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!
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.
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 
- 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 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!
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!
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.
To the left is Noel wearing his corduroy overalls and striped bodysuit. This outfit also came with a three pack of socks and some adorable little loafers, but bigfoot over here is in a 2-3T sock and a size 7 shoe, so they'll go in the "for Lennon" drawer. Truthfully, this whole outfit will be in that drawer very sooh, but it was just so cute I have to let him wear it as long as possible!
We also received this great bean bag that I already told you about in this post. We all love it! It's big enough for adults too, so we can all use it!
Now, on to the good news for you! Land's End wants to give you something! How about a diaper bag?!? We've got 3 girl pattern, and 2 boy. To enter, email mumsthewurd[at]gmail.com In the subject line, please put "Land's End", and tell us what you love that Land's End has to offer!
When you email us, please let us know your preference of boy or girl bag. Here's the skinny on the totes:
Pattern Diaper Bag Tote
- Retails for $34.50
- The colors and styles we’re sending you are the last available in the company. New colors and styles will be available this spring.
- 6 mesh pockets inside to help you stay organized
- Outside pocket to keep items easily accessible
- Cushiony changing pad included
- Full-zip top for extra security
- Sturdy cotton canvas withstands daily use
- 17 1/2"W (top), 12"W (bottom) x13 1/2"Hx6"D
- Spot clean
Lexie Barnes is cool because it's not your "typical" bag. I don't know about you, but I could not be more bored when I look around and see everyone and their dog with their "signature" bags. Not only can you branch out from the norm here, you can fit your own accessories and your kids too. Lexie's got many different styles and patterns to choose from, all of which are tailored to fit your lifestyle-traveler, crafter, blogger, or a combination. The only thing I don't like about this backpack is that I don't think you could use it for a long trip-it's just not quite big enough to fill with books, lots of extra diapers, toys-the essentials for traveling, but that's what dad's diaper bag is for ;). The perk of the Duchess? It's on SALE.
Bumble Bags are so stylish and roomy and are available in several different styles; Jessica Messenger Backpack, Kimberly Tote and Madeline Backpack. We have the Madeline Backpack Hanging Stroller Bag in Paisley and it instantaneously became my favorite bag. The material is soft and it is water and stain resistant. There are plenty of sections for mom and baby stuff.
Generally, what you see here is what I carry with me on a daily basis. There is STILL plenty of room after all of this stuff for her toys and whatnot.
The features that I love the most about this backpack/diaper bag are the zipped diaper pocket on the inside, the multiple bottle/sippy cup compartments inside and out and the extra zipped pocket on the outside.
The pop-out stroller straps are great if you ask me. I love being able to attach my bag to the stroller and still have room underneath for all of my shopping bags. I was getting pretty tired of my bag always slipping off of the stroller handle.
The backpack feature of this bag just can't be beat. I don't feel like I'm losing everything when I have to hurry up and chase my toddler somewhere. I know all of my possessions are right there in my bag, on my back and not flying all over the place.
Bumble Bags are available at numerous online retailers (our pals at The Polkadot Platypus being one of them!) as well as quite a few physical locations around the U.S. and Canada.
Don't forget, they also have infant and toddler car seat covers, as well as toddler totes!
***You can win a Bumble Bag! Not here but over at Get Knocked Up from Due Maternity! To enter to win, you pick a body, upload your photo, send to friends and enter to win. Here is me, virtually knocked up. Click the image to be taken to Get Knocked Up for your chance to win!
Our Midwestern summer weather has finally cooled down to bearable temps and we're itching to get outside and play. That is just what Oregon company, "Outside Baby" is all about. They have exactly what we need to get out there and enjoy what mother nature has thrown our way. From technical playwear to an array of quality packs and bags, among other outdoor-type items, Outside Baby is where it's at.
Outside Baby's packs and bags are made from waterproof rip-stop Nylon and Cordura. If you want to look like you know what you're doing out there on that rough terrain, you've got to have one of these!
