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AMP Duo Diaper Review & Giveaway (10/12)

Oct 5,2010 / By Maria / 20 Comments

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My first sponsored review/giveaway for my “A Year of Fluff” Event is the AMP duo Pocket Diaper. AMP Diapers is a Canadian company that makes sized pocket, AIO and AI2 diapers, inserts, boosters and the great one-size duo diaper I reviewed.

The Duo Diaper is a one-size diaper (via a snap down rise). It has a PUL outer and stay dry fleece inner.

The inserts come in two layer hemp, three layer hemp (for naps and bedtime), as well as bamboo and cotton fleece.

The Duo Diaper has a nice, wide, easy to stuff pocket.

and snap closure.

The One-Size diaper is estimated to fit babies from 7-35 pounds.

Here it is on the small setting, as well as stretched:

Medium and stretched:

Large and stretched:

I received a bamboo insert, and a two layer hemp insert. The inserts are color coded by their stitching so it’s easy to remember which is which.

What makes this a “Duo Diaper” is that you can use it with the insert stuffed inside the pocket, or lay it on top and use it as an all-in-two. As long as the fleece isn’t damp or soiled, re-use the shell with a fresh insert.

It’s no secret that pocket diapers with a stay dry inner are my favorite, so that’s how I used it. I prepped the inserts just a few times before the first use, and they have continued to gain absorbency as I use them. The AMP is neither the trimmest nor the bulkiest diaper I have, but the diaper fits well and absorbs like crazy; no leaks! The diaper retails for $18.95 from Snooty Booty Diapers. A 2-layer hemp insert in lieu of microfiber adds about $4.50 to the cost, $5.95 if purchased separately.

Giveaway: Amp diapers is sending a Duo Diaper and hemp insert to one lucky blog reader!

Here’s how to enter: All entries go in the form below. Feel free to leave a comment about the post, or simply to remind yourself that you entered however, comments will not be counted as entries Mandatory entries include name, email address and ~~your favorite AMP Diaper color~~ ~~(there are tons!) You may~~ ~~“like” AMP Diapers on Facebook~~ ~~and/or~~ ~~follow AMP Diapers on Twitter~~ ~~for bonus entries. This post will be updated daily (or so) with the # of entries received, for those of you who like to know your odds.~~

I will accept entries until Tuesday, October 12th 2010 at 9 P.M. Eastern. I will select a winner using random.org’s true random number generator and notify him/her by email. Winner has 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is chosen. View my ~~giveaway rules~~ page for complete details. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

Entries as of October 12th, 2010 at 9:00 P.M.: 315

https://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dEFROUswUGhoX3ZjZWFsLWoyVGRuaEE6MQ

FTC Compliance: I was provided with a review product at no charge; I was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own.

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FuzziBunz Perfect Size Diaper Review & Giveaway (CLOSED 10/9)

Oct 2,2010 / By Maria / 23 Comments

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When I was expecting my daughter (she’s 5 1/2 now) I did a little research and thought I’d want to try FuzziBunz Perfect size diapers. 6 years ago, there just wasn’t the wealth of information that there is now (or if there was, I didn’t know where to find it!) So, I thought this was an appropriate review/giveaway to start my one year cloth-iversary event!

I knew I’d probably need around 25 in each size however, I (wrongly) thought I would need to buy XS, S, M, L and XL diapers which is no savings over disposables. That, combined with the cost of washing (we had city water with outrageous out of city water/sewer rates) and already feeling overwhelmed with the idea of new motherhood, closed the door on that!

I’m sure you’ve already guessed that I’m kicking myself now! Their site says: “Did you know that most babies only go through two sizes of FuzziBunz® from birth to potty training—Smalls from 0-6 months and Mediums from 6-36 months?” I could swear that wasn’t there six years ago, ha ha! I know now that my daughter probably would have needed just Small and Medium, perhaps some XS as well. I could still be using them for my son now!

My son was about 14 pounds when we started cloth diapering at 4 months. I have tiny little peanut kids, so at 16 months now, he’s only about 18.5 lbs. I have mostly one-size diapers because I thought it was more cost effective that way, but my son is still in the same size medium settings he wore at 4 months old (though I probably could have used small then if I wanted to.)

(I do have a FuzziBunz one size diaper, but I don’t care as much for the fit when it’s on a smaller setting.)

At first glance, the perfect size look very similar to the one size.

They have a PUL outer, snap closures with the diagonal pattern (though this one doesn’t have the third hip snap that creates the befuddling triangular snap pattern.)

