Product Review: Tea Collection

Every once in a while you discover something incredible. While going through my mail the other day I discovered a catalog for a Children's Clothing. Flipping through I was thinking my goodness how cute! Oh look at that! Oh that one! Oh my! I showed my Enginerd and even he was in awe. Usually with catalogs such as this, you look through, sigh about the expense, then toss it. Well in this situation there was a hitch. Woah. Wait a minute, these are actually reasonable prices!! Thus today, I would like to introduce all of you Mamas to the Tea Collection, love it like we do... 

*Thanks to the Tea Collection, AppleBlossom was able to get cozy in a 6-12 mo Sleeper Set and Circle Geo Wrap Romper.* Oh my goodness have you ever seen such cuteness! The Tea Collection is made up of Children's Clothing that inspired by the beauty found in cultures around the world. While it is true that here in our household we really enjoy our Carter's clothing and whatever else we find in Target *wink*. All of the clothing we find today are rather bland. When I discovered the Tea Collection I was ecstatic to know that there is something else out there! 

Close fitting, luxurious Pima cotton is brushed inside for extra softness. Our inspired prints and cozy knit rib will make bedtime your child's favorite hour. Slim fit conforms to CFR 1615/1616. Imported.

• 100% pima cotton
• Machine washable

** We strictly adhere to the US government regulations for tight fitting sleepwear. For the most comfortable fit order one size up.

From newborn to 8 years old the Tea Collection has something for you. In Baby (0-24 mo) there are so many things to choose from like rompers, body suits, dresses, pants, shirts, sweaters, sleep wear, sandles, sets and even an organic selection. Truly, it's like a clothing eye candy store! Usually when you find "cutesy" baby clothes, they have odd washing instructions and care, but that is not the case with these. The clothing we have is simply machine washable. *grin* It does not get any better than that with baby clothes. The material is so breathable and soft. I want some Pj's like those! 

rompers

Circle Geo Wrap Romper

Sizes XS (3-6mo) to Md (12-18mo)

The circle geo print romper has a wrap neckline. Trimmed in raspberry. Diaper snaps at inseam for easy dressing. Imported.

• 100% cotton
• Machine washable

style no. g02211l

$25.00

AppleBlossom is just starting to really become mobile, and she is really able to move in both of these outfits. In the Romper during the day and the PJs in the evening. She is as cute as can be and stylish to boot! I think having something different and ethnic is very educational and something we plan to incorporate over the years. It is difficult to find such things in general stores, and it is comforting to find out about brands such as Tea Collection.

With out a doubt I know that we will often be looking back at what is available from Tea Collection over the years. From what I have seen with their selection you can really not go wrong. 

www.teacollection.com

Fan Tea Collection on Facebook  

Follow @TeaCollection on Twitter

Product Review: Bambino Mio #clothdiapers

When I was first shopping around for baby stuff at the beginning of my pregnancy with AppleBlossom in New Baby Products in Georgia I discovered a cloth diaper brand Bambino Mio. Thanks to Regal Lager, Inc I was able to review some Bambino Mio Trial Packs to see what it is all about. My husband loves our Bambino Mio diapers and the entire system is awesome. 

Bambino Mio Trial Packs consist of a prefold diaper, flushable liner and Velcro diaper cover. The covers are available in a handful of different prints (I love the new ones that have just been released in Berry and Citrus!! [edited to add, only available in the US at this time]) as well as a white solid. While the covers are available in five different sizes, the prefolds are available in two sizes that with different folding fit the covers perfectly (and last longer).

One of the things that I love about the Bambino Mio diaper system is just how slim fitting these diapers are, true as you move up to a bigger prefold there is a little more bulk but they fit very appropriately. The patterns are adorable and easily gender neutral without being boring. The nappies (or prefolds) are super soft and my husband's favorite of our prefold stash. The gussets are incredible and we have yet to have a leak or explosion and I doubt we will. 

