We're over at http://www.mumsthewurd.com
Hope to see you over there!
Alright. I love shopping. I could shop for hours upon hours. The only problem is...I've seen it all before. What I must tell you is nothing gets me more excited than finding apparel that is super unique and original. Denise, Matilda Jane Clothing's owner and designer really hit the nail on the head with her funky and fresh sense of style. Her clothing line geared toward little girls and women makes my heart skip a beat!
Owner, Denise DeMarchis says:
"I want Matilda Jane clothing to make a little girl smile from ear to ear. I want her to love what she is wearing and be proud of how she looks. I want Matilda Jane clothing to showcase the sweetness of the child. I try to keep the silhouettes simple for that reason. It's not about fancy embroidery or over-the-top embellishments. It’s all about the darling girl wearing it."
Sizes in the children's line range from six months to 12 years. Now best of all, the women's line is available in sizes S-XL. The quality and attention to detail of these pieces is so impressive. I took my Matilda Jane Holly Hoodie to NYC with me last month and I'm sure heads were turning. My brick house tank accompanied me to Disney World last month, too. It was perfect in that gorgeous seventy degree weather!
I simply adore the funky and precious children's line. We have the adorable Vintage Ellie Halter ($34) that you see to the left and I've been so anxious to get some shots of Hailey wearing it.Matilda Jane Clothing is only available through trunk shows, juried art fairs and the Matilda Jane catalog. You can view the entire Spring 2008 line HERE.
I don't know about you, but I wouldn't mind being seen at the pool hanging out with these guys. These are the most fashionable, trendy ducks I have ever laid eyes on and there are more where they came from.
At Designroom, you will find a slew of BUD luxury ducks like Moroccan, Punk and Peace duck pictured above. They are phthalate free and US and CE approved. You're crazy if you think these are just fun for the kids...surprise someone with a luxury duck for their birthday or give one as a house-warming gift. Luxury ducks are $8.99 a pop.
I'm also digging this sweet swim ring in Daydream by BUD($12). I'll be rockin' this baby in the north woods in a few weeks.
I may have to splurge and get the matching BUD beach ball ($12). It would be fun hitting this 36" inflatable around in the lake!
I could talk and talk about the BUD products by Designroom but I really don't want to delay you from heading over to their website and browsing around the rest of the cool products there. Check out all of the fab new summertime products while you're there!
I generally do no print out my digital photos. Reason being, I take A LOT...of digital photos. It's very hard for me to choose which ones to print when I have five of the same shot. Besides, I took a break from real scrapbooking when I realized all of the cool things you can do with digital photos online or just with programs on your computer.
I broke down and took a disc of pictures to my local Meijer yesterday to take a stab at an photo creation. I've been eying up the HP Photo Center kiosks (photo on left) there for some time and never really thought about taking the time to make something.
I can say now that I'm glad I did and I will definitely continue making more. The process was painless and fortunately, there was a store employee there to guide me through, in case I needed help. If you decide to try out this neat way of making photo gifts, here are my recommendations:
Before you go to the store, organize your pictures. My project consisted of about 100 photos and I could have saved time doing this before-hand. For instance, if you're going to create a photo book, arrange your photos on your computer at home. Give the pictures filenames that will ensure they stay in a specific order. Choose only the photos you want to include in your photo book.- Save your photos to a disc or memory card. The HP kiosks accept CDs, multiple size memory cards and USB drives.
If you're interested in learning more, you can check out this HP Photo Services Demo.
Find a location by clicking HERE. Hopefully there is one near you!
For a limited time, if you buy a 16x20 poster, you get one free! Click HERE for the coupon. I think this promotion ends on May 31st...so there isn't much time left.
Leave us a comment and let us know if you've tried out the HP Photo Center kiosk and what project you created. We'd love to hear about it!
*In case you're wondering...I'm really digging HP products right now! I've had my HP Pavilion dv6707 laptop for about three months and I LOVE it!
