April 27, 2010

Show & Tell : Aden + Anais

April 27, 2010/ molly balint

their story:

Aden + Anais has brought the legacy of muslin together with fashion forward design to create a line of products that are as stylish as they are useful; and as simple as they are beautiful. We believe in muslin--the way it looks, the way it feels, the way it works--to improve the lives of babies and their mothers no matter who they are or where they live.

about muslin:

When it came time to decide what fabric we would use in our products, and especially, in our swaddles we turned to the traditional practices of motherhood -- practices that transcend all boundaries of time and culture -- and chose muslin. Durable and gentle. Soft and strong. Breathable and comfortable. Time-tested and pure. Today, aden + anais is the steward of muslin's long legacy and ardent believers in its ability to bring mothers and babies closer together.

my thoughts:

I have an aden + anais's cozy sleeping bag for Birdy and I really love it. The muslin is the perfect amount of warmth and protection on these chilly spring nights and it is comforting to have her "swaddled" in a sleep sac versus wrapped up in blankets. Not to mention the fact that I love the print and style. Aden + Anais has beautiful muslin products on their website, provides great instruction on swaddling babies (something I must perfect with my fussy baby number four) and is also doing great charitable work around the world. It is a company that is making helpful, healthy (and stylish) products for children, and also striving to do good in the world around them.

A GIVEAWAY!!

aden + anais is generously giving away a cozy sleeping bag in print and size of your choice to one lucky mommycoddle reader. simply leave a comment on this post to be entered. the winner will be announced on Monday, May 3rd.

For an extra entry, simply copy and "retweet" this line:

@mommycoddle I'm giving away an @adenandanais cozy sleeping bag as part of a week of GREAT BABY GIVEAWAYS! http://bit.ly/amhOHf

then remember to come back and let us know that you did!

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Show & Tell disclaimer

April 26, 2010

Show & Tell : Ergo Baby Carriers

April 26, 2010/ molly balint

Their Story: from Karin Frost, ERGOBaby Creator

One of the greatest gifts anyone can be given is the opportunity to be a parent. I remember when my son was only a few days old, sound asleep in his bassinet; my strong desire to pick him up and hold him close to my heart dominated any other need. My mothering instinct to keep him safe, secure and content has always been my driving force, and when I started ERGObaby, my intention was to create a product line that would promote and enhance the ability of parents to safely and comfortably keep their babies close to them as often as possible. Eight years later, my research into the science behind babywearing has affirmed my mothering instincts. I know, beyond a doubt, that bonding with and nurturing our babies from infancy with the help of babywearing is absolutely the best way.

My Thoughts:

If I had to make a short list of baby necessities, a baby carrier would definitely make it in the top five. To me, they truly are a necessity--not only for the convenience of hands-free time, but also for the bonding and comfort of wearing my babies close to my chest.

With almost each child, I have to confess to trying a different style carrier. So one could say that I have a lot of experience! But my biggest complaint with each of the carriers was the strain these popular brands put on my back and shoulders. When a good friend introduced me to the ERGO Baby Carrier, I had a feeling that this would be the perfect carrier to comfortably carry my babies from birth to the days when they were happily toted around on my back.

And as most of you know, my first few weeks with Birdy have been tough. Trying to get to the root of her fussiness has meant long days with an inconsolable baby. And in most cases, I have found that snuggling her into the extremely soft and comfortable Infant Insert (which is much like swaddling her) and putting her in the ERGO baby carrier calmed her. And it has given me times of quiet and peace with her. (Not to mention a chance to get a few things done around the house.) It is comfortable, easy to put on and I have felt no strain on my neck, back or shoulders. And most importantly, Birdy is peaceful and comfortable.

A GIVEAWAY!!

Thanks to the generous folks at ERGOBaby, one lucky MommyCoddle reader will receive an ERGObaby Infant Insert and baby carrier. Simply leave a comment on this post to be entered and one random winner will be selected and announced on Monday, May 3rd.

