Stuff Parents Need

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

Master Lock Vault: Safe, Secure Online Storage (dialSpeed GIVEAWAY!!!)

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Are you finished with your holiday shopping yet? I think I might be, actually!

Which probably means that I’ll realize something important is missing about an hour before the Christmas Eve service and find myself at Walmart panicking with throngs of other people. Ha!

I actually just crossed an important hurdle related to the holiday season for me, and that is paying a credit card bill. My bills for November and December are usually pretty rough since Christmas purchases are all over them. They are painful to pay, and I’m happy to report that November’s has been paid. While I was online paying it, Darah asked me what I was doing. My response, “Mommy’s slaying a dragon, sweetie.” It sort of felt that way!

As I was going over my statement, though, it occurred to me that I’m definitely not very organized. I don’t have all of my receipts in one place where I could go back and double check purchase amounts. I was going off memory alone.

It doesn’t have to be that way, though. Master Lock has a virtual “safe deposit box” called the Master Lock Vault. It is a safe place online where you can store important documents, digital receipts, and passwords for various online accounts.

Oh don’t get me started about losing online passwords. You would simply not believe how many times I have had to change my iTunes password. I finally have changed it to something so bizarre and different from everything else I use. But now I have a place where I can keep it and other passwords and know that they are completely safe. The vault has 256-bit encryption, 24/7 monitoring and authentication controls. They also have an app to pair with it so that you can access the information you need safely from your smartphone.

Did I mention that the basic plan for Master Lock Vault is FREE??!! Yes, indeed!

In addition to having all the great features listed above AND being free, the Vault also can be used in conjunction with Master Lock’s sleek dialSpeed (which I reviewed back in August). If you don’t remember, the dialSpeed is the first electronic combination lock to have connectivity online.

I’ve been so impressed with the dialSpeed that I’m actually giving one to my brother-in-law this Christmas. It makes an awesome gift for anyone who values safety and security, and who also loves the cutting edge of technology.

Whether you own a dialSpeed or not, the Master Lock Vault is something I strongly want to encourage you to check out. If you need a safe place online to store some documents and passwords, look no further!

Win it!: One Lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a dialSpeed lock! Woo hoo!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

I am a member of the Master Lock Live Secure Safety Squad, and as such, I receive complimentary products as a thank you for my time. All opinions expressed here are strictly my own, however.

Special Lovey Contender: Goblin Kids Bunny Review and Gift Certificate GIVEAWAY!!!

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Did you grow up with a most special lovey? Perhaps it was a blanket that you carried around with you everywhere? Or maybe it was a favorite stuffed toy? For my husband it was a stuffed Wicket plush (yes, from Star Wars). Even at 32 years old, you can still see a little pain in his eyes when he recalls losing it at the airport one year while traveling.

For me, it was my doll Lisa. She was the last Christmas gift from my maternal grandmother to me before she died. I was only 3. Lisa was my constant companion for many years. She was lost in a flood in the ’90s. No, she wasn’t literally swept away, but the damage done to her was irreparable, so she had to go. I wish I had thought to take photos of her before letting go.

While I don’t need the comfort that Lisa provided me as a child any longer, now that I see how special Darah’s lovey is to her, I can recall its deep importance, and I want to make sure I do everything I can to keep him safe and sound, even if there is a lengthy season of her life where he will simply sit on a shelf, or even in a box.

And I am honestly gripped with excitement as I wait for Layah’s lovey to be discovered. For Darah, the attachment came rather early, around 9 months of age. Will it happen that soon for Layah? I don’t know! But every time I introduce her to a new friend, I really enjoy seeing how she responds to it. You never know which one will steal her heart.

Darah suggested that we get Layah her own special big bunny since a bunny is Darah’s lovey of choice. She suggested a look-a-like, but I could see that causing more problems than not, so I thought having something a little different would be ideal. But one thing was certain: it needed to have long, soft ears. Those are best for rubbing gently over baby’s eyes as they drift to sleep!

Meet pink bunny.

She’s from one of my favorite online toy shops called Goblin Kids. This store sells the kinds of toys you dream about getting for your little one. Unique, high quality, and classic. They are built to last and are constructed very carefully. These are the toys that you will hold on to long after the days of playing are over. They are meant for several generations of play, not just for several months.