Check out some of their stylish packs and bags, prices ranging from $19.99 to $79.99:
Hailey is sporting the mini backpack, just like mom and dad's! Next is the mini messenger bag, which works perfectly on your son or daughter's bicycle. Then the cooler backpack, excellent for hiking. I find messenger bags hard to live without so definitely check out their messenger bag, complete with a travel cooler. Last but certainly not least, the hydro pack so you can stay hydrated at the park or on the trail!
Outside Baby is really worth taking a look-see. Whether you're an avid outdoors-man or just taking the occasional stroll on the suburban trails, Outside Baby is a trusted source for quality gear.
WIN IT!
TWO lucky MTW readers are going to win either this Cooler Backpack:
or this Messenger Bag:
Feel free to let us know which one you'd like and we'll do our best to accommodate.
To enter:
Sign up for our weekly email newsletter HERE* AND leave a comment on this post letting us know where your favorite "outside" place is. Whether it's to the neighborhood park or hiking in the rockies...we want to know!
Deadline to enter is Tuesday, September 4th at 10 pm CST.
*If you are already signed up for our weekly email newsletter, you may still enter this giveaway. Just let us know you're on the list in your comment so we can verify it!
Hello? Excuse me? Why haven't I heard about Karen's Creations until now? Holy ridiculously adorable tote bags, batman! My friend, Kerry, recently referred me to Karen's Creations online boutique. Very similar to the style of 1154 Lill in Chicago but amazingly more affordable and just as cute, if not cuter than the DIY bags you can create at Lill. I need one of these bags for every day of the week!
Here are a few of my favorites:
Also, these watches are SO COOL! You can pick out which band you would like on your watch. You can view a few of the different color schemes here:
You get SIX different bands with your watch and it is also ridiculously affordable.
Karen took some time out to answer some of our questions about her wonderful little boutique:
Mums: When and why did you start this business?
K: I started my business in the spring of 2003 and officially opened my website in February 2004. I originally started making hair bows for my daughter – korkers to be exact. I thought they were so fun and unique, and nobody around here sold them. Around that time the diaper/tote bag craze hit, and I couldn’t resist! I’ve been sewing since I was 9 years old so I knew it was something I would enjoy doing.
I’m a CPA by trade and had a “real” job when I first started my business. For years I had searched for a way to be able to work from home so that I could spend more time with my children. Thanks to the fantastic support of my customers I was able to quit that job in January 2004 and devote myself to my business. I’m having a blast doing what I love to do and hope to keep adding new items to offer to my customers.
Mums: Where are you located?
K: Baton Rouge, LA
Mums: Can consumers purchase your products in a physical boutique or online only?
K: My products are available online through my website and in carefully selected boutiques (both physical and online) around the US.
Head over to Karen's Creations and look at all the fun mommy stuff now!
I've been a part of the mommy club for a year and a half now and if you're anything like me, you've purchased several diaper bags that you "thought" were you at the time but then they ultimately ended up not fitting your style (or the season).
This is why I wanted to bring 1154 Lill Studio in Chicago to your attention. I recently visited Lill for a friend's bachelorette party. We had so much fun picking out fabrics and designing handbags. It was almost a bit overwhelming for a shopaholic girlie-girl such as myself.
The DIANA style is Lill's premiere mommy diaper bag. I designed this one online:
The coolest thing about 1154 Lill is that you make your bag to fit YOU. No one makes it for you. These days it's all about individuality. I like flowers, I like polka dots, I like stripes. Why not display all of these patterns on one bag, a bag that represents you?
You can make it funky. You can make it playful. You can make it sophisticated, it's all YOU and that's the best part! Now, go and play!
If you're in town, visit Lill at 904 W. Armitage Chicago, IL 60614 or, you can design and order your bag online HERE.
*1154 Lill Studio also has boutiques in Boston and Kansas City.