Bambino Mio has only recently been introduced to the US market as it is an Italian English company that does fairly well on the other side of the pond. [edited to add: Don't believe everything a shop owner tells you! They are not Italian, but English. Regall Lager set me straight!] 

 the company, in contrary to what you would think (!) is English. They started the business in England, married couple, first running a diaper service for many years, then starting to produce a more complete system and for consumers other than those using the diaper service. They had small children, and that was the motivation to come up with a good cloth diapering system. They have grown in popularity I the last 12 years and they have been market leaders in England for several years, and are close to be in France and Italy. The system is sold in most countries in Europe. Totally 71 countries are selling the system.

 What is fascinating to me is that Bambino Mio provides an entire system that has everything you could need for cloth diapering your child from birth to potty training. They are the only company that I know of that provides it all. You can even buy a kit that will get you from Birth to Potty Training in diapers. I think that the products that Bambino Mio offers are incredible as well as cute. 

Bambino Mio offers:

Nappies

Covers

Swim Nappies

Potty

Training Pants

Mio Liners

Muslin Squares

Mio Fresh Nappy Cleanser

Mio Wipes

Nappy Bucket

Laundry Bag

Nappy Bag

The only problems that I have had with these diapers is something that could easily be fixed with a renovation. No longer will AppleBlossom wearing these during all day, for instance if she is crawling or very active the velcro will turn inward and she'll rub her belly. But they are great for calmer times or naptime. There are no laundry tabs for washing, so I have to be very alert to refasten the Velcro to the front of the diaper to avoid a Velcro war in the wash. When there is a messy diaper, or a fidgety baby this can be a bit of a bother. The other issue is that after a few months the inside of the cover seems to crack a little (like an old t-shirt's logo). But having on the one diaper that is washed in every load has given it a lot of wear and tear. Even with these issues, they are great diapers and I highly recommend them! 

Network with Bambino Mio: 

BambinoMio.com

Bambino Mio Facebook Fan Page

Twitter @BambinoMio

Product Review: Bellala Baby Pouch #babywearing

Bellala Baby
Exquisite Infant to Toddler Car Seat Covers, slings & accessories
www.bellala-baby.com


Our Story…
Bellala Baby was founded in 2005 with the birth of my niece Isabella. She was the first baby girl born to our family and we were so thrilled after having three boys. In an effort to make something quite special for our newest family member I made her a carseat cover all in pink posies and butterflies… she was going to be a girlie girl whether she liked it or not. This first gift lead to many requests and suddenly I was in business without much effort besides a love of creating and the time to make it happen; I had been an at home mommy to my son Nickolas since May of that year. Since then countless mommies have come to us to create something special for their little angel. We are pleased to have become part of so many families along the way!

Our Name…
Bellala Baby is a nick name my 2 year old son Nickolas gave my niece Isabella when she was born. Being two… he had not yet mastered all of the sounds of the English language but spoke fluent babyese…. So Isabella became Bellala and a company was born. Her image is our company logo and is on all of our products.

Our Market…
We sell wholesale to high-end consumers and retailers at brick and mortar store fronts and websites. We are priced affordably for most folks but maintain a high level of quality and service that our customers demand. We use only designer fabrics from Robert Kaufman, Alexander Henry and Michael Miller and believe that it is our fabrics that make the product stand out from our competition.

Our Products…
Bellala Baby began as a carseat cover business but has since expanded to include pouch slings and Peek-a-Boob Nursing Covers. These items are fun and functional which is the key to our success. We offer four different collections which are designed to fit in with each retailer’s independent theme: Wild Child, Couture, Aloha Babe, and Novelty Collection. In addition, we boast that all our products are made in the USA in sunny southern California!

I was introduced to Bellala Baby through MaryLenore of BopStar PR and thanks to her I was able to review a Camden Daisy Pouch Sling and it was love at first sight! Once again, Bellala Baby Pouch Slings are not bag slings and they are fully participating in the parental awareness factor with safety first. 

