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Everything For Babies Online

1/30/2015

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There's a new up and coming website which aims to have all your baby-related online shopping destinations linked in one spot!! Introducing: Everything For Babies Online, Your Baby Shopping Guide!


They're adding partnering brands by the day, with some recent additions being my very own Miny Moe (multi brand variety packs of diapers, pacifiers, and nursing pads), Umi Shoes (one of my personal faves), and Earth Mama Angel Baby.
You can search by 4 main categories: boutique, discount, organic, and modern. 
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Or you can browse through all the stores (represented with a thumbnail) or by subcategories in their online "mall" directory (see below photo).
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Go check it out, and let them know if you have a brand you would like to see linked on their site! And while you're feeling click happy, go ahead and check out my list of "favorite things" for baby and toddler and let me know what loves we share, or what I missed!!
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Top Giveaways of the Week (1/30/2015)

1/30/2015

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TGIF everyone!! In case you weren't aware, I run an ongoing giveaway linky on my blog - bloggers and brands hosting giveaways can leave their link and parents and sweep-aholics can come and enter them all! Easy peasy!!

Here are the top 5 giveaways currently listed (click here to see them all):

1.  Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus XTREME Family 4 Pack Ticket Giveaway 
Hosted by Raising Three Savvy Ladies
Ending Friday, January 30 (midnight tonight, EST)

2.  Ettika Gift Card & Cash Giveaway
1 winner will receive a $150 gift card to Ettika and 25 winners will receive $15 cash!!
Ending Saturday, January 31

3.  "The Best of Me" Blu-Ray DVD Giveaway
Hosted by Raising Three Savvy Ladies
Ending February 2

4.  Valentine's Jewelry Giveaway ($250 value)
Hosted by Ettika
Ending February 6

5.  Parents On The Go Giveaway - $165 in Products!
Hosted by US-Japan Fam and Green Scene Mom
Ending February 8



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Parents On The Go Giveaway

1/28/2015

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Most moms understand that it can be really hard to travel with kids, even mini-excursions like going to the park or the store. With that in mind, I'm super excited to bring you this awesome giveaway in collaboration with  Green Scene Mom, featuring some great products to make getting out of the house a little easier and more fun! Below you'll find details on the products in the jackpot, valued at $165!!

Green Scene Mom On The Go in 2015 Giveaway


The Shrunks Wally Inflatable Bed Rail - $25
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At The Shrunks, we believe that kids are cool. Creating stuff that makes bedtime fun and safe for them, wherever they are, is what we love to do. Keep your child safe from rolling off the bed with The Shrunks Inflatable Bed Rail! Its slim design allows the bed rail to slip conveniently under any fitted standard sized twin, queen or king size bed sheet. Each package comes with a bed rail, foot pump, and a carrying bag for easy transport to all of your destinations. Recommended for kids 2 years and up. Shop @ theshrunks.com or Amazon.

Milkdot Popdots Go Pouch - $20
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Popdots Go Pouch is the perfect carryall for everyday or for travel. Plus, it's insulated so it makes a great snack bag too. Use it as a toiletry bag, storage bag or quick change diaper bag. With one large elastic pocket and three smaller elastic pockets, your items will stay in place and organized. It's the versatile pouch for children, teens and women to take on the go for school, work or travel with plenty of room for school supplies, arts and crafts, toys, cosmetics, medicine, toiletries, first aid, baby essentials, snacks, drinks and much more! Shop @ milkdot.com or Amazon.

Poncho Baby Pack-N-Run Organic Diaper Pouch - $35
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This eco-friendly and portable organic diaper bag pouch is perfect for those times when a diaper bag is too big. Made in the USA with 100% Cotton Muslin Imported. Use it for a quick trip to the supermarket, the park or an airport bathroom. It's been carefully sized to hold just the necessities. Also works great as an insert in a purse or diaper bag. Shop @ ponchobaby.com or Amazon.

Poppy Drops $30 Gift Certificate
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Poppy Drops was created due to a dilemma lots of us face — when to pierce a little girl's ears? Poppy Drops earrings really are the perfect solution that is practical for parents and super fun for kids! From our signature earrings came other solutions for modern kids! We now offer Tattoo Nail Art, Mix & Match Tattoo Jewelry, Perfume Sticks & Lip Luster — all of which are designed for little ones but are great for EVERYONE! All of our products are made with natural ingredients — 100% safe for any age. We make staying young even more fun than growing up! Shop @ poppydrops.com or Amazon.

