Greeting Card Universe Custom Greeting Cards Giveaway (CLOSED 11/7)

Oct 31,2011 / By Maria / 3 Comments

Greeting Card Universe has a crazy number of unique, custom and personalized cards, invitations and announcements. Browse through dozens of categories, and if you don’t find quite what you’re looking for, task an artist and a new card will be created within 48 hours, at no extra charge! Cards are already easily customizable from photos to text, and Greeting Card Universe will even send your card directly to the recipient, just for the price of the stamp (internationally too!) Cards are $3.00 each, but are discounted when you buy 5 or more.

The birth announcements and photo birth announcements are so cute; they have styles to fit every taste and can I just say that I LOVE the idea of having them mailed directly?

Greeting Card Universe has cards for occasions you’d never find elsewhere, cards in foreign languages, cute, hilarious, and even sarcastic cards.

You can choose from adoption announcements, photo adoption annoucements cute or funny pregnancy announcements, and even cards for twins, triplets (and more!)

They have lots of unique thank you cards and baby shower thank you cards, and like every other card they can be customized too!

I’m known for sending thank you notes very promptly after receiving a gift. When I had my daughter, I almost dreaded getting a gift since it became a source of stress to stay on top of the thank yous when I had a newborn baby who wouldn’t nap and wouldn’t let me put her down! At one point I ran out of cards and stationery, and I would have loved to have chosen, customized and mailed a card from Greeting Card Universe vs. dragging her to the store, looking for cards, writing it out, signing it, addressing it and getting it in the mailbox!! I know it’s maybe not quite as personal as signing and addressing it yourself but still!

If you’re looking for a unique card or any card really, check Greeting Card Universe first!

Be sure to follow Greeting Card Universe on Twitter and “like” Greeting Card Universe on Facebook!

~~Giveaway: One winner will receive a code for 5 free greeting cards. (ARV $15) Entries go in the Rafflecopter form.~~

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Serta Royal Sleeper Crib Mattress Review & Organic Mattress Pad Giveaway (CLOSED 11/4)

Oct 28,2011 / By Maria / 5 Comments

I received a Serta Royal Sleeper crib mattress to review for the new baby. My son is using an almost 7 year old crib mattress, which has been in near constant use for those 7 years between my daughter using it in a crib, then toddler bed, then passing it along to him. Don’t worry, we will be buying him a new one for sure!

I’m not even sure what that mattress is, but it’s the typical white/pastel flower print, vinyl exterior, stiff crib mattress. The under side of it (the side my daughter used) is actually cracked. I don’t remember how much it was, maybe $80 or so, but really, it should have been replaced at least 3 times by now!

The mattress is not 100% organic however, it’s an excellent compromise. It has 221 continuous coils for support & durability and fully clipped perimeter border wire for firm edges and balanced support when your baby is standing. 4 corner supports and 2 side flex clips provide additional support. Over the coils, there is an ortho-insulator layer, a layer of organic cotton, then a Serta Fireblocker layer. Everything is covered with a water resistant, hypoallergenic jacquard cover. I haven’t tested the cover to see just how water resistant it is, but I initially didn’t think it was, until I read the packaging. It feels like a lovely mattress, not the plastic you expect from a crib mattress. There are also 6 vents to keep air circulating. The cover is secured with heavy binding and lock stitching.

The mattress I received actually sat in the plastic for a good month+ while we waited for our crib to ship. When we took it out we discovered a small defect where some of the lock stitching was missed. I contacted the company (the mattresses are actually made by Lajobi) not expecting much…the mattress was “free” after all, but I did want to let them know. I received a speedy response and they replaced the mattress for me! Excellent, courteous and professional customer service.

The Serta Royal Sleeper is sold at Babies R Us with a list price of $159.99. At the time I’m writing this, it’s on sale for $129.99, and there’s an additional $20 off $125 savings. I’m sure that will be over by the time this post is published, but if you’re on their mailing list, you will likely have a 20% off coupon to use! Anyway my point is that while this mattress seemed pricey at first, you can really get it for about the same as the “cheap” crib mattresses, and it is so much nicer. I don’t doubt that it will last through crib and toddler bed use, as opposed to our “cheapie” mattress, that didn’t make it through my daughter’s crib days intact.

The mattress is a standard crib mattress size, and will fit in both cribs and toddler beds. Since it is water resistant but not water proof I think I will buy a Serta Organic Mattress Cover like the one I have to give away to one of you! The cover retails for $24.99, and is 52″ x 28″ and fitted. It’s elasticized end to end so it doesn’t shift, is PVC and Phthlate free and machine washable. The top is 100% organic quilted cotton and the underside is 100% waterproof!

