Yummy Earth Lollipops - Save the Bribes for Yourself
Ok don't judge me. I don't like to give my kids candy. I want to be that "no food rewards ever" mom. But I just can't do it. I take comfort in the notion that even Mary Poppins subscribed to the "spoonful of sugar" school of discipline. And she's like the SUPER super nanny. Right?
My guilt load lightened up a tiny little bit when I discovered Yummy Earth Organic lollipops. These tiny little suckers now inhabit my glove compartment and my bag - ready to coerce my kids into doing my evil bidding. I myself feel like an evil genius, using a bribe on them that is vegan, kosher, dairy free, nut free, wheat free, and free of nasty corn syrup to boot.
Consider this twist, however. This morning en route to the grocery store I experienced a post venti americano caffiene crash, and at the same time my blood sugar took an unexpected dip. I was stuck in construction traffic, not a Starbucks in sight and on the verge of a massive mommy tantrum when I thought to myself, just be a good girl and get the grocery shopping done and you can have a lolly.
So ten seconds later I dipped in to the dashboard stash and tried out a pomegrante pucker lollipop and all I can say is wow! It was seriously and truly the yummiest lollipop I have had in ages.
I'm almost tempted to have another. Just as soon as I take out the trash, put up dinner, and do a carpool run. Gotta love that the serving size on the package is listed as three lollipops. Yeah, they are that good. And a single serving is only 70 calories.
Get Yummy Earth Lollipops at the Yummy Earth Website. They have 21 delicious flavors.
My daughter loves seeing her name on just about anything thing these days. Lately she’s been using a personalized placemat where she always sits at the table and spells her name out loud over and over again. So when she asked why her brother didn’t have one, I told her that it was because he couldn’t read letters yet. This of course made her even more proud that she, as the big sister, could read. She then decided that mommy and daddy should invest in a placemat for him so that he could learn to read his name as she did!
So, when we did receive a fantastic placemat from Olive Kids with our son’s name on it, my daughter was thrilled! Olive Kids placemats are thick, durable and will withstand being wiped down over and over again. They measure 12” x 18” and are made with heavyweight laminate for easy clean-up. Their designs are fabulous and 100% original!
Mealtime will blast off with the fun Out Of This World outer space design! The colorful placemat features planets, spaceships, stars and even your little astronaut’s name. On your mark, get set, GO! Your child will race through dinner with the Vroom placemat! Any future racer will love to see their name on this cool race car design. The Trains, Planes and Trucks placemat is colorful and gives "meal on the go" a whole new meaning! Your child will love to truck to the table to see their very own transportation scene. The Under Construction placemat, which features a construction scene, will inspire scooping and shoveling of any meal. Your little construction worker will love seeing their name trucking across the table!
Olive Kids was created to offer parents and their kids an affordable alternative to the character-based entertainment licenses. Their emphasis is on color and fun, because they believe kids rooms should inspire creativity and play – not be an advertisement for a TV show or movie. They aim their designs at classic kids themes like transportation, pirates, outer space, tea parties, cowboys and more!
Your kids will love seeing their name at every meal on these exclusive personalized kids’ placemats. Enter code MWS10% in the comments field on the order form at checkout to save 10% off of your order.
Pomme Baby Delivers Organic Gourmet Taste to your Door
It's fresh, it's organic and it's prepared by a Zagat rated executive chef. Which is why Pomme Bebe may be the perfect palate primer for your baby.
Pomme Bebe is the dream of Svetla Lazarova Kibota, a native of the beautiful Bulgarian countryside. Growing up she never heard the word organic, but the wholesome foods she ate as a child were just that. Free of harmful pesticides, grown fresh and local. This is the model for Pomme Baby as well. Svetla has teamed with Chef Laurent Brazier to create a unique gourmet baby food business.
In the Pomme BebeBebe Bar and Bebelounge in Newport Beach California, baby guests can have a party or a playdate and enjoy a fresh seasonal menu of freshly prepared, flavorful and colorful pureed baby foods while the adults enjoy some fresh squeezed juice - though they may be tempted to steal a little of their kid's food! If you are lucky enough to live nearby, it is worth a trip in to sample the foods before you buy. Pomme Baby also offers curbside pickup for locals - no need to wake the baby and drag him inside, they'll meet you in your car.
The food that Pomme Bebe prepares for children is divided into ages and stages. Intro foods are single food basics (6 months plus), multi food blends (8 months plus) and chunkier tots meals (12 months plus). What all the foods have in common are the fabulous and fresh taste. At the recent Baby Celebration Show in LA I even observed adults going back for seconds. Besides me.
Even if you don't live anywhere near Newport Beach, you can still enjoy this fabulous gourmet organic baby food for your baby. Pomme Baby Foods are available online ($3.25 - $4.50 per 4 oz jar) -- flash frozen and shipped on dry ice to your doorstep. We recently received a shipment and found the food easy to defrost and just so much more colorful and delicious than any jarred supermarket baby foods. My crew of testers fought for tasting rights. Everyone loved the rainbow colored purees. It's not every day that my kids fight over beets and pureed peas. I should note that the purees make a healthful addition into recipes for older kids as well, and if you don't have the time or inclination to shop at the local farmer's market and cook up your own organic purees to sneak a little healthfulness into your children's diet, then you should check this company out as well.
Mommies with Style use Coupon Code MWS050108 and save $10 on your purchase of $45 or more.
The Latest from Medela, Keeps You in the Swing of Things
This past week I took my first trip since having my baby. At six weeks old there was no leaving him behind but I knew I was going to have to spend some time away from him, and that this would require some pumping. Which made it the perfect time to test my new Swing pump from Medela. Believe it or not, since leaving the hospital, I had not had occasion to pump. It was almost like pumping for the first time...again.