They have a microfleece inner to keep baby’s skin dry, and a pocket opening for the microfiber inserts.

The insert for the perfect size is wider than the one size; the diaper is wider as well.

This brings me to the perfect size shocker. As soon as I took it out of the package, it seemed huge! I checked at least a dozen times to make sure it really was a medium, and then I started wondering if I’d received a mis-labeled diaper. It is far larger than any other medium, larger than the largest setting of the one-size diaper, huge!

Medium Bumgenius AIO

Bumgenius 4.0, Large

FuzziBunz O/S, Largest Setting

Note: In the picture above, I have the Fuzzibunz O/S on the outermost holes of elastic. According to Fuzzibunz, the one size “large” setting is on hole #2, which is smaller than what I have in the picture. As pictured, the elastic is nearly fully extended and there is very little stretch to it (not sure why the extra holes are there.) The elastic is intended to tuck into the holes; I only left it out to show that it was fully extended and still smaller than the perfect size medium.

No, really. It’s big! That makes me think that FuzziBunz perfect Size would be an awesome choice for bigger or special needs children. XS is estimated to fit 4-12 lbs (preemie to 4 months), Small 7-18 lbs or 0-8 months (I think my son could probably still be wearing a small), Medium 15-30 lbs or 6-36 months, Large 25-45 lbs or 12+ months. They also have specialty sizes for Petite Toddlers, and Extra Large.

There it is folded and stretched. For comparison, here’s a Bumgenius 3.0, medium:

Finally, A Bumgenius 4.0 on the large setting, stretched, and a FuzziBunz one size on the largest setting, stretched.

I promise, I’m not trying to make this entire post about how OMG big this thing is!

It fit really well, despite being big, and didn’t leak. It was trim, as far as cloth diapers go as well. I do wish FuzziBunz had an aplix closure option though. P.S. I realize there are a lot of weird picture issues in this post. I tried blogger, I tried livewriter, and I spent hours on this. If I had tried again, I would have smashed my computer to smithereens, so you get what you get, LOL.

Giveaway: As a thank you for reading, and to pay some of my good fortune forward, I’m self-sponsoring a giveaway. One winner will choose their size and color (subject to availability, I reserve the right to make substitutions) of a FuzziBunz Perfect Size diaper. I will purchase from a reputable online cloth diaper retailer, and ship directly to the winner.

Here’s how to enter: All entries go in the form below. Feel free to leave a comment about the post, or simply to remind yourself that you entered however, comments will not be counted as entries Mandatory entries include name and email address. You may follow this blog (RSS, GFC or email, you choose) for a bonus entry. This post will be updated daily (or so) with the # of entries received, for those of you who like to know your odds.

I will accept entries until Saturday, October 9th 2010 at 9 P.M. Eastern. I will select a winner using random.org’s true random number generator and notify him/her by email. Winner has 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is chosen. View my ~~giveaway rules~~ page for complete details. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

Entries as of October 9th, 2010 at 9:00 P.M.: 270

https://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dDB5VDZIWmJ1RHhndENkcDRmYk9sSGc6MQ

FTC Compliance: All items were purchased at normal retail prices, I was not compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own.

This giveaway is not endorsed approved or sponsored by, nor affiliated with FuzziBunz, or any retailer.

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BabyKicks 3G Bumboo Pocket Diaper Giveaway (2 winners) Sponsored by CSN Stores (CLOSED 10/5)

Sep 28,2010 / By Maria / 13 Comments

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I reviewed the BabyKicks Bumboo Pocket Diaper in May, but now BabyKicks has a 3G Bumboo Pocket Diaper.

Improvements to the 3G include: colors (now available in Poppy, Meadow & Azure as well as white), a new one-size insert, unique newborn snap closure, wider front panel, wider pocket opening, trimmer design and thinner wings to fit chunky thighs. All the great things about the 2G but even better!

CSN Stores is not only sponsoring a prize package during the A Merry Fluffy Christmas Event, but they have also agreed to allow me to send a BabyKicks 3G Bumboo Pocket Diaper to two of my readers!

CSN Stores is a collection of over 200 stores that sells everything from furniture to luggage and everything in between. They have a selection of diapers as well as an environmentally friendly product category.

Here’s how to enter: All entries go in the form below. Feel free to leave a comment about the post, or simply to remind yourself that you entered however, comments will not be counted as entries. Mandatory entries include name, email address and visiting CSN Stores, then telling me what cloth diaper products you think should be in the December Prize Pack. You may follow this blog (RSS, GFC or email, you choose) for a bonus entry and/or “like” me on Facebook for a bonus entry. This post will be updated daily (or so) with the # of entries received, for those of you who like to know your odds.

