Thomas Paul Melamine

Dish It Up
 

Can you be in love with a dinner plate? Yes, you can. Practicality meets fashion in dinnerware with the Thomas Paul melamine collection. These complementary dishes are all about the personality, and not about the matchy matchy. Behind dark cabinets no more-you’ll rethink just where you store your plates, because these belong on display. A perfect hostess gift or treat for yourself- just when is the last time you gave your dinner table a makeover?
 

Available in dessert or dinner plate sets of four [$28, $36]. Sturdy and fun, the Thomas Paul melamine collection is also a big hit with the kids. Each plate is a different pattern and color, so everyone gets to be unique. Hide them in the dishwasher if you must as they are dishwasher safe, but these dishes, my friends, are even a delight to hand wash.

Thomas Paul goes beyond your cupboards and also offers wall art, rugs, and pillows to accent your home with fresh but classic colors and styles. It’s retro for the retro and modern for the modern. Each creation and design opens itself for interpretation by the decorator. This is how you can fall in love with even a dinner plate…

-Steph

Just Buzzin' By

A Buzzin' Good Idea

Yeah, I'm that Mom. The overprotective one. I'll admit it. So when we are at a dine-in restaurant,  I'm the one who is using hand sanitizer and a baby wipe to disinfect the table we are eating at (or in my son's case, ON). Since his food generally doesn't stay on any plate or napkin that I attempt to feed him from, the next best thing I could figure would be some sort of placemat. But not just any placemat; I wanted something compact and easy to travel with, something easy to clean, something that looked pretty cool, but most importantly, something that was safe for my little guy to use as well as chew and suck on (as he does just about everything). After a bit of Internet research, low and behold, I came across mama-created Just Buzzin' By.

As with almost all mama-created products, CEO, Founder, and Scientist Sriti Misra Fusillo was in need of something to keep her from having to clean her floors numerous times due to her newly self-feeding daughter, but was having trouble finding something that met her needs and her stringent requirements. She decided to take matters into her own hands, and that was where Just Buzzin' By became a reality. And the rest of us mama's couldn't be more grateful. With Sriti's concern of PVC in baby and toddler products and her background in Molecular and Cellular Biology, she was able to invent SAFE placemats, bibs, and splashmats that were also effective, funky looking, and affordable. Besides being free of PVC, these items are also free of phthalates and lead, and are completely wipable and machine washable.

With prints like "Surfin'" and "Homerun", it's easy to find something for any little guy, no matter what they are into. And let's not forget the little girls, because honestly, I think those are even cuter with prints like "Couture" and "Pizelle". These (and many more) prints are available in Placemats [$22], Splashmats [$50], and Snap-Pocket Bibs [$22]. With these super cool prints and affordable prices, feel free to mix and match, or maybe even purchase an entire gift set [$40-$90] for your little one or for a friend. You can feel good knowing that these products are safe and your little one can also look good while using them!

Win it!
We have a Snap-Pocket Bib for one messy reader. To enter, email giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com with Buzz as your subject and let us know which pattern is your favorite. Giveaway ends April 08, 2008.

-Jen

Designer Diner

Chalking Boredom Away

This isn't the first time we're sharing our love for the goodness that is Bella Tunno. Already one of our first stops in the realm of mealtime mess prevention, they've added a new product to the line up that will keep the germs away and your little one busy while waiting for your lunch to arrive.

The Designer Diner [$22] is a funky little place mat on one side and a reusable chalk mat on the other. It comes complete with non-toxic colored chalk in a removable pouch and rolls up and ties with one of Bella Tunno's signature ribbons. The bundle is perfect to toss in the diaper bag for those much needed lunch stops on the go, and in addition to the invaluable less whining, more creating bit, it makes us feel a little better to know our little one's munchies aren't mingling with the unknowns of strange tables.

Want it?
Enter MAMASPEAKS20 for 20% off your order.

Wee Go Bottle

Wee Go Green

 

11 months ago, breastfeeding just wasn't in the cards for me. I had been on a medication that was safe during pregnancy, but was unknown as to the effects when taken while breastfeeding a baby. I am hoping by the next little one we have, that problem won't be an issue, because I am seriously envious of all those mama's out there that get to take part in that sort of experience. You are so lucky!

