of our youth as they are light years ahead.
For starters there is the filling. The little polystyrene balls that fill the Sumo allow you to bend and mold this big pad into myriad shapes. Fold it in half to make a couch. Stand it on end to fashion a chair. You can control the amount of fill for a firmer or softer pad, and inexpensive refills are available from Sumo, should you wish to eventually refill your lounger. Despite its dimensions, it takes up less space than you'd expect and weighs next to nothing - only 18 lbs. So it's a sofa you can actually sling over your shoulder and carry down the block to a pal's house. No problem!
And then there is the ballistic nylon coating. A parent's dream come true. Would you have brought your old beanbags out on the lawn? Or to the park? Probably not. But with the silkily smooth ballistic nylon exterior, stains are a nonexistant worry. We really tested this theory, allowing our kids to sit on their Omni lounge at the school talent show, held one recent friday night on the elementary school field.
The lounge caused quite a stir! And much jealousy and curiousity. At least six kids piled on, with snacks, drinks and dirt and grass covered bare feet. I tried not to cringe - telling myself that if this seating is popular in frat houses, it really ought to stand up to the neighborhood gang! And stand up it did. I'm pleased to report that our lounger was as good as new after a couple of quick swipes with a damp sponge.
So I am pretty much convinced that every family who can find a corner to squish this in, really needs one of these things. It's so fabulously popular in our house, that even though our test model arrived in a neon orange, it still has pride of place in our tastefully decorated chocolate and blue family room. Note: there are a wide variety of less psychedelic colors to choose from - but feel free to get an attention getting orange one too!
We're looking forward to bringing Sumo Omni lounges to the beach this summer. And I can see us sitting on them at the community outdoor movies, while watching 4th of July fireworks, and while entertaining friends both indoors and outside. It's a great spot for my two yr old son to nap when I visit my parents, and seats an adult and a child comfortably for cuddle time. My oldest considers it her personal gaming pad for Ms. Pacman sessions and my 7 yr old daughter turns it into a horse that she rides through imaginary forests. My husband, when lucky enough to secure it for his own personal use, can be found snoring there with a book on his face. He's stopped trying to figure out how to rig a hammock in the yard.
Here's the best news of all. Sumo Lounge Omnis are currently on sale! At $129 with free shipping, it's a buy you will be sure not to regret. If you have a minute to watch this cute video, you'll get some more ideas of ways to play with your lounger. And the box too!
This year, continue the environmental quest by gifting organic t-shirts for Mothers' and Fathers' Days.
I've reviewed Hatley Nature products before (read the review here) and I still love the honest sense of humor of their message clothing.
In time for Earth Week, Hatley has introduced an organics line. A selection of 11 shirts, you can find a fun, eco-friendly organic cotton tee to add to your Parents' Day gift. Use code mommieswithstyle through May 31, 2007, for 20% off your order. And get free shipping when you spend $75 or more.
If you're looking for matching outfits for your family with a Nantucket Sound kind of feel, look to Little Joey. They offer classic coordinating styles for the entire family (and I mean Grandma and Gramps included). It just could be the answer to that age-old question, what should we wear in our family photo?
Not only are the clothes coordinating, they're made of soft fabrics in a wide variety of colors. I know father's day is a couple months away, but I think a classic rugby (and a matching one for jr.) would make a great gift!
Oh and just a little FYI: Little Joey donates a portion of its sales to charity. So you can feel good while looking good!
Coupon Alert: Little Joey is offering MWS readers an exclusive 20% off coupon through the end of March. Just enter mws-joey at checkout to receive your savings. By the way, make sure you check out their Barcelona pants for yourself. They are suuuper soft. Happy Shopping!
So how many husbands out there snore? I'm betting a good majority of them as most of my Mom friends have complained at one time or another about their husband's nighttime noisy habits. I know mine does - it depends on several factors (whether he's been drinking the night before, whether he has a cold). It's bothered me more of late when I'm up in the middle of the night nursing my 3 month old while my husband sleeps next to me. (Factor in that I'm also awake while he's asleep and you can imagine what a very grumpy person I am at 2 am!)
