MumsTheWurd!

2008-05-24T15:02:00.009-05:00

We're over at http://www.mumsthewurd.com

Hope to see you over there!

Matilda Jane Clothing

2008-05-23T21:26:00.008-05:00

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.

Phthalate free luxury ducks and whatnot

2008-05-23T10:54:00.004-05:00

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!

Photo Creations with HP

2008-05-23T09:31:00.005-05:00

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.

Your pictures will be loaded onto the kiosk at the store (they will be deleted after you finish your project). Chose your photo creation. Pick from calendars, photo books, mouse pads, mugs, etc. Some creations are ready within an hour and some take more time. I felt that the prices were really reasonable too. I create a personal calendar for my mom every year with photos that I take. Next year's calendar will be created at Meijer using the HP Photo Center kiosk.

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!

I'll Take a Wrap and a Pouch, to Go.

2008-05-16T22:32:00.002-05:00

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!

BuyGreen.com: The EPIC Product Line

2008-05-16T19:10:00.003-05:00

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.

Oh My, Medela!

2008-05-14T20:45:00.004-05:00

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!!!

Zune: How do you listen to your music?

2008-05-13T22:51:00.000-05:00

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.

Winner's announcements

2008-05-13T20:08:00.004-05:00

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

They like us, they REALLY like us!

2008-05-12T06:47:00.003-05:00

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.

Happy Mother's Day!

2008-05-11T08:41:00.001-05:00

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!

Barenaked Ladies: Snacktime is FINALLY released!

2008-05-09T20:19:00.004-05:00

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."

"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."

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.

I leave you with 7 8 9, the first track off of Snacktime. Enjoy!

mp3: 7 8 9 - Barenaked Ladies

Plant a Reading Seed

2008-05-06T11:14:00.005-05:00

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.

Way Out Wax: Something nice for the mum

2008-05-04T22:39:00.005-05:00

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!

A Gift Idea for New Mums or Mums-to-Be

2008-05-04T10:24:00.003-05:00

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.

Rain, Rain, You're Welcome to Stay-Cool Boots for the Rain!

2008-05-02T12:13:00.003-05:00

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 Offers a Mother's Day Treat!

2008-05-01T21:27:00.008-05:00

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

Here is how to enter:

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!

Britax: Side-impact Protection

2008-04-28T21:00:00.004-05:00

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.

Another Contest! Mia Reading Software

2008-04-28T17:35:00.003-05:00

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!

So How About a Contest?

2008-04-25T14:13:00.004-05:00

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!

BuyGreen.com: The I Dream Baby Product Line

2008-04-16T13:55:00.008-05:00

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!

So Do They Look Alike or Not?

2008-04-14T22:26:00.000-05:00

Sorry, people looking for a review, but I need a general concensus. These are my boys at approximately the same age (7 weeks). Do they look alike, or not?

The Best $50 I've Probably Ever Spent

2008-04-11T13:32:00.002-05:00

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.

What to Do, What to Do?

2008-04-09T07:15:00.002-05:00

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!

Katie Couric, on Meeting the Mommys

2008-04-08T13:06:00.001-05:00

Here's her article.

And the video!

We're Twits

2008-04-07T22:50:00.001-05:00

Want to follow Amy & Laura on Twitter? Come see what we're up to...everyone's doing it, why shouldn't you?

Polkadot Patch

2008-04-06T13:22:00.003-05:00

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!

Once More...Amy is FAMOUS!

2008-04-05T13:03:00.005-05:00

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!!!

A Boon Contest!

2008-04-04T20:39:00.003-05:00

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!

What in the World is Muslin?

2008-04-02T20:04:00.002-05:00

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!

The Big Kids Want Great Shoes Too!

2008-03-31T19:41:00.002-05:00

We've all heard about Robeez, right? The awesome, soft-soled shoes that are all the rage? They're also featured to your left on the cute feet of Lennon in the striped pants. Those of you with new walkers have probably thought to yourselves, "I loved Robeez, but my kid has outgrown them now that he can walk!" Well, fear no more, friends! Robeez have moved beyond the house and out the door for young walkers...Robeez Tredz are the newest thing to hit the streets and everyone's talking them up at a playground near you.

Personally, I love these shoes. Noel's Evan's, pictured on the legs with the "dog camo" (background), are so soft and look super comfortable. These aren't shoes you have to "break in" or "get used to". Noel loved them right away and was off and running in them from the first wear! They also seem to run big. He's got a pretty big foot (8-9) and he's still got a lot of room in these.

Don't be sad that your baby has grown into a walker! Show him working those legs in a new pair of Robeez Tredz!

Sandbox Threads: Funkdafie Your Tot

2008-03-29T21:05:00.008-05:00

We know cool, online apparel stores when we find them and Sandbox Threads fits that description mighty nicely.

Sandbox Threads is a place where you can find unique t-shirts and onesies for the little ones, just take a look at their selection of Famous Faces and Vintage Toys and Ads selections.

As you may already know, Laura and I are big music fans. Of course I had to get my hands all over that Clash design on a pink and brown Raglan tee for my toddler (pictured to the left). It's pretty cool (I think) when your two and a half year old can tell you "That's The Clash" when you ask her who is on her shirt. Same goes for our little buddies, Noel and Lennon. Our friends at Sandbox created these special, one-of-a-kind tees for these two little guys (to your left). Talk about customer service!

Sandbox Threads just celebrated their one year birthday and we're here to wish them many more! The more they celebrate, the more great quality tees we have to drool over. They are also one of the few online stores who still offer lower prices on their apparel. Owner/SAHD, Andy, blogs at Sandbox's "The Thread" blog and says this:

"We still believe we are offering a better quality product at some of the lowest prices around. Most of our competitors charge four, five, and sometimes ten dollars more than Sandbox Threads. We could probably charge that much also, but we just don't want to do it. I started Sandbox Threads to offer an alternative, and we plan to continue to do just that."

Sounds good to us! This post is going up a little late but if you hurry, you can still help celebrate their birthday by getting a discount on your purchase before the end of the month. Until 3/31/08, enter code "bday15" at checkout for 15% off your order.

A is for Art

2008-03-28T12:15:00.006-05:00

I do not own any fancy-schmancy wall art. As a matter of fact, it took my husband and I a little over three years after moving into our home to finally settle on some framed art for above our couch. We're a slight bit picky in the art department.

Now that I'm fortunate enough to be put in touch with some companies who make and sell unique art, it's nice to have the ability to browse around their websites and take my pick without leaving my house. I'm talking about the company, "A is for art". They have some cute and whimsical artwork available from cats with gumball machines on their heads (my favorite!) to ostrich's with a slice of cantaloupe, an olive and cherries on their heads. These are images that are fun and can boost your child's imagination.

Next time you're in the market for some funky and colorful art, head over to A is for Art and take a look around.

Why Not Wear Artwork?

2008-03-22T07:30:00.007-05:00

Fantasy, catching a ride on an armadillo, a candy smörgåsbord to rival Willie Wonka...these are just a few of the wonderfully charming and fanciful designs you'll find at Lark and Loon. Gretchen and Priscilla had a vision to create clothing for children that embodied the spirited nature of simply being a child, and they have succeeded! They commissioned artists throughout the country to design images that "convey the everyday HOPS, SKIPS and JUMPS, as well as a few outlandish cartwheels that occupy a child's day!"

Lark and Loon offers a nice assortment of t-shirts for boys and girls, as well as several dresses and pants for girls. All of these items are 100% cotton and made in the US. They've also tried to be as environmentally friendly as possible in the production of their wares:

"In an effort to limit our use of chemicals and to create a soft, nearly transparent feeling, we went with water-based rather plastiol for our screen printing. Water-based inks require less production time, and thus, fewer resources are consumed producing the ink. Also, because water-based inks are, as the name suggests, soluble in water, they require considerably less chemicals in the clean up process."

If you're looking for clothes that truly capture the magic of childhood, be sure to head over to Lark and Loon!

**Lark and Loon graciously contributes to the Americans for the Arts Foundation which helps to foster the art community nationwide.**

Olive Kids: Bedding for the Big and Little Kids

2008-03-21T15:51:00.005-05:00

Slowly but surely, we have transformed my toddler's crib into her "big girl bed". We went from lowering the mattress, to taking down one rail, to transitioning to a full-on bed with no rails (up against a wall). Sure, it's a tad bit smaller than a twin size but all thirty-four inches of her (including at least 10 stuffed animals) fits onto it just swimmingly.

Speaking of swimming, for the entire month of March, the Mermaids kid's bedding is on sale at Olive Kids. The Mermaids' designs are so colorful and cuddly. Along with the bedding, you will find other matching room decor, such as; the Mermaids clock, wall border and framed prints to name a few. Some items can also be personalized. Click HERE to view all of the Mermaids' items at OK. This is one of the things that I love most about Olive Kids, they give you the ability to coordinate your child's room decor and accessories.

Now, I opted for OK's brand new Tea Party design for our bedding, since we have more of a "pretty in pink" kind of theme going on. Nothing says "big girl room" like tea cups and muffins! I love the light-weight, cotton comforter and sheet set. There have been some peaceful nights in our house now that she's all cuddled up in her Tea Party toddler bedding.

Olive Kids has a great selection of colorful, fun designs for both boys and girls alike. Whenever I am in search of some new decor and accessories, I always turn to Olive Kids because I know their selections will not disappoint.

News of interest:
-OK is offering free shipping on orders over $175 within the continental U.S. until May 31, 2008.
-Sign up for the OK catalog and email list and you're automatically entered to win a $25 gift certificate (offered on a monthly basis)
-OK has an Outlet sales store
-OK also has sales!
-It's easy for you to hear about what's current at OK by reading and subscribing to the OK blog!

Check out the big girl Tea Party bed!

Prima Princessa: Dreaming of Ballerinas

2008-03-21T13:58:00.003-05:00

It's no secret that I have a punk rock princess running around my house. I hope some day, she fronts the top selling punk or indie rock band and is adored by millions. Though, if she's going to be any good at dancing around on the stage at all, she's going to need to master some coordination. Therefore, while she's still a punk rock princess in diapers, she's going to have to become a ballerina.

Prima Princessa is just the help we needed. The Prima Princessa DVD features scenes from the ballet, Swan Lake, performed by the Paris Opera Ballet. It's quite an adventure for some pre-school-aged girls who are featured in the DVD, dancing around and having a blast in their tutus. Guided by the animated fairy herself (to your right), Prima Princessa, your little princess is able to live this adventure right along with them.

My toddler has fallen in love with this DVD. She asks for her "princess" movie all of the time. She likes to try to mimic the dance sequences and I just watch on with a huge smile across my face. It won't be long now...

Prima Princessa presents Swan Lake is available in DVD format for $19.99 by clicking HERE. You can view a short video clip by clicking HERE. While you're at it, print out some coloring pages HERE. We're really into the printing out of coloring pages right now.

WIN IT!

We have TWO copies of Prima Princessa presents Swan Lake to give away to TWO of our readers!

