Guest Review: Cotton Babies bumGenius Bamboo Cloth Diaper and Wipes

This is a guest review by Erin of Connected2Christ

Over this year, I've discovered so many wonderful benefits of bamboo such as 100% biodegradable, sustainable, and it also grows super fast making it a renewable resource! Bamboo is also extremely soft, absorbent and very breathable so it's great for keeping your baby cool, dry and comfortable especially when it's hot out.

I was given the opportunity by Cotton Babies to review a bumGenius DELUXE Bamboo Fitted Cloth Diaper as well as a couple of the bumGenius bamboo wipes.
The wipes, though made from Bamboo, I found not as soft and as absorbent as the flannel ones I've used. I would possibly use these for other things but not on my daughter's sensitive bottom. Note that I was recommended to try fabric softener but have not been able to as of yet since I normally don't usually use it as it's built into my laundry detergent. See more reviews of these wipes at Cotton Babies!

I found the diaper super soft to the touch and I'm sure my daughter really enjoys wearing it. The things I like about this diaper are as follows:

* It's naturally stretchy making it the perfect fit for your growing baby
* It's available in sizes extra small ( 6-12lbs) to Large (20-30lbs)
*They are super absorbent, we've had no leaks at all!
* Velcro closure, great for children learning to potty train!
* Not as bulky as other cloth diapers my daughter has worn!

A few issues I've had with the diaper...

* Because they are super absorbent, I've had to run these in the dry cycle 3-4 times

*These run a little small, so I would recommend getting the next size up

* Velcro closures - not good for babies that tend to take off their diapers, I would recommend using a diaper cover!

I'm still on the search for the perfect cloth diapers and supplies. I hope my review will benefit someone in someway as I know lots of other people are also on this search. See more reviews of the bumGenius bamboo diapers at Cotton Babies!

These diapers and wipes retail for 12.95 each at Cotton Babies. Why not check out their site to see all the other products they have to offer?

♥ Erin, when she's not chasing her sweet little girl Melody around the house, blogs over at Connected2Christ. Go check her blog out! She has some great giveaways, reviews, and is a wonderful person to get to know. :-)


All items reviewed were sent for free by the company or manufacturer in exchange for an honest review.

If you have a moment, leave a comment -
It'll make me jump up and down for joy! :-)

Stay Organized With a Mrs. Smith Diaper Bag! {Review}

Confession: One of my downfalls is organization. I've never been an organized person. Seriously, you should see my computer desk right now.

Imagine how having a baby impacted that - suddenly I needed a million little things (and big things) and I needed them NOW! Crying babies have a way of making you frantically scramble through your diaper bag, hoping to find that pacifier/bottle/snack in a split second. But does it happen? Not for me! I've had diaper bags that had to be completely up-ended and dumped out before I could find what I needed. Not fun at all.

But no more! I have finally found a diaper bag that works for me (literally) in the form of a Mrs. Smith Diaper Bag by Whoda Thought.

What makes this bag special and sets it apart from the others? It's a hopelessly unorganized mother's dream solution! There are no deep dark holes that you can lose stuff in, and there are actually compartments and a drawer. Yep, a smart mom finally invented a diaper bag with a drawer, and it actually works!

You can read Rachael Smith's inspiring story here.

Check this out! In the Mrs. Smith's Diaper Bag, you can fit:

• Two bottles and one sippy cup in their own insulated holders
• Jars of baby food
• Two pacifiers
• Lots of snacks and toys
• Four to five sets of clothing (smaller baby clothes, I'd say)
• Wipes in a their own wipes container
• Six diapers
• A washable, full-sized changing
  pad (is included!)
• And dedicated places for your keys, cell phone, sunglasses, credit cards, cash, ID
  and water bottle

Oh, AND guess what? It can be worn as a messenger bag (over your shoulder) or a backpack! I've been looking for a good diaper bag that can be worn as a backpack and I've found it!