So the SnorEzz pillow came at the right time. It's a special pillow designed by a woman whose husband snored. The website for the pillow claims to "help reduce snoring," which in our case, it did. I think I had high expectations as I was hoping it would eliminate the snoring all together - I should say now that it did not. But I have definitely seen a noticeable improvement. And believe me, as I'm still up at night, I have time to notice. He still snores but not as often, and it's only when he's on his back on the pillow and it's much quieter. Which definitely makes this pillow worthwhile in our case.
How does it work? According to the site, the pillow helps to keep the head and neck aligned, reducing misalignment which causes the muscles in the throat to vibrate, hence the snoring.
You can purchase the pillow on the SnorEzz website, the price ranges from $69.99-$89.99 depending on the size you order.
Greenies, concerned parents, orgoes, what-have-you, as an online parent, you've surely read about the hazards of plastics recently. Cook in it: bad. Heat in it: bad. Use in the diswasher: bad. Perhaps Benjamin Braddock was better off focusing on Mrs. Robinson, therefore ignoring the infamous one-word suggestion: plastics.
Concerned as I am about the toxins released using some plastics, I'll admit I wasn't actively searching for an alternative. Sippy cups are so simple. However, when I opened a package of SIGG cups, the boys tossed aside their sippies and raced for their favorites.
SIGG, the original Swiss bottle, started as a hiker's bottle. One crafted to be grabbed and gulped, allowing for little spills. But, as we know, little spills is a Mama's delight, and this now "branded" company develops bottles for the every-person. Hikers, Bikers, Mothers, Meetingers.
The bottles are made of aluminum (which means, if you fill it with anything hot or cold, you're going to feel it, unless you purchase one of their thermos collection or buy an insulator) which is proven to be a million (okay, my estimation) times safer than plastics. According to their website, "tests show that this is the only bottle with an inner coating resistant to fruit acids and isotonic drinks." Meaning that its impervious--acids, heat, nothing will break it down. Crafted from a single piece of aluminum, the bottle has no seams, so no places for leaks. The tops (this is the only place you'll find plastic) are similar to a sport-style water bottle. Rather than popping the sipper up, it turns to open and close. And there's a lid (which usually coordinates with the bottles decor to cover and keep the sipper clean.
My 3-year-old loves his SIGG. He uses a .6 liter bottle in a cute pattern from their KIDZ line. He's not aware of the number of accessories available (like handles, insulated pouches and carriers) but would be accessorizing if he could. My one year old has a .3 liter bottle--perfect for his little hands. He had a little trouble adapting to the sipper in the beginning, but with a little practice can use it easily now.
SIGG bottles are safe, fun, sporty and different--a wonderful alternative to the plastic-y sippy cups. But take this tip: wash as soon as you are finished. The bottles shouldn't be machine washed (the lids and sippers can be) and you DON'T want to leave day-old milk inside. Trust me.
Being a "Mainerd" at heart, I did a double take several months ago while perusing a trade show. Moose, Bears and big Dogs, oh my! Hatley Nature takes on northern nature with 100% cotton pajamas, sweats and t-shirts. Their Canadian roots are comically celebrated in the adorable (and soft!) appliques and decals adorning the apparel. With clever one-liners like "I moose be dreaming," "Trailing a little behind," and "Bearly Sleeping," Hatley's clothing are fun, clever and so comfortable.
Hatley Nature's clothing lines run baby through adult. One of my favorite holiday traditions is to gift everyone a new set of pajamas on Christmas eve. This year, my 3 year old might get a "Bear Naked" pajama set; my one year old, a "Treble Maker" coverall; my husband, a pair of "Kiss my Bass" boxers and a t-shirt that reads "Dam it," obviously, with a beaver. For me, because, of course, I'm gifting myself to keep the tradition alive, I'm having a tough time deciding on a sleepshirt. I'm wavering between Desbearate Housewives and Hop to it, featuring, of course, frogs.
All of this humor has been extended. Hatley Nature offers more catchy t-shirts, sweatsuits (including yoga pants and hoodies for mom) and aprons (like my favorite: Big Moosetake.) Keep the fun through mealtime with their melamine dish sets.
Click here and use code mommieswithstyle to receive 20% off.
I just think this is adorable. The Children's Place now has matching PJs for the whole family. Moms and Dads can pick theirs' up online. Can't you just see it on Christmas Morning?
Save 15% with code HE96 through October 29. Shipping is only $5.
... and if you're looking for slippers, they're only $8.50 at TCP.