Summer is here, folks!! Have you gotten your kids their warm weather and water-safe footwear yet? With a 4 year old and 1.5 year old twins, I look for closed-toe sandals that stay on securely and allow for all the climbing, jumping, and splashing around their little hearts can desire. After doing some research, I reached out to pediped to try out what appeared to me to be the perfect children's sandals. Luckily, I was right, they're awesome!! Keep reading for my review of the pediped Flex Sahara sandals (and enter to win a pair of pediped sandals in my $360 value Summer Goodies for the Kiddies Giveaway linked at the bottom!) We have been huge pediped fans for a couple of years now (you can see my previous reviews on their Originals Natasha Mary Janes, Grip 'n Go Max Sneakers, and Flex Norm Loafers). They always knock it out of the park on quality and cuteness, and put a parent's mind at ease having received the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance for the promotion of healthy foot development. The pediped Flex Sahara sandals are no exception, and are amazing summer shoes for a number of reasons, here are the features I'm loving most:
My kids have gotten a few wears out of them already at the park and sprinklers, and I was very happy to not see even the slightest bit of irritation on any of their feet, ankles, or toes (which is not the case when they wear some of their other shoes without socks), and no slipping even while running around in the sprinklers at the playground! I'm loving the performance of the shoes, they really are like sneakers in regard to how active the kids can be in them, and I also love how many colors they come in (see below!), though it makes it really hard to pick out just one pair... pediped Flex Sahara sandals come in sizes EU 20 (US 5) - EU 33 (Y 1.5-2) and go for about $53 on their website or Amazon (affiliate link). But don't forget, you can enter to win a pair of ANY of pediped sandals (they have tons of other styles - water safe, dressy, you name it) in my Summer Goodies for the Kiddies Giveaway, ending May 31! Disclaimer: I'm no sellout guys! Though I was sent these products free of charge for my honest review, thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased.
5 Comments
I've been really into organizing these seasonal giveaways lately (check out my last Winter and Spring ones!) - such a fun way to work with some great brands to introduce you all to amazing products and of course, provide a HUGE JACKPOT OF GOODIES to one very lucky winner!!
With summer on the horizon, I'm at it again, bringing you $360 in products I think can help you have the best summer with your kids. Check out more info on each brand and their prizes below, and enter to win my SUMMER GOODIES FOR THE KIDDIES GIVEAWAY (#SGFTKGiveaway) in the Rafflecopter box at the bottom!! GOOD LUCK!!
THE PRIZES!!
Pacific Breeze Sand & Surf Beach Shelter (affiliate link)
If you're going to be spending extended amounts of time outside, a beach tent is definitely something to consider. It can protect you from sun and rain while letting the breeze through so you don't all roast alive! The Sand & Surf Beach Shelter by Pacific Breeze is a great option - it's really easy to setup and take down (see me in action here), is large enough to fit 4 people (94.5" L x 94.5" D x 59" H), packs down into a great shoulder strap travel bag (39" L x 7" W x 7" H), and weighs 9 pounds. It includes storage pockets, 4 stakes, an extra shade, and 8 sand pockets (sand not included LOL). Our grand prize winner will receive this great shelter (in blue). They run for around $120 on Amazon (affiliate link). Check out my full review here!
Offering adorable and comfortable kids shoes with a variety of features such as being waterproof, machine washable, vegan, memory foam, slip resistant, and eco friendly, it's no wonder pediped is a leading brand in children's footwear, receiving a number of awards including the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance for the promotion of healthy foot development. Our grand prize winner will receive one pair in their choice of size, style (any summer sandals), and gender. They run for around $40-$60 on pediped's website and Amazon (affiliate link). Check out my review of their Flex Sahara Sandals, and my previous reviews on their Originals Natasha Mary Janes, Grip 'n Go Max Sneakers, and Flex Norm Loafers.
If you haven't heard of Fitted Tot, you can check out my previous review here, but basically it's a "Netflix-style subscription for little ones", and it's awesome!! For $44.99 a month, you get unlimited boxes of clothes (each box includes 3 play, 1 dress outfit, and 1 pajama) - every time you return the box you'll get a new one, and you can purchase pieces you simply can't part with for 40-50% off retail price! Our grand prize winner will receive a 1-month Fitted Tot Subscription for 1 child.
