You know the point in your pregnancy where your regular pants don’t fit but you feel goofy in your huge mat pants? You know the point at the end of your pregnancy when even your maternity pants don’t fit anymore and you start shopping for flattering tents? You know the first time you want to leave the house with your new baby and you feel goofy in your maternity pants (since it’s kind of obvious that you’ve already had your baby) but they’re the only things you can get done up? (Man, we put our bodies through a lot for those little people, don’t we?)

Enter Ingrid & Isabel, the company behind the BellaBand. Worn at the waistline, it’s a stretchy, seamless band that helps mamas wear their pre-pregnancy favorites longer and fit into cute maternity styles sooner. For those of us who take more than a week to get back into our skinny jeans, the BellaBand can also be used post-partum to transition back into our old favorites. Once you own one, you’ll see that it’s an essential maternity accessory. One of those things you didn’t know you needed until you had it. The BellaBand is available in everyday, everyday lace and seasonal colours and is worth every cent of the $35 – $50 they retail for. During my first pregnancy I had something similar custom made by a talented local seamstress for about 1/3 that price, and I can tell you now that I’ve tried both that I’d rather have one BellaBand than the 4 others I had. It’s seam free and I have no idea how it can be so supportive while being so soft.

If you’re like me and need a little, um, extra support in the boobage, the Ingrid & Isabel Everyday Cami is utterly (and ‘udderly’ – heh) awesome. The Everyday Cami is a seamless-knit camisole with a crêpe finish that’s perfect for wearing with absolutely everything. Like the BellaBand, it’s ultra soft and is cut long to keep your belly covered throughout your entire pregnancy. They were tested to ensure the fabric would resist pilling, fading and losing its elasticity with frequent washing and wearing and it passed with flying colours. My “real mom test” was equally successful. I love this thing! You will too, because it will hug your growing belly, create a smooth silhouette under your cute new maternity tops, and cover your belly under your favorite pre-pregnancy tops. Even if your youngest baby is a year old. ‘Not that I’d know.

Win it! We’ve got a size 2 BellaBand and a size 2 Everyday Cami in white to give away to one randomly selected reader. To enter, leave a comment on this post before noon mst on March 6, 2009.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

And he got it from Appaman.

We know you’re always looking for great duds for your littles that you can’t find at that horrendous place that rhymes with Mall Fart, and we won’t let you down.

Appaman is ‘inspired by, and named after, the childhood companion of founder and designer Harald Husum. While growing up in Norway, Husum befriended a corduroy ape named Appaman. Together they traveled the fields and fjords of their native land, sharing many fantastic adventures. Appaman relects the whimsical spirit of those youthful times and celebrates the unbreakable bond between a boy and his ape.’

The spring/summer ’09 collection is hip & whimsical. The boys line is freaking adorable. Check out that track suit over there. How cute (but not one bit “cutesie”) is that? My son sports the monkey tee in a gorgeous sage-y green and and it’s pretty awesome. We dig the simple ape design and he digs the thick, soft cotton. It’s thicker than any other tee in his wardrobe and feels blankety soft even after washing.

Like many good things, it’s only available for a limited time so pick up what you want now before the fall/winter collection makes it’s debut.

Give your kid some street cred – Give him Appaman.

Win it! We’ve got an Appaman monkey tee in size 4 for one randomly selected reader. To enter, leave a comment on this post before noon mst on March 6, 2009.

Remember. you can get a bunch of extra entries in every T.O.P. giveaway…

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CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

When it comes to dressing children, different is good. It’s a rare day when you’ll find our smalls in some mass-produced (by Chinese children – ahem) crap you can find at a big box store. It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg to dress them in a way that they don’t look like every neighbour kid does.

Hiho Batik, designed by Miami mom Julia Silver Gordon, is a great option for the cool parent. The ancient art of batik – using wax and dyes to create an image – is inherently one of a kind. Each 100% cotton piece is hand waxed & died individually in the USA, and is as unique as the kid that wears it.

The Hiho Batik label features items ranging from tanks & tees to yoga pants & tote bags. My daughter wore a Hiho shirt to a local gathering of parents & kids and most of the comments she received were “You must have gotten that online.” It’s obvious when you have well dressed kids who break the norm, and if you’re that kind of parent you’ll love anything you pick up from Hiho.

The tops range from $32 (baby) – $38 (adult) and are available from the Hiho Batik online shop. They’re casual enough to look great with denim or yoga pants, and they actually insist that you toss them in the dryer and don’t hang them up to dry. For someone like me who does laundry by the armful and never remembers to hang anything, those are instructions I can actually follow!

