Father’s Day is just one week from today. Are you ready to honour your partner in crime?

As much as every guy wants a new tie or club head covers every year - ahem - it might be time to start investigating some alternatives that Dad doesn’t feel tempted to hide once the celebrations are over.

WholesaleKeychain.com not only offers hundreds of super-hot licensed keychains to make a statement about Dad’s wheels or favourite sports teams but they also carry a line of quality digital photo keychains that you can load up with images of the people he loves most.

For cool on top of cool, you can engrave a personalized message just for him on any of their products for just six bucks! (And if you’ve tried engraving at the mall lately, you know that’s a super deal.) The eleven letter limit per line is just perfect for “I love you Dad!”

Win it! We’re giving away two digital photo keychains with the T.O.P. url engraved on the back! To enter, leave a comment on this post before noon MST on Father’s Day!

Get up to three additional entries into this contest!

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Maximum four entries total per person.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNERS EMAILED

Those darn soothers…either you love them or you hate them.

No matter where you stand, if your kid is a sucky kid you just might be stuck with one.

If you are, there’s no better way to keep it off the floor and easily accessible than with Monkey Tails from mom-run Blue Zoo Boutique.

They start at just $10.95 and are 8-9″ in length 7/8″ wide. They’re just the perfect size for your baby or toddler. Monkey Tails attach to clothing with a silver mitten clip that has a plastic jaw to prevent clothing from tearing.

With all of the soother clips out there, you may be wondering what makes Monkey Tails unique from all the other soother holders on the market? Aside from the high quality construction, it’s the personalization option. Your child’s name (or the saying of your choice up to 8 letters) is added in silver alpha-blocks to a ring sewn right into the ribbon. The pictures on the site don’t do them justice - they are incredibly cute! With three pages of designs to choose from, there’s one for everyone on your new baby gift list.

Win it! We’re giving away a black toile monkey tail personalized with “I (heart) Mommy.” To enter, visit BlueZoo Boutique and leave a comment on this post listing one or more of the 453 products available at Blue Zoo Boutique that you’d love to have. One winner will be drawn at random after closing at noon MST on June 13/08.

Additional entries available. See contest entry information and rules.

Check out the new BlueZoo ad in our sidebar!

You could see your ad there too!

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

I am pleased to announce that approximately a week and a half ago my daughter grew some hair.

Like anything, there are positives and negatives about that. The great thing is that she can wear her fabulously fantastic Bugalug barrettes in the tuft on top of her head, but the bad news is that she’s getting closer to telling me to “Just back off and get your own accessories, Mom!” I admit it - I’ve been wearing her clips from Bugalug for weeks now. But I’ve gotten a ton of compliments on them so they must not look too bad on a grown woman.

Bugalug clips are based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and are designed with an innovative non-slip grip like nothing I’ve ever seen. It’s a silicone type grip - and it works! The clips stay in both my daughter’s hair and my own. The clips are also glue free and can withstand the washer and dryer and never get bumpy with glue like many do.

I was most impressed with the quality of Bugalug clips. Everyone’s next door neighbour makes clips these days, but Bugalug clips stand out from the rest as some of the finest I’ve ever seen. There are no raw ribbon edges visible and the ‘crafts-woman-ship’ is worth every penny of the…oh wait - they’re only $4!

She’s not yet old enough for headbands, though, so I don’t have to share those for a while. At their new longer length of 26″, they fit any head and are fully reversible and adjusted via plastic toggle. They’re available in tons of gorgeous ribbon selections.

Bugalug is so concerned with safety and quality that they’ve declined producing the baby clips that many of their customers are asking for (after lots of research) simply to reduce the chance of a child choking on a Bugalug clip. That’s commitment.

Save 10% at Bugalug Baby with the code TOP10.

Win it! We’ve got a gift package of 4 clips and 2 headbands to give away to a reader. To enter, visit the Bugalug Baby site and comment on this post with your favourite products. Contest closes at noon MST on May 26/08.

Additional entries available. See contest entry information and rules.

CONTEST CLOSED

Are you singing now? Since I wrote that title I’ve been singing “If you love a hippopotamus, and you loooove him alotamus…” constantly.

It’s worth it though, because I’m the proud owner of some great clips from Clippo.ca. Parentrepreneur Alexandria Durrell makes a great assortment of kiddie hair accessories in some super cute styles. Teeny ones (only $2!) are ribbon covered snap clips that are small enough to fit and not look ridiculous on my four month old daughter. Little ones (ranging from $5-$7) are alligator clips with a big bite - perfect for the kids with hair (that’ll happen, right?). If you’ve got one of those kids with the enviable thick locks, she also makes big ones (not available at time of publishing but a fresh collection is on the way.)