With adorable swim diapers, rash guards, sun hats, and UPF elbow to knee swim suits, i play. is a one stop shop to outfit your baby or toddler for the beach, pool, or sprinklers! As the original swim diaper manufacturer, they've been providing great quality swim and sun wear for children for 20 years! Our grand prize winner will receive the water-friendly adorable i play. outfit pictured above (aqua short sleeve rashguard, white solid brim sun protection hat, and light aqua sea friends swim diaper, a $40 value!) - winner chooses sizes, available in 6 months to 4T! Check out my personal review here!
Thinkbaby & Thinksport Sunscreen (3-pack)
Did you know you don't have to get a bad sunburn to have sun damage, yes, even mild tanning can come back to haunt you and your children years down the road. Children under 6 months of age shouldn't be wearing sunscreen (keep them in the shade and/or in breathable UPF protective clothing), but after that, lather them up - with the understanding that what goes on their skin will make its way into their bodies... so be careful about ingredients!! Personally, I love Thinkbaby and I'm not alone. They're always ranked as a top pick on EWG's best and safest sunscreens, meaning they work well and consist of harmless ingredients for you, your kids, and the environment - phew!! They're also nice and creamy (easy to apply) and smell YUMMY! HA! Our grand prize winner will receive a 3-pack of their sunscreens: Thinkbaby, Thinksport for Kids, and the new Thinksport Kids Sunscreen Stick! Check back in later for my full review! Thinkbaby sunscreens, baby bottles, sippies, insulated bottles, and other products can be found on their website and on Amazon (affiliate link).
Britax and BOB make some of the best strollers, car seats, and accessories on the market today! Our grand prize winner will receive the Britax Car Seat Sun Shield, which will protect your car seat from harmful UV rays and keep it cool at the same time, so your child isn't accidentally scalded on a hot day!! It's universal, slipping easily onto any brand car seat, and stores compactly. You can find them for about $25 on Britax's website and Amazon (affiliate link).
Using sustainable materials & processes, low impact dyes, organic & recycled materials, certified factories, and fair trade practices, Art & Eden aims to bring you children's clothing you'll love, that are better for your kids and the planet. I love them for taking a stand and rejecting "industry without conscience" (see more here about all the things they're doing right) and for doing so without sacrificing fashion, comfort, and an affordable price tag! Our grand prize winner will be able to pick one of the following designs and sizes: Mini Beatrix Dress (pictured above 2nd from left; 3-24 months), Mini Kandinsky Tee (pictured above far left; 3-24 months), Judith Skirt (pictured above far right; 2T - 6), or Julian Tee (pictured above 2nd from right; 2T - 10), each valued between $20-29!
A good stroller canopy can only do so much in regard to shading your little one, and hanging blankets over the stroller can lead to overheating. Diono's Sun Net is a great way to completely shade your baby from those hot and harmful UV rays and also keep pesky mosquitos and other insects away! Made of a breathable mesh weave, it's elastic trim stretches to fit over just about any baby carrier or stroller with a canopy. Our grand prize winner will receive a white Sun Net, just like the one pictured above. You can find them on Amazon for around $5!
Amazing giveaway, am I right!?!?! Coordinated by US Japan Fam, this giveaway is sponsored by participating brands and open to US residents ages 18 and over. No purchase required to enter. Giveaway ends Wednesday, May 31 at 11:59 PM EDT - one winner will be randomly chosen and contacted through e-mail, and their name displayed on the giveaway page. Winner will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. US Japan Fam and participating blogs are not responsible for fulfilling brand-sponsored prizes. Prizes will be shipped directly from each brand.