For ONE extra entry do one of the following and then come back here to leave another comment letting us know that you did:

Follow ERGObaby on Twitter

Become a Fan on Facebook

February 11, 2010

the winners

February 11, 2010/ molly balint

Despite my late posting today, the power is on and the storm has passed. Now the cleaning and clearing fun can begin...

The winners of the Moleskine giveaway are :

Deb who said:

My kids love them because of the famous people they know who also used them :)

and

Kristin who said:

oh, I would love to win! I've never even had a moleskin, and I keep hearing people rave about them!

Congratulations! Please send me an email with your contact information and we'll work out all the shipping details.

February 08, 2010

Show & Tell : moleskine

February 08, 2010/ molly balint

I have a problem. Maybe even an addiction. And I'm pretty sure this is a safe place to admit it. To come clean. Because something tells me there are other addicts among us.

I am addicted to journals and planners. All things organizational. All that blank space for ideas and lists.

It used to be that almost any journal could suck me in --lined, unlined, spiral, hardbound, wide ruled, college ruled...

But with time and experience and as I've honed my addiction, I've come to realize that there is one company that just gets it right. That has managed to think of all the things I want in a journal/planner -- from a tiny pocket in the back, to the "feel" of the page, to the amount of writing space.

That company would be Moleskine. They have really managed to capture the perfect balance between planner space and journal space, and they do both very well.

So I am really excited this morning to be able to offer a bundle of moleskine goodies to TWO lucky mommycoddle readers.

Each bundle will include a Color-A-Month calendar and a pocket sized address book, as well as a few other tidbits, that I know you'll use and enjoy.

Be sure to check out all that Moleskine has to offer as well as their new colors--blues, pinks? I love it.

In order to enter, simply leave a comment on this post and I'll announce the two random winners on Thursday. Good luck!

*Please note: I will be shipping out the winner's prizes myself, so I am asking each winner to pay for shipping (via paypal). Please be sure you are willing to do this, before you enter. Some of the products have been removed from their clear plastic packaging for "inspection" for my review, but are in perfect condition, otherwise.

January 11, 2010

Show & Tell : Wonderfluff

January 11, 2010/ molly balint

Today's Show & Tell is sure to add a little inspiration to your fabric stash. Liz Scott is the fabric designer behind the amazingly fun and inspired etsy shop, Wonderfluff.

I asked Liz to share a bit about herself and her shop :

I was born and raised in Michigan, and now I reside in Los Angeles. I'm a 33 year old Capricorn living with my husband and one gray cat named Zipper. I am a graphic designer by day and a freeform stuff maker by night. Whenever I see a fabric swatch from the late sixties or vintage scandinavian cookware, my heart beats a bit faster. I love to paint, draw, sew and constantly rework the look and feel of all the rooms in my apartment. I've always made stuff and I always will because it gives me peace and energy at the same time.

I make what I like and what I enjoy making. I strive for expression in my work, not perfection (that part is hard sometimes). I am consistently drawn to all that is bold and graphic. I love rambunctious color palettes, optical illusions, repetition and insane amounts of detail. I’ve been like this for as long as I can remember.

Today Liz is giving away four fat quarters to one MommyCoddle reader from her new collection called "Sugar Pop"(seen below).

Leave a comment to be entered in the drawing. I'll announce the winner on Thursday!

A little more about the fabrics in the Wonderfluff shop :

All fabric designs are available in the following fabric types:

-Quilting Weight Cotton
-Upholstery Weight Cotton Twill
-Organic Cotton Sateen
-Organic Cotton Interlock Knit
-Bamboo Cotton Rayon
-Linen-Cotton Canvas

All fabrics are available in sample size, fat quarter, half yard, and full yard increments. Multiple yardage is also available.

If you would like a certain design in a different fabric or a different amount than listed in the shop, please convo or email me and I can create a custom listing. Special orders do take approximately 2 weeks for delivery from time of order depending on your location.

Liz is also offering MommyCoddle readers a 15% discount in her shop, beginning today and running through the end of the month. Simply enter "MOMMYCODDLE" in the notes to seller box and Liz will refund you the discount via paypal, right away.

Liz's Website