WHEN USING A POUCH SLING:

IN A POUCH SLING ALWAYS REMEMBER
A- AIRWAY NEEDS TO BE OPENB-BABY IS BREATHING UNHINDERED
C-CHIN NEEDS TO BE OFF BABIES CHEST

D-DOUBT WHEN IN DOUBT TAKE THEM OUT

BABIES ARE A PRECIOUS GIFT PLEASE USE THE UTMOST PRECAUTION WHENEVER

CARRYING OR HOLDING YOUR BABY CHECK OFTEN ON YOUR PRECIOUS ONE!

At first, similar to the New Native Pouch, I was concerned that my pouch was too big. I emailed my friend Katy of my that I knew had successfully used pouch slings for her babywearing days and she  suggested the shoulder flip. I tried it and it could not have been better! That was exactly what I needed to pull the top rail a bit tighter and make us both very comfy. I love my other pouch, but this one is amazingly light. The material is very thin and thus I can just fold it, roll it, and in the diaper bag/purse it goes. It becomes so compact it could go anywhere without taking up space that is a major plus in my opinion. 


The Pouch Style Sling comes with great instructions with step by step photos for several different carry positions. They also have these instructions available online. The Shoulder flip was all that was needed for us for a great fit, but it is great to know that the Bellala Baby Slings come in six sizes so that you can find that absolute perfect fit. After all the worries I had about wearing a pouch and getting it right Bellala Baby made all those fears go away. I love their fabrics and I think this is a great product! I love that it is reversable from a solid back to patterned and I love the pocket (although I'm not sure what I'd put it in)!


Buy it:
 Check out their pouch sling fabrics and their other products at www.bellala-baby.com! Why not buy a Pouch Sling and then a Peekaboob Nursing Cover to match!!
 

Product Review: New Native Organic Pouch #babywearing

When I first started looking into babywearing what I wanted most was a pouch. The idea of throw it on, grab the baby and go is absolutely appealing to me. Especially around the house or running errands. Yet when I started to shop around for pouch carriers I was a bit overwhelmed. For one, you may have heard in the media lately about all the dangers associated with bag pouch carriers. For more information on Babywearing Safety, check out the facebook page with all sorts of articles here. The pouches that I was looking into are different than the sling bags and the thing that I noticed when I was first checking out some of the sites were the safety guidelines for use (and this was before all the media hype).

One of the first companies that I discovered is New Native Inc and right on their front page they have a link to an important announcement about sling safety. New Native has been around since 1992 and their pouches are not the same design as the tube pouches you see everywhere. They are shaped and may I say very comfortable. *Thanks to Sherry of New Native Inc for providing a Organic Cotton Cocoa Brown Twill Baby Carrier with Sweet Jane Trim.* It is so beautiful and looks almost like cherry blossoms, which if you know me, you know that is appropriate. At first when I received my pouch I was a little concerned that I had gotten a size that was too big and I called their customer service and was met with the nicest woman who talked me through it all. It seems that you will find your perfect size after washing or "wash for true size". Through our conversation we determined that most likely with AppleBlossom's current size I could get away with a smaller size pouch, but as she grows I would need to get a bigger one. After washing it, I'm very comfortable with it and feel that she is very secure yet I can see how she would be even more cozy with a smaller size. Check with your place of purchase for their exchange and refunds policy (or just order from New Native Inc). I was very pleased with their customer service and if you have any questions, I highly recommend that you do not hesitate to ask.

Sizing Chart- Above the Bust Chest Measurement:
(Measurements do overlap)
                    X Small      Small       Medium       Large      X Large
                      25-29”       30-35”       34-39”        38-42”       40-45”

The New Native® Baby Carrier is one of the most popular sling-style cotton carriers on the market.  The carrier is worn over one shoulder extending to the opposite hip.  Featuring a reinforced curved pouch built in, the New Native® Baby Carrier provides a secure, cozy environment for your baby or a sturdy hip seat for your toddler (Newborn to 35 lbs). It is popular for those finding conventional carriers too bulky and it can easily be stuffed into a diaper bag or purse. Very versatile, it can be worn with the baby in front, side or back. It is ideal for discreet nursing. Made from 100% cotton fabrics with no buckles, padding or metal rings.