Incidentally, my daughter’s tee is the same one as Sasha Obama wears. Not that we care about that.

Win it! We’re giving away a boys’ skateboard tee in a size 6. To enter, visit the Hiho Batik site and comment here with your fave(s) that are not mentioned in this post. Contest closes at noon mst on March 2, 2009.

Extra big thanks to those of you who emailed to let me know I copied and pasted the only word that I spelled wrong when typing this at 2 am!

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

Apparently over 20 per cent of Canadians suffer from dry skin. As a child, I never needed any lotion but as I grew I’ve developed an actual lotion addiction which demands that every single inch of my body must be covered immediately after exiting the shower. Since becoming a mother, my hands are washed more than ever and the skin gets so dry that it actually hurts. It’s just as lovely as it sounds. Welcome to the great white North.

I’ve been trying out IMPRŪV Cream from Stiefel Canada and am very pleasantly surprised at how much I like it. IMPRŪV uses naturally derived plant-based lipids to provide relief to dry, itchy winter skin. It’s hypoallergenic and is ideal for all ages including infants and children. It was developed by dermatology researchers in Europe and formulated specifically for dry or sensitive skin. Blah Blah Blah…the bottom line is that it’s safe and it works! It’s thick but absorbs almost immediately and it’s very moisturizing without ever feeling greasy. I keep a tube of it in my purse and it’s such a relief for my hands when I wash them in a public bathroom (ugh).

Win it! We’ve got EIGHT bottles to give to eight separate randomly selected winners. Leave a comment on this post before noon mst on February 27, 2009 to be entered.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

On their website, the creators of Little Stars Bedtime Cards share a quote from Barbara Coloroso’s A Pocket Guide to Kids are Worth It. “Bedtime is a special time, a time of transition. It is an opportunity for closure to one day and a preparation for the next. It is a small turning point in the natural rhythm that gives structure and meaning to life. With care and patience and awareness of our children’s needs, each bedtime can be its own celebration of love and life.”

As parents, we all wish for bedtime to be a positive time, but all too often it’s filled with whining, demands & less than stellar patience levels on the part of both parent and child. Canadian moms Shannon McQuillan & Linda Komori created Little Stars Bedtime Cards to help parents make bedtime the affirming and positive experience that it has the potential to be. They’re not designed to teach new concepts, but to ‘affirm positive qualities that already exist in your child.’

The Little Stars, Sparky, Blaxe & Shiner help parents ask “big questions for little people.” There are some great reasons for using questions as opposed to statements. According to the site, “when we have a specific lesson or message that we need to communicate, teaching or telling our child is very effective. However, when the goal is to connect and deepen our understanding of our child, questions about thoughts and feelings can be incredibly effective for the following kinds of reasons:

~It becomes a two way conversation
~It feels good when someone takes and interest you (even if you don’t have a lot to say)! The very nature of asking questions is an expression of the desire to learn about the other person
~There are no right or wrong answers when you are talking about thoughts and feelings
~Your child will feel loved knowing that you care enough to ask the question and to listen to their response (again even if they don’t have a lot to say)
~You see the world through your child’s lens and may end up talking about things you wouldn’t otherwise (you may be surprised to learn just how opinionated and observant your three year old really is!)
~It keeps your attention focused on your child and children love to have a parents undivided attention even for just a short while
~Children are naturally curious and while they love to answer questions, they may start to ask questions themselves which is lots of fun too.”

Any one of those reasons would have been enough for me to try these cards. I’ve seen them in action with my own little guy and I think they’re every but as awesome as they sound. The cards sell for $15 and ship for just $3. They’d make a great gift for your child who is transitioning to a big kid bed, don’t you think?

Win it! We’ve got a set of Bedtime Cards to give away to a randomly selected reader. To enter, leave a comment on this post before noon mst on February 27, 2009.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

The KidDictionary: A Book of Words Parents Need But Don’t Have by Eric Ruhalter

As the title clearly states, this is a book about words that don’t necessarily exist in the Dictionary. But these are words that every parent has encountered and which describe the situation just perfectly. The entire time I was reading this 178 pages book, I had a smile on my face and was nodding almost constantly. After a couple of pages, I even started sharing them out loud with my hubby who did the same!

I don’t have words to describe these words. Let me just try and use them instead.

