Organic Clothing for Kids from Cutie Bees (Giveaway!!!)

May 10, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 84 Comments

Do you ever stop and think about the chemicals that might be firmly entrenched in your baby’s clothes? Cotton is one of the most heavily pesticide-treated crops in the U.S. And those chemicals don’t all come out with a simple wash in your machine, I’m afraid. For some babies, this doesn’t seem to be a problem. But for many, it is the root cause of rashes, redness and irritation. This is what the founder of Cutie Bees discovered just a few years ago when her baby girl was suffering from skin flare ups. Once she started putting her in organic cotton, she rapidly improved!

Cutie Bees in an organic clothing company for babies that focuses on bringing back really cute styles, which is something the founder noticed was lacking in the current selection of organic-only clothing for babies and toddlers. Check out one of the styles that is currently available on the website:

I sort of die every time Layah puts on this bows and ballet outfit. It is so ADORABLE!!! And totally free of the chemicals that are in most other outfits and that have been linked to asthma and even cancer.

And the attention to detail is spot on, right down to the leggings!

This outfit retails for $41.99 and is just one of several very cute options that are brightly colored, fashion-forward, and most importantly, COMFORTABLE for play time and nap time! And right now through May 15 Cutie Bees is offering 22% off and free shipping in honor of Earth Day! Just use code EARTH22 at checkout!

If your child seems to be experiencing sensitivities to certain types of clothing, or if you are just concerned about the chemicals found in many cotton outfits (the chemicals DON’T wash out well…I’ve done my research on it!), then you may want to give organic clothing a try. It is a bit more expensive, but there’s something to be said for having fewer items, and having them all be high quality and SAFE.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win the outfit of your choice from Cutie Bees!

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Mother’s Day BIG Group Giveaway Featuring MODE Cosmetics Bundle!

May 10, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 174 Comments

The month of May is a special time to celebrate Mothers. Whether you are a mom yourself or you’re doing something special for your own mom, the Something Special for Mom Giveaway Event is for YOU! A great group of bloggers have come together to show you special items you might like to receive or give as gifts this month. You’ll be able to enter to win these great products from May 10th-26th thanks to the Blogging Mamas Network!

Be sure to hop around to all of the participating bloggers, in the linky below this giveaway, as they have some great prizes to share with you! Make sure you also enter the Grand Prize – a $250 Gift Card to Mía Mariú! One lucky Mama is going to look so pretty with all that eco-friendly makeup!

Mia Mariu Giveaway

My addition to the group giveaway THREE fantasic sets of summer essentials from MODE Cosmetics worth $22 each! The set will include the following:

MODE Lip Juice in Juicy Juicy
MODE The Illuminator in Aura
MODE Petal Rush in Wink Wink
MODE logo velvet makeup pouch

I have been using these products for the past few weeks,a nd I am absolutely nuts about them! The Lip Juice is this really pretty shade of bubblegum pink that would be overpowering if it were a matte lipstick, but as a shiny gloss, it is sophisticated and chic!

And the look and feel of the Petal Rush cream blush is similar. I was startled when I saw the color in person, and I really did fear I would look like a clown when I applied it. But as long as you only apply a small amount, the end result is very fresh-looking and natural. It is absolutely perfect for the summer months! Also, you don’t need much to get the effect you want. I’ve been using this daily for a few weeks now, and it looks barely used!

MODE The Illuminator is a new type of product for me. It is creamy and much like the cream blush, a little goes a long way. When you apply it to the apples of your cheeks or to your eyes (or really to wherever you like!) it makes that part of your skin take on a soft sheen. You look like you are glowing! The only ever time I have looked so radiant is when I have been pregnant. And I’d much rather apply The Illuminator whenever I like than to endure 9 more months of being sick all the time! ;-). I had trouble getting a good shot of the product on my face, so here’s an example of what it looks like on my hand. Can you spot the “glowing” part?

