There’s no doubt that we’re in the midst of a recession, and even if you’re one of the lucky ones who hasn’t lost any money or jobs you’re sure to be feeling the urge to be a little bit more careful with your spare cash. However, that doesn’t mean you’ve lost your desire to splurge for yourself and your babes on high quality and functional merchandise.
Medicine Hat, Alberta based ChicPeek, offers a great variety of incredibly high quality products at great prices. Owner & designer Echo Wells is a mom of three who has been creating beautiful items for over 15 years. Her experience is evident as soon as you see her products in person. They’re of a highly professional quality but sell for a handmade price.
The ChicPeek nursing covers (a steal at $24.99 without your discount – see below) is truly one of a kind. (Pictured in the two centre images at right.) Made of a gorgeous cashmere & silk pashmina (black or brown), it’s the required amount of discreet and modest, but unusually fashionable for a nursing cover. There are enough “Hey, guess what? I’m breastfeeding!” (a.k.a. ugly) nursing covers out there; it’s about time someone made one like this. Essentially just a long & wide scarf that’s strategically sewn with a head & arm hole, it covers all the way around, making it fully tug-proof. There’s an open side so one hand is always free to multi-task, and it’s the perfect weight to not swelter you or baby while you cuddle. If someone notices that you’re nursing, it’s likely either someone who has seen one of Echo’s great covers before or who spotted the gorgeous little toes peeking out from underneath. Even better is that when you’re done nursing or in between children, your nursing cover is a beautiful scarf that you can wear several ways without anyone having any idea that it once hid your boobs from strangers.
ChicPeek offers a large selection of Miklips hair bows & clips for newbies and right up to moms. From the most adorable corkers to gorgeous big bows, the Chic Peek clips are of top quality, stay in your hair and are absolutely gorgeous.
Most of all, though, I was thrilled to discover the ChicPeek buggie hugs shopping cart cover ($49.99 – two bottom images at right). I have looked everywhere – brick and morter as well as online – and ChicPeek is the first place I’ve found stylish looking covers with holes and belts for two children to share the front seat of a cart. (The standards is two holes and one belt, but just ask and Echo will put another belt in for you.) The design of her buggy hugs are brilliant. Aside from the extra wide leg holes to accommodate one leg or two, these are also the only covers I’ve seen come equipped with an attached caribiner to secure the cover to the cart. My kids ride in the different shades of red pattern, which is gorgeous and commented on everywhere we go – particularly Costco when both kids are germ free & buckled in the front seat of the cart. If you’re going to have a second child before your first turns four, I highly recommend you pick up a Chic Peek buggy hug and get a second belt put in. The longer you can contain them safely, the happier you’ll be. Trust me on that.
Mention T.O.P. when you order and Echo will refund 10% of your order (because her cart won’t currently accept discount codes.)
This is just one of many great exclusive online shopping discounts that you’ll find in our TOP Shops.
You’ll notice that ChicPeek was the first to purchase one of our brand new image based TOP Shop spots, right at the top of the page. Check out her adorable ad!
Win it! Thanks to ChicPeek, we’re giving one very lucky randomly selected T.O.P. reader a gorgeous nursing cover, a selection of MiKlips AND a shopping cart cover! To enter, visit Chic Peek and come back to comment with your favourite items, patterns & styles, being sure to mention something that you didn’t read in this review in order to qualify. Open it in a new tab – you’ll want to go back and spend some more time browsing! Contest closes at noon mst on April 7, 2009.
I have the creativity gene when it comes to organizing, scrapbooking and cooking, and maybe even a few other things, but give me a needle and thread and I’ll all but run in the other direction. Thank goodness for companies like The Sweet Line – gotta love shared creativity! The Sweet Line owner, Victoria, hand embroiders custom work on organic cotton onesies, dresses, tees, totes and more. You choose the colour, word(s), image(s) and your sweet items arrive on your doorstep 7-10 days later. I’d say it doesn’t get much better than that, but actually…it does – The Sweet Line offers free shipping on all packages!
Because my kids get enough stuff with having grandparents, aunties and friends always doting on them, I am digging my organic cotton tote hand-embroidered with “The Opinionated Parent.” Carrying it makes shopping slightly less painful, and it even gains me points at my local organic grocery store to use toward free goodies, because I am saving them a plastic bag. However, those of you who are a little less selfish than I are sure to enjoy the adorable personalized clothing. The long sleeved dress is stunning.
Win it! One randomly selected T.O.P. reader will win their own “The Opinionated Parent” hand embroidered organic tote. To enter, leave a comment on this post before 11:59 mst on October 6, 2008.
I am a rather frequent hand-washer and am intensely disgusted at people who slack in general hygiene – particularly when there is food or children involved. However, I have drawn the line at alcohol-based hand sanitizers anywhere but in a hospital. They dry my skin, they stink and they’re toxic – nothing I’d ever allow in my home. (Unless it’s in the beer fridge – that would be perfectly okay. Preferably a good cabernet.)
I’ve been gifted with some Cleanwell(not yet available in Canada, sadly, but they’re working on the approval process) and have resolved to never leave home without it. Made with Ingenium – a Thyme product – Cleanwell kills 99.5% of germs on contact, including staph, E.Coli and salmonella. It’s poison-free and totally safe for kids, 100% biodegradable and never tested on animals.
The hand sanitizer is available in spray or wipe form and both certainly have their place. A bottle in each purse and the diaper bag as well as in change areas at home, a wipe in the lunch kit and the glove compartment…it’s all about being prepared.
The hand soap smells good enough to eat and has all of the same great benefits as the hand sanitizer with the exception of being portable. Because, you know…it’s soap. Unfortunately, it contains sodium laurel sulphate, which is a deal breaker at my house, but if you use regular soap with SLS in it regularly, this one is much better than any I’ve seen.
I’m very glad I live so close to the Canada-USA border and can get there in less than an hour. I’ll be popping down to Target to pick up some more Cleanwell soon!
Win it! Thanks to Cleanwell, we’re giving away 25 coupons valued at $5 each redeemable at any store that carries CleanWell (Target, anyone?) You choose… a free hand wash or hand sanitizer product. Unfortunately, this contest is only open to US residents. To enter, simply email theopinionatedparent AT gmail DOT com with CLEANWELL in the subject line and your full name and mailing address in the body of the email. Twenty five qualifying emails will be drawn at random and the coupons will be shipped out asap. Contest closes on June 5/08 at noon MST.
When I bought (okay, my mother in law bought…) my first stroller, I was very concerned about the cup holders. Little did I know that no matter how many and how deep they were, they’d still spill their contents everywhere when we hit bumps and would fall off and even break when they were stuck in the back of my vehicle. I suppose it’s akin to buying a car for the great mirrors and lipstick holder. You do it once and learn your lesson.
Now that my stroller is adorned with the fabulous (reader recommended – thanks Katja!) Think King Soft Buggy Cup designed by King-Yee Man, I’ll never worry about cup holders again. It’s made of squishable but sturdy mesh and nylon and is large enough to hold both a drink and your keys/wallet/cell phone but small enough to be totally unobtrusive. It’s flat bottom and drawstring top keep the contents level and secure. I stick my necessities at the bottom and my drink on top and I’m ready to rock and roll.
The Think King Soft Buggy Cup is truly the first cup holder I’ve found that really worksand is multi-purpose. It attaches easily with Velcro to almost anything (strollers, car seats, scooters, bikes…), is easy to clean and pulls of in seconds if you want to move it to another stroller or location.