I will accept entries until Tuesday, October 5th, 2010 at 9 P.M. Eastern. I will select 2 winners using random.org’s true random number generator and notify them by email. Winners have 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is chosen. View my giveaway rules page for complete details. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Winners, please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery to you.

# of entries as of October 5th, 2010 at 9:00 P.M.: 258

https://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dE5RcGw3ZGQ0Z3lrZGlSZ0tHV0VfVGc6MQ

FTC Compliance: CSN Stores is providing me with the product, which I will ship to the winners. I was not compensated for this post; I was not required or requested to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

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Baby Wearing Coupon Discount Review

Boba Baby Carrier Review PLUS Coupon/Discount Code!

Sep 16,2010 / By Maria / 6 Comments

NAP, inc. makes both the Sleepy Wrap and the Boba Baby Carrier. The Sleepy Wrap was a lifesaver for us. I love it so much that if I could marry it, I totally would. So logically, when I was looking for a soft structured carrier, I looked at Boba. The Boba is designed for babies 15-45 pounds; if you have a smaller baby, you will love the Sleepy Wrap!

My post in October on The Village of Moms is on Babywearing, so look for that to read more about the Sleepy Wrap and why I love it, along with photos and video of it!

I received the Organic Carrier in Aspen (retail $118), which is a nice, neutral color. The box it came in is really nice, I felt like I was opening a present!! It also came with a helpful instructional booklet, though you can also get information on their website. Boba recently released the Classic Carrier Collection. It is the same great carrier in fabulous colors, but comes with a lower price tag of $100 to go along with the non-organic cotton.

The Boba has a wide, padded waist band, and thick, cushy shoulder straps.

The sleeping hood attaches to the shoulder straps to support a snoozing baby’s head. It’s completely removable and tucks away neatly when not in use.

Unique to the Boba are the fully adjustable (and removable) foot straps, that provide proper leg support for older children (usually age 2 or so) and hold their knees up at hip level. They also slide along the waist band so you can get them perfectly adjusted for your little one.

Measurements above show: (clockwise, left to right) carrier height, carrier width, waist band height, strap width.

The Boba is highly adjustable, and will fit a wide range of sizes. The adjustments are sturdy straps that come with the excess neatly folded up. Aside from the foot strap and hood adjustments, you can adjust the waist, chest/back clip, move the chest/back clip up and down, and there are two adjustments for the shoulder straps themselves (seen above).

Below is a quick video demonstrating all of the adjustments on the Boba. I did this video when I first received the carrier. It becomes easier over time to adjust the straps, and I’d recommend sliding each one back & forth many times when you first receive it, before trying to adjust it while wearing it.

The carrier was a little intimidating at first with all the straps, but it was so easy to put on!

I did most of these photos and videos with my camera on a tripod while my husband was watching my son, so I had to recruit a model to help me out! Obviously, he is a little smaller than the minimum 15 pound baby the Boba recommends.

Clip the waist belt and adjust the strap.

In the pictures above, I had one strap on my shoulder before I picked Manny Bear up. Normally, I could pick up my son and hold him against my belly. Supporting his bottom with one hand, pull one shoulder strap up. Switch hands, supporting his bottom with the other hand, and putting the other shoulder strap on.

Fasten the chest/back clip and tighten. I had a little trouble tightening the back clip, and with NAP Inc.’s help I discovered it was easier to tighten this all the way before putting the carrier on, and tightening the shoulder straps instead. I am far more petite than the average petite person (I measured my shoulder width at about 15″) so I need most adjustments all the way tightened to feel secure.

Below is a quick video showing me putting the carrier on:

I will admit that it took quite a bit of playing around to get the fit just right, but once I did, it was wonderful. I didn’t know about all these awesome babywearing products when my daughter was small, so my babywearing experience with her was limited to the baby bjorn. Not only is the front facing carrier not recommended for several reasons, but it put so much strain on my shoulders that I couldn’t carry her for more than a few minutes, even when she was tiny.

One of the most important things about the Boba (to me) is that my son is sitting the same way he would be if I were holding him. His legs are held in a natural position.

My husband is more average sized, and the carrier fits wonderfully on him as well.

My husband also tried him on his back, but it was about bedtime and my son was not happy that I was taking pictures of him instead of holding him! We’re happy with the front carry right now with my son’s size and development, but the fact that we can use it in a back carry is great!

