My daughter’s Pedoodles — I have shoe envy!!

                                                     

As I start to write about this amazing shoe brand I fell in love with, I am forced to wonder–where are the shoes like this for adults?  Until Pedoodles adds a tab on their site for adult shoes I guess I’ll just have to rave about their baby and kids shoes!

                                              

                                                   

          
                                                            

We had our daughter wearing Robeez until she really starting walking and needed more of a sole.  These are a natural second step.  They are still flexible which is recommended for young feet, but they have a protective sole.  The come in adorable colors and styles and they also have boots and sandals…lovely!!

Ergo Baby – Your Back Will Thank You!

The term babywearing is not in the dictionary yet, but it’s on Wikipedia, so it’s probably on it’s way. Babywearing is exactly that, wearing/carrying your baby on you in a sling or carrier. There are tons of slings and carriers to choose from. Varied styles, prices, colors, materials and concepts; many slings or carriers are commercially made and many are handmade. Making the choice of what sling or carrier to purchase for your family is varied among as many people as you would ask. Ask 10 people what their preferred sling or carrier is, and I can almost guarantee you will get at least 8 different answers!

For me, the Ergo Babycarrier was a phenomenal purchase. I was actually perfectly satisfied with our Baby Bjorn, but I did have to admit that it was a little achy on my back. The Ergo is designed to carry your baby in front, on your back, or on your hip (my absolute fav feature). This carrier is on the pricey side, but it washes and wears well, and you may use it from birth (with an insert) to 40 lbs…now that’s a long time!

Ergo Baby Carriers are sold in select retail stores as well as online. More information about babywearing may be found on the NINO web site.

Candinas Chocolatier – Mmmmmm MomAppeal!

I was fortunate enough to receive a 2 pack of Candinas Chocolatier Truffles this week from a friend. First of all, the packaging is so hip and cool, I literally kept the box to keep my son busy out in public in a pinch. Now, on to the truffles. Oh. My. Goodness. I should say, I’m not a chocolate expert by any means and will gladly eat Hershey Kisses by the handful, and I thought all truffles tasted like the Lindt Truffles you can buy in line at the grocery store. And then…along came Cardinas Chocolatier. Yum. Amazing. If there had been 12 in the box I would have eaten all twelve. Yep, that good.

Candinas is local to MomAppeal in that the factory is located in Verona, WI. However, you may order truffles via the Cardinas web site and have them shipped anywhere in the United States. Also on their web site you will find a listing of all of the flavors of truffles as well as the Candinas Story.

I can’t rave enough about these yummy chocolates. If you are local, don’t walk…RUN to one of Candinas two retail locations. If you are not local, hop over to the Candinas web site and get your Mother’s Day order in!

Let Gwen Stefani style your little hipster…

                                                              

Gwen Stefani is known for her great music and a wicked sense of fashion.  She has added to her L.A.M.B line of clothing and added some ultra cute and unique baby clothing.

Take a look at a few tops from the Japanese inspired Harajuku Lovers line.

                                                     

Gwen’s little man Kingston wears the line too…Mother and son sushi date?!! Love it!

                                                         
 

Bumbo seat gives moms an extra hand!

Many of our friends have moved on to baby number 2, and I think a great gift for 2nd time mothers is the Bumbo Seat                                                                               

                                     

As soon as a baby can hold up his/her head, they can sit in this seat and have a nice upright view of the new world around them!  It is hygienic, helps babies learn trunk control, AND gives mom a place to have one of her babies sit happily when she’s busy…not bad!  This chair is lightweight and you can take it to people’s homes or restaurants and have your little babe sitting upright and next to you at the table.  You will not be disappointed with this seat! Jen

  

I can stop my junk mail in 8 weeks???

                                                

I was watching Oprah and saw Matt Damon speaking about a company called greendimes.com. 

                                                  

For 10 cents a day, they will  act on your behalf to stop your unsolicited junk mail and plant a tree for you monthly.  Matt was given this as a gift…from Leonardo DiCaprio is my guess…maybe after a little chit-chat on the set of The Departed?  He then became a member of their company because he was so impressed with what they do and the power they have in impacting the environment. 

Give a greendimes.com membership as a gift to yourself, or maybe for an earthy mom for Mother’s Day this year!  Very unique way to help a bigger cause while also helping yourself! Jen

Amaris Grace – From Belly To Baby!

Amaris Grace is an internet based clothing company that currently dresses babies and moms-to-be in oh so cute and clever designs. In the baby department there is a terrific selection of onsies with nearly all original designs. From cute to humorous, my current fav is the Made In America design…it could make such an adorable outfit at the 4th of July parade this year! Also, who could pass up the “I (Heart) Mommy/Daddy” designs?

The maternity tshirts are also very clever, and I personally would have loved the “March Mommy” design when I was pregnant.

Additionally, Amaris Grace offers hand stitched fleece baby blankets. Washable and soooo cute!

Based near Philadelphia, I have recently chatted with the owner and she is as accomodating as they come and would be a joy to work with if you were to need a custom design or some advice as you put together a shower or new baby gift.

Coming soon to Amaris Grace: Toddler T’s…I can’t wait!

Crocs – So Cute on Little Feet, So Comfy on Big Feet!

I used to to walk laps at the mall to work off baby weight. I would go before the stores were open, and window shop as I strolled along. I always took note of the Crocs display in the front of the Hallmark store. I remember thinking: why are they selling shoes at the card store? I still don’t know the answer to that one, but I sure am glad I kept those shoes in mind and eventually got a pair. They are soooooo comfy. There isn’t much to them, so it’s hard to describe and maybe even believe, but it’s the truth…affordable comfort can be yours with a pair of Crocs.

And cute too! At first I thought…mmm, I don’t know. But they have grown on me overall, and I am totally in love with the Mary Jane style (pictured).

If the above review doesn’t convince you to get out and buy a pair of Crocs for yourself or your little one (as a celebrity aside, toddlers belonging to Kate Hudson and Jennifer Garner have been seen wearing Kids Crocs), take a look at the Crocs web site. Based in Denver, this company’s generosity is impressive with donations of money as well as shoes to many worthy causes.

Crocs can be purchased all over the place. Sizes start at Child 6-7, and there is a nifty, printable size chart online. Consult the Crocs web site for a location near you!

It’s a Miracle!

When my son was a baby, he cried. And he cried. And, (did I mention?), he cried. We were at our wits end, and thankfully someone recommended The Miracle Blanket to me. I promptly ordered it and honestly it saved our sanity.

The blanket itself is fairly simple in concept: super soft cotton designed in such a way that you put your baby in the pocket and wrap the blankie snug around them (exact directions are provided). The Miracle Blanket is available in many great colors, and these blankets wash and wear beautifully to assure many months of (peace and quiet) use.

A Miracle Blanket is not something a new parent does much homework on…so do them a favor and make this the best shower gift they didn’t know they needed!

As the babes get older, the bags get smaller

As you have, or will find, eventually you can retire your big ol’ diaper bag to somewhere within the depths of your car for “emergencies.”  I did, and now I keep extra clothing, diapers, wipes, snacks, you name it for my babe in there.  I have rarely even needed to go in there. 

What is  so nice about this is that your load is greatly lightened.  I found these “Diapees & Wipees” bags online and they fit the bill for our needs now, perfectly. 

 

                                                          

Anything that you want that doesn’t fit in it can drop into your already trendy oversized hand bag and off you go!  More  room in the stroller basket for purchases too–BONUS.  JC