Get 15% off on your purchase of 2 or more with the code buggycup-top for the next two weeks only! (Ends May 16/08.)
Trust me when I tell you that you’ll want to keep both for yourself. I’m ordering even more – one for each child to keep on the stroller, one for my regular dose of caffeine and necessities, two for hanging in the van so I can ditch those blasted carseat cup holders, four to live on our bikes…
Hmmm, get yours fast before I put them out of stock!
Happy Earth Day, dear readers. Today, more than ever, we’re thinking about ways to include our children in all of our earth saving activities.
The great new book My Bag and Me(only $8.58 right now at Amazon via that link) is a fantastic addition to any home library.
It’s a rhyming story book that teaches lessons about reusing shopping bags to save the earth, and there’s a (cute!) reusable bag for your child built right in to the book. The story is very short and concise, but within those few pages addresses some great concepts – saving the land and sea, setting an example for others, reminding your parents to be earth-friendly, and that we can all make a difference. I love it, my son loves it, and thanks to this book and bag I’ve got a little helper that ensures I’ll never forget my bags in the car again. (I used to forget them 9 out of 10 times, so that’s great!)
Win it! We’re giving away a copy of My Bag and Me to one reader who leaves an Earth Day comment on this post. Entries must be received by midnight MST tonight to qualify!
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.
If there were ever a slogan for a diaper bag that worked for me, that is it. It’s directly from the mouth of Zosephine designer Maria Winslow.
Zosephine bags are messenger style, available in four colours, and are constructed with an easy-to-clean nylon lining. Each one comes with a coordinating nylon changing pad. My favourite feature is the cell phone pocket that’s hidden under the flap which is just the right size and prevents that daunting task of digging through a plethora of ‘kid crap’ to try and find a ringing phone.
These are bags that you’ll use for many years beyond the diapering stage with the confidence that nobody will know it ever was, indeed, a diaper bag.
We’ve got a Zosephine bag in the St. Paul style (pictured) valued at $116 to give away to one lucky T.O.P. reader. To enter, send one email to theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with ZOSEPHINE in the subject line and tell us the name of one other Zosephine style. To be valid, entries must include your full name and mailing address. Feel free to include a blog link if you’d like us to link you up if you win. Contest closes at midnight MST on 1/31/08. Congratulations Rob!
I seriously can’t believe I didn’t change that title before posting this.
Blame it on the hormones with less than 3 weeks to go…
WedgEZ™ is another one of those products that we love to find here at T.O.P.. You know, the ones that we should have thought of ourselves but didn’t. Or if we did we were too lazy or stupid to do anything about it and that’s why we’re so grateful for all of the great folks that email us to tell us about their inventions!
Such a simple concept really, and one that many parents have likely wished someone would invent.
You know those little plastic outlet plug inserts?
The one you’ve probably broken several nails trying to remove?
The one that I actually used a butter knife to remove once? (Duh.)
Now you can simply insert the top of a WedgEZ™ between the plug and the outlet, gently press it toward the wall and it’s dislodged. So simple. So smart. So not a butter knife.
I tried it and it’s incredibly simple to use and works like a charm. It’s also designed to attach easily to your vacuum cord so it’s easily accessible when you need it. For me, I’m hoping it inspires me to vacuum each time I need an outlet for something.
The WedgEZ™ is 100% guaranteed — if it breaks or fails to perform as specified, they replace it for free. They retail for only $3.99 or 3 for $9.99.
Ten randomly selected readers will win their own WedgEZ! To enter, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com before midnight MST on 12/14/07 with WedgEZ in the subject line and tell us how many forms of payment are accepted at the WedgEZ site. Just a number is good! Congratulations to Kristin, Jennifer, Megan, Renae, Nissa, Amber, Jessie, Bree, Angela & Betsy!
I was excited to hear about Lily On The Fly because, though I consider myself a good cook, I rarely remember to plan meals in advance and am often throwing something together at the last minute or eating appetizers for supper.
When the starter kit arrived in the mail it was even better than I thought it would be. It’s not just recipe cards – it really is a complete family meal planning kit that includes a deck of 36 meal cards and a 7 slot magnetic organizer so your whole week of meals is easily accessible on your fridge. The cards are colour coded into main dishes, side dishes and treats for easy planning, and each card has easy to follow instructions for day-before/morning prep as well as the last minute toss-together instructions. Turn the magnetic holder over and the back of each card becomes your shopping list for the week.
Brilliant, isn’t it? It really is the total package.
There are recipes that take a little bit of prep and recipes that take hardly any so you can plan your weekly according to your schedule and always have something yummy to eat. My favourite recipe so far? Cheesy potato soup. Perfect for a cold Canadian winter! There are currently two 36 card expansion packs available for $10.95 each in addition to the starter kit which sells for $15.95.
This would make an awesome gift for anyone, but especially a family with a new baby looking to do something that I find very challenging for the first several months of newborn life. Eating warm food at least once a day. Is that just me?
Use the discount code OP to save 10% until 1/15/08!
Lily on the Fly is giving a Complete Hearty Meals Collection to one T.O.P. reader. To enter the random draw, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com before midnight MST on 12/10/07 with Lily on the Fly in the subject line and tell us the three ‘on the fly’ steps to creating great hearty meals! Congratulations Katalin!
Anyone who’s had a baby knows that if you aren’t well prepared you’ll often be running stairs just to change a diaper or you may even have a package of diapers and wipes laying in every room just to avoid the hassle. Since that looks, well…crappy, you’ll be very pleased to know about the SaraBear diaper caddy available from the fab online retailer The Polkadot Platypus. Available in six colours including my fave pictured at right, this well-planned basket is perfect for storing changing convenience right at your fingertips without completely ruining the flow of your decor. You know…if that’s important to you. I don’t know many people who go all the way to their child’s bedroom to change a diaper after the first few hazy weeks so why don’t we just make it easy on ourselves from the start? (You know that gorgeous hunk of wood taking-up-valuable-space changing table you bought and set up in the nursery upstairs? Do yourself a favour and return it now.)
Whether you love the diaper caddy for style reasons or not, I guarantee you’ll love it for the function. The removable and washable fabric insert has five fitted compartments and four pockets in the perfect sizes for a baby wipes container, diapers, creams, burp cloths and anything else you might need. I’m a big fan of anything that makes a parent’s life easier and this is one product that will do both that and look a whole lot better than the alternative. I sure wish I had one when I was a new mom!
Win a SaraBear diaper caddy of your choice from The Polkadot Platypus! To enter, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com before midnight MST on 10/9/07 with Polkadot Platypus in the subject line and tell us the name of your favourite diaper caddy style. Congratulations Betty!
When we were asked to review the BabyPlus Prenatal Education System, we decided to cautiously accept the sample. Just because it’s not our cup of tea doesn’t mean our readers don’t want our honest opinion about it, right?
The “system” is essentially a bag you wear around your waist/belly (like a fanny pack – I love that word) that plays “A series of 16 scientifically designed sounds that resemble a mother’s heartbeat.” It’s designed to be worn starting at about 18 weeks, when baby’s hearing is functional, until 32 weeks. My first thought was that it’s similar to playing music for your unborn child, which is fabulous whether it has any effect on brain development at all simply because it connects you for your baby and starts exposing him to the tunes you’ll be irritating him with until he leaves for college.