 

I searched high and low for a bottle that met the needs of my son, who ate more at 3 months of age than an average 10 month old and let me tell you, it wasn't an easy task. They all had some sort of "feature" that I didn't like, but I eventually settled for a bottle that became mine (and my son's) favorite. Then while scouring the internet for safer bottle, I came across the Wee Go Bottle [$18] by Babylife. Truthfully, I thought glass baby bottles were a thing of the past and I figured the safety of them weren't so great (due to breakage mainly). But Babylife has that "covered" with their sleek and modern bottle covers. They come in a variety of colors and provide the utmost protection. Did I say protection? Because they also have more than just your baby's skin in mind when it comes to safety, they also want to protect your baby's insides as well. The Wee Go Bottle is 100% non-toxic and free of plastics, bisphenol A, phthalate's, PVC's and polycarbonate's. The nipple is latex-free and non-toxic and the cap, ring, and plug are all food grade, FDA approved and fully recyclable. This company makes it real easy to keep up that green lifestyle that is so important to us.

 

Now, if all those reasons aren't enough to motivate you to ditch the plastic bottles, I don't know what is.

Win it!
We have a Wee Go for one reader! To enter, email giveawasys[at]mamaspeaks.com by midnight Feb. 23, 2008 with Wee as your subject.

 

-Jen

Boon Feeding

My boob loving baby was a little late to the solid food scene. Him not showing much interest until he was nearly a year old means I missed out on a lot of those sloppy spoon feeding sessions. And as much as I am/was/will be happy to nurse him, you all know how much us Mama's anticipate and enjoy the grown-upedness (yes, that's a new one) of babies foodie meals.

One of our favorite makers of mod baby gear, Boon, have recently launched a line of feeding goodies to make mealtime even more fun. From the Squirt [$8], their ingenious baby food dispensing spoon, to the adaptable Benders  [$6] and toddler ready Modwear [$5], your little one will never miss a bite. My dip happy toddler finds the Groovy [$13], well, groovy and any Mama will love the Catch [$7] which lives up to it's name at intercepting spills.

If you want to get my little one really excited just bring out the Fluid [$6]. Finally a cup with a hold that makes sense to tiny hands! The donut shaped design makes things easy for double fisters and the easy flow is great for older babies and toddlers. The two piece design eliminates the chance of losing pesky valves and still seals securely. While touted as a "no-spill" cup, within a few minutes any babe will be able to figure out that a couple of shakes cause a little drippy sprinkler effect. Which is of course great fun, but means this one might be best left at home (definitely not for tossing in a diaper bag).

And even though we were slightly disappointed that the swiveling lid would not stay secure on our Snack Ball [$7] (meaning that not only did snacks get smooshed, but pummeled and evenly distributed over ever surface of our day bag) we are singing the praises of this little culinary collection. The prices are pleasing and we're up for anything that makes feeding time more fun.

Win it!
Boon has a Fluid cup for one thirsty dude (or gal). To enter, email giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com by midnight January 16 with Drink Up as your subject.

Photo Lunchbox

Picture Perfect Lunch

As the winter break ends and we're gearing up for the return to school, there's one item that my son is most excited about taking with him to class.  It's not his new pencils or his pristine new steno pad (the dude is serious about his paper), but his special personalized photo lunchbox that has a picture of him, his brother, and the fish they caught together last fall.  We've said goodbye to those plastic character boxes that he'd lose interest in within a nanosecond (not to mention the skeezy chemicals that were creeping their way into his food from the plastic, no doubt).  Now he'll be sporting this slick, silver box with his special picture reminding him of that fun filled time with family. 

Ogg Studio not only creates adorable and beautiful photography, but they also offer these customized photo lunch boxes [$35] for every kid, or kid at heart, you can think of.  You can use more than just a digital photo, too.  Pick a print, slide, or even the kid's own adorable artwork to put on the lunchbox.  All of this may seem a little much for just a lunchbox, but its price is covered two-fold once you see these adorable boxes and the look on the face of your kids once they take one look at it.  After school, the boxes are also great to use at home as a "suitcase" for cars or dinosaurs, and also as a ramp for army men to ski off of.  Don't ask.