TO ENTER:

Answer two questions. Submit your answers to the following questions to mumsthewurd[at]gmail[dot]com with "Princessa" in the subject line:

Question 1: "How many coloring pages are available on the Prima Princessa website?" (Hint: read my last paragraph above for link)

Question 2: "What are the names of the moms behind the Prima Princessa DVD?" (Hint: click HERE)

Two winners will be chosen at random and notified via email on Wednesday, March 26th at 10PM CST.

Good luck! (Oh, and check out my little punk rock princess ballerina in action below!)

PS: Want to double your chances of winning one of these fabulous DVDs? Click over and visit Amanda's site and enter her giveaway too!

The Learning Tower: The best addition to our home

2008-03-21T10:37:00.006-05:00

My daughter is two and a half and loves to be where all of the action is. Cue The Learning Tower. I couldn't ask for a more sturdy, multi-use stool in our home for her age. We have our Learning Tower up against our breakfast bar/kitchen island. She climbs up to have breakfast in the morning, among other things like playing with play dough or "bathing" her toys in the sink. It's a Godsend, I'll tell you. Instead of her milling around under us, she props herself up in her "tower" (as she calls it) and watches/interacts from our level.

Some of the fantastic features of this piece of furniture are the adjustable (no tools needed) notches to raise and lower the floor, depending upon your child's height/age. The Learning Tower is available in three different stains; dark cherry, ebony and soft white. It is also available in a natural finish (lead-free).

An added plus is the Playhouse Kit. We've put on some pretty fabulous puppet shows using the roof and curtains. The Playhouse Kit is sold separately.

If you need to know anything else about The Learning Tower, head over to the manufacturer's website, little Partners. There you can view the numerous awards that have been given and find a list of retailers.

*The Learning Tower is available for the lowest price ($179.99) at Kiddin' Around. You can also purchase it together with the Playhouse Kit there.

Blast from the past: The Mr. Men Show (and Little Misses too)

2008-03-19T16:57:00.006-05:00

Have you checked out the new Mr. Men show on Cartoon Network yet? It's been on the air since the beginning of February and it's super cute! The Mr. Men show can been seen on the Cartoon Network, weekdays at 9am e/p. Check out this clip:

In case you weren't already aware, because you missed that part of your childhood, the Mr. Men and Little Miss characters came from a book series created by Roger Hargreaves in the early 1970's. As a child, I was the owner of these books and always adored these characters. It's so fun to see them brought to life, even at age 30.

When asked how the new t.v. series differs from the book series, the execs at Cartoon Network responded:

"The show was inspired by the personalities of the characters in the book series and the producers took great care to preserve the essence of the original and at the same time re-interpret it for a new medium and with today’s audience in mind."

Also, when asked what their thoughts were on the appropriate age for viewing the Mr. Men t.v. series was, they responded:

"Like all great comedy, The Mr. Men Show appeals to a wide age range, with the younger kids enjoying the slapstick humor and the older kids enjoying the verbal wit. The Mr. Men Show captures the magic behind what makes kids fall in love with cartoons --- hilarious physical humor and beloved personality-driven characters."

We've been spending some time at the Mr. Men website, meeting the characters and playing their games. The game with Mr. Bump has my toddler belly laughing. You just move asteroids to bump him around when he falls from the sky. She thinks it's the cat's meow. We've played almost all of the games and I can say my favorite by far is the one with Mr. Grumpy. All you do is click on birds and they poop on him. Seriously. How much more entertainment do we need than that? Some other notably fun games were with Mr. Messy (drawing) and Mr. Quiet (swatting flies). We'll be printing out free coloring pages to decorate and send to the fam too.

If you happen to fall in love with these adorable characters all over again, make sure you head over to Food Fight, as you know from my previous post, they sell a handful of the Little Miss and Mr. Men tees for the tots!

Let us know if you've watched the Mr. Men show and what you think!

Food Fight (hide the evidence, change your shirt)

2008-03-19T11:20:00.006-05:00

Geez, another food post, you say? Noooo...Food Fight is an eBoutique that carries a lot of fun apparel (onesies and tees) for the kiddos.

They offer tees and onesies (newborn to 6) from many popular brands including, Jeeto!, Childish and Red Decco to name a few.

We're currently digging on this awesome "Little Miss Fun" tee by Junk Food. Talk about bringing me back to my childhood days.

I was delighted with the packaging of the Food Fight tee. It was packaged as a "hot dog". That is just one of a couple of different gift wrap options they have.

The owners of Food Fight enjoy giving back. $1 of every sale goes to DonorsChoose.org, a not-for-profit organization that provides school supplies to public school classrooms in need.

Hope you have a chance to head over to Food Fight and take a look around today!

Food for Thought

2008-03-18T18:00:00.003-05:00

Since we're on the topic of organic consumption, we have coupons good for ONE FREE package of Boca Meatless Products (each coupon good up to a $3.99 value) for FOUR winners (three coupons per winner). They expire on March 31st, so this contest will end tomorrow, Wednesday, 3/19/08 at 10PM CST.

TO ENTER:

Send an email to mumsthewurd[at]gmail[dot]com with your name and mailing address. We'll send out the coupons on Thursday morning so you should have plenty of time to redeem them.

Good luck!

Drink for Thought

2008-03-18T14:52:00.005-05:00

The word "organic" seems to be on the tip of everyone's tongues these days but what does organic really mean?

A well-known dairy company called "Horizon Organic" will explain to you first hand how important consuming organic products is. Their products are free of pesticides, hormones and antibiotics, which means they are healthier for you and your family.

Horizon's products are certified organic and I can tell you from my own experience, they taste great. I don't know if it's the fact that they are produced with care and concern for the consumer's health but there is something about the taste that makes me come back for more. I'm confident with giving my toddler Horizon products
because I know they care more about quality than quantity, therefore better products are produced.

We have three coupons for a FREE Horizon Organic product (up to a $4.99 value) for three winners. The coupons expire 7/31/08. To enter, leave a comment on this post with your contact information. Feel free to let us know if you've ever tried Horizon products before. Winner will chosen at random (not based on feedback) tomorrow, Wednesday, 3/19/08 at 10PM CST. Click HERE for a list of retailers that carry Horizon products. That is how you will know if you are near one to be able to use the coupon if you win. Unfortunately, these coupons can not be used online.

Good luck!

PS: If you have a chance, check out Horizon's website for recipes and health tips, as well as games and coloring pages for the little ones!

How Do You Spell Relief?

2008-03-16T07:19:00.004-05:00

These two have put a major roadblock in my already limited blogging life...and that's ok, except for the fact that I haven't found much time to tell you about more fab products or to give away cool stuff! Fortunately, you all know I have an awesome partner in review land that we can all depend on. So a big thanks to Amy, who has held this little blog together while I feed, diaper, wipe tears and peanut butter from faces, chase, shush, and just try to keep my hair washed every other day. :) I think I'll probably have this all under control in about 5 years.

That being said, I have found some moments of solace in this hectic environment. Along with the chaos of having a newly-turned-two year old and a newborn comes some pain. I totally forgot how, well, awful the first weeks of breastfeeding are. Thankfully, other people know this, and do what they can to help us sore moms out. The Shower Hug is a soft, knit terry velour towel that you wrap around sore breasts to protect them from the harshness of the shower. It is a God send! I'm still "recovering" from the first few days of Lennon and his extremely aggressive nursing (the kid is hungry!), and the Shower Hug has been a welcome relief. I also wear it at night, instead of a nursing bra. It's so soft and comfortable! You can see for yourself all of the great benefits of the Shower Hug here, and also learn how to wear it here. I can not tell you how grateful I am to have found this product. Before I got it, I was wincing at the thought of showering, but now, I welcome this part of the day. I am so glad I got the "hug" that I was in desperate need of! Thanks, Belmama & Cherub!

Fadiddle: For the Under Six Crowd

2008-03-14T18:23:00.006-05:00

I found out about Fadiddle a while ago because I saw their "Future Blogger" design. In all of my days of researching boutiques, I have never come across a future blogger tee for my toddler. Anyone who knows me, knows that my husband and I are avid bloggers. We're recruiting our daughter into the blogosphere too. So, you can imagine why the boutique who offers this design stuck with me. The "Future Blogger" design isn't the only one that caught my eye over at Fadiddle. There's grumpapotomous and newb among many other embroidered, one-of-a-kind phrases and designs to choose from.

The fine, fine couple (Caleb and Deb) from the earthy city Portland, OR, who make these spectacular pieces of clothing ask but only one thing of you...that you love their work and your children wear their apparel until there is nothing but a shred of material left. If you ask me, that doesn't seem like such a hard thing to do.

If you have questions for the Fadaddle team, such as where you can purchase their products don't hesitate to contact them via EMAIL.

Here's Hailey with her Comfy PC wearing her Future Blogger long sleeve tee. See, I told you she's the future of blogging!

In The Motherhood: For Moms, By Moms

2008-03-14T09:47:00.005-05:00

If you're not already familiar, In The Motherhood is a series of stories online written by real moms, for moms. What is unique is that you can submit your stories, have them voted on and if your story wins, you can watch it acted out by professional actors. Starring in the second season of these fabulous webisodes are Leah Remini (The King of Queens fame), Jenny McCarthy (model/actress/author) and Chelsea Handler (stand-up comedian). Check out this webisode from the second season, "Infamous 3rd Date" where Chelsea Handler's character, Heather, gets a little "surprise":

The shows are a hoot! I think it's fantastic that we can share our real life situations with other parents in this way and really get a good laugh out of them. Unfortunately, the submissions are closed for this season but I suggest we all keep an eye out for the debut of season three and if you're anything like me, I'm sure you'll have a couple of good stories to share too and who knows...one of these fine actresses may just play the part of YOU!

In coordination with In The Motherhood and Suave, we have a fabulous Suave prize package (including a couple of other goodies) for one lucky MTW reader!

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment on this post, including your first name and email address. You can type out your email address like this: yourname at yahoo (we'll know it's dot com unless you specify otherwise).

Feel free to share any of your disasterous/hilarious parenting stories in your comment if you'd like! A winner will be chosen (at random, not based on comment) at 10 PM, Wednesday, March 19th. Good luck!

While you're waiting to find out if you're the winner, head over to In the Motherhood's website to read some great stories and join the discussions on the message boards.

Baby Star: Safe for Baby

2008-03-12T21:06:00.006-05:00

A safe choice for parents in baby products can be found at Baby Star. All of the products from this company are *formaldehyde-free. What exactly does that mean? It means you, your baby and the environment are safe.

Baby Star has a wonderful selection of bibs, blankets, burps and many other comforting baby items to choose from. They also carry the new Caribou bassinet and accessories, which I happen to be very fond of. Baby Star has been offering safe, cuddly and unique products since 2006 and these products are available for purchase at select children's boutiques around the world. You can also find Baby Star products online at select eBoutiques.

We've been putting the four square pink bib to use around our house lately and in my opinion, I think it's a great quality bib.

*While I was searching formaldehyde information for my review, I came across THIS article from National Geographic's Green Guide. I thought it would be of some interest, so I included it.

MTW & The UBP

2008-03-08T00:00:00.003-06:00

Thrown off by the acronyms? I'll translate...

MumsTheWurd and The Ultimate Blog Party. :) Better? Good.