There are times when I’m driving and my kid gets Whyahrhea where the chain of ‘whys’ just don’t stop even as I come close to making myself bald. Or when my kid keeps yapping on and on about something and in response, I start ‘yupping,’ even though I haven’t consciously listened to a word he’s said. And don’t get me started on cleaning his car seat which is almost always chock-full of ‘kiddles,’ those pesky little crumbs that magically appear even if the car’s been vaccumed just seconds earlier! And finding the ‘curdler,’ that sippy cup full of milk that’s rolled way down in that unreachable little corner, just about puts the crowning glory in an already stinky day.

These and many, many other creative words perfectly capture and describe with wry humor every kind of situation that hapless parents are often subjected to. All in all, this is a Dictionary that entertains as well as it educates!

Buy it from Amazon, or pick it up directly from Eric and give him a bigger percentage of the sale – for the same price of just $11.95! - by Rashmi

Win it! Eric is going to send a copy of The KidDictionary to one randomly selected T.O.P. reader! To enter, leave a comment on this post before noon mst on February 27, 2009. If you’re feeling creative, leave your best made-up kid word for an extra entry!

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

Is your child having problems in school? Is he struggling with reading or having difficulty keeping up?

As an early childhood teacher, I know that good reading, vocabulary, and spelling skills make an essential foundation for both academic success as well as lifelong learning.
Sylvan Learning Workbooks & Learning Kits are an awesome resource that I’d have no problem recommending to the parents of any of my students who are struggling.

The teacher-reviewed, curriculum-based activities and exercises in these books are great for helping a child achieve success with reading, provided that they’re worked through with a loving and patient adult.

There are individual books for reading, writing, vocabulary, spelling, beginning learning and language arts, and awesome 3-in-1 Super Workbooks that include reading, spelling & vocabulary (a $40 value for under $20!). While my own children are too young to benefit from these books at this point in our lives, after having looked through them I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase one if they struggle in the future. It’s like bringing the tools of Sylvan Learning Centres into your home, and for a lot less money.

Win it! We’ve got 1 copy of each of the 4th grade workbooks to give to one randomly selected reader. To enter, leave a comment on this post before noon mst on February 26, 2009.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

If you’ve been to a card store in the last month, you likely noticed the super cool Hallmark recordable cards. They’re available for all occasions and were a huge hit around here for Valentine’s Day.

What Grandmother wouldn’t melt into a big puddle of goo upon opening a card that says “I love you Gamma! Happy Berfday!” and then launches into a special song?

Watch this video to see the cards in action. All you have to do is press and hold a button inside the card, record your message (and you can try as many times as you need to get it just right) and mail it. When the card is opened by your special someone, your message will introduce the song.

Hallmark recordable cards are available almost everywhere – find a store in your area.

Win it! We’ve got a selection of Hallmark recordable cards to send to one randomly selected reader. Sure, they’re for Valaentine’s Day but that means you don’t have to brave the mall next February! Leave a comment on this post before noon mst on February 25, 2009.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

It’s no secret that we love quality shoes, nor will it be a shock to our regular readers that we totally dig See Kai Run.

We’re thrilled to bring you the newest styles from the Spring ’09 collection, and even more thrilled to see them on the feet of our own little people!

The Jennae, pictured top right, is the perfect little girl shoe for spring. It’s a gorgeous shade of completely-not-cotton-candy-pink that matches nearly everything and the peek hole in front is not only a super cute style but it provides air circulation without opening up all of those cute little toes to sidewalk scrapes.

The Sara, second from top, is the quintessential white summer sandal. We all wore them as children, but they were never this comfortable. Or quite this cute. They probably came from a big box store and had rough edges giving us scratches & blisters as we ran.

For the little guys, there’s a great selection of stylin’ sandals like the Grayson pictured second from the bottom and new full coverage styles like the Carter, bottom right, that are similar to the ones we’ve known and loved for years.

Like all SKR kicks, they’re all perfectly soft, perfectly supportive and perfectly comfortable.

It almost doesn’t matter that they look so great.

Almost.

Win it! We’re giving away a pair of SKR’s to one randomly selected reader. Whoo Hoo! Check out the newest styles and leave your comment before noon mst on February 24, 2009 letting us know which style and what size you’d like to win.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

We love to travel with our kids and whether it be a 20 minute drive or a 20 hour drive there are times when we would have given our right arms to have our Exersaucer in the van so we could put our baby down without the fear of her (a) crawling away or (b) touching or, heaven forbid, eating something really gross when we just weren’t able to wear her any longer. Thanks to the amazing PopATot we’re now free to rock and roll with the kids anywhere the wind carries us. Folding into an impressively small carry bag (picture a folding camping chair) it’s the most portable piece of completely necessary baby equipment we’ve yet to find. Except, you know – the baby.