Yummi Pouch Reusable Food Pouches set of 6 - $15
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Yummi Pouch reusable food pouches combine style and convenience in an eco-friendly container you can fill with homemade smoothies and blended snacks! Yummi Pouches are easy to fill and clean through the top zipper opening and are great for taking healthy snacks on the go. Shop @ yummipouch.com or Amazon.

Zippyz Baby Footed Pajamas - $27.99
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Zippyz are baby footed pajamas with a patented design to make diaper changes quick and easy. Zippyz have a zipper from foot to belly so parents can change diapers quick and easy while keeping their baby covered and warm. Shop @ shopzippyz.com.




Pacidoodle Personalized Pacifiers set of 2 - $12.50
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Pacidoodle Personalized Pacifiers are the Cute, High Quality Solution to Accidental Paci-Swapping! Baby's name, monogram or cute saying is engraved on pacifiers and will not rub off or fade. "A little paci love made with a lot of His love". Shop @pacidoodle.com.





Enter to win this amazing prize set in the Rafflecopter box below. (This giveaway is open to United States and Canada.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Yummy (Healthy) Kids' Snacks, MySuperFoods

1/18/2015

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If high fructose corn syrup, goldfish, and animal crackers make you cringe, but you're not always up for preparing fresh fruits/veggies/nuts for your kids to snack on while out and about, I have a great new organic kids' snacks company to introduce to you: MySuperFoods! I recently discovered them at a Little Swappies event. Scratch that. My little cookie monster of a son discovered them and wouldn't leave their poor rep alone! He kept going back for more and more and more. It was kind of hilarious!

So, we know my son loves their snacks. But do they hold up to my standards? You bet!! Here's what I love about MySuperFoods:

  • All of their snacks and ingredients are USDA Certified Non-GMO Organic
  • It was founded in by moms in 2012 (Yay for Mompreneurs!! See their YouTube video below)
  • They're nutrient-dense yet delicious and fun. We're talking cookies with quinoa, chia seeds, and coconut oil!)
  • Their mission statement: "We are here to empower parents and grow healthy SuperKids".
  • They have partnered with the Food Bank of New York City, the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, and Food Lifeline to help the fight against childhood hunger and malnutrition by donating meals to the food banks and and their snacks to local schools.
Their current snack lineup includes:
  • Apple Raisin Soft Granola Bites
  • Blueberry Banana Acai Soft Granola Bites
  • Chocolate Chip Soft Granola Bites
  • Honey Heroes
  • Blueberry Vanilla Heroes
  • Chocolate Heroes
Here's my little Kenzo riding the bus and enjoying the Blueberry Vanilla Heroes, or as he calls them, "COOOOOOKIES COOKIES MORE COOKIES!!!!!!" Haha, seriously, he's a fiend for these. They are bite sized for bigger kids or adults, but my toddler chooses to bite them in half and get itty bitty crumbs all over the place. I snuck one into my mouth despite his protests and have to say they're pretty good. They're not super sweet or uber delicious like a "real" cookie, nor should they be in my opinion. They're tasty, healthy, and cute. They're just perfect!
US-Japan Fam reviews MysuperFoods organic snacks for kids!
Here's a shot of the chocolate chip soft granola bites. Unlike M&Ms, the chips in these bad boys WILL melt in your hand, so be sure to store them in a cool area. The granola bites are nice and soft, great for even a young toddler. Though, my son isn't allowed chocolate just yet so these are all for meeeeee (and they are delicious)!! He will stick to their other two granola bites varieties for now.
US-Japan Fam reviews MysuperFoods organic snacks for kids!
They're a rapidly growing company, and at the moment you can find MySuperFoods on Amazon, Abes Market, Vine, Diapers.com (enter code "MINYMOE" for 20% off if it's your first order), Vitacost, and Relay Foods. So, check 'em out and let me know what you think below!!!

Disclaimer: Although I did receive this product free of charge, I was not compensated in any other way to do this product review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased.
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Giveaway & Review:  Stella Mama Silicone Necklace

1/13/2015

46 Comments

 
I recently did a post about how awesome silicone is, and here I am with yet another awesome silicone product. This one is a necklace by La Stella della Mamma (you may remember I featured another Stella Mamma silicone necklace design in a giveaway last year). Well, she's just released her 2015 designs and they are absolutely fabulous!!!
US-Japan Fam reviews and giveaway two of Stella Mamma's new line of nontoxic silicone necklaces.
Stella Mamma's 2015 Y-design necklaces come in three colors: black, turquoise, and red. Each color has the option of no-clasp (as shown in the black and red necklaces pictured above - just slip it over your head) or safety break-away clasp (as shown in the turquoise design pictured above - quick release that will not break if your child yanks on it, as they tend to do). Personally, I recommend the non-clasp version. I have a few silicone necklaces in both varieties and find the easy-break clasp a little annoying as it pops open a bit too easy after a few times.