~~Giveaway: I have a Serta Organic Crib Mattress pad to send one winner! (ARV $24.99.) Entries go in the Rafflecopter form.~~

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EcoBabies Newborn Cloth Diaper Rental Info & Diaperaps Starter Pack Giveaway (CLOSED 11/3)

Oct 27,2011 / By Maria / 9 Comments

Eco Babies is an online cloth diaper retailer that offers cloth diapers, accessories, detergent, training pants, swim diapers, eco-friendly toys, baby grooming/skin care products, baby carriers, eco-friendly feeding products and breastfeeding products.

Eco Babies ships internationally, and offers free shipping on orders over $50 to the domestic United States. There are a few things that really make Eco Babies stand out. One is the cloth diaper workshops they offer in the Maryland, D.C./Virginia area (Prince George’s, Montgomery, Howard, Anne Arundel, Charles, St. Mary’s, Arlington & Fairfax Counties & Washington DC.) They will soon be offering baby wearing workshops as well! If you can’t make one of the workshops, Eco Babies offers in-home consults. For a small $25 fee, Lee-Ann will come to your home and go over cloth diaper basics, helping you determine what would work best for your family. She will travel within 50 miles of zip code 20720, if you live in this area (or have a friend/family member who is expecting & lives in the area) I think an in-home consult and a gift certificate would be an amazing gift. Eco Babies has a gift registry as well.

The other unique thing Eco Babies offers is their newborn cloth diaper rental. Newborn diapers can get expensive, and depending on your baby’s size, they may not be in them long. When you purchase a newborn rental/trial package, you pay $220 up front which includes a rental fee of $35/month (minimum rental period is 60 days, you just let Eco Babies know by 45 days if you need an additional month) as well as $20 worth of bio liners and cloth diaper detergent (this fee is non-refundable.) The remainder of the fee ($130) is a deposit, which will be refunded upon return of the items (less any items you decide to keep, or items that are lost or damaged beyond normal wear & tear.) You will receive your cash refund within 30 days of returning the items, or if you elect to receive store credit instead, you will get a 10% bonus, and have $143 to spend!

The package includes:

6ea. OsoCozy Indian Unbleached Prefolds – Preemie Size (4-10lbs)
12ea. OsoCozy Indian Unbleached Prefolds – Infant Size (7-15lbs)
3ea. Bummis Super Brite Covers – XS (4-9lbs)
3ea. Bummis Super Brite Covers – S (8-16lbs)
2 ea. Fuzzi Bunz XS Pocket Diapers – XS (4-12lbs)
2ea. GroVia Newborn AIOs (5-12lbs) OR Rumparooz Lil’ Joeys AIOs (4-12lbs)
2ea. Imse Vimse Newborn Contour Flanelette Diapers (4.5-18lbs) OR Bummis Bamboozle Fitted Diapers (5-18lbs)
1ea. Snappi – Infant Sized
1ea. Roll of Bummis Bio-Liners – S
1ea. Bag of Classic Rock Rockin’ Green Detergent

The package is structured in such a way that a new mom can go for 1-2 days before having to wash diapers. Items can be used or new, and used items are sanitized by a professional cloth diaper service before being sent out to another customer.

Eco Babies is offering my readers a 5% discount on their orders. Just enter coupon code CHA5DIA at checkout. (One use per customer, expires 11/30/11.)

Be sure to follow Eco Babies on Twitter, “like” Eco Babies on Facebook and follow the Eco Babies Blog.

Giveaway: One lucky winner will receive a Diaperaps starter pack including one newborn organic cotton cover (6-11 lbs), two infant size 16″ x 12″ (fits up to 16 lbs) easy fold diapers (prefolds), three biodegradable diaper liners and a cloth diapering guide in a cute box. (ARV $20) Entries go in the Rafflecopter form below.

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Thirsties Duo Fab Fitted Cloth Diaper & Duo Wrap Giveaway (CLOSED 11/2) US/Canada

Oct 26,2011 / By Maria / 9 Comments

This is the last of the fabulous Thirsties giveaways in the Virtual Baby Shower Event! In the interest of brevity, I won’t go into too many details about the diaper & cover, but please check out my Thirsties Duo Wrap review, my post comparing the Thirsties Duo Wrap vs Sized Diaper Cover, and my Thirsties Duo Fab Fitted Review & Comparison to the sized Fab Fitted! Each of those posts has tons of detailed photos, measurements, and all the info!

The Thirsties Duo Fab Fitted is the improved version of the much loved fab fitted diaper. It comes in six colors and your choice of aplix or snap closures. Like the duo diaper and duo wrap, each size has three snap down rise settings to fit from birth to potty training in just two sizes. Size 1 fits 6-18 lbs and size 2 fits 18-40 lbs! The duo fab fitted is also improved in that it has a “tunnel” style soaker that allows you to add additional absorbency underneath, and also makes for more thorough washing & faster drying than a fully sewn in soaker! Each Duo Fab Fitted diaper retails for $17.00.