Pink Bunny, who actually comes with a much more creative name, Cordy Roy, is from the London-based company Jellycat. She is 15 inches high, which is a really nice size! She is super snuggly soft and I have no worries about Layah chewing on her, as the standards used by Jellycat meet and exceed both American and European safety standards.

Would you believe that Layah was already in the midst of THE FLU when this picture was taken? That should give you an idea of how she lights up when she sees pink bunny. While it is too early to make the call, I wouldn’t be surprised if this becomes her most special lovey.

Goblin Kids may have helped us find a real treasure, indeed. And I know they can help you do the same, whether you are hunting for a lovey for just for a special toy. They are a particularly great resource for Haba toys, wooden toys and educational toys. Definitely give them a look!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a $25 gift certificate to Goblin Kids! What a great credit to have on hand for an upcoming baby shower or kid’s birthday party!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

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

Ditch the Plastic Wrap: Corn-n-Tater for Healthier Microwave Cooking (GIVEAWAY!!!)

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I learned from my mother-in-law last year that I really should stop using plastic containers and plastic wrap in the microwave. Just as we have learned that BPA is found in many plastics and is harmful for people, there are also many questions being raised about plastic wrap. Better to avoid using them altogether and find alternatives. I’ve got a fair amount of glass containers now, but the plastic wrap has been a really tough thing for me to avoid using, as I don’t know what the alternatives are. For example, if I want to steam broccoli in the microwave (you retain more nutrients by steaming than by boiling), I can put it in a glass bowl, but then I still have to use plastic wrap to cover it.

But today I’m really excited to show you a product I’ve been using with success. It’s called the Corn-n-Tater bag, and it is a specially made bag for cooking various foods. It needs to hold solids, so it can’t heat up soup for you, but if you are cooking vegetables like corn, sweet potatoes, broccoli, etc. then this is most definitely the way to go.

The bag comes with a recipe book and with a chart to tell you how long to cook various items. I have put that chart on my fridge, and I just check it before using the bag. The Corn-n-Tater is SO easy to use, you guys! You simply place the food you want to cook inside a moist paper towel, and then put that in the bag. If your microwave doesn’t rotate on its own, you need to rotate the bag every 2 minutes. You also need to flip the bag over every 2 minutes.

I used the bag with some sweet potatoes we got from our CSA recently. When I pulled them out, they were just slightly underdone, but the fault was mine because I forgot to flip the bag. I just put them back in for another 2 minutes and they were perfectly done!

We even used the Corn-n-Tater bag to make some baked potatoes for our Thanksgiving meal. They came out perfectly in 7 minutes. And my goodness that’s a whole lot faster than using the oven!

The bag is machine washable and mine has held up great in the wash so far. I absolutely love this bag and plan to use it every chance I get. While it won’t eliminate plastic wrap from my kitchen, it is going to significantly cut down on how much I use it, and that makes me SOOOO happy!

Buy it!: The Corn-n-Tater bag is available for $12.99 in a nice variety of prints. What a great gift this would make!

Win it!: FIVE Stuff Parents Need readers will each win a Corn-n-Tater bag! Woo hoo!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

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

 

All Layah Wants for Christmas is Earth’s Best Toddler Biscuits (GIVEAWAY!!!)

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Just as everyone told me it would be, my two little girls are so very different in so many ways. But they seem to be mirror images of each other when it comes to teething. Namely, they get their teeth two at a time. It makes for double the pain of teething, but at least we get two teeth in instead of just one each time we go through all that teething drama!

Layah has had her two bottom teeth for over a month now. They are the cutest thing on earth! I suspect that more teeth will be along shortly, judging by the GALLONS of drool she produces every day. Even with bibs on her (which, by the way, she’s learning how to pull off! ARGH!), I’m still changing her onesie two to three times because they are getting soaked.

I have had some Earth’s Best Toddler Biscuits in my freezer for a little while, waiting for her to be ready for them. Oh my word, you guys, they are a HUGE hit! I think sticking them in the freezer makes them even more enjoyable to her sore gums. Since they are intended for slightly older babies, I want to emphasize that I do not leave her unattended with these. For her safety, I’m right with her when she gets to gnaw on them. If you choose to give these to a baby under 1 year of age, I recommend you do the same.