Alexandria also creates some cool Clippo ribbon belts and hair bands. The Clippo ribbon hair band is the first one we’ve found that fits on my head. (It’s not that big - they’re just usually made to fit the kids…) They’re made of ribbon and are adjusted via a plastic toggle so they’ll fit anyone’s melon regardless of the size. (Belts and bands are coming to the site soon - sign up for her e-newsletter to find out when!)

Also check out the Soother Clippos.

Clippopotamus accessories are available from the Clippo.ca site or from these retailers.

Win it! Two winners will receive $15 worth of product from Clippo.ca plus free shipping.

To enter just visit the Clippo site and leave a comment with your choice of products. (Be specific - “wow” and “win” are not products and you won’t win with those entries. Nothing to “wow” about there now is there? < / rant>) Contest closes at noon MST on May 29/08.

Please note - due to site expansion you may have to visit a retailer to choose your faves. Try Daisy Blue!

Additional entries available. See contest entry information and rules.

CONTEST CLOSED - CONGRATS CASS!

If you have kids (which I assume you do if you’re a regular at T.O.P. - tell me if I’m wrong…) you have probably played the “uh-oh” game toys, sippy cups, cutlery and any number of other things. It may be cute at first (just may-be) but after the seven hundredth time it gets a little old.

Crafty mom Allison Conta of Ali Designs has created the Ali-Oops! Toy Clip just for you. It tethers your child’s toys, sippy cups, snack traps, and more directly to the stroller, carseat, or highchair.

Each toy clip is approximately 10 inches in length with heavy duty snaps on either end for attachment. They come in two different sizes and make a great present topper for a baby gift or first birthday gift.

Sippy cup - $4.99
Soother - $3.99
One parent saving another from the endless game of drop and retrieve - priceless.

Win it! Ali Designs is giving away two TOP readers a toy clip of their choice. To enter, leave a comment on this post stating which of these you would like if you’re one of the randomly selected winners. Contest closes at noon MST on May 21, 2008.

Additional entries available. See contest entry information and rules.

CONTEST CLOSED - Congrats to The Chatty Housewife!

If you’re a regular around here, you know I’m a sucker for handmade and a sucker for accessories for my daughter. Glamorous Girl combines both of these loves in a great Etsy shop. Shop owner Julie Grubb hand makes a variety of girlie and glam hair accessories including the clips and reversible bands pictured at right. The clips are made with alligator clips and she uses non-toxic glue. She’ll gladly add non-slip grips at your request to keep them in finer hair.

You’ll also find some way cool vintage and funky hair pins and ponies.

If you’ve got a daughter (with hair - that’s a prerequisite) I encourage you to shop Etsy and stop by Glamorous Girl on your travels!

Win it! One randomly selected winner can choose any item from the Glamorous Girl Shop!

To enter, leave a comment on this post indicating the specific item you’d choose if you win. Contest closes at noon MST on May 19/08.

Additional entries available. See contest entry information and rules.

CONTEST CLOSED - CONGRATS KATY

As the mother of a daughter, I have a diagnosable addiction to quality accessories. When a reader recommended I check out Baby Dews, I was expecting some silly things that would make her look like a wannabe gangster. Boy, was I wrong.

BabyDews are one of a kind headscarves for children that appear to be tied on but are actually secured with a small elastic at the nape of the neck and held in the folded position by a small embroidered flower. They are one of a kind and each one is made from a vintage handkerchief. Most of them are cotton, but a few are linen or silk.

Baby Dews come in sizes small through extra large and fit girls newborn to 3+. They retail for $22.

What a nice change when you either don’t feel like styling your daughter’s hair or you’re looking for something a little more elegant than a clip. It might sound strange, but yes, a headscarf can be elegant when it’s a BabyDews headscarf.

Win it! Baby Dews is giving away a headscarf of your choice to one lucky winner. To enter, leave a comment on this post before noon MST on April 30 stating the one you’d choose if you win from those currently available at the BabyDews site.

Additional entries available. See contest entry information and rules.

CONTEST CLOSED

Searching the internet for the perfect hair clips is becoming a weekly activity for me. There are just so many awesome and talented moms out there making fabulous accessories.

Reader recommended Taia Hairclips are no exception. Par.entrepreneur Jen Pezzolla creates velcro lined (brilliant!) alligator clips that stay comfortably in even the finest baby hair yet are suitable for babies and girls of all ages. She has recently launched her Spring Collection of 16 new clips and they’re just as fab as the not so new clips of yesteryear. Each clip is lovingly hand made by Jen herself and the quality is evident as soon as you see them in person.

