Mom and baby product reviews on The Mommy Insider

Karen Cole Paper: $ price varies

Give your child a bundle of karen cole paper Thank You cards to sign and he/she might actually look forward to signing them.  The hand drawn whimsical look of Karen's designs will bring joy to any recipients face be it a new mom or a young child. Each design is hand-illustrated and colored and then printed on heavy-weight bright-white card stock.  You can really impress your child's friends parents by sending co-ordinating invitations and thank you cards.

I was pleased to find that Karen offers designs that cater to both boys and girls including trucks and ballerina slippers.  Her wedding and party invitations are sure to impress your invites.  Just looking at them makes me want to throw a party just to show off her fun designs.. and get away from the kids.. and my husband.. I'm just kidding!  I love my family.  Maybe I should give them all cards to express my love!  One more reason to go to karen cole paper!

The Mommy Insider readers get 10% off with code kcp10.

karen cole paper

What to Expect: Guide to a Healthy Home

Clorox has teamed up with every pregnant and new mom's favorite author, Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel to bring us a great new guide titled "What to Expect: Guide to a Healthy Home". A wonderful guide for both expecting and experienced parents, this is something that you can give, and give, and give, free.

In the guide, Murkoff reminds us to do simple things like wash our hands before and after changing baby's diaper, close the toilet lid before you flush (must do!!), and clean the sandbox at least every two weeks. Some of these things you probably already do, but you might not think to do a few things she recommends in the What to Expect: Guide to a Health Home guide like wash your child's car seat cover.

The guide gives us practical tips on how to manage different rooms in our homes as well as our cars and outdoor toys. Murkoff even covers areas outside of our homes such as public bathrooms, playgrounds, cars and child care centers.

I recommend that you print the free 11 page .pdf version of What to Expect: Guide to a Health Home for yourself, your spouse, family, and friends. It's just the right size to read quickly then store in your kitchen drawer, pantry, bathroom, or car for quick reference later on.

You can download the .pdf version of the What to Expect: Guide to a Healthy Home guide free, here.

Babycakes, gifts, and glamour

Babycakes, gifts, and glamour... thats what Babycakes of Scottsdale offers expecting and new parents.

I didn't know what a Babycake was until a few years ago. I thought it was an actual cake that you eat!
To an expecting mom, a babycake is better than the real thing. No calories, but full of fun!

Babycakes of Scottsdale custom creates 1, 2, and 3 tier cakes that are not only beautiful but are practical as well.  Each decorative tier is bountifully packed with baby blankets, sleepers, onesies, pacifiers, booties, that are sure to excite any expectant mother.  Babycakes of Scottsdale will top off your custom made babycake with an heirloom treasure such as a Tiffany® spoon, a Limoge box, or a bear.

Babycakes of Scottsdale also offers a great selection of gifts, and baby clothing that can be purchased individually. Items inlcude super cute  'twinkle toe slippers' with crystals on the bottom, baby blankets, caps, and much more.

Where to buy: Babycakes of Scottsdale
 

Crafty Babies - Mommy Necklace

Now that I am older, I have calmed down on the jewelry a bit. However, when I find a piece that I LOVE, I wear it 24/7. That's exactly what I've done with my new Crafty Babies Sterling Silver Mommy Necklace.
 

The Mommy Necklace, handmade by Jamie Dadant, owner of Crafty Babies can be hand stamped with your child's name, a favorite phrase, your name, or a general word such as 'mommy' which is what is on my piece. I am very pleased with the quality of the disc and the 'mommy' stamp. Both make for a necklace that I am happy to show off everywhere I go.

I was a little bummed that my kids names won't fit on the disc but they are long names; Sebastian and Madelyn. The limit is seven characters. However, I LOVE that my necklace says "Mommy" because I LOVE to let everyone know that I am a proud mommy... no questions asked.

The sterling silver hand stamped disc hangs on a ball chain in either a 16" or 18" length... you choose. You can order additional discs if you have more than one child.

The Mommy Necklace is very affordable and is a great Mother's Day gift idea.  I think all moms should buy a 'mommy necklace' for themselves as a reminder that you are the world's greatest mom.

I usually don't mention other products in a review, but I  had such a fun time browsing the Crafty Babies website and feel that I need to share a few of my other favorites with you. Besides the Mommy Necklace you will find a great selection of Skid Pants (I want some of these for Madelyn!), super cute baby shoes, and one of my favorite products on the site is the Hand Painted Frames, pictured to the right.

Enjoy your visit and let me know what you buy!

INSIDERS:  INSIDERS, earn 5 points when you purchase and/or use our Crafty Babies coupon code (below).  You must use your INSIDER email address when making your purchase at Crafty Babies. Once you earn 20 points I will send you a $10 Amazon.com gift certificate!! YEAH! 
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Where to buy: Crafty Babies

The Mommy Insider readers get 10% off with code minsider!

The best bag on the block!

I am not one to spend hundreds of dollars on a handbag... but give me an all-in-one diaper bag, handbag, and laptop bag and I'll give you the money! I am IN LOVE with this Mia Bossi 'diaper bag'.

I put this bag to the test.  First of all, most of you know that I've got two kids, Madelyn is 10 months and Sebastian is seven years old. We are always on the go.. to Grandmother's house, the doctor, the bookstore, grocery store, Target, Starbucks, etc. I've been using the same great diaper bag for months but when I received this Mia Bossi bag to review, I immediately switched all my 'stuff' into the bag.