So I'm really getting into babywearing these days. I have a 3 month old now that loves to be held. I mean, he would have us holding him constantly if he could have his way. This has prompted me to become more interested in slings and babywearing. I knew that I wanted to "wear" Lennon when I started reading this blog, but I didn't realize that I would want to try out every different sling known to man. Well, I want a closet full of slings. I don't need a closet full, but it's totally addictive. Today I thought, "My sling doesn't match my outfit at all!" This is funny, because you should see me most days. Picture yoga pants, flip flops, and hair up in a messy bun. Hopefully when you're seeing me I've remembered to take a diaper bag with me, but now you can bet that I WILL have remembered a sling! Now I want my sling to match my concert t-shirt and my Jan Brady plaid pants. It's getting ridiculous!
On the left, is the Moby Wrap I got today (that's not me, in case you wondered!). I instantly liked this wrap. It's super easy to use once it's on. I know a lot of people are intimidated by the giant piece of fabric, but if I can use it, anyone can. It can be used with infants/toddlers from preemie-35 lbs., and it is extremely versatile. Just look at all the different ways you can carry your child!
I've also been using my ModMum pouch quite a bit. Lennon likes to be held facing out, and he is so content in the pouch! I didn't think I would dig the pouch, but this one is not only pretty to look at, but serves as an awesome perch for little L.
I also still really dig my ring slings from Rockin' Baby Sling (Strawberry Fields-so appropriate) & Bronwen Handcrafted. Be sure to check out Rockin' Baby Sling for the funkiest styles. Their fabrics are amazing-right up my retro alley! My light, silk ring sling from Bronwen will be perfect for summer.
I have not had the pleasure of owning one of her slings, but I just think that the owner of nest is rad, and you should buy a sling over at her store too!
To recap: babywearing is great, and I love having the chance to wear Lennon around in all these cool fabrics!
I recently tested some of the EPIC (Environmental Products for Important Causes) product line sold at BuyGreen.com and of course, I was impressed. It's nice to be able to breathe and not choke after I spray some all-purpose cleaner on my counters and not feel like my skin is suffering because of toxic ingredients when I wash my hands. The EPIC hand soap contains no petroleum solvents, no dyes and no respiratory or skin irritants. Hey, the way I see it, we have to start somewhere and if that means using eco-friendly soap and cleaning products, then have at it my friends!
You should also be aware that 100% of EPIC's after-tax profit is donated to environmental conservation, education, and research.
What is also lovely about BuyGreen is that they offer a breakdown on the products that they carry. Check out their standards for the EPIC Glass and Mirror Cleaner. I really like it that they offer this extra detailed information.
BuyGreen is all about making friends with mother nature and our beautiful planet.Our mission at BuyGreen is to become your most trusted source for green products, offering the widest variety of quality products, the best information for consumers, and the most enjoyable shopping experience.
You will find more than just cleaning products at BuyGreen. You're going to find green living items from clothing to office supplies to tech gadget accessories.
*Laura recently reviewed Isabella's Dream, the I Dream Baby products which are also available from BuyGreen.
If you're "going green", then we highly recommend you bookmarking BuyGreen.com and visiting frequently.
I have been anxiously awaiting this. I got it today, took it RIGHT out of the box, cleaned it, and used it. I know, I am nuts. I love it, and I can't wait to tell you more about it!!!
I recently had the opportunity to test out a 2nd generation Zune (launched November of 2007). Little miss pink (pictured above) traveled with me to Disney last month. When it comes to mp3 players, I like both Zune and iPod. They are only slightly different and I have my pros and cons about each player/software but if you're contemplating purchasing an mp3 player and it comes down to either of the aforementioned, you're going to get great quality either way you decide to go.
Zune comes in different colors and is available with a 4 gig, 8 gig or 80 gig storage option. I say the more storage, the better! Because if you're anything like me, you don't carry a "brag book" with you. Just sync your digital photos to the Zune and there ya have it, a portable photo album of the fam. The player also has an FM tuner, which is cool for local stuff. I really like the video display and quality, much better than the iPod (I'm not talking iPhone or iTouch here). Just recently, Zune updated its Marketplace and added an extensive video section where you can get download-to-own content from favorite tv shows like The Office and 30 Rock, to content partners like NBC, MTV, Comedy Central and so on.