Taia clips range from $7 - $9 in price and though they look great online, they’ll look completely awesome on your daughter.
View all 90 clips in the Taia line here.

Get 15% off your first order at sweettaia.com with the code opinionated

Get free shipping on any orders placed by May 3/08 - just enter theopinionatedparent.com in the comments box at checkout and your order will be adjusted.

Win it! Two readers will each win four clips of their choice! (Value $28-$36.) To enter, leave a comment on this post before March 31 listing at least two of your favourite styles from the Taia line.

Contest closes at noon MST on March 31, 2008.

Get additional entries into this contest!

1. Blog about this contest using one of the top three images found here.

2. Leave a comment on this post containing the direct link to your post (not to your main page, and in a separate comment from your other entry) or send a trackback to receive your second entry. If you don’t know how to do this, just email us for help!

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CONTEST CLOSED

Now that I’m the mom of a girl, I delight in surfing the net gazing at all the gorgeous things that are available for them - especially the handmade & artisan items that I love but would never have time to make myself.

Reader recommended Uniquely U Boutique is one of those finds that I get excited about. Georgia based crafty mom and entrepreneur Jana Austin makes adorable bow keepers and bows that are truly, as her tagline says, unconventional, unexpected and unforgettable.

Her hair bows are chic and simple, available in a huge selection of ribbons and her three unique styles of bow keepers are the perfect addition to any little girl’s room. Her portrait style bow keepers also double as a cork board so they can stick around after your daughter outgrows bows.

Jana also makes bows to match several popular clothing lines - check those out here!

Win it! Jana is giving away a small portrait bow keeper and a bow trio in your choice of style to one lucky TOP reader. To enter, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with Unique in the subject line and tell us the bow keeper and bow style you’d choose if you win! Contest closes March 30, 2007 at midnight MST. It’s my birthday today and I hope that gives you good luck! (Yes, you!)

Get up to two additional entries into this contest!

1. Blog about this contest using one of the top three images found here.

2. Email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with unique in the subject line and the direct link to your post (not to your main page, and in a separate email from your other entry).

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Subscribe to our RSS feed. Send an additional email to let us know that you did this for your extra entry. Be sure to leave a valid email address so we can confirm your new subscription.

Maximum three entries total per person.

CONTEST CLOSED

As a mom of a new daughter I’m pretty excited about having hair prospects outside of ’spiked’ and ‘flat.’ I’ve developed a bit of an addiction to online bow shopping and my newest find Ribbies Clippies is as addictive as any I’ve found. Designer Kim Marable makes an incredibly adorable selection of alligator clips covered in grosgrain ribbon and lined with a small foam tab to keep them in even the finest of hair. The clips are only $6/pair and the assortment of ribbon choices is sure to knock your little girl’s socks off. (And then you’ll help her put them back on because she’ll have clips that match them!) They’re completely embellishment free - a nice change from the ‘floofiness’ that you’re bombarded with when you have a daughter!

Having clips this beautiful necessitates more than Mom’s old coffee mug or a pile on the dresser for storage. Ribbies Clippies belong on one of their ingenious clip holders - simply a lined 9×9″ picture frame with two vertical ribbons to clip up to 18 clips (6 are included). You can use it free standing on a dresser or hang it on the wall using the included ribbon hanger.

Save 10% on your orders with the code TOP.

You’ll find Ribbies Clippies in the TOP Shops!

It’s been a rough winter in western Canada with many days reaching close to -50 with the windchill. That’s -58 for those of you in the US. Either way, it’s freaking cold and it’s pretty hard to look good when you’re bundled up with your eyes peeking through the only openings in your winter wear. However, nothing makes you appreciate cold weather like great knits!

Jenifer Selos is a work at home mom who owns Love Bug Knits. In honour of Valentines Day, Jenifer hand-knit my daughter the gorgeous Valentine Stripe Hat pictured at right and, if possible, it’s even cuter in person! It’s soft and thick and just absolutely perfectly hand crafted.

In addition to hats, Jenifer makes mittens, scarves, and even mini-backpacks! All Love Bug Knits products are her original designs and she’ll custom make something just for you if you don’t see what you like. All items are hand knit to order with 100% organic yarn. Her pre-made items are available from her Etsy shop.

Win a Love Bug Knits hat in your choice of size & style! To enter, go visit LoveBugKnits.com to check out the awesome hats and email your faves (good luck picking!) to theopinionatedparent@gmail.com before midnight MST on 2/22/07 with Love Bug Knits in the subject line.

Congratulations to winner Betty!

