A Caring Gift

Baby Safety

You could call me “Antique Roadshow.” As a grandmom, I often still find myself carrying around a diaper bag for Slugger, who’s going on two.  A diaper bag is one of those essentials most grandmoms or moms would be lost without.

I received A Book and A Bag from Baby-Everywhere to try out.
When you want to take an excursion out of your home with a small baby, there’s no telling what you might need. A good diaper bag can hold everything you might need including baby wipes, diapers, diaper ointment, baby powder, clothing, bottles, food, just about anything else you might possibly need while out and about with your baby.

A Book and a Bag is a wide tote that can be used by moms, grandmoms, nanny, daycare providers or babysitters.  Also an organizer, there’s a place for keys, cell phones, wallet as well as baby’s necessities. It includes a Safe Baby Organizer – a 50-page loose-leaf book (4″x7″), containing expert advice on how to prevent injuries and handle an emergency, should one occur, which fits into an outside pocket – available in English or Spanish. Colored tabs divide the sections.

Since the most important item in a diaper bag is diapers, A Book and A Bag also contains a changing pad! In fact, anything that you need to use on a daily basis can go into this tote.   Since all the “stuff” in your diaper bag can make it really heavy so if you’re going to have to be carrying it for a long distance, it has two sturdy handles that you can easily put over your shoulder.

This tote comes in either marine blue, or fire engine red – colors that even dad or grandpa wouldn’t mind carrying around!

• Recommended by the American Academy of Emergency Medicine

• iParentingMediaAward.com voted the Safe Baby Tote one of the most outstanding safety products of the year

At Baby-Everywhere, you can find diaper bags and grandmother bags that vary from basic, to trendy …

… beautiful, affordably-priced products that can be used anywhere the baby is – at home, in a car, with the babysitter and at grandma’s home.

Baby-Everywhere is offering readers of Moomette’s Magnificents a $5.00 discount promo code at checkout on these bags.

Use Code: 2442

For More Information Visit: Baby Everywhere

Moomette’s Magnificents  is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of the Baby-Everywhere Information Station. Designed to hang on the refrigerator door, a babysitter has everything –phone numbers, reminders — all in one place, and doesn’t have to run through the house looking for little pieces of paper left by the baby’s mother! Parent Tested and Parent Approved recently voted the Information Station a winning product.

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit Baby-Everywhere and leave a comment about what you like best about their site and another product you’d like to try.

This contest will run until March 22, 2010 at 11:00 pm. EST

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

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Boutique Style For Baby

All-Natural Bamboo

Our family has expanded within the last few years, and I have two grandchildren now.  There’s also several weddings coming up, and I’m sure it won’t be too long before I’ll be invited to many baby showers for the expectant mothers-to-be and have found the perfect gift to give.

I recently did a fashion review on how much I like all-natural Bamboo fibers, so I was delighted when I was sent a baby blanket made from cotton and Bamboo from Shi Shu Baby!

Designed by a mom, Shi Shu Baby is a line of blankets made only of natural fibers.

From the company website:

Bamboo is antibacterial, soft as silk, keeps you cool in the Summer, keeps you warm in the Winter and most importantly…BREATHES!

The blanket I received is a beautiful shade of Celedon Green, interwoven with a shade of ecru,  and incredibly soft!  This gorgeous shade of green is suitable for either a baby boy or a baby girl!  I like that the sateen edges are finished, showing the quality of a true boutique product.

Features:

• 60% cotton

• 40% bamboo

• 100% bamboo sateen trim

• Meausres 30″ x 40″

• Handwoven

There’s also a line of baby receiving blanket Snugglers, measuring 16 inches x 16 inches.

Shi Shu Style also makes products for inside the home, including Handwoven throws measuring 50 inches x 60 inches.”

Treat your favorite breastfeeding mom or expectant mother-to-be and baby with this beautiful all-natural blanket!

For More Information Visit: Shi Shu Style

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Must Have

Cold Weather Accessory for Baby Strollers

Having lived in New England all my life, I’ve certainly experienced many a cold winter.

When I was a little girl, we used to use what were called “muffs” to keep our hands warm. The handwarmers were often made of fur, or faux fur – round, with an opening in either end to insert our hands.  It was fun to wear them when we were dressed up in our Sunday Best.
I used to pretend I was one of those skaters in Central Park from days gone by!

I recently had the opportunity to review a new product based on that same premise – the Mommy Mitten.