The more I browse around the Zune Marketplace and and software, the more it's growing on me. As an iPod owner, I'm so used to iTunes, so of course, this takes some getting used to. One nice option that Zune offers is their "Zune Pass", where you get unlimited music for $14.99/mo. Can't really beat that. There are also 5,000 podcasts available for download as well. I've even gotten "Social" on their website.
Overall, I think the Zune is a great product for the money and I would recommend checking one out.
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Hi there! Slacker-moms-r-us here! Ahhh, just kidding. We've both been busy with this and that. We're officially announcing the winners here for our past four contests. Winner's have been notified via email.
Mia Reading "Bugaboo Bug" software contest: Julie E.
Rare Plumage Purse: Melanie P.
Zutano "Itzy Bitzy" layette set: Andrea S.
Way Out Wax set of Aromatherapy Candles: Heather C.
Congratulations, everyone! More giveaways coming soon and maybe a few other little "surprises". Keep checking back!
Cheers,
The Mums
MumsTheWurd was mentioned in a post at the Silicon Valley Moms blog, written by the Techmama herself, Beth Blecherman!
Thanks, Beth!
In case you weren't already aware, I am a contributor at the Chicago Moms Blog, which is a part of the Silicon Valley Moms Group. Here are the links to all of the fabulous mom blogs around the country:
Be on the lookout because more of the Silicon Valley Moms Group blogs are popping up everywhere - hopefully in a city near you! Do you live in or around LA or St. Louis? These cities are next on the list! Feel free to email me if you want the scoop.
To all of you beautiful women who are also known as "mother":
Happy Mother's Day!
Laura and I will be celebrating right along with you. We hope you have a wonderful day!
I've been DYING to post about the brand new Barenaked Ladies kid's album, Snacktime. This is the band's first ever album geared toward the smaller human-kind. It is surely no disappointment and is at the top of our list of albums to listen to that parents and kids can enjoy together. I wouldn't have expected any less from BNL, as this band is known for their witty lyrics and bouncy sing-alongs. Come on, I still walk around singing, "If I had a million dollars..." Can never seem to get that song out of my head. Although, I should mention that it may be soon replaced with "Raisins" off of Snacktime. Totally catchy and silly with whistle-alongs and whatnot.
Snacktime, which was released on Desperation Records just a few days ago (May 6th), consists of a mix of 24 original tracks and this is what the band has to say about them:
"Our collective kids now outnumber the band more than 2 to 1," explains vocalist/guitarist Ed Robertson. "We set out to make a record that would be entertaining for them…not strictly a children’s record, but a record that children would really enjoy. Our kids are in to all kinds of music. They love the They Might Be Giants kids records, but they also love The Beatles, Fountains of Wayne, Randy Newman, Black Eyed Peas and Green Day. Making the focus about what our kids like was a truly liberating process and fun for the whole band."So in closing, I urge you to pick up this album and never take it out of your cd player, iPod, Zune, or whatever type of gadget you listen to music on. Just keep playing it over and over and over! You're kids will totally dig it and I don't doubt that you will too.
"Besides, our biological clocks are ticking," jokes drummer Tyler Stewart. "The medical risks associated with releasing children's music after age 40 are well documented, and we thought it best not to put any of our lives in danger."
I leave you with 7 8 9, the first track off of Snacktime. Enjoy!
mp3: 7 8 9 - Barenaked Ladies
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I've always loved to read, and I've always wanted my children to develop a love for reading early. Noel has already begun to show a lot of interest in books, which is awesome.
Last summer, I told you about a set of DVDs that we received; Your Baby Can Read! Well, unfortunately we were not persistent with the DVDs (but Noel does recognize a few words thanks to this set, so I know with some gumption, we would have a little reader on our hands). Now, Your Baby Can Read! offers books to go along with each DVD. The great thing about these books is that the pages are water & TEAR proof (why don't they do this with all kids books??)!! The Lift-a-Flap Books show a word, then the correlating object behind the flap. Within a couple days of having these and looking at them, Noel could pick out the right words when we'd ask him. I am convinced that these books and DVDs do work. We're going to start over with the DVDs and see what happens.
Another book we received will help steer your child in the direction of green living early. My Bag and Me shows how even the littlest among us can help protect the Earth by doing something as simple as bringing your own bag to the grocery store. This book includes a pint-sized bag just for your child! Check out Penton Overseas for more great choices for kids.
