ETA: Apparently the one item we were so excited to open with is out of stock! Dang! Will update when someone tells us it’s back. Grrrr…

Two years ago, I reviewed a magnetic calendar for preschoolers & school aged kids my family is still using to this day and just love. For that reason, I’ve made it the first item for sale in our new OpenSky Shop!

Now, with two preschool aged children, the magnetic weekly calendar from 2fishkids is even more a part of our day. It’s such a great visual organizer for little people, and a sanity saver for this mama. It’s well organized, colourful and personalized to my children and their incredibly busy weeks. It teaches about the days of the week, seasons, weather and more.

The fully magnetic calendar measures 13 1/8” x 8 1/8” and comes with 58 activity, season and weather magnets, a dry erase marker and a storage bag. Because of the smallish magnets, it’s recommended for ages 3+. This indispensable preschool tool retails for just $20 and you can now buy it right from us without leaving our site!

Our OpenSky shop is small – one item only at this time – because of our promise to test out each and every item we sell and only sell things that we love. From each sale, we will make a small amount (~$1-$3) but you pay no more than you would if you had to do all of the shopping around on your own and purchased the same item from their own or any other third-party site. We do all of the work for you, and hope you love shopping with your trusted friends at T.O.P!

SnapHaven is guaranteeing the storage for life. They go on to explain in their FAQ section that they have a deal with the company that owns the servers in order to make such promises. I have had a scare, where my laptop died suddenly I was completely freaking out. Thankfully everything was restored to its former glory. Can you imagine not having your baby’s birth pictures, the first time they walked, or any of the many moments we capture in digital format?!?! I now have all my pictures backed up on an external hard drive as well as on disk. However having additional storage is so not a bad thing.

As for SnapHaven‘s format, it is smooth and appealing. Their uploading client is nice, a tad slow and I could not find any desktop software to speed up the process. The uploader stretched out my browser window to the max width, which was dreadfully annoying. An iPhoto plugin would totally rock and would make it even easier to upload photos.

SnapHaven has a very easy print option, however the company that does the printing does not ship to Canada, as far as I could tell when I looked around. The prices are reasonable if you are in the US, at 19 cents for a 4×6. There is also the option to create photo gifts, which are always popular with family.

The ability to share your photos with friends and family is a plus with SnapHaven. You can send them an individual picture or a link to an album. You can also set the settings so that they can download the pictures, then print them themselves if they chose, or to make the pictures not downloadable.

SnapHaven has a new program where specialists at SnapHaven do the hard work, they will scan, sort, and upload your photos, wherever you keep them, even grab them from other photo sites if you keep your pics there. Making it easier for you, especially if you are storing your photos in more than one photo sharing site.

Privacy, one-time fees, an attractive interface, guaranteed for life and they will even do the work for you, make SnapHaven a must for photo storage. -by Chelle

Win it! SnapHaven is giving away a package of credits for 10,000 photos valued at $129.99 to one T.O.P. reader. To enter, simply comment on this post. Due to technical issues, we’ve extended this contest to close at noon mst on FEB 24, 2010.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

Buttoned Up is a company whose products we’ve recommended in the past. Several times. It’s great company founded by four women to create great organizational products to help you get & stay “buttoned up.” I can’t think of a better group to make organizational products than mothers, and I can’t think of a group more deserving of great organizational products than mothers.

Since the last time we checked out Buttoned Up they’ve released several new items.

Ho Ho Ho!

They’re giving them to one of you!

You could win:

Greetings.stash ($6.95)
Fitness.doc ($4.95)
(2) BU Coupons ($4.50)
Collision.kit ($19.95 – one of my faves!)
Tax.filer ($19.95)

To enter, simply comment on this post before noon mst on December 23, 2009

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CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

I am the type of person that has to be organized. If I do not set things up in advance and organize myself to some degree I get really cranky and anxious. With three kids mealtimes definitely need that element of organization.

Traditionally, I always stored the bibs either in a basket or in a drawer in the kitchen. This meant after washing them, I would have fold the bibs and put them away. Now, thanks to the Baby Bib Holder, I can eliminate some steps, free up some space and be organized in advance!