In the past, with my other babies, I used a dual electric (now eight years old!) pump that we can now safely refer to as "Ye Olde Electric Pump". This pump is actually quite effective, but so large and cumbersome as to have required its own reservation at the hotel. No way was I lugging that thing along. Alternatively my old handheld single was so slow and laborious to use, it was a severe handcramp waiting to happen. Plus it gave me an inferiority complex as I was never able to get more than a couple of ounces when I used it.
I was not sure how easy the Medela Swing would be for me to use. I barely had time to pack, let alone read the manual so I did like my husband does with new stuff and decided to wing it. I don't recommend this practice to others, You should always read your manuals fellow breast pumpers! But lucky for me the Medela Swing only has four button choices, and two of them are plus/minus signs to adjust the intensity. So I was not all that likely to lose an eye. It really was simple to figure out and I had no problem getting up to pumping speed.
Using the Medela Swing Pump I was pleased to find that it was as powerful as Ye Olde pump. Which was surprising since the Swing is barely bigger than my kids' yoyos. It looks a little like a yoyo too. You can wear it around your neck like big 'ol pendant, which makes pumping easier as well. One of my problems with pumping has always been my lack of four hands. I'm barely coordinated enough to breast feed, when I figure the baby is doing half the work. Holding onto a device, my boob and a breastshield all at once has always been slightly too much for me. So this necklace approach is genius.
The Medela Swing operates in two modes, using patented 2 Phase Expression technology designed to mimic the way babies feed naturally. The first phase is a let down mode and employs gentle, fast suction, and the second is a nursing mode that uses slower, longer and stronger pulses of suction. I'd like my baby to get a memo about this as he usually attacks my breast like a hungry Hoover on steroids. But for the record, the two phase action did a stellar job of painlessly emptying my breasts of their milk, faster and far easier than any other pumps I have used. Clearly my son has something to learn from those nice polite two-phase babies of the world. Note to Medela: if you want to make a pump that sucks like my baby you will have to sell one that only operates on the highest setting and bites me. I'm not sure anyone would buy that one though...
With the Medela Swing Pump I was able to pop the pump in my bag and pump virtually anywhere, anytime. The pump works with electricity or can be battery operated for use in the car. Can you imagine me pumping as I cruise down the I-5? Sorry for that visual. Don't worry or call the CHP, by the way -- I'd have a designated driver. I am pretty sure it is not safe to pump and drive.
The Medela Swing Pump worked so well for me on my little trip that I have kept it out and used it a few times since coming home. I'm working on a plan to store away enough milk to go away for a night without my little bundle of joy. A romantic night that involves me, my pillow and ten hrs of uninterrupted sleep. Well, except to spend a few moments Swinging that is. The Swing is the ideal partner for this sort of retreat -- it lets me get right back to sleep after a session!
If you are in the market for an occasional use pump I don't think you could go wrong with this one. As a side note, all the bottles and parts of Medela pumps are Bisphenol A free, something that should allow you to rest easy.
Hat's On to Breastfeeding Moms with MoBoLeez Nursing Bonnets
I thought I had seen it all when it came to nursing cover ups. Basically I thought there were only three varieties: the apron, the blanket/shawl and the poncho. But I was wrong! Because a very, very clever mom has come up with a whole new way to cover up when nursing your baby in public. You might even say that she came up with it right off the top of her head ... the MoBoleez is brilliant!
All kidding aside, when I saw this product I had to crack a great big giant grin. I never would have thought of using a wide brimmed hat to cover my breast while nursing but it makes perfect sense. And it works just perfectly. The reason it works so well is the careful way the hat is crafted. The super soft knit cotton brim is just wide enough, just stable enough and weighted just right to drape perfectly around your exposed breast. Even over my generously sized DD's. The baby's head is loosely covered and the brim sits away from his face so there is plenty of room to breathe. The logo on the outside is cute and simple and the message on the inside of the brim "hi mummy" is a sweet little for-your-eyes-only reminder that your baby loves you for taking such good care of him.
I love using this hat so much more than any of the blanket/poncho/apron style cover ups. It only covers the area that needs covering, and thus your baby is not smothered, you are not likely to overheat and you don't feel awkwardly draped. I never really got the hang of nursing with other cover ups and as a result, have inadvertently exposed myself more times then I could count, whilst breastfeeding over the years. Too bad for any curious lookie-loos who missed out on that sight! Much to the relief of my oldest daughter, and all thanks to MoBoleez, those days are over.
Note, I tested this product out while going over a quote for home improvements with my macho-dude, single and childless general contractor, a guy who really would rather not watch me breastfeed. This was a serious test! And no worries for any of us. I've now got a Moboleez hat tucked into my diaper bag and it is on my short list of fabulous shower presents.
Baby Bjorn's Eat and Play Smock, Plate and Soft Bib: Don't cry over spilled yogurt!
Last week, my toddler and I were at our Mommy & Me class, when they pulled out the green sparkly paint. Since my laundry load has tripled with the new baby's arrival, I really didn't want to get another outfit dirty at 11am. I also didn't want to get paint all over his jacket, me or our car. So, I had come prepared with our new Baby Bjorn Eat and Play Smock ($25.95). Within seconds, my son was snapped in and fully covered. Of course he got it dirty with the paint, but that's what smocks are for! When we were finished, I whipped the smock off, folded it up inside out and sponged it off when got home (the washable paint came right out). His hands were green, but his clothes were clean! All the other parents looked at me enviously, as all their kids were covered in paint. You can wash their hands, but to start wiping down clothes in school...not going to work. I was impressed with how lightweight the smock's fabric is - I was expecting a heavy, plasticky bib type thing. It covered from my son's arms to down to his mid-thighs. We can also use this smock for eating (great for when I serve spaghetti and meatballs) or for art projects. Since it was so big as well as durable, it will also work for him in nursery school next year. I also liked that the neckline protected his shirt collar. Since this smock will protect his clothes and save me some laundry duty - just color me happy!