Naturally, I get excited when I discover a Canadian business that I can recommend here at T.O.P., and I get even more excited when the business offers natural & earth loving products that are often hard to find for your average Canuck parent who is not interested in paying shipping from the US or overseas. For that reason and more, I’m excited to present EcoBaby Canada, a Lethbridge, Alberta based business run by parentrepreneur Andrea Johnson.

EcoBaby Canada’s shop carries a large assortment of earth-friendly (we love that!) products for mom, baby and the two together. A proponent of the attachment parenting philosophy, she has a great selection of slings. (If you’re not a slinging parent, you need to be - trust me!)

As a Canadian mother with winter sneaking up on me, I am absolutely loving the Australian made Huggalugs available in her accessories shop. The adorable cool and not at all cutesie skull pattern seen below comes in pink and black, and I also love the ‘Cool Spirit’ pattern (at right) for a more funky look. They’re great on both arms and legs on kids of any age and are only $13. I tried them on myself and they could easily be worn as mid-calf length leg warmers by teens & adults as well. With 1 washing, they returned to their original size and fit my little guy.

Shipping information is available here and she allows for free pick-up of local orders.

Win a pair of Huggalugs of your choice from EcoBaby Canada! Just look around the site and then email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with EcoBaby Canada in the subject line and send us the url and name of your favourite product. Just choose one - I know it’s hard but you can do it! Contest closes at midnight MST on 11/12/07. Congratulations Angela & Connor!

When an expecting parent buys their first carseat, they don’t often look for the extras. You know, things that seem totally unnecessary and not worth the extra price of the deluxe model. That is, until your baby is crying all the way to Grandma’s because the carseat strap is irritating her delicate neck skin. Only then do you realize how necessary things like strap covers really are.

Pink Dixie to the rescue. Owner Shannon Carroll makes a line of perfectly necessary shearling strap covers perfect for the carseat, high chair or stroller. They’re 5 inches long so provide enough coverage for even big kids and they’re a steal at only $8-$12. They’re reversible to cotton for the cooler months and the shearling side has a cute cotton accent at the end as well. They’re super easy to attach and stay on securely with a full velcro backing.

Tell me this chubby beauty pictured at the Pink Dixie site doesn’t look happy to have her adorable neck protected! (Yep, they’re as soft in person as they look in the pictures!)

We’ve got a set to give away! To enter, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with PINK DIXIE in the subject line by midnight on 11/1/07 and tell us the standard sizes that Pink Dixie offers in most of their items. (Though Shannon will custom make any item in a special size - just email her!) Congratulations Lois!

Happy Halloween from all of us to all of you!

A friend of mine who had her daughter just a few weeks before my son was born was often distraught when trying to find the things she really wanted for her baby in local stores. She’s from Germany where toys aren’t coated in lead and toys aren’t generally plastic and loud, and shopping in Canada was extremely disappointing. She often came back with almost a plane-load from her visits home to Germany of things she couldn’t get here, most of them organic, natural and/or o extremely intelligent design.

I clearly remember her describing a stroller insert that “everyone in Europe” uses when they walk their babies for the entire few hours of nap time at all times of year. When I opened the box of the EuroTote from Lillebaby I found myself wishing she was having more babies because I had finally found it for her!

The EuroTote is a fabulous new product that is really five products in one. It’s a moses-style carrier, a car seat cover, a warm stroller bag, a play blanket and a bunting bag. You might even be able to think of more. There are so many great features that it’s going to be a challenge to remember them all but I’ll sure try!

-It’s non-toxic and machine washable, both a must for anything that’s going near your child.
-It’s one size fits all from newborn to 3 years and comes with two interchangeable covers, a warm one for winter and a mesh one for summer, and the zippers are two way for ease of use.
-The board that keeps baby secure when using the EuroTote as a moses carrier is removable for comfort in the other applications.
-It comes in four great colour combos.
-In case you’re paranoid like me, it has been crash tested and shown not to interfere with car seats.
-Safety straps, both 3 and 5 point, secure directly over the child so there’s no fear of over-cushioning the straps.
-It adjusts in length so that it always fits your child comfortably.
-The lining is 100% cotton and is SO soft and cozy.
-It has a 180° buckle system which makes it very secure for even the tiniest of babes.

We tested out the EuroTote with a 2 month old (as a moses carrier), an 8 month old (as a play blanket and a carseat cover) and a 17 month old (as a stroller bag). In all cases the EuroTote was very easy to use, despite our initial apprehension. The children all seemed very comfortable in it and in the case of the stroller bag it was absolutely wonderful to know that the little guy was snuggly and warm and that there was no risk of a blanket blowing off him on the very cool fall day that we did our testing.