My problem with this product is with the use of the words “curriculum” & “lessons” in regard to a fetus. Hello? Aren’t kids forced into planned formal education early enough? It’s bad enough we don’t just let them learn through play when they’re toddlers & preschoolers, but now we’re starting before they’re even born? Slightly ridiculous if you ask me. My husband laughed out loud when he saw this product, as did everyone who has been to our house and had it thrust upon them for their opinion. According to the press information, “The rhythm of the sounds increases incrementally as the pregnancy progresses. The BabyPlus sonic pattern introduces your child to a sequential learning process, built upon the natural rhythms of their own environment.” It’s supposed to help them distinguish between the sounds of the mothers heart and other sounds, thus giving the “learning process” a jump start. Doesn’t hearing the mother’s heartbeat in contrast to kids playing, the television blaring & the dishwasher rumbling do the same thing? Why does everything have to be “scientific?” (Which, I’m sure you know, means absolutely nothing.) (And, I have to disclose, my first degree was in psychology with a strong emphasis in both brain plasticity and child development so I do kind of know what I’m talking about.
“The BabyPlus lessons are designed to be played for 1 hour twice a day.” Do you have two spare hours on your hands to sit with this thing around your belly? Perhaps if you’re in your first pregnancy, but certainly not if you have more children to parent. And if you’re a working parent I beg you – please do not wear this thing in public. You’ll look like a moron. (And it’s not all that comfortable either.)
“BabyPlus is not a toy — it is a profound educational tool, and the first step in your child’s lifelong cognitive development.” What scares me about products like this is that they (a) can make a less confident or less educated parent spend their hard earned money on something that’s not necessary or (b) can make parents who can’t afford it feel like their child is going to be missing out on something important (which they certainly are not). The entire prenatal/baby IQ increasing industry is a joke. And not a funny one. It makes me sad. By the way, BabyPlus is $149 USD. Think of what else you could buy with that.
The tagline for the BabyPlus system is “You’re never too young to learn. (In fact, you don’t even have to be born!)” We wholeheartedly agree with this, but would add “It happens naturally. Don’t waste your money or your time on propaganda that tries, hopefully unsuccessfully, to make you feel like you’re cheating your child if you don’t buy it. All your child really needs is your love, your respect and your time.”
That said, if you really want to try this product I am happy to mail someone the sample. Just email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with BabyPlus in the subject line. I’ll choose one reader using random.org and it’s yours. I’d also love to hear what you think about this product and the whole related industry, even if you don’t want to enter. The actual contest closes Monday 8/6/07 at midnight MST but I’ll always read your emails & opinions! Edited to add: Thanks to everyone who’s been sending emails! It’s great to see we’re not alone in our opinionated-ness. (I know that’s not a word…) Congratulations Jayna!
Learning to nurse is enough of a challenge for many moms that they don’t need to worry about flashing at the same time. While we’re of the opinion that boobs are for babies and if you don’t want to see them – don’t look, we do understand that the risk of flashing stresses many moms out. Though we don’t agree with covering up for other people’s comfort, we’re all for YOUR comfort and we think you’re better off doing it in style! There are a plethora of ugly & bulky nursing covers & capes available today that shout “I’m breastfeeding!” and/or “I have no sense of style now that I’m a mother!” and we think you deserve better than that.
The nursing covers from Generation Baby, a mom-run Canadian company, are about as fashionable and functional as a nursing cover’s going to get.
We tested out the beautiful chocolate damask pattern and it’s stunning. The fabric is a light & airy cotton and the pattern is such that you could easily wear it as a dress and you’d look fabulous. (It’s the top one pictured at right.) All of the nursing covers are machine wash & dry and feature an adjustable neck strap. It wasn’t long before my son figured out how to disengage the velcro & snaps on my nursing covers (which were, incidentally, incredibly ugly compared to this one) and a receiving blanket worked for about a week before I gave up altogether so I was pleased to hear from our reviewer that the fastener on the Generation Baby cover was easy for her to manipulate but no matter how hard her daughter pulled it didn’t come off. They’re large enough to cover mothers of all sizes (and to be used as a light blanket or stroller sun shade, which came in handy during our review due to the +40 C temps) and the rigid neck line makes it easy for mom to see baby without letting anyone else take a peek. Lastly, being that it’s very light cotton, it folds & fits easily in a diaper bag or even in a pocket.
We don’t think you need to cover up, but if you want to you deserve to look good at the same time.
Get 15% off your Generation Baby purchase with the code “coupon”
Win a nursing cover of your choice! To enter, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with GenBaby in the subject line and tell us the name of your favourite nursing cover fabric. Contest closes Thursday night at midnight MST. Congratulations Janice!
I thought of my classroom when I first saw the Share Square from Moms On Edge. That’s probably because my second child won’t be born until Christmas. For those of you who are parents of more than one, though, I have a feeling this would be a pretty cool addition to your toyroom. It would also be great for a daycare or dayhome.
The Share Square is a colourful pillow with a timer enclosed that helps to stop the fighting over toys and easily teaches the my turn – your turn sharing philosophy. Just set the timer, drop the Share Square in the middle of the chaos and when the timer goes off swap the toy. Simple as that.
Want to reduce the chaos in your home? Email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with Share Square in the subject line and tell us the recommended age for this product as listed on the site. Contest closes 7/20/07 at midnight MST. Congratulations Ryan S!
(This is the last of seven Moms On Edge reviews.
We’d like to thank them for sponsoring all of these great contests!)
After the fifth or sixth “get up” even the most patient parents is bound to lose it just a little. The brains behins Moms On Edge developed the Goodnight StopLight because they’ve been there and they feel your pain!
The Good Night Stoplight is a 19” tall felt “stoplight” with removable green & yellow lights and an attached red light. There’s a handle to hang on a doorknob, drawer handle, or wall hook.
Directions from the site: Explain to your child that he/she is allowed to get up from bed two times (i.e., to use the potty, get a drink of water, or have another kiss). Each time the child gets out of bed he must hand one of the two removable lights to a parent. Green means, “Go!” Yellow (last chance!) means, “Uh-Oh!” Parents should take each light and return the child back to bed quietly. Once the removable lights are used up the stoplight is Red, and that means “Bed!” Remind the child that he must now stay in bed: “The light is red, so you must stay in bed.” Sounds simple enough to make it worth a shot!
We’ve got one to give away! To enter, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with Stop Light in the subject line and tell us what ages this product is recommended for. Contest closes at midnight MST on 7/5/07. Congratulations Maren!
By nature I’m a type A organizational freak, but having a baby threw me for a loop. I can’t even imagine what it would do to people who are organizationally challenged.
Need to find the health cards? I dunno – they used to be in my wallet but I took them out at the hospital and haven’t seen them since. Financial records that didn’t get refiled after I tried to pay bills with a baby attached to my boob? Not a clue.
The Life.doc system by Buttoned Up gives new parents (or old ones, I suppose!) an easy system to organize their newly insane lives. It consists of a lovely cloth covered binder (bright red & easy to locate like all of their products) with 120 pages and organizational tabs. The pages can be filled out by hand or you can use the included CD Rom to enter your data on your computer, and feed the Life.doc pages into your printer. Easy as pie! With categories for finances, insurance, health records, caregiver information, legal papers and more, it makes the perfect wedding or baby shower gift for a family just starting out or someone who you know needs a little assistance in the paper storage & location area. It’s available from the Buttoned Up Shop.