In conclusion, we LOVE the Boba Baby Carrier! My son is so happy when he is in it, and it’s very comfortable. I was sad when he seemed to be getting too big for the Sleepy Wrap, but now I can grocery shop, vacuum and do everything else I need to do in complete comfort. Woo-hoo!

Discount: Use coupon code Boba10 to get 10% off any Boba Baby Carrier.

FTC Compliance: I received the above product at no cost in order to review it. I was not otherwise compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own. I was not requested or required to write a positive review.

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Kickin’ Creations Review & Giveaway (CLOSED 9/21)

Sep 14,2010 / By Maria / 3 Comments

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I originally contacted Mandy of Kickin’ Creations to buy some wool dryer balls. As it turned out, she was not happy with the new method she was trying (at the time) for making them, and didn’t want to sell any to me until she was pleased with how they ended up.

We got to chatting and I agreed to review her cloth diaper safe laundry detergent, deodorizer powder (pail powder) and baby legs. (She also sells sugar scrubs, burp cloths and more!)

Kickin’ Creations items are normally shipped in nice, heat-sealed bags. Since mine were samples, they were shipped in regular baggies.

I received the detergent and pail powder, both in Wild Cherry Blossom scent. Other scent options include: Sweet Pea & Jasmine, Lavender Essential Oil, Apple Cinnamon, Fresh Linen and Unscented.

I’ve had such a hard time with detergent, that I was really surprised and impressed by Kickin’ Creations. Like the other scented detergents I’ve used, the scent was very strong. I could smell it as soon as I opened my mailbox! I’m a little more sensitive to smells than others, so I put the detergent and pail powder in an OXO container for storage. Like that, it made my laundry room smell great!

Each bag of detergent contains up to 70 wash loads, and sells for $15.00 plus $4.95 shipping. A half-batch sample pack sells for $8.00 plus shipping. The instructions are to use 1-2 tablespoons (3 to soak, less per load for an HE machine.)

The first time I used it, I used a little more than I needed to. After that, I used a little bit less, and while the laundry room smelled great while washing, the diapers rinsed clean. When they were finished, they had a faint scent, but just smelled clean. I used the whole bag (it lasted at least a week, I should have kept track!) and it worked wonderfully.

I use a Planet Wise large hanging wet bag as a pail, and don’t have a lot of stink issues. However, since I’ve started washing every other day, things get a little…eh…”gamey” by wash day. The Stink Be Gone All Purpose Deodorizer Powder is available in the same scents as the detergent, and a 10 ounce package sells for $5.00 plus shipping.

If you used it in a shaker bottle (relabeled for safety!) like an empty baby powder or spice container, it would be very easy to sprinkle a bit in your diaper pail or trash can. I just shook a little bit out of the bag onto the diapers as I added them to the pail & noticed some stink. It really did a good job of neutralizing the odor. My laundry room (where I keep my pail!) smelled fresh, not like flowery dirty diapers, hee hee.

Last up are the baby legs. You really have to cut me some slack on my pictures. Lately, trying to photograph my son feels like trying to photograph a squirrel on redbull.

The pair I received are navy blue, and like other WAHM baby legs, they are made from knee socks.

Mandy also makes a “Tiny Legs” version of baby legs for 0-3 month olds. They sell for about $5.00 plus shipping.

I am looking forward to using these when the weather gets cooler and he gets that chilly gap between socks and pants!

Kickin’ Creations sells both in the Cuties with Cloth Booties Congo (CWCB) on Hyenacart and the Bliss Congo. Her CWCB store stocks tomorrow, September 15th.

Giveaway: Mandy is offering one reader his/her choice of any one in-stock item! (Value up to $15.00)

Here’s how to enter: All entries go in the form below. Feel free to leave a comment about the post, or simply to remind yourself that you entered however, comments will not be counted as entries. Mandatory entries include name, email address and the item you like best after visiting the Kickin’ Creations CWCB store. You may “like” the Kickin’ Creations Facebook page for a bonus entry, and double your chances! This post will be updated daily (or so) with the # of entries received, for those of you who like to know your odds.

I will accept entries until Tuesday, September 21st, 2010 at 9 P.M. Eastern. I will select a winner using random.org’s true random number generator and notify him/her by email. View my giveaway rules page for complete details. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

# of entries as of September 21st, 2010 at 8:30 P.M.: 116

https://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dGU1UERuRFczdnBUUTNqeXVjMWo3aVE6MQ

FTC Compliance: I was provided with review samples for the cost of shipping, and a giveaway winner will receive a free item as well. I was not otherwise compensated for this post; I was not required or requested to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

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