MODE cosmetics are a delightful find, as they are made with beneficial natural ingredients, have a fashion-forward look and feel, are made to last throughout your day, and are priced at a point that will make you positively giddy! Each item featured today retails for under $10! Can you believe it?!?! If you are in need of some updated makeup but need to keep your budget in check, you can’t go wrong with MODE!

Win it!: Time for that great giveaway I mentioned earlier!

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: I received complimentary MODE product for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed about the products are strictly my own. According to Jenny, So Easy Being Green, the Blogging Mamas Network, and the Something Special for Mom participating bloggers are not responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill prize obligations. Linky:

May 9th is Not Just Any Old Day

May 9, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 9 Comments

It was 11 years ago today that I married my college sweetheart. We were SO young (both still 21!). Goodness gracious did we both have a lot of growing up left to do.

But we made the commitment to grow together. And that is exactly what we have done over the past decade (plus 1 year!). Marriage is VERY hard work, to be sure, but if both parties are commited to its success, the work you put in can also have the biggest payoffs.

My marriage to Tim is without a doubt one of the greatest accomplishments of my life. So May 9th is a very special day for me, indeed. I am loving being able to wear that date not only in my heart, but also on my sleeve (so to speak). NotJustAnyOldDay.com recently sent me this FABULOUS piece of jewelry to commemorate the most life-changing day of my life.

May 9th was the day that I committed my life to my best friend. It was the day that my two little girls became the twinkle in my eyes. And it was the day that love won over everything else. What a day!!!

I bet you have a special day like that in your life. Perhaps it is a wedding anniversary. Or it could be a special birthday. Maybe it is just a day when life as you know it changed for you whether you were expecting it to or not (such as the day you were told cancer was in remission, or the day you earned your high school or college degree). Whatever the reason, you most certainly have at least one day of the year that isn’t just any old day. It is sacred.

Check out what NotJustAnyOldDay.com has to offer to help commemorate those dates on the calendar. My calendar key necklace is such a treasure to me. And bonus: it is REALLY cute! I love how long it is; so stylish right now! The necklace I own is available for $65.00 and can be made for any date of the year. You can also choose the color of the crystal that is placed on your special day.

Please tell me about your special day that you’d love to wear close to your heart! What would you be commemorating?

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

Bialetti Pasta Pot With Built-In Strainer! (Giveaway!)

May 6, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 229 Comments

Tim and I have cut WAY back on our pasta intake as we are trying a “practical” version of the Paleo diet (no carbs, no sugar, no legumes, no grains, no dairy….lots and lots of meat and veggies).

But little Layah is a HUGE fan of chopped up spaghetti noodles. Or of chopped up penne pasta. Or of macaroni noodles. Or, well, you get the idea. I have found pasta and peas to be a really great snack for her, because she loves the thrill of the chase as she works hard to pick them up off her high chair tray and get them into her mouth. It can keep her occupied for 15 minutes or more! And in my book, that makes it worthy of inclusion in her diet from time-to-time!

I’ve been using the Bialetti Pasta Pot, which was made for busy families or for individuals who like their products to serve dual puposes. This pot has a built-in strainer, so there’s no need for me to get out and dirty our strainer when I’m using this pot. Hooray! I not only use it for pasta, but I have also boiled eggs, blanched veggies, and even made chicken stock in this pot. Basically any time you would have cooked something before putting it in a strainer, just reach for the Bialletti Pasta Pot!

Here’s a video to show you exactly how it works:

Buy it!: The Bialetti Pasta Pot is available in 3 really fun colors: turquoise, orange and purple! The turquoise pot I reviewed above is really pretty, and currently available on Amazon for $40.95. It would make a fantastic graduation, wedding or even baby shower gift!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a Bialetti Pasta Pot in the color of your choice!

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received a complimentary product for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. This post contains affiliate links.

Personalized Jewelry from Isabelle Grace: What I’m Wearing

May 5, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 9 Comments

Over the last 2 weeks, I had to take 2 separate business trips and be away from my kids for 5 full days. While it was refreshing to get out of the house and to have some time away from home responsibilities, it was also really tough. My children are getting older every day, but with that said, they are still SO young (3 and almost 1). I missed them a great deal.