This is the third of five weekly giveaways sponsored by the great folks at Buttoned Up! Want to enter the random draw for your very own Life.doc binder? I don’t blame you! Send an email to theopinionatedparent@gmail.com before midnight MST on 6/11/07 with Life.doc in the subject line and tell us the retail price of the Life.doc binder. Congratulations Jenna!
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Back in my theatre days I did a lot of touring. There were often 5 of us traveling in the same van and up to 3 of us sharing a hotel room each night. You had no choice but to become intimately involved with every little aspect of your touring mates’ lives, and you had to be okay with the things you’d rather not know about otherwise it was just going to be a painfully long tour.
So when Melanie got her period, we all learned about Lunapads. We had little choice as they were hanging in our hotel bathroom to dry 7 days of every month. Needless to say, by the time the next tour rolled around, it was me who was drying my Lunapads and educating both male and female about the wonders of cloth pads.
Many people when they hear that I use only cloth pads think that it’s too much work for them. After 4 seasons of touring, never being in your own bathroom, but having to greet Aunt Flow once a month regardless, I can honestly say that using Lunapads is a piece of cake.
Lunapads are washable menstrual pads made from 100% cotton flannel and highly absorbent fleece. They are machine washable and dryable and last for about 3-5 years. They fasten to your own underwear with small plastic snaps and they come in all different sizes and thicknesses depending on your flow and your underwear type.
Recently Lunapads has added Lunapanties to their repertoire of wonderful feminine products. Lunapanties are 100% Cotton underwear with an extra layer of absorbent fleece sewn in to the crotch. Being pregnant, and this being my second pregnancy, I’m sure many of you are familiar with the not so pleasant “leaking” that accompanies motherhood. These panties provide just that extra bit of protection I am finding myself needing at this time. There is also the deluxe Lunapanty which is compatible with Lunapads removable liners.
So yes, there is a bit of a transition to make from disposable to reusable, but after one cycle I found it to be a rather delightful experience. I even felt fresher and after 2 or 3 cycles I seemed to bleed less. Then of course there was the added bonus of knowing I wasn’t dumping large amounts of pads into our landfills each month. Lunapads are just as small and compact as disposables, so leaving the house with them can still be a stealth like operation if you so desire. You will need to add a small Tupperware container to your bag however. Just place your used pad or liner in the container and stick it in your bag or purse. When you get home you can soak the used pads in cold water before throwing them in the washing machine or rinse them in the sink, hang them to dry and re-use them the next day. Your body, the environment and your wallet will thank you for the little bit of extra effort. Yes that’s right, reusing your pads can save you a ton of money too.
Now that I have a daughter whom I will one day have the pleasure of explaining how our amazing bodies work, I am so glad that I will get to teach her about reusable pads. There will be no embarrassing trips down the menstrual pad aisle for us. Instead, we will go online and pick out her favourite colours and styles together. She will no doubt feel very in touch with her changing body right from the very start of her journey as a new woman.
Lunapads is a woman owned business based out of Vancouver, Canada. They have a wonderful website which will answer any of the questions you may find yourself asking. Check out www.Lunapads.com.
Want to win a Lunapads intro kit to try them yourself? Email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with LUNAPADS in the subject line and the correct answer to the question “What are the names of the Lunapads’ owners’ 3 children?” Contest closes Friday 6/8/07 at midnight MST. Congratulations Katie! (The one from GA – not the other 7 Katie’s who entered. Sorry!)
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!
No matter how you feel about bottles & babies, sometimes it’s the mom who needs a little time to herself via a scrumptious bottle of Pinot Noir. While I’ve never subscribed to the ‘pump & dump’ method myself (because I haven’t had more than half a drink at a time in nearly two years), I know lots of moms who ditch their liquid gold for fear of feeding their baby spiked milk. There are lots of reasons why any alcohol in breast milk is not a good thing for your baby.
There’s a cool new product on the market that takes the questions out of nursing after drinking. Milkscreen was invented by moms Julie Jumonville and Elizabeth Smith to ease their own minds and the minds of other mothers.
The stick looks a little like a pregnancy test with a small pad at one end. You simply put a few drops of breastmilk on the pad, wait 2 minutes and if there’s a colour change your milk has alcohol in it. A few of us put Milkscreen to the test and it definitely works. After one drink, there was a slight change in colour. After two, a definite change. Dipped straight into the drink it was bright green immediately. (One of our reviewers is a chemist and couldn’t help herself.) We all loved the idea of using Milkscreen to determine how long it takes for a drink (or three, whatever your pleasure) to be out of your body, since everyone’s different, so you don’t have to test every time.
You can buy Milkscreen at various locations including their online store. They retail for approximately $20 for a box of 6.
Want to try it? We’ve got some to give away! To be entered in the random draw, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com before midnight MST on 5/7/07 with MILKSCREEN in the subject line and give us one of the good reasons for testing your milk listed on the Milkscreen site. Congratulations Heather!
At TOP we, as you may have gathered, LOVE babywearing and all that it represents. We also love trying out new carriers and supporting those we love, even if it means we each have a collection large enough to carry a whole brood.
Ellaroo is a great mother-run company that produces all sorts of carriers – wraps, ring slings, podaegis, mei tais and their trademarked mei hip carrier.
We’ve been reviewing the Ellaroo Mei Tai deluxe carrier. Having never used a mei tai myself, I and three other new-ish mothers all blindly gave it a shot. Without fail, we were all sold on the Ellaroo mei tai deluxe within minutes for several reasons.
It has a supportive but not at all bulky body.
The flip up headrest is perfect for a tired or young baby, and it flips down easily & secures with an invisible magnet.
The straps are extra long so we and our vastly different sized husbands could all wear it comfortably.
Speaking of husbands, it reverses to black so even if you’re stuck on pink, your baby’s father can wear the same one.
The straps have just the perfect amount of padding. They’re super comfortable without being bulky.
It was intimidating at first, but we all found it super simple to get our children in and out of. It’s easily worn on the front, side or back.
If you hadn’t already guessed, this is a TOP highly recommended carrier!
Ellaroo products can be purchased from any of their retailers around the world.
Want to see if you like it as much as we do? Enter to win a Ellaroo Mei Tai Deluxe in the good n’ plenty print (shown – reverses to black) by emailing theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with Ellaroo in the subject line and tell us the one non-carrier item that Ellaroo sells. Contest closes at midnight MST on 4/9/07. Congratulations Glennia!
It’s the beginning of picnic season, even in Canada. The Essentials Blanket from TOP favourite JJ Cole is pure brilliance. It’s truly perfect for the park, the beach, the soccer games and any other location where you might like to sit on the ground. In fact, it’s one of those items that we like so much it calls for a bulleted list. That’s how you know it’s truly fab.
The outer fabric is durable and slightly padded to protect your tush from sticks and stones, and the inner lining is waterproof and easily wipes clean.
It’s as stylish as a blanket can possibly be when folded, with an ‘over the shoulder’ handle for easy carrying.
It’s compact for easy storage. We leave one in the trunk for the spontaneous picnics we wish we had time for.
Speaking of easy, there’s a stiff folding guide sewn right into the blanket so folding is completely dummy proof.
The carrying strap is detachable, and is fastened with a snap so it can be completely removed or attached to a stroller handle or diaper bag.
No matter how you decide to carry it, it looks good. Mine’s been mistaken for a large (and cute) purse.
It’s 5′ x 5′ when fully opened. Large enough for the whole family.
Check the JJ Cole USA store locator to find retailers in Canada, the US and online in both countries.
JJ Cole has a habit of producing items that we would never have thought we needed but wonder how we lived without. The Essentials Blanket is yet another example.