Besides the beautiful design, the quality of the leather, and the accents, this bag has an incredible feature that you won't find in other bags. When needed, you can easily convert this bag from a diaper bag to a handbag or laptop bag. The day after I received the Mia Bossi bag, I found a reason to take the diaper bag insert out and use the bag as a laptop bag. I felt like a celebrity when I walked into Starbucks! I'm not kidding.  I had three moms and two women ask me about the bag.   

Mia Bossi offers several great styles for moms with all types of personalities and needs. I love the fact that I can use this bag long after I stop toting Madelyn's stuff around and not feel like I am carrying a diaper bag.

I am thoroughly impressed with how much 'stuff' I can put in the bag. 'Stuff' includes: several diapers,  wipe case, toys, Sebastian's Leapster, a bottle, snacks, telephone, wallet, a notebook,  two activity books for Sebastian and a few other things.

There are two outer pockets. One of which allows for easy access to my cell phone so I am no longer worried that I am going to miss an important call because I can't find my phone.

Where to buy: Mia Bossi

INSIDERS.. Let me know what you think of this review and earn 3 points!  Just use your INSIDER email address when leaving a comment and I will credit your INSIDER account.

 

Tummy Talk - Delux pregnancy album

The Tummy Talk pregnancy book is a must have for expecting parents. I wish I had the Tummy Talk pregnancy book when I was pregnant. I don't have good documentation of my pregnancy. 

I would have loved to document when I first felt Madelyn kick, when she had the hiccups, when I couldn't fit in my clothes anymore, etc.. There are so many aspects of pregnancy that are fun and important to document. The Tummy Talk pregnancy album is a beautiful and organized way to do just that.

Tummy Talk pregnancy albums are beautiful designed with a suede like cover including a hand placed Swarovski crystal. Choose from 3 colors. Each book has 105 pages in which to document every moment of your pregnancy including doctor's visits, and the birth. The pages are separated into categories for quick reference. The back of the book contains 3 coordinating letterhead sheets on which friends and family can write a letter to baby which can be stored in the front pocket of the book. There are even die cut punch outs that you can paste onto pages and highlight important thoughts or events.

The Tummy Talk pregnancy album is a great baby shower gift!

Where to buy: Tummy Talk

'The Mommy Insider' readers get 10% off with code momfinds!

Popper Stopper from Hot Mama

Whoever thought of this idea is a genius! 

I have to say first, that I think it's cute when a pregnant belly button pops out. BUT, there are times when we don't want our belly button to pop out, like when we go to a dinner party.  It's nice to know that you can put on a latex-free popper stopper (which is not like a bandaid in that it doesn't show under your clothes) and know that your belly button won't be a topic of conversation at the dinner party!

Where to buy: Hot Mama Beauty and Style

Bag-A-Diaper from Lillaboo.com

I know you LOVE your huge, trendy diaper bag and I love mine too, but don't you hate carrying it to the grocery store or during a quick trip to the video store?  You don't have worry about that if you get a Lillaboo Bag-A-Diaper.
The Lillaboo Bag-A-Diaper gets you out with the essentials; a few diapers and a small wipe case.

I pushed this bag to the limits and can fit my sunglasses, chapstick and gum in it! How exciting is that!?

The Bag-A-Diaper has a strap so you can hang it on the stoller or on your wrist during a quick run into the store.

Have fun with your Bag-A-Diaper!

Where to buy: Lillaboo

DadGear Messenger Style Diaper Bag

Is your husband embarrased to go to the store carrying your diaper bag? Good!! He should be if you have a cool diaper bag!  :) 

DadGear has made it possible for Dads everywhere to carry a diaper bag without looking like they are carrying a diaper bag. The messenger diaper bag from DadGear combines classic style and functionality to make the perfect diaper bag for Dads.

Features include:

• A quick-access wipes window under the front panel that integrates with our refillable wipes container (starting September 2006) and also accommodates most brands of wipes
• Two large pockets on the interior for diapers and food
• Two bottle pockets accessible from either the exterior or interior
• A slim design changing pad (included) in a separate pocket to eliminate cross contamination
• Two tall, skinny pockets for creams or lotions on either side of the wipes window.
• Oversized side release buckles, high quality coil zippers, heavy-duty fabrics, and durable hardware ensure our quality standards are met.
• This bag includes a large adjustable 2" strap with oversize cam buckle and an optional three point harness for a secure fit modeled after the classic bike messenger bag.
• This bag is available in several colors and styles

Where to buy: DadGear

Piggyback classic tote from I'm Still Me

Yes, it's hard to believe that even after you have a baby "you're still you"...That's where "I'm Still Me" comes in. Mackenzie and Sandra, a mom and daughter team combine their love of beautiful fabric with extensive sewing and design experience to create these perfect diaper bags.

I use my classic tote every day.

What I love about this diaper bag:
1. The 2 side pockets. One is perfect for my cell phone and lipstick while the other holds my sunglasses.
2. The inside pockets. There are several inner pockets that hold my diaper wipes, diapers, diaper rash cream, a little notebook, hand sanitizer, and a few other things.
3. The main pocket holds the diapers, usually a magazine or two, and other assorted things.
4. The "clip on pouch". This pouch is such an awesome idea!  I carry my wallet, camera, powder, and a few other things in the pouch for easy access.

This diaper bag is washable throughout.

I absolutely love this bag and recommend that both expecting and experienced moms buy one for themseleves! 

Where to buy: I'm Still Me