For those of you who are venturing over here to MumsTheWurd dot com from The UBP, there are a couple of things you should know:

a) We JUST celebrated our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! Yay for us!

b) We JUST finished up over a week's worth of fantabulous giveaways...hopefully you were already a visitor and were able to hit up some of those giveaways, if not, no worries. We ALWAYS have giveaways here!

That being said, welcome to our fun little review site where we pretty much hang out because of YOU. We love promoting parenting and baby/kid-related products and hosting giveaways. We're always looking for ways to promote our site and get the wUrd out there so no one misses out on the unique products found on the web. We're glad you stopped by and we're really hoping you decide to visit us on a regular basis. Have a blast blog-hopping during the Ultimate Blog Party! We hope you all find some great new sites to bookmark and visit this week!

On with the goodies! Are we crazy? We just gave away a TON of stuff and here we are giving away something AGAIN. That's our modus operandi here...get used to it. :)

We've decided to host our own little prize package over here this week but if you're a participant of the UBP, then you already know that there are a load of fantastic prizes up for grabs over there. If you haven't visited the UBP at 5 Minutes for Mom, then, GEEZ, get over there and see what all the fuss is about! Feel free to enter our giveaway here and good luck on all of those other freebies there! Holy bloggy fun, batman!

WIN IT!

In coordination with the Ultimate Blog Party week, we're giving away a nice treat for the ladies - a Peppermint Pattie Pedi ($55 value)! Holy Pete this gift pack smells good. If you're a chocolate and peppermint lover, you'll be in heaven because it smells good enough to eat but don't because it's for your feet. This scrumptious pedi-pack is brought to you by Klean Bath & Body.

The gift pack includes: Devil Made me Do it chocolate sugar polish, Peppermint Dream Whipped Shea Body Butter, Peppermint Bath Syrup and Peppermint Dream KLEAN Mist, pumice stone, scrub brush, toe separators and a pair of Spa Sister socks to put on to keep all of that yummy moisturizing goodness in after you treat your feet.

TO ENTER:

Just leave a comment on this post with your first name and email address (can be typed like this: yourname at yahoo - we'll know it's a "dot com" unless you specify otherwise).

In your entry comment, let us know if you're coming over from the UBP at 5 Minutes for Mom or if you're planning on heading there to enter all of their fab prizes after you enter our giveaway.

Contest ends when the UBP ends, March 14th, 2008. We'll contact our winner via email at the end of the day. This contest is only open to residents of the continental U.S.

GOOD LUCK and tell your friends we are number 598 on the Ultimate Blog Party participant list!

MumsTheWurd Turns ONE!

2008-03-07T00:00:00.026-06:00

***WINNER'S HAVE BEEN CONTACTED AND POSTED! SCROLL DOWN...***

Hard to believe where an entire year has gone but here we are, one year later and we're kicking off our FIRST anniversary with a bunch of fabulous GIVEAWAYS for YOU!

Now, on to the BIG FUN! We have a BUNCH of AMAZING products to give away during our First Anniversary Bash. This post will remain at the top of our site until the end of the celebration.

Here are our First Anniversary Bash details/giveaway rules:

We will post a giveaway each day for each prize. You will have to visit each giveaway post to enter for it's prize.

Each giveaway *may* be run a little differently than the other, so please follow the details on each one that you wish to enter.

Feel free to enter each giveaway! You (bloggers and non-bloggers) may enter each giveaway only ONCE, UNLESS the details of that certain giveaway specifies otherwise.

Below is a celebration banner and code if you'd like to place it in a post or on your blog, inviting others to come and join the fun. Note: you are not required to do this in order to enter any of the contests but we sure would appreciate the exposure! The more, the merrier.

All giveaways will end on Thursday March 6th at midnight and winners will be announced on our "official" anniversary date, Friday, March 7th on this post. Check back here to find out if you've won. Again, please follow the specific entry details on each giveaway so you know how to enter.
Do not comment on this post to enter, please click on the individual links below to enter any of the giveaways separately.

PARTICIPANTS/PRIZES!

The following boutiques/companies have graciously offered up some incredible prizes for you to win on OUR anniversary! Click the links below each logo to be taken to that individual post/giveaway to enter.

$250 gift certificate to Zutano's eBoutique
WINNER: Audra

Animal Bag ($60 value) from Boon
WINNER: Sandy M.

$200 Gift Certificate to Natural Pod's online eBoutique
WINNER: Tom

Win a Kaboost ($38 value)
Winner: Sarah D.

THE MYSTERY PRIZE GIVEAWAY - A box of Tootsie Roll products!
Winner: Kristi

Win a Pair of See Kai Run Shoes ($42 value)
Winner: Laura N.

Win a Pair of Eleven Collection Shoes ($54 value)
Winner: Patti
Winner: Meg

Win a toddler BOY's Swim Package ($165 value)
Winner: Alexa

Win a toddler GIRL's Swim Package ($165 value)
Winner: Sarah

ENTER THE MYSTERY PRIZE GIVEAWAY - A box of Tootsie Roll products!
Winner: Crystal

An outfit of your choice from Happy Green Bee (up to a $ 55 value)
Winner: Chiar

Two Brown 2008 BusyBodyBooks for two winners ($16.95 value)
Winner: SJ
Winner: Whitney

DAY NINE: 3/5/08 - ENTER THE LITTLE LAUREATE GIVEAWAY - Win Little Laureate's "My World Gallery" and "My World Colors" DVD/CD sets ($70 value)
Winner: Shoppin Momma

Thank you to all of our readers and boutiques for making this such a fun year for us! We love introducing you to all of these unique products and believe us, there are many more out there! We plan to continue bringing you all of the best ideas and new products to help ease you through the wonderful world of parenting. 2008 should be an even better year and we hope you will continue visiting us and the boutiques we feature every day!

Nine Days of Giveaways - in a nutshell

2008-03-06T23:59:00.000-06:00

Today is the LAST day to enter all of our First Anniversary giveaways! It's been a pleasure bringing all of these fun products to you. We just wish we could give every single one of our readers something...that's the hard part!

Here are all of our giveaway links, hopefully you've entered them all!

- ENTER THE ZUTANO GIVEAWAY - $250 gift certificate to Zutano's eBoutique
- 3/5/08-3/6/08 - 3rd Chance to enter for Zutano!

- ENTER THE BOON GIVEAWAY - Pink or green Animal Bag ($60 value) from Boon

- ENTER THE NATURAL POD GIVEAWAY - $200 Gift Certificate to Natural Pod's online eBoutique

- ENTER THE KABOOST GIVEAWAY - Win a Kaboost ($38 value)

- ENTER THE MYSTERY PRIZE GIVEAWAY - It's a "sweet" treat!

- ENTER THE SEE KAI RUN GIVEAWAY - Win a Pair of See Kai Run Shoes ($42 value)

- ENTER THE ELEVEN GIVEAWAY - Win a Pair of Eleven Collection Shoes ($54 value)

- ENTER THE LANDS' END GIVEAWAY - Win a toddler BOY's Swim Package ($165 value)

- ENTER THE LANDS' END GIVEAWAY - Win a toddler GIRL's Swim Package ($165 value)

- ENTER THE MYSTERY PRIZE GIVEAWAY - It's another "sweet" treat!

- ENTER THE HAPPY GREEN BEE GIVEAWAY - An outfit of your choice from Happy Green Bee (up to a $ 55 value)

- ENTER THE BUSYBODYBOOK GIVEAWAY - Two Brown 2008 BusyBodyBooks for two winners ($16.95 value)

- ENTER THE LITTLE LAUREATE GIVEAWAY - Win Little Laureate's "My World Gallery", "My World Colors" and My World Adventure DVD/CD sets ($105 value)

First Anniversary Bash: Day Nine - Little Laureate

2008-03-05T17:43:00.006-06:00

I'm so glad we have other options for educational viewing and listening material besides the Baby Einsteins series. Don't get me wrong, I do own several of the Baby Einstein products, although, had the Little Laureate DVDs/CDs been available at the time, I would have purchased them first and foremost. The more I read/hear about Little Laureate, the more impressed with the company and vision I am.

The Little Laureate DVD/CD series features the work of famous artists and classical music played by the Moscow International Orchestra. "Star" is the host on these DVDs and will keep the wheels in your child's head turning for the entire 30 minutes. Put on one of the 60 minute cd's and assist in accelerating your child's brain development. There is also a 24-page parent book included with each DVD/CD set. This series is geared toward children 18 months and up. Of course, children of any age will probably find it fascinating.

Little Laureate Founder/President, Heather Maclean (mom of three) has a very impressive background as an entrepreneur and has been named one of the "16 Best Entrepreneurs in America" by Sir Richard Branson. She appeared on the reality t.v. show "The Rebel Billionaire" in 2004.

MumsTheWurd along with KidStuff PR and Little Laureate are happy to offer the, "My World Gallery", "My World Colors" and "My World Adventure" DVD/CD sets for giveaway during our First Anniversary Bash!

To enter the Little Laureate giveaway:

Leave a comment on THIS post including the following information:

First Name
Email address (you can type it out like this: yourname at yahoo dot com)

Comment section is located at the BOTTOM of this post, just under the three little buttons (sk*rt this/vote for me/digg it). (For those of you who are receiving this post in your inbox or via RSS feed, you must visit this post on our site to leave your giveaway entry comment).

*We are extending entries to this contest an extra day, since it's so close to the cutoff of our other anniversary giveaways. You have until the end of the day, March 7th (any time zone) to enter. A winner will be chosen at random the morning of March 8th and contacted via email.

GOOD LUCK!

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
SPECIAL DEAL FOR OUR READERS: If you click over to Little Laureate's website to purchase any of the DVD/CD sets, here is a special code that you can use to BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE! All you have to do is place your two selections in the cart and when you get to the check out, enter the code "mums" in the Coupon Code section (just below the shopping cart area). Click Apply and you're all set!
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

Is there anything cuter...

2008-03-05T17:20:00.004-06:00

than a baby in a Zutano outfit? We've got some new Spring 2008 fashions to show off too, coming soon!

Get Rowdy!

2008-03-05T16:58:00.005-06:00

I got a new diaper bag. I have had a few, and this is by far my very, very favorite. Rowdy is a diaper bag company that you can trust to bring you cool products, while providing you with the most versatile bag of this kind that I have seen. It's got all sorts of features, like an insulated bottle holder, a changing pad, and a removable clutch so you can have a "purse" too. What I like most about this diaper bag, aside from it's rad look, is that it's enormous. I can carry diapers for both of my boys, along with snacks, drinks, wipes, etc. I have not found one yet that can hold as much as my Rowdy bag!
There are several styles & colors of bags to choose from. I went with the Rocker Convertible in copper, and I am quite pleased with my choice. However, I could have any one of these and been thrilled. They're all so uber-cool! Rowdy also offers changing pads and blankets. They've also got a couple of specials going right now too.

Just because you have a baby doesn't mean that you have to give up being a groovy person. You just have to seek out cool products so you and your kid stay hip! Take the first step by getting yourself a Rowdy diaper bag! To get 15% off of your purchase, enter "MUMS" when you check out!