Posted on on April 2nd, 2007 in
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The Opinionated Parents are exuberant baby wearing advocates and we’re always on the lookout for fashionable and functional ways keep baby close.
Sweet Fletcher is a mom owned and run company. Ashley Waldvogel Gaddy started Sweet Fletcher Designs after the birth of her son in 2003. She launched the company with her simple & stylish pouch style slings and has since expanded into several other great products.
Everything at Sweet Fletcher is sewn to perfection from their stylish signature fabrics and their slings are no exception.
Large enough to be supportive, sleek enough to not add unnecessary bulk and stylish enough to be completely embarrassment free in public, Sweet Fletcher slings are a great accessory for the new mom. They wash up beautifully and the cotton fabrics are lively and light. The last thing you want is a sweaty baby plastered against a sweaty mommy. My two favourite things about them? The perfectly rounded seam which is comfortable for any child from a newborn right up to, and probably well over, my 25 pounder and the reversible design. Every funky sling reverses to a solid colour to match pretty much any outfit.
Babywearing is one of the best things you can do to help with colic, bonding and so much more. Why not look stylish at the same time?
Enter to win a Sweet Fletcher sling in the summer planets fabric (pictured, size extra small for a petite woman 5′2″ & under). Simply email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with Sweet Fletcher in the subject line and tell us the name of one other fabric that Sweet Fletcher slings are available in. Contest closes at midnight MST on 4/5/07. Congratulations Louise!
Neither did married par.entrepreneurs Lynne Tapper and Leland Brandt when their daughter Sofie was born. With the chaos that is new parenthood behind them, this professional organizer and stay at home dad team set to creating an organizational tool to help the rest of us navigate through the daze and come out the other end with some semblance of sanity. Their creation, Baby Daze, is the ultimate organizer for new parents. With eight helpful sections including feeding/diapering, pumping, milestones, medical and a gift record, it’s thorough enough to feel like a life saver and simple enough to not be overwhelming in the least. There’s also a ‘notes’ section at the back for those things that don’t really fit anywhere else (like your note to self to check www.theopinionatedparent.com every day for great reviews, tips & contests!). When my son was born, I used a journal to record every feeding (to the minute), every poop and every phone call. With that on top of the post it notes about gifts, questions to ask the health nurse and who to phone back I was pretty much buried in paper and still didn’t know which end was was up. If I’d had Baby Daze, I’m pretty sure it would have been a lot easier. I can only imagine that it’s even more necessary with subsequent children.
Expecting twins or know someone else who is? These brilliant parents have a plan for you too. Each log page has alternating shaded and unshaded lines to enable parents to keep track of two babies with one book.
You can order through their secure site, over the phone or at one of their retailers.
Save 10% on your entire order with the code OPINION07.
You’ll find Baby Daze in the TOP Shops, where we feature exclusive shopping discounts for TOP readers.
Bitten by the shopping bug? Check the TOP Shops first!
You could win your own Baby Daze book just by emailing theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with Baby Daze in the subject line and the correct answer to the question What’s another section in the brilliant Baby Daze organizer that’s not mentioned in this review? Contest closes at midnight MST on 3/30/07. Congratulations Nicky!
It’s a funny little man-shaped figure that sits on an electric charger which is completely safe with no exposed contacts. It takes about 6-10 hours to fully charge and automatically turns on and off when removed from and placed back on the charger. (It actually turns off about an inch from the charger with is totally fascinating for a toddler!) The auto-on function also activates during a power outage.
The light is soft and unobtrusive, with low and high settings adjusted with a smooth button on the bottom of the “little guy” (as we’ve taken to calling him around here). When put under the crib overnight, it illuminates the floor and the entire room perfectly for those middle of the night feedings but it’s not so bright as to be annoying or painful to the newly awoken eye. The batteries are supposed to last up to 10 hours, but on low they last well over 14. With both the light and the charger being completely smooth, it’s very easy to clean and there are no grooves to dig random kid-gunk out of. The MOBI TykeLight Buddy isn’t just for nurseries and toddler rooms. Older kids will love the portability of it when exploring their room at night or making their way to the bathroom. It doesn’t look at all “baby-ish” so it can carry a child right through the teen years as an emergency light for power outages (because, of course, they’ll be way too cool for a night light). Heck, I’m thirty (until tomorrow) and I want one for my room!
It’s available in four mod colours – green, orange, blue & yellow (pink and lavender will be available as of April 27) for $29.99 Cdn. Another WAY cool product. This has got me hoping someone’s having a baby soon because it would be a hit at the shower!
Two lucky TOP readers will win their own MOBI TykeLight Buddy courtesy of Zoom Distribution. Email theopinionatedparent[at]gmail[dot]com with Tyke Light in the subject header and the answer to the question What’s another MOBI item that Zoom Distribution carries? before midnight MST on 3/24/07. Congratulations Amelia & Rody!
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Ellie Bellies, a mom-owned par.entrepreneurial company, is doing their part to bring back the rapidly disappearing art of handwritten notes on personalized stationery.
We’ve sent a few notes on our cards and each time we have received a phone call telling us how nice it was to get a personalized note rather than an email. Need to send a note to the teacher? Get a personalized note pad. Have a budding artist on your hands? Share their latest masterpiece with everyone with the Ellie Bellies note cards featuring your child’s art! Want something you don’t see? Email Jennifer, the talented designer and owner of Ellie Bellies and she’ll do her best to help you out.
Mommy cards are getting hotter every day and Ellie Bellies makes some adorable ones. They’re a great ice breaker in the never-ending quest to meet new “mommy friends” and are perfect for scheduling play dates, carpools and social activities.
Get 20% off at Ellie Bellies with the code OP.
You’ll also find Ellie Bellies in the TOP Shops where we feature permanent discounts exclusively for you, the TOP readers.
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Posted on on March 18th, 2007 in
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I think it’s great that even many of the low end strollers come with drink holders now. Drink holders were one of our criteria when we were scouring the market for our perfect ride. When we actually started pushing the stroller, however, we quickly realized that they’re useless for anything without a tight fitting lid. As in, water bottle or nothing. We all know that water doesn’t always cut it for new parents trying to get through the day.
After months of pushing the stroller single handedly while carrying my latte, I discovered The Liquid Holster. This product is awesome. Conceptualized by a mother and brought to fruition by her husband and his business partner, this is one of those finds that will excite even those of you who aren’t gadget lovers. It clamps easily around almost any round, oval or square tubing with two screws. (It even comes with the screwdriver you need!) It fits easily on both of our strollers and our elliptical trainer. When in use, it is self-leveling. It sways with the motion of the stroller and prevents those nasty spills. No more fears about spilling latte on baby’s head! Another super feature of The Liquid Holster is that with one turn of a knob, the holster section pops off to allow you to fold your stroller for storage (or put the holster in the dishwasher) and it pops back on just as easily when you’re ready to go again.
Once you use it, you’ll have no idea how you lived without it!
Save 10% on all advertised stick at Liquid Holster with the code 7opin.
You’ll find Liquid Holster in the TOP Shops!
We’ve got a liquid holster for one lucky TOP reader. Simply email theopinionatedparent[at]gmail[dot]com with Holster in the subject line and the correct answer to the question What country is the brilliant mom behind The Liquid Holster from? Contest closes March 19, 2007 at midnight MST. Congrats Betty!