The Lillebaby EuroTote retails for $120 USD. Click here for a list of retailers.

While huge flowers on hats are hardly my style, the hats and bands from Maggie’s Rose have universal toddler appeal.

The hats are beanie style and are intricately hand crocheted with soft, ribbon yarn and embellished with extremely large bejeweled blossoms. They stretch for a perfect fit over several years.

As you can see by the model pictured at right, these hats are super cute and are way cuter on than you’d even think when you first see the hat. In fact, I was taken aback by the size of the flower but as soon as it was on a little head it was perfect!

The Maggie’s Rose site is wholesale only but these gems are available online from Itsy Bitsy Baby Boutique.

TOP readers can use the code mr015 to get 15% off Maggie’s Rose products at Itsy Bitsy Baby Boutique.

You’ll find this code in the TOP Shops where we feature permanent online shopping discounts just for you!

You could win it! An upscale “Bloomin’ Baby Hat” crocheted in orange with a yellow bloom. Sized for 0-18months but because of the stretch material they often can stretch to fit much larger. To enter, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com before midnight MST on 9/26/07 with Maggie’s Rose in the subject line and tell us your favourite Maggie’s Rose style available here. Congratulations Jenna!

By CPA Mom

Wee Gallery uses animals made up of high contrast repeating patterns to stimulate your baby’s visual development. They have recently introduced a new line of products for your baby’s room: Wrapped Canvases. Each 9×12” (some 12×12″ available) canvas print is printed on high-quality canvas with UV-resistant inks, so they’ll last for years! Bonus? No glass means you don’t have to worry about cuts from broken glass should your rambunctious preschooler manage to get them off the wall. They all come in themed sets of three and there’s something to match most every decor. Each set of 3 retails for $60 USD. We fell in love with the simple, yet ingenious art. Designed for babies, my pre-schoolers enjoy them as well.

A stripey zebra, dotty giraffe, and a curly elephant on a green savannah scene make up the Savannah Collection.

A spotty stingray, stripey seahorse and fat turtle on a sea blue undersea scene, pictured below, make up the Undersea Collection.

A sunny lion, patterned parrot and silly monkey on a leaf green jungle scene make up the Jungle Collection.

A stripey dragonfly, swirly squirrel and fat bird on a rose-colored garden scene make up the Garden Collection.

A curly sheep, flowery pig and speckled cow on a corn-yellow farm scene make up the Farmyard Collection.

Like what you see? Wee Gallery also carries flash cards, a mobile, wall graphics and more! Wee Gallery products are highly regarded the world over. All products are available for purchase online and in stores around the world.

We love these classic black and white designs because they’re visible to baby from birth but on these great coloured canvas backgrounds they’re perfect for the big kids who have graduated to colour. We’ve got a 3 pack of UnderSea Wall Canvases for one lucky reader. To enter, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with Canvas in the subject line by midnight tonight and name one Wee Gallery product not mentioned in this review. Congratulations Cori!

And put it in your super cool wallet!

I love the new wallets from the money-savvy ladies at Learning Cents. (We reviewed their bank in the spring.) The wallets have just been released on the website today (Sept. 5) and can be yours in green, pink or blue camo for only $9.99.

In relation to the other kids’ wallets I’ve seen (and as I teacher I see several on my classroom closet floor every day, usually with holes in them and money falling out) this one is incredibly well made. It’s a tri-fold that closes with a velcro strip that runs the whole width of the closure so it’s very secure, and there’s a sturdy carabiner attached so that when pockets are full of rocks, frogs and other finds the wallet can be attached to coats, belt loops or backpacks. The carabiner is attached to the wallet via a metal grommet so the wallet won’t rip. Obviously these women have real children who wreck stuff. This is one smart design! There’s a zipper pouch for coins inside and plenty of pockets for cards of all kinds as well as an ID card in a see through window just like an adult wallet.

Every child should have a place to keep their spending money when they go out, and this wallet’s the one my kids will have. Though I’d rather have something that’s not camo, the design trumps that and we’ll be putting them in stockings this year!

We’ve got a blue camo wallet to give away! Email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com by midnight tonight with LC Wallet in the subject line and tell us the name of the two co-founders of the Learning Cents company. Congratulations Kristina!

Moms and par.entrepreneurs Michele Good and Jennifer Chow are the brains behind Chic Tots, a fab online boutique. Self-described as “lazy moms,” they’ve designed a selection of products to simplify their world and yours. Though with designs as chic as these I can pretty much guarantee they’re not lazy at all. Just smart.