When it comes to kids' shoes, we have to consider health, safety, comfort, and of course, fashion! I recently ran across a brand that nails each of those categories right on the head - Tsukihoshi!! I'm thrilled to be working with them on this review, and they've been generous enough to contribute one pair of kids shoes to my $400 value Spring Goodies for the Kiddies Giveaway (our jackpot winner will receive their choice of design and size - link at bottom of post to enter to win!!). Designing children's shoes in Japan for over 140 years, Tsukihoshi's mission is to provide "comfortable, fun shoes that give children's toes the freedom to move"! From split-toe Tabi Tabi to sturdy sneakers, Tsukihoshi has great shoes for babies to big kids that feature generous toe boxes, heel stabilizers, and light and flexible soles. Before we get into reviewing the 3 awesome designs my kiddos are now rocking, I think we first need to address the brand's name, which might be a bit intimidating for some! Tsukihoshi, pronounced "skee-ho-shee", means moon and star in Japanese. The name is a tribute to the moon and stars, which the company's founders, two shoemakers back in 1873, used to look up to for courage, strength, and inspiration when working late into the night trying to perfect the traditional Japanese split-toe Tabi shoe. Pretty cool, right? And now you know 2 more Japanese words (I bet you already know a few others... sushi, karate, and ninja, to name a few! Speaking of ninja, that brings me to the first shoe we're reviewing today, Tsukihoshi's Tabi Tabi, split-toe home shoes. Using the same philosophy behind their Jika-Tabi ("ninja boots" still worn today by many in Japan), the split-toe allows kids' toes to wiggle around more freely, as if barefoot! The slippers also help lift the arch and bring foot bones, tendons, and muscles into a natural alignment. Tabi Tabi are entirely machine washable, with a thick and soft removable insole. The slipper is made of thick, soft, breathable jersey cotton and the bottom is also fabric with a wee bit of embossed grip (grippier than a sock, less than a sneaker). You can find Tabi Tabi for sale on Badorf Kids - they have 4 color options (blue/grey, beige/camo, lavender dots, and fuchsia dots) in sizes Small (Toddler 8.5 - 11.0), Medium (Toddler 11.5 - Youth 1.0), Large (Youth 1.5 - 4.0) for $29.95. My son wears a toddler size 10 and we decided to go for the size Medium, it's quite large on him, as you can see, but they stay on just fine and he loves them, so I'm happy as it buys us extra time in them haha!! They're really great for us because we are a "no outdoor shoes inside" household - not just because it's my Japanese husband's culture, but also because it is SO MUCH HEALTHIER - think of all the nasty things you can track in from outside in your shoes. No thanks!! My son is too young to understand about the split-toes being healthy for his foot development, but he does understand that they look VERY different from anything he's ever had on his foot, and he's in love with them. The first time he put them on, he looked at me and said, "ROARRRRRRRR, I'm a T-Rex!!!!" and I couldn't contain my laughter. Yes, I guess they do look a bit like a dinosaur foot (or goat, pig, etc). The other shoes we got for my son were the Tsukihoshi Marina sneakers in cobalt/orange and man, I'm in love with these, I wish they came in MY size!! They are super lightweight, are easy to get on and off (just one velcro strap, and the tongue is stitched into place on one side, so the kiddo doesn't struggle with that either)! My son was in desperate need of some sneakers. He had just outgrown his last pair and was begging for some Spiderman light up shoes. I'm sorry, I just couldn't go there. But these Tsukihoshi sneakers are so so cute, and I'm thrilled because he LOVES them and hasn't been bothering me about those Spiderman shoes since getting these - ha!! He is 4 but can get these on and off himself with no problem, and says they're really comfy. They definitely look comfy! Tsukihoshi's Marina sneakers are machine washable, are water-friendly (featuring quick dry textiles), and have a removable antibacterial insert infused with natural green tea extract to kill odor causing germs. How cool is that!? Other features include wide toe box, heel stabilizer, arch support, and a grippy flexible non-marking TPR sole. You can find them for $52.95 on Badorf Kids in 11 colors from toddler size 7 - 13. Last but certainly not least, we got the Tsukihoshi Neko sneakers for our 18 month old twin girls. I love getting them coordinating stuff rather than totally matching, when possible, and this is easy to do with Tsukihoshi having many color options in each design. Neko had 8 colors to choose from (in toddler sizes 4-7), so we went with Purple/Berry and Fuchsia/LtBlue. The Neko sneaks feature most of the same good stuff as the Marinas: machine washable, antibacterial removable insert, wide toe box, heel stabilizer, tongue stitched to one side, easy on-off with single velcro strap. These also feature a non-marking EVA outsole and cushioned arch support. They're incredibly lightweight; not as flexible as I'd hoped but decent. I should add we're coming out of only wearing baby moccs until now, so the jump into sneakers is always a tough one. But I gotta say, they were literally off and running within seconds of strapping these on! Nothing stopping these girls!! Alrighty, now all 3 kids are fitted up with amazing Tsukihoshi sneakers and ready to get out and enjoy the Spring!! Ready or not, here we come!!! To get some Tsukihoshi sneakers or Tabi Tabi for your kids, head on over to Badorf Kids or Amazon (affiliate link), and don't forget, one pair is included in the $400 jackpot of my Spring Goodies for the Kiddies Giveaway running through April 19!!! Disclaimer: Although I did receive these products free of charge, all thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased.