The Baby Bib Holder comes as a cute retro pink or blue elephant that attaches to the back of the highchair with velcro! Hidden away yet extremely handy, now there is one less thing I will forget at dinner time!

In addition to being really handy the Baby Bib Holders, are non-toxic and hand-made! They can hold up to ten bibs and are so cute! Order yours for just fifteen bucks – a great addition to a baby gift!- by Chelle

Win it! To enter to win a bib holder, choose your colour and leave a comment here before noon mst on September 3, 2009.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

It doesn’t matter how long I’ve had children of my own or a classroom full of toys. Every time I talk about “playing with your balls” I giggle like a twelve year old boy.

Cleaning up your balls just got easier and a lot better looking with the Ball Claw. For just over ten bucks, you can mount a basketball, volleyball, soccer ball or football just about anywhere – the garage wall, living room, the ceiling, a pole or even in your vehicle trunk, and it’s super easy to do with the included hardware. Whether you’re cleaning up your garage or displaying collectibles. the Ball Claw is a super cool, easy & convenient way to do it.

Win it! We’re giving away ONE ball claw – your choice – to one randomly selected reader. To enter, leave a comment on this post stating which one you want before noon mst this Friday, July 17, 2009.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

I’ve got to tell you about this cool new preschooler product developed by Canadian 2FishKids and available from Stork Baby Boutique.

I have a young preschooler (Oh my God – did I just say I have a preschooler?) who is obsessed with what we’re doing each day and never forgets an appointment. I have tried to use my calendar with him and I’ve tried one with little round magnets & no writing space that just didn’t work.

This magnetic weekly calendar is PERFECT for us! It’s well organized, colourful and personalized to his incredibly active week. It teaches about the days of the week, seasons, weather and more. He can now simply look at the calendar to anticipate what’s coming up later this week and it’s greatly reduced the occurrence of “What’s tomorrow, Mommy?”

The fully magnetic calendar measures 13 1/8” x 8 1/8” and comes with 58 activity, season and weather magnets, a dry erase marker and a storage bag. Because of the smallish magnets, it’s recommended for ages 3+. This indispensable preschool tool retails for just $19.99.

Save 10% at Stork Baby Boutique with the code OP1008.

You’ll find this code and many more in the TOP Shops!

Win it! We’re giving away one of these great calendars to one reader. To enter, you just need to browse Stork and leave a comment on this post with your favourite product(s) not mentioned in this post before noon mst on November 28, 2008.

CONTEST CLOSED AND WINNER EMAILED

I’m a labeling freak. There are labels everywhere in my house – even the bin that holds the labels is labeled!

Lovable Labels is a Canadian mom-run company that carries a large selection of customized labels as well as some cool stuff to help a mom around the house. Goodness knows I need all the help I can get.

My kids especially love their unique fun stickies that are shaped like butterflies and dinosaurs and are available in lots more cool shapes (pictured at right). Believe it or not, they’re less likely to leave their things lying around the park when they have their own special label on them. And for those days when they do, I’ve got a better chance of getting them back eventually!

Have a child with allergies or medical issues? Check out these cool vital ID wristbands. The kids I know would be much more comfortable wearing those than a metal bracelet. And while you’re looking for things that make your kids ecstatically happy? Personalized notecards and way cool books would be fantastic gifts. Is it too early to shop for stocking stuffers? I think not.

Mention that you heard about Lovable Labels through the The Opinionated Parent during the checkout process and receive 15 FREE Red Regular Sticker Bonus Labels with your purchase. One per family. Expires May 30, 2008.

As a momma of prime breeding age (heh), my friends are popping out kids like there’s no tomorrow and I love buying baby gifts. I refuse to buy gifts at the local big box store so am always looking for new & unique parent-made items to have on hand in case of a new baby emergency.

My newest find? Reader recommended Tiny Tales. Developed by par.entrepreneur Lara Frankovitch, Tiny Tales are a set of specialized cards on which to record both the large and not so large milestones and the every day occurrences that we think we’ll always remember but soon realize that, sadly, that’s not the case.