Final extra chance - Zutano Giveaway!

2008-03-05T09:19:00.004-06:00

Here is your 3rd chance to enter to win the $250 gift certificate to Zutano's eBoutique!

For this entry, please email us your answer to the following question:

"What is the name of Zutano's cuddly, soft mascot? " (Hint: Click either bunny image!)

Email your answer to mumsthewurd[at]gmail[dot]com with "Zutano 3rd Chance" in the subject line and your answer to the question in the body of your message.

*3rd chance Zutano entries will be accepted all day 3/5/08 through midnight 3/6/08. You can still enter Day One: Zutano (if you haven't already).

Good luck!

First Anniversary Bash: Day Eight - BusyBodyBook

2008-03-04T17:10:00.007-06:00

BusyBodyBook Personal and Family Organizers are just my most favorite thing, aside from my new BlackBerry Curve, of course. Though, sometimes an electronic device just isn't enough for all that I have going on in my life. These planners are top notch. There is a ton of room for everything you need to keep track of inside of them. The planners come in two different formats; academic year (Aug. - Sept.) and yearly (Jan. - Dec.). The '08 planners are are also available in different designs; Dots, Stripes, Brown, and ZigZag. The Dots and Stripes designs are sold out but the 2008 Stripes and ZigZag designs are still available for 50% off. I can't forget to mention the Fridge GRID Pad, an undated, 7-column magnetic pad that sticks to your fridge. I use mine religiously.

The new 2009 BusyBodyBook designs are SWEET and will be available this June for purchase. Take a peek at them here.

We have TWO of the SOLD OUT Brown BBB's up for grabs for TWO winners during our First Anniversary Bash.

To enter the BBB giveaway:

Leave a comment on THIS post including the following information:

- First Name
- Email address (you can type it out like this: yourname at yahoo dot com)

Comment section is located at the BOTTOM of this post, just under the three little buttons (sk*rt this/vote for me/digg it). (For those of you who are receiving this post in your inbox or via RSS feed, you must visit this post on our site to leave your giveaway entry comment).

*The reason we want you to leave your name & email in the comment entry is so that we don't have to hunt for your contact info. We're sorry, but this is simply the easiest way for us to run over 10 contests in 1 week.

As all of our other anniversary contests, a winner will be drawn as of midnight on March 6th and announced on March 7th.

GOOD LUCK!

First Anniversary Bash: Day Seven - Happy Green Bee

2008-03-03T18:04:00.005-06:00

Bright, colorful and comfy. Those are three words that easily describe Happy Green Bee. We previously wrote about this boutique that carries organically grown cotton apparel and we're very happy to announce that they are offering up an outfit for giveaway to help celebrate our First Anniversary! One winner will be chosen and have their choice of an outfit (such as a pair of leggings, a tee and a hat or a dress and a pair of tights). Click over to Happy Green Bee and take a look at all they have to offer, so you'll be ready to make your choice when your name is picked.

To enter the Happy Green Bee giveaway:

Leave a comment on THIS post including the following information:

First Name
Email address (you can type it out like this: yourname at yahoo dot com)

First Anniversary Bash: Day Six - Lands' End GIRLS Swim Package

2008-03-03T14:31:00.003-06:00

Land's End, the people that have been bringing quality items to you for many years, want to give you a swim package! This giveaway is for a toddler GIRL swim package!

Girl Swim Package includes:
-Ruffle Rash Guard Top
-2-piece Skirted Tankini
-Speedo Swim Googles
-Mesh Water Shoes
-Sunscreen Kit
-Kids’ Beach Towel
-Mesh Bucket Bag

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

Leave a COMMENT on this post INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

First name
Email address
Toddler girl size preference

The comment section is located at the bottom of this post, just under the three little buttons (sk*rt this/vote for me/digg it). (For those of you who are receiving this post in your inbox or via RSS feed, you must visit this post on our site to leave your giveaway entry comment).

*YOU MUST LEAVE CONTACT INFO IN YOUR COMMENT. The reason we need you to leave your name & email in the comment is so that we don't have to hunt for your contact info. We're sorry, but this is simply the easiest way to run over 10 contests in 1 week. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Check out THIS post for more official anniversary bash news and rules.

Click HERE to leave this giveaway and enter to win the Lands' End BOY'S swim package.

As all of our other anniversary contests, a winner will be drawn and announced on March 7th.

GOOD LUCK!

First Anniversary Day Six: Mystery Prize II

2008-03-02T15:19:00.003-06:00

Another mystery prize!!! What could it be again??? Leave your first name and email address in the comment section and you'll find out what you've won next week! Good luck!

First Anniversary Bash: Day Six - Lands' End BOYS Swim Package

2008-03-02T15:03:00.008-06:00

*ATTENTION: Originally this post was for both boy and girl swim packages...this post is now just to enter for a BOY'S SWIM PACKAGE. Click here to enter for the GIRL swim package.

If you entered here originally for a GIRL'S swim package, never fear, we've moved your entry comment over to the new girl's swim package post.

***************************************************************************

Land's End, the people that have been bringing quality items to you for many years, want to give you a swim package! This giveaway is for a toddler BOY swim package!

Boy Swim Package includes:

-Short Sleeve Hibiscus Rash Guard
-Hibiscus Print Cargo Board Shorts
-Speedo Swim Googles
-Sunscreen Kit
-Mesh Water Shoes
-Kids’ Beach Towel
-Mesh Bucket Bag

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

Leave a COMMENT on this post INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

First name
Email address
Toddler boy size preference

The comment section is located at the bottom of this post, just under the three little buttons (sk*rt this/vote for me/digg it). (For those of you who are receiving this post in your inbox or via RSS feed, you must visit this post on our site to leave your giveaway entry comment).

*YOU MUST LEAVE CONTACT INFO IN YOUR COMMENT. The reason we need you to leave your name & email in the comment is so that we don't have to hunt for your contact info. We're sorry, but this is simply the easiest way to run over 10 contests in 1 week. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Check out THIS post for more official anniversary bash news and rules.

Click HERE to leave this post to enter to win the Lands' End GIRL'S swim package.

As all of our other anniversary contests, a winner will be drawn and announced on March 7th.

GOOD LUCK!

First Anniversary Bash: Day Five - See Kai Run

2008-03-01T07:00:00.003-06:00

As you might already know, we love a cool little shoe company called See Kai Run. This happy store gives children the utmost comfort in footwear, while still providing some of the coolest styles on the market today. The creators of SKR understand our need for this, as they got the idea for See Kai Run from their son, Kai himself!

As you can see here, lots of attention has been given to this awesome store. You can purchase Kai's for your own little ones by clicking here. They will also soon launch their own online boutique! However, we want to give you your chance to win these super shoes yourself!

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

Leave a COMMENT on this post INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

First name
Email address

The comment section is located at the bottom of this post, just under the three little buttons (sk*rt this/vote for me/digg it). (For those of you who are receiving this post in your inbox or via RSS feed, you must visit this post on our site to leave your giveaway entry comment).

*YOU MUST LEAVE CONTACT INFO IN YOUR COMMENT. I can't stress that enough. Even if you have a blog, please leave your first name and email address in your comment. We always feel bad if we pick a winner that ends up being unreachable. We need to be able to reach you via email if you win. You can even type your email address in this fashion: name at yahoo dot com, in case you're worried about the spam robots. We hate them too.

Check out THIS post for more official anniversary bash news and rules (don't let the words "official" and "rules" scare you. We're really nice people, I swear). New prizes have been added, even a couple of "mystery" prizes!

As all of our other anniversary contests, a winner will be drawn and announced on March 7th.

GOOD LUCK!

First Anniversary Bash: Day Five - Eleven Collection

2008-03-01T06:59:00.002-06:00

Eleven is the big sister of See Kai Run, and they JUST launched their shoe line this year. The Eleven collection is for those that have outgrown their See Kai Run shoes but still want to look great while maintaining healthy feet.

Once again, the creators of Eleven want to help the Mums celebrate their turning ONE by giving something to YOU-the gift of shoes!!

The folks at Eleven Collection are giving away a pair of Oslo boy trainers (left) in a size 10 (fits ages 3.5 - 4 yrs.) and a pair of Pixie girl z-strap (right) in a size 10 (fits ages 3.5 - 4 yrs.). Two winners will be chosen!

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

Leave a COMMENT on this post INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

First name
Email address
Boy or girl shoe preference (the first winner drawn gets first choice)

The comment section is located at the bottom of this post, just under the three little buttons (sk*rt this/vote for me/digg it). (For those of you who are receiving this post in your inbox or via RSS feed, you must visit this post on our site to leave your giveaway entry comment).

*YOU MUST LEAVE CONTACT INFO IN YOUR COMMENT. I can't stress that enough. Even if you have a blog, please leave your first name and email address in your comment. We always feel bad if we pick a winner that ends up being unreachable. We need to be able to reach you via email if you win. You can even type your email address in this fashion: name at yahoo dot com, in case you're worried about the spam robots. We hate them too.

Check out THIS post for more official anniversary bash news and rules (don't let the words "official" and "rules" scare you. We're really nice people, I swear). New prizes have been added, even a couple of "mystery" prizes!

As all of our other anniversary contests, a winner will be drawn and announced on March 7th.

GOOD LUCK!

First Anniversary Day Four: Mystery Prize

2008-02-29T18:38:00.003-06:00

What could it be?? Leave your first name and email address in the comment section on this post and one winner will find out what you've won this Friday, March 7th.

Here's a hint: It's a "Sweet" treat!

Good luck!

First Anniversary Bash Day Four: Kaboost

2008-02-29T10:37:00.003-06:00

This is your chance to enter to win a Kaboost! Kaboost is awesome, we've been using ours for close to a year now. It's for the independent kids who want to sit at the "grown-up" table but are just a little to small yet. Kaboost fits snuggly under your dining room or kitchen chair.

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment on this post INCLUDING your first name and email address.

As all of our other anniversary contests, a winner will be drawn and announced on March 7th.

Good luck!

***ALSO: Don't forget to enter to win both our MYSTERY GIVEAWAYS (click HERE and HERE)! We're pretty sure you'll like the prizes, they're sweet.

Extra chance to enter - Zutano Giveaway!

2008-02-28T11:20:00.003-06:00

Ok, here is your 2nd chance to enter for your chance to win the $250 gift certificate to Zutano's eBoutique!

For this entry, please email us your answer to the following question:

The 2nd Chance Zutano entry is now closed. Look for another chance to win soon!

*2nd chance Zutano entries will be accepted all day 2/28/08. 2nd chance entries received after today's date will not be counted. Don't worry, you can still enter Day One: Zutano (if you haven't already) and we will be offering more chances to enter throughout the next week!

Good luck!

*ALSO: Don't forget to enter to win both our MYSTERY GIVEAWAYS (click HERE and HERE)! We're pretty sure you'll like the prizes, they're sweet.

First Anniversary Bash: Day Three - Natural Pod

2008-02-28T00:01:00.001-06:00

Whenever I think about all of the recent toy recalls and the safety of my toddler, Natural Pod always comes to mind. I never have to blink an eye or worry when I see her playing with something from this conscientious boutique out of Vancouver BC. Bridgitte (Natural Pod founder) has got something really good going here and we're lucky to have them around.