While they can be overwhelming and exhausting, I honestly love going to baby expos and trade shows to discover the latest and greatest maternity / baby / kids' products and introduce them to all of you!! Last Sunday I wandered the halls of the vast Playtime New York trade show, which featured over 200 up and coming American and international brands in children's fashion (and other related products). It is truely difficult to narrow it down to a reasonable number of "top picks", but here are 10 products and brands that really blew me away! Disclosure: Amazon links below are affiliate links - you don't pay more if you click or purchase, but I will grab a teeny tiny cut away from Amazon, win-win! #1. Rookie Humans: artistic crib sheets I'm a sucker for a good photo opp, and these imaginative crib sheets hand-drawn by artists are that and then some! Great for photographing your child, and for simply watching them sleep on beautiful bedding. Made of 100% cotton sateen, each sheet costs $34.99 on their website or Amazon. Personally, I'm really rooting for them to partner up for a line with QuickZip - give them both a shoutout on social if you'd love to see this, too!! #2. Lil' Pyar: hot air balloon mobiles I don't know what it was about these hot air balloon mobiles, but they really caught my eye. I think they're such a fun but not babyish way to decorate a nursery! Not just cute and stylish, but also functional - you can store items in the balloon's basket (hang it next to the changing station and fill with diaper cream and loation?). They have tons of different designs, and even a blank one, which if you ask me, would make an amazing baby shower item - guests could all leave a little message or drawing for the little one!!! These mobiles retail for $60 - $64 on their website. 3. Goose Grease: fair trade wooden peg dolls Not just cute toys and collectibles, these fair trade wooden peg dolls are hand-crafted in Colombia. They have an amazing variety of collections, from custom families to artists to superheroes to cake toppers (the only set currently available on Amazon), even pets and DIY blank dolls. A set of 4 runs for about $28 on their website, and they even have accessories such as doll houses and chess sets! 4. Chérubin: leather baby shoes hand crafted in America Baby moccasins are huge these days. I sure love them - they're cute, easy to get on and off, comfy for the kiddos, and wonderfully flexible for new walkers! What I especially love about these shoes by Chérubin is that they're handmade by leather artisans right here in America. And oh yeah, they're also hella cute and come in tons of designs, not just the moccasins but also boots, mary janes, and matching pacifier clips! You can buy them for about $60 a pop on their website or Amazon. 5. OMY: coloring projects From wall paper to backpacks to puzzles to pocket maps, OMY creates products with fun designs that your kids (and you!) can color! You can purchase on their website and Amazon. 6. KaiKai & Ash: toy storage boxes These adorable 13" canvas toy storage boxes by KaiKai & Ash really caught my eye. Functional, playful, colorful, a great way to customize any child's bedroom or playroom! You can buy them for about $17-19 each on Amazon. 7. Moon + Beck: gender neutral cute & comfy clothing Seriously cute, soft, and comfy ("moombex" bamboo + spandex blend) gender neutral clothes for babies and toddlers, designed by a mom in Tennessee. Prices range from about $16 (head wrap) to $42 (hoodie) and you can find her entire collection on her website. 8. Oeuf - creative children's hats I knew they had amazing cribs, but I didn't know Oeuf also made great children's clothing!! I fell in love with their hats at the show, namely the floppy eared rabbit and unicorn (see above photo)!! You can shop their entire collection on their website and Amazon. 