Created by mom Stacy Ellsworth, it’s simply a portable baby activity center that packs away in its own carrying case. Just take it out of the bag, pull it open, secure two clips, plop the kid inside, and she can safely play with whatever goodies you clip to the five toy hooks on top. Each order comes with a free set of Sassy Lively Links to get you started – not that you don’t already have eleventy bazillion things lying around the house that you could attach, but the ones that come with the PopATot aren’t previously chewed; a nice bonus for a second child for sure. The PopATot features two cupholders and a built in canvas floor to protect the babe from sand & grass. It’s light enough to easily tote around – particularly if you’re used to toting camp chairs – but sturdy enough to stand up to my big boy and his buddies climbing in and all over it.

For a limited time you get a $10 rebate making the PopATot just $50 with free shipping. For international orders (that’s us Canadians, though we certainly don’t feel international) you’ll need to contact Stacy directly as her site doesn’t accommodate international orders at this time.

Win it! We’ve got a PopATot to give away. To enter, check out the PopATot site and then come back and leave a comment on this post before noon mst on February 23, 2009.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

Toy Play
By David Elkind Ph.D.
Chief Scientific Advisor
Justaskbaby.com

A reporter called me the other day, to ask about why young boys so enjoyed playing with and crashing toy cars. Toy play for children has several different functions. And such play is often different for boys than it is for girls. First of all, play gives children a sense of mastery over a world that is scaled to adult powers and abilities. When playing with toy cars boys can fantasize that they are driving real cars and that they have the skill of racecar drivers. In addition boys can use car toy play as a means of expressing their creativity and ingenuity. They can create hurdles and open spaces for the cars to fly over at mach speed.

But toy play also serves a therapeutic function. Sometimes it is hard to be a child, to have adults set all the rules and limits. Adults can also be thoughtless and insensitive when they break promises without apology and fail to use the “please” and “thank you,” that they demand of children. When boys crash their toy cars into barriers or other cars, they can express their anger and frustration without fear of adult retribution. Toy play can be a safe way of dealing with children’s understandable hostility towards adults. Finally toy play is a way of establishing kinship bonds with other children. Boys who may not know one another may still enjoy playing cars with one another. The activity and their small size in contrast to adults is a uniting force.

For girls toy play serves similar functions as it does for boys, but in a different way. It is not clear to what extent boy car play and girl doll play is socially scripted or gender based, probably a bit of both. Girls, like boys, use their toy doll play as a way of dealing with their smallness and weakness in a grown up sized and ordered world. Yet, whereas boys feel anger and frustration at being in this position, girls find it a source of safety and protection. Hence their doll play is an expression, and mastery of, positive rather than negative emotions. Girls too use doll play to nourish their curiosity and imagination and often create their own narratives for their doll play.

Like car toy play, doll play can also serve a therapeutic function. When a new baby arrives, for example, doll play may help the girl deal with any feelings of displacement in her parent’s affections. Initially this may even be aggressive, but if handled well – if the girl is allowed to help with the baby care – it will turn into a positive imitative form of play. Finally doll play, like car play, can serve as an activity that brings girls together. For girls, however, the social interaction often becomes more important than the toy play whereas for boys just the opposite is likely to be the case. Put differently, in girls it is the social interaction that builds the kinship bond, whereas for boys it is the activity.

Toy play, even when it may seem aggressive and hostile, may still serve an important and healthy developmental function.

What do you think?

Justaskbaby.com takes established infant development science and presents it from a baby’s point of view using fun, informative videos. Mark and Michelle Hamilton developed Just Ask Baby because they believed that greater understanding of the very different way infants perceive the world is critical information for helping parents make decisions for their unique infants. It’s a pay per month service with a 15 day free trial available.

Have you guys seen this site?

Hand Me Downs dot com allows parents to sell their gently used or new baby items just like they would on Craigslist, Ebay or a random Facebook group, but WAY cooler. It’s not available in my area at this time so it’s all hearsay, but it’s supposedly a wonderful community to sell and donate your unneeded items. And handmedowns.com searches the entire web and will bring the listings from sites like Ebay and Craigslist to their site so it becomes a one-stop-shop.

Imagine not having to scramble through every classified listings to find what you need because Handmedowns.com has done it for you!

Its brilliant and with the economy the way it is everyone could afford to save – and even make – a little money!

Have you tried it? Will you? Would you consider it if you were in the US if you’re not?