We also tested out Baby Bjorn's plate and spoon ($19.95 for a plate with two spoons), as well as their soft bib ($9.95). I loved the plate because it was kind of a bowl hybrid and very sturdy. It stayed put on our table (and didn't move around as much as our other plastic plates). It worked well for everything from yogurt to waffles to matzoh ball soup.
Baby Bjorn designed it to be child friendly. The company said, "We added a rubber ring on the underside to stop it from sliding around. We made the plate a three-leaf clover shape with corners inside and edges that slope slightly inwards. This made it easier to scoop food onto the spoon. We made the outer edges of the plate sloping, to make it harder for the child to bang it up and down or to throw it away." The plate is dishwasher and microwave safe. While I'll clean my son's plates and cups in our dishwasher, my rule is never to microwave my son's food in any plastic plate. My son has had a hard time making utensils work for him, so I was happy that the spoon's base was made of rubber and wider on the end, making it easier to grasp. The easier to grasp spoon also came in handy because he switches it between his hands (very common until age 3). I also liked the notch on the underside of the spoon, which stopped it from sliding down into the plate. Which was great, because my son freaks out if his yogurt gets all over his spoon!
The soft bib was perfect for catching crumbs ( it has a deep pocket) and is very easy to clean. I could even put it in the dishwasher to clean -- but I found it easier to just rinse it in our sink and let it air dry. According to Baby Bjorn, "The neck is designed like a bead necklace with continuous fastening, so it can be individually adjusted to fit a child." It fits my 2 1/2 year old son perfectly and since he likes it, I will get another one to use with our almost 4 month old, when she starts cereal in 2 months. Or maybe at first, I'll try the Eat and Play Smock on her! Either way, will hopefully cut down on my laundry load!
Click here to find a store locater or online retailer.
Last year there had been discussion in the news about bibs containing lead and PVC, and we all know how dangerous these can be for our children. So when I heard about Just Buzzin’ By’s line of PVC-free infant and toddler meal accessories, I became very interested in finding out more.
Just Buzzin’ By offers an awesome line of splat mats, bibs and placemats that are PVC-free, phthalate-free, lead-free and environmentally-friendly. They are made from non-toxic laminated designer fabrics that are hip and beautiful. Their mealtime accessories are wipeable, and the bibs and placemats are machine-washable as well. The splat mats are hand-washable.
I hate cleaning my son’s bib. I usually shake the bib upside down to get out all of the crumbs and then I clean it by running it under the faucet, where the pocket fills up with soapy water to clean it. Well not anymore!!! I LOVE the reversible bibs! My FAVORITE feature is the unique snap-pocket, which catches the food that is constantly falling out of my son’s hands (when he misses his mouth) and unsnaps for the removal of crumbs and for easy cleaning. No more food bits stuck inside the bib pocket! I have never seen a bib so functional and hip! It is generously sized to fit tots of all sizes and don’t forget it's machine-washable!
The placemats are 15” x 17” which makes them a perfect size to protect surfaces at home or on the road. The mats also fold up neatly for storage and transport. They are flexible and durable so they won’t crack or split when folded over and over again. Like all products Just Buzzin’ By carries, the placemats are non-toxic and free from PVC, phthalate and lead so that food can be eaten right off the placemat without worry.
The multi-functional splat mats are perfect for under high chairs and tables to catch those unwanted spills and messes. It saves our carpet every time! Generously sized at 36" x 44", the splat mats are made with their unique non-toxic laminated fabric top and sturdy oilcloth bottom to prevent sliding around on floors. Another great use for the splat mats are for art projects which protect tables and floors from paint, markers, clay, etc. They are totally portable and lightweight and can even be used outdoors as a sit-upon (no more grass stains!). They can even be placed in car trunks to protect from dirt, sand, pet hair, etc. Perfect when I buy plants to keep the dirt from getting in my trunk! With a multitude of uses, Just Buzzin' By'ssplat mats are a must-have!
For every product they sell, a donation is made to various children’s charities. The company strongly believes in giving back to those less fortunate, specifically children.
Free of PVC, phthalates and lead, the bibs, placemats and splat mats keep meal time messes safe and to a minimum. With over 20 prints ranging from classic, retro, modern, vintage and edgy there is sure to be a print that you will love!
Currently, the site is taking orders via phone (949.916.9871) or email. In a week, you will be able to purchase online directly through their website. Mention or use the code MWS20 to save 20% off of your order!
The other day I was out with my son and a friend for lunch when I reached into my diaper bag and realized that I didn’t have any bibs inside! Immediately, thoughts came rushing through my head of how disastrous and messy this lunch would now be for my son! After all, he is now 10 months and when he starts eating, the food starts flying! He shoves food into his mouth so quickly and half of it usually goes down his bib. I stopped to see if I had my new Bébe Belay in my diaper bag. After panic nearly set in, I finally spotted it and attached it to a large napkin to be placed around my son’s neck. I was SO thrilled that my son’s shirt was saved for that day!
