Stuff Parents Need

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

Kidorable Dragon Knight Collection and AWESOME COUPON CODE!!!

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Kidorable, the makers of those too-cute-for-words children’s umbrellas (among other things) have just launched the Dragon Knight collection. All of you parents of dragon slayers and brave knights listen up! From December 5-11, you can use the coupon code DRAGON7 to receive a FREE Dragon Knight umbrella with any order over $20 (be sure to add the umbrella to your cart before using the code so that it works). Um, yeah, that’s an AWESOME deal, and just in time for the holiday crunch…see, last minute gifts can be AMAZING and bargain-priced!

Now that I’ve told you about the awesome deal, let me tell you more about the Dragon Knight collection. We received the rain jacket to review. I’m saving this to give to my nephew when he is big enough for it. I’ve let Darah try it on to see how it looks and it is simply smashing! The hood is my favorite, as it looks like a medieval helmet! I almost can’t stand the cuteness, people. This coat is also made of a new material called PU (polyurethane). It’s softer and lighter than PVC, which is what is typically used for rain coats.

The Dragon Knight collection has a variety of super cute pieces. While the rain jacket is my personal favorite, the umbrella, with its dragon horns and wings sticking out, comes in a close second. 

Slay those outstanding items on your Christmas list right now with help from Kidorable, or get stocked up for birthdays in 2012 with this deal!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary product for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

 

Maternity Monday: Miracle Ball for Pregnancy Review and GIVEAWAY!!

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Oh my aching….EVERYTHING! I remember with my first pregnancy that I started having aches and pains, particularly with my sciatic nerve, around 25 weeks, and those pains came and went, seemingly randomly, for the remainder of my pregnancy.

This time around, I started getting those pains around 13 weeks. Yeah…that would be 12 weeks (3 months!) sooner than the first time around. Let me break this down for you…when I was 13 weeks pregnant, I still had 27 weeks standing in between me and the pregnancy finish line. THAT IS SO LONG when you are experiencing discomfort and even pain. I knew I needed to find some sort of help and fast.

And I did! I found The Miracle  Ball Method for Pregnancy, and it has been a really tremendous tool that I use every day to help alleviate my pains and discomforts.

This product was designed by Elaine Petrone, who was seeking relief from her own chronic pain. The equipment is very simple: just two flexible balls with just the right amount of give that you can place under your body in various places to relax your muscles.

Using The Miracle Ball Method for Pregnancy reminds me of meditation in a few ways. First, much of the focus is actually on being aware of your breathing. This is not something I usually take the time to do in my daily life, and I am seeing a great deal of improvement in my body simply from making this change.

The second way it reminds me of meditation is that results will not be instant, and the harder you “try” to get it right, the further you get from actually doing it right! This method requires your presence, your mindfulness and your surrender. You won’t see better results by doing 6 or 7 different exercises in one day. It is far better to just do 1 or 2, but to actually give them the amount of time they require for your muscles to get truly relaxed. Less is more with this method. It sounds easy, but when you are a busy-body like me who struggles to be still, it will take some time!

Buy it!: The Miracle Ball Method for Pregnancy is a very effective tool and very safe. It can be purchased on Amazon for $14.44 right now, which is a great buy!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win your very own Miracle Ball Method for Pregnancy set! Woo hoo!

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Home Remodeling: Energy Efficient Home Improvements that Could Save You a Lot of Money

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This was the first week in my neck of the woods that the threat of snow became real. Our heating system is working really hard to keep up warm in the house. I’m all too aware of what that is going to mean when the latest gas bill comes our way, and I’m NOT looking forward to it. Guest author Micah Moon joins us today to talk about some ways that you can save money AND stay warm this winter. Check it out!

9 Energy Efficient Home Improvements that Could Save You a Lot of Money

In the last several years “green” living has not only become a popular trend, but also a way to bring cost savings to homes across the country. So what can you do to cut costs and save the planet at the same time? Learn the top energy efficient home improvements you can make to do both. Whether using cash for some of the less expensive improvements, or using home equity or savings for some of the more costly projects, you’re sure to find your hard work pay off in the end.

