Mama Speaks

Webbed - Recalled Toy Alert

Guardian Angels

Are you tired of all the toy recall talk yet?  Yeah, me too. Unfortunately, they are probably far from over and how is a busy parent to keep up? Especially with the busiest shopping time of year upon us. It’s hard enough to keep track of our kids, period, and we may not have the time to sit down and peruse the morning paper or catch every second of the nightly news, in fear that yet another item intended for our precious bundles is deemed toxic. Safety is always our first priority and thankfully the mama behind RecalledToyAlert.com has our back.

RecalledToyAlert.com was a natural progression once recall after recall started to hit, and was designed with one thing in mind:  to keep busy parents easily informed and children safe. Sure we can check out the government run Consumer Product Safety Commission but who has time to sift through their overwhelming pages of links?  Pulling the same data as the CPSC, RecalledToyAlert has an easy to use interface – one click and you fall directly into the recalls which are sorted by date. If you’re looking for something specific, the search feature will save you loads of time and you can easily forward recall information to anyone with an email address. If you just can’t bear to see another recall, you can simply “Browse Best Toys” and go right for the good guys, however, I do wish detailed information on the “best toys” was included so I knew why they have achieved such a title.

As most parents these days, this topic is one I’m very passionate about, and still I was surprised to see that some recalled items slid under my busy-mama radar.  Now I can sign up to receive recalls by email  and never fall behind again.

While you’re sending out your baby’s holiday wish list this year, RecalledToyAlert.com should be the first link at the top of your list.  It’s tough to manage on our own, help ensure the gift givers are giving something safe.

- Cara

Kushies

Koolest Toys Around

 

My son sticks everything in his mouth, and I mean everything! He doesn’t hesitate to grab a stinky shoe, the cat’s food, or my iPhone (ah!) and cover it with his wonderful baby slobber. Yet, I have had a hard time finding something that is meant to go in his mouth that he actually wants to put in there. So, when I discovered Canadian-based Kushies and their fun and eclectic line of toys, I knew we were in business.

 

The Zolo Linko – Clip Together Teether & Toys [$32] is one of the coolest looking toys I have seen in a long time. It consists of 11 separate pieces that your little one can play with individually or link them together for a cluster of colorful fun. Each section has a different texture and shape to it to stimulate baby’s senses, with his hands, eyes, or mouth.

 

Aside from my new favorite toys, Kushies also has a wide variety of other baby related products.  From the  the Splish Splash Rain Jacket and Pant Set [$47] to the Swimsuit Diapers [$11]. Both come in bright colors and prints, that make sure your little guy or gal stands out, whether  jumping in a puddle or playing in the sand. It makes me long even more for the winter to hurry up and end already and bring on the April showers and some Summer days.

-Jen

Win it!
We're giving away a Shangrila Multi-Sensory Activity Mat and Portico Archway Accessory [$120]! One runner-up will a hooded-towel and booties set [$24]. To enter, send an email to giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com by midnight November 30 with Kushies as your subject.

Plan Toys Kitchen Center

Make Dinner Plans

There is one thing in this house we’ve all grown to expect:  pizza and cookies for every meal, every day. Fortunately for my thighs and slowing metabolism this is just what is being cooked up by our child’s imagination in his play kitchen.  With a menu this sophisticated, no ordinary kitchen will do but the Kitchen Center by PlanToys [$120] can easily handle the job.

The PlanToys Kitchen Center has sleek styling any modern-day chef can appreciate and the bold colors make it anything but boring.  And we mean bold colors as in vibrant non-toxic, water-based paints, not colorful plastic garbage as the kitchen is made from chemical-free, preservative-free, recovered rubberwood. The Kitchen Center features an oven and cook top on one side with a sink and dishwasher on the other – cooking and cleaning?  I’m taking notes as I eat my 8^th dozen of cookies.

- Cara

Cause of the Week - Heifer International

A World Without Hunger

Here in the US we tend to be about immediate gratification. Especially this season, we will most likely each receive a mountain of gifts that will be well loved. For a minute. By next Christmas, most of this year's haul will be all but forgotten. So how about a gift that keeps on giving generation after generation? A gift that has the ability to change lives and end hunger?