So, with the kickin' box taken care of, your job is almost over.  Now you just need to get them to eat what's in it.

Win it!
Who wants one?! One reader will be able to personalize to their hearts content with their very own lunchbox from Ogg Studio. Just send an email to giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com with Lunchbox as your subject. Ends January 08.

-Arianne

Adiri Natural Nurser

Next Breast Thing

Recently I found myself in the position so many breast feeding mamas have been before--wanting a night out without having to rush home to nurse.  I adore breast feeding and would never want to compromise the nursing relationship I have with my little guy, but a date night now and then isn't really too much to ask for, is it?  I have a great breast pump, so when I tried giving my baby the bottle and he refused, I was frustrated.  When I proceeded to try several other bottle types over the next few weeks, and my baby continued to refuse the bottle, I was even more frustrated.  Actually, I was panicked and saw the next couple years of date nights and "me" time floating away to that place where my sleep and my clean house ran off to as well.  This being my third child, and my first "bottle hater", I figured I was going to have to grin and bear it.  But then a shining light in the shape of a boob (and it wasn't mine) entered our lives, and once again baby and I are happy at last.  Enter the Adiri Natural Nurser Ultimate Bottle.

Adiri (who you might remember from Breastbottle Nurser fame, the original breast shaped bottle) has come out with a new bottle that is shaped like a breast, uses special vents to make sure to keep the bubbles out, and is made 100% polycarbonate-free and bisphenol-A free.  All of this in a sleek and modern design that combine to give you a bottle your BABY WILL TAKE.  I seriously can not stress enough how big of a deal this is for any of you out there that have a hard time getting baby to take a bottle (but then again, if you are struggling with this, you already know the plight of which I speak).  Even if your baby is happily taking a bottle,  getting rid of all those bottle parts and using something that is healthy for baby all at the same time is well worth the price.  The Natural Nurser [$13] is super soft and squishy and actually warms up with the warm milk (just like the breast) so your breast feeding relationship will stay healthy and long-lasting, and the baby will not get the dreaded nipple confusion everyone warned you about.

Just one Adiri Natural Nurser in your house will have you addicted and wanting to replace all those old bottles taking up precious cabinet space in your kitchen.  Don't say I didn't warn you.

Win it!
We have an Adiri Natural Nurser for one bottle-hating babe. Just send us an email (giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com) by midnight January 07 with Bottle as your subject.

-Arianne

TreBimbi Puppets

Dinner Theater

Teaching our children how to eat like the rest of civilization is generally a pretty daunting task. Thankfully, getting my son to eat has been easy enough, even though he skipped the whole baby food step and had no interest in anything other than Mama's Milk until he was over a year old, he's jumped right into the culinary world and is happy to devour anything from the spiciest curries, the blandest tofu or the greenest veggies. Unfortunately, we're seriously lacking in the "mechanics" department.

At 2 he's still content to grab everything from soup to spinach with a chubby little fist and shove it into his mouth. We've tried. Everything. Those plastic keep or toss utensils (mmm, no), melamine flatware (have you ever tried eating steak with a spork?!) and finally the smallest of our "grown-up" silverware (the best we've found but still way too big and much more likely to become instruments of the musical variety). But, Mama's there is hope!

My new friends at Italian Casa have been nice enough to import just the tool we've been lacking. TreBimbi's Puppets Flatware [$24], embrace the theatrical and will leave any little one longing for another bite. Each colorful set includes a fork, knife and spoon that can stand up and snap together like a happy little army ready to attack your plate. With plastic handles and stainless steel smiling "faces" they are the perfect blend of fun and function. And as the name suggests you can slip your finger (or your child's) in to the end of each utensil for a ready made puppet that can sing, dance, and oh, yeah, encourage your tot to eat!

Now instead of slinging soup you'll find us singing praises (quite literally) at our nightly dinner theater, no reservations required.

Win it!
We have a Puppets Club 6 piece set [$50] for one of you! Just send an email to giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com by midnight Dec. 07 with Puppet as your subject.