Seeing is believing, don't you agree? Then check out this video review of the Mrs. Smith Diaper Bag:

I found the Mrs. Smith diaper bag to be well-made and stylish, and it helps me stay organized! My favorite features are that it transitions from a messenger bag to a backpack, and the pockets. There are pockets for cell phones, pockets for cups, a pocket for sunglasses, and more! Also a place to hook your keychain. This makes me very happy. ;-)

I should mention that it isn't quite as roomy as I thought it would be - it's organized, but it's not a bottomless pit for all your stuff. It will, however, hold what your baby or toddler needs and your necessities like wallet, sunglasses, and keys. Maybe this'll stop me from throwing things in there that don't need to be taken with me. Believe it or not, my (previous) diaper bag has been known to hold things that are totally unneccesary and possibly... gross. This bag will definitely cut down on those occurrences. ;-)

I've gotta mention that I have always had two bags - a purse and a diaper bag. But now I'll only be carrying the diaper bag when we head out. Thanks, Mrs. Smith! :-)

Visit Whoda Thought to find out where you can buy the Mrs. Smith Diaper Bag. It retails for about 69.99.

Giveaway Closed.

Rachel Smith is generously giving TWO of you your very own Mrs. Smith Diaper Bag! That's right, two winners!

How To Enter (mandatory): Visit Whoda Thought and tell me what your favorite feature, design, or function of the bag is! Please leave your email address in your comment so I can let you know if you win!

Extra Entries (Optional) (Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry)

• Follow/Subscribe to this blog (+1 extra entry each)
• Add my blog to your Technorati Favorites and/or stumble this post (+1 extra entry each)
• Add my button to your sidebar (+1 extra entry)
• Blog about this giveaway (+3 extra entries)
• Follow my blog on Facebook's Networked blogs here! (+1 extra entry)
  
• Follow me on Twitter (@kindred_spirit) (+1 extra entry)
• Tweet this giveaway and/or share on Facebook (+1 extra entry each) Copy/Paste this:
  

  #Giveaway - two winners! Win a super organized Mrs. Smith Diaper Bag http://bit.ly/2SNIWO @kindred_spirit
  

• Grab my 2009 Holiday Gift Giveaway Extravaganza button and put it in your sidebar! (+2 extra entries!)

• 
  
  
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Giveaway will be closed on November 10 at midnight and winner notified by email - good luck, everyone!

Disclaimer: Whoda Thought provided me with a Mrs. Smith Diaper Bag for review and testing purposes. This in no way sways my opinion or my post. This review is 100% my own opinion and my own content. I was not reimbursed in any other way for this post.

See complete rules and disclaimers regarding giveaways here.

WoollyBums Bamboo Cloth Diaper Giveaway {Closed}

Today I want to introduce you to WoollyBums, a mom-owned Etsy store specializing in lovingly hand-sewn cloth diapers for your little one!

Alicia, owner of WoollyBums

The thing that makes this shop special is that the diapers are made with organic bamboo cotton!

Oh, and they're super cute. ;-)

What's so special about bamboo fabric?

♥ It's super soft, almost silky - kind to baby's bottom.
♥ It keeps skin dryer than cotton - very absorbent.
♥ It's breathable.
♥ Antibacterial, hypoallergenic, and odor-resistant!
♥ Strong and durable.
♥ 100% biodegradable (making folks who want to go greener happy!).

I personally LOVE bamboo fabric. Love love LOVE! I would use it for everything if I could afford it, lol. Okay, I'm getting off track here. ;-) You can find out more about my experiences with bamboo fabric here.

(Margaret's baby AppleBlossom sporting a
WoollyBums one size pink chickadees diaper)

What Moms Think:

WoollyBums has many happy customers...
check out their 100% positive feedback!

Read my friend Margaret's (Creative Madness) full review of the WoollyBums Newborn/Small and One-Size bamboo cloth diapers here!

Giveaway!

Guess what? WoollyBums is generously going to give one of you a WoollyBums one-size bamboo cloth diaper! Giveaway open to US only.

How To Enter (mandatory): Visit WoollyBums, then come back to this post and leave a comment telling me which diaper you like the most! Please leave your email address in your comment so I can let you know if you win!