Developed by Amy Sapirstein, mompreneur and founder of Active Urban Mom, LLC, who aptly describes it

Mommy Mitten is a hand warmer that easily secures around the handle bar of your baby stroller to keep your hands protected from the elements without having to deal with clumsy, easy to lose gloves or mittens.

The Mommy mitten comes in a plastic snap case, allowing it to fold up compactly.  It has heavy-duty Velcro to close over the handlebar of the stroller, while keeping your hands warm.

Features include:

• Water resistant

• Insulated

• Fleece Lining

• External zipper pocket

Whether you’re taking baby out for a quick stroll in the city park or the suburbs to get some fresh air on a winter day, you may not want to take your purse with you.  As you push the stroller, with the Mommy Mitten, you can keep your hands warm, yet free to attend to baby.  The zip pocket is convenient to keep your keys or cell phone within reach.

Colors include Black/Pink Fleece or Black/Aqua Fleece lining

This is a chic, stylish gift-giving idea for new moms, grandmoms or nannies!

Gift Certificates are available for the holidays!

For More Information Visit: Mommy Mitten

Win It!  Moomette’s Magnificents  is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win the Mommy Mitten!

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit Mommy Mitten and leave a comment another fact not mentioned in this post, and why you’d like to win this product.

This contest will run until October 10 at 11:00 pm.

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

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Stylish Maternity and Baby Couture

Fashionable Yet Functional

Since the birth of my grandson, my daughter is finding that her daughter, ‘Lil Moomette, who’s 3, is vying for the attention of her brother.  What we’re trying to do is give one-on-one attention to Moomette, since the two grandkids are only 21 months apart.

All kids like bath time, making it the perfect opportunity to having heart-to-heart conversations and finding out how their day went.

I recently had the opportunity to review a beautiful new hooded towel from Bebe au Lait.

We all know that little girls take their cues from their moms and develop a fashion sense early.  These hooded towels are so chic and luxurious, making the little ones feel like a diva!

I received the Parfait hooded towel, which is an ultra soft, 100% cotton terry, in shades of pink and brown, with a pink peacock feather pattern.  It came packaged in a beautiful box with a see-through top, suitable for gift-giving. The hooded towel had sleeves opening at the bottom, as well as an optional closure that used two hidden magnets – one on each side of the hood neckline.

This enchanting hooded towel for toddlers fit babies and toddlers ages 12mos-3T and is machine washable. The piping was finished and stitched very nicely, and the towel was a good size.

What I liked about this hooded towel is that it’s pretty enough to bring on vacations and use pool-side!

Some of Bebe au Lait’s signature print fabrics and yummy elegant patterns include:

*Papillion
*Chocolat
*Mint Chocolate
*HotDots
*Savilla
*Valencia
*Yoko
*Soft Dots
*Shrine Pink
*Shrine Aqua
*Parfait

They’re also known for their fabulous collection of PTPA Award-Winning  breastfeeding Nursing Covers known as “Hooter Hiders.”

Bebe au Lait also offers Gift Sets and Free domestic ground shipping, making it perfect for gift shopping for new moms or the holidays.  The products can be found in select boutique and upscale baby shops worldwide.

For More Information Visit: Bebe au Lait

Moomette’s Magnificents  is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of  one (1) Toddler Hooded Towel in the pattern of your choice (based upon availability) from Baby au Lait.

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit Bebe au Lait and leave a comment about another fact not mentioned in this post and another product you’d like to try.

This contest will run until October 7, 2009 at 11:00 pm.

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

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Fresh Ideas On Paper

Paperspring

I’m an old-fashioned type of gal and was brought up following Emily Post and the rules of ettiquette.  I was taught by my mom that one should always acknowledge a gift with a handwritten Thank You note.

Whenever I’m a houseguest or attend a dinner party, I always send out a nice note to the hostess acknowledging their kind gestures.  In this modern day of  emails, tweets and text messaging, some things can’t be expressed as when you receive a handwritten note.

I was delighted to have the opportunity to review personalized Thank You  notes from Paperspring.  I received the Tiny Bouquet style, in chocolate brown, with my full name imprinted on the front.   I always try to have several styles of personalized, blank note cards on hand and use them for many occasions.

Paperspring is a new social stationery website that allows personalization of many special occasion cards and announcements. They’ve been in the printing industry for 40 years but just recently launched their new website.  And it’s quite obvious that they love what they do.