(What I would give to have lashes like hers!)

Teething biscuits are popular with babies because they are hard. The point isn’t so much for them to eat it (although they are obviously edible!) but to have something very safe and soothing to gnaw on as those little teeth work their way up through the gums. I like the Earth’s Best teething biscuits because they are the perfect size for Layah to grasp. They also are made with organic wheat and barley, which makes them a good choice from a nutrition standpoint, too.

If you have a little one going through teething, you may have some questions about the process. Check out the FAQ section on Earth’s Best about teething. It’s got some really helpful tips!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win toddler biscuits from Earth’s Best!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

I am a blog ambassador for Earth’s Best, and as such I have received complimentary products as a thank you for my time. All thoughts and opinions express here are strictly my own.



Woolino 4 Season Baby Sleep Bag GIVEAWAY (Two Winners, $119.99 Value!)


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Baby blankets don’t belong in our babies’ beds, so how do we keep them warm? There is no better way than a cozy baby sleep sack. Unfortunately so many of those on the market are made of synthetic materials that can cause the baby to overheat and actually increase the risk factor for SIDS. Woolino comes to the rescue by creating all natural 100% Australian merino wool baby sleep bags that keep baby warm at night in any season.




Woolino merino baby sleep bags have a host of amazing features, from being super easy to clean to having a convenient harness slot to use during travel. It is compact and warm, perfect at home or on the go. Snaps on both shoulders and an inverted zipper make dressing and diaper changes easier. Underarm snaps make it adjustable to fit small babies. Your baby will be comfortable in a Woolino 4 Season baby sleep bag in temperatures ranging from 63 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. It comes with a travel bag, room thermometer, and it is in a plastic-free, ready-to-gift package which makes it perfect for a baby shower or Christmas!




 




 




Our Favorite Features: 




    

  • Fits babies 3 to 24 months
    • 

  • Seat belt slot for easy transfer from car to crib
    • 

  • Naturally anti-microbial, anti-fungal
    • 

  • Naturally fire resistant without the use of harsh chemicals
    • 

  • Regulates temperature
    • 

  • Made with sustainable and 100% natural Australian merino wool
    • 

  • GOTS certified organic cotton outer
    • 

  • Machine washable
    • 

  • Super soft on baby’s skin
    • 





Purchase: The 2013 Collection Woolino 4 Season Baby Sleep Bags retail for $119.99 each, you can purchase it on the Woolino website. They also make toddler sleep sacks for kids 2 to 4 years old! The Woolino sleep bags are also available on Amazon.








Win One! Woolino is blessing two of you with a 2013 Collection Woolino 4 Season Baby Sleep Bag in size 3 to 24 months, one reader will win Sage and another Spring (both gender neutral).


 








Special thanks to AnaB Social for hosting this giveaway. Huge thanks to all participating bloggers as well! Giveaway ends December 27th at 12:01 am, open to US and Canadian residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Thank you! 







Disclaimer: AnaB Social and Stuff Parents Need are not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. No compensation was received for participation in this awesome giveaway. 















A Gift Suggestion for Younger Siblings: Something Personalized!


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In many ways, Layah is a significantly less expensive baby than Darah was. We haven’t had to purchase many items for her, largely due to the fact that she inherited all her big sister’s old stuff. From clothes to baby gear all the way down to stuffed animals, Layah is blessed with all that she needs from her big sis.


Or to look at it in a much more cynical way, she’s stuck with all the leftovers.


I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle. But as family members have asked me for suggestions for Layah this Christmas, I have been a little bit stumped. And if I’m going to be completely honest with you, I have to tell you that I haven’t purchased much at all for her, either.


But then I had an idea: perhaps a really fun gift to give to younger siblings up to their eyeballs in hand-me-downs is something that is their very own. Something with their name on it. What a treat that would be! Goodness knows I received several things with Darah’s name on them (things that little Layah is happily using now). But when it is time to put together the “baby memento” boxes for each girl, do I really want to give Layah a blanket with Darah’s name on it and say to her, “Well, you used it, too.”? I don’t think so.