Extra Entries (Optional) (Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry)

• Read and comment on Margaret's WoollyBums cloth diaper review! Come back here and leave a comment letting me know you did it. :-) (+1 extra entry)
• Follow the WoollyBums blog here (She's so sweet, you'll be glad you did!) (+1 extra entry)
• Add my blog to your Technorati Favorites and/or stumble this post (+1 extra entry each)
• Follow/Subscribe to this blog (+1 extra entry each)
• Add my button to your sidebar (+1 extra entry)
• Blog about this giveaway (+3 extra entries)
• Follow my blog on Facebook's Networked blogs here! (+1 extra entry)
• Follow me on Twitter (@kindred_spirit) (+1 extra entry)
• Tweet this giveaway and/or share on Facebook (+1 extra entry each) Copy/Paste this:
  

  New giveaway for cloth diapering moms! Win a one-size bamboo cloth diaper of your choice from WoollyBums! http://bit.ly/ReszT #clothdiapers
  

• Grab my 2009 Holiday Gift Giveaway Extravaganza button and put it on your blog! (+2 extra entries!)
  
  
  
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Giveaway will be closed on October 31 at midnight and winner notified by email - good luck, everyone!

See complete rules and disclaimers regarding giveaways here.


Thank you sooo much for sharing this post! :-)

Stitches So Sweet Custom Embroidered Bloomer/Diaper Cover Review & Giveaway!

Looking for the perfect gift? Look no further than Stitches So Sweet! Here you'll find charming personalized gifts for the whole family - from baby diaper covers, bibs, and hooded towels to blankets, pillowcases, tees, and totes. You can get pretty much anything embroidered on anything you can think of!

I have had the BEST experience here ever. Jill Daniels, mom who owns Stitches So Sweet and embroiders all of the products herself, is very sweet and patient when it comes to helping you figure out exactly what you want and goes the extra mile to make sure you get it! I don't know about you, but that's the kind of person I want to work with when buying gifts - for myself and others.

Treasures found at Stitches So Sweet:

Custom embroidery

Diaper covers and tooth fairy pillows

Burp cloths

Bathroom sets for boys and girls

And so much more! If you can think of it, Jill can do it! :-)

Review:

I was thrilled to be able to review a pair of custom embroidered "baby bloomers" or diaper covers. I asked for two different sizes because my daughter is growing so fast, size 12-18 months and 18-24 months. I'm glad I did because they both fit her. The 18-24 months size is still a little bit baggy but adorable. I'm glad to have a pair she will be able to grow into, too.

This is the 12-18 month size diaper cover - I asked that "Princess" be embroidered on the back of a white bloomer in pink writing. I am thrilled with the result!


I loved customizing my diaper covers and was very glad Jill was so patient with me as I corresponded with her, wondering how much would fit onto the back of the diaper cover, what size I should get, etc. I was able to choose from three different bloomer colors - white, ecru, or pink. I chose one pair in pink and one in white. There are many different thread colors to choose from (for the text), and I even was able to choose from a variety of different fonts!

The next decision I had to make was what text I wanted embroidered on the back of the bloomers. Pretty much anything goes, but the most common are monograms, names, and even the first name with an initial overlying that (see example here). There are also designs such as frogs and flowers that can be embroidered along with a name.

I love these diaper covers - they're well-made, very professionally embroidered, and definitely some of the cutest bloomers I've ever seen!

I love the way they look under summer dresses! I put short dresses on her just I can show off the bloomers. :-)

See a complete gallery of Stitches So Sweet diaper covers here.

All diapers are $13 each. Buy 2 or more and get them for $12 each!

Giveaway!

Stitches So Sweet is generously offering a $25 gift certificate to one of my readers!
US Only, please.

Mandatory Entry:

Visit Stitches So Sweet and tell me what your favorite product is, and what you would have embroidered! Please either leave your email address in one of your entry comments or make sure it's in your Blogger profile!