The company was started in 1969 and their corporate clients include ESPN, Paramount, and the Westin hotels.  All printing is done in-house, assuring that all orders will process faster and with greater quality control than most anywhere else.

Paperspring offers photo baby announcements, photo birth announcements, photo holiday cards, baby shower invitations, birthday party invitations, baptism invitations, thank you cards, moving announcements, graduation announcements, birth announcements for twins, adoption announcements, photo Christmas cards, wedding invitations, bridal shower invitations and save the date cards.

What I liked best about Paperspring is that it has a Green, eco-friendly policy.  The matte cards are printed on 100% post-consumer waste recycled card stock  Paperspring is one of the few social stationery sites that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as a custodian of environmentally sustainable products.

Ordering was easy, and shipped promptly. They offer excellent customer service, high-quality designs and an easy-to use website.

Best of all, Paperspring always offers FREE ground shipping!

Paperspring is offering readers of Moomette’s Magnificents a 20% discount promotional code from now through October 1, 2009.

At checkout, use Code: Moomette20

For more information visit at: Paperspring

Follow Paperspring on Twitter: @Paperspring

Become a Fan on Facebook: Paperspring

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Belli Baby

Calm Me Hair and Body Wash

Today was my grandson’s First Birthday!

It’s hard to believe how quickly the year went by.  Slugger is now a “little man” and it’s fun to see how his personality is developing.  He’s starting to say a few words and talk,  and masters a few baby steps on his own.

But he’s still a baby and has special needs and care that all infants and toddlers do.

I’m please to have had the opportunity to review Calm Me Hair and Body Wash by Belli.

At Belli, we support expectant and new mothers through this changing time by providing soothing, balanced skin products that pamper and protect. Our collections – Belli Pregnancy, Belli Motherhood and Belli Baby – address the specific needs of each stage, with thoughtful attention to the safest formulations.

What my daughter and I liked about Belli’s Calm Me Hair and Body Wash was that it is an all-in-one product that both cleanses and moisturizes baby. It’s also 100% Phthalate Free.

When used to bathe Slugger, the fragrance of the essential oil of marigold and chamomile smelled so clean and refreshing.  We simply bathed Slugger as usual, using a wet washcloth or by hand.

An added benefit was that we smelled nice after Sugger’s bath was over!

Belli products are sold at national retailers including Pottery Barn Kids, Mother Works, baby/maternity boutiques, fine spas, and a growing number of physician offices. The entire line can be found on belliskincare.com, along with helpful educational articles that teach women about the skin care concerns of pregnancy, motherhood, and infancy.

For More Information Visit: Belli

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Meet My Friend

Lil’ Baby Cakes

I’d like to have you Meet My Friend Candy, a very special mom that I met through the social networking site, Twitter.  Candy, a/k/a @lilbabycakes is a  mom and the Owner/Proprietor of Lil’ Baby Cakes.   I invited Candy to be a Guest Blogger and share with you how she started her business.

In the past, I’ve touched on topics about tapping into your interests and hidden talent, and parlaying them into a career where you turn your interests into  a business.  Many readers or their families have become  victims of the current recession, and are actively seeking gainful employment.  Some, like me, are considering either retiring, or trying to determine a move to another career that will spark our interest – whether it  be something entirely different from what we’ve been doing in the past, or entirely new venture.

Perhaps you are off-ramping from corporate life to take time out to raise your children.

I have been inviting bloggers and writers on my Meet My Friend meme to share their ideas and experiences with my readers who are interested in becoming a mompreneur.

If you have a WAHM topic of interest that you’d like to share and be a Guest Blogger on Moomette’s Magnificents, please contact me (see Contact tab above).

Here Candy shares her story about how she became the Proprietor of Lil’ Baby Cakes – Unique Baby Gifts that new moms adore – The Diaper Cake

Making the decision to leave corporate America after 21 years was one of the most difficult decisions in my life.  Along the way I had daily reminders that I was really not in control of my destiny.  Work pressures weighed on me heavily as I did conference calls late into the evening sitting in bed next to my husband.  I missed many of my kids activities at school as well.  Something had to change and after many weeks if not months of soul searching I started my search to find my next career.

I have always enjoyed making things as a little girl and have always had a knack for decorating and doing crafts.  My next steps were going to take me in that direction.  I made an offer on a business and began the transition after resigning from my corporate job in April 2007.  So far, so good.