Personalized Jewelry

I actually wore a piece of jewelry while I was away that had their initials on it, and I thought of my girls every time I touched it, or every time I received a compliment on the piece (by the way, this piece seems to be very popular with other moms, as I get compliments almost every single time I wear it!).

Lovely, isn’t it? This is the Signature Mini Tag Necklace from Isabelle Grace Jewelry. This is one of the best sellers in the entire line, and I can understand why. It is simple, but SO pretty and special. My necklace features the first initials of my two daughters, along with a gold heart tag and a purple gem on either side. I wear my necklace alone, but it could easily be layered with other pieces, too.

I love that each piece is custom made by hand at the time the order is placed. I also love that the company gives each recipient a very special offer at the time that they receive their piece: if you share your story with Isabelle Grace of the meaning behind your piece, they will make a $10 donation to a nonprofit on your behalf. Isn’t that awesome???

I mentioned earlier that moms seem to really be drawn to my necklace when they see it. I’ve referred several people to the Isabelle Grace website, and I’ve only been wearing this for a few weeks. Celebrity moms also seem to be loving it. As I was browsing the website, I saw all sorts of famous mamas proudly wearing their Isabelle Grace pieces (Katherine Heigl and Tori Spelling, to name a few).

Isabelle Grace Jewelry has captured the hearts of moms all over the world by providing beautiful pieces that help us keep our loved ones near us in an especially beautiful way. I absolutely adore my signature mini tag necklace (ARV $109) and they offer SO much more. Take a moment to look around on the site and see what you’d most like to own! Then send the link to your significant other as a last minute Mother’s Day gift idea, or as a birthday gift idea!

Do you own any personalized jewelry?

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

Buttons Diapers: Layah’s Pick for Overnight Cloth Diapers

May 4, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 148 Comments

Overnight Cloth Diapers

Every cloth diapering parent knows the difficulty that comes along with finding the “right” fit for your baby in cloth diapers. Typically, daytime options are plentiful, but when it comes to finding an overnight cloth diaper that really does work, especially as your baby gets older and moves to the toddler stage, it is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle.

With Darah, we experimented with different covers and different inserts until we found the magic combination. Only to have to come up with a new plan a few months later when the old method stopped working. But we kept at it and always found a way to cloth diaper her overnight.

For Layah, to be perfectly honest, we haven’t done much trying. We remember all too well how tricky it is (and how many times you have to wash crib sheets) as you figure out how to keep a baby dry for 12 hours. It is just a lot easier to use a good disposable diaper. Just being honest!

Buttons Diapers

So when I saw the design of Buttons Diapers, I was totally intrigued and thought, “These seriously might work just as they are made!”

And friends, they TOTALLY work overnight. Joy of joys! I haven’t had to add any extra inserts, do anything crazy folding tricks, or wave my magic wand, say a prayer and make a wish in order to keep Layah dry overnight. They are EASY and that’s exactly what we need in an overnight cloth diaper right now. I seriously wish I had 2 more of these in my stash.

Want to see this amazing diaper??? Yeah you do!

The first thing you might notice is that the microfiber inserts for this diaper lay on top of the diaper, rather than being stuffed. The bottom layer actually snaps onto the diaper to ensure that it won’t move around too much. The second insert is the overnight insert, and it actually snaps onto the daytime insert. SO SMART!!! Check out the thickness of these two layers, too!

Is the diaper a little bulky? Yes. But Layah isn’t uncomfortable in it at all. She’s slept great in it every time we’ve used it. And NO LEAKS! That is the key!!!

When you remove the second layer for daytime use, it fits just like any other diaper with an insert. I think these inserts are the bee’s knees, you guys. They hold A LOT of liquid. I’m a big fan.