Personal Creations is a terrific destination for a plethora of personalized baby gifts. I had my eye on an activity mat for Layah because she spends a lot of time on the living room floor, crawling around and playing. I had been putting down regular baby blankets for her, but they were way too thin and always ended up bunched up in a pile.


This Baby Alphabet Quilt from Personal Creations is much sturdier, and oh my word is it cute!



		
		
			
			
		
	


I wanted to show you some of the detail up close. This mouse is just one of many examples of great detailing in this quilt. It is these kinds of features that will make this play mat a keepsake for Layah.



		
		
			
			
		
	


If you have a child on your Christmas list who is a younger sibling and mostly has hand-me-downs, consider getting them something extra special and personalized just for them. There will be no disputing whose memory box it will go into, and based on the quality of the product I reviewed, there’s also no doubt that items from Personal Creations will make the cut as mementos to hang on to long after the baby days are over!



		
		
			
			
		
	


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


The First App I Downloaded with My New Phone: Chug the Bug Review and GIVEAWAY!!!


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We recently upgraded our phones from the ancient iPhone 3 to the iPhone 4s. We’re still one phone behind the cutting edge, but we’re ok with that. This latest upgrade was HUGE, though (hello, Siri!). And after a lengthy absence from the latest and greatest apps, I now feel back in the game.


There’s one app, in particular, that was first on my list to download. It’s from Kids Play Books and it is a 3D story app designed for kids ages pre-k to elementary. It’s called Chug the Bug: Chug Makes New Friends. 
		
		
			
			
		
	


Any parent with a smartphone knows that there is no shortage of apps for kids out there. That’s both really fun and also really overwhelming. How do you know which ones are worth the money? I personally tend to rely on recommendations from bloggers I trust. With that said, I am careful with the apps I recommend since I know people are counting on me to tell it like it is.


And to tell it like it is, I’d say that this app is a winner.


The illustrations are lovely, the 3D component is REALLY fun (for kids and adults, alike!). The story is appropriately interactive for younger kids (meaning that there are fun things to tap on, but not a ridiculous amount of things as I have seen on some apps…that draws you away from the story, in my opinion).



		
		
			
			
		
	


In the story, Chug heads off to school to learn a lot of great things, including what kind of bug he is! He befriends lots of other bugs (making this PERFECT for any kid who is into bugs!). They set off on an adventure together and have a few scary (but not too scary) moments along the way. The story demonstrates cooperation and problem solving at a level that will resonate with young kids.


In addition to the app which I reviewed and which retails for $4.99, Chug the Bug is also available as an e-book which can be read on an iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Mac or Kindle Fire and retails for just $2.99.



		
		
			
			
		
	


If you have an early reader in your home who loves new apps, I definitely think you should give this one a try. It’s unique, well-written, beautifully illustrated, and will provide lots of fun!


Win it!: FOUR Stuff Parents Need readers are going to win your choice of the app code or the ebook code for Chug the Bug!

a Rafflecopter giveaway




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


Thanks to Kids Play Books for sponsoring this post and providing codes for the review and giveaway. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. 


 


Swaddlebees Simplex One Size Diaper Video Review


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If you are new to cloth diapering, I want to STRONGLY encourage you to get a few all-in-one (AIO) diapers. They work just like a disposable diaper, except of course for the part where you wash them. There’s nothing to stuff. It couldn’t be easier. With this type of diaper, I firmly believe that you will fall madly, deeply in love with cloth diapering.


But all-in-ones do have a major drawback, which is that they take FOREVER to dry. Throwing them in the dryer for more than a few minutes is a no-no because it could damage the outer part of the dryer. So you have to wait and wait and wait and wait. When I have to line dry inside, I find that it takes my AIO diapers a day and a half to get dry, whereas my other stuff is dry within 8-12 hours.



		
		
			
			
		
	


Swaddlebees One Size Simplex All In One Diapers has all the convenience of an AIO, but provides a few fantastic innovations so that the diaper becomes so much more than an AIO. This diaper is, in a word, RAD! Check out my video review to see what this diaper does that no other diaper on the market can offer. I think you’ll be impressed. Actually, I know you will.