Natural Pod has quite a few new products to offer. It's hard to just pick a few of them to feature here but here are some of my favorites:

Farm yard knob puzzle - Help your children learn to recognize shapes.

Organic Play Dough - Contains 100% certified organic ingredients.

Natural barn - Excellent for imaginative play!

We have such a fantastic relationship with the folks at Natural Pod and that is because we both have the same goal in mind for our children: letting them play with safe, quality products. This company is by far one of the best natural product companies out there.

Natural Pod would like to offer one lucky MumsTheWurd reader a $200 gift certificate to their eBoutique! You can choose from a huge variety of safe and unique products from their online boutique.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

Leave a COMMENT on this post INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

First name
Email address

The comment section is located at the bottom of this post, just under the three little buttons (sk*rt this/vote for me/digg it). (For those of you who are receiving this post in your inbox or via RSS feed, you must visit this post on our site to leave your giveaway entry comment).

*YOU MUST LEAVE CONTACT INFO IN YOUR COMMENT. I can't stress that enough. Even if you have a blog, please leave your first name and email address in your comment. We always feel bad if we pick a winner that ends up being unreachable. We need to be able to reach you via email if you win. You can even type your email address in this fashion: name at yahoo dot com, in case you're worried about the spam robots. We hate them too.

Check out THIS post for more official anniversary bash news and rules (don't let the words "official" and "rules" scare you. We're really nice people, I swear). New prizes have been added, even a couple of "mystery" prizes!

GOOD LUCK!

First Anniversary Bash: Day Two - Boon

2008-02-27T00:01:00.002-06:00

I'm a picky mom when it comes to toy storage in my house. I don't want too many storage bins or toy boxes lying around with toys hanging out of them. One little predicament we managed to get ourselves into was too many of those furry friends piling up, also known as "stuffed animals". The more we weed out, the more we accumulate. I know that we will have a never-ending supply of stuffed animals for years to come.

A unique manufacturer of baby, kid and parenting products by the name of Boon has a sensible solution to your stuffed friend pile-up. It's called the Animal Bag. The Animal Bag is a Godsend. I have freed up so many shelves and toy boxes because of this fabulous invention.

Animal Bags are available in different sizes and colors. Not only are they a perfect storage solution, they are a great option for extra seating. Your child's precious softies are easy to get in and out of the bag thanks to the over sized zippers and mesh windows.

As a part of our First Anniversary Bash, Boon is giving our readers a chance to win an Oval Animal Bag (a $60 retail value)! The winner may choose from two colors, pink or green.

TO ENTER THE BOON ANIMAL BAG GIVEAWAY:

Leave a COMMENT on this post INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

First name
Email address
Your Animal Bag color choice (pink or green)

The comment section is located just under the three little buttons (sk*rt this/vote for me/digg it) at the bottom of this post.

YOU MUST LEAVE CONTACT INFO IN YOUR COMMENT. I can't stress that enough. Even if you have a blog, please leave your first name and email address in your comment. We always feel bad if we pick a winner that ends up being unreachable. We need to be able to reach you via email if you win. You can even type your email address in this fashion: name at yahoo dot com, in case you're worried about the spam robots. We hate them too.

Check out THIS post for more official anniversary bash news and rules (don't let the words "official" and "rules" scare you. We're really nice people, I swear).

GOOD LUCK!

..and don't forget, there are going to be MORE prizes offered each day this week. Visit THIS POST to find the links to enter them all! A new, active giveaway will be announced each day.

Check out all that Boon has to offer related to feeding, storage, bath/potty, newborn/toddler jewelry and their newest product, Boon Layette (coming Spring 2008!

*PS: Want up-to-date email notifications when we post something? Subscribe to us over at the top of the left-hand sidebar. You'll only get an email when we post something on our site!

Gratuitous Picture of the Newest Product Tester

2008-02-26T21:02:00.002-06:00

Here he is! I might be a little biased, but I think he's pretty awesome. :)

The Cool Kids Wear Tomat

2008-02-26T20:40:00.003-06:00

Tomat is a fresh new store that will have your kids looking their coolest. Using only cotton made in a sweat shop free environment, you can deck out your baby or toddler in some super sweet duds! Started by a graphic designer, Efi knows how to combine comfort and fashion.

Tomat's onesies for infants are simple and groove-a-licious. This line includes organic choices, like the casette, and 100% cotton choices, like under the influence. I could definitely drop a pretty penny on Lennon in this department, but since I have a closet and dresser full of baby clothes, I'm going to try to contain myself.

The toddler line could not be more perfect for our little rockers, Noel and Hailey. Noel is prepared to head to the disco in his future dj shirt, and Hailey is jammin' to her favorite tunes in her Tomat logo tee (on sale!).

If you love unique, simple design and want your kids dressed in the best, head over to Tomat!

First Anniversary Bash: Day One - Zutano

2008-02-26T00:01:00.006-06:00

*After emailing your Day One entry, click HERE for an extra chance to enter before this contest ends on 3/6/08!

Day one of The Mums Anniversary Bash is here! So glad you could join us. :) If you've been coming around you'll know that recently I posted about Zutano's HALF OFF sale going on right now. Seriously people, this boutique's clothing is excellent quality and long-lasting. The colors are so vibrant and funky and that's why we love them, not to mention they are so good to us and our readers.

Zutano is giving away a $250 gift certificate to their eBoutique!

Now, if you read our post that irons out some of our anniversary giveaway details, you'll know that each giveaway this week may be a little different. What's different about our Zutano giveaway is that we're giving you MULTIPLE chances to enter!

Here's the skinny:

To enter to win this $250 gift certificate, email us at mumsthewurd[at]gmail[dot]com. Your subject line for Day One's entry should read: "Zutano - Day One". In the body of your message, let us know what you did for Valentine's Day. (Cute, huh?)

Certain days between now and March 6th, you will have more chances to enter to win this prize (yes, multiple entries!). The catch is, you'll just have to keep checking back for the next opportunity to enter for this prize.

We will notify you by posting and specifying that there is another chance for entry. Don't forget to scroll down past the static post on the site to check for new reviews/chances to enter.

Day One's single entry will be accepted any day throughout the duration of this giveaway, which will end on March 6th at midnight CST. So, you'll have at least one opportunity to enter for this prize. Any other entries for this Zutano giveaway will only be accepted on the date and time frame that the chance is given.

Confused? Don't worry, we'll explain this again in the next chance-to-win post for the Zutano prize. Just EMAIL US to get your Zutano - Day One entry in!

GOOD LUCK!

..and don't forget, there are going to be MORE prizes offered each day this week. Enter them all!

*PS: Want up-to-date email notifications when we post something? Subscribe to us over at the top of the left-hand sidebar. You'll only get an email when we post something on our site!

Stardust Kids Rock

2008-02-24T11:14:00.006-06:00

I grew up listening to music, almost any kind, which eventually evolved into punk rock. I loved the music and the lifestyle. Here I am, 30 years old and I still love me some good punk rock music. My tastes are now rubbing off on my two year old. Ok, ok, I dress her but I can only hope that she appreciates the kind of indie lifestyle that I do.

Cue Stardust. Stardust has been around since 1998 and located in the UK. Owner Geraldine Bedford started out her company by selling greeting cards and cuff links but over time and with the addition of her child, she was inspired to branch out and sell unique clothes (for adults and children), kid's instruments, toys and more.

I am particularly fond of the two shirts you see pictured on my daughter to the left. Her "Hailey is a punk" tee (16.50 GBP) is quite fitting, as is her "Pixie" long sleeve tee (15.00 GBP). Both shirts are great quality.

Stardust has a physical store location in London (294 Milkwood Road, Herne Hill, London, SE24 0EZ. Tel: 020 7737 0199) and even has the option of becoming a Party Agent (host your own parties and sell Stardust items).

Check out their online store, there are tons of rockin' items for mums and tots! Stardust is offering a special discount to MumsTheWurd readers. Enter code "MUMSTHEWURD" in the coupon code box at checkout for 25% off of your order.

Zutano is having a sale!

2008-02-23T22:19:00.008-06:00

One of our most favorite boutiques is having a sale on their Winter Collectibles line of children's fashion - 50% off! Zutano's apparel is available in sizes 12 months to size 4 and your eyes are going to pop when you get a load of all of the bright, bold and beautiful colors they have to offer.

You can get the entire outfit that Hailey is wearing in this picture for HALF OFF. She's wearing the Wonderland Jumper Dress ($19.50-$20.50) with the Aqua Solid Crewneck (now only $8) and these Pink Tights (now only $7).

I could go on and on about all of the adorable girl's ensembles at Zutano but I'm sure you can see for yourself when you visit their online boutique.

There are quite a few charming boy's Winter Collectible fashions to choose from as well. Noel has on his Pool Henley "Kismet" (now only $19) or the Cozie Hoodie (now $18).

The Good News Caps (available for boys and girls), are also marked down to $12.00 each and I must rave about this cap...she looks so hip in it!

From corduroy to cable knit and flowers to brushed French rib, there is sure to be something at Zutano to keep your little guy (or gal) warm the rest of this winter season. Hey, why not stock up for next winter with these great prices?

It's the real deal folks, so get over to ZUTANO's eBoutique and get shopping!

*Come back soon, as Zutano will be a part of our big anniversary week of giveaways! More details about how to play on the way...

Last day to enter: Star 50 Handbag Giveaway!

2008-02-22T00:00:00.000-06:00

Just a reminder, tonight at 10:00 pm is the cut-off for our Star 50 Handbag (New Hampshire Messenger Bag) giveaway. Don't forget to ENTER!

Also, Christine over at From Dates to Diapers, and Beyond! has a couple of great giveaways going on, so stop over there and check out the goodies.

DON'T FORGET! MumsTheWurd's one year anniversary is fast approaching! Starting next week, we'll be kicking off some pretty fab giveaways! More details coming soon...

One last note...Laura and family are getting all settled in with new baby Lennon and Noel has already taken the lead on his new big brother responsibilities which at this point, includes lots of smooches on new baby Lennon's soft little head. : ) We're going crazy waiting for pictures!

A Tu Attached to the Tee!

2008-02-21T19:13:00.001-06:00

I'm head over heels for all things cutsie for little girls, since I have one of my own as you know. Tu for Tee has made a pretty big impression on me. This three women owned boutique offers tanks, short sleeve and long sleeve tees with a piece of tulle attached at the bottom. The second I put the Tu for Tee on my toddler, she was spinning around and saying, "Look-a-meeee, I'm beauOOOtiful!" If something this simple and adorable can set off the sparkle in my baby's eyes, then color me sold.

The long sleeve, thermal tee is extremely soft, light-weight and stretchy and she gets to wear her tutu all day long. I'll find her stopping in mid-play to look down and admire it. I figured I'd end up with a girlie-girl.

The tanks, perfect for summer frolicking, retail for $39.99. The tees retail for $44.00 and the long sleeve tees retail for $49.99.