But as awesome as these inserts are (and they really are awesome!), there’s actually one other feature of this diaper that makes it stand head and shoulders above the competition. Check it out:

Double gussets! These are AMAZING, and they keep EVERYTHING contained. My daughter put this diaper to the ultimate test the very first time she wore it overnight. When she woke up 12 hours later, not only had she peed in the diaper multiple times, but she had also had what should have been a major blowout. Except that it wasn’t! To this day I don’t understand the physics behind how this diaper held it all in, but I know those double gussets played a key role. This is a unique feature I haven’t seen before, and it is rockin’ my world!

So between the awesome inserts with a clever design and the double gussets, Buttons Diapers are something truly special in the cloth diaper market. It is also a family-owned company started by a husband and wife team! I HIGHLY recommend that you give them a try! Covers are just $11.00 and daytime inserts are $3.50, nighttime inserts are $5.00. They are an affordable option that performs like something with a much higher price tag!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a Buttons Diaper cover and 2 daytime inserts (winner’s choice of cover color and insert size!).

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Results From an At-Home Keratin Treatment (Giveaway!!)

May 3, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 67 Comments

Lately my hair has been looking really healthy, shiny, and best of all, NOT POOFY.

Wanna know my secret? I did an at home keratin treatment called Ultra Keratin Touch, by nuNAAT. Have you ever heard of those Brazillian blowouts that cost a fortune at the salon but give your hair that amazing sleekness for 6 months? Well, this doesn’t have the exact same results, as it only lasts 1 month, but for the price (just $14.99) it is REALLY REALLY awesome!

Ultra Keratin Touch is known for its ability to tame frizzy hair, fight flyaways (that’s my biggest problem, postpartum) and smoothing out curls, no matter your hair texture. This at-home formula is sodium chloride and formaldehyde-free and lasts for up to 30 days.

Even though I knew this was a more gentle formula that what you would pay big bucks for in the salon, I was still really nervous to try this. After all, what I was reading about this type of treatment online stated that my hair structure, itself, would be temporarily altered. The end result was said to be smooth and strong hair…but what if it wasn’t???

Here I am about to get started. I know the face I’m making is corny, but it is how I really felt! This also helps you see what my hair looked like before the treatment.

I began to follow the instructions, and I parted my hair into 4 sections. Since everyone loves to see someone else look ridiculous, here’s what I looked like just before applying the product:

Then I began the process of applying the keratin treatment. I read in the instructions that what stuff might appear as I worked the product in and combed it through every 5 minutes. Here’s what that looks like just to give you an idea:

After waiting the prescribed amount of time, I needed to blow dry my hair with the product in it. The heat from the blow dryer is what really activates the product. This part was honestly weird/tricky, as it makes your hair VERY VERY stiff. Don’t believe me? Take a look for yourself!

I was a little freaked out at this point, as this is the opposite of sleek and smooth! But it was too late to turn back now! After washing my hair as per the instructions and drying it and taking the flat iron to it, this was my end result:

Super smooth and sleek. But I’ll tell you this: my hair still felt sort of strange at that point. It didn’t feel soft. So I wasn’t sure that I was in love with this kit at that point.

Fast forward almost two weeks later today. My hair is now very smooth (and it has felt very smooth since the first time I washed my hair after this photo was taken). I also find it to be more manageable. It doesn’t take me as long to straighten my hair with the flat iron to get the results I want. At this point, I REALLY like this product, and I will use it again. I think the price is fantastic for a month of extra-good looking hair! The application process is a bit cumbersome (start to finish for me was a bit over an hour, though I’ve heard the salon version is a 2+ hour commitment) and the first few days after you do the treatment your hair does feel a little weird (and you can’t get it wet for 48 hours!). But after you get over that awkward stage, you’ve got fantastic looking hair.

Bottom line: this product has saved me time and helps me look my best. It’s a winner! You can find it at Walgreens or Walgreens.com!

Win it!: TWO lucky Stuff Parents Need readers will each win an Ultra Keratin Touch kit!

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

The SleepSack Option for Walking Babies and Toddlers! (Giveaway!)