Not only are Stella Mamma's designs fashionable and on trend, the materials are extremely practical. Silicone is non-toxic, BPA-free, and hypoallergenic, so they're perfect for anyone allergic to metals, and for anyone with a child who likes to play with or get their mouths on your necklaces! These are not teething necklaces, per se, however you can be reassured that they are nontoxic can withstand your baby chewing on it under supervision.
US-Japan Fam reviews and giveaway Stella Mamma's silicone necklace to TWO winners!
Yours truly modeling the necklace so you can get an idea of the length :)
You can order the turquoise, red, or black necklaces on Amazon for $26 each (but hurry, she's having a promo - $15 each for the first 10 buyers!!) OOOORRRRRRRRRR.... you can

ENTER TO WIN A NECKLACE RIGHT HERE!!!

That's right folks, she's giving away one necklace to TWO WINNERS right here on my blog!! The winners will have their choice of color and clasp style! WOOHOOOOO!!! The giveaway is open to US residents ages 18 and over and will end at 11:59 PM EST on Tuesday, January 27. Enter in the Rafflecopter box below and good luck!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclaimer: Although I did receive this product free of charge, I was not compensated in any other way to do this product review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased.
46 Comments

My First E-Book, a Must for Stay at Home Moms & Dads

1/12/2015

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Hey new mom. How ya doing? Be honest, I won't judge... I was there once. Home with this new itty bitty bundle of joy. I couldn't stop staring lovingly at him. But after a few months of that, I started to get antsy. I'm no Susy Homemaker. I'm no good in the kitchen and you'd seriously have to pay me to make cleaning a priority. Ha! So, I started brainstorming and looking for ways I could be productive, keep my brain from going to mush, have some fun, and yeah, MAKE MONEY! 

My hard work has paid off tenfold! I'm now extremely fulfilled as a parent and as a woman, juggling my many current business ventures: writing for this blog, running my own company Miny Moe, writing for Mommy Nearest, organizing my community program Tunes 4 Bay Ridge Tots, and my newest baby - writing and publishing my first ever e-book!!!
Published yesterday on Kindle and today on iTunes, "Legit Ways To Make Money From Home (While Minding Your Kids and Not Losing Your Mind" is an amazing resource for any stay at home parent who is looking for more... more fulfillment, more fun, and more money! In this quick and easy read, I cover all the basic (legitimate) money making opportunities that can be conducted from your own home, from signing up with a direct sales company (I list 15 example companies carrying a vast array of product - there's literally something for anybody) to blogging to focus groups and mystery shopping!! My e-book will provide you with an overview about each money making opportunity, as well as some links to get you on your way. 

"Legit Ways To Make Money From Home" is now available for download on Kindle and iTunes for just $1.99!!! 

What are you waiting for? Download and read it today, and you'll be on your way toward a fabulous and fun new life tomorrow! Seriously though, most of the ideas I cover require very little planning and zero startup capital! So... get on it and GOOD LUCK!!

Speaking of good luck... I'm actually doing a giveaway!! One winner will receive a free download (winner chooses Kindle or iTunes format)!! There are no age or residential restrictions - this giveaway is open worldwide!! It'll end at 11:59 PM EST on Tuesday, January 27. Enter in the Rafflecopter box below!! Winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email before another winner is chosen, so be sure to check your junk folders!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Be sure to leave your review on Kindle / iTunes and come back and leave comments, questions, and suggestions below!
34 Comments

Babywearing Demo Video - How to wear your toddler in a Mei Tai

1/9/2015

1 Comment

 
Lots of my mom friends are terrified of wearing their babies. When they're infants, they are just so fragile and it's actually pretty darn scary! How to position their legs, how to make sure their head is supported and they can breathe freely, it's all so confusing!! 

Then, once they're older and you have to switch them to the back carry, you have to learn it all over again. And this time they're in the back where you can't really see what's going on, so it can be quite a challenge figuring that out! 

So, I just wanted to shoot a quick how-to video to show you how simple it can be!! Here's me and my son demonstrating how to get into the back carry position using our Mei Tai wrap, which is similar to the Ergo. Please take note that you should probably have a spotter help you the first few times, and might want to do it on a bed or on the floor so you feel more comfortable. You should always have at least one hand on your child to keep them safe, and you can play around with the positioning of your wraps straps on your shoulders and hips to find what is most comfy to you and your child. 