  1. Seal and insulate – According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), sealing and properly insulating your home, including heating and cooling ducts, can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs (or up to 10 percent of your total annual energy bill).
  1. Install a programmable thermostat – This inexpensive upgrade can save you about $180 every year in energy costs, making it a worthwhile improvement.
  1. Replace doors– Hollow aluminum doors can let cold air in or allow heat/air conditioning to easily escape. Exchange hollow external doors for solid hard wood ones in order to further insulate your home.
  1. Add storm windows – Completely replacing old windows is a worthwhile eco-friendly upgrade and can save up to 24 percent on your energy bills. However, if your windows aren’t in need of a total replacement, at the very least you can make sure you have storm windows on each one. New storm windows not only block airflow but also, the tight seal is another way to ensure that your home is well insulated.
  1. Use a high-efficiency water heaters –  According to Steve Koep of Marathon Water Heaters, nearly 15 to 25 percent of all energy usage in a home per year comes down to the water heater you have. Make sure yours is high-efficiency and you’re sure to save money.
  1. Replacing your washing machine – You can save up to $135 each year on utility bills by simply replacing your old washing machine with an energy efficient new model, according to the EPA.
  1. Upgrade your refrigerator – Replace your old fridge with a new energy efficient one and you may save up to $100 a year on utility bills. Like your washing machine, within a couple years you will recoup the cost and start seeing the savings.
  1. Change your air filter regularly – Not only does changing your home’s air filters approximately every three months help eliminate dust and allergens, but also it helps your home’s heating and cooling systems operate more efficiently, which will help save you money over time. Some programmable thermostats even notify you when the filter should be changed.
  1. Tune up your HVAC equipment – A yearly tune up for your home’s heating and cooling system will have a similar effect of changing your air filter. It will help your home perform to its fullest potential while cutting down on energy costs at the same time.

But how can one afford some or all of these energy efficient upgrades? Have you considered using home equity to rel=”nofollow”finance your home improvements? Why not do a home equity loan comparison to find the best loan for your home project needs. Low interest rates can help you save money and increase your energy savings while decreasing your carbon footprint.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

Zhip: An Awesome Smartphone Solution!

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Let me show you a device in our home that is getting used quite frequently. It’s called The Zhip, and it is helping keep Darah entertained while traveling, and keeping mom and dad from worrying incessantly about whether or not Darah is breaking our smart phones!

The Zhip is a device that will attach onto any smart phone or iPod touch so that you can create a hands-free viewing environment. It is the only device on the market with a 3 inch retractable cord, and that’s important because that is what allows you to turn most any surface into a safe viewing area.

For instance, if Darah is in her stroller and really wants to play on my phone, I can simply connect it to the stroller so that if (WHEN) she drops the phone, it won’t actually drop to the ground, either breaking or dropping without me realizing it and then being lost.

Since we don’t have a portable DVD player (and I have NO interest in buying one more expensive gadget), I will be using this on our upcoming plane trips to play downloaded movies for Darah. We an easily create a tv monitor for her on the back of the plane seat!

The video below quickly walks you through all the ways that this product is useful. We are certainly glad to have it, and if you have kids who love to play with your phones, then I think this is a must-have! It retails for $14.95.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary product for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

Scholastic’s Caldecott Favorites Review and GIVEAWAY

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The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually by the American Library Association to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. It is a BIG deal to win this award! The books that win are pretty much a sure bet to be excellent, and that’s why I think it is so cool that Scholastic has put out a 3-disc set full of Caldecott winners!

The collection is called Caldecott Favorites, and it has 3 separate discs. Two of the discs we have had the pleasure of seeing before, and they are really great. First is Make Way for Ducklings and More Delightful Duck Tales and then Antarctic Antics and More Hilarious Animal Stories. So the entire collection is heavy on animal stories, which is just fine with Darah, who LOVES to talk about and learn about animals of all sorts.

There’s also a new DVD in the collection, called The Ezra Jack Keats Collection. This is real gem! It is full of winning books from this author. The books have a bit of a 1970s vibe to them, and they chronicle Peter, a child living in a big city, and all his adventures, from learning to whistle to getting a new baby sister to taking part in a pet show. Darah and I watched every episode from this DVD in just one sitting, because we really enjoyed that Peter would be featured each time!

This collection is jam-packed with excellent books that have been brought to life. It actually has 199 minutes of video, so that makes for a whole lot of great entertainment for a great price, just $24.95.  I highly recommend it! Scholastic Storybook Treasures scores yet again!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win the Caldecott Favorites 3-disc set!

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Tea Collection Review and $100 GIVEAWAY!!!