We have another fab Mother's Day Giveaway for you!
Here is your chance to win an assortment of 6 pure aromatherapy candles in recycled white smoked glass containers from Way Out Wax.
These candles will all burn for hours upon hours and you can rest easy knowing that Way Out Wax uses no synthetic scents, wax or wicks. Their candles come from 100% pure essential oils. These candles are excellent for mom's with allergies or who are pregnant. Way Out Wax is a very "green" company. Click here to read about their environmental commitment. They are located in northern Vermont and have a very sincere focus on health and well-being.
Here's how to enter:
For your chance to win 6 aromatherapy candles of your choice, send your answer to the following question to mumsthewurd[at]gmail[dot]com with "Way Out Wax" in the subject line:
Question: "How many aromatherapy 'single scents' and 'synergies' does Way Out Wax carry?" (Hint: click HERE)
A winner will be chosen at random on Saturday, May 10th and announced on Sunday, May 11th - Mother's Day.
Good luck!
What does one get for someone about to become a mom? How about a Wishing Well memory maker from Zinke Designs? This unique gift can be used for many occasions, but the birth of a baby is a perfect one! Use this lovely box of note cards to have friends and family share their wishes for your family on the arrival of your new bundle of joy. This special gift comes with 150 cards, a pen, and a keepsake box complete with a customizable photo area for the special occasion.
My sister did something similar for me when I had my first baby. It's great to go back and look at all of the wishes, dreams, and hopes that our loved ones have for our family. What a special way to commemorate such a wonderful time! Find the perfect design for your special mum here.
Given that it's almost Summer, I might be a little behind on this, but it has been raining across the country...
If you're going to go out in the rain, you don't have to look sad and depressing in an old pair of black galoshes. Head over to Vincent to find the most fashionable kids rain boots around. These groovy boots are not only nice to look at, but they also have a safety reflector on the back. Safe & easy on the eye... Noel is pictured here in the GRAFFEs. I love the 60s style of these boots. If you like something a bit more traditional, take a look at the DJUNGELs or the FROGs. They've got lots of styles of boots that should tickle your fancy!
Zutano has once again paired up with the Mums to offer our readers a chance to win this adorable newborn layette in the Celery Dot style (unisex) and Celery blanket. The Itzy Bitzy Collection is specifically made for preemie's and newborns...something Laura and I are very familiar with!
The Itzy Bitzy line fits new babies from 4 to 8 lbs. and up to 18 inches in length. So tiny!!! I can't believe my two and a half year old was ever that small but she was! There are seven styles to choose from in the Itzy Bitzy line and six different prints.
So, if you're a brand new mama or you know someone who will be celebrating their first Mother's Day with a new baby, make sure you enter to win!
The items included in the gift package (retailed at $90) are:
- An Itzy Bitzy layette: one size for the littlest newborn
- The Celery Dot Kimono top
- Celery multi-stripe leggings
- Celery Dot Footie
- Celery Dot Hat
- Celery Caterpillar body wrap onezie
- Cozie blanket in celery multi-stripe and solid celery
Send an email to mumsthewurd[at]gmail[dot]com with "Itzy Bitzy" in the subject line. Let us know if you have anything special planned for yourself this Mother's Day - which is on May 11th, in case you weren't already aware. : )
We will randomly choose a winner at 10pm CST on Saturday, May 10th. Winner will be announced on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 11th.
Good luck!
Let's face it, car seats HAVE to be safe and made to U.S. government standards. However, not all of the car seat companies are with the times when it comes to the most up-to-date features. A well-known and well-respected name in the car seat industry is Britax (pronounced "Br-eye-tax") and they have manufactured seats that should protect our kids in the unfortunate event of a side-impact collision. 
I'm not even going to pretend that I know all there is to know about car seats, but what I can tell you is that the Britax Diplomat (pictured to the left) is the third toddler car seat we have used in the past year. The other two brands we have tested do not have the padded "wing" feature that you can see in the picture. Britax is just one of two European makers of car seats who are marketing this type of seat. From experience, I can tell you that it seems like a very sturdy, well-made car seat and in my opinion, you can't beat that extra amount of protection for that precious life you've created.