New Native has created a unique, functional design that allows the carrier to be put on in seconds, easily folded and quickly transferred from one wearer to another.  The sleek, streamlined design of the carrier is a modern take on traditional baby-wearing practices.  The New Native® Baby Carrier is endorsed by health professionals as it supports a baby’s growing body and distributes weight evenly for the parent.

The New Native Baby Carrier is specifically designed to promote contact-carrying. Our carrier is easy to wear and holds your baby securely so that you can accomplish your day-to-day activities “hands free” and stay in close contact with your child. This contact develops a unique bond between the parent and the child that is invaluable for both of you. Studies show that contact carrying promotes healthy development and bonding.  Babies need the stimuli that a parent’s touch brings.  In holding your baby close with a New Native® Baby Carrier, your presence is assuring, teaches them verbal and response skills and demonstrates your love.

Parents who practice contact carrying are more perceptive of their children's needs and learn to demonstrate more loving behaviors toward their children and other family members. Babies who are contact-carried are more involved in their parents' lives and will tend to be more involved in their own lives and less isolated as adults. When babies are in the carrier, their needs are more likely to be understood and met right away. Later, these children will know how to ask for help when they need it.

Contact Carrying Increases:

Self-esteem
Happiness
Healthy Immune System
Intelligence
Stimulates Muscle Growth
Healthy Sleeping
Balance Coordination
Connectedness
Healthy Communities
Loving Behaviors            

       
Contact Carrying Decreases:

Crying and Acting Out
Illness

Colic
Fear
Obsessive Compulsive Behavior
Child Abuse
Crime
Conflict
Unwanted Teen Pregnancies
Feelings of Isolation

I love our New Native Organic Pouch. Right inside the package is information about their cotton, organically grown in the USA. That already makes me happy. It is very easy to use and fits right down in our diaper bag. I feel like the material is very high quality and will last and be quite durable. We have experimented with a few positions of carrying and I feel that as AppleBlossom grows this will be a great carrier that will meet all our necessary needs.  I definitely agree with the words on their packaging that states that this carrier is made with a Secure Design, Versatile and Convenient without a doubt. The pouch comes with an instructional DVD as well as a booklet with step by step photos that help you master just exactly how to wear the pouch. Like all babywearing products there is a first and second trial and error and then it's off you go! The first time I wore AppleBlossom in the pouch she fell asleep nearly instantly, and every time since then it's a cozy way to go about whatever I need to accomplish. 


We have tried and succeeded at discreetly nursing in our New Native and I am very pleased with the experience. It provides a comfortable position for both of us and plenty of coverage.

New Native Inc does not only carry the pouches, but also matching Twill bags and other amazing products like Bibs and Washies, Cuddle Packs, Footed Blankets, Hooded Blankets, Small and Large Receiving Blankets and more. They also carry a Toy Pouch/Child's Doll Carrier that fits children 25 lbs to 75 lbs in varying fabrics. So cute! Their website is filled with information as well as links and informative articles by other sources in babywearing. I highly recommend their product and I strongly suggest that you check out their website. I doubt one could go wrong with something from New Native Inc. 

Buy it! 
www.newnativeinc.com

Product Spotlight: Rockin' Baby Pouch

Find out more and enter the giveaway here!!

Babywearing Series 2010

If you have missed anything so far... Here are the links to see it!