Extra Entries (Optional) (Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry)

• Tell me in a comment what other products you think Stitches So Sweet should carry (+1 extra entry)
• Add my blog to your Technorati Favorites/stumble this post (+1 extra entry each)
• Follow/Subscribe to this blog (+1 extra entry each)
• Add my button to your sidebar (+1 extra entry)
• Blog about this giveaway (+3 extra entries)
• Follow Stitches So Sweet on Twitter (+1 extra entry)
• Follow me on Twitter (@kindred_spirit) (+1 extra entry)
• Tweet this giveaway/share on Facebook (+1 extra entry each) Copy/Paste this:
  

  Giveaway @kindred_spirit! Custom embroidered gifts at @stitchessosweet - Embroidered diaper covers reviewed! http://bit.ly/El2U3

  Winner will be drawn on August 28 and notified by email - good luck, everyone!
  

Disclosure: Although Stitches So Sweet sent me sample diaper covers to review, it does not affect the honesty of this review. I always share my honest thoughts and experiences!

See complete rules and disclaimers regarding giveaways here.



Thank you sooo much for sharing this post! :-)

Posh Pads Bamboo Nursing Pads Guest Review

*Look for new extra entries opportunities for the Posh Pads giveaway at the end of this post*

Today I have an AWESOME guest review on Posh Pads by Margaret from Creative Madness:

In case you missed the memo, I am currently 29 weeks pregnant, with about 11 weeks to go. I am so eager to meet my little girl, but goodness me do I even know my body anymore? Some days I sincerely wonder...

When, my Mama blogging buddy Lindsey from A Kindred Spirit's Thoughts asked me if I would do a guest review for her Bamboo for Baby event, I thought sure, that would be great, one less thing for me to buy, yet to enjoy. To find out even more about Posh Pads, see Lindsey's original Posh Pads Giveaway post (giveaway ends June 5, so hurry and get your entries in before then!).

So, in the mail I received my Posh Pads. Absolutely beautiful was the first thought I had! The second was aren't these a little large? Well, I read the instructions and washed before wearing and when they came out of the wash, they were not really smaller. Meaning I would not say they shrunk, but they were tighter and perfect feeling. I inserted them into the bra (also, bamboo -- I'll get to that in another post). And my goodness! They are mine and you cannot have them!!

It was probably around preggo week 17 when I first realized the necessity of nursing pads, however it was not until week 28 that I realized the necessity of sleeping with them as well. I had obtained some disposables that are much like a plastic diaper for boobs as well as some reusable from a major brand name. They are itchy and I am always readjusting and just taking them out half way through the day when I just cannot take it anymore.

Victorian Blu

Now, for the Posh Pads. My pair was the Victorian Blu and my oh my. I put them in first thing in the morning and completely forget that they are even there! They are so pretty that when I do see them during a shirt change or something at any time, they make me smile in a ridiculous giggly girl sort of way. Never once did I have to readjust and I would not dream of taking them out during the day.

Main thoughts: comfy! pretty! soft! very pleasantly hide the forever hardened nipples of pregnancy... and I could rave more and more...

Frankly, when I get an item for review, they are usually pretty nice. They often lead me to encourage others to go buy one. This is the first time, where less than a week after owning, I emailed up the owners with a desperate plea of GIVE ME MORE!!!! So yes, Monday of this week I put in my own order for 7 more pairs! And I'm checking the mailbox daily with impatience, and no they did not arrive today... *sigh* Maybe tomorrow!!



Note from Lindsey: Thanks, Margaret! And SMART move buying 7 more pairs - you need nursing pads even more often (amazingly enough) after the baby is born. Lucky lucky! :-)

New Extra Entry Opportunities:

For the Posh Pads giveaway, I'm giving you more chances to win by doing the following, then going to the Posh Pads Giveaway Post and leaving a comment there, letting me know you did one or all three:

♥ Follow the Creative Madness blog (+1 extra entry)
♥ Subscribe to the Creative Madness blog by Email or FeedBurner (+1 extra entry)
♥ Follow Margaret on Twitter (+1 extra entry)

Thank you sooo much for sharing this post! :-)