9. Ikue by Maruju - coordinating swaddles, bibs, & more While Maruju has been a staple in Japan for over 90 years, Ikue, meaning "layered fabric" in Japanese, is new to the American market (and actually looking for a distributer, if anyone is interested!). They have gorgeous 100% cotton muslin fabric that gets softer with each wash, in a variety of products, from swaddles to bandana bibs to stroller strap covers. Buy all in the same print, or mix and match! I especially love the brightly colored animal camouflage line. You can find them on Amazon, and stay tuned as they'll be taking part in an upcoming giveaway right here on US Japan Fam!! 10. Tsukihoshi - Japanese split-toe shoes Whether you have a lil' Ninja at home or simply dig unique international style, you've got to check out Tsukihoshi's Tabi Tabi split-toed shoes! Designed to allow ultimate flexibility of the feet as if barefoot, Tsukihoshi has been designing these traditional Japanese split-toe shoe socks since 1873. You can shop the Tabi Tabi line on Badorf Kids ($34.95 a pair) and you can also find their "regular" sneakers on Amazon ($29 - $68 per pair). So what do you think? Loving any of my picks? Already own some? Have a product you'd like me to review?? Share in a comment below!! RELATED ARTICLES WE THINK YOU'LL LOVE:
There are a plethora of sleepsacks on the market today. From lightweight to ready for the Arctic and for infants through toddlers. Some will simply keep your child warm without the danger of having a loose blanket in bed, while others boast nifty features such as adjustable comforting swaddles, "quiet" velcro, houdini-proof zippers, cut outs for the feet of young walkers, and straps to keep the sack from getting twisted up during a restless night's sleep. I was recently introduced to a sleepsack with one specific feature I myself find to be extremely useful. The Antipodes Merino sleeping bag features an open slot on the front and back for the crotch strap of a seat belt, making it stroller-friendly!! How cool is that?? After receiving one from a brand rep to test out, I can tell you the seat-belt slot isn't the only thing we're loving about this sleepsack! Fabulous Features of Antipodes Merino Sleeping Bag:
Below you can see one of my 15 month old (19 pound) girls modeling the sleeping bag. It appears snug across the chest because I chose to snap under her arm pits - you would need to do this for an infant, and would usually unsnap for an older baby or toddler to allow for better air flow especially in warmer weather, however it's nice to have the option until they outgrow that enclosure. I do want to add one sneaky way we are using this sleep sack, in case anyone else is facing the same issue! One of my girls will NOT stay in her BundleMe in the stroller. She kicks her way out immediately, then proceeds to pull off her socks and shoes. AGH!!! But the Antipodes Merino is a great solution for this... Load on the layers - tights, pants, socks, shoes etc, and then put the sleepsack on top and strap her into the stroller. BAMN! #MicDrop hahahaha!! So, pretty amazing sleepsack, am I right!?? You can purchase one on their website or Amazon (affiliate link) for around $80-100. And you can also win one in a HUGE 15-product jackpot giveaway right now by Mommy Scene!! Enter to win here!! Disclaimer: Although I did receive this product free of charge and was compensated for my honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased.
I'm pleased to introduce you to my son's new favorite pair of shoes, his Bobux i-Walk Classic Desert Explorer Boots!! And by favorite pair, I mean he MUST wear them EVERY day, without fail, or watch out! HA! Kids huh?? But it's OK, because I agree, they're pretty awesome, and here's why!
I mean, they're so darn beautiful I don't want him to wear them and start scuffing them up, but you can't just lock them in the closet til he's outgrown them. What would be the point in that? So, I threw caution to the wind and am letting him wear the heck out of these, and they're proving to be extremely durable!! YAY! I recently did a review of another pair of Bobux shoes, for my twin girls, which we also love. And these here boots have sealed the deal - we're official members of the Bobux Fan Club!! In case you aren't familiar with Bobux already, they carry stylish, comfortable, and functional footwear for newborns through 5 years old. Bobux makes great shoes for all stages: soft soles for babies, lightweight and flexible shoes for pre- and early-walkers ("xplorers" and "step up"), and durable grippy "i-walk" shoes for confident walkers! They also have a great great rewards program. You can find these boots on Bobux's website in sizes 20 - 24 (US size 4.5-7.5) for $58.99 and sizes 25 - 29 (US sizess 8 - 11.5) for $63.99 Disclaimer: Although I did receive this product free of charge, all thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased.