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It’s no secret that I’m gaga over Tea clothing for children. They offer some of the most unique children’s clothes, all while truly keeping kids in mind and making clothes that are comfortable, functional, and I can tell you from experience that they hold up beautifully in the wash, too. The price points are a bit higher than what I usually buy for Darah, but these clothes hold their value, both in terms of overall wear and even in terms of resale value at consignment sales. So I have found that the money is usually quite well spent when it is spent with Tea!

Tea always has swoon-worthy collections of girl’s clothes (and boys!) for every season, and the holidays are no different. Today I’m featuring a few of their pieces from their new arrivals, and they made me literally squeal with delight when I opened my package from Tea.

First up we have the Wildflower Mini Dress in Shadow, a gorgeous shade of purple that looks so beautiful this time of year. It is paired with the Sparkle Stripe Leggings. These are indispensable for toddlers who love to play. I will say that these leggings are quite thin, so they may be better suited for more mild climates or for indoor play. Darah immediately asked to try this on once she saw it. She started undressing right on the spot! 🙂 What I love about this outfit is that it lends itself well to a variety of occasions. It is dressy enough that it can be worn when we are out and about doing something special, and it is also soft and comfortable enough that it makes the perfect choice for a day at school.

The other piece we received is the Que Bonita Wrap Dress. You guys, when I put this on Darah and then told her to go check herself out in the mirror, she gave such a huge grin, turned around to me and said, “Let’s show daddy!” She knew he would love it, and she was right! We emailed a picture to him at work and he emailed us back a picture of him smiling. This is going to be what Darah wears for Thanksgiving and it will also be going with us for our Christmas break in Southern California (she’ll be able to wear it without any stockings there!).

While I know we got some ridiculously cute clothes from Tea, we barely scratched the surface of all their gems. They have an incredible selection of girl’s dresses that look different from what you find in the department stores, and that are comfy enough that your child will want to wear them again and again. They also have great finds for little boys, so be sure to check that out, too!

Win it!: I am so excited to tell you that Tea has generously offered a $100 gift certificate to one lucky Stuff Parents Need reader! YESSSSSS!!!!

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Holiday Travel DVD Suggestion: Babar and Father Christmas! GIVEAWAY!!!

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Are you going to be traveling quite a bit with the kiddos in the next few weeks? Darah and I are taking 2 different plane trips, and that means that this mama is preparing her video arsenal with some fun new selections that will delight Darah, and also keep her occupied (and hopefully quiet!).

If you are also looking for some fun new titles, may I suggest Babar and Father Christmas? It’s a very engaging tale that takes Babar on a great adventure to meet Father Christmas in the North Pole. He encounters a few bumps along the way, as Retaxes the Rhino tries to foil his plans. You see, Retaxes is diverting all the letters to Father Christmas because he wants all the toys for himself! There are great lessons to be learned in this story, not only about how Christmas is celebrated in other parts of the world, but also about the importance of giving and sharing. I’m looking forward to showing it to Darah to help her get excited about Christmas morning and to inspire some conversations about Santa/Father  Christmas.

Buy it!: Babar’s Father Christmas is available for just $10.99 and runs 70 minutes. It has 2 bonus videos included, as well. It’s a great buy and a great choice for a dvd to watch on the road or in the air!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win your own copy of Babar and Father Christmas! Yay!

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Holiday Spending: Using Credit vs. Debit Cards for Holiday Shopping

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Is your credit card or debit card starting to feel the burn from all your shopping over the weekend? Are you still going strong today on Cyber Monday? Do you even know which card it makes the most sense to use? Guest author Micah Moon has a few tips to help you figure out how to maximize the results you can get while fueling the economy today!

The Great Holiday Shopping Debate: Credit vs. Debit Cards

Whether you plan to get a head start on your holiday shopping or end up waiting until the last minute, consider establishing a budget ahead of time. Even if you are one of the many who start your shopping before Thanksgiving, it may be wise to consider how you are planning to pay for the many items on your gift-giving list. As you consider how to budget for your gifts, it is also important to understand the advantages of using either a credit card or a debit card. To decide which one is the right one for you, assess your holiday needs and goals by asking yourself one important question, “Do I have the necessary cash on-hand to buy this year’s gifts?” If the answer is no, then using a credit card may be your only choice. However, if you do have the money available to make your immediate holiday purchases, then use the following tips to help you decide whether to use your debit card or credit card when doing your holiday shopping.