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Posted on on March 16th, 2007 in
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Following the birth of her son in 2005, par.entrepreneur Cynthia Poblete was looking for the convenience of a diaper and wipes tote in a stylish carrying case. When she didn’t find exactly what she was looking for, she took to the drawing board herself and created The Diaper Clutch with the goal of helping parents everywhere enjoy the convenience of a diaper and wipes carrying case without having to sacrifice style!
The Diaper Clutch is rather unique in the crowded world of diapering accessories. At first glance, it’s simply an attractive little clutch purse. Open it up and you’ll find an ingenious window to access the wipes and a pocket to hold a few diapers, a change pad and a little bottle of hand sanitizer. Perfect to tuck into your diaper bag to keep everything together, or to grab on it’s own for a quick trip. Nobody has to know it contains poo paraphernalia.
Enter to win your very own Diaper Clutch! Just email theopinionatedparent[at]gmail[dot]com with Diaper Clutch in the subject line and name two available fabrics of The Diaper Clutch. Enter before midnight MST on Friday, March 16, 2007.
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Through the fog of the newborn phase and into toddlerhood, many parents (me, anyway) have a hard time remembering even the most basic of tasks. Forgetting to eat and drink is common during new parenthood. Sooner or later, we all remember and it’s not such a big deal. Those basic baby care tasks are often just as hard to keep track of but are a much bigger issue if you forget. There were times when I wished I had a portable brain unaffected by the crazy hormones and sleep deprivation.
The Itzbeen baby care timer from Coast Innovations is one baby gadget I wish had entered the market before my son was born and one I’ll be using for any newborns in my future without a doubt. Invented by new parent Greg Sheldon and his wife when they had trouble remember how long it had been between feeding and changes, the Itzbeen’s function far surpasses it’s small price of $25. What do we love about it? Everything!
It’s compact, lightweight and has a belt clip so you can easily carry it with you.
It has a soft night light with auto-shutoff.
It has four timers, for feeding, changing, sleeping and an extra that you can use for anything you like. We use it for timing between giving our son teething tablets.
Each of the timers has an optional alarm. If you need a reminder to give medication or even feed your baby, set the timer an an alarm will sound when time’s up!
For nursing mothers, there’s a left/right switch at the bottom to help you remember which side you last fed your baby from. No more safety pins! (At first glance, I questioned the picture of the bottle on the feeding timer, but when I saw the breastfeeding picture at the bottom beside the left/right switch, I was very impressed. Something for everyone!)
There’s a backlight on the control panel making it easy to see in the dark, but it’s not bright enough to wake a sleeping child.
Even at ten months in, the Itzbeen has been wonderful for us. It’s no longer panic inducing if I forget to change our baby or forget what side he last nursed from, but it’s nice to know without a doubt how long Itzbeen between naps, snacks and medication administration.
The Itzbeen is a TOP highly recommended product. Trust me – you want this! See the store locator for online and retail resellers.
Two lucky TOP readers will win their own Itzbeen. Just email theopinionatedparent[at]gmail[dot]com with Itzbeen in the subject header and the answer to the question “What award has the Itzbeen already won, even though it’s brand new to the market?” (Hint: Hit the ‘buzz’ page.) Contest closes at midnight MST on Thursday, March 15, 2007. Congratulations, Kris & John!
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Mother of two boys Sara Holliday is one of those over-achieving women who manages to maintain an incredible balance n spite of it all. As an over-achiever myself, I admire her greatly. She’s not only a licensed marriage and family therapist but also an expert in yoga, aerobics, martial arts and holistic health practices.
(Perhaps we were separated at birth…in my “real life,” before I entered teaching, my first degree was in psychology and I’m a certified personal trainer & aerobics, yoga & Pilates instructor currently producing DVD’s. Hmmm.)
She and her husband started the company FitBySara with the mission of helping women achieve their optimum potential and to help them live a rich, fulfilling life. For those of us not in the San Diego area, she shares her awesome pre & post natal workouts on DVD.
I reviewed Sara’s Postnatal Total Body Toning workout. As a fitness instructor myself, I generally don’t enjoy videos and DVD’s very much as they tend to be either too easy, unsafe from my picky personal trainer standpoint or just plain boring. I was very pleased to see that this was not true in this case. The workout is only 30 minutes long ~ perfect for new moms. There should be enough time during a nap to both work out and shower, which is a big perk. It’s full of effective exercises and she targets areas which are often problems for new mothers, such as the abs, butt, thighs and upper arms. The exercises are safe and challenging, yet not too tricky for someone who’s new to exercise.
Check out Sara’s blog for some great pregnancy and post-natal fitness info.
Win your own copy of Fit by Sara’s Postnatal Total Body Toning DVD. Email theopinionatedparent[at]gmail[dot]come with FIT in the subject header and simply tell us why you want it! A random winner will be notified via email after closing at midnight MST on Tuesday, March 13, 2007. Congratulations, Cass!
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Posted on on March 10th, 2007 in
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JJ Cole Collections just might be my new favourite company. Why? Because they’ve produced what no other company has been able to.
The diaper bag of all diaper bags.
The one that has ended my seemingly never-ending quest for the perfect bag. Having been a parent for only ten months, I have eight diaper bags. Each one had something special about it that made me think I had to have it, and yet each one was lacking something that would send me back on my search.
Whatever you need and want in a diaper bag, the System has got you covered.
Sporty look? Check. It could easily be a stylish messenger bag. Hip colours? Check. My favourite is the green/blue with brown accents(pictured at left), but the other two colour combinations are just as great – cocoa and pink (see below) for the girly-girl and graphite and green for the understated look or the daddy in your life. Cell phone pocket? Check. My leather case fits right in and it’s easily accessible, yet secured with a full zipper. Purse/wallet alternative? Check. Several pockets with card holders and a change zipper, easily accessible on the front and a magnetic closure for those silent purchases around a sleeping baby. Bottle holder? Check. It fits my water bottle perfectly, and the pocket on the other side holds a sippy cup for easy access. Large pocket with organizers? Check. Enough room for diapers, wipes, a change of clothes, a few toys and small blankets or whatever else you carry with you day in and day out for the first 2 years of parenthood. Adjustable shoulder strap? Check. And it’s got a nice cushy shoulder pad – the most comfortable I’ve ever carried. Easy to clean? Check. Just wipe all surfaces with a wet cloth.
That’s it, right?
That’s really all you need, but it’s all the extras that make the System so perfect.
iPod pocket? Check. Right on top, with a handy escape hole for the cord! Pacifier storage? Check. The System comes with the JJ Cole essentials pacifier pod in matching colours to keep it clean and handy. It hooks to the bag (or your purse, stroller etc) with a velcro strap. Change pad? Check. The System also comes with the matching JJ Cole essentials changing pad & tote. This is the one of my faves ~ the tote holds a package of wipes and at least 2 diapers, has a zippered pocket for extras and has a fold out oval easy-to-clean changing pad. The whole tote fits perfectly in the side pocket of the System and the purse-like handle can be snapped onto almost anything or even carried alone. It’s perfect for a quick change – just grab the baby and the tote and you’re off.
It’s hard to beat all of that, but there’s one more thing.
The System attaches to any stroller quickly and easily. It comes with two attachments that attach easily (in about 5 seconds per side) to your stroller handle and each attachment clips to one side of the bag. When you leave your stroller, the bag clips off in seconds and the attachments stay there, if you like, for next time. Awesome? I should say so!
Look for JJ Cole USA products at a store near you, or search the store locator. You won’t be sorry you did.