I'm not the best when it comes to fashion. Sure, I appreciate it. Do I wish I was better at styling myself and my kids? Yes. Do I would love to have the time, energy, and budget to go shopping regularly, pick out the latest trends, and post #OOTD (outfit of the day) pix on Instagram. HELL YES!! But, it's not me and it's not my life. Instead, my shopping generally consists of scrolling through purges on Facebook kids' clothing resale groups. Which can be fun (and addictive), don't get me wrong! But part of the fun of being a blogging mom is working with both well-known and up-and-coming brands who introduce me to their fabulous products, which I get to test out and then introduce to you all! Not every product that makes its way to my door step meets my expectations, and in turn they do not make it onto my blog. But when something is everything I expected and more - It's happy dance time! Well, today's happy dance is brought to you by Bobux, maker of stylish, comfortable, and functional footwear for newborns through 5 years old. Bobux makes great shoes for all stages: soft soles for babies, lightweight and flexible shoes for pre- and early-walkers ("xplorers" and "step up"), and durable grippy "i-walk" shoes for confident walkers! We recently received two pair of Bobux StepUp Classic "Dance" Mary Jane style shoes in gold and silver for our 1 year old twin girls and we absolutely love them!! My girls have been walking for over 4 months already (since about 9 months) so they're quite steady by now, but they've been going barefoot at home and in very thin soled Robeez or Freshly Picked moccasins when out and about - just enough to keep their feet clean but thin enough so they can easily feel their footing and walk as if barefoot. But now, they're ready for sturdier shoes to protect their feet better and help them learn how to walk in "real" shoes. These Bobux "StepUp" shoes are perfect for this!! StepUps are built for first walkers with a durable and grippy yet light-weight and extremely flexible rubber sole, they're the perfect shoe to graduate to after crib shoes. Designed in New Zealand and made in Indonesia, the StepUp Classic "Dance" shoes feature an "anatomical shape," meaning they are built for the rounder shape of new walkers' feet (and they're podiatrist endorsed). They also feature an extremely high quality thick adjustable velcro strap, so it won't cut into baby's foot. They have a flexible and breathable upper leather with leather lining, and come in both silver and gold. They just need to come out with a bronze set and they'll be ready for the next Olympics! Ha!! I mean, come on, how cute are these shoes?? And if you're into mommy daughter matching, it'd be pretty easy to find a silver or gold to match these! Also, they come in a really nice box, making these a wonderful gift!! Tis the season, after all! Head on over to Bobux' website to check out their full line of shoes for kids from birth through 5 years! They have free shipping on orders over $50 (which you'll probably reach if ordering at least 2 pairs). They also have a great rewards program - for each customer you refer, you'll get points and they'll get $5 off. You also get points for signing up, following them on social, reviewing products, signing up for their newsletter, and of course purchasing products! Disclaimer: Although I did receive ethese products free of charge, all thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased
Trying to sell your kids' outgrown clothes is a headache, am I right? You take all these photos and post with lengthy descriptions on various apps and in Facebook groups, and then... nada... Ugh! Next stop, donation city, which is great for warm fuzzies and a tax write off, but sometimes what we really want is getting something tangible in exchange, like a big bag of the next size up in clothes, yes? YES!!
I've previously confessed my love for Little Swappies' swap events in Manhattan and Brooklyn, unfortunately it seems to be on indefinite hiatus since the founder has moved abroad. But have no fear - a new swap system (with online and in-real-life swap events) has stepped up to fill the void and I couldn't be more psyched, because swapping = saving money and reducing waste. What a win-win!!