Bébe Belay is an awesome, multi-functional baby accessory that serves as an instant bib, connector clip, and pacifier holder! It takes up practically no space but can perform the tasks of an all-in-one! It reminds me of the type of connector when you go to the dentist office and they clip a bib on you. Although, this is much prettier and hipper looking and, it can do more than just sit there on your chest while you get your teeth cleaned! If you have a toddler who doesn’t wear bibs or use pacifiers anymore, you can use it to connect mittens! The Bébe Belay has a clear plastic length adjuster, and is approximately 10 inches long when fully extended. It includes one ribbon tab located on the back side, closer to one end. The plastic clips are semi-locking, meaning they contain gripping teeth and lock in place.
So the next time you reach into your diaper bag and realize you are sans-bibs, just think no problem with your Bébe Belay! Click here to pick one up!
Adiri Natural Nursers Turn the Baby Bottle Concept Upside Down
It's so nice when someone comes along and completely (and cleverly) re-designs something so commonplace, that no-one has really considered it in a while. Such as the baby bottle. Sure there have been variations on nipple size and all kinds of innovations to reduce bubbles. And more recently we've seen a reaction to the bisphenol-a leaching polycarbonate bottles, in the form of new and improved bisphenol-a free bottles. Many companies are actually looking backwards, bringing back the old classic such as the glass bottle of our youth.
But only Adiri is looking forward with a completely new and different type of baby bottle. It's so unique, it's turned the whole concept upside down.
Looking at the bottle you would not immediately recognize how different it is. Sure it looks sleek and modern, but it was not till I had one in my hands to play with that I realized this was not just a style thing - it was more than that. So what's the big deal and how is it different than a regular bottle?
1. There's no nipple that comes off and promptly gets lost under the blades in your dishwasher. With traditional bottles, you have a rubber or silicon nipple that is fitted under a ring that screws onto the bottle. Regardless of brand, size etc, this is what you get with 99.9% of the companies out there. Not Adiri. With Adiri the nipple is actually integrated into the body of the bottle, and is attached seamlessly to the chassis. What this means for the baby is that the entire top of the bottle is soft and globelike. Just like a boob. Which apparantly, babies are quite fond of!
2. It's upside down. Or the traditional bottles are. You decide. With traditional bottles, you fill from the business (nipple) end of the bottle. With Adiri, you fill from the opposite side. What would normally be called the bottom of a traditional bottle, is the part that screws off on an Adiri. Contained in the screwed off part is a silicon petal shaped vent that eliminates air bubbles - so never fear, you don't have to risk struggling with a gassy lassy if you decide to go with these bottles. Before you fill the bottle, you put on the travel cap, which seals off the nipple end and keeps the bottle clean and leak free during outings as well. Set the bottle down and fill, twist on the bottom to seal, and feed. The opening on the bottom for filling is nice and wide, which is particularly handy when you are pouring liquid (such as stored breast milk) out of a storage bag. It is easy enough to even fill this one handed!
3. It has fewer parts. Because the nipple is an integral part of the bottle, there are fewer tiny parts to wash and lose. Much like traditional bottles, Adiri bottles offer nipples with three flow varieties. Unlike traditional bottles, you will need to purchase a whole new bottle at each stage, rather than swap out the nipples. Personally I think it is worth it, because these bottles are so cool and revolutionary both in looks and function. They are color coded for each stage.
Adiri bottles are the product of several stages of research and design. They are quite the labor of love, and it shows. Apart from being bisphenol-a and polycarbonatefree, and looking so fabulous, they are the only baby bottle on the market that comes close to truly mimicking the shape of the human breast. So I guess in a way they went back too, even farther back than the glass bottle. But with their state of the art style, it's nothing but progress.
Utterly Yours Breast Pillow: I'm utterly grateful!
I'm a couple of months into nursing and I've had my share of obstacles ( latch difficulty, soreness, low milk supply). It's going much better, but I found myself constantly propping my breast up to help my baby's latch and positioning. Using the rolled-up towel trick worked, but it would unroll or dislodge easily. It really didn't even "lift" me up enough. I needed to find a better solution.
The Utterly Yours Breast Pillow ($21.95), which was designed by a mom, is a way to "lift" yourself up. Its designed for large breasted women (like myself) and moms who need a little "support". The way you use it is simple. Hold the pillow in your hand, compress it with your thumb and forefinger, position it under your breast and release. Click here for an illustrated diagram.
I am pleased to report that this product really gave me support - and my hand back! I no longer had to prop myself up when I used the Utterly Yours. I usually use this with a great nursing pillow (I am loving Luna Lullaby's Bosom Baby Pillow) - you can never have too much support! The Utterly Yours Breast Pillow is designed to be used it while sitting position, but can be used while in the lying down nursing position.
It is small enough to fit in your diaper bag and reasonable enough to get a couple. The cover is washable - but the pillow is not.
There are 4 sizes - determined by your pregnancy bra size (small is for cup size C and D, medium is for E (DD) and F), large is for G and H, and x-large is for I and J). You can buy additional washable covers for $11.95 for a 2 pack.
Exclusive for MWS Readers: Free extra slipcover with purchase. If you buy online, after you put the Utterly Yours Breast Pillow in the site's shopping cart, when checking out, mention that you saw this review in the "Where did you hear about us" section and receive a free additional slip cover.
Hip Hip Hooray! The perfect nursing bra finally exists!
You don't believe me, do you? I know, I didn't think it was possible either. After breastfeeding 3 babies I thought I had tried (i.e. wasted my money on) all of them. But now, my dear readers, the search is over. The treasure has been found! (Thanks to Nursing Mother Supplies.)