Naturally, the Duo Fab Fitted goes hand in hand with the Duo Wrap! The wrap has the same duo sizing, comes in 9 colors, 5 fantastic prints, and snap or aplix closures! The PUL cover has double gussets to contain messes (just like the duo diaper) and you can wipe and reuse it. The wraps are free of VOC’s, PVC, phthalates, lead, and latex! Each duo wrap retails for $12.75 for solid colors, or $13.75 for prints.

Be sure to request a Thirsties print catalog, “like” Thirsties on Facebook and follow Thirsties on Twitter!

Giveaway: Thirsties is offering one of my readers a Duo Fab Fitted and Duo Wrap in his/her choice of size, color and closure! Entries go in the Rafflecopter form.

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SwaddleDesigns Swaddle Duo Review & Giveaway (CLOSED 11/1) US/Canada

Oct 25,2011 / By Maria / 157 Comments

Founded by Lynette Damir, RN, in 2002, SwaddleDesigns was the first company to introduce the large square swaddling blanket to the US and many countries around the world. SwaddleDesigns is known for their premium quality fabric, fabulous colors and prints, decorative edge, and the innovative 123 Swaddle® instructional label that helps new parents master the art of swaddling. SwaddleDesigns swaddling blankets are perfect for swaddling and have many uses such as a privacy throw for breastfeeding moms, a tummy time play mat and a cover over the stroller.

SwaddleDesigns strives to help new parents care for their baby by providing accurate and up-to-date information, so parents may make informed choices. SwaddleDesigns Safe Sleep Program includes recommendations from the AAP and the NIH as the company strives to increase awareness of Safe Sleep practices and help parents reduce risk of SIDS.

According to leading SIDS researchers, both overheating AND overchilling are risk factors for SIDS. In addition, it’s important for parents to understand that when baby is too cool during sleep, baby will use valuable energy to stay warm instead of growing and thriving. Over the past few years some juvenile product companies have over focused on overheating as a SIDS risk factor, and there has been a lack of balanced conversation regarding insufficient thermal insulation – the danger of baby being too cool – as a risk factor for SIDS. It is time for a balanced information where parents are educated and reminded of their important responsibility to make sure baby is not too hot or too cold, but comfortably warm.

The SwaddleDesigns Goldilocks Guide™ says baby should not be too hot, or too cold, but just right ~ comfortably warm. The Goldilock’s Guide helps new parents remember the importance of keeping baby comfortably warm. Visit the SwaddleDesigns Safe Sleep page to learn more about Safe Sleep Practices and the SwaddleDesigns Goldilocks Guide.

SwaddleDesigns is best known for their Ultimate Receiving Blanket and Marquisette Swaddling Blanket, and they are now introducing the SwaddleDuo.

SwaddleDuo offers two premium, yet different, baby soft cotton swaddling blankets – two swaddle blankets in a wonderful gift box:

The Ultimate Receiving Blanket® is a lightweight premium cotton flannel blanket – for moderate to cooler environmental temperatures

The Marquisette Swaddling Blanket® is a very lightweight openweave cotton blanket – for warmer environmental temperatures

With the SwaddleDuo, parents will be prepared for a variety of environmental settings – cool, moderate and warm

SwaddleDesigns Cotton Marquisette is similar to muslin but is made from premium quality yarns.

SwaddleDesigns Cotton Flannel is made from premium preshrunk domestic cotton.

Swaddling instructions are sewn right to the blanket, and you can also visit their “How to Swaddle” page to view “How to Swaddle” and more information regarding sleeping environments and the benefits of swaddling.

SwaddleDesigns sent me the Swaddle Duo “modern duo” in lime with brown

The blankets are packaged perfectly for gift giving, are soft and generously sized. I can’t wait to swaddle the new baby!

The SwaddleDuo is available in 17 styles with MSRP of $38, so you’re sure to find one you love!

Follow SwaddleDesigns on Twitter and “like” SwaddleDesigns on Facebook. Facebook fans get the inside scoop, previews of new collections and Fan discounts. SwaddleDesigns would love for you to leave a comment on their Facebook wall stating your favorite print or product!

Join SwaddleDesigns’ exclusive email club and get the inside scoop for special offers (and receive a promotional code in your email for 10% off full priced items in your first purchase!)

~~Giveaway: One winner will receive a SwaddleDesigns swaddle duo classic peace love swaddle duo in blue or pink (ARV $38.) Entries go in the Rafflecopter form.~~

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Category : Virtual Baby Shower Event

Greeting Card Universe Custom Greeting Cards Giveaway (CLOSED 11/7)

Serta Royal Sleeper Crib Mattress Review & Organic Mattress Pad Giveaway (CLOSED 11/4)

EcoBabies Newborn Cloth Diaper Rental Info & Diaperaps Starter Pack Giveaway (CLOSED 11/3)

Thirsties Duo Fab Fitted Cloth Diaper & Duo Wrap Giveaway (CLOSED 11/2) US/Canada

SwaddleDesigns Swaddle Duo Review & Giveaway (CLOSED 11/1) US/Canada

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