If you have a little ballerina-in-the-making like I do, head over to Tu for Tee and browse through their line of adorable tees!

Welcome, Lennon!

2008-02-19T22:02:00.003-06:00

CONGRATULATIONS!

Laura and her family have welcomed a brand new baby boy into their family today!

We wish you lots of health and rest. Congratulations to Noel too, the brand new BIG BROTHER!

:)

Star 50 Handbags and Make it Right Foundation

2008-02-17T21:41:00.003-06:00

We recently reviewed Star 50 Handbags and just wanted to let you know what else makes them such a fine company besides having fabulous handbags.

Star 50 Handbags has graciously offered to donate 5% of all sales from the Louisiana Market Sac (pictured to the left) to the Make it Right Foundation (MIR9).

For those of you who are not familiar with the MIR9 project and foundation, here is a summary:

- "Make It Right" was created by Brad Pitt in December of 2006.
- The foundation is inspired by the courage and hope of the residents of the Lower 9th Ward in New Orleans.
- The initial goal is to construct 150 eco-friendly homes on 14 square blocks of New Orleans Lower 9th Ward using sustainable materials that are healthy for families and the environment.
- The concept of "The Pink Project" is to reflect the progress of the rebuild in real time.
- The individual pink "components" or "volumes" lay at the site and are assembled as progress is made. When enough donations have been raised to cover one house, 3-4 "volumes" are pieced together to show a placeholder for a house.
- The ultimate goal of the Make It Right project is to build these eco-friendly homes throughout New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.
- As of Sunday, February 17, 2008, the money for 78 of the 150 houses has been donated and over 3/4 of the funds for the 79th house have been raised.

I fully encourage you to head over to the Make It Right website and check out the full details of this project. I spent a good four hours or so clicking through the site the other day and familiarizing myself with what is going on down there. I'm actually in contact with the folks at MIR9 to possibly set up a "Team House", so that when you donate, you can donate through our house and show your support in re-building this devastated area of New Orleans.

Here are some details regarding making donations:

-You can make cash donations or donations of products and/or services.
-You can purchase items for the Donation House (from $5 for faucet aerators to $150,000 for the entire house)
-You can purchase merchandise and the all proceeds will be applied toward building new Make It Right homes
-Donations are tax-deductible

We'd love to read your comments regarding the MIR9 project! Please be sure to let us know if you'd be interested in making a donation (even if it's only $5!) to the foundation through a "mums" team house. We're working on getting that set up asap and will contact you with more details if you provide your contact info in you comment.

In the meantime, kudos goes to Star 50 Handbags for supporting this fantastic cause!

WIN IT!

Last but not least, here's your chance to snag a Star 50 Handbag of your own! We have a New Hampshire Messenger Bag to give away to one lucky MTW reader! This is a very sassy, durable bag that you'll want to show off while you're out and about.

To enter, send an email to mumsthewurd[at]gmail[dot]com with "Make It Right" in the subject line. In the body of your email, we'd love to hear your thoughts on the Make It Right project.

Contest ends on Friday, February 22nd at 10PM CST. A winner will be chosen at random and notified via email.

Good luck!

Baby Showers? No Problem.

2008-02-16T06:03:00.002-06:00

Want to know a secret? I have never planned a baby shower. I probably never will. I'm just not a good planner. I never give gifts on time, I'm always forgetting birthdays...that's just how it is. I don't think after 30+ years of being this way, that I will ever recover. However, I am sure that most of you out there are awesome hostesses and hosts and love throwing parties.

With the current "baby trend" I've been seeing (I know approximately 20 people personally that are having or have had babies since December & will continue through August!), I know this site will come in handy for those of you that aren't like me.

Bliss Wedding Market has gazillions of wedding favors, and billions of baby shower favors! With about 100 items to choose from in the baby shower department alone, you're sure to find something pleasing for any parents-to-be, and all of their friends. What I like about the gifts Bliss offers, is that a lot of them, you will be able to actually use.

I got several items from Bliss to review, and they were almost all useful outside of the shower environment, and unique in general (at least as far as what I've seen at showers). As someone who loves taking pictures, I think these picture coasters are a superb idea. I also like these little bottle candles. Cute for the shower, then take them home and your house will smell great! Who couldn't use a new candle? I know I always enjoy them, and these really do smell lovely! My favorite though, are the plant-able wild flower favors. These come in several different styles-bears, prams, and hearts. You actually plant the "bear", etc.! What a cool reminder of your friends, family members, or your own new baby and the special day you celebrated with those who love you.

Right now, Bliss does not offer a Baby Shower planner, but they do offer a quite extensive on-line Wedding Planner. Take a look, or tell a friend getting hitched! Next time you're stuck in a shower planning rut, check out Bliss Wedding Market and get some fun and versatile ideas for party favors!

Decorating is Easy

2008-02-15T04:42:00.002-06:00

Although I have grand ideas, they don't always become realities, and I am sure a lot of parents out there can agree. There are great plans, then there is a little thing we call life and raising children that can keep even the simplest of tasks from happening. That is where Fun To See can help! Fun To See is a simple way to make your children's rooms go from a boring, indistinct paint job, into something unique and cool!

I received the Outer Space pack, and it has really jazzed up Noel's room! I had painted his room before he was born, and I love the design, but this has added a whole new element of interesting things for him to discover-the "noom" and "stahs" are his favorites! It also fits in well with the night-time theme I had already created. Unfortunately, my computer is acting squirrelly, and the pictures won't load, so you can't see exactly how great Fun to See looks.

Fun To See offers lots of different designs, including the ever-popular "Cars" and "Disney Princesses", along with groovy flowers, and jungles. Fun To See is also incredibly easy to use. We had the whole shebang done in about an hour. It also comes with plenty of big, easily adhered stickers, so the room promises to not look one bit sparse.

Parents and kids alike are digging the ease and function of Fun To See. If you've got good ideas, but no time to put them into action, consider an easy and cool decorating solution...check out Fun to See!

Test Post - Hey!

2008-02-14T18:22:00.002-06:00

Just a test post. Problems with the server today.

Love and popsicles,

The Mums

Diapers Galore!

2008-02-12T19:59:00.000-06:00

I've got so much I need to catch up on review-wise. I am just too tired at the end of the day to sit on the computer in an uncomfortable chair (anything aside from the soft couch at this point is like sitting in a torture devise). However, very soon, I'll be doing some posts, including a review of three new cloth diapers I'm using. I'm excited to get to try out some new ones, as we've been with the same type and style for a while now.

With a new baby on the way, we thought it would be good to get some more diapers, and we threw our support to a small eBay business owner, Five Stitches Embroidery. Today is our first day with the diapers, and I can tell already that we're going to like these. They are all custom made to order and arrived in about 2 weeks time (I had a big order of 11 diapers too!). In the past, my experience with this was waiting over 3 months for my custom diapers to arrive when I was told it was going to be 1 month (long enough if you ask me!).

We have received a couple others for review, the Bum Genius 3.0 One Size, which I am crazy about, and a Bummis Bamboozle with a Super Brite and Super Whisper Wrap, which I just received today and is currently getting washed.

I'll tell you more about all of these great diapers very soon. In the meantime, I just ask that you have patience with this reviewer who is in her LAST week of this pregnancy! Yahoo!

Boon: They've done it again!

2008-02-08T13:17:00.000-06:00

Laura and I have much love for Boon products and the individuals who bring them to us. You've heard us talk about the Frog Pod and the Potty Bench already. Now it's time to focus on Boon's new feeding line, made available to the world in November 2007. Seriously, this stuff makes me want to have another baby just so I have an excuse to use these products! One item in particular that I would have loved to have had the opportunity to use is Squirt (retail $7.99). Squirt is an all-in-one feeding spoon. You fill the "handle" of the spoon with baby food (up to 3 oz.) and just squeeze to dispense just the right amount of food onto the spoon. I may just use it with my toddler anyway because it's so freaking awesome. Another new feeding tool that I think is the cat's meow is the Benders spoon and fork set (retail $5.99). You can "bend" the utensils in a way that is comfortable for your eater-in-training. They assist in making the transition to regular utensils. Here's another new favorite, the no-spill toddler cup called Fluid (retail $5.99). Fluid is BPA FREE. You know that the discussion about BPA in our bottles and sippy cups has been all over the news recently. Well, ease your mind and pick up Fluid from Boon. The toddler cup holds up to 9 oz. of liquid and is easy to grip because of it's ergonomic, two-handed design.

The rest of the new feeding line can be viewed by clicking HERE. If you have a baby shower to attend, be the one with the most unique and affordable gift there, give items from Boon's new feeding line!

BRAND NEW in 2008, Boon will introduce their Layette line. There is some seriously cute apparel in this line! We can't wait until it's released this spring so we can talk it up even more. Also, check out Boon's new line of handcrafted, solid sterling silver bracelets for newborns and toddlers. Attention Grandparents and Godparents: Gift alert! Gift alert! =)

Boon products can be purchased at select boutiques and online. The Frog Pod can generally be purchased at a Target store near you.

Polkadot Patch Boutique: Fun and Funky

2008-02-07T19:15:00.000-06:00

We love featuring boutiques who "have it all" and Polkadot Patch Boutique has just that. You will find that they offer unique brands from A to Z in their online store. From the Cheeky Sock Monkey onesie by Morfs (can't wait to see new baby Lennon in this!) to this Green Single Caterpillar Shirt by Cow & Lizard. You want fun and funky? They've got it!

They have shoes, toys, accessories, wall art, diaper bags and just TONS more. One of my favorite features of their site is the Gift Registry. Be sure to let all of your mom-to-be friends about it! They can expect to "wow" everyone at their shower with all of the unique items purchased at Polkadot Patch Boutique.

Myself Belts: Easy as 1-2-3!

2008-02-07T11:47:00.000-06:00

There is a lot of movement going on in our house these days with a non-stop, energetic toddler who is neither short nor tall but juuuuust right. Basically that means, most of her pants are too long for her and a little too loose. I know it's sort of a fad to have your pants hanging down off of your backside but I'm just not a fan of that for my 2 year old.

Luckily, there is a quick and easy fix for my problem. Myself Belts (retailing around $14.95). Perfect for the in-between stage and when your little one is old enough and working on potty-training, it's ideal for their independence. They are adjustable by Velcro and come in an array of adorable colors and styles for boys and girls.

Two sisters and mompreneurs came up with this unique idea when they saw the lack of kid-friendly belts on the market. I think they were having the same problem as me. :)

Myself Belts also come in adult sizes (Retailing around $24.95). Think rehabilitation patients, individuals with cognitive issues and those with physical ailments. How about post pregnancy? Not quite ready to get out of those maternity pants but definitely not ready for your skinny jeans yet? Myself Belts are a great solution.

Care.com to the rescue

2008-02-06T16:40:00.001-06:00

I was recently invited to try out a membership at Care dot com, a website that connects you with qualified babysitters, nannies, pet sitters and more.

I'm pretty fortunate to have my family close by and some very wonderful friends who are generally available to watch my toddler. But in a crunch, Care dot com is there as a back-up and I find comfort in that.