Geuther Family High Chair

A Chair for all Seasons

One of the worst parts about needing (or is it wanting?) so many baby items is the fact that your baby will grow out of them--physically and mentally--in a seriously short amount of time.  Add to that the fact that the majority of baby items are designed to give you pastel teddy bear nightmares for a month, and it becomes a struggle to equip your home without losing your style or your wallet along the way.  The biggest offender is the high chair, and since expensive and ugly are a bad combination, what’s a modern mama to do?

Brought to the US in 2005, by distributor Euro-baby, the Geuther high chair is an alternative to the typically boring and less than stylish highchairs so many people have at home.  It’s wooden (already a head start in my book) and has a sleek European design, so you won’t need to stash it away in the closet when guests are over. A serious step forward in making your dollars go further, the Geuther [$230] is easily adjustable and turns into a regular chair for kids or adults.  We put it together and tried out all the sitting positions ourselves. Even without the cushion, the chair is comfy and looks great sitting in our home. Thanks to its mod design and mad skillz, it’s quickly become a welcome piece of furniture in our humble abode.

-Arianne

Excuse Me! A Burp Cloth, Only Better

Those of you with gassy babies know the feeling of spit up down the back of your favorite shirt all too well. And why does it always happen two minutes before you're about to walk out the door? Unlike most burp cloths, the Burp Catcher lives up to it's name with a pocket at the bottom to catch any surprises that come with that burp. Mother's around the world are going to be wondering why they didn't think this up sooner!

You can choose from several "designer" prints,  snuggly fleece or modern flannel and at $12-$16 you can afford to get more than one. You can bet my Burp Catcher is always in one of two places...the washing machine or my diaper bag. I've learned the hard way to always be armed and ready.

Win it!
A burp catcher in bloom anyone? Send an email to reviews[at]mamaspeaks.com by midnight October 31 with the name of the mama behind this invention.

-Jaymi

Don't Knock It 'Til You Klip It

Raise your hand if you love bibs. Anyone? Didn’t think so. It’s near impossible to find a bib you can tolerate, much less one you love, right? If you’re like me, and you can’t find a bib that doesn’t make you cringe from cutesy over-load, you’ll love the idea of Kipiis bib clips [$12]. You simply take the two round clips, attach them to anything spill-worthy (napkin, towel, tarp, etc.), and you are good to go. Your little sweetie is covered for meal-time, finger-paint time or drool time, and all you had to keep handy was the Kipiis. Instead of feeling guilty over all the cartoon character bibs saying “Mommy’s Cutest Angel EVER”, which are collecting dust back home, keep Kipiis in your diaper bag, purse, or car and you’ll always have a clean and dry babe. We may not love bibs, but we do love Kipiis.

Win it!
We're giving away a pair of Kipiis Bib Clips to one lucky Mama. Just send an email to reviews@mamaspeaks[dot]com by midnight, October 26 and let us know what color Kipiis are available.
-Arianne

Baby's First Wet Suit

It never fails, I finally get my son, the self-proclaimed "naked boy", dressed for a special occasion and then he needs a snack. Now I know you're thinking, well, then give him a snack before you get him dressed lady, but really it doesn't matter. He could have had a 3 course meal before the clothes went on and with them comes a hunger (if you saw what it takes to get him dressed you would understand, really). And of course he wants something wonderfully messy - yogurt, applesauce, blueberries... I suggest something safe - banana? nuts? the forbidden cracker? And yet, no matter what I give him, it seems to end up liquefied and down the front of his shirt. My husband will stroll into the room with a perfectly timed, "I thought that bib was waterproof?" Well, yeah, so did I.

I think I've actually made a joke or two about just stuffing him in a wet suit at feeding time and guess what- someone took it seriously. Built NY (you may recognize some of their grown-up gear) has developed a line of wonderfully fabulous bibs, made out of... you guessed it- the same stuff as wet suits. The super soft, ultra-waterproof neoprene* makes for an unbeatable bib. The sturdy Tidy bibs [$7] come in contrasting solid colors (it even comes in black, hello!) and feature the perfect crumb catcher for all those messy bites. The smaller version [$5] available for the 0-1 set is glorious as well.

And it doesn't stop there. My favorite offering from Built NY is the Hungry Tote [$20]. Also made from neoprene, this roomy tote is the perfect carry all for a days worth of snacks, a lunch al fresco or babies bottle supply. It is insulated just enough to keep things cool and best of all, is leak free. Really. I had my hungry tote packed full and stashed in a larger bag when a full water bottle decided to implode, sure the inside of the bag was a mess, but nothing else got wet. And thankfully, you can just toss the whole thing in the washing machine.