From stories that I have read, it seems that one complaint so far is that the child's view is restricted. My toddler is about 33 lbs. and 34 inches and she does just fine in the seat. It sits a little higher up than the other two seats we have used (EvenFlo and Cosco) and is a bit more compact but she has never seemed frustrated about the True Side Impact Protection (TM). If anything, the padded wings provide some extra head and neck support should she decide to take a rare nap in our vehicle.
The newly developed car seats will cost you anywhere between $150 - $300. To that I have to say, it's worth it to comparison shop. We are on the road so much more these days and if it means my child will have just a little more protection while we're out and about, well, you do the math. A lot of parents want the best stroller, I would personally opt for the best car seat considering there is a much higher fatality rate in vehicles than in strollers.
U.S. car seat companies have not planned to manufacture a seat with the side-impact feature because there is not yet sufficient test proof. The government is supposed to present some guidelines within the next few months, so, we'll have to wait and see what happens then.
In the meantime, keep your eye out for these seats. If you're on the fence at all about which car seat to purchase, take your time and do your research. I think one of the most important things you will purchase when you have a child is going to be the car seat. You will want a safe, comfortable ride for your tot and choosing one of the new Britax car seats with the True Side Impact Protection (TM) is a good place to start.
*The Britax website has a lot of valuable information and videos on car seats.
**Check out Consumers Union's Child Car Seat Fact Sheet.
***Article on the new side-impact car seats in the Wall Street Journal online.
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Who doesn't want their children to develop early literacy skills?
"Kutoka Interactive’s new edutainment software game, Mia Reading: The Bugaboo Bugs!. The DVD-ROM, for the PC and Mac, is an adventure targeted at children five to nine that focuses on literacy skills with lots of fun games and activities.
The software delivers exceptional quality and incredible graphics that are delivered in HD. Mia Reading is one of a very small number of completely original titles -- not based on a movie, television show or licensed character, and it is one of a small number of educational software titles released each year."
WIN IT!
Kutoka is giving away the Bugaboo Bugs to one lucky winner! Email "Bugaboo Contest" to mumsthewurd[at]gmail[dot]com for your chance to win. Winner will be randomly drawn on May 5th at 5 PM CST. Again, this software is geared toward children aged 5-9. To learn more about the various software available from Kutoka, visit their website! Good luck!
Geesh...where have the Mums gone? Well, nowhere, really, for me, except maybe to CrazyLand. Everywhere, for Amy, and she started a full time job. Suffice it to say, we've been busy with life, and have not had much time to dedicate here, but we're trying to change that ASAP!!! What better way, than to bring you, dear readers, a contest for YOU. With Mother's Day coming up, wouldn't you love a fun, new purse to take around the town?
My friend Erin is the creator and designer of Rare Plumage purses and totes. I've carried my purse for over a year now. I love it! She does a beautiful job, and every purse is unique, cool, interesting, and solid! You can see her work on her blog.
Here's how the contest will work. Email "Purse Contest" to mumsthewurd[at]gmail[dot]com and tell us what colors/patterns you like in general. If you're the winner, we'll send you the one closest to your fave. Sound easy? That's because it is! The contest will run through May 1, at 5 PM CST.
If you're interested in purchasing a Rare Plumage purse, click here, and send Erin an email! Each purse is $30, unless otherwise stated.
Good luck with the contest, and I'll let you in on a little secret...I'll be putting up another one tomorrow or Sunday, so check back!
Want the best for your baby's skin? Then I Dream Baby from Isabella's Dream is for you. Their products contain a thoughtful, soothing blend of organic, wildcrafted or substainably grown therapeutic grade essential oils; and never have I smelled anything more wonderful! It's nice to know that what your putting on your child aren't chemicals and detergents, but organic, chemical-free products. I started using this on Lennon from his second or third bath and I'm telling you, he smells so good! It's also keeping his delicate skin so soft. The baby oil is great for cradle cap too. I rubbed a little on his head and the next day there was no evidence of that flaky scalp.
BuyGreen.com carries the I Dream Baby line and many other earth-friendly items. They are dedicated to helping preserve the environment in the items they sell and how they run their business. Check out Buy Green, as you will find all sorts of things for your home and your family, as well as your business!