Credit vs. Debit Cards – Which is right for you? There are a few key differences to consider when deciding between using your debit card and your credit card for the bulk of your holiday spending.

Rewards – Credit cards, like many debit cards, offer an array of rewards from which to choose. While some companies offer points and frequent flyer miles for the purchases you make using your credit card, others like Nationwide Bank, feature attractive cash back rewards. Rewards can be a great incentive to use your credit card to do holiday shopping. Whether you have cash available for all of your seasonal purchases or not, in order to make the smartest choice for your situation, you should consider all of your payment options before you start this year’s shopping.

Interest – Debit cards don’t charge you interest each month, since the money is immediately withdrawn from your available funds. However, you may be able to avoid accruing additional interest and finance charges on your credit card if you pay off the balance in full each month. If you are concerned that you may be unable to pay off your balance, you may want to reconsider using your credit card when doing your holiday shopping.

Payments – If you don’t want the hassle of regular payments, then a debit card may be the right payment alternative for you. However, if you are confident that you can make timely payments each month, a credit card may be the right choice for your individual situation. Once you find the solution that works for your budget and your lifestyle, you’ll be on your way to enjoying financial flexibility all year long.

Consumer Protection – Debit cards offer consumer protection to a point. Banks often ask that you fill out paperwork when you think the safety of your checking account has been breached. Sometimes restoring missing funds can take weeks in order for the bank to research the fraudulent activity, often leaving you low on cash until everything is settled. Most credit card companies, however, offer fraud protection and immediate refunds. If you find suspicious or fraudulent charges on your account, simply contact the credit card company and they will likely reverse the charge immediately. This way, you always have available funds when doing your holiday shopping.

There are many reasons you may be debating between credit vs. debit cards for all of your holiday shopping needs. Although debit cards may seem like a hassle-free choice, you may want to consider using your credit card to do most of your gift buying. Benefits such as cash-back rewards make using credit cards an attractive decision. Also, if you do decide to use a credit card this holiday season, consider a Nationwide Bank credit card. This convenient Visa cash back card offers a 0% introductory APR for six billing cycles, no annual fee, 1% cash-back rebates and more. Complete your online credit card application in as little as 15 minutes, and get ready to enjoy this holiday season of gift-giving and generosity.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

Maternity Monday: Earth Mama Angel Baby Happy Mama Spray (GIVEAWAY!!!)

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Earth Mama Angel Baby is a company I have really come to love over the past 2 years. They offer a wide variety of organic products that provide comfort to expecting mamas and to babies. When you use an EMAB product, you can rest assured that you are not putting any harmful chemicals in or on your body or your baby’s body. Hooray!

If you’d like to see my reviews on a few other Earth Mama Angel Baby products and hear why I recommend them, check out the scoop on their Angel Baby  Shampoo & Body Wash, Angel Baby Lotion and Happy Mama Head to Toe Wash.

Today I’m featuring a product that is such a nice treat for the expecting mom, and it is also quite useful after delivery. It is called Happy Mama Spray, and it is specially designed to naturally bring you a moment of peace and bliss in the midst of a bout of nausea, or even anxiety. As you know, I have been dealing with nausea for the majority of this pregnancy, and while it is tapering off, that doesn’t mean it has totally gone away. I’m so glad to have this spray to help me relax when I start to feel sick. That really goes a long way toward helping me not toss my cookies! 🙂

I am also feeling a little bit worried about the transition from having 1 kid to 2 in the house. I think it is going to be a tough adjustment, and I fear that I will feel overwhelmed and in over my head at times. I like having something very safe and natural on hand that I can spray, smell and that will remind me to take a deep breath and let some stuff go. The smell is light and very refreshing, containing lime and ginger. It’s even recommended to use on the kids if they battle car sickness. That’s a great idea…I suspect we might deal with that issue with Darah, as she did randomly throw up in the car when we were on a 4 hour trip this summer.

Earth Mama Angel Baby is an excellent resource for all your bath and body needs, both during and after pregnancy. I highly recommend the company, as I have been extremely impressed with the quality of every product I have used. You can purchase EMAB products onlineor find your nearest retailer here.The Happy Mama Spray I reviewed retails for $14.95.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win Happy Mama Spray for yourself or someone you know who could use it!

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