I'm telling you the honest truth, when I took it out of the pakage I thought "Oh, this looks promising" and then when I put it on, I knew... "OH, yes, now THIS is perfection!" But it's kind of silly to get so excited just about a bra, right? Well, I think not. I've worn some annoyingly uncomfortable bras in my day and friends, if you've spent any time, in any bra, I bet you have too. AND, (are you ready for this?)... I might just continue wearing this bra AFTER I'm done nursing. Yes, you read that right. It IS that great.
Enough raving. "Details. We want Details!" I hear you.
The Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra was designed to melt onto your body, and it does just that. It is SO comfortable. When I first started nursing I had to wear a bra 24/7 and this one is perfectly comfortable enough to sleep in. Now that my milk supply is more regulated I don't need to sleep with a bra on, but there have been several nights lately when I have slept in it again because it was so comfortable that I simply forgot I was even wearing it at all. (Well, that, and the fact that I'm always so tired I'm almost sleep walking to bed anyway... but still!)
In addition to amazing comfort, this molded foam cup bra simultaneously offers a wonderfully seamless silhouette, lovely flattering shape and fantastic support (without underwire.) There are thin, removeable foam cups to give you the option of a thicker cup lining, which I found wonderful when wearing more form fitting clothing. Plus, the soft, stretchy material means there are only 4 different sizes, so you can easily get the right fit without having to have a degree in bra engineering. That versitility is also great if, like me, your sizing can change depending on how far pospartum you are, or even what time of day it is!
I gaurantee you won't be disappointed in this nursing bra, but hey, if you are, just send it to me. I'd love to have extras!
Find your Bravado Body Silk Nursing Bra (and many other fabulous goodies for breastfeeding) at Nursing Mother Supplies and use the coupon code "SAVE10" for a 10% total savings. Also go HERE to enter the "Breastfeeding is Green Contest" and have a chance to win a $300 gift basket. Sounds like that deserves a "Bravo!" too!
Not only sweet, but blowing my diet! But who can resist with such great munchies? I got a box of cookies recently from the Harvard Sweet Boutique out of Boston.
The cookies were delish (they sent an assortment), the packaging adorable and I thought this feature would be good on Valentine's Day as a potential upcoming Easter purchase. A box of these makes an adorable, affordable and yummy hostess gift.
Select from an assortment of sweets - cookies, brownies, toffee bars and more.
So if you're concerned about freshness and shipping - I'm in Philly and they're in Boston, so it didn't take too long to get to me but it did take me a few days to let the family dig in and the cookies were as fresh as can be. (They come wrapped in cellophane tied with a ribbon, inside a cute box.)
Shop the Harvard Sweet Boutique and use coupon code MWS08 for 10% off your order by February 29, 2008.
When you’re out at a restaurant with your tot, do you find it hard to keep them occupied? We usually bring a backpack filled with different activities, but our daughter is getting bored with the same ones! So when I recently brought the Designer Diner out with us to dinner, my daughter was thrilled and so were we!
The Designer Diner is a funky reversible mat that has a reusable chalk mat on one side and a laminated cloth mat on the other side that is easy to wipe clean. I love how the Designer Diner comes with its own detachable pouch that stays closed with Velcro and that holds the included, 12-piece box of non-toxic colored chalk. The Designer Diner is just the right size at 18” x 11” and stays closed with a gorgeous grosgrain ribbon that ties it together. There are many beautiful fabrics to choose from!
Let your little artist create their own masterpiece again and again! Use code 'MOMMIESWITHSTYLE20' to save 20% off of your purchase.
34.5 Weeks Pregnant - Living in Lulu B Maternity/Nursing Wear
During pregnancy and immediately afterwards your body goes through so many changes. Sometimes you don't feel so pretty, and often you don't feel so comfy. But glammy-chic loungewear from Lulu B.Maternity and Nursing Loungewear is a quick fix to this problem. It's so beautiful and so comfortable that you'll look for excuses to wear these items everyday. Not that you need an excuse, or need to stay at home - this loungewear is pretty enough to go out shopping in, it's acceptable daywear as well.
Lulu B. Maternity Loungewear is sure to serve you well both during and after pregnancy, but you'll want to be sure to check out Lulu B.Nursing Loungewear as well. The nursing loungewear is especially thoughtfully designed to help breastfeeding moms achieve success without sacrificing their sense of style. Tops are crafted from soft fabrics in either prints (I love the zebra!) or juicy solid colors with coordintating trim.
Like the maternity tops, breastfeeding tops are made to be worn bra-less and provide support thanks to a soft elastic band that fits under the bust. I am rather full chested and found the tops provided enough support to be comfortable throughout a day of light activity. The top portion of the nursing top differs from the maternity styles in that it is layered and lifts, to expose an underneath layer with circular cut outs.
I can really appreciate that you can lift just the top portion of the shirt, one handed, and have fast and easy access for feedings without uncovering your entire torso and exposing yourself or catching a chilll. The tops are also triple lined and include handy special pockets for holding your breast pads - so they have you covered.
One other thing I love about the designs is that they are forgiving and flattering to your shape, both while pregnant, and postpartum. If you are into matchy-wear, check out their adorable matching infant onesies as well.
I'm so in love with this line. It's a great treat for any expecting or new mom. Lulu B. Nursing and Maternity Loungewear is sure to make you feel super special and lovely. And as a mom to be who has been on bedrest for the last seven weeks, I cannot recommend this line enough! It's made the darkest days seem much brighter and helped me retain my sense of style through it all.
Do something special for yourself! Mommies With Style Save 20% when you enter coupon code MWS20.
Looking for a way to stay stylish and private while nursing in public? Check out the line of nursing covers from Milk Chic. Their nursing covers come in a bunch of gorgeous cotton prints. They are generously sized for full coverage and feature a stiff peek and see neck, so you can see your baby without exposing yourself to the world. The strap that holds the cover around your neck features a d-ring closure that is fully adjustable for your comfort.