The prices can't be beat, so give them a go. We promise, you (and those discarded dress shirts) will thank us.

 

Win it!

We have a couple of bibs for a couple of you. Send an email by midnight October 11 to reviews@mamaspeas[dot]com and let us know the names of father's behind Built NY.

*All of Built NY's products are vinyl and PVC free and tested for lead safety. However, neoprene is a synthetic material.

Dwink it Up

Most mamas know that juice boxes usually mean one thing- a mess. On the floor, on the clothes and even on the car seat, juice boxes can be a thorn in the side of any fun day. Unfortunately, Mama’s desire to avoid spills doesn’t jive with her Little Angel’s desire to drink like a “big boy”. In to save the day, and Mama’s sanity, is a mom-invented product that not only solves the problem of juicy over-flow, but it does so stylishly. 

Dwink is a juice box holder that accommodates regular size boxes, smaller juice boxes, soy milk boxes, and even pouch-style drinks. At just under $5 each, you can afford to try each of the 4 colors Dwink holders come in, and its made of plastic that is nice and sturdy (a must for this mama and her rowdy boys). The best part? Dwink’s non-slip bottom further reduces your likelihood of needing to convince the dog to step up and earn her keep by polishing the floor with her tongue. So, while Dwink might not be a favorite of the dog, it is a favorite of kids and mom’s alike.

Win it!
If you'd like a Dwink for your little ones just send us an email (reviews@mamaspeak[dot]com) titled "I'll Dwink to that!" by midnight October 7.

A Bungee for Your Binkie

We all know that even though it may "build up immunities," no Mama really wants to see her child retrieve a pacifier from the floor and pop it into their sweet little mouth. 

Whether we're out in public, in the car, or even at home, my kiddo frequently sees something more appetizing than his little sucker, and more often than not, will simply allow it to free fall from his mouth, making room for the new "snack".  Now, thanks to Bella Tunno's Binker [$8], I don't have to carry a truckload of backups, and I don't have to worry about bulky cartoon characters!  Keep your binkies close and clean with this safety-tested pacifier clip.  It comes in 30 stylish grosgrain ribbon options, and the attachment clip has rubber tips that protect little clothes from snags and damage. 

The Binker doesn't have to stand alone, though.  Your trend-setting tot can flaunt other funky and fun baby basics- including bibs, burp cloths, diaper changing pads, and play smocks.  These products can be bought separately or in shower-ready gift sets.

Better yet, not only are the designs great, but so is the cause.  Bella Tunno donates a portion of all proceeds to drug-rehabilitation related organizations.

-Carol

Win it!
Protect your "Wild Child" with a laminate bib from Bella Tunno. Just send your answer to the following question to reviews@mamaspeaks.com by midnight August 25. What is Bella Tunno's tag line?

Mama Speaks readers get 20% off ANY purchase at Bella Tunno! Enter code MT20 at checkout.

Yummy Baby

If you're anything like me when you find something you love you stick with it. From food to fabrics once I'm hooked I'm all the way in. Babylicious delivers beautifully in fabric department. Their collections feature a variety of products available in coordinating designs so you can mix and match everything from babies nursery to their bath gear. And aside from just looking great this stuff will stand us to the wear and tear a little one brings. 

One of our favorite offerings is the get messy bib, available in two sizes for babies and tots. Whether you're looking for a cover all as your little one learns to feed himself or a smock for your budding artist this bib will keep the messy away from the clothes. And the Yummy Blanket is just that. Style meets warmth and comfort here with a smooth cotton print on one side and cozy fleece on the other. And the generous size means its well suited for swaddling or snuggling up with your yummy bundle of joy. Delicious!

Win it!
Would you like your very own Yummy Blanket (Groovy Pink)? Just send us an email - reviews@mamaspeaks[dot]com by midnight August 15.