Back in November, one of our writers reviewed a great stationery shop called Paper Shouts. We loved them, and so did you – and now we’re giving you another opportunity to win some great cards of your own from Paper Shouts.

While we’re a little late for Valentine’s Day cards, there are umpteen bazillion reasons to send cards (Easter’s on the way – anyone having a baby? – moving?). No matter what the occasion, or lack thereof, we’re giving one of you a $25 gift certificate that can be used toward the purchase of any Paper Shout products, all printed on 100% recycled paper.

Remember, why whisper when you can shout!

Win it! To enter to win the $25, simply visit Paper Shouts and let us know what you’d spend it on before noon mst this Friday, February 13, 2009.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

Just yesterday, a new CD arrived in our mailbox. Luckily we had a couple of spare hours in the afternoon for a dance party because it would have been a shame if this awesome CD had been stuck in the “to listen” basket for a few months like many of them do. Come On, Get Happy, the new CD from Daddy A Go Go is a party in a box. My children and several of their friends and I danced for at least a solid hour and kept the CD on replay for at least an hour more while we danced and snacked intermittently. The CD begins with the title track, Come On, Get Happy, which it’s nearly impossible to sit through without at least some toe tapping if not full-on bootie shaking. The kids had no idea how I could possible know all of the words to sing along (feel old much?) but thoroughly enjoyed watching me make a fool of myself through it and the rest of the CD. It’s full of familiar tunes all remastered with a kid-friendly rock-ish sound.

Track Listing:

1. Come On, Get Happy (Remastered)
2. Birthday Song (Remastered)
3. Brush Your Teeth (Remastered)
4. A Dog Named Boomer (Remastered)
5. Scooby Doo, Where Are You? (Remastered)
6. I Caught My Daddy Watching Cartoons (Remastered)
7. Nana-Nana Boo-Boo (Remastered)
8. I Can Swing By Myself (Remastered)
9. Do the Chores (Remastered)
10. The ABC Song (Remastered)
11. Pink Floyd Saves Hugh Manatee (Remastered)
12. I Think I Might Be A Dog (Remastered)
13. Best Friend (Courtship of Eddie’s Father theme) (Remastered)
14. Daddy’s Diaper Blues (Remastered)
15. It’s a Kids’ World (Remastered)

Buy it, and other Daddy a Go Go CD’s here. You’ll love it!

Win it! We’re giving away a copy. To enter, leave a comment on this post before noon mst on February 18, 2009.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

We don’t like to harp on you, so we’ll just provide this quick reminder to familiarize yourself with our contest rules…and how to get three extra entries in every contest!

Looking for a last minute Valentine’s Day tee that you can wear all year?

This one’s made from 100% recycled sweatshop free cotton and printed using non-phthalate water-based inks that are good for you and good for the environment. And it’s not just for Valentine’s Day. Love is a never ending theme.

Use the code TOPLOVE for 15% off the entire line

Readeez is a new concept in children’s entertainment that combines the written word with the spoken word to give kids the best of both words worlds. A “Readee” is a mini-video, typically about a minute long. Many feature the animated duo of Julian and Isabel Waters, an upbeat inventor-dad and his sweet, articulate daughter. Some other Readeez include a live-action character named Michael — a friendly musician a la Steve from Blue’s Clues. The illustrations are reminiscent of the style of Peanuts or Calvin & Hobbes, both loved by generations.

In a Readee, each time a word or lyric is heard the word also appears in written form, in syllable-perfect sync, in large, clear type, onscreen. With Readeez, words are the stars. They’re not subtitles, or sing-along lyrics, consigned to the bottom of the screen. Readeez provides children with the unique experience of being read to while reading for themselves. It’s pretty cool!

The songs are super catchy and stick in both my head and my childrens’…we find ourselves singing “How ‘Bout That Cow” on our walks all the time.

The other great thing about Readeez? When the common words seen on screen are encountered in other contexts, they’re already familiar. “The beauty of Readeez is that kids don’t suspect they’re learning from them,” says Atlanta-based creator Michael Rachap. Michael was moved to create Readeez as a way to improve the media environment for young children who, he says, are overexposed to loud, fast-moving cartoons and the strident ads that often accompany them. “I think of this DVD as less like candy and more like fresh fruit,” he explains.

It’s certainly working for us!