Thanks to the amazing, amazing, amazing-ness that is Heifer International this is a very tangible thing. Founded in 1944, the history of this organization is simple and spectacular. Rather than provide short-term emergency relief they are committed to creating self-reliance and sustainability. The concept is this, a donor (YOU!) purchases the gift of live stock, from young heifers to honeybees, which is then gifted to a family in need in one of 50 countries. This family then has a source of food and possibly a source an income, that continues to grow and produce and reproduce.

And this is where you'll be blown away. The crux of the program is that those who receive a gift are required to then pass the gift on to someone else. By sharing their animal's offspring - along with their knowledge, skills and resources - an entire network of hope, dignity and self-reliance is created. So, essentially, after some time has passed, the gift of one animal can help sustain an entire village!

Heifer International, has me all sorts of excited, THIS is how we change the world! And so things have changed around here, along with blocks and puzzles and books, my 2 year old has honey bees and bunnies on his Christmas list this year, we might not see them ourselves, but knowing is enough for me.

Red Castle Whizz Stroller

Whizz On By

Some Mamas & Papas won’t even give a stroller that costs more than a car payment (or two!) a second look, but I’m personally singing a different tune now as I shimmy along in style with my little guy’s new ride, the Red Castle Whizz [$500]. On the very first push- which feels like you aren’t pushing anything at all- I gushed, “Ohhhhh, this is sooooooo worth it!”

Your child can move it with the Whizz up to 44 lbs, and add the matching Carrycot [$150] for babies up to 19 lbs. With an 8” front tire and 10” back tires; this is more a vehicle than your average stroller. And at the same time it is more graceful and stylish than your average stroller. Keep the front tire swiveled for a trip in the city or through the mall, or adjust it to fixed position and off-road it through bumps and even sand.

The accessories alone make this stroller stand out from the rest. My favorites: the easy-access basket that you can get to through the back or side zip, and the wheel covers… so convenient for those rainy, muddy days when you don’t want to mess up the car! The sun screen with its own storage pouch is a wonderful plus, too. Forget gingham and plaid- check out the many stylish color options you can choose from, like black with fuchsia or brown with turquoise.

But most of all, I love how easy the Whizz folds down and fits into my small car. That alone is often the deciding factor for most stroller purchases. Or maybe I love how it makes me want to take more walks. Or how my toddler gets all serene and quiet and happy when he’s in it. And suddenly everyone is smiling and easing on down the road. Yeah, it’s soooo worth it!

-Steph

Global Goodie

Good Enough to Eat

I love it when I can dress my baby in something cute that also has something to say, and what’s cuter than a baby in a “punny” shirt? Another adorable line of tee’s and onesie’s to add to your holiday wishlist this year, Global Goodie has it all.  Bold colors, sleek styles and food jokes that are so smart, even hipster papa can’t complain.  Our baby has been sporting the Black Eyed Pea shirt lately, but our favorite has to be the Peking Duck. 

On a mission to spread the word about food and all there is available out there in the happy meal obsessed world, Global Goodie continues to offer sweet designs to keep your palate and your fashion sense happy. 

Win it!
We have a Peking Duck tee for one lucky reader (2T-4T)! Just send an email to reviews[at]mamaspeaks.com by midnight November 27 with Global as your subject and let us know what Global Goodie's tag line is.

-Arianne

Bronwen Handcrafted

Sling in Style

Every day I discover another company selling and/or making their own baby-wearing products.  Funky wraps and slings are becoming all the rage, and I’m thrilled to see more and more parents catching on to this fantastic baby item.  One such company is Bronwen Handcrafted, Inc, who create and sell a luxurious line of slings and pouches for every stylish mama.  From the Vera Wang Brocade to the vintage yet fresh Marrimekko designs, each product will have you wishing you could buy one for every outfit in your closet.   

Bronwen’s slings [$95] are constructed with quality in mind, and lightweight enough to snuggle baby close and wear under him your coat this winter.    

Independently and mama owned, Bronwen Handcrafted also has gorgeous modern quilts, baby clothing, and more.  I absolutely love the Tang quilt, and can’t wait to get my hands on one (hint hint, Santa!).    