MomsHood is an online swapping site for kids' clothing and toys. In a nutshell, you browse boxes of clothes and get one shipped to you (paying $4.95 for handling and $11.95 for shipping). You must list a box of your own clothes (free shipping) before you can claim another box. So, basically you are swapping a box of clothes (about 10-15 items) for another for just $17 via United States Postal Service. It's super easy to "shop" as you can narrow it down by size, gender, season, or even type in something specific you're looking for. You can leave reviews and follow users whose stuff you love. That said, it's definitely in need of some user growth since my search for boys' 4T winter items came up with nothing and girls' 18-24 months winter came up with only 1 box. Whomp whomp. But, if you all go and register and start using it, and get your friends to, and so on - it could seriously be AMAZING!!! So, get on it!!! But wait, there's more...
MomsHood is also organizing LIVE SWAP EVENTS for kids' clothing, toys, and books!! A $20 ticket gets your whole family into the affair - there's free activities like a family photo booth and a raffle, and tables with reps from various sponsors to check out. For the swap, you must bring at least 8 like-new items and can take home up to 20. All remaining clothes after the swap will be donated to Room to Grow and Little Sisters - how great is that!?
The next MomsHood swap will be on Sunday, December 4 from 3-5PM on the Upper East Side of NYC (more specifically, at El Barrio’s Artspace PS109, 215 99th Street, New York, NY 10029). And...
I'M GIVING AWAY THREE FAMILY TICKETS!!!!!!! Just enter in the Rafflecopter box below! Good luck and see you at the swap (if you're not a winner, you can purchase your tickets here). I love discovering and sharing hot new innovative products. I seriously do! It's one of my favorite parts about blogging!! And today, I've got a new item that your kid, if anything like mine, will seriously go nuts over!! It's not a toy or anything life changing, it's an article of clothing, actually. And I know, I know, unless there's some really cool character on it, kids generally don't care much about clothes. BUT this one is different... PockeTeez is a children's (long or short sleeve) t-shirt with a pocket in the front. Not just any old pocket though, this one functions two ways: The inner layer of the pocket has openings on the side like a hoody pocket, and the outter layer of the pocket has a zippered water-resistant lined compartment in the front! Kinda like a t-shirt, hand muff, and fanny pack all in one!! With gender neutral colors and designs, it's great for boys and girls in sizes 2/3Y - 8/9Y! What do I think? It's an awesome idea, well-made, soft, durable, and I love the gender neutrality of it! But what I think doesn't matter as much as how much my son loved it. He absolutely loves pockets, hoods, zippers, all that stuff. So when I showed him what the pocket could do, he absolutely flipped out. He seriously wore it the entire weekend (eww, I know) before I convinced him he had to take it off so we could wash it! Boys huh? Ha! He's been having tons of fun seeing how much he can load in there, and what he can sneak off with - his go to's seem to be toy cars, acorns, coins, and lollipos. With 11 days to go, PockeTeez have already surpassed their $10,000 goal on Kickstarter! But definitely check out their campaign, because your pre-order / contribution can get you a shirt and also send a shirt to a child in a CAMBA homeless shelter in NYC! PockeTeez is the latest to come from Hatch Things, a small Brooklyn firm owned by Sonjie Feliciano Solomon, artist/designer and mom of 3! Hatch Things' previous and equally awesome products include the SureShop (side bag so umbrella strollers can be loaded up with goods without tipping over) and the ColdSnap (coat-extension cover for winter babywearing). You can check out their SureShop in action in a fun video up on my Instagram, click the image below: Be sure to follow Hatch Things on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to be kept on the loop on PockeTeez production and more! Disclaimer: Although I did receive this product free of charge, all thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased.
