Stuff Parents Need

Easing the chaos in the nest, one find at a time.

Refreshing Styles, Organic Fabrics for Baby: Finn + Emma Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

· by · 97 Comments

After checking out a local consignment sale last week, one thing became abundantly clear: if you want to dress your baby girl in pink, there is NO shortage of opportunities. There’s even quite a large selection for you if you want to dress her like a little diva or princess.

But what if you don’t? Well, your options are decidedly more limited, then. I have no problem putting my girls in pink (though I’m not so fond of diva/princess stuff). But I’d prefer that this color not dominate the closet. I imagine that I’d feel the same way about the color blue if I had a little boy. Why confine ourselves to these colors? Are we terrified that someone will think they are the opposite sex? I can tell you from experience that people will make the wrong guess no matter how much pink/blue you put your kid in. Darah’s had her ears pierced since she was 6 months old, and that didn’t stop people from guessing that she was a boy, either!

If you, like me, are always on the hunt for clothing that is a refreshing change of pace from the norm, I’ve got a delightful company to share with you today. It’s called Finn + Emma. The clothes all have such a sweet vibe that make them precious for babies, but they do not look like what you might find at a Carter’s store or even a local consignment sale. The designs are different and absolutely delightful. And if that’s not enough to get you to take a closer look, you should also know that Finn + Emma clothes are made from organic material. Hooray!

A few weeks ago I received a sweet little baby girl romper that made me squeal when I saw it. The flower detail and the slightly puffy sleeves give this outfit such a feminine feel without beating you over the head with the, “I’m a girl!” message. The soft purple is so pretty (purple happens to be my favorite color). It is going with us to the hospital in the event that our baby is large enough to fit into 0-3 months clothes from the start. As simple as it is, I think this outfit is cute enough to be a “going home” outfit contender!

Finn + Emma is the type of company that breathes new life into the baby clothing industry. Their sustainable and fair trade practices also make them the type of company I want to support as a consumer. Their clothing is also constructed out of very high quality materials, which means that it will last through several babies, and potentially even several generations!

Buy it!: The romper I received to review retails for $37.00 and can be purchased here.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win your choice of romper for a boy or a girl from Finn + Emma!
[Read more…]

(Maternity Monday) Preparing for Baby Bath Time with Ahmelie Hooded Towels (GIVEAWAY!!!)

· by · 111 Comments

At my first baby shower, I received a Tigger hooded towel for Darah. Hooded towels are totally adorable and also serve a great purpose in that they help keep your baby warm from head to toe after getting them out of the bath. This is especially important when they are tiny and can’t regulate their own body temperatures very well.

I also like hooded towels because the larger, more plush versions can grow with your child, as opposed to the tiny hooded towels, which Darah outgrew by the time she was 6 months old (and she was a small baby!). The Tigger towel is just now starting to be a little bit small for Darah.

As great as it has been, I can’t say that I’m going to miss having a big orange towel hanging out in my bathroom. It honestly was just unsightly and it clashed with everything. I guess that’s probably going to be the case with many character print towels.

But Ahmelie, who you saw featured for her stylish burp cloths, has an alternative that you should check out. Her hooded towels are GORGEOUS! No seriously. STUNNING. As in, I want one in my size. Many of them are made with Amy Butler towels. Amy Butler is known for her gorgeous prints, and these towels are certainly no exception. They are also organic. Just take a look and see the cuteness for yourself!

We received the Woodfern Grey hooded towel and it matches our bathroom perfectly. I LOVE seeing it hanging up in the room; what a refreshing change from bright orange! Darah also thinks it is beautiful and loves being wrapped up in it after her bath. The towel is very plush and absorbent. It feels like one of those towels that you get to use when you visit a wealthy relative. Ha ha!

For the next little peanut on the way, I’m completely skipping over those thin infant hooded towels, and I’m bypassing character towels, too. On my wish list is another Ahmelie hooded towel that will get used over and over again for several years. I predict Darah won’t outgrow hers until she is at least 6! These towels retail for $32.00 and given how beautiful and soft they are, and how long they will last, they are absolutely worth the price! Plus, you can use code STUFF10 to save 10% off your purchase at Ahmelie.com!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a hooded towel in your choice of available prints!

[Read more…]

Itzy Bitzy Designs Klippie Klub (Clip of the Month) Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

· by · 36 Comments

If you have a little girl who loves to wear bows, then you need to read this post very carefully, because it has some really exciting information in it!

The company Itzy Bitzy Designs (founded by mompreneur Michelle Ruesch in 2007) has just launched a Cip of the Month Club called, appropriately, the Klippie Club. It is a very fun and VERY affordable way to receive exclusive hair accessories for your little one.

Every month you can receive a collection of new hair accessories at a 60% savings. You read that right! Additionally, when you sign up for a 6 month subscription, you get an additional $65 in free products (your first monthly kit that retails for $40 is free and you get a hair accessory and travel bag that is worth $25 for free).  What a smokin’ hot deal!