Babywearing 101
Baby K'tan Spotlight
Kokopax Spotlight
Are You Wearing Your Carrier Correctly? (Guest post)
Podaegi (Guest post)
Etsy Spotlight: Li'l Peeper Keepers
ERGObaby Carrier Review
Boba Baby Carrier Spotlight
Belle Baby Carrier Review
Big Sister Designs Mei Tai Review
TogetherBe Mei Tai Review
Baby Bjorn Review (Guest Review)
Etsy Spotlight: BabyEtte Boutique
Rockin' Baby Sling Review (GIVEAWAY)
BabyEtte Ring Sling Review (GIVEAWAY)
Comfy Joey Ring Sling Review (DISCOUNT CODE)
Li'l Peeper Keepers Ring Sling Review (GIVEAWAY)
Hava Sling Spotlight
Safe Choices for a Ring Sling Fabric (Guest post)
Sugar Sweet Baby Spotlight (DISCOUNT)
Babywearing During Pregnancy and Babywearing with Two
Organic SleepyWrap Review (GIVEAWAY/DISCOUNT)
Wrapsody Review
Li'l Peeper Keepers Woven Wrap Review
Snuggy Baby Reviewn (GIVEAWAY)

Rockin' Baby Pouch Spotlight
New Native Pouch Review
Bellala Baby Pouch Review
HugaMonkey Review

Product Review & Giveaway: SnuggyBaby Wraps #babywearing

This giveaway is now closed, but please enjoy the review.

In talking about wraps, you have heard me rave over my SleepyWrap that is super stretchy, enjoyed previewing a Wrapsody that is semi stretchy, and become curious of the different types of woven wraps available from Li'l Peeper Keepers. Today, I want to tell you about a company you may not have heard about, but I love SnuggyBaby!

SnuggyBaby wraps are much like the SleepyWrap. They are different, I do not know how to explain it really, but SleepyWraps are a big more stretchy, but not by much. SnuggyBaby are also made out of 100% Organic Cotton French Terry and they have a decorative panel in the middle. *Thanks to Jo of SnuggyBaby I was able to review a Torquoise Dream Wrap and it is divine!*

Snuggy Baby wraps have everything that you could want in a wrap; comfort, support, and style.
Snuggy baby wraps are made with 100% organic cotton French Terry. This fabric is stronger and even with prolonged wearing, will continue to provide your child with support as they continue to grow. Although this is a stronger fabric, it is still light weight and comfortable. It has enough stretch to hug your baby close, but enough support that even the largest kids won’t sag in this sling. It is also light weight so that you and your baby will stay cool.
This carrier is completely adjustable so one size fits all. It works between various care givers of all body types. Because you create a custom fit every time you tie it on, the sling grows with your child, ensuring that they get a comfortable secure fit from the time that they come home until you are ready to stop carrying them (generally around 35 lbs.)
The front panel lets you avoid having the same old boring solid wrap that you see everywhere else. It allows you to choose a design that accessorizes your wardrobe instead of the plain solid color that completely hides what you are wearing. It is made of a woven cotton print that does not have a stretch to it, so the panel will hold its own shape and provide additional support for your babies back and newborn’s head and neck. This wrap is made from organic cotton black French terry. It has a decorative panel with a cream and rasin swirl pattern on a turquoise backgound. It reminds me of an illustration of a dream. The wrap measures 5 yards long. All of the edges have been carefully surged for a finished look. The tail has been tapered so you have a trim knot when you tie the wrap.

I absolutely adore this Torquoise Dream Wrap, but she has so many other amazing prints of panels that there are bunches to choose from and love. I had the hardest time trying to pick out what I wanted myself! My only qualm that I have had with my beloved SleepyWrap is that it is a little boring in just the one shade. That problem is fixed with a SnuggyBaby Wrap. There are so many different prints to choose from that you can find one for any personality or outfit. The Organic French Terry is so very soft and snuggly, AppleBlossom and I both love it.

On SnuggyBaby Facebook Fan Page there is a great "How To" Video as well that is very well explained. *grin*

Easily if you bought a SnuggyBaby Wrap it could meet all of your needs of babywearing from beginning to end. It is so comfortable and after a few wraps you'll be a pro and like I said with the SleepyWrap, the comfort is so worth it. I highly recommend the SnuggyBaby wraps and if you're looking for some style with your comfort, there is no better place to look!