-Arianne

Oopsie Dazie Hair Accessories

She's a Dazie

If you are a mother of a little princess, save Oopsie Dazie on your list of favorites, you will want to visit this delightful hair clip company often. Oopsie Dazie's hair clips are high quality made with impressive craft(wo)manship. Every clip is handmade and custom made to order, so your Little Princess will get something unique, made just for her.

Normally Royal Treatment like this costs us Mommies more than many of us want to pay, especially for something which we all know might get lost easily. But Oopsie Dazie makes me feel like the Queen of Deals, these adorable barrettes cost only 2-3 dollars each! Don't let the inexpensive price fool you - these are the hidden gem in the hair clip kingdom.

Instead of hiding this secret, why don't you share it with your friends? Oopsie Dazie makes sharing their products easy and fun. You can host an open house or a virtual online party to purchase hair clips together with your friends. You, as a hostess, will receive a free clip hanger and free hair clips.

Visit Oopsie Dazie today and check out their Holiday ribbons, they will make great stocking stuffers!

-Katja

Holgate Toys

Out With the New, In With the Old

It seems every time there is a new innovation in toys it is short lived- products are recalled, the parts are too small, or dangerous or contaminated. Aside from the obvious hassle it leaves us Mama's to worry over exactly what is safe for our kids to play with these days. In our house we've gone back to the basics, plastic things that move and flash have been evicted to make room for classic wooden toys.

And when I say classic, I mean it. One of our favorites is a little ol' toy company that's been around for well over 200 years. Holgate Toys, located in Pennsylvania, are the premier maker of children's wooden toys in America, and with good reason. Their vast collection of playthings and accessories are made from 100% natural, kiln dried hardwoods and bright bold non-toxic paints; and EVERY toy made exceeds US safety standards, which these days says a lot!

It's probably well worth mention that when Mr. Roger's himself was looking for toys for his neighborhood, he choose Holgate Toy. Take a peak around and you'll might just see a Trolley and some royalty you recognize. Our little one's love the Handeez vehicles for zooming around and us Mama's have spent way too much time fashioning jewels with the Jumbo Lacing Beads.

Afforable, safe toys, made so close to home, has us breathing a collective sigh of relief. And I'll take hearing the sound effects of my little one over a piece of plastic any day.

Win it!
We have a Rocky Color Cone for one lucky reader! To enter send an email to reviews[at]mamaspeaks.com by midnight November 24 with Holgate as your subject and answer the following question. Who was the famous brother of Holgate's early toy designer?

VIOlight

This is The Way We Brush Our Teeth

In my two years as Mama I think I've spent more time in the bathroom than in the rest of my years combined. Between the actual bathing, diaper changes and tosses and now that glorious world of potty training, it seems we spend half our day in there. In all that time, thanks to mommy-germ paranoia I've become well versed in just how disgusting bathrooms can be.

Even when it looks clean, one flush of a toilet can leave a bathroom covered in all sorts of creepy crawly things. And our toothbrushes sit there on the counter and collect it all. "A single toothbrush can harbor millions of microorganisms, which translate into harmful bacteria." According to the CDC "Even after being visibly rinsed clean, toothbrushes can remain contaminated with potentially pathogenic organisms." And we stick them in our mouths...and our children's mouths. YUCK!

Thanks to a little invention called VIOlight [$50] I can brush again without cringing. The sleek, modern device (designed by Phillipe Starck!) is part toothbrush holder, part sanitizing machine. Just place your toothbrush top down into the holder, push a button and a germicidal UV bulb goes to work zapping up to 99.9% of bacteria, bugs that could otherwise cause colds, flu, or who knows what else. The VIOlight turns itself of when it's done, leaving your brush clean and protected until you need it again. Best of all there is room for 4 brushes of any size, including toddler and kid's or electric toothbrush heads.

We're so cautious of the things we put in our children's mouths it seems a good place to start fresh is with the very thing that's supposed to keep it clean. VIOlight will give you that in just 10 minutes a day and look great doing it. Just what the dentist ordered.

Win it!
We're giving away VIOlight Travel Sanitizer! Send an email to reviews[at]mamaspeaks.com with VIOlight as your subject by midnight November 23 and let us know which nationwide retailer sells VIOlight.