A monthly subscription is just $15.99, which is less than it costs to swing by a fast food joint for your family. And the accessories wear much better than an extra cheeseburger, I promise! 🙂

 

If you aren’t quite ready to commit to the Krazy membership (6 month commitment, minimum) you can still experience great savings by becoming a Kasual member. You’ll get the same great products for $18.99 month with no commitment.

We received the complimentary kit that comes with a 6 month membership, and Darah and I both have been extremely impressed. The quality of the bows is absolutely top notch. They have no-slip grips that help hold them into place, and the designs are fashion-forward. We also LOVE having the travel kit. I haven’t previously had a safe way to pack her hair bows for travel, and this is a great solution! You can also simply leave it hanging up in your bathroom by your mirror to use as a bow holder. I think this is a VERY fun gift idea for the little girls in your life. How fun to get a shipment of new hair flair every month, and how fun for the person who buys it to get so much bang for the buck! I highly recommend checking out the Klippie Klub!I also want to point out that Itzy Bitzy is a company that STRONGLY believes in giving back. They proudly support and donate a portion of sales to benefit children with Treacher Collins and other facial differences, as the founder’s daughter has this condition and she knows from experience that money going to help with research and with the needs of affected families is a true blessing!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a one month membership to the Klippie Klub!

[Read more…]

Farmer Jason CD Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

· by · 37 Comments

Today I’m featuring a children’s artist named Farmer Jason. The “farmer” part of his title isn’t just for fun, folks. Jason really does operate a farm outside of Nashville, TN! He’s also a father of 3! And as if that weren’t enough, he’s also an American Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award winner!

Jason Ringeberg created Farmer Jason in 2002 to help educate children about farm life and the wonders of nature. This is his third album to date. Previous works have won him an Emmy and a spot on the Los Angeles Times’ Childrens’ Record of the Year list!

If you’d like to check out some of Farmer Jason’s music in video form, you can find a variety of songs at MyKaZoo TV (and lots of other great children’s music videos, too!). I think you’ll find his style to be easy on the ears and a whole lot of fun. Give him a listen!

Nature Jams is currently available for purchase through his website for $12.98. We have certainly enjoyed listening to this cd, and I bet you will, too!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a copy of Nature Jams by Farmer Jason!

 

[Read more…]

Watching Other Kids Eat Their Veggies: Copy-Kids DVD Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

· by · 34 Comments

Over our holiday break, I noticed something very interesting at the dinner table. If Darah saw her older cousin Thea munching on something, she wanted to try it. Thea is a very good eater, and goes for her veggies and fruits without hesitation. Darah is a decent eater, but she will reject more than Thea will. But if she saw Thea eat something (even something green!) then she wanted it, too! That’s the kind of peer pressure that I can support, for sure!

Kids will eat what they see other kids eating, whether its is brussel sprouts or Doritos. There’s actually a new DVD out that plays on this reality. It’s called Copy-Kids, and basically, it’s a video of toddlers eating, playing with and enjoying a variety of fruits and vegetables. The following foods are featured in the video:

  • bell peppers
  • cucumbers
  • carrots
  • avocado
  • tomatoes
  • broccoli
  • oranges
  • bananas
  • raspberries
  • strawberries
  • apples
  • blueberries

There’s a section for parents, too. Pediatrician Dr. Jay Gordon gives some helpful information about childhood obesity and ways that parents can encourage our kids to make healthy food choices.

But it begins with making these yummy fruits and vegetables available for them to munch on. Before you pop in this video, I’d recommend making a tray with at least 3 or 4 of the featured foods on it. It may really surprise you to see your child pick up and eat those cucumbers, but I bet they will!

Buy it!: Copy=Kids runs 115 minutes and is available for $19.95 here.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a copy of this dvd!

[Read more…]

Celebrate Leap Day with Bright Starts (Review and GIVEAWAY!!!)

· by · 108 Comments

It only comes around once every 4 years, so what are you doing to celebrate Leap Day today???

If you need a fun idea for celebrating with your little one, why not plan to make a little bit of NOISE today?! Shake, rattle, roll and even squeak to your heart’s content!

Today I’m featuring a fun little toy designed to get infants making some music. It’s called Lil’ Squeakers, and it is a sweet little squeaking rattle from Bright Starts. They are plush and easy to hold, and they make a fun (but not overly obnoxious) squeaking noise when you squeeze them. This is a great toy for a baby from birth because at first the bold colors will be a big draw, along with the plush texture. As baby’s muscles develop and s/he can get a noise out of the toy, that will add to the fun!

Buy it!: Lil’ Squeakers (and other Bright Starts products) are available at most major retailers. For a complete list, click here.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a Lil’ Squeaker plush from Bright Starts!

 

[Read more…]

Let’s Give Away a Kindle Fire! For Real! GIVEAWAY!!!