Mommies with Style mention MWS and receive a free Diaper Dandee pouch ($9 value) when you order your cover. These pouches hold a couple of diapers and wipes or you can use them to hold your cover.
Stylish, functional, high-quality bibs at Big Bellies!
Now that my son is well into eating baby food, mealtime is quite a mess. After three meals a day of food all over the place, miraculously, my son remains clean under his Big Bellie Bib!
These bibs are great for anything -- feeding a bottle, baby food, or "real" food. They are colorful, adorable, and have ample coverage. They are also very durable, thanks to the nylon waterproof backing. Made of 100% cotton and made in the USA, these bibs are currently being reviewed for status as a “green company". Some of the quality features include the layers are 100% cotton with high-quality dyes/threads, the nylon backing is safe (won’t leech out chemical fumes as some lower quality synthetics do). These bibs are workhorses, which means they can be handed down to siblings/cousins as well (reduce, reuse, recycle!).
I first glimpsed Natursutten pacifiers at the Mom-2-Be show in Los Angeles and my radar was activated. There was something rather appealling about these simple, squishy binkies. No bling, no colors, but a pure simplicity that is refreshingly modern. And more importantly it was the fact that they are better for babies that caught my attention.
Non-toxic Natursutten pacifiers are made from pure natural rubber from the tree Hevea brasiliensi. The Natursutten pacifiers are softer than silicone, and they are extremely hygienic because they are molded in one piece. This means that there are no joints or cracks where dirt and bacteria can accumulate.
These pacifiers are:
*Free of Allergy causing substances
*Free of Artificial color
*Free of Cancer causing substances
*Free of Hormone disturbing substances
*Free of Chemical softeners
*Free of Parabens, PVC, BPA and phthalates
In addition to all this, the soft material and shape of the Natursutten pacifier has several advantages. The pacifier easiliy conforms to baby¹s natural mouth movements without leaving any marks on baby's sweet face. Despite the softness of the material, it is very strong and has passed strengh "stretch tests". Above all this may be the only binky on the market that is 100% natural, environment friendly and biodegradable. That's a happy mouthfull. Natursutten pacifiers are available in two shapes and several sizes, from Generation Orange online.
I love nursing my babies. It really is a special time of bonding and a chance to help my little angel grow. It does however, like everything else, come along with some unique challenges. Like what on earth to wear while your nursing your precious little treasure.
If your babies are anything like mine, when they're hungry, they don't have much patience for you fumbling around with bulky and cumbersome non-nursing friendly clothing. And if you are anything like me, you want to wear clothing that is fashionable, yet still offers you that quick-access convenience you need for impatient nursers. Not to mention a little bit of coverage for Mommy. I said I love nursing, but I don't love showing everyone in the room that I'm nursing.
Thankfully the lovely people at Maternalove understand this.
With Maternalove's wide range of nursing tops you can look great, feel comfortable and enjoy convenient functionality while breastfeeding. They've created some really great designs for convenient nursing.
Check out their latest fashions and make life a little bit easier, for you and your baby.
How neat is this? A portable high chair that can literally fold up to the size of a diaper and that fits perfectly into your diaper bag. Yes, you read this correctly! It will become your new diaper bag accessory.
My Little Seat is a compact fabric travel baby high chair, that folds up and stores in its own matching travel bag. It has 4 ties and 2 harness straps to help secure even the most active tot! You simply fold over a chair and fasten your baby in. It may look complicated at first, but it was super easy and took seconds to connect. The seat is for babies who can sit up unassisted (usually around 6+ months) to 30 months and it can hold a maximum of 35 pounds. It can also be used for older toddlers who need a little more security when sitting in a chair. It’s washable which makes it easy to clean – try that with your regular high chair! With My Little Seat your tot can sit at the table just like everyone else!
Save 15% off your order by completing the transaction and then e-mailing sales@mylittleseat.com with the code "MWS".
I love to bake. And this time of year I am constantly baking. The holiday season is always so busy for us, I like anything that will save me a little time. Parchment paper is one of my favorite, can’t live without, baking products. It’s great for lining cookie sheets and cake pans. It helps my cakes pop out of the pan so easily. The only downside is having to spend all that time tracing and cutting out the parchment circles to fit the insides of the pans. And frankly, I’m not the best cutter. They never fit my pans all that well and they inevitably roll up. I started using Sutton Parchment Pre-Cut Baking Rounds. With Sutton’s pre-cut parchment, I can just take one, place it in the pan and I’m done. Sutton also uses a silicone infused paper (not one infused with vegetable oil, many are made that way) which helps for more even baking.
Sutton Parchment is offering MWS readers 15% off. You can visit www.suttonparchment.com to check out the product and call 901.754.4884 or email kelliesutton@bellsouth.net to place your order. Be sure to mention "Mommies with Style" to take advantage of the 15% discount.
We all know the game that our children love playing while sitting in their stroller, car seat or highchair. You’re familiar with the drop and pick-up game, right? The game where your child is constantly dropping his or her bottle, sippy or toy just to get you to pick it up over and over again! After you pick it up you give it back to them just so they can start the game once more! When the bottle falls onto a public street or on the mall floor it is so unsanitary. It is also rough on the back when you have to constantly bend over again and again to keep participating in this not-so-fun game. Wouldn’t it be nice if your child could play the game themselves and you didn’t have to worry about germs and backaches? The Bottle Tamer is the perfect solution that will keep your baby from dropping or throwing their bottle to the ground.