It comes with two 4X6 notepads (more are available for a small cost) and themed dividers to keep the memories organized. It’s a baby book alternative for the mom who wants to record everything in style but doesn’t have the time or perhaps the inclination to scrapbook for hours on end. The sets come in a sturdy transparent box beautifully packaged and ready for gift giving.

Tiny Tales come in baby, toddler, personalized and expecting themes and start at $32.

Use the code OPINION for 20% off until April 15, 2008.

It’s Mabels Labels‘ 5th Birthday and to celebrate they’re giving YOU presents!

Orders placed between 12:00am and 11:59pm EDT today, Thursday March 27th will be shipped with a coupon for free sticky labels (valued at $18.50), their original product that started it all.

Happy Birthday/Anniversary Mabel and friends!

We’ve reviewed the complete line of Buttoned Up products here at T.O.P. in the past and have loved them all. They’re a company that strives to help women organize their lives by organizing less. As in, they have great products that take the work away from organizing and make it (almost) fun.

(Reviews are here, here, here, here and here.)

Apparently the fabulous folks behind the company liked us (and you!) too, because they’ve just sent us a whole case of CrossItOff.Lists to give away to our amazingly loyal, beautiful and intelligent readers. Twenty of you have the opportunity to win these great books valued at $9.95 each!

Since our previous reviews, Buttoned Up has started a blog so be sure to check that out as well.

To enter to be one of the 20 randomly selected winners, all you need to do is email us at theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with LIST in the subject line by midnight on 11/7/07 and tell us the dimensions of the book. Congratulations to all 20 winners!

Some kids need a little incentive to get excited about learning. The Learning Calendar from Fat Brain Toys is a fantastic “Back To School” gift that’s sure to get kids pumped!

It’s a 17 month (Aug. – Dec.) activity and trivia calendar that includes some very cool themes like ‘Holidays & Celebrations Around the World.’ Perhaps my favourite feature is new to the 2008 calendar and that’s the ‘Surprise Time Capsule’ assignments that guide children in gathering images, personal artwork & notes, documents and artifacts that, over the 12 fun tasks, create an irreplaceable collection of history from the year 2008!

We’ve got one to give away! To enter, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com before midnight MST on 9/19/07 with Learning Calendar in the subject line and tell us the retail price of it. Congratulations Allisa!

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I’m pretty sure most parents are a lot like me in my enjoyment of any toy that cleans itself up or encourages kids to do it. Zip Bins are a fantastic products for both kids and adults. They were recommended to us by a dedicated T.O.P. reader and once we checked out the website we knew they’d be a great fit!

They’re essentially just bins, available in four sizes, that unzip into a playmat and back into a bin when you’re done, but after we actually tried them we realized they’re so much more than that and I’m finding that the coolness factor is actually rather hard to describe! They also fold into small flat packets for storage when not in use.

The dinosaur mini ZipBin, my son’s favourite, is like all the others in that the four corners of the box fold & zip up & down from a storage bin for all those loose dino toys to a decorative playscape. Most homes with little boys (and often girls, too!) will have these plastic prehistoric creatures underfoot. That is until the ZipBin enters your house. They’ll still be there, but they’ll no longer be underfoot once the kids learn to zip them back into their bin when they’re done playing! And, being mini, it’s perfect for travel in cars & planes or for taking to daycare or to Grandma’s house.

Some of them, like the Small Town ZipBin, come with some accompanying toys. The Small Town also features a cool “parking garage” under the lid! (Yet it still folds flat – even with the cars inside. Like magic.

They don’t all zip into a flat sided box. For the pony lovers, the Country Stable set folds up into a barn for the ponies to sleep peacefully until their next play time.

For the family? A brilliant picnic basket turned placemat. For the hunter or fisherman? Camo. For the home? How about satin or one of the holiday options?

You can find retailers of the ZipBin here.

After you buy yours and see how much you love it, you can enter their Zip-Lify Your Life! ™ contest ~ check out some of the winners’ fabulous ideas (that I know I’ll be borrowing. These people are creative!)

We’re giving away the Unicorn Playscape! To be entered in the random draw, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com before midnight on 7/17 with ZipBin in the subject line and include the answer to the question: What’s the name of the company behind the ZipBin products? Congratulations Thea!