Fresh and Klean

We all know that water is by far the best drink for Mama's and toddlers alike. Especially in these dog days of summer it's important to stay hydrated, but all too often we grab our water to go in plastic bottles. While you might argue that you recycle your plastic, nine out ten water bottles are thrown in the trash (adding up to over 30 million per day!) and it takes one plastic bottle over 1,000 years to biodegrade. If the waste isn't enough to send you to your faucet you might be surprised to realize that many brands of bottled water are just that- tap water that has been packaged and shipped to your local store.

Klean Kanteen was created to encourage better health, hydration and environmental responsibility. Their lightweight, reusable, stainless steel bottles are perfect for quenching your thirst on the go. The stainless steel is toxin-free, non-leaching and will keep your beverages fresh and cool. Klean Kanteen's 12oz sippy [$18] is the perfect fit for little hands and lunch boxes, and the sippy adapter can be exchanged for a sport cap as your little one grows. For the rest of us there a 3 larger sizes [$18-$26] and an array of accessories to satisfy your thirst in any situation.

We'll have to admit that it took some getting used to washing and reusing rather than chuging from a plastic bottle and tossing it in our recycling bin. But, the piece of mind knowing that we're eliminating a little waste from our lives and providing our families with fresh water is worth the extra few seconds it takes. Just fill up, refresh, repeat.

Crumb Catcher

We're currently mastering the art of eating with utensils and drinking from cups in my house. It's all great fun but also a great mess. Thankfully, the pocket bibs [$8]from Silly Billyz have been a life (and clothing) saver. The high quality fleece and nylon bib will catch all those crumbs and keep clothes dry. Plus, the adjustable snap closure makes it perfect for babes from 3 months to 3 years. I'm still debating if it's best feature is the fact it's PVC free or that you can toss it in the washing machine.

If the pocket bib isn't for you, biblets are the prefect choice for tiny babes and the long sleeved bibs are great for super sloppy eaters or just protecting clothes from your tot's finger painting project. And all of Silly Billyz offerings are available in a variety of colors to match any outfit or suit your mood.

Click here for 10% off any purchase!

Win it!
We're giving away a Navy Star Pocket Bib! Just let us know what other products are available from Silly Billyz by emailing reviews@mamaspeaks[dot]com by midnight, July 26.

It’s Hot, Put on Some Sleeves!

We’re moms. We all too often rely on caffeinated beverages for refueling when sleep is not an option. It's safe to say most of the time these pick me ups are on the go, go, go!  Let’s be honest, we don’t lug home all of our empty beverage containers to make sure they get recycled.  That’s an awful lot paper products being tossed in the trash, but with Cup Couture cup coats you can eliminate almost half the waste. Highly fashionable and practical? How often does that happen?  I just keep one in my purse or diaper bag so it’s always on hand.  Plus the bold prints are much more exciting to look at.  Cardboard does nothing for coffee aesthetics. 

We love our Jennifer sleeve from the Diva collection ($12) but maybe the Glamorous line ($16) is just what you’re looking for to spruce up your 3-day old outfit.  If you really need one as truly unique as you are, each cup coat from the T-zur collection ($32) is one of a kind, made from recycled t-shirt art. (You'll have to fight me for the Betty Page.)

Let something other than your sleep-deprived eyes make the statement when you’re getting your fix.  Just make it a triple, non-fat, white chocolate mocha, hold the sleeve please!

- Cara

Say "Bye-Bye" to Soggy Shirts

Let’s face it; most bibs go for function over fashion.  This might be fine at the dinner table but if you have a little drooler Skibz [$12.00-$15.99] are perfect for you. The handkerchief style scarf/bib hybrids are designed to catch spit up, drool and that which inevitably escapes baby’s mouth at meal time, or anytime. The bibs snap to two sizes perfect for baby or toddler, and are made out of 100% cotton materials with an absorbent under layer to keep clothes dry. Best of all Skibz come in 26 designer styles from basic black to funky disco dot to classic cowboy. With so many options you're certain to find one to match every outfit in baby's wardrobe. The perfect meeting of fashion and function, this is one accessory you'll soon find you can't live without!

It gets better... we're giving away a Fruitie Dot Skibz Bib! Just email the name of Skibz playmate to reviews@mamaspeaks[dot]com by midnight July 5. Plus Mama Speaks readers can get 30% off any purchase at SkibzBaby.com by using the code Hot Mama!