The Chic & Carry wristlet (pictured top right) is a great little grab and go bag with room for a few diapers and the matching soft wipes case that comes with it. The wrist strap snaps to the bag snugly for hanging on a handlebar or strap and it also includes a caribiner.

My very favourite, the Chic & Cozy Blanket Bag (pictured at left in chocolate swirl) is a rather ingenious design. It’s a shoulder bag large enough to tote a plethora of baby stuff with you (and you know you do) and some important mom stuff too. The more you gather the fabric, the longer the straps. If you’re not the shoulder bag type, you can twist the straps and tuck them under the velcro to turn it into a tote bag. A powerful magnet sewn inside keeps the top of the bag closed.

Here’s the coolest part…when you ungather the side of the bag and velcro the straps in snugly, it opens into a super soft oval minky blanket. One less thing to weigh you down.

Get 15% off your entire order with the code top15.
You’ll find Chic Tots in the TOP Shops where we feature permanent online shopping discounts at fab stores just for T.O.P. readers!

We’ve got a chic n’ carry wristlet in “fuschia bloom” to give away. To enter, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with CHIC TOTS in the subject line and tell us one other fabric pattern that the chic n’ carry comes in. Contest closes Friday night at midnight MST. Congratulations Jennifer!

Guest review by mother & son T.O.P. readers, Jenn & Aiden.

Jr. Champion Racing Suit from Aeromax- $49.95 USD

From the press release: Aeromax’s Get Real Gear focuses on more aspirational costumes that allow children to pretend they’re chefs, firemen, nurses, police officers or astronauts. There’s no limit to the worlds they can explore by wearing Aeromax‘s Get Real Gear designed to model careers of grownups that they admire and trust.

Aeromax strives for authenticity in their award-winning designs. Zippered pockets, clips, buckles, embroidered hats; official-looking patches, elastic waistbands and a wide selection of sizes and colors make Aeromax’s Get Real Gear dress-up line a smart choice. More importantly, they’re a wise investment in youngsters’ self esteem by introducing them to the wonders of imagination and the possibilities that each child can explore.

Costume Description: You’ll be waving the checkered flag for your little racer when he or she crosses the finish line in this detailed racing costume. They will look like a pro in this one completely detailed like a real racecar driver’s uniform with custom embroidery and logos. The embroidered neckline, shoulder and ankle straps give the playsuit that “cool racer look.”

Mom’s thoughts: The bright bold colors of this racing costume are what caught my eye first. The fabric is soft and doesn’t seem to irritate the skin. The patches are sewn on, just like you’d expect to see on a ‘real’ racer’s jumpsuit and has a velcro neck strap and ankle straps.

The fit was great. We tried it on Aiden, who is 7, and it fit him well in the length and we had no problems zipping the full-length zipper up over his clothes. I am also pleased with the quality of this costume. Aiden wore it for 2 days straight after we brought it home and every 6 and 7 year old we have had over has tried the costume on and played in it.

I think it’s great to find a ‘dress up’ costume geared towards boys, though the girls seem to love it also. This is a costume I would definitely recommend!

Aiden’s thoughts: This costume is very cool! I have been wearing a lot and can’t wait to wear it for Halloween because I really like it. My friends also think it is awesome and want one too!

That’s cool kid Aiden in the picture above sporting his Jr. Champion Racing Suit. You can order yours here or browse all of the kids ‘get real gear’ here. The costumes are available in size 18 mos up to adult!

I love baby showers. I love everything about them, whether the baby has made it’s appearance yet or not.

And let me tell you - if I received a shower invitation on a Couture Keepsake from Keepsake Concepts, there’s no way I’d be missing it. When you receive an invitation as gorgeous as these, you can be assured of a beautiful experience.

Each handmade Couture Keepsake comes on a petite wooden hanger and is stuffed with pre-packaged (delicious!) kosher candy covered Jordan almonds. Your personalized message is attached with an adorable little wooden clothespin. Designer Donna Benavides-Diaz has left no detail untouched. Everything about these keepsakes is absolutely precious!

Most styles are $5.50 each. Admittedly, this is an investment and you might not want to send one to the masses, but for a new mother and her nearest and dearest Couture Keepsakes are a beautiful addition to the beautiful memories that babies create just by being.

Get free shipping until September 10, 2007 with the code OP07.

Husband and wife Dana and Melanie Harvey made their first seatbelt bag in their one car garage ten years ago. Their two person operation has grown out of their garage and into a 12,000 square foot design studio & the Harvey’s Seatbelt Bags company.

Their handbags, though pricey, are sure to last through anything since they’re all still made from actual seat belt material.

Help the Harvey’s celebrate their anniversary - from August 10 - September 10, get a special edition anniversary bag for just $10 with your purchase.