· by · 2 Comments

You know I love you all, right?! Well here’s a belated Valentine from me to you: I’m taking part in the Social Buzz Giveaway along with lots of other bloggers, and we have pooled our resources to give away a Kindle Fire!!!! And I REALLY want a Stuff Parents Need reader to be the winner!

How can you make my dream come true (and snag one of the hottest tech gadgets on the market for yourself)? It’s simple, really. From now until March 21st at 12:01am, you can enter using the form below. Fill out as many or as few of the entries as you want, but more entries equals a higher probability of being drawn as the winner, so do the smart thing and enter every possible way! As a bonus, you’ll be introduced to some fantastic new blogs (yes, some even cooler than this one…shocking, but true!).

Ready? Set? GO!!!!!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Fischer & Wieser Roasted Raspberry Chipotle Sauce Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

· by · 79 Comments

Are you looking for a way to add some serious flavor to your favorite meat dish? And are you interested in achieving this taste revolution with approximately 4 seconds worth of effort on your part?

Then you, my friend, are in for a real treat. I had the opportunity recently to try a specialty sauce from the gourmet brand Fischer & Wieser. It’s called Roasted Raspberry Chipotle Sauce and it is FANCY! I made some pork tenderloin last week and simply added some of this sauce on top at the dinner table. What a “Wow!” factor it created! And just yesterday I added it to a bbq quesadilla (as an alternative to bbq sauce). It rocked my face off, people! And I think this would be tremendous over some cream cheese for an elegant display at a party. The sauce has a beautiful color and a very fresh taste. It ends with a kick of heat, but not in an overpowering way.


Buy it!: Click here to find your nearest retailer. I’m excited to see that my Wal-Mart carries the brand! Hooray! Fischer& Wieser have an entire range of specialty sauces that will certainly make your mouth water. Now that I’ve tried this sauce, I would like to try other products. Perhaps the Charred Pineapple Bourbon Sauce should be my next item?

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a bottle of Raspberry Chipotle Sauce from Fischer & Wieser!

[Read more…]

How to Clean a Stroller Using Eco-Friendly Products

· by · 77 Comments

As we get ready for our new baby’s arrival, we have decided to part ways with our old stroller and get one that will accommodate both a toddler and an infant (one of those sit ‘n stand types). So we recently got the old stroller out of storage and got it ready to sell. It didn’t look BAD, but it certainly looked like it had been used by a baby before, with spit up stains found here and there, dirt on the tires from all our neighborhood strolls, and of course, dust from being away in storage for a while. It also smelled like it had been in storage; just not very fresh!

How to Clean a Stroller

But what do you use to properly clean a stroller? Especially when you are pregnant and don’t need to be around harsh chemicals. Also, keep in mind that a baby will be put back into the stroller, and chewing on everything in sight, so you don’t want any harsh chemicals around.

buggy love eco-friendly stroller cleaning kit: how to clean a stroller

 

Enter Buggy Love, a line of products that is 100% natural line of products designed to safely and effectively keep your stroller clean and fresh! We received the organic stroller cleaning kit which comes with the following products:

  • Fresh Love: 8 oz. of exotic, delicious, pure, organic rosehip scented solution for all over re-freshening
  • Polish Love: 8 oz. of crisp, organic tangerine scented solution for cleaning dirt and grime from stroller frames and wheels.
  • Fabric Love: See ya’ milk and formula stains! 4 oz. of refreshing, organic clementine scented solution for universal use on stroller surfaces and fabrics
  • Wheel Love: 1 oz. of the first-ever, all natural, stroller wheel lube that eliminates squeaks and squeals.
  • Scrub Love: Wheel scrub brush withwhite tampico bristles
  • Micro Love:  Re-claimed microfiber cloth
  • Bag O’Love: – Re-usable, cotton, drawstring to-go bag

This kit is really amazing! And it is SO beautifully packaged. It would make an absolutely stunning baby shower gift, for sure. In addition to looking so snazzy, it also performs really well! Tim got the kit out and got to work polishing up our old stroller for an upcoming consignment sale. Here you can see a picture of some unidentified stains on some of the stroller fabric both before and after being treated with that fabulous Fabric Love.

how to clean a stroller (before)

how to clean a stroller (after)

True story: when we took the stroller in for drop off at the consignment sale, two of the workers both came up to us and stated that our stroller looked absolutely fantastic. The owner of the sale strongly encouraged us to raise the price by $10 because the stroller looked better than pretty much anything else at the sale, and virtually new. I credit Tim’s hard work, and of course, Buggy Love, for that response! And yeah, we did raise the price by $10! Woo hoo!

Buy it!: Buggy Love is available for purchase AND to be added to your registry at Buy Buy Baby! The kit retails for $50, and as we have seen, can really help not only with your own stroller maintenance, but also with resale value of your stroller! You can snag it on Amazon right now for $29! Hurry!

Win it!: One super lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win a Buggy Love organic stroller cleaning kit!

[Read more…]