Being pregnant in the winter is tough. Not only do you have to figure out how to get your boots on and off, but your winter coat just won't fit around your belly! You could buy a maternity coat, OR you can go another route by getting a coat extension by Kokoala that'll last you throughout your pregnancy AND while babywearing!! Kokoala has 7 different types of coat extensions, from waterproof heavy nylon fleece (available in regular 22"-30" zipper for $86-$99 and long 31"-39" zipper for $108-$119) and good for the harshest winters, to a simple lightweight fleece extender ($40) for spring and fall. They even have a mini extension ($30) for the beginning or middle of pregnancy when you're not huge yet but still struggling to get your jacket closed. For my first child (a Christmas baby), I bought a super cheap maternity coat. It looked nice, and it lasted til the end of my pregnancy and for babywearing as well, but it wasn't warm enough for winter in NYC, so I had to bundle up with 2 hoodies under it to stay relatively warm (still not warm enough!), and baby had to be bundled up as well. So annoying!! The second time around, our twins were born in early October so thankfully I didn't need a winter maternity coat. I didn't do a lot of baby wearing but did on occasion, so this time I wore my regular winter coat (super warm puffy monster) and pulled it tight using a scarf as a belt over the coat and baby. This kept me warm and kept the wind and cold from entering from the open coat, but it didn't keep baby warm since she didn't have any coat around her, so I still had to bundle her up. Suffice it to say, it wasn't a great system and I was very very intrigued by the coat extensions Kokoala had to offer and really excited to try it out!! Here's how it works. You go on their website and choose the style you want. I went with the original. You then select the color and the type of zipper - the latter is the part I struggled with the most! Some coats are easy to figure out (my husband's for example was very obviously YKK metal), mine on the other hand I didn't really know. I e-mailed them a picture and they helped me make the best choice. When the product arrives, it comes in 1 or 2 sets. If you have a very standard zipper, you'll get the extension panel with zippers already on it. If you have a less common zipper, you'll get the panel with velcro and a separate zipper set - this is what we got. In this case, you unzip it and zip each half onto your coat. Each half has a velcro strip to which the coat extension will attach to. The diagrams that come with it make it easy to figure out how to wear it - wide side down during pregnancy and wide side up for babywearing! We got 2 sets of zippers so we could wear the panel on 2 different coats - my husband's and mine. My husband's coat set up perfectly without a hitch. Super easy! Mine on the other hand, no dice. I think in the end the zipper was not a close enough match and I just couldn't get it to work (though it did fit on my spring coat). But have no fear, Kokoala lists a 30-day return period (shipping not included, and return must be pre-approved by Kokoala), just be sure not to remove any tags or labels until you've confirmed your set works perfectly on your coat! One cool feature is that the zippers and panel are good for a variety of lengths and include a little removable velcro tab so you can fold them over to make it the perfect length for your coat. Here's the coat set up for pregnancy on the left and babywearing on the right. It also features a 2-point adjustable width so you can get it fitting just right! So, now that the coat is set up, time to test it out! We didn't realize the panel should have been shortened to be safer for baby, instead we simply folded it back (below right) which seemed to work just fine, but please take note the safety advisory from Kokoala below! SAFETY NOTE FROM KOKOALA: We do not recommend to cover baby's head with our coat extension (as shown in photo above left - this is NOT safe), instead use the baby hood for that purpose. The coat extension should be adjusted (as shown below) so that the elastic is behind baby's neck (shown below right). We haven't had a chance to test it out in the extreme cold yet (it's 70 degrees today, ummm... where is Fall???), but it seems like it'll do a great job and it's really easy to set up and use! Did I mention it's waterproof and washable? YES! Now, some may wonder why one would buy this panel when you could find a maternity coat for pretty much the same price. Well, good question. For my friends down in the South, it's probably not worth the investment. But my sister lives up in Montreal, and I can tell you, they spend a LOT on their winter coats that last them for years and years and keep them warm in the FRIGID weather up there. So, as Kokoala is a Canadian company, I'm thinking this panel is geared more toward those in colder climates who can't afford a maternity coat of the caliber needed, so they can buy this extension and continue wearing their super duper warm coat they love throughout pregnancy and babywearing. It's also great for city-dwellers who simply don't have the closet or storage space for more than one winter jacket - think about all the space a warm maternity coat would take up when stored in between babies! That is valuable space!! Kokoala also carries a few great babywearing accessories: scarf ($24), baby hood ($19), baby fleece booties ($20), & zipper adapters ($18). What's more?? The grand prize winner of my $480 value Winter is Coming Giveaway (ending tomorrow night!!!) will receive a $50 credit to use on Kokoala's website!!! Disclaimer: Although I did receive these products free of charge, all thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased.
|
About ME:I'm a NYC metro area mom blogger living in NJ with my Japanese husband & our 3 kids (twins plus 1), focusing on fun and honest product and travel reviews, saving moms time finding the best for their families! Find what you need in the menu bar or search section above! Categories
All
Archives
April 2024
|