You know what I hate?

When your kid has a giant poop explosion while you’re out of the house and it’s in a favourite/expensive/heirloom outfit that you can’t just toss in the garbage. Where exactly are you going to put the poop soiled clothing for the rest of the day?

In the Handy Sack from Canadian company Generation Baby is fabulous for poop explosions and more! Carry a spare outfit in the Handy Sack and replace it with the dirty ones whenever necessary - they’ll stay contained until you can get to the closest washer & dryer. It also works to carry snacks, medicines, creams…anything that needs to stay away from the rest of the diaper bag contents. And it’s WAY prettier than a Ziploc bag!

Generation Baby products can be found in retail & online stores throughout North America.

Get $15 off a beautiful carseat cover with the code GBaby

Win a Handy Sack and a diaper tote from Generation Baby! To enter, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with GenBaby in the subject line and tell us one other Generation Baby product you’d like to see reviewed by The Opinionated Parents. Contest closes 6/29/07 @ midnight MST. Congratulations Tanyetta!

Most little girls love to don head accessories, and they look super cute until they start to dig into their heads causing the child to rub & pull until their hair sticks out in 40 directions and said cute accessory finally comes off.

These custom designed headbands by Matica Designs (available exclusively at Mom4Life.com) are soft, comfortable and are available in 7 colours and 16 flower choices to please even the pickiest little princess. They’re available in 0-24 months or 2-6 years, or can be custom made to your child’s exact measurements.

Also check out Matica Designs’ bow headbands, customized thin headbands and stretchy lace headbands that don’t leave indentations in baby’s little head.

Want to win a flower headband? We’ve got a summer green headband in 0-24 mos with a pink flower just sitting here waiting for a little girl to win it. Email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with MATICA in the subject line and tell us another colour that the headband is available in. Contest closes Wednesday at midnight MST. Congratulations Travis!

Founded by Canadian mom Janet Beatty, Sugar and Spice is my new favourite online source for little girl bows. While I don’t have a daughter of my own at this time, I have nieces and several friends with daughters who I love to shop for. (And if the baby I’m currently manufacturing is a girl, look out Visa!)

Bows are tricky, though, because many of them are either ugly, huge or they fall out. Janet’s Grippy Clippys are the alterna-bow! She hand makes each one and puts a special soft gripper strip inside to make them really grip even the finest and thinnest hair.

Even the fanciest of fancy bows is only $6. (That’s Canadian, so our American readers can count on paying even less.)

We’ve got a bow holder complete with a pair of Grippy Clippys for one randomly selected T.O.P. reader. To enter, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with GRIPPY in the subject line and tell us one of the non-Grippy Clippy items available from the Sugar and Spice site. Contest closes Friday at midnight. Congratulations Avery!

I have a strange fascination with germs and the studies that show their concentration in various areas. Almost all of them show germs from fecal matter in the strangest of places. One of the grossest to the mind of a paranoid mom? The shopping cart. When I see people place their babies & toddlers directly in their carts I feel an overwhelming temptation to have a conversation with them that goes something like this:

Me: Would you let your baby lick that man’s butt? (pointing to a random stranger)
Her: No, of course not!
Me: You might as well be doing that when you let him touch the handle on that cart because you know he’s going to put his hands in his mouth. You need to use a Clean Shopper.

Instead, I usually just cringe and am thankful that I have one and am aware enough to keep the majority of strange fecal matter away from my kid. I keep my Clean Shopper in my vehicle at all times, which is a good thing most of the time. Except when it has food and other random kid stuff spilled all over it and I forget to take it in the house and wash it. Or I take it in and forget to take it back out. For those times, I was SO excited to discover the disposable Clean Shopper. At only $9.99 for a 3 pack, they’re the perfect solution for forgetful people like myself. They work just the same as the original one, but are made of waterproof polypropylene. I’m not usually an advocate of disposable products but this is one that I’ll always be keeping around because the alternative is just too nasty.

To the germophobe’s delight, Babe Ease also makes a similar product for public high chairs called the Clean Diner and disposable version of that too!

And people? WASH YOUR HANDS!

We’ve got a selection of Babe Ease products to give away, including a Clean Shopper, Clean Diner, Clean Changer & bib. To enter, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with Clean Shopper in the subject line and tell us what the newest Babe Ease product is. Contest closes at midnight MST on June 6/07. Congratulations to Betty, Jackie & Caryn!

As a mom who is so much more than just that, a traditional diaper bag isn’t always a viable option even when the bag I’m carrying contains not much more than Pampers & sippy cups. When I don’t want anyone to know, I carry my Cara Tote from Kipling. An international handbag and luggage company, Kipling has introduced an entire new line of totes featuring colorful patterns, durable materials and current styles that look nothing like a traditional “diaper bag.”