SnuggyBaby also carries other mama and snuggy baby neccessities in addition to wraps such as Wet Bags, Toy/Child Pouch Slings, Ring Slings and more.

Buy it:

Visit www.SnuggyBaby.com and shop around! At $45 her Organic Wraps are super affordable and pretty!

Win it!!

SnuggyBaby is giving one reader of Creative Madness that Makes Me Myself a $45 gift card for www.SnuggyBaby.com! (This is the price of a baby wrap, but can be used on anything!!)

Mandatory Entry-

Go to www.SnuggyBaby.com and come back and comment on your favorite product. (Vote it up on Prizey!)

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This giveaway is open to the US and Canada only and is open until April 2nd. The winner will be drawn via random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.

Product Review: Li'l Peeper Keepers Woven Wrap #babywearing

So, if you've been hanging around this month, you've been able to meet Rebecca, the Mama behind Li'l Peeper Keepers and you have heard how much I absolutely love her Tencel Twill Ring Sling. And just maybe, you've already entered into her giveaway for a TOY pouch sling (if not go back here to find out more...). Today I want to tell you about something else that she has available for babywearing folk like me. Woven Wraps.

Most people think "stretchy" when it comes to wraps, but there is another option in a woven wrap, and ultimately in the long run more practical. As woven wraps have less stretch, they will better be able to hold a heavier child (such as a toddler or older) without sagging or stretching out. *Thanks to Li'l Peeper Keepers I was able to try out a gauze woven wrap with a decorative panel that is just to die for in beauty (and preview a linen woven wrap)!*

Many mamas absolutely love the snuggly stretchy wraps for the infant stage, but the woven wraps will lend less "bounce" as the child puts on pounds =), making them practical from newborn to toddler.

THESE MAKE EXCELLENT GIFTS. And because they are not size-sensitive (and they come with a DVD), you can buy them and simply keep them in your gift bin until the need arises =).

This wrap is a caramel/tan color lightweight gauze that has been finished on raw edges with tan thread using an overlock stitch. A center panel adds interest and support. Wraps will vary slightly.

Here are the specifics:
Length - @ 5.5 yards
Width - @ 25 inches
Fabric content: 100% cotton

Fabric Heft: semi-see through (this works well for baby wraps since 2-3 layers support your child.)

An accompanying DVD will show you front carry (facing in and out), hip carry, and back carry (only for advanced users, please!)
Because they come with instructions and are not "sized" like a pouch sling, wraps, just like the ring slings we carry, make excellent gifts!

I think between the linen and gauze my favorite is gauze. I like the textured look that gauze has, although the plum color or the linen was gorgeous too. The gauze has a bit of stretch more so than the linen wrap, but both are sturdy and would easily hold a heavier child with ease and that gives me comfort in looking to the future. I think that is very possible that someone could only have one of these wraps and not an overly stretchy wrap and have all of their goals met. It might take a time or two to figure out what is the best tightness for you and your child as they grow, but it is easy to adjust.

The gauze wraps by themselves are beautiful vibrant colors and then the wraps with a front panel are endless in their possibilities of beauty. There are so many that I like and I'm sure you would too! As I said before, my favorite Ring Sling is from Li'l Peeper Keepers and I would not hesitate to recommend business with Rebecca. It is pure pleasure!

To see more pictures, make sure to check my review of a Li'l Peeper Keepers Tencel Twill Ring Sling the Etsy Spotlight post as well as her Etsy shop.

Buy it:

Visit www.lilpeeperkeepers.etsy.com then sit back and relax and browse through all the lovely things she has to offer.

15% off any order through the month of March. This cannot be combined with any other discount, but can be used on sale items! They need to mention the code “Babywearing . . . naturally” to either get an adjusted listing before payment or to receive their refund via Paypal.

Don't forget to enter in the Li'l Peeper Keepers TOY Pouch Sling Giveaway!!