Unfortunately, the deal fell through and low and behold I now had nothing!  Believe me I sat up at night questioning myself over and over again.  But with the support of my husband I hung in there and continued to search.  In September 2007 I found Lil’ Baby Cakes and knew I found my “baby“.  We closed in December 2007.

I felt relief and just a sense of calmness knowing I got off the corporate treadmill.  I had time to be with the kids, my husband, and friends.  I felt great about Lil’ Baby Cakes and my start as a small business owner began.  Being the creative type I truly love the opportunity to design new diaper cakes and work with my customers.  I operate the business with a small team of ladies out of a leased office space, as it’s not practical to run from a home.  I’ve spent a lot of time nurturing Lil’ Baby Cakes into a professional shopping experience for our customers including our website, blog, phone support, and naturally our diaper cakes.  I really strive to offer an upscale product that any new mom would be thrilled to receive.

I believe you can break the mold of working a corporate job that takes time away from family and the responsibilities of being a mom to follow one’s true passions. I can now participate in our kid’s activities, and can honestly say I am doing what I love.

My biggest lessons in my journey so far is that I wear many hats and my job is never done.  However, I have freedom to pick and choose how to spend my time.  It’s never a straight path to reach your goals.  I found that out very quickly!  I’m still reaching for the stars and encourage other moms reading this to pursue their dreams.  Don’t get discouraged by the setbacks as I believe they are inevitable.  Besides it makes the “wins” that much sweeter.

Courtesy of Lil’ Baby Cakes, Moomette’s Magnificents  is hosting a Giveaway Contest!

Planning a baby shower?  Or maybe you just had a baby yourself or has a friend that would enjoy winning a baby shower diaper cake from Lil’ Baby Cakes.

Lil Baby Cakes’ diaper cakes are not only adorable but make a great practical gift because one thing the new mom will definitely need is diapers.  Whether used for a baby shower centerpiece or given as a gift I can guarantee you this is a gift that will be used.

We are featuring the Monkey Giraffe Diaper Cake.  This adorable diaper cake features a zoo themed design and is a gender neutral design. Value $73

Here’s what’s included:

* Approximately 40 Pampers Swaddler Size 1     Diapers
* Plush Monkey
* Plush Giraffe
* Johnson & Johnson travel items (shampoo, lotion, wash, powder)
* Palm tree and monkey embellishments
* Luxury ribbon and Jungle Vines to set the stage

There will be one (1) Lucky Winner!

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit Lil’ Baby Cakes and leave a comment about another fact that wasn’t mentioned in this post, what you like best about this design and WHY you’d like to win this adorable diaper cake.

Now for extra entries (each task will get you 1 extra entry):

~One Extra Entry: Add my banner button to your sidebar or add me to your blogroll, and come back here and leave the link (I will be checking)

~ One Extra Entry: Become a Fan of Moomettesgram on Facebook and let me know your name in a separate comment.

~ One Extra Entry: Follow Me on Google Friend Connect (right sidebar) and leave your name in a separate comment.

~ One Extra Entry: Follow Me on Networked Blogs (right sidebar) and leave your name in a separate comment.

~One Extra Entry: Comment on any non-giveaway article on my blog and leave your name a separate comment letting me know which post you commented on

~ One Extra Entry: Follow Me on Twitter and let me know your Twitter name in a separate comment.

~One Extra Entry: Tweet about this contest:

Just send the following tweet:

@Moomettes is offering a Monkey Giraffee Diaper Cake Giveaway sponsored by Lil’ Baby Cakes.   Contest ends July 30, 2009 http://bit.ly/wLOGt

and come back to this post and leave the URL link to the Tweet so I can check. You may Retweet once per day until the end of the contest, but please leave a separate comment for each Retweet, along with the permalink

~One Extra Entry: Blog about the contest on your blog linking to my blog and the site

~One Extra Entry: Favorite Moomette’s Magnificents in Technorati and leave your name (I will be checking) in a separate comment  (the link is on my right sidebar).

Make sure you comment separately for each task after the required entry task so you will get credit for each one ~ and leave your e-mail where you can be contacted.

This contest will run until July 30, 2009 at approximately 11:00 pm.

Winners are chosen by Random.Org, if you want all your chances counted, make sure you leave individual comments, not all of them in one!

*Winner has 48 hours to contact me or another name will be chosen.

*Include your email if it’s not enabled.
*Anyone can enter, however, the diaper cake can only be shipped within the 48 contiguous states.
*Rules for each entry must be followed to be valid.