The Bottle Tamer is an adjustable strap that conveniently secures your child’s bottle, sippy cup, or favorite toy to a number of locations, so when your child drops or throws their bottle it never touches the ground. It just hangs there with the strap attached to whatever they are sitting in. The webbing material the strap is made of is durable and washable. It’s just the right length for drinking while sitting or lying down. The Bottle Tamer is ideal for the stroller, car seat, shopping cart or high chair and is in a child’s reach at all times – how convenient for you and your child! So when your child drops their bottle or toy, they can pick it back up again all by themselves – yeah!!
Currently, the site is offering a “season special” which allows you to save 15% off on all products plus free shipping on The Bottle Tamer single strap or 3-pack. No code is needed.
Inglesina has branched out to cool looking, yet comfortable gear for the babes at home. The new collection is appropriately called M'home. Enjoy the sneak peak, it will be on sale soon!
Zuma Highchair
I tested out the Zuma with my son recently. The look is cool and edgy. We loved the sleek, kind of space-age look. Everyone who saw it in my home remarked on how funky it looked. And it worked wonderfully. It was super easy to set up and fold away again. At 2, even though he's on the small side, the Zuma fit my son perfectly.
But the best thing was that he loved eating in it and actually preferred sitting in the Zuma to his beloved Fisher Price booster seat. . According to Inglesina, features include an "8 position adjustable height with an easy to use telescoping mechanism below the snack tray floor, a 3 position reclining backrest for eating, playing or dozing, an adjustable snack-tray for easy removal of baby and a removable dishwasher safe overlay, a 2 position adjustable footrest and a 5 point harness." This high chair will take you from infant to toddlerhood. The seat has a removable (and washable) seat cover that is padded. You can get the Zuma in red (pictured), black, aqua and orange. Retail price is $299 and you can get another seat cover for $39. I'm a big fan of it!
Club Highchair
Inglesina calls the Club Highchair the "easy" highchair. This highchair will work for babies who can sit up fully on their own, up to toddlers. Parents will love it because its compact and can get the job done! It is described by Inglesina as a highchair "that combines sleek, minimalist design with practicality and comfort for baby." Basically, it's a one position highchair with a removable snack tray and the seat is padded. It folds up easily for travel and has a 3 point harness. The Club comes in red, orange, aqua and graphite. The retail price is $109.
Loft Baby Rocker
The Loft Baby Rocker is a really cool rocker for babies. Inglesina says "The features include an adjustable multi-position backrest, a 3 point harness, on-off rocking motion, handles for portability and a sun canopy. No toys or doodads to entertain, but will let baby relax while surveying his or her world. I wish they made this in an adult size because it looks so comfy! Can be used from birth up to 20 lbs." Retail price is $119.
The Spa Changing Table
Inglesina describes this product saying, "The Spa Changing Table is an changing table/bath combo: the ergonomically designed baby bath sits within the frame, at just the right height for bathing your baby without breaking your back (it's easily removed for cleaning); on top of this sits a changing mat, while beneath there are towel rails, shelves and a selection of pockets for wipes, toiletries, etc." Seems to me that you could keep this in a baby's nursery or in a bathroom. Sounds like a cool idea! Retails for $119.
The Zuma, the Loft and the Spa are available for pre- order at Barebabies.com- look under the Inglesina M'home collection. The Club should be offered for pre-order soon.
The Design Room Group has some new products available from BUD this holiday season. Previously, I only knew of BUD as the makers of these luxury ducks that take the whole Rubber Ducky in the bathtub thing to a whole new level. (Our Superstar Duck has logged many hours with both kids in the tub.)
For something fun and different, check out their entire line. What kind of ducky are you? Maybe Grandma came from the Scottish Highlands and you're a McDuck. Or you're a Funkee Duck. Me, I just want to be a Lucky Duck. Okay, that was bad. But don't hold them accountable for my poor blogging - visit the folks over at the Design Room Group and check out the array of products.
Here's a nice little portal for all of your breastfeeding needs: ModernMilk.com. They have a store that sells all sorts of important breastfeeding accessories like pumps, Hooter Hiders, breast pads, storage accessories and more.
They've also got a nice resource section too where they provide tips and stories, links to related news-articles about breastfeeding and a forum for all breastfeeding chat.
Use coupon code MWS to receive free shipping on orders over $25 on the store.
Ever feel like you need a mobile home with a trailer to carry around all the accoutrements, blankets and accessories of parenthood? Does the thought of carrying even one more blanket make you instinctively rub the ever-present ache in your dominant diaper bag shoulder? Wondering if you really need a dedicated nursing cover up?
With my last child, for the sake of keeping my daily load somewhat manageable, I did not invest in nursing cover ups. Which is why, in a public pinch, I would resort to using almost anything as a makeshift cover: a sweater, the baby's, blanket, an oversized napkin at the restaurant... Problem is, these items rarely stayed put. Next thing you know the baby was eating al fresco. Woops! So much for modesty/privacy.
I wondered whether I would break down this time around and invest in a nursing cover up. But as cute as some of them are, the idea of carrying (not to mention washing) yet another blanket, still bugs me.
And then I heard about Cover-Me clips from Little Carr.These handy and bulkless little items tuck into your pocket and take up very little room in a diaper bag. They embrace the "use what you have" philosophy, allowing you to turn the baby's blankie into your nursing cover up.
Cover-Me clips are not just practical. They are cute as well. They come in dots and striped patterns. Rest easy, If you are the sort of person who has to match or who must have a fully dedicated nursing blanket, Cover-Me makes perfectly adorable blankets to match their clips. Use the soft cotton flannel blankets for both baby and yourself.