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Posted on on March 3rd, 2007 in
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When my daughter turned 8, I decided it was time to have “the talk” –well, the first of many “talks” anyway. She’s not one of those girly girls who loves stuff like that, so I knew that I needed to approach it in a matter of fact, everyday type of way. A commercial for pads was on TV. No boys were around. The perfect opportunity.
Me: Have you ever wondered what those commercials are for? T: NO! Me: Well I’m gonna tell you anyway. When girls get to a certain age… yada yada yada period… yada yada yada blood… yada yada yada. If it happens at school, just use a piece of toilet paper and go and tell Mrs. Best-Teacher-In-The-World and she’ll help you. You’re only 8…it probably won’t happen for a long time…but with some girls, it starts earlier so I just wanted you to know so you aren’t scared if you happen to see a little bit of blood. Do you have any questions? T: No. I feel kind of weird now. Me: I know. It just means that you’re growing up. That’s a good thing! It’s normal. It happens to everybody.
She’s now almost 10, so it really could happen soon. I’ve actually thought about asking her if she would like to put a pad in her backpack just in case. Even though Mrs. Best-Teacher-In-The-World is wonderful, T still feels “’weird” about talking about grown-up things, so she would be uncomfortable about having to actually go up to someone and say “I think I got my period”.
Fortunately, the opportunity recently arose to review the Dot Girl’s First Period Kit for The Opinionated Parent. The only thing I have to say is that this kit is perfect!
The Dot Girl’s First Period Kit comes in a little round canvas pouch in either pink or blue. It’s perfect for leaving in her backpack. If her backpack gets dumped out, or if someone happens to look into it (like (ew!) a boy), no one will know that there are pads in there. Not only is the Dot Girl’s First Period Kit a great conversation starter, but it’s perfect for those girls who would be mortified if anyone saw anything ‘period related’ anywhere near them. It contains some feminine protection samples (one pad and a couple of mini pads), some hand wipes, a period calendar, a little guide that talks about periods matter-of-factly – no scary “Now you’re a woman” announcements and, the best part of all, a little reusable warm pad to ease the cramps.
I would highly recommend buying The Dot Girl’s First Period Kit for your daughter if she could be getting her period soon. I only wish they made one for adults…with a bigger warm pad and maybe some ibuprofen!
Win a Dot Girl’s First Period Kit in blue for the up and comer in your life. Just send an email to theopinionatedparent[at]gmail[dot]com with Dot Girl in the subject line and either the answer to the question “What are the names of the two developers of the kit?”or tell us your best period story. (Embarassing, humiliating, life changing or just funny! We’ll take anything!) Contest closes Wednesday, March 7, 2007 at midnight MST. Congratulations, Betty!
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Gary, that’s who. When he was compelled to tear a hole in his sleeping bag on a chilly night in Maine, the idea for this very cool blanket was conceived. He commissioned his mom to make one for him the following Christmas and The Slanket was born!
The Slanket is available in five colours and is made of very thick, cozy fleece that you won’t be able to help but curl up under.
The greatest thing about The Slanket for parents? You can be completely covered up and still hold your squirmy children, pass a snack, wipe a nose (not on your slanket, please) or many of the other tasks you can never seem to leave behind once you become a parent.
Don’t throw your blanket off ~ get The Slanket! This is one gift that is not going to be returned or re-gifted. Ever. In fact, I recommend that you get one for each member of your family or you may never get to use yours. I say this from experience.
Two very lucky readers are going to win a Slanket of their very own! Email us at theopinionatedparent [at] gmail [dot] com with THE SLANKET in the subject heading and the answer to the question “Which Slanket colour is your favourite?” Get your answers in by midnight MST on Friday, March 2, 2007.
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It’s easier said than done. At least it is when you’re pregnant. I spent no less than 5 of my 10 pregnant months hiking my pants up and twisting my skirts back to centre. Now that I’ve had a baby, I have three choices. Clothes that are too small, clothes that are too big or workout wear.
Frustrating? For sure. Is there a solution? Yes, indeed!
Belly Ups, created by par.entrepreneur Laura Kronen (brilliant woman that she is) are miniature suspenders which clip from the bottom of your bra to the top of your pants. They’re completely undetectable under clothing, extremely comfortable and once you have them you won’t know how you lived without them! You don’t have to be pregnant to use and love Belly Ups.I wore my review pair with large (really large) flannel PJ bottoms, several pairs of low rise pants, a skirt and more. The clasp is a tiny bit chilly, being metal, but that lasts for just a couple of seconds and then I actually forgot I was wearing them. Except I no longer had to yank my pants up. The clasp is gentle to even the finest of fabrics as the metal has no sharp points and the fabric is held snugly by small plastic teeth, and they’re machine washable, a huge bonus for the busy mom.Babies receive such a plethora of gifts when they are born, which is wonderful, but how about a gift for the newly pregnant mother to celebrate her amazing fertility and upcoming journey? They are available from Laura’s company, Baby Is A Star, in nude, black and black with pink hearts for only $13 USD.
We have two pairs of Belly Ups to give away to our amazing readers. If you would like a chance to win, send an email to theopinionatedparent [at] gmail [dot] com with BELLY UPS in the subject line and the correct answer to the question “What product did Laura first launch into the childrens’ market?” Contest closes at midnight on Friday, January 26 at midnight. Two winners will be selected randomly from all qualifying emails. Good luck! Congratulations to Gwen of BC, Canada and to Candice of Laos. (How cool is it that we have readers in Laos?)
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Okay, maybe Mabel’s not a real person, but her labels rock! Mabel’s Labels just might be the best thing since sliced bread, as they say.
Developed by a group of 4 (now related – cool story!) Canadian moms who were frustrated with losing their childrens’ items everywhere they went. They decided to form a business together and develop labels that were attractive, yet tough enough to go through the dishwasher and the microwave, and survive being left out in the sun & rain. For clothing, they needed to stick to many fabrics and withstand the washer & dryer. After lots of research and testing, they came to the conclusion that they’d developed the perfect labels. They claim that their “dishwasher- and microwave-safe stick-on-labels can be used on cups, bowls, toys, books, sunscreen bottles, lunchboxes, wipes containers, show-and-tell items, and more. The stick-in shoe labels are extra-tough, because shoes are tricky to label. Their iron-ons are so simple to apply, you’ll be amazed at what you can label!”
When I stumbled upon their site, I must admit I thought it sounded too good to be true. I have, and love, my label maker and it crossed my mind that maybe they were selling something I could easily make myself. Boy, was I wrong.
Mabel’s Labels are available in many different and highly useful categories. I tested out the sticky labels and the household labels. For reference, I compared them to labels printed from my household label maker.
I used the sticky labels on sippy cups, a travel wipes container and large toys. I’ve put them through the dishwasher multiple times (20 or more) and also in the microwave, and they just won’t die. (In this case, that’s a good thing!) Conversely, my homemade labels lasted a wash or two but then began to slip and mash together.
The household labels are just as awesome. Organizing is one of my addictions, and these super secure labels make it easy and fun. (Yes, I said it. It’s fun!) Even if you’re not a freak like me, these super cool (Canadian made!) labels will make the sometimes daunting task of organizing your belongings a little easier. If it’s not fun, it should at least look good! (Seriously, even the press kit they sent me was adorable and made me want to have these ladies over for coffee.) They thought of categories that even I didn’t think of. I now, thanks to Mabel’s Labels, have a ’sell’ and a ‘donate’ bin in my basement which I am loving! I have also created a “Mend/Fix” bin and have gotten rid of my pile of grocery bags stacked with my sewing machine. They have labels to separate your stored childrens’ clothing from birth to size 6. There are labels for spices, food staples, holiday items, recycling and much more, all in one set!