Good luck and happy baby wearing!!
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Children's Book About Baby Wearing

1/8/2015

1 Comment

 
Are you a baby wearer? If so, then have I got a great children's book for you!! "Carried On Your Back", by Swedish writer Ida Theren, features a day in the life of a baby worn kid. From waking up and playing to taking a walk outside in his mom's wrap to reading books and getting ready for bed. It's definitely not about baby wearing, but it is cool to see it be an active part of a children's book!
US-Japan Fam reviews
The language is simple. Almost like you can hear these words coming out of the toddler's mouth directly! "Look, a tree. Hi, tree!" Yep, definitely something my little guy would say! 
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I love how it shows him being independent by playing alone with toys, brushing teeth, and using the potty, and also shows him exploring the world while snuggly secured on his mom's back. It's a pretty great example of attachment parenting done well! There's even a page that discretely shows what you can assume to be the toddler breastfeeding within the wrap.

My favorite page? As a mom who breastfed for 2 years and is still co-sleeping, I couldn't say it better... We are two but still one. *Wipes tear from cheek* 
US-Japan Fam reviews
"Carried On Your Back" is soft cover and printed on demand. You can see more photos and info here, and order a signed copy here for about $13, and stay in touch on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclaimer: Although I did receive this product free of charge, I was not compensated in any other way to do this product review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased.
1 Comment

Giveaway:  Silikids Silicone Placemat & Glasses

1/7/2015

55 Comments

 
Plastics don't have the best rep these days. With phthalates and BPA (or whatever kind of new and untested compound they're using instead of BPA) and all kinds of other chemicals, it's probably something we should try to avoid as much as possible. Depending on the product, there are some much greener alternatives, my favorite being stainless steel (ex. Klean Kanteen or Safe Sippy water bottles and sippy cups), glass (ex. GlassLock food storage containers and Glass Dharma straws), wood (ex. toys by Melissa & Doug), and silicone (ex. Squeasy Gear food pouches). 

But wait. Silicone? How is that different from plastic? Well, it's been shown that silicone, unlike plastic, won't leach into food. It's non-toxic (no BPA, BPS, lead, PVC, or phthalates), hypoallergenic, and doesn't have open pores for harboring bacteria or fungus. Silicone has high heat resistance, so it can be boiled to sterilize, thrown in the dishwasher, and even the washing machine and dryer! It doesn't fade, scratch, or retain oder. It doesn't decompose, but is recyclable at special facilities. 

One silicone product I've just discovered and come to love is Silikids Silimap, which is a placemat made of silicone.
Check out US-Japan Fam's review and giveaway of Silikids' Silimap silicone placemat!
As you can see above, the Silimap is a great size, and has pre-sectioned panels allowing it to quickly fold up into a really easy-to-store size - great for the diaper bag or throwing in a kitchen drawer! It's dishwasher safe, easy to wipe clean - even after drawing on it with non-permanent markers and pens! And I love the educational map design, which comes in the semi-clear color or a turquoise).

Silikids is a mom-founded brand that launched in 2007 and manufactures modern, safe silicone products for kids. They have a great line of silicone products that make glass safe! For example, their Siliskins slip over glass cups to make them safer for kids. They have a Silibag (food storage bag), Silibib, and much more! Check out their full line of products on there website here. And if you're ready to have your mind blown, check out this video about their Siliskin Straw Tops... they turn any glass or cup into a covered straw cup! AMAZING!!!

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!
Enter to win a Silikids Silimap and 2-pack of glasses with silicone sleeves in US-Japan Fam's giveaway ending January 14!
The Silikids Silimap retails for $14.95 and you can buy it on their website or Amazon, OR you can enter to win one here!! One lucky winner will receive both the Silimap AND a pack of 2 Siliskin Glass cups and protective silicone sleeves (retails for $12.95 on their website or Amazon). This giveaway is open to US residents over the age of 18 and will end at 11:59 PM (EST) on Wednesday, January 14. Enter in the Rafflecoptor box below and GOOD LUCK!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclaimer: Although I did receive this product free of charge, I was not compensated in any other way to do this product review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased.
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    About Me ^_^

    I'm a NYC metro area mom blogger living in NJ with my Japanese husband & our 3 kids (twins plus 1).  This blog is chock full of product reviews, family travel guides, and giveaways galore! It's also home to Bay Ridge Families, and several guides focused on kid-friendly activities and guides to South Brooklyn, Hudson Valley, and New Jersey, as well as family-friendly destinations beyond the NYC area (check the menu bar!)

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