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Plum Organic’s Kids Meals and Baby Foods

As any Mom or Grandmom knows, kids can be fussy eaters.  Each of my girls had specific preferences in their choice of food while growing up.  These idiosyncrasies manifested themselves even as infants.

My oldest daughter, always a good eater, thoroughly enjoyed her vegetables, while my youngest daughter preferred fruit.

Now that I’m a grandmom, I chuckle to watch how my two grandchildren are so different.  ‘Lil Moomette (age 2) would win an award for being probably the world’s fussiest eater.  She eats at our house frequently, and as much as we encourage a family sit-down style dinner, Moomette does much better just “grazing” on her own.

Slugger (5 months) is the total opposite of his sister.  Since I’ve never parented sons, it’s a delight to watch this kid finish a bottle, and still be looking for more!  Recently he was introduced to fruits, vegetables and cereal.  His little mouth opens, and his eyes follow as he watches us eat!

Whole Foods recently opened a brand-new store over the river and through the woods in the next town over.  I jumped at the opportunity to try out the Plum Organic’s Kids line of fruits and vegetables on Slugger.

Plum Organics Kids are Fresh. Frozen.Baby. Food. and are fortified with DHA and produced in different stages.

What is DHA?
DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid naturally occurring in breast milk.  It’s a major structural component of the brain and eyes, representing about 97% of all omega-3 fats in the brain and 93% of all omega-3 fats in the retina.  DHA is a key nutrient for optimal brain, eye, and nervous system development in infants.

Plum Organics products are fortified with 100 percent vegetarian algae-based sustainable source.

Here’s Slugger enjoying his Plum Organic Sweet Potatoes!

His mom says he really enjoys the fresh taste and texture!

For More Information Visit: Plum Organics

Moomette’s Magnificents Reviews is hosting a Giveaway!
Plum Organics was kind enough to send several coupons along for me to share with my readers. For a chance to win two coupons for either one (1) Plum Organics Kids or Baby Products.

To Enter: Visit Plum Organics and comment on this post, letting me know what other stores besides Whole Foods Plum Organic Products are available at.

Now for extra entries (each task will get you 1 extra entry):
~Subscribe to my blog via email through my Feedburner link (on the top of my left column)

~Add my banner button to your sidebar or add me to your blog roll.
~Blog about the contest on your blog, linking back to my blog  and this post.

~Go Favorite or Fan me on Technorati (the link is on my left column if you scroll down) or both.

~ Follow Me on Twitter

~Tweet about this contest. (Comment separately with the URL of your Tweet)

Make sure you comment separately for each task after the required entry task so you will get credit for each one ~ and leave your e-mail where you can be contacted.

Entires without a valid email address, or those that don’t follow the Contest Rules will be disqualified.  Winner to be chosen via Random.org

This contest will run until January 28 at approximately 11:00 pm.

Winner:
Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

3

Timestamp: 2009-01-29 04:33:40 UTC

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VOTE FOR ME ~ KEEP ME ON TOP ~ I’M A TOP MOMMA ~

Click the Button to Keep Me On Top!

Now that I’m going to be a Grandma again for the second time, I’m so happy to be on the lookout for cute hand crafted baby items!   When I had more time, I was quite crafty.   I always used to love dressing my two girls in feminine little outfits, and the girls always enjoyed “accessorizing.” They still do!

There are so many talented, artistic moms around today, and I love to feature their “indie” hand crafted wares.

Today I am featuring a new item from Cozy Cuddlez. Valery is an artistic mom with a sharp eye for the unusual, and creates Diaper Wipe Cases. Each handcrafted Diaper Wipe Case comes stocked with wipes already in them.

These are so cool. The trendy Pink and Brown one that I received is well crafted, with attention being made to all fine details. The cases is somewhat padded; the horizontal lines on the fabric are straight and; all edges are securely finished. I especially like the silver heart “bling” as an extra bonus ~ it reminds me of the hardware on a Brighton purse that I have!

Valery’s website description states:

You can use these for just about anything. The ideas are endless. Mini First Aide Kit, Coupon Holder, Make up case. Throw one in your purse, glove box or diaper bag. This would be a perfect Baby Shower Gift as well.

At Cozy Cuddlez, Valery will also custom design a case for you if you are looking for something special.

The cases are priced at USD $15 before S/H. Visit Cozy Cuddlez and start your holiday shopping early! Choose a unique, thoughtful gift for your favorite Mommy (or even Grandma!)

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