Being newly back to work mom, I love to use my Kipling tote for all of my school goodies. The straps are strong & sturdy enough to easily hold my piles of marking & books and the washable liner is perfect when I forget to remove my son’s half eaten PB & J sandwich before tossing my work back in. Not that I’ve done that. Ahem. The main inside compartment is deceptively huge. When even an early primary teacher doesn’t fill it, you know it’s big! It’s got convenient pockets inside perfect for a cell phone, pens & a notepad and a little cash & lipstick.

I particularly enjoy this bag now that I’m officially the mom of a toddler rather than a baby. The kitchen sink can now stay at home and me, my kid & my Cara Tote from Kipling can leave the house in style. Use it as a diaper bag if you like - people will be none the wiser - but it’s one of those great bags that is truly multi-functional. It’s also the perfect size for a short weekend getaway! (Getaway? What’s that?)

The bag pictured above is the Cara tote in “fireworks red” and it will be available in stores in June retailing at $94. My personal fave is the upcoming “fireworks green” edition which will be available in stores in September and got me my first non-sarcastic “Nice bag” compliment in a year and a half.

Bathing a slippery newborn baby can be slightly terrifying, and it’s made worse when you have to wrap them in a towel and hope they don’t kick out of it and freeze while you chase a toddler around the house with pajamas in hand. While I love hooded towels for the toddler set, as soon as you’ve got a big and a little to bathe they’re no longer the perfect post-bath accessory.

What is, you ask?

The gorgeous terry velour bath sacks from Bambini Carini, an upscale company devoted to manufacturing and distributing boutique style baby accessories for the discerning shopper.

Available in 13 exquisite designs including my favourite ‘melrose‘ (pictured at right) the bath sacks are luxuriously soft, hooded for warmth and feature turned cuffs too keep those tiny hands warm. The bathsack retails for $52.00 USD.

Bambini Carini products are available at select retailers. All of their products are available all prints.

Enter to win a luxurious melrose pattern bath sack and matching bib (total value $68 USD) by emailing theopinionatedparent@gmail.com before midnight MST on 5/30/07 with Bambini Carini in the subject line and the correct answer to the question “According to the website, what does Bambini Carini mean?” Congratulations Nicolette!

I’ve always loved doing little girls’ hair in baubles & braids, and the great clips by investment analyst turned crafty mom extraordinaire Teri Dimalanta of Giddy Giddy make it even better! (And far less frustrating.)

Each adorable felt design is hand made and the clip is sewed securely inside so there are no painful snags and they stay on even the finest of baby hair. She designs clips in three categories - flowers, animals and food, and each category has clips for the little and the big girls in your life.

There are so many things to love about Giddy Giddy clips. They’re adorable; they’re not bows; they stay in - really; they’re not choking hazards; they don’t leave semi-permanent indentations in those precious little baby heads; and they’re made by a mom! I see no reason not to make these your hair clip of choice.

Giddygiddy clips area available at several online and retail locations.

We’ve got a set of Giddy Giddy clips to send to one lucky TOP reader. To be entered in the random draw, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with GIDDY in the subject line and tell us your favourite Giddy Giddy design. (Me? I’m partial to the ladybug.) Contest closes 5/29/07 at midnight MST. Congratulations Laurel!

As a new-ish mom, it’s been a while since I’ve carried a real purse. Everything gets tossed in my diaper bag and I just hope to be able to find something when I need it. The one item I consistently need and can never find is my cell phone. (Yes, I’m an addict. Admit it - you are too.)

The Bead Shop from Fashion Angels Enterprises makes these fabulous Ziplettes mini-purses that are perfect for my cell phone. (Actually, I need three because it’s also perfect for my iPod and as a grab n’ go credit card & lipstick holder.)

Ziplettes are available in 16 styles from white to black and everything in between. They’re a pretty cool concept - the Ziplette can be unzipped as much or as little as you need to store your stuff. If you unzip it all the way, it’s a super long zipper sewn into a coil (fascinating for even the coolest kids & parents!) The sequins & other funky trims are sewn in between the zippers so the zipping action is totally smooth.

Perhaps the best feature is that they easily clip to a diaper bag, a belt loop, your purse, backpack or really anywhere. Great for tweens & teens, and awesome for moms who need some bling for their ring.

Enter to win the white on white ziplette seen here. Email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with Ziplette in the subject line and tell us your favourite Ziplette style available from the website. Contest closes at midnight MST on 5/14/07. Congratulations Jonathon!