Isabella's Dream also offers products for adults, teens and children as well. Their line includes skin care, hair care and sun care - all without harsh chemicals, synthetics, or anything harmful. Get some for your whole family. You're guaranteed to love it!
Or maybe not...It could just be the greatest $50 I've spent in the past 5 years, but still, that's a bold statement!
So yesterday our power was out (for 22 1/2 hrs!!!) due to some major storms in our area. We toughed it out because it was a beautiful day, and we were able to stay here and not completely fry.* There was one problem though. How was I going to pump? I've been doing this in the mornings, so we can give Lennon bottles before bed and at night, so we all can sleep more. I totally panicked and started calling around places to see if I could buy a battery pack. No dice. So, I bit the bullet, went to Target, and bought a hand pump, with the idea that I could return it if it was really horrible. Well, it is FAR from horrible. In fact, I'm irritated with myself that I never gave the hand pump a chance until now. I had no idea how great this device was! It's so much better, easier and faster to me than the electric pump I've been using.
Here's the little beauty-The Avent ISIS Handheld Breast Pump!
After I review the Aimee Nursing Gown (another fave), I am officially DONE talking any more about breasts! :)
*This weather will last about 2 weeks, then summer will hit.
With summer quickly approaching (temperature-wise in TX, we're practically there already. UGH.), you may be looking for things to do with your children. Our friends Ann & Sarah have come up with a brilliant new website, What to Do, Poopsy-Woo?, where you can find all sorts of great ideas for games, crafts, learning, etc. Check them out, and tell them the Mums sent you!
Here's her article.
And the video!
Remember the onesie Polkadot Patch Boutique sent for Lennon?
I know you have to have one too. Sometimes, pictures like these are so much better than posed "smiling" pictures.
p.s. He's almost 7 weeks. This is a 3-6 mo. onesie. If you've got a Buddha baby too, buy big!
Yes, that is AMY right next to KATIE COURIC!
Yesterday, Amy had the opportunity to meet Katie Couric to discuss this "Mommy Blogging" phenomenon. Can you believe it? She's going to be talking much more about her experiences this past week here, and at The Ladybug and Her Blogging Mama. Thanks, CBS and Katie for this awesome opportunity! We'll get the YouTube clip up as soon as it's posted. Congrats, Amy, on hitting the BIG TIME!!!
Want the opportunity to win some great Boon products? Boon has teamed up with Chronicle Books, publishers of the new book The Toddler Cafe, to bring you this terrific contest. Readers can enter to win by submitting their best ideas for getting kids to eat. The top ten entries will receive a signed copy of The Toddler Café and one of the new Boon feeding items. One grand prize winner will receive a complete set of Boon feeding items, plus an Animal Bag stuffed animal storage, and an assortment of parenting books form Chronicle Books including the signed copy of The Toddler Café.
Want to enter? Go HERE and tell them your best ideas for getting your kids to eat. Good luck!
Muslin is a fabric that keeps you cool in the summer, and warm in the winter, and it's the fabric that makes up my new, favorite baby blanket-The Aden and Anais Muslin Baby Wrap! What is so great about Aden and Anais? Well, for starters, the company was started by two Aussie mums, and Australians are cool. Any company that promotes swaddling, well, I'm going to love them. Swaddling is simply the best way to keep your baby calm and happy. Trust me, I can attest to the benefits of swaddling with my two very calm babies! The greatest thing about these blankets is their size. I have the Dream Blanket (on sale!), and it's so big (47" x 47") and thick! The wraps come 2 or 4 in a package, are the same size as the Dream Blanket, and aren't so thick. But will they keep your baby swaddled? Yes! You know all those teeny tiny receiving blankets
you get as gifts? Return them, and get some of these! They will actually fit your baby!
Is your little one too big for swaddling? The muslin blankets are useful beyond wrapping. They're versatile! See the bros on the right chillin' on the blanket? Aden and Anais also offers hooded towels and washcloths made of the same, soft, breathable muslin.
Go see all the people (including us!) that already love Aden and Anais, then head to a store near you, or shop on line for your very own!
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