Win it! We’re giving away a copy of Readeez Volume 1 (valued at $16.98) to one randomly selected reader. To enter, leave a comment on this post by noon mst on February 16, 2009.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

The new Princess Katie & Racer Steve DVD, Princess Katie & Racer Steve Live! Revved Up & Ready to Rock! is just as good as every song I’ve ever heard them perform. And that’s really REALLY good.

Katie & Steve are a husband-and-wife duo who are backed up by full band. We loved their two kids’ CDs, Songs for the Coolest Kids and Fast & Feisty, and were thrilled that they released a DVD. It didn’t disappoint and got my kids grooving along with the first track. These two know how to rock in a way that’s totally kid-friendly but totally not toddler tunes.

When our DVD arrived in the mail, both my two year old and I did a little happy dance. Living in the boonies of the great white north, we don’t get to see many good kiddie rock bands live. Okay – none. So that makes it even more exciting when one of our faves releases a DVD that’s so good it seems like you’re really there.

If you’re a PKRS fan, and we think you should be, you’ll want to pick up this DVD. It’s only $22 and makes a fab gift!

Win it! Enter to win a copy of Princess Katie & Racer Steve Live! Revved Up & Ready to Rock! by leaving a comment on this post before noon mst on February 13, 2009.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

I’ve always wanted a tutu. < / embarrassing confession >

The tutus from Janie Dale’s Baby Cha Cha Boutique fit the bill perfectly if you’re looking for a sassy tutu for your little girl. (Or for you – she can custom make anything so I’m sure a 30″ waist wouldn’t be a problem.) They’re all elasticized to grow with your little girl and made with a metric tonne of soft-ish tulle so they’re super fluffy & full as a tutu should be.

The standard sizes run from newborn to seven years. The newborn (0-12 months) sample we received was too small for my daughter at 10 months (which, quite literally, broke her heart because it’s so darn cute) so I recommend buying a size up if you have a child with any sort of belly going on. (Mine is very long & lean but has a nice solid Buddha thing going on which makes the elastic too tight. It would have fit her as a newborn, though. Just something to keep in mind when you’re ordering.)

You’ll also find some longer halter style tutu gowns in the Baby Cha Cha Boutique that I know would be a huge hit with any little girl. She also makes adorable hats, headbands, bows, onesies, flip flops and some wall decor for baby’s room – all of which are equally adorable and sassy.

Win it! We’ve got a white crochet headband with a red rosette attached to give away to one randomly selected reader. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post before noon mst on February 11, 2009.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

We’ve told you about the fabulous and thrifty ShooShoos before and are absolutely thrilled to unveil their new line of toddler shoes! Smiley Soles feature light, flexible & durable rubber soles that leave a trail of smiles wherever you go.

The Napa leather shoes are manufactured in Cape Town, not China South Africa and are buttery soft. I love the finished ankle – a feature that you don’t see in many shoes that sell for twice the price.

Smileys sell for $25 and the originals range from a mere $13 – $20. I’m so glad such a great company (started in 1996 in South Africa to uplift disadvantaged communities) has joined the ranks of great toddler shoes and made non-department store shoes available to more kids with their affordable price point.

Win it! Your choice of Smileys is up for grabs. Leave a comment before noon mst on Feb 10 with your preferred style & size to be entered.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

While fashion certainly wasn’t at the top of my mind, I’ll never forget the ‘outfit’ that I was forced to wear when I had my first baby simply because I didn’t know there were other options. I am absolutely in love with the gorgeous labor gowns from Labor Looks. The 100% cotton and fully machine washable gowns have adjustable ties for full coverage in the back whether you’re walking, sitting or lying down in a compromising position, and there’s even a pocket for your camera or cell phone…for the early stages of labour, of course. The sleeve unsnap for easy nursing and IV access.
There are two sizes, S/M for pre-pregnant 0-6 and L/XL for pre-pregnant 8-12) and there are more sizes coming soon.

Labor Looks is the brain child of sisters Ashley and Brittani, a L&D nurse and certified nurse midwife. And moms. Obviously they know what they’re talking about. I tried one of their gowns – the Erin Blush – during my most recent labour, and especially appreciate the side ties. Nobody saw my butt that didn’t have my express permission, and that was a nice change!

The Labor Looks gowns are perfect for those first post-birth photos, and are affordable for most moms at less than $50. Shipping is only $5 to the US and $10 to Canada, AK and HI. Check out their blog, too.

Save 20% with the code opinionatedparent

Win it! We’re giving away your choice of Labor Looks gown to one randomly selected reader. To enter, leave a comment on this post before noon mst on February 9, 2009 letting us know which style and size to send if you win.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED – Congrats Chelle!