Mommies with Style save 10% off your order when you use the coupon code style
This set's made for trips out to dinner. How many times have we all been out to dinner at a restaurant trying to make the salt and pepper shaker appear entertaining? I've definitely been there done that and although I always have a goal of bringing along some sort of goal or means of entertaining my kids, it doesn't always happen.
The On-the-Go Activity Set comes in a nifty little plastic carry tote. Inside, you'll find a set of 4 crayons and a stack of activity papers to keep your kids amused. Games like Tic-Tac-Toe and pages to color are just examples of some of the things included inside. It's basically a booklet full of what you'd find on the back of a kids' menu. (Which is nice - because everyone knows that those kids' menu games are good for about 5 minutes before they move onto looking for something else)
You can buy it on Precious Personalities. Order 3 or more and receive a 15% discount (no coupon necessary) OR use code MWS10 and receive a 10% discount.
Lily on the Fly: great meals and quick organization
Time is my enemy. I have to wonder if there was ever truly a moment in my life when I was bored, or if that's just a crazy dream I once had. These days, I'm racing here and there constantly. Someone always has preschool, a doctor's appointment, a swim lesson or a music class. Or I'm picking up dry cleaning. Or going grocery shopping. You guys get the picture. Stretched about a million different ways, I never seem to get anything done to 100% satisfaction.
I'm beginning to realize that disorganization is definitely one of my time bandits. Often times, I'll forget something at the grocery store and have to go back twice in a week - which definitely eats up a good chunk of time. Getting organized is something I feel like I can at least maintain a bit of control over.
Meal planning is a start for me. Julie and I have talked a lot about those dinner planning services - she did one for awhile and seemed to be happy with it. I've always wanted to try one, so I was excited to get a chance to try some of the recipe and meal planner cards from Lilyonthefly.com.
Lily on the Fly sells meal cards. The front of each meal card has a picture of the dinner, and instructions on how to prepare it. (and time - day before/day of instructions) But what I really appreciated too was the back of the cards, which organizes and lists each ingredient based on the section you'd find it in the grocery store. (Produce/meat/dairy) This was helpful when I was in the actual store. I grabbed 3 Lily cards as I was running out the door one day and tossed them into my purse. So while I was at the store, I flipped the three cards over and lined them up - I then I had a list of what I needed from each aisle, and by the time I was done shopping, I had 3 full meals in my cart.
And of the three recipes I cooked, everything was easy. (I'm no Martha Stewart - recipes have to be easy for me to get them right and these were just fine and good!)
Could I open up one of my cookbooks and do this all myself? Sure. But the reality is that I don't. Which is why I love products like these: ones that are simple that make a Mom's life easier.
Mealtime will blast off with the fun 
This past week I took my first trip since having my baby. At six weeks old there was no leaving him behind but I knew I was going to have to spend some time away from him, and that this would require some pumping. Which made it the perfect time to test my new 
With the Medela Swing Pump I was able to pop the pump in my bag and pump virtually anywhere, anytime. The pump works with electricity or can be battery operated for use in the car. Can you imagine me pumping as I cruise down the I-5? Sorry for that visual. Don't worry or call the CHP, by the way -- I'd have a designated driver. I am pretty sure it is not safe to pump and drive. 
The 
The multi-functional 
The other day I was out with my son and a friend for lunch when I reached into my diaper bag and realized that I didn’t have any bibs inside! Immediately, thoughts came rushing through my head of how disastrous and messy this lunch would now be for my son! After all, he is now 10 months and when he starts eating, the food starts flying! He shoves food into his mouth so quickly and half of it usually goes down his bib. I stopped to see if I had my new 
It's so nice when someone comes along and completely (and cleverly) re-designs something so commonplace, that no-one has really considered it in a while. Such as the baby bottle. Sure there have been variations on nipple size and all kinds of innovations to reduce bubbles. And more recently we've seen a reaction to the bisphenol-a leaching polycarbonate bottles, in the form of new and improved bisphenol-a free bottles. Many companies are actually looking backwards, bringing back the old classic such as the glass bottle of our youth. 
Hip Hip Hooray! The perfect nursing bra finally exists! 
When you’re out at a restaurant with your tot, do you find it hard to keep them occupied? We usually bring a backpack filled with different activities, but our daughter is getting bored with the same ones! So when I recently brought the 
Now that my son is well into eating baby food, mealtime is quite a mess. After three meals a day of food all over the place, miraculously, my son remains clean under his 
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I love nursing my babies. It really is a special time of bonding and a chance to help my little angel grow. It does however, like everything else, come along with some unique challenges. Like what on earth to wear while your nursing your precious little treasure. 
How neat is this? A portable high chair that can literally fold up to the size of a diaper and that fits perfectly into your diaper bag. Yes, you read this correctly! It will become your new diaper bag accessory.
We all know the game that our children love playing while sitting in their stroller, car seat or highchair. You’re familiar with the drop and pick-up game, right? The game where your child is constantly dropping his or her bottle, sippy or toy just to get you to pick it up over and over again! After you pick it up you give it back to them just so they can start the game once more! When the bottle falls onto a public street or on the mall floor it is so unsanitary. It is also rough on the back when you have to constantly bend over again and again to keep participating in this not-so-fun game. Wouldn’t it be nice if your child could play the game themselves and you didn’t have to worry about germs and backaches? 
Ever feel like you need a mobile home with a trailer to carry around all the accoutrements, blankets and accessories of parenthood? Does the thought of carrying even one more blanket make you instinctively rub the ever-present ache in your dominant diaper bag shoulder? Wondering if you really need a dedicated nursing cover up? 