May 2, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 62 Comments

Let’s talk about the logistics of your baby or toddler’s sleeping environment for a moment, shall we? Specifically, I want to talk about what your options are for keeping your child sufficiently covered and warm, and more importantly, SAFE.

My two children have been VERY different. My oldest was fully swaddled (arms and everything!) until she was 7 months old, and then had her legs swaddled until around 18 months. The swaddle was her jam, people. So she never really got into the sleepsack thing since she wanted to be very snug, and by the time she finally outgrew the swaddle, she was running around everywhere, and those footless sleepsacks were pointless for her.

Layah, on the other hand, outgrew the swaddle by 4 months. We started using HALO SleepSacks at that point and had great success with them. They are so much safer than blankets as they create a warm and cosy environment without posing a suffocation risk. They are basically like a wearable blanket! The material won’t bunch up around the face and the zipper unzips from the bottom so that even curious babies and toddlers can’t get themselves out of it.

So anyway, the HALO SleepSack was the optimal choice for Layah. That is, until she started standing up all the time, and then walking (she was walking by 9 months, which was totally NOT cool!). Since the SleepSacks don’t have cut outs for the feet, they are very frustrating to babies who want to move.

Just as this was becoming a real problem and we were about to retire the SleepSacks altogether, HALO introduced the SleepSack Early Walker! This is a SleepSack in a lightweight-knit fabric (shown below), and it is also available in Micro-fleece and Comfort Mesh fabrics. Check out what it looks like!

FYI, the pink long sleeves are part of a onesie, not part of the SleepSack. If you are familiar with SleepSacks, then you are probably thinking that this looks just like any other SleepSack. But here’s what makes it so special:

This SleepSack has cut outs for the feet. They are snug enough so that the feet won’t come out of them, but not so tight as to be uncomfortable. And there’s still that blanket-like feel to the product. Layah sleeps, well, like a baby in this! And she can walk around in it, too!

In addition to the SleepSack Early Walker, HALO also has a Big Kids Toddler SleepSack line. All are available for purchase on Amazon. We absolutely adore our SleepSack Early Walker, and when Layah starts to wear size 2T, we will invest in a SleepSack Big Kids! The Early Walker, by the way, is on sale at Amazon right now for just $18 (regularly $24.99!).

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win 1 HALO SleepSack Early Walker or SleepSack Big Kids!

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received a complimentary product for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. This post contains affiliate links.

Follow Book Characters on Twitter: The Hooligan Bear Series (Giveaway!)

April 30, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 67 Comments

Are your kids on Twitter? You may have laughed at that question, but I assure you that I’m completely serious! Perhaps your little ones aren’t yet retweeting or following hashtags, but that day is coming! And the smartest companies are the ones who are already making these environments more welcoming and enjoyable for our little ones.

For example, we have a new series of books that we are enjoying called The Hooligan Bears. So far the series has 3 books, with more in the works, all about a makeshift family of teddy bears and their adventures. As any parent can attest, when children love a book they want to read it again and again and again. And sometimes they have questions about what else the characters might have done or be doing outside of that particular story. For the Hooligan Bears, there’s a clear answer, as you can follow the main characters on Twitter (@hbhooliganbear, @hblittlelouie). So your children can have an immediate connection with their favorite literary friends! Pretty clever, no?

While Darah doesn’t yet have her own Twitter handle, I’m following these rambunctious bears on Twitter and this is how she is going to receive her introduction to the social media platform. I think the concept is awesome and it continues the fun after we finish one of Hooligan Bears books. I’m a product of my generation, so I always have my smartphone with me. I can just whip it out and see if anything new is happening with the characters. Weekly adventures are created on Twitter, and are all compiled together to form the complete story on Storify. Isn’t technology wonderful??? You can follow the bears on Twitter absolutely free and hear about some of their adventures. But I recommend having at least one of the books at home as a great introduction to the cast of characters!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win the Hooligan Bear series that I reviewed!

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received complimentary books for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. This post contains affiliate links.