Told you it was awesome! Basically, this diaper has combined elements of my 3 favorite diapers in my entire stash. So I guess you could say it has become the ultimate supreme diaper. Any cloth diapering parent knows that the order in which you use diapers in your stash when they are all clean tells you a lot about your preferences, and the Swaddlebees Simplex One Size gets used pretty much the second that it is dry. Poor thing never gets a break! That’s the price it just has to pay for rocking so hard. I super highly recommend this diaper. It is pricey at $25.95, but totally worth it. And that’s coming from a frugal gal!



		
		Swaddlebees Simplex One Size
			
			
		
	


Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a Swaddlebees One Size Simplex diaper! Yay! Yay! Yay!!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway




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


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


Disney Princess Bicycles Light Up Our Life and Inspire Us to Give! #DisneyPrincessWMT


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A few weeks ago Darah and I had a special assignment from Santa Claus: we were to go to Walmart and purchase 3 Disney Princess bicycles for 3 little girls in Chattanooga. Santa knew that his sleigh would be too full to bring those items, so he asked us to pick them up on his behalf. If you missed our shopping adventure, click here to see what fun we had! We used the Royal Ball app throughout the store to unlock fun features and make shopping even more fun.


But even honorary elves on assignment for Santa can run into problems. The bicycles we sought were nowhere to be found! We opted for the Fisher-Price Little People Princess Song Palaces, but I just couldn’t shake the feeling that I was letting Santa down.


After we got home, I hopped onto Walmart.com and found the elusive bicycles. I purchased 3 of them. They were priced nicely at just $58 each and shipping to my house was completely FREE!


So then I went about my business. A mere two days later…out on the front porch I heard such a clatter, I sprang from my computer to see what was the matter!


The bicycles had arrived 48 hours after I ordered them. It almost made me wonder if Santa, himself, brought them over on a test ride. I couldn’t believe how fast that was! More rapid than eagles, indeed!



		
		
			
			
		
	


Santa wanted us to purchase these bicycles so that we could donate them to Angel Tree. While it would have been fun to give Darah whatever her heart desired (and her heart desires pretty much anything that has Disney Princesses on it), an important part of the holiday season I want Darah to understand is the true joy of giving. Darah doesn’t understand the pain of a mother who simply cannot afford to get her children anything for Christmas, and I can at least try to imagine that heartache. That’s what motivates me to give these bicycles away. I’m hoping to give Darah her motivation simply by explaining to her how wonderful it is when people share with her, and how fun it is when people take turns giving and receiving. It is our turn to give. And how awesome is it to be given a special assignment from Santa, too?!



		
		
			
			
		
	


What Darah doesn’t know is that one of the little girls Santa has these bicycles in mind for is her. Oh, I could burst into tears at the thought of Christmas morning and this bicycle being under the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree! And those tears I manage to hold back definitely break loose and come rolling down when I think about the two little girls somewhere in Chattanooga who will find the exact same thing Christmas morning. Sharing really is its own gift!



		
		
			
			
		
	


We left the Angel Tree bicycles in their boxes for now, and will be putting them together just before it is time to deliver them. The third bicycle is Darah’s. It was her idea to get some pictures of herself on the bicycle. She suggested that we send them to Santa so that he could see that she did what he asked, and so that he could see how wonderful she looked on the bicycle, just in case he wanted to bring one to her, too. Great idea, sweetie!



		
		
			
			
		
	


Darah thinks that we have already delivered this bike to its intended recipient, but it’s really just up in our attic! Hee hee!


I think this bicycle is a great choice for little girls between 2-5 who are just learning to ride. The training wheels can come off. There are even some additional features that we didn’t put on the bike yet so that they can be surprise elements on Christmas morning. These include a basket that can hold a doll and streamers for the handlebar.



		
		
			
			
		
	


We have additionally purchased a Disney Princess bike helmet to go under the tree. I also have the Cinderella Blu-Ray/DVD on my shopping list. It’s the final item I hope to purchase for Darah. She’s never seen Cinderella and I just know she’ll flip out over Gus Gus!


Are there any Disney Princess items destined for a place under your Christmas tree this year? Feeling overwhelmed with all the options? Check out what other bloggers have selected for their little princesses and get some great ideas!


Finally, can I encourage you to buy two of the item your child most desires this year and give the second one away? You will be bringing joy beyond measure to another family!



		
		
			
			
		
	


I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Disney Consumer Products, Inc  #CBias #SocialFabric. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.