I've spent some time clicking through the website and I find it very easy to navigate. I have set up my profile there and a brief description letting all know that I occasionally need someone to watch my little girl. I have pets too, so in the event my regular pet sitter is unavailable, I'm confident I can find someone reliable at Care dot com.

The other day, I was in need of a sitter for just a couple of hours in the morning. I logged into the site and posted a "job" for all care providers to see. I could have also used Care dot com's search function to find someone who was available on specific days during certain hours. When you're a member of Care dot com, you are able to view complete care provider profiles, contact information and perform background and reference checks. Within 24 hours of posting my job, I was contacted by several care providers. I was quite thrilled with the response. I hired a wonderful sitter to come and stay with my precious little girl and felt at ease the entire time I was away from home.

Care dot com was founded in 2006 by Sheila Lirio Marcelo. Sheila has a background that is very "care" focused and has enlisted a fabulous team of professionals who understand quite well what it's like to need a reliable source of care giving, whether it's for the elderly, a pet or some help with that stubborn math problem.

Care dot com is constantly growing and improving. Right now, the service can be found across the country in most major cities.

You can join Care dot com to offer services, such as babysitting or senior care aide.
Subscription information including rates (as low as $25/mo) can be found by clicking the button below to learn more.

I highly recommend Care dot com. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to turn to them. I believe this is a service where we can all "give back" a little and help Care dot com become an even bigger success than they already are.

For the Hospital

2008-02-04T21:09:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow, I'm going to the hospital to have a procedur e done to hopefully turn around the little breech Lennon. That means, that just to be on the safe side, I had to pack my bag for the hospital tonight! Hopefully I won't be using it for a couple more weeks, but here's what I have packed:

My Aimee Nursing Gown (I can tell that I am going to be LIVING in this!)
My special delivery gown from dearjohnnies in the Coco style
My Klean Whipped Shea Body Butter, in Peppermint Dream, so I'll smell sweet :)
Lennon's Robeez puppy shoes (in blue)
Lennon's Zutano body suit in pixel
My Bronwen Handcrafted ring sling and my ModMum pouch sling
Lennon's Aden and Anais swaddling blanket and, of course, the trusty Amazing Miracle Blanket

So, we're ready to go, whatever the case may be! Keep your fingers crossed that they can get him flipped! :)

The Big T-W-O!

2008-02-04T20:09:00.000-06:00

Here's what we did for the birthday weekend:

The Great Wolf Lodge! If there is one in your area, get going! This place is so great, I don't even know how to describe it. Noel loved it! Of course, we forgot the camera, but let's just say, he smiled from ear to ear from the second we got there until we left (and he was crying for the "WATER!!!"). This is like a mini Disney park in water, and that is the highest praise I know how to give! Water parks galore, great restaurants, and fun rooms to stay in...it's just a great place to "get away", even if you're only 30 minutes from home!

Welcome to the world of two, Noel! We love you!

What's Special about The Cradle?

2008-02-04T19:52:00.001-06:00

If you haven't checked out The Cradle, and you're an expectant or new parent, you must go now and see! I have finally gotten around to personalizing my Cradle page and I can't wait to have a little time to work more on it (right, what is this thing they call "personal time"?). I have started creating my own web page that I can share with family and friends (and I can choose to make it public or private!) and I'm really stoked about it. This site really is an incredible resource for us parents to be, even if we're a bit "seasoned" already.

I had the opportunity to ask the founder of The Cradle, Hilary Zalon, a few questions:

MTW: With so many pregnancy/baby sites out there, what makes The Cradle different?

The Cradle: There are a lot of sites out there, aren't there? That is actually one of the reasons why I created The Cradle. It seems that an expectant or new mom needs to visit so many different places to gather the information she needs…not to mention the information she wants. The Cradle strives to deliver all of those different pieces (content, community, web pages, baby name search, etc.) in one place. So many things change in your life when you're expecting a baby. The changes aren't only physical – your entire lifestyle changes. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by it, we want to help expectant and new moms feel excited about it. Plus, we focus only on this life stage: pre-conception to baby's first birthday. A lot of sites out there are covering pregnancy through…grade school. We wanted to really dig deep into this particular time in your life.

MTW: What demographic of pregnant/new parents are you attempting to reach?

The Cradle: The overall look and feel of our site might attract a savvy, modern audience, the urban, web-savvy shopper who might read The New York Times and Us Weekly.

MTW: What are your personal favorite features of this site?

The Cradle: Oh no - that's like trying to ask a mother of 5 who her favorite child is! Okay, if I must choose, I'll go with our web page feature, baby name search and Eco Cradle. What I love about our web pages is that aside from a journal, photo gallery, and the ability to poll your family and friends, you can also link directly to your gift registries. I was pregnant within a year of getting married, so I was hesitant to tell anyone that I had registered…again. But people were asking me (and asking my mother!) so I remember thinking, "wouldn't it be nice to have a web page where they could find this information?" And some people might think that all baby name searches are the same, but I would beg to differ on that one. Not only are we working with fantastic material (we use the incredible Baby Name Bible for all of our name meanings and commentary), but the search itself just blows me away. You can type in any spelling of a name and it will find it for you in a matter of seconds. Even if you misspelled it accidentally. And the thematic lists offer great inspiration. It's just an addicting feature. The Eco-Cradle is one of my favorite features because it proves that you don't have to be crunchy to be green. Our experts provide tons of tips on how to go green when planning for a new baby, from how to have a green pregnancy to how to decorate an eco-friendly nursery.

Thanks, Hilary!

Cleaning: 101

2008-01-30T19:52:00.001-06:00

I have a confession. I am a terrible housekeeper! I don't like to clean. When I was young, I told my mom that I would have a maid. She asked what I would do if I couldn't afford one, and I said, "I'll just get a penny maid." :) Well, things have gotten more simplified for those of us that convulse at the word "housework"-especially when it comes to the WORST room to clean-the dreaded bathroom!

Scrubbing Bubbles has the Action Scrubber, which I love. Everything you need to clean your entire bathroom comes contained in a disposable sponge that attaches to a reusable handle. No more bottles of cleaning agents and bleach in this house. I've found the answer to my bathroom conundrum!

I don't know about you, but I have a really hard time cleaning the shower. Why does it seem like such a chore? Of all the housework, this is definitely my biggest obstacle (yes, even over the toilet!). Now that tub crayons have been introduced into my life, I've wanted to run and hide at the thought of cleaning the shower...until now! Today, I got the Automatic Shower Cleaner. Although I have not fully put it to the test, I have a feeling this product is going to be my dearest friend. A shower that's clean, that you don't actually have to clean??? Who could ask for anything better? I'm going to give it the 2 week challenge, and I'll let you know how it works out.

Have bathroom woes of your own? Never fear, because you can WIN an Action Scrubber of your very own. We've got two to give to the readers with the best child-related bathroom horror story. Leave your bathroom tale in the comments.* Winners will be chosen on Sunday, February 3rd, at 9 PM CST. Good luck!

*Anything inappropriate or just too disgusting will be deleted & disqualified. In the spirit of the contest, keep it "clean"!

Pretty Exciting, for a Wednesday

2008-01-30T19:40:00.000-06:00

We found out today that we're heading to the newest Great Wolf Lodge for Noel's 2nd birthday! He is going to love it, and I can't wait to post the review. Our room looks awesome, and has a cave-themed sleeping area! I'm not sure that he'll sleep in it, but he'll sure have fun exploring in the room and visiting the water park, complete with a zero-depth children's activity pool. We decided to keep the birthday party low key this year, meaning it's just going to be Noel & us. Let's face it: any energy I ever had has ground to a screeching halt. I'm glad it's only his 2nd birthday, and he won't be horribly disappointed. What am I saying? We're taking him to a water park and he gets to stay in a "cabin"! He's going to have the time of his life!

Watch & Win: Olive Kids Teams Up with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

2008-01-27T08:25:00.000-06:00

Tonight, January 27th, at 7 PM CST, Olive Kids will be featured on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition! We're so proud of OK! In celebration of this amazing opportunity, Olive Kids wants you to win!

How to win:

Watch Extreme Makeover: Home Edition TONIGHT and send email to contests[at]olivekids[dot]com. Let us know which room we help to decorate and for a bonus entry tell us what Olive Kids Product they saw in the the room.

Winner will be selected by random selector.

Prize: Olive Kids will be selecting 2 winners. Each will win a $150 gift certificate to Olive Kids.

Contest ends on Tuesday January 29th – winner will be chosen on Wednesday January 30th

Good Luck, and be sure to congratulate Kim when you enter-Horray for Olive Kids!

It's Official! The Cradle Has Launched!

2008-01-24T17:23:00.000-06:00

The Cradle, aka, the coolest new website for expectant and new parents, officially launched today! Go check it out, set up your account, read some great articles, make some announcements & even a website for yourself-whatever your heart desires. Enjoy The Cradle!

New Styles at Hand Picked Pumpkin

2008-01-22T17:22:00.000-06:00

Hand Picked Pumpkin has it's new spring and summer styles available on their site! I love this store. YOU build your own, unique clothing from Allison's awesome array of fabrics. Not only are these clothes adorable as can be, they're super comfortable for your little one. Whatever items you get from Hand Picked Pumpkin, you're sure to love. HPP has also generously offered Mums readers a 15% discount if you enter "Mums" in the coupon code! Head over and see what's new at Hand Picked Pumpkin today!

I Love a Happy Baby, Don't You?

2008-01-18T14:42:00.000-06:00

As a new parent, you get a lot of advice, some good, and some, you can just let go in one ear and out the other. A few weeks before Noel was born, I was at my friend's house, and it was time for her 1 1/2 year old to go to bed. He stood at the stairs and waited at 7 PM. She took him up, and was back down stairs with him quietly in his crib at about 7:02 PM. I was stunned! How did she do it? From the day he was born, she used the techniques outlined in The Happiest Baby on the Block and stuck with them.

To "make" a happy baby, just follow the "5 S's" outlined in the book. The author, Dr. Harvey Karp, a pediatrician, bases these principles on what he considers a "missed" 4th trimester, in which a baby's nervous system is not quite ready to be out of the womb, but because of the constraints of a human body, it must be. I know that this might sound a bit confusing, but once you read the book, it will make so much sense!

We incorporated the 5 S's (swaddling, swinging, sucking, shushing, and the side/stomach hold) into Noel's routine while we were still in the hospital. The night he was born, he slept with me, tucked in my hospital gown. When he heard another baby cry, he started to whimper, and I started shushing...he was immediately quiet and went right back to sleep. I knew then that I would be a "Happiest Baby" convert, and I was! Noel slept soundly almost all the time. If ever he would get really upset, we'd use all the S's at once, and he'd calm down! I was in awe of how well these techniques worked to calm him down.

The Happiest Baby on the Block is it. Period. I have told everyone I know about this book since we used it with our son when he was born. If you want to get sleep with your newborn, this is a must read and must use process. I have my Amazing Miracle Blanket (the best swaddling blanket on the market-guaranteed!!!) washed for the hospital, and we are armed and ready to go with the other S's when Lennon arrives. If there is one read for any parents of a newborn, The Happiest Baby on the Block is a MUST READ!