Ordering is easy and secure from 84 countries worldwide. Shipping is free in Canada and takes up to 14 days (way less, in my experience), depending on Canada Post. It’s only $3 to the US and $5 worldwide, regardless of the size of your order.
I’m thinking…stocking stuffers?
YOU CAN WIN a Mabel’s Labels gift certificate to order your own set of personalized sticky, skinny mini or shoe labels! Just send an email before midnight MST Friday, December 8, 2006 to muchmoreopinionated [at] gmail [dot] com with MABEL in the subject heading and the correct answer to the question: What types of labels does Mabel’s Labels offer that are not featured in this post? (Choose one.) A winner will be chosen using a randomizer and will be contacted after the deadline. Congratulations Jenny of Shlameel Shlamozl!
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The Baby Buddy Nursing Pillow was the first gift I received after my son was born. It was expected, and it didn’t come a moment too soon.
When I was about eight months pregnant, we had one of my best friends as a house guest for the weekend. She is a mother of two and is as discerning [read: picky] as I am about many things. We took a trip to the local Toys ‘R’ Us to pick up a few things – baby bedding, receiving blankets and a nursing pillow. I hadn’t told her in advance what I was shopping for – only that we were getting some baby items. When I reached up toward the top shelf for the popular pillow, she shrieked. “You’re NOT going to buy that. It’s fine if you don’t know what you’re missing, but I’ll get you one that’s WAY WAY better!”
I hemmed and hawed because I didn’t want to have to learn to nurse in the hospital without a pillow. I had heard how difficult it can be and I wanted to be as comfortable as possible. She assured me that if she didn’t have it to me before our baby was born that she would make the two hour drive and bring it to the hospital.
Our son was born on a Friday morning. Saturday morning, in walks my best friend behind the biggest yellow lump of pillow I had ever seen. “It’s here, it’s here!” she said as she dropped it and came over to give me a hug and meet our new addition.
Over the next few months, my Baby Buddy Nursing Pillow was my constant sidekick. I never left the house without it. It was the fourth pair of hands when mine, my husbands and my mom’s weren’t enough. Learning to nurse can be a tough business. This pillow makes it (almost) easy. And definitely comfortable! I brought it in the van, in the bottom of the stroller, into restaurants – literally everywhere I went. If I went into a store without the pillow and my son got hungry, I’d run to the van to feed him where my pillow was!
Nursing has, thank goodness, become much easier. I no longer need my Baby Buddy to be comfortable, but it sure helps. It keeps my back from getting sore and it keeps my son safe and comfortable if we fall asleep in the glider in the dark of night.
My husband and our parents also love our pillow. Especially when our son was tiny, it made everyone feel much more secure while holding him. Even several six year old children from my class held him safely with the support of the Baby Buddy. It’s so wonderful that I think I may dedicate this one as ‘his pillow’ and buy any future child(ren) their own. I have a feeling they’ll love them for a long long time. Once the kids are old enough to stake claim, I may need to purchase one more. For me. I love to read and watch tv with it. It’s a great support for a large book on my lap and makes a wonderful snuggle pillow on the couch.
Our son has grown in to using the Baby Buddy as a support while learning to sit as well. It’s soft yet supportive, and large enough to provide a cushion when he inevitably topples over. It’s larger than most pillows on the market and is filled with hypoallergenic polyfill. Each pillow comes with a removable and washable pillowcase in your choice of many fabrics (and if you don’t find one you like, they’ll custom-make one just for you!).
This pillow is definitely going to be one of my default baby gifts from now on. It’s one of the best gifts I received, and I’m proud to say it’s Canadian. Awesome, awesome product!
Save 10% on your Baby Buddy Nursing Pillowwith the code TOP10.
You’ll find Baby Buddy in the TOP Shops!
YOU CAN WIN ONE OF THESE GREAT PILLOWS!Send me an email at muchmoreopinionated [at] gmail [dot] com by midnight Friday, November 17th with BABY BUDDY in the subject heading and the answer to the question How long has The Baby Buddy been in business? A winner will be selected using a randomizer and I’ll email him or her for their mailing address on Saturday.(Congratulations, Pat!)
There’s no doubt that we’re in the midst of a recession, and even if you’re one of the lucky ones who hasn’t lost any money or jobs you’re sure to be feeling the urge to be a little bit more careful with your spare cash. However, that doesn’t mean you’ve lost your desire to splurge for yourself and your babes on high quality and functional merchandise.
Because my kids get enough stuff with having grandparents, aunties and friends always doting on them, I am digging my organic cotton tote hand-embroidered with “The Opinionated Parent.” Carrying it makes shopping slightly less painful, and it even gains me points at my local organic grocery store to use toward free goodies, because I am saving them a plastic bag. However, those of you who are a little less selfish than I are sure to enjoy the adorable personalized clothing. The long sleeved dress is stunning.
When I bought (okay, my mother in law bought…) my first stroller, I was very concerned about the cup holders. Little did I know that no matter how many and how deep they were, they’d still spill their contents everywhere when we hit bumps and would fall off and even break when they were stuck in the back of my vehicle. I suppose it’s akin to buying a car for the great mirrors and lipstick holder. You do it once and learn your lesson.
Happy Earth Day, dear readers. Today, more than ever, we’re thinking about ways to include our children in all of our earth saving activities. 
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. 
If there were ever a slogan for a diaper bag that worked for me, that is it. It’s directly from the mouth of 
Anyone who’s had a baby knows that if you aren’t well prepared you’ll often be running stairs just to change a diaper or you may even have a package of diapers and wipes laying in every room just to avoid the hassle. Since that looks, well…crappy, you’ll be very pleased to know about the 
When we were asked to review the 
The 
I thought of my classroom when I first saw the 
After the fifth or sixth “get up” even the most patient parents is bound to lose it just a little. The brains behins Moms On Edge developed the 
The 
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.
There’s a cool new product on the market that takes the questions out of nursing after drinking. 
Want to see if you like it as much as we do? Enter to win a Ellaroo Mei Tai Deluxe in the good n’ plenty print (shown – reverses to black) by emailing theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with Ellaroo in the subject line and tell us the one non-carrier item that Ellaroo sells. Contest closes at midnight MST on 4/9/07. Congratulations Glennia! 
It’s the beginning of picnic season, even in Canada. The Essentials 
Check the JJ Cole USA 
Everything at 
Neither did married par.entrepreneurs Lynne Tapper and Leland Brandt when their daughter Sofie was born. With the chaos that is new parenthood behind them, this professional organizer and stay at home dad team set to creating an organizational tool to help the rest of us navigate through the daze and come out the other end with some semblance of sanity. Their creation, 
It’s a funny little man-shaped figure that sits on an electric charger which is completely safe with no exposed contacts. It takes about 6-10 hours to fully charge and automatically turns on and off when removed from and placed back on the charger. (It actually turns off about an inch from the charger with is totally fascinating for a toddler!) The auto-on function also activates during a power outage. 
We’ve sent a few notes on our 
After months of pushing the stroller single handedly while carrying my latte, I discovered 
I reviewed Sara’s 
Sporty look? Check. It could easily be a stylish messenger bag.
Change pad? Check. The 
The 
A blanket with sleeves. Who’da thunk it?
The 