Kathy Lo Rocks and We Agree

2008-01-18T12:49:00.000-06:00

I'm one of those mom's who's all about showing off her tot. When I found out about Kathy Lo Rocks, I added them to my list of excellent places to shop for show-and-tell. You'll find an array of customizable accessories over at Kathy Lo Rocks. From necklaces to cuff links and everything in-between, you can show off your child, your favorite flower or a fabulous pattern from their collection.

I chose to have a picture of my daughter on one side of my necklace and a photo of a local piece of art on the other side. I love walking around with a reversible necklace and when people ask to see it up close, I'm proud to show off the excellent craftsmanship.

You can pick customizable necklaces from $58 or a necklace from their Alphabitz line from $38. So many other accessories to see, just stop by Kathy Lo Rocks and take a look at their one-of-a-kind pieces for yourself!

Have you seen any Skipping Hippos?

2008-01-17T19:48:00.000-06:00

I have and I think they are the most adorable things EVER!

Skipping Hippos' signature fleece ponchos are quite darling and will keep your little one toasty when you're out and about. The ponchos come in an array of different colors and range in size from 6 months to size 6 and retail for around $46 each.

I am so pleased with the quality of this poncho and love wearing it on my toddler when we go outdoors. It's perfect for those days when a winter coat is a bit too heavy and a spring jacket is...well, we're just too far away from that right now! She even loves wearing it around the house, as it's kind of like being snuggled up under a warm blanket.

We hope you will all stop by the Skipping Hippos' online boutique and take a look around. Expect to receive a lot of attention when your daughter is in one of these fabulously fashionable little ponchos!

New to Skipping Hippos are the "Day in May" jackets (photo on right) - perfect for springtime! They are available in multiple colors.

*There are quite a few stores around the CA area and several around the east coast that carry Skipping Hippos ponchos. Click HERE for the list.

GO TO BED!

2008-01-16T22:46:00.000-06:00

Your kids will be delighted to crawl in to bed if you get their bedding at Warm Biscuit! Warm Biscuit takes creative children's decor to a whole new level. You are sure to find originality here. Just take a look at their baby, boy and girl room bedding and proceed to wipe the drool from your keyboard. Don't see something already there that suits you? Order fabric from their completely awesome selection of fabrics (they even have ric rac, people!!!), and do it yourself!

Warm Biscuit doesn't only sell bedding-they've got a great gift shop full of things like vintage toys, holiday and seasonal items, as well as personalized items, among other things!

But wait, there's more! One of you lucky folks will

WIN IT!

Here's your chance to win a $50 gift certificate to Warm Biscuit! Send an email to mumsthewurd[at]gmail.com with the subject line "Warm Biscuit" and answer this question: Where did the name "Warm Biscuit" originate?

The contest ends next Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008 at 9 PM CST. Good luck!

Just Ducky Originals: Classically Customized

2008-01-15T21:40:00.000-06:00

I was pleasantly surprised recently to learn about Just Ducky Originals, a customizable clothing company based out of Asheville, NC. They have an extensive list of gorgeous fabrics and designs available to choose from. You can mix and match your favorite fabrics on any of the designs to create an outfit specially for your child or to give as a gift.

This adorable corduroy jumper was sent to us and I was fully impressed by the quality of the outfit. On one side is the brown corduroy and the reverse side is pink with brown polka dots. I just fell in love with this outfit!

I just paged through the Spring catalog and there really are some fabulous pieces that are available right now for the upcoming season.

Just Ducky Originals has two physical locations in Western North Carolina. A huge part of the company's business are home shows. You can view a list of the upcoming home shows HERE. If you'd like to attend a home show in your area and customize your own outfit, you can click HERE to fill out the online form to receive an invitation from a hostess near you. If you would like more information on becoming a hostess, click HERE.

If you find an outfit you like, you are able to place your order online or over the phone for catalog orders. However, to get the most out of your Just Ducky shopping experience, going to a home show is the best way to go, as that is where you are able to customize outfits.

WIN IT!

Just Ducky Originals has teamed up with The Mums to offer our readers a chance to win a $50 gift certificate redeemable at their online shop!

TO ENTER:

Email us at mumsthewurd[at]gmail[dot]com with "Just Ducky" in the subject line. In the email message, let us know the year Just Ducky Originals was founded. (Hint: click HERE)

A winner will be chosen on Monday, January 21st at 10 PM CST and notified via email.

Good luck!

Hanes for Kids!

2008-01-15T19:56:00.001-06:00

I'm pretty sure you're all familiar with Hanes products. I think we've probably all been wearing something Hanes at some point in our lives practically since birth! Hanes has come a long way since we were kids though. Now, they offer children everything imaginable in all sorts of colors and patterns-undies, t-shirts, sweats, even fleece f0r boys, girls, babies, and toddlers! The great thing about Hanes is the low cost and durability. This stuff lasts forever!

Hanes sent Noel some Hanes socks and this "oc-pus" t-shirt that he loves. Unfortunately for him, the 2 pairs of sweatpants and 1 sweatshirt they sent him won't fit him for about 5 years...but, that's good news for you!

WIN IT!

Email mumsthewurd[at]gmail.com with the subject line "Hanes" if you'd like some colorful, long lasting, comfortable Hanes sweats in size 8. This contest will end Saturday, January 19, 2008, at 12 PM. Good luck!

More Peas on Earth, please

2008-01-14T22:23:00.000-06:00

I have fallen in love with a t-shirt and it comes from a great little boutique called Peas on Earth out of Nashville, TN. I would be happy if my toddler's entire wardrobe consisted of each design from the "Dream Green" collection.

The child-like designs on the Peas on Earth tees are hand silk screened on American Apparel tees, my favorite brand of cotton tee because of the softness and durability. Sizes in this line range from infant to size 6 and prices are $22 for baby tees and $24 for toddler/kids tees.

Want to score points with that environmentally conscience parent? Surprise them with one of these adorable tees for their child so they can show off their do-gooder attitude in style!

I'm thrilled that there are boutiques like Peas on Earth out there. I believe they will play a part in making a difference in our children's future. It's all about raising awareness and they're on the right track.

One True Media will warm your heart

2008-01-13T16:17:00.000-06:00

Before I discovered One True Media, a creative online photo and video service, I was using Window's Movie Maker or PhotoShow to create photo and video slideshows. The downside of those programs are, Window's Movie Maker does not have all of the great effects like One True Media and it's not online and PhotoShow does not allow you to use your own music, which I highly prefer.

You can use One True Media for free with limited access to all of the fantastic features they offer. Free version features are:

-Quickstyles, effects and transitions
-Premium quickstyles $2.99 each
-Storage space: 200 photos and/or 10-15 min. of video (up to 200 MB)
-Montage song limits: 3 per montage
-Personal TiVo Channel/2 anytime TiVo shares

That's still not a bad deal but with One True Media's Premium service, the features you will have access to include:

-A free pro-quality DVD worth up to $24.99
-Quickstyles, effects and transitions
-Premium quickstyles
-Premium music
-Unlimited Storage space
-Unlimited montage songs
-Personal TiVo Channel/2 anytime TiVo shares
-5 monthly TiVo shares
-Custom embeddable online players
-Download to your PC/Mac or video iPod

The service is very easy to use. One True Media offers a high quality DVD of your montage and photo books, among other personalized items as well.

Here is a little montage I put together to show you how much fun all of the different features are:

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

WIN IT!

We have TEN - 1 year, ONE TRUE MEDIA PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTIONS (with a free DVD included - up to a $65 value) to giveaway to TEN lucky MTW readers!

TO ENTER:

Send and email to mumsthewurd[at]gmail[dot]com with "montage" in the subject line. Ten winners chosen on Sunday, January 20th at 10pm CST will be notified via email.

Good luck!

What Every Pancake Makin' Mama Needs

2008-01-12T20:41:00.000-06:00

I love a good pancake, but I always found them to be somewhat of a pain to make. I only had a regular sized nonstick pan, and I could make maybe 2 pancakes at a time. Inevitably, they were cold by the time I was finished with all of the cakes. Being a mom now, and one who strives to be as 50s as possible, I just had to master my pancake technique. I asked for a double burner griddle for Christmas, and my husband, who swears that I'm the best cook ever (even better than his grandmother!!!), indulged me.

There are all kinds of griddles out there, but I don't think you need to go expensive or cast iron (just my non-chef opinion) in order to achieve the perfect pancake. What you DEFINITELY need though, is the double burner style so you can get the max amount of pancakes possible. The one I got is here-nothing fancy or expensive, but it certainly does the trick! I can get approximately 4 4-5" pancakes and 2 "dollar" sized pancakes done at one time. It's totally amazing what a difference it makes when you can make ALL the batter in two "cycles" instead of about 7!

Now, what really makes a pancake great is a good recipe, so give this one a try (it's my very own!):

1 c. bisquick
1 c. cream of wheat (any cook time works)
1 1/3 c. milk
1 egg (2 if you like the pancakes more flat)
3 tbs. melted butter
1 tbs. vanilla

put it all in a bowl, and mix...simple!

Cook over medium heat-flip when bubbles appear (about 2 minutes for side 1, 1 minute for side two). You can add bananas, chocolate chips, etc. to this recipe. I promise, they are divine!

Choose your state of mind, ladies

2008-01-10T20:59:00.000-06:00

If you're in a handbag "state of mind" then look no further. Star 50 Handbags is right smack dab on the map where you'll want to be. With each bag inspired by a different state in the union, there will no longer be an excuse not to own at least 50 incredibly luscious handbags!

Right now, Star 50 Handbags has at least 24 fabulous collectible designer bags to choose from and more making their debut very soon! I'm anticipating the release of the Pennsylvania ??? as well as the Montana Treasure Tote. Two of my very favorite states in the union. Colorado would be my third and I'm loving the Colorado Lodge Tote (picture to the right). Some of the handbags are more on the pricey side, ranging in the $100s but that's what you can expect to pay for one-of-a-kind bags like these. "A modern heirloom" is how designer/owner Amity Cooper describes her line of delicious treats.

Not all of them are out of the "I-need-a-million-handbags now" price-range, however. Take the Alaska Trapper that I'm drooling over right now. She retails for $65.00 and comes in three colors; Trapper Orange (pictured), Hunter Olive or Oil Black.

Recently, you may have noticed that we had a couple different Star 50 Handbags up for grabs during our Holiday Blog Hunt, the sassy "New York Hot Pot" and the glittery "Arkansas Diamond Digger".

As you get acquainted with each bag on the Star 50 Handbag website, notice at the bottom of the page the "Fast Facts" about each state where said handbag gets her personality. Oh, and don't forget to tell your hunny-bunny that Valentine's day is fast approaching...wink-wink, nudge-nudge. =)

*Star 50 Handbags was introduced to the Mums by The Winning Pitch PR.

Congrats to a fellow blogger friend!

2008-01-10T16:11:00.000-06:00

Christine who runs "From Dates to Diapers" was featured in her local newspaper (uh, last month - we know, we're late to the party again)! Check out the article in the Lincoln News Messenger that features Christine and